Startingover!

I'm due to be banded on June 17th by Dr. Larson in West Palm Beach. I've already met a few people on here that have used him. But I'm hoping to find some more. I'm just curious about everyone's experience with him. Thanks Amy

WOW! Everybody eats so healthy! Thanks everyone!

thanks! I'll go check that out!

I was wondering if anyone who has been banded would mind giving me their menu on any given day? I'm just kind of curious what everyone is eating in a days time. Also if there's any food that you cannot tolerate at all and what works the best with the band. Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to gather as much information before being banded!! Thanks!

I have a very large hiatal hernia that they will be repairing. Thanks for everyone's input. I am so excited. I feel like I'll be getting all fixed up at one time! I have suffered with terrible reflux for 9 years, so I'm almost as excited about the hernia repair as the lap band!

I am scheduled June 17th for my lap band (yeah) and hernia repair. I was hoping to hear from anyone who has had a hernia repair with their lap band surgery? I was just wondering how the general experience differs from just the lap band?

Does anyone have a Myspace page? It's a great way to stay in touch and see before/after pics! My surgery is June 17th. I plan on posting my progress pics on there. Mine is: MySpace.com - ~Steve & Amy~ - 36 - Female - West Palm Beach, Florida - www.myspace.com/steveamy050303 Amy

thanks for everyone's reponses. It does ease the worry a little bit! I guess I'll feel better about it when I actually have one done. I'm a big baby! But I guess if I could live thru 6 cortisone injections in my back last year this should be a breeze! The anticipation is probably worst than anything. Thanks again!

I'm due to be banded on June 17th and am very excited! But I am very nervous about the idea of the fills. So I was curious if they are uncomfortable, painful or what? Also, has anyone had any problems with the fills? Thanks to all!

:blushing: I'm getting banded (yippee) on June 17th!! I can't wait!

Wow...thank you for everyone's input! I will definitely have to try some of the things!

Hi, I'm pretty much a vegetarian. I only eat boneless skinless chicken breast, very little if any, and shrimp and crab meat. I'm scheduled to have the surgery on June 17th and am a bit concerned that I won't be able to get the required amount of Protein. Does anyone have any good ideas for sources of protein? thanks a bunch !

Thank you to everyone! My surgery date is June 17th. It seems like a lifetime away! But I figure I've waited months to get approved so I can wait another month.

I am finally getting banded on June 3rd. I'm so excited!!

:smile2: I'm so excited, my surgery is scheduled for June 3rd. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks!

My doctor just resubmitted it. But I had to be 100lbs over their requirement before they would approve it, even with the co-morbs. It's bad to say but I purposely gained a few pounds for the approval. Otherwise I would have never been approved. Good luck to you!

:wink2: I'm so freakin excited I can't stand it!! I just got approved today after 3 long months!! Now I just have to schedule the surgery. So excited I can't stand it!!

Ok people!! I am waiting on approval and now I'm wondering if the band really works after reading everyone's posts!! But at the same time I see the weight everyone has lost, so it probably does work!! Like other people here, I have a serious food addiction and a bottomless pit of a stomach and to top it off, no will power. So reading all of these posts about no restriction is not good. For all of those out there who have had one or more fills - Do you start feeling restriction eventually?? God I hope so!!

I am exactly 99lbs overweight. I would hope they would over look the one pound! I have documented via MRI's arthritis in my knees and back. Have had 3 surgeries on my knees. I was tested for sleep apnea which was so mild it was almost negative, but they did request further testing. I have a very large hiatal hernia. Shortness of breath, various documented weight loss attempts by doctors. I've passed all the required psych tests, nutritional tests etc. I think there are a few more mild co-morbs. I actually just got off the phone with Tricare. They said that the when the doctor sent in the last updated clinicals they didn't send in a letter of appeal, so they are not processing it without that letter. But they said that I could send the letter. Which I just did and have received receipt that they received it. So maybe now the ball with start rolling!! Thank you for everyone's information. It is very, very helpful!

No, Tricare does not require a 6 month supervised diet. At least not to my knowledge.

This was the second time it was denied. The first time they wanted more information, a sleep study done etc. So we gave them the updated info and they denied it. So they wanted more info, so now we're waiting to hear back since we sent them even more info. Considering that you use to work there can you give us any insider advice?? LOL

Are you planning on appealing it? If so what is the status of yours? I'm waiting to hear back on the appeal. They told me to call back on May 6th. The waiting is killing me!! Good luck to you!

Thank you so much for your response(s)! For the pre-op for lap band I just had an upper GI and endoscopic and there was no evidence of bleeding. But since those tests I have had minimal, almost not worth mentioning, blood in my stools. I have started vomiting at least once every couple of days in the past month. I don't know why. I guess I just I just worry because my mother had cancer and lupus to name a few problems. Corry- The doc gave me a prescription for an Iron supplement. So I'm hoping that will help. Good luck with your new band and Congrats! Thank you both for your help!

I'm waiting on approval from Tri-Care for my lapband and my PCM did a blood test I just got the results today and they are as follows: Red blood cell count Low 3.65. Hemoglobin Low 9.1. Hematocrit Low 28.2. MCV Low 77.4. MCH Low 24.9. RDW HIGH 15.1. Platelet Count High 407. DHEA Sulfate Low 28. Bun/Creatinine Ratio High 23. Folate Low 3.9. Sorry for all of the info!! But it's a little scary. It seems like everything is out of sync! Does anyone have any explanation? Before I had these results I completed a saliva (hormone test) last week, so before the doctor acts on these test she wants those results also. But she did give me a B12 shot and a prescription for Niferex until we get the other results back. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read all of this! Amy

Thank you so much for the information. My doctor's office called them yesterday and spoke with a supervisor. They corrected the "not covered" issue and now they just want me to provide proof of one more comorbidity. They said arthritis in my weight bearing joints would be sufficient. So I tracked down some old MRI results that stated I had arthritis in my knee and lower back. So the doctor is sending those tomorrow. The supervisor has given the impression that with this additional information a approval will come. So we'll see. I'll definitely keep you posted. Thanks again for the info and advice.