NicoleW8ing

*bow I may suck at eating, but I rock at the inter-web. Rofl The biggest problem here is... well, frankly, I think this guy is making us material for his little book. Maybe not us, but the poor souls that actually PM him for guidance

WAIT A MINUTE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone, go here: http://www.warriorforum.com/forum/post.asp?method=ReplyQuote&REPLY_ID=951031&TOPIC_ID=145477&FORUM_ID=2 This is a post from August 8th of last year.... Check out the post from HeadHunting55.... The story seems to have changed and evolved a bit from "intestine" to "colon" and life threatening... well, that seems to have been so for over 7 months now. TWO books, HUH? Is that why you're here then... Would someone just ban this guy or something before he disturbs anyone else for the sales of his BOOKS? (Here is the post)

I dunno... I hate to see other people freaking out like I did when I first started reading this thread. Headhunter, if your intent is as you said it was, then good for you. But I encourage you to explore your methodology and communication techniques. I feel what you did is like going to a cancer forum and posting, "Guys, if you're just starting, don't get chemotherapy. It's really bad! Here's what it did to me!" For a lot of us, it's THAT SMALL of a choice to get the band. Band or die. For a lot of us, we will die without this surgery. By discouraging it, you have basically said, "well, screw that chemotherapy, suck it up and use the power of the mind to cure it." Little bit of an extreme example, I know.... but... you get the drift. Goodnight bandsters...

Here we go... this is from the "Surgical Aid in the Treatment of Morbid Obesity Hand Book." pg. 7 4 out of 299 patients (1.3%) had their Lap Band System erode into their stomachs. [because of this], Surgical techniques have evolved to reduce slippage. Surgeons with more laparoscopic experience and more expereience with these procedures report fewer complications. also pg. 7 "Death can occur despite all the precautions that are taken. There is a risk of gastric perforation ( a tear in the stomach wall) during or after the procedure that might lead to the need for another surgery--in the US clinical study, this happened in 1% of all patients. There were no deaths during or immediately after surgery in the US Study.

That sounds right. My surgeon said three erosions or slips in over 1000 surgeries. I think they do about 200 a year, so we have about the same stats. Let me pull out my Book. I'll let you know if I can find the hard numbers.

God, if your original post said this, I wouldn't have had a panic attack the other day. This I can understand, relate to, and agree with!!!! I checked out a surgeon with MANY other Doctors, Nurses, and Patients before I chose him. Then, when he didn't give me the right vibes, I started the whole process again until I found a surgeon that I love and has the qualifications and experience that my nervous brain requires. This is something people need to know. I think some rush into the surgery because they are soooo excited (as I was and am) and take the first surgeon with those magical letters before his name (Dr.). It is a great reminder to tell people to stop, breathe, and investigate their Doctor. Valid advice, valid point. **THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN APPROVED BY NICOLE**

What about my question? (I am pre-op... so I think I might qualify for question asking at this time.... woot... I is target audience!)

OMG! Barbara! We're band buddies! I am getting banded on the same day Welcome and I look forward to getting to know you!

Do you regret it because YOU had complications (part of that <1% risk, hell, you should play the lottery) or do you regret it because IT'S A FAULTY PROCEDURE THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET? Your posts allude to the latter, but logic points to the former.

To justify the use of "A LOT" and "often" in an earlier post, do you have any other examples of this going bad... besides yourself, I mean.

I guess, should it be my life on the line, I would LIE about insurance to get the surgery. Hell, I'd call in favors to some of relatives who work for the insurance company to try and get supporting documentation. Fight or flight, I guess? I consider myself a good person. That being said, I consider insurance companies and general health care practices to be EVIL institutions when it comes to money. I had to beg, lie, and manipulate to get insurance to approve my lap band because my life is on the line. I stand behind what I have done and don't feel guilty about it in the least. I don't have but a few hundred dollars in savings and no assets. I couldn't pay for Lap Band out of pocket. Like I said, when your life is on the line, a little lie here and there is more than excusable, especially when it is to a large, greedy corporation. Besides that, once they did the surgery and submitted it for coverage and it was declined, you would be billed and could make payments. They'd get their money in the end.

BCBS NC took about a week to deny my appeal. Are you being denied because your BMI is too low? Well, is it possible you can throw a few rocks in your pockets and scrunch down a bit when they measure your height? I had to do similar things because my BMI is too high (just the opposite) :thumbup: with BCBS of NC. Good luck and please keep us posted.

