jujuvee

I really don't have any words of wisdom in regards to your insurance company. I have United Health Care and they only paid 20,000 of my surgery and I am on the hook for the rest, so I am making payments on 11,000. I also am responsible for the cost of my fills.... Long story short... It's so worth it and It is changing my life. How much are they willing to pay and can you make payments on the remaining amount?

Well I can tell you that I am only 2 months into being banded but it's the best thing I have ever done for myself, I had a textbook surgery and recovery was quick, I have had so much energy and I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was 373 at pre op, did my pre op diet for 3 weeks instead of 2 just to be on the safe side. Lost 30 lbs. Weight at surgery day was 344 and I am now at 313.I have the lap band brand but I do not know what size, which is fine with me because that would just give me something else to obsess over. There was no saline put in on surgery day and I have not had a fill yet, my surgeon says I am doing great and we might do one in a month. Depending on what I eat I do have restriction but if I eat a slider food then I can eat endless amounts...not good! I am new to all of this but feel free to ask me any questions. Julie

Banded on March 24th. Surgery day weight 344. Weight on May 24th 313....... So 31 pounds. No fill yet.

I'm seeing parts of my body that I haven't seen in years... Blush Blush...

I'm not in the medical field but if I am so bad that I need a tube down my throat then the last thing I want them to worry about is my band and I never really understood the reason for the lapband cards, I figure it was my choice to eat out, why take money out of a restaurants pocket... Again just my opinion, if it works for you great. Hope everyone is having a nice holiday.

Yes, I was thinking of replacing the beef with white meat ground turkey and the bacon could also be turkey, egg beaters to replace the whole eggs, reduced calorie cheese(because I will die before I use fat free cheese :thumbup: but I can't think of a mayo replacement. And to the original bander that offered up this great recipe please don't take offense that I just disected it.

I'm confused, where do yo work where you have to meet the above criteria in order to return?

yum, I will try this with ground turkey and turkey bacon. Thanks

Thanks Susanhol, it's been hard work but so worth it... I have spent too many years talking about how miserable I am, it's time to get off my couch and make a lifestyle change. Do your best to stay on track on the preop diet, not just for the shrinking of the liver but to get your body use to healthy foods, sugary,fried and large amounts will not be allowed while you are healing so prepare yourself now. After surgery you will be on a post op diet and once the swelling goes down you may have temptations...getting a head start never hurts. