ilikebunnies

I am opting for the band with plication. The plication acts as a sleeve with the security of the band. It is still a new procedure but many I have talked to love it! It may be an alternative.

Haha no kidding! I think they are capitalizing on it since so many are wanting plication.

I watched it on 20/20 too and it scared me! I was reconsidering surgery after I watched that.

Interesting that you asked. When I went to the seminar it was considered free at the time because insurance does not have a billable code for it yet. Still no billable code but they are charging for it. I asked my surgery coordinator and they said they don't have the numbers just yet since I was going through insurance. While in the waiting room I overheard someone that was self-pay asking about it and she said roughly 3000 more. i will update you when I get the true numbers.

Welcome Crystal! This environment is so welcoming and friendly, you are in the right place. I am waiting on insurance approval at the moment and looking at mid-June or July for the surgery. Keep us updated on your progress, maybe we will be banded around the same time!

Don't beat yourself up! I was diagnosed with diabetes this year and went through some of the same feelings. The reality is that the way you eat is just one factor not THE factor. A lot of other things are involved as well. So cheer up and don't be to hard on yourself. You are trying to take care of yourself now and that is what matters.

Plication is when they fold the stomach and stitch it up in addition to the band. It acts as a sleeve with no cutting. Kind of an upgraded lapband. I am opting for the plication with the band but get nervous about doing it because it is still so new.

93lbs in 9 months, that's amazing!!!!

Hmmm that is weird. Does anyone know how I can keep the group open for everyone to join without invite?

Cotton mouth sucks,but happy you're banded and plicated! How's the pain? I hear the second day is the hardest.

Does anyone know if you can blend ice into your protein drinks after surgery?

Thank you so much! This is great news! I was afraid I would have to drink them plain, they are much better blended with ice mmmmm

My doctor says he prefers the lapband.

I have posted this in a few other places for others that want to know more about the pre-op process (because I know I sure wanted to), any questions please feel free to ask! I finally met with Dr. Snyder! I spent all day running from one place to another since I live far away I scheduled most things back to back. In the morning I had the psych evaluation. It was quick, painless, and you fill out a long survey. Mid-day I met with the nutritionist for a one-on-one and went over the tips on what to be eating etc. again painless and easy. Afternoon I met with Dr. Snyder he explained plication and said that it shouldn't be more pain than just the band because the stomach can't feel pain...interesting. I also asked about the additional costs. Since it is not a free add on any more there will be additional costs; however, since I am on insurance they can not give me the numbers yet. I met with my surgery coordinator after Dr. Snyder to talk insurance and stuff. She said I was an A+ patient and said it shouldn't be long before I am approved because I was organized. My advice when you meet for your consult have a letter from your doctor saying your a good candidate, copies of medical records from the past few years (they printed mine for free when I asked for them), copy of your insurance policy, and any requirements done ahead of time if you can manage (i.e. sleep study, pre-op diet, psych eval etc.). After meeting with my surgery coordinator I did the pulmonary test at the hospital, you breath into a machine a few times and your done. The whole process was long just because I did it all in a day but very painless and easy. Soon as my paperwork is all together they can send it off to insurance. They said my surgery would probably be mid to late June. I might opt for July depending on work schedule. Hopefully this all helps others in knowing a little bit more about the process Keep in mind that not all processes are the same, this is just what I have experienced.

I finally met with Dr. Snyder! I spent all day running from one place to another since I live far away I scheduled most things back to back. In the morning I had the psych evaluation. It was quick, painless, and you fill out a long survey. Mid-day I met with the nutritionist for a one-on-one and went over the tips on what to be eating etc. again painless and easy. Afternoon I met with Dr. Snyder he explained plication and said that it shouldn't be more pain than just the band because the stomach can't feel pain...interesting. I also asked about the additional costs. Since it is not a free add on any more there will be additional costs; however, since I am on insurance they can not give me the numbers yet. I met with my surgery coordinator after Dr. Snyder to talk insurance and stuff. She said I was an A+ patient and said it shouldn't be long before I am approved because I was organized. My advice when you meet for your consult have a letter from your doctor saying your a good candidate, copies of medical records from the past few years (they printed mine for free when I asked for them), copy of your insurance policy, and any requirements done ahead of time if you can manage (i.e. sleep study, pre-op diet, psych eval etc.). After meeting with my surgery coordinator I did the pulmonary test at the hospital, you breath into a machine a few times and your done. The whole process was long just because I did it all in a day but very painless and easy. Soon as my paperwork is all together they can send it off to insurance. They said my surgery would probably be mid to late June. I might opt for July depending on work schedule. Hopefully this all helps others in knowing a little bit more about the process

I finally met with Dr. Snyder! I spent all day running from one place to another since I live far away I scheduled most things back to back. In the morning I had the psych evaluation. It was quick, painless, and you fill out a long survey. Mid-day I met with the nutritionist for a one-on-one and went over the tips on what to be eating etc. again painless and easy. Afternoon I met with Dr. Snyder he explained plication and said that it shouldn't be more pain than just the band because the stomach can't feel pain...interesting. I also asked about the additional costs. Since it is not a free add on any more there will be additional costs; however, since I am on insurance they can not give me the numbers yet. I met with my surgery coordinator after Dr. Snyder to talk insurance and stuff. She said I was an A+ patient and said it shouldn't be long before I am approved because I was organized. My advice when you meet for your consult have a letter from your doctor saying your a good candidate, copies of medical records from the past few years (they printed mine for free when I asked for them), copy of your insurance policy, and any requirements done ahead of time if you can manage (i.e. sleep study, pre-op diet, psych eval etc.). After meeting with my surgery coordinator I did the pulmonary test at the hospital, you breath into a machine a few times and your done. The whole process was long just because I did it all in a day but very painless and easy. Soon as my paperwork is all together they can send it off to insurance. They said my surgery would probably be mid to late June. I might opt for July depending on work schedule. Hopefully this all helps others in knowing a little bit more about the process

So I am almost finished with my third month of pre-op diet. I called BCBS today to find out about the nitty gritty of the coverage requirements so I am ready when my consultation comes around. The rep tells me that this year the requirements changed and you don't need the 6 month pre-op diet any more. Does anyone else know if this is true? I don't want to get too excited to find out later that she was wrong.

Awesome!

Welcome JessieRae I haven't been plication banded yet, but would like to at least welcome you

I am currently trying to wean myself off of diet coke because I know it will help once I get banded. I feel like a crackmonkey with diet coke, I will bring two to a 1 hour long meeting and carry one everywhere I go. i started supplementing with crystal light. So far not to bad. I am down to 2 a day which is pretty good for me. Good luck and let me know of any tricks that work for you!

Thanks for joining! Everything I have seen is super positive also. The plication is suppose to prevent band slippage and faster weight loss. I have a consultation on the 16th and hope to find out even more.

Good luck! You will be our thoughts!

Kah1213 I sent you an invite if that helps

Uhhh I didn't know they had passwords, I set it to public.

I have started the "Plication Pioneers" group for anyone that is interested