My Questions for HeadHunter: Did you follow the post-operative diet to the letter? When did you start trying to eat regular food? Who was your Doctor and Surgeon? What was the name of the hospital? Did you tell the Doctor your insurance had lapsed? Because, in my experience, you could've got seen and they wouldn't have known it was lapsed until they submitted the claim, that is, if you're an existing patient.

I love you guys. You all made me feel so much better. Hopefully no more achey panic attacks before the surgery. I am excited again :rolleyes2: DLIPPO, Welcome to really long journey (I haven't even had my surgery yet and I'm saying that). A great place to start is your insurance company. See what they cover and what they don't. Do you have some money laying around to invest in yourself? I say start there because it can money can either slam doors in your face or open the flood gates. Sorry to say. What makes you say you are too heavy for Lap Band? Unless you are at an EXTREME risk of death during surgery (you can seek out a cardiologist and have him do an echtocardiogram. this is not required but I asked for one, just in case) due to heart problems, I don't see why you would be too heavy. Where are you from? There's a bunch of local boards with Doctor recommendations. Do you have a PCP? Have you spoke with him or her? Stick around so we can help you out!

I called my Doctor and cried to him a little bit. I am so glad I switched Doctors because he took the time to talk to me. He said in over 1000 lap band surgeries, he has had no deaths, 2 slippages, and 1 erosion. I feel a bit better. $25,000 or not, I <3 my Doctor.

Do you have statistics to justify the word often?

I do not know what I am asking for here... I read a thread.... and now I am completely, totally, and utterly panicked about my surgery. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f18/hi-everyone-i-think-i-ll-contrarian-voice-here-58983/#post804331 Please tell me, does anyone know the hard statistics of something really bad happening? Not the things that can be fixed through removal or adjustment, but the death percentages and messing up your organs stuff? I'm sorry, it's just... I'm not really brave about medical stuff. I'm shaking here... surgery is on the horizon (May 9th), and I am inches away from cancelling it because I can barely breathe from the fear. I need this surgery to save my life. But fat is a slow death, my insides getting all twisted up has got to be pretty imminent and painful.

David-- I am so sorry for your health issues. I hope that you have a full recovery and get all the compensation you deserve. On that note, I don't mean to be a bitch. By any means. I am scheduled for surgery May the 9th. It took me two years to decide to get this surgery, and I weighed all the risks I could find. Your story makes it sound like the risks are being underestimated. David, I'm a hypochondriac. Plain and simple. I believe at times that I have every disease in the world and it took this long for me to work up the courage for this surgery. I worked out at a gym, got a personal trainer, dieted, change styles, I have hunger issues. Just that. My hunger never stops. I viewed the Lap band as far less invasive than the alternatives. My BMI is around 50. David, I am tearing up right now. I will encourage you to perhaps move this thread to the Complications forum. I read it to welcome you, now, I can't breathe. I'm having a panic attack. Luckily, I have Lorazepam. Seriously, I don't mean to be a bitch, but a lot of us are just plain F--KING scared of this surgery and it seems to be the only thing to save our lives. I am doing this for my future and your discouragement has made it just that much harder for me. I am sorry for my cruelty.

Things I Won't Miss: Having sex with a tshirt on to cover up my stomach Lying to my fiance about my weight Sneaking food so no one sees the fat girl eating Fast food binges Worrying about Airplane Trips and the Associated Discomfort Worrying if things can support my weight Creaking furniture when I sit down that doesn't creak when anyone else does Ugly Clothes HUGE, Plus-Size Clothes Plus-Size Stores My Enormously Fat Feet Hating Myself Breathing with my Mouth Open After Going Up Stairs because I can never get enough breath Being a mouth breather Snoring The Cramp from leaning on my stomach at my desk for hours Having to push the Booth out/away when I sit down at resturaunts. My flabby fat overflowing my pants Only being able to wear stretchy pants because I get that itchy, hurty red rash around my stomach from my pants being too tight Buying jeans two sizes too big because I know I'm getting fatter anyway Being totally self-conscious Not being able to go swimming because I am scared of people seeing me in a bathing suit Calculating my own weight into a full elevator and wondering if I will be the sole cause of it crashing. Being hungry ALL THE TIME Getting strange looks from people when I act goofy and obnoxious, where I interpret it as, "You're fat, you're not entitled to have fun," instead of just, "You're goofy and obnoxious." Comments and snickers from the Mexicans outside of Wal Mart. My fiance knows Spanish and understood what the guy said about me so he knocked a few of his teeth out. I felt like crap. It was my fault for being so ugly. Having people tell me I have a pretty face, not because of what they are saying but because of what they are NOT SAYING. Little kids lookin at me oddly. People thinking I am older because I am so fat. Not being able to work out with my fiance because ... well, gee... it makes me EXHAUSTED. Not wearing shorts in over six years. Always having to wear my hair down in an attempt to hide my fat face. Crying when I see pictures of myself. Tearing up pictures of myself. Hiding from cameras. Not wanting to get married and be the FAT bride. Not getting my period. Not being able to get pregnant SOLELY because I am too fat. Worrying about my blood pressure when I drink because I am so fat. Having panic attacks because I think I am going to have a heart attack. The constant soreness/tenderness between my thighs from the constant rubbing. Pants wearing out between the thighs. Ugly underwear. Ugly bras. Ugly shoes. Not being able to paint my own toe nails without a significant struggle. Crying when I look in the mirror. These are a few of my least favorite things... :confused:

