maggiehpp

My surgery date is October 16. I start 2 weeks of liquid diet tomorrow, Oct. 1st. Don't know how that will go; I'm thinking it will be pretty difficult. But many of you have gotten through it, and I will too. I will be banded at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, MI by Dr. Farhan. Good luck and much success to all of us October Bandsters!!

Hi RaeShelle, How are you doing post-op? Hope all your pain is gone. I am scheduled Oct. 16 with Dr. Farhan. Did you do the 4 weeks liquid diet (2 pre-op & 2 post-op)? If so, how did that go? I'm sort of dreading that. Can you share any info to help me be more prepared for surgery and about Hurley? thanks, maggie

Hi Anita, Thanks for the response and the info. I also have learned so much from this site, and also from the chat room where I can get answers to many questions. Congratulations on your 65 lb. loss!! You must be feeling really good about that. Have you found the new way of eating and drinking difficult to adjust to? I've always been a fast eater (comes from working and trying to squeeze in lunch and shopping in 1 hr..lol). I went for a cardiac catheterization yesterday. I was shocked (and very happy) when Dr. Choo said my arteries were clean as a whistle!! I have such shortness of breath after very little exertion that I was sure I would have to have several stints, if not worse. Dr. Choo is so nice and said he would get my clearance for surgery right out to Dr. Farhan at Hurley. So, I'm hoping to get a lapband surgery date before very long. At least, I'm getting closer. Thanks again, maggie

Hi Sparrow Bandsters, I see several of you are from Lansing and Lansing area. I'm not yet banded, still jumping through hoops. I am going to Hurley in Flint because I have to go to a Center of Excellence and Sparrow is not yet so designated, but should be soon. However, I had already started the process at Hurley when I learned that. Anyway, I was just wondering how you all are doing now that you are a few months out. What advice do you have to make things go smoother through pre, surgery, and post-op. Thanks for any advice. maggie:thumbup:

Snuffy, How is your post-op going? Hope you are doing very well. :thumbup: Write and give us and update. Thanks, maggie

Snuffy, How did surgery at Hurley go? Did you like Dr. Farhan? I'm in the process of getting approved and Dr. Farhan will be my surgeon. Thanks, maggie

Hi MoonandStarz, I saw you in the chat lounge room last week. This week, I haven't been able to find the chat room. Do you know if it is still up and running? Just wondering... maggie

Hi Shee, Thanks for the quick response; I did have an appointment w/ the surgeon in May, and the nutritionist told me to go back to my pcp for 3 more months of dieting and PT. I have bad knees also. I was just a little confused about what I was supposed to tell my pcp I needed the PT for; so your answer is helpful. I'm sure my pcp will know anyway, but I have been dragging my feet a bit about going back to her (which probably is not very smart!!) The surgeon's office said everything (cardiologist, psychologist, insurance approval, etc. would take about 3 mos. and in the meantime she wanted my pcp to chart my weight and physical therapy. I better get a move on and follow their instructions. How are you coming along post-surgery. Did you have much pain? Hopefully not. thanks again, maggie

Hi Sheemac, What kind of physical therapy did you have to do? I have a lot of joint and muscle pain issues, but am not sure what type of PT will help that. thanks, maggie

Phyl, Thanks for the encouragement and for "keeping it real." I am 68 y.o, with BMI 46 and several co-morbidities. I am hoping Medicare will approve my surgery and without too much delay. I believe I am ready for this and can be successful, though I don't expect it to be easy or without difficulties. You just keep on leading the way, girl!! maggie

Hi Phyl, You are such as inspiration to me. I have my first appt. with the surgeon on 5-21, so I'm pretty excited about that, and also a little apprehensive. I have been going for monthly visits to my primary and lost about 20 lbs. then got offtrack and have gained about 10 lbs. back. My question is does the band help much with head hunger; like when you see something, and you're not hungry, but you want it anyway. Does the band help you maintain control of that? Thanks, maggie

Sharon, Thanks for the info. I am happy to hear that Medicare does pre-approve, as I would be leery of having the surgery without it. I'm sure your dr. is knowledgable about the overnight stay and medicare, so that's good to know. I'm wondering if anybody here had surgery at Hurley Bariatric Center in Flint, Mich? It is a COE, and is about an hour from my home. Does anyone know, after having surgery at a COE, can you go to a bariatric center or hospital in your hometown for problems or fills? I hate to think of a middle of the night complication having to drive an hour on icy roads. Thanks, markie

Hi Sharon, Maybe you can help me with a couple of questions: Does Medicare pre-approve the surgery? Seems like I read on here a few months ago that they do not pre-approve, but usually pay. Also, that Medicare does not pay if you do not stay overnight at the hospital. It's been awhile, so maybe my memory is not correct. I have been going to my pcp for about 7 mos. for dr. supervised diet, and am preparing now to call the surgeon's office and see what my next step is. Any help would be appreciated. thanks, markie

Thanks Ronnie! That sounds great! I'll have to try it. maggie

Hi Candle, Where do you get it and how do you use it? I'm not banded (just planning ahead). Thanks maggie

IndioGirl, Thanks so much for taking time to share that information. I'm keeping a notebook w/ helpful info so I can refer to it as needed. maggie

IndioGirl, Thanks for the quick response. I am learning through reading everyone's experiences that lap banding is not an easy fix, but a tool. I am a little fearful because right now, probably 50% of what I eat is because I want that particular thing, not because of actual hunger. I would hope the band is enough assistance to resist that, at least enough of the time to be able to lose weight. Right now, I have recently started a dr. supervised diet, and hope that after the first of the year to seek approval from medicare for lap banding. One thing that is confusing to me is that I went to a bariatric surgeon forum last month about banding, and the surgeon's office staff wanted me to make an appointment with him at that meeting, after which he would order the tests he wanted, etc. The literature they handed out said medicare requires 12 mos. dr. supervised diet with monthly visits. (I have since had responses from age 60+ banders saying they were not required to do that.) Did most people proceed this way (go through all the surgeon's tests prior to being approved by insurance)? If you get refusals, and takes quite a while to get approved, wouldn't you just have to get the tests done again (such as stress tests, etc.) My rambling doesn't sound too clear, hope you can get the gist of what I'm asking. Thanks so much, maggie

I'm just researching lap band surgery. What is PB'ing?? (don't laugh!) thanks, maggie

Phyll, Did medicare require you to have 6 - 12 mos. of monthly dr. supervised diet/weigh-ins? My understanding was that that is a requirement. If they do not stick to that, I may be able to be banded much sooner that I figured. Thanks for any info about the process with medicare. maggie

Hi Marilyn, Thanks for the info and quick response. Good luck on your upcoming banding! maggie

Hi mduvall: I am 67 and am checking about lap band surgery. Medicare is my primary insurance and requires 1 yr. of dr. supervised diet. Do you have any experience with medicare? thanks