massa36

Thanks you guys for answering my question! It seems much clearer now!

Ok, this may sound like a dumb question, but I never quite understood this so here it goes! Does the Lapband cause us not not to be hungry ( on another site someone said the band pushes on the vagus(sp?) which causes loss of appetite ) Or does it just simply cause you to be full? I really don't get it! I get how it implanted, adjusted, how it could slip, but this has got me stumped! Any info would be greatly appreciated!

OMG! Grey's was off the chain! I actually sat in my living room clapping! Karev, and Merideth, and the girl w/ the brain tumor! It was awesome! As for ur mistake, we all make them! In the words of Aaliyah, "If at first u don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again!"

I am getting the Realize band too! I get my date on 5/27! What band are you getting?(ooops! I just noticed this is a men's forum) Last time I checked I'm a girl! :crying:

Hey Kesia! I too live in Ga. and have medicaid. And MA does cover the Lapband. I rcvd my approval on Monday, but u have to go to a Center of Excellence, and you need to sign up with Peachstate as your carrier. The center I am using is Peachtree Surgical and Bariatric at Atlanta Medical Center. They have a seminar on June 21st. the website is peachtreebariatric .com . Check them out and if you have any other questions feel free to send me a private message.

Ok so I called my dr. office on Mon. to fuss because as of the 19th it was 3 wks since they were supposed to turn my paperwork in for approval! Well when I spoke to my coordinator she stated that she rcvd my approval that same day! I was so happy I broke down crying and did my little jig! We made my appt to see the dr. on 5/27, and my pre-op the week after and I would get my surgery date at my appt on 5/27! I was so ecstatic! Then the craziest thing happened, I get a call yesterday from my coordinator and she's telling me about the endoscopy or something, then she says,"So yep you've been approved for your (wait for it!) GASTRIC BYPASS!! In my mind I thought "Aww naw, hell naw! Boy ya'll done up and done it!" But I politely said excuse me? This heffa repeated herself! I calmly explained that I did not, and do not want the GB. She started telling me that Medicaid doesn't pay for the fills( I already knew that!) She was basically talking to me as if I couldn't possible afford to pay for a fill! So me trying to be nice, I explained to her that I do not want that. She again tried to convince me to talk to the dr. and see if he could basically convince me to get GB! She said if after my appt. I still wanted the band she would call in and have MA change it. I was so mad I just agreed! Then I called my mom and told her she told me to call my aunt who had RNY. I called my aunt and she screamed at me DON'T DO IT! She says there are too many complications(well duh!) Then I called 2 other friends who had GB, one said don't do it, the other said the surgery had been worth all the sickness she is currently having and the iron IV's she takes 2 times a week. So basically after these conversations, I called the coordinator back and firmly told her, I DO NOT WANT GB, I WENT TO THE LAPBAND SEMINAR, I HAVE RESEARCHED THE LAPBAND;I CAN AFFORD A FILL AND I HAVE MADE UP MY MIND! After that she was like... ok(with slight attitude) if that's what I wanted she would contact MA and try to have it changed! I am now so anxious! I had an anxiety attack last night just thinking about it! How dare she assume that because I have MA, I couldn't possibly afford adjustments! I have worked my whole life, paid into the system and I'm now trying to say my life. I made sure to try and cover all bases during this phase of my life, I have MA to have this life saving surgery! I do not intended to spend my whole life w/ MA, I start back to teaching in Aug and hopefully some of my tax dollars will go to help some other single mother w/o insurance who is basically dying on her feet! I'm sorry I'm ranting but I'm so upset! Please guys keep me in your prayers and I will do the same! I could really use some encouragement right now before I, in the words of Tanisha from the Bad girls club"POP OFF!! LOL"

CONGRATULATIONS ! Stay Tuned! I M so happy for u! I am expecting to have surgery in 3 weeks! I am having proems with the new layout of the site though, do you know how to start a new thread? I can't find the link?! if you could tell me where it is 8 would greatly appreciate it. Again congrats and please keep us up to date on your progress!

CONGRATULATIONS:thumbup:!!!!! Wishing you continued success! Keep us updated! And remember to be easy:thumbup:, its just the beginning!

