sharon160

Also, make sure your surgeon will accept the Medicare assignment for the surgery. If the hospital is a Center of Excellence, they will accept the Medicare assignment. That basically means that they wil get paid a WHOLE lot LESS than what they bill and the rest will be written off. I was banded when I was 65 plus 10 months but I'm sure it's up to the individual surgeon and your medical condition to determine if they will do the surgery. Good luck, and welcome to the forum.

I had my surgery in February at a COE, and medicare paid for everything. NO 6 month diet was requred. However, make sure you surgeon accepts medicare assignment. They only pay a very small amount.

Guess I better chime in on this thread. Haven't been on this site in a while. Anniversary date June 12, 4th fill, 5.8cc in a 10cc Realize band, have lost right at 27# for the 4th anniversary. Going for another fill this week, and am close to good restriction, I think.

my hernia was discovered during the lap band surgery and fixed before they put the band in. I had no idea I had a hernia, and just thought the heartburn and reflux was from the weight.

I had my second fill Thursday and I sure hope it kicks in because as of now, nothing. same as before the fill. 3 cc first fill, and 1 cc this fill. I've lost a total of 23 since surgery, and although I'm happy with that, I want to not be so hungry.

I'm delurking too. banded 2-12 and hungry as all get out. 2nd fill on this coming Friday and I know there isn't much hope of restriction more than a couple of days, but I will continue to hope. Have lost no weight since my 1st fill, but haven't gained anything either. I read pretty faithfully and am keeping tabs on all my band sisters.

Surgery Feb 12, first fill March 17 and virtually no restriction after the first couple of days. I've had to hold steady all month and go for my 2nd fill on next friday April 18. I think I have actually lost 2 pounds this month, but I know this is fairly normal. Just keep to the rules, try not to eat huge amounts, eat healthy and stay away from things you aren't supposed to eat. I'm pretty sure I'm open enough to eat bread, rice and pasta, but I'm not going to chance it. I haven't had it for 2 months, and if I do, I know I will have a hard time breaking the habit. Stay strong as you can.

I guess it's just a matter of time. short periods of restriction, loosing weight, then no restriction and not loosing weight, holding pattern until next fill, at least for a few months. I can live with that, as long as the loosing weight part exhists and I don't get discouraged.

I live in Gardnerville Nevada, about 15 miles south of Carson City, the capital.Banded on 02-12 and doing great. looking forward to my first fill on Monday

I'm glad to hear that you guys are having a little bit of restriction since your fill. My fill is Monday afternoon, and I was hoping (at least for a week or two) to have a little more restriction than I have now. My food just isn't staying with me for very long right now and of course haven't lost any weight for a week and a half. Want to get started again. I'm right at 200.6 and want to break that 200 mark. It's been really frustrating.

5 weeks after surgery, 4 weeks after post op visit

I get my first fill on Monday, and boy do I need it.

Angie: Funny, I was just saying today, wonder when I can eat nuts? I used to love my 12 almonds a day (1 oz) and really miss them. We may have had surgery the same day, but my fill isn't until next monday.

I also have AARP for my secondary. I would highly recommend them. I never see a bill, they pay all excess charges (Plan J) between what medicare approves and what medicare pays. Never a hassle, it's all just seamless.

Medicare does not require pre=approval. Once my paperwork was submitted they were ready to do surger;y the next week, even tho it took me longer to get the rv and family ready to travel. Any requirements are from the surgeon (any tests, psychirtist, chest x ray, etc etc)., ;yes, also here, having to stay overnight which I think is a plus, as the nurses keep you on monitors, pain free, walking, heparin shots (so you don't get blood clots).