anyone else about to burst from waiting? ugh... May 9th seems forever away

I had the exact same situation. EXACT. THE THE F**KING TEE! I am approved now. 5 Month struggle to do so, but I got it. First off, it sounds like you're being denied because your BMI is over 50, is this correct? My policy had an exclusion for BMI over 50 as well. I am going to PM you now. I am approved. It was a struggle, but I was. I am a full time student, full time employee, and I sure as hell don't have the funds to pay for this surgery myself. My premium health insurance didn't want to cover it for some stupid exclusion, but I got around it. Alright... sorry for rant, PMing you now.

I can't resist replying to this thread. As in most really good arguments, the correct answer seems to be a compromise between both sides. I think, first and foremost, a Mexican doctor is not an option for those that do not plan for the follow up. Two months after your surgery, if you find out you have to drive four hours to get an adjustment and you simply do not have the funds to go back to Mexico... well, to be blunt, you done messed up. Investigate where you will get your follow up care before surgery and don't cry about Doctors not filling you or being stuck with no aftercare. MAKE A PLAN, CALL AROUND, THINK AHEAD. I hate the American health care system. HATE IT. However, I was born here, raised here, and will make due with what I have. Because of certain sue-happy individuals, Doctors pay an ASTRONOMICAL fee in malpractice insurance. My uncle has his own practice out of Pennsylvania and has never had a malpractice suit against him. His malpractice insurance runs about 18K per month. He's a GP, not a surgeon. This coupled with inflation and the overpriced hospital fees makes one expensive lap band surgery. Not to say an American doctor is desolate by any means, but they do not get even close to the whole 20K. Now, let's acknowledge the stereotype. Everything is cheaper in Mexico. Tiajuanan medical horror stories are rampant. This may or may not be the truth, and frankly, it doesn't matter. If the individual chooses and PLANS to have surgery by a REPUTABLE MEXICAN DOCTOR, more power to them. The error seems to be in the poor planning and hasteful decision making. Personally, I would never have surgery out of the country, purely because it took me two doctors and several years of background checking to choose a Doctor. My parents work in health care. I want to be near them and their familiar territory. I'm an anal person and I like to see my Doctor a lot. I complain about the 20 minute drive to my Doctor's office. I'm a worry freak. If something happens to my band, I want the Doctor that put it there to be responsible for it. Point being, surgery out of the country is not an option for me. Does this mean that all these people that had surgery in Mexico are liars? Or all fools that don't know what they're talking about? HELL, NO!!!! It was the RIGHT option for them and the CLEAREST path to a healthy lifestyle. Everyone is different. For such a DRAMATIC surgery, the individual has to weigh out their emotional needs. Evaluate these things. Evaluate your comfort levels. There is no RIGHT answer that anyone could give you. The RIGHT answer can only be found in your heart, mind, and wallet.

Call your insurance company and ask for a faxed or mailed copy of their WLS policy. Their policy will lay out the guidelines without you having to ask awkward questions. I went through it, though on the upper end, not the lower, and I am telling you it is WAY HARDER to get approved once you are denied than it is to take care of it and evaluate your options beforehand.

I don't say this enough. Thank you guys for being here. Thank you for asking questions and answering them with respect, dignity and sometimes the undesirable truth. My post count does not reflect the hours upon hours upon hours I spend reading.... thinking about posting... then searching and finding my answer. You all are wonderful and I really don't think I would have this surgery without this forum. :thumbup:

My doctor said no liquid diet for me. Yay? Lol... just clear liquids the day before, no reds or blues, and no aspirin.