Hey Sassie! Ive been meaining to reply to u! As u know I have Ga Medicaid, with my Dr. he only excepts Peach State. I was approved yesterday!!! It took about a week for me to get the approval, I am at Dr. Titus Duncan"s office ( Peachtree surgical and Bariatric), when u go to the seminar they will give you a packet of what that specific office requires. Also the office you choose has to be a Bariactric Center of Excellence. i am not sure about the 5 yr diet history, because most people with Medicaid can not provide that because they didnt previously have insurance. Sorry it took awhile to reply:sad:! My phone is a computer and I have carpal tunnel(sp?) so sometimes its hard to type long post. But I hope I was able to answer some of your questions, if you have anymore I can help with please feel free to hit me up. Good luck! Also on JUne 21st is the next seminar at Peachtree Bariatric, my mom is going and I am going with her, hope to see you there!:cursing:

I think it should definitely be covered! Because i used to work for the state, and they refused to cover it for their employees! But medicaid ( state medical assistance ) Does cover the procedures for its clients! I know this for a fact because after working for the state for 6 yrs, and leaving my position. I got medicaid and was approved TODAY!!! I am so excited, but I do think it is unfair for the state employees who work and pay for insurance monthly! It is truly ridiculos and unfair for the employees!

Gotta save this post!

I'm just trying to save this thread, since I'm getting the Realize band. That way I will have extra info on it! So how are all of u that are banded with Realize doing?

I am posting a reply to save this to mu suscribed threads. i am also getting the Realize band, my dr, is actually switching to only Realize bands because h3e says he is having a better result. I guess we will all soon see

The firm is available everywhere. Just go to Google and type in The Firm workout program it should come up. The number is on the webpage, or you can order online. It really does work! Good luck and please keep me updated.

I too am going to be banded with the Realize band! I am awaiting my aproval! I am so happy for you all! Please keep up to date on your success! Again congatulations!

My dr says he puts 3cc's in at first fill! Whereas he said he only puts 1 cc in the Lapband. Hope that helps! Please let us know how that fill goes! I am waiting for my approval right now! I am so nervous that I won't be approved! Please keep me in your prayer!

Since you've had your surgery how has your ab strength been? Are you able to workout your abs and see your stomach go down? Or has your stomach become a problem area since having the surgery, and having the surgeon cut through the abdominal muscles? I am really concerned that I will not be able to tone my stomach, and I want to avoid a tummy tuck! Any advice would be appreciated!

Hello everyone! I am also a AA female, and I am currently waiting for my approval. I am praying I will soon be approved! (Please keep me in your prayers) I have a few questions that hopefully you all can answer. I know as AA's we typically good elasticity of the skin( due to extra melalonin(sp?) I am wondering how is your skin now that you all have lost the weight? Is it terribly saggy? Are you able to gulp down water? I am really concerned that I will never be able to gulp down water again! Do you notice that when you loose weight you loose it up top or bottom first, or is it more evenly distributed? I know its a lot of questions but this info will really help me out. Thanks in advance.

Try ordering the FIRM exercise DVD's ! they really work! If you start using them now they should surely help with toning! Good luck!

Hey I have medicaid in Ga, and they do cover the surgery. I am awaiting my approval right now, and have no doubt I will be approved! I have to have the following test to submit for approval : physical exam for medical clearance, cardiac clearance, blood work, psych eval, nutrition eval. Once those are completed, my dr. turned the info into the insurance. So now I wait! Please keep me in your prayers and I will defintely let you all know what happens!

Make your haters your motivators! CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 50 LB LOSS! You are a big loser!

Laura_MD, thanks so much for all of the wonderful info given! I am currently awaiting my approval, and will definitely be saving this thread for future usage! It must feel wonderful to have lost so much so quickly! You are truly an inspiration and I look forward to one day soon being one also! Keep up the great work! And please keep the info and advice coming.

hey musicmaker! I am awaiting approval for my surgery with Dr. Duncan. I had my nutrition eval with Susan friday. I wanted to know how your experience was with them. How long did u have to wait for approval? And do u know which band u have? How did u feel after surgery? and how was the aftercare u received from the office? I know I am asking a lot of questions, but I am so happy to find someone who has had recent experience with them. I love their office and I am hoping that I will continue to! Congrats on your surgery and I wish u continued success!

Thanks for the great feedback on how the Realize band is working for u! I am looking forward to getting this band! Please keep the info coming!

Yes, I am sure it was the new AP band, (the one with the different inner tube to avoid erosion). I even asked her because I had heard so much about the new AP. and when I held them I immediately felt the difference. She even put each one on a replica of a stomach, and it was obvious the difference in how the bands gripped the stomach. I am so excited about getting the Realize band!! :wink2: Oh and u are most certainly welcome Kathy! Defintely demand a book its awesome!