fillerup

Keep it up. I got banded 11-24-08 and didn't get any restriction/benefit until after my 3rd fill. I was stuck at 220 lbs for over 6 weeks and could eat almost anything, except fish or ground taco meat. Once the band was filled and I got proper restriction (last week) losing the weight has been no problem at all. Lost 5lbs like that! Not feeling hungry at all and it severely limits your intake to the "full" point like you won't believe. You will get full on almost nothing. All I can say is hang in there. It's a long journey and the band will work as promised/advertised. Give it a little time. I was concerned as you are now. Don't be. It will happen. Steve

I agree, take in more fluids. Try a sugarless mango slurpee from 7-11, they're the bomb! Steve

I found that 7-11 has sugarless slurpeez. They have a mean crystal light mango drink and it really helped me. I got a pill for the nausea, but it didn't seem to help me much. I am much better this evening. It is getting better. Steve

I'm with you on this. I got banded 2 days ago also. I didn't sleep for nearly 38 hours because of all the pain and discomfort. The gas pain was nothing less than incredible. It still is causing me pain, but not nearly as much as the first 2 days. Yeah, I too know a lying sack of @#$!# who said he was back to work in two days. Not on your life! I'm not a stranger to pain and this was way too much to even consider driving a car etc... I feel your pain. Hang in there. The worst is almost over. Steve

Formyboys, I don't mind having to get all the tests. I agree it's a good thing and they need to know all they can before they operate. I think Dr Kirshenbaum does all the tests during the 3 day visit to his center. My problem for now is who pays for them and if not my HMO, then where do I go to get them done and how much can I expect to pay? My surgeon has not provided me with any suggestions, only his required tests for surgery clearance. The rest seems to be up to me to research and get done. Some definate hurdles.

I also contacted Dr Kirshenbaum, but could not find any fill centers near my home. I think with the follow-up appointments to Denver requiring airfair, hotels and car rentals , it would end up costing me about the same amount. The scary part for me would be the time and distance from my surgeon should something go wrong. I sure hope my insurance carrier foots the testing bill. Good luck in Colorado. Let us know how it works out.

Thanks. Sounds like I picked a great surgeon. I sure hope Kaiser covers all the pre-op tests. My surgery will be at a surgical center on the north side of the Golden Gate in Marin County.

I was quoted $14.2K total for both the surgeon's fee and anestheologist etc... Did you pay for your lab.chest xrays, EKG etc..? Or did your insurance company? If you paid, did you go through Dr Feng, or??

I had my initial consult with Dr Feng this afternoon at his Lodi office. He seems like a wonderful doctor. If you don't mind my asking, were you a self-payer, or did your insurance cover the procedure and testing? =

I have been lurking for quite some time and saw my surgeon today. I will be self-paying since I have Kaiser and my BMI is not high enough. I do have hypertension and am pre-diabetic. Both were learned recently. I understand having to pay for the surgery etc... but what I really would like to know is has anyone else had to pay for the stuff required before the surgery, or did Kaiser cover it? My surgeon requires blood lab work, 12 lead EKG, psyche eval, physical for General Anesthesia clearance and chest xrays prior to surgery. Did Kaiser cover these expenses for anyone? I called and spoke with an advice nurse and will not hear back until Tuesday.