Bjornsyouruncle

Save your EOB's and see if you can schedule a time to sit down with the insurance coordinator and have them walk you through it. Conceivably your insurance policy should have an Out of Pocket Maximum, and any amount over that should be written off by the doctor's office. Just because you are billed a certain amount does not mean that you will be responsible for it. Good luck with getting everything sorted out.

I wish I had done it 4 years ago when I was 24. Seriously, there's no benefit in staying overweight for another year much less another 20 or 25. I can't say how your friends or your family will react. But I can say that you've got people in your life, like your wife and your new baby, who want you to be around and healthy enough to live a full life with them. Also, keep in mind that a lot of people don't tell anyone outside of their immediate family. They just eat smaller portions and chew really well. Look around, learn as much as you can about the band and see if you think you're comfortable with the commitment and lifestyle changes. It isn't magic. You won't have surgery and suddenly be indifferent to food. It will take a while to get to where your tool is working at its best for you. Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do and congratulations on your new baby :mad2:

Wow, that's quick from approval to surgery! Good luck! :blushing:

I have to do 1 week of Clear Liquids (broth, Gelatin, crystal light type drinks), 2 weeks of full liquids (Protein shakes, cream Soups, very thin grits, cream of wheat, mashed potatoes), and then 3 weeks of mushies. I have one day left of clear liquids, I am so looking forward to Protein Shakes.

Glad you were able to get another doctor in the practice to help you out. That seems ridiculous that the FNP didn't want you to get it, the NP isn't the one who has to stay overweight if you don't have surgery.

I was banded last Thursday, in the morning, and I went back to work this afternoon (Tuesday). I stand for most of my work day, but I felt fine. I'm on half days for the rest of the week so the doctors I work for don't yell at me. I do get tired faster, but I don't have a problem sitting down when I need to.

I like the unjury chicken broth flavor, but the strawberry Sorbet (and I love strawberry!) was gross. :tongue2: The rest of the products I had to get through my doctor from Bariatrix - Home you can't order them directly (although ebay seems to have a few products), only if you're a bariatric doctor. If your doctor can get them for you, can I seriously recommend the hot chocolate? I add a little bit of splenda to it and it is fantastic. The only thing this week that I've actually looked forward to consuming.

Good luck on your surgery tomorrow! It really isn't that bad, I promise. I was sooooo worried last week, but after I woke up in recovery I thought they hadn't done it because I felt fine. You had one stumble in 2 weeks, that's not bad, just keep going and make good choices every day.

I am starving, sooooo hungry. I had surgery Thursday, so I have to make it through today and two more days before I can anything other than Clear Liquids. I get to have Protein Gelatin, which I try to have at least once a day because I think it sticks around a little longer than the drinks. I can't wait for Thursday when I can have Protein shakes and pudding again.

A lot of the patients who go to Mexico or even other parts of the US end up flying within a week of banding. A lady I know was banded on the 6th and flew from California to Canada less than a week after surgery, I think a total of something like 12 hours of travel and she was tired but fine.

Wow, according to that list I was woefully unprepared! I bought gas-x strips and chapstick. I also went out and bought clear liquid approved Protein supplements. Protein Jello, protein hot chocolate, protein chicken broth, etc. That was it for me. But everyone is different and I guess it is better to have things you might need than find you need them and don't have them.

I liked the Atkins shakes.

What is your post-op diet like? A lot of people lost a lot the first month because of the clear/full liquid stage, but if you're already doing mushies that might be factoring into it.

Thanks Beth!

I am just a few days post-op and last night I dreamed that I was eating all kinds of foods. I woke up feeling guilty that I'd screwed up on my post-op diet. Thank goodness it was all a dream! I'm so glad :-) Anyway, welcome! You're lucky to have someone close to you who has gone through it all and can help you on your journey.