Dandy Andi
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Everything posted by Dandy Andi
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Hey there... I don't mind the PM. Glad you wrote!
My primary doctor had recommended Dr. Nicholson, so I just went with it. I've always felt very confident with Baylor in general, so if Baylor approves of him, I do too.
The experience has been good. The office staff is really great and incredibly responsive. The insurance claims gal really pushed my approval through.
I like both Dr. Nicholson and his PA, Kristin. They both are very friendly, caring and responsive. I feel as if I've been a bit of a pain in the butt, because I keep having minor problems. Not their fault, by any means, just my body struggling to find balance.
Despite those struggles, I'm down 40 lbs in 3 months and I'm thrilled about it. I might be having a port revision surgery today or tomorrow... again with Dr. Nicholson.
Good luck with everything. Don't hesitate to ask any more questions you may have!
Andi
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Hey Megster... how did the port revision surgery go? I just found out today that mine has flipped AND my restriction is too much. Because of this, it looks like they might push me through within the next couple of days. A little nervous about it. How would you compare it to the lapband surgery itself? Thanks!
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Hi Flowerpurr, I only had to do a 3 month diet. In addition to that, I did nutritional counseling and a psych evaluation (which was a hoot). I also had to provide 5 years of medical history to establish long term obesity. I don't recall the address to which it was overnighted. I'm sure it's specific to your Aetna plan. Just tell the person at your surgeon's offfice who handles the claims, that you'd like to pick up the package and mail it yourself. My office gave the address to me. The were really helpful. Good luck with it all! I'm thrilled to have lost some weight (32 lbs), but I've struggled getting everything just right. It's certainly not an easy route, but I'm sure it will be worth it to us both in the end. Take care!
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Hi Flowerpurr... Aetna covered 2 upper GI's... one pre-op and one post-op. I'll likely be getting another tomorrow, so I'm sure they'll cover that one, too. They're looking for abnormalities in your esophagus and stomach. Also looking for hernias that may need to be fixed.
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I've read a lot of your posts and felt the need to chime in. I have Aetna POS. I submitted my paperwork on 12/17/07 and was approved on 12/24/07. My surgery date was 2/4/08. I was fortunate enough to have a really persistant insurance claims person at my surgeon's office (Dr. Nick Nicholson-Dallas). She called them daily to find out a status. Here's a tidbit for those of you that haven't submitted yet... I was told that your submission gets priority if you send it FedEx. That way, there is evidence as to when it was signed for. I simply picked up my package from the doctor's office and mailed it myself. I don't know that's what did the trick... but something worked well. Good luck everyone!! It hasn't been the easiest thing in the world, but I have 30 less lbs to carry around and that's awesome.
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I received my lap band on 2/4/08. My first fill six weeks later... all was good. Decided on a 2nd fill and I'm miserable. I made the mistake of trying a few very small, very well chewed pieces of steak and I've been a mess since. I went to the doctor on Monday because I can't get Water down. He removed the 2nd fill, but there hasn't been a great deal of improvment since. He wants to do an upper GI tomorrow... and I'd rather die! I feel as though a baseball is stuck in my pouch. I have reflux after drinking even water. I've been unable to drink enough water to sustain myself, so I might be giving in to the upper GI tomorrow. I'm so glad that you wrote. Sometimes it's easy to feel as if I'm the only one going through misery right now.
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What is Perfect Restriction
Dandy Andi replied to want2beme's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Totally discouraged at the moment... Received a Realize Band on 2/4/08. Waited 6 weeks for my first fill of 3 cc. After another 3 weeks, I went in for an additional fill because I felt I was eating too much. Received an additional 1.5cc. That worked for about a week until I tried some very well chewed steak. After throwing that up, I haven't been able to get my tummy to settle down. Nothing goes down well. I went 10 days throwing up daily. The dr. removed 1.5cc yesterday in an effort to help me consume liquids, but as of yet, I haven't noticed much of a change. It feels like I swallowed a baseball, yet the lower part of my stomach is VERY hungry. Has anyone else experienced extreme irritation? How long does it take to calm back down? The dr. wants an upper GI in 2 days and the thought of that has me cringing. Need your insight!! -
Hi everyone, I'm a newbie to Lapband and this site. I had my surgery on Monday, 2/4. The incisions and ab muscles are feeling much better, but I've developed a constant burning pain behind my breast bone that goes into my middle back. I'm still on liquids, although not many of those, thanks to the stomach. Does this sound familiar to anyone out there? Can you recommend something that might provide relief? My dr. has me taking 20mg of Pepcid in the morning and evening, as well as mylanta and gasX. At this point, all I can do is sleep to try to help the time pass. The dr. said if the pain hasn't subsided by Tuesday, we'll do another upper GI. Yum. Please provide some insight! I don't know how much pain I can tolerate.
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I have Aetna PPO in Texas. I was required to do a nutritional seminar, psych eval and 3 months of diet. I also had to provide 5 years of weight history and a letter of medical necessity from my dr. I submitted paperwork on 12/16. Was approved on 12/24. Received my lapband last week on 2/4. Seems like once you get the thumbs up... it's off and running. Good luck everyone! I'm still too new to rant about my band, but I'm sure I'll be able to soon.
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failing optifast stage! please help.
Dandy Andi replied to smilingsoph's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
My dr. didn't have me do liquids only. Apparently, the number of people capable of that are few. Ha! Instead, he had me do a 14 day, 1200 calorie, low fat, no carb diet. I can't imagine doing only shakes! That must be tough. I can tell you though, that the reason for the diet (at least for my dr) is that your liver needs to reduce in size and become more pliable to reduce risk of injury during surgery. He said he could really notice the change to my liver because I adhered to the diet. But then, I could have a single meal a day. Kudos to you for doing it! I'm sure you'll be so pleased once you're done. I was banded a week ago tomorrow, and I'm not very happy yet, but hope to be really soon. Good luck! -
I was just banded on 2/4/08 with the Realize band. At this point, I'm still trying to feel good. Can't begin to tell you if there is any benefit yet, but I look forward to finding out!
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crossing my legs at long last!!
Dandy Andi replied to restrict2008's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hi Restict2008, Funny you should mention crossing your legs. I've kept a small list of things I look forward to after the weight is gone. I look forward to having a lap. It's easy to forget how convenient a lap can be. I look forward to NOT having to scout out the largest exit possibility from a restaurant. I can't wait to hold a clipboard and be able to rest it on my knee like skinny people, rather than this odd juggle in my arms. I was banded a week ago tomorrow, so I've got quite a way to go. Not even feeling good at this point. But I can't wait to post with the types of progress that I see you all posting with. Good job! Keep up the good work. -
Do you miss eating?
Dandy Andi replied to sadie11's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I was banded on 2/4/08, so I'm incredibly new at this. I'm in too much pain still to care if I ever eat another bite in my life! Tell me this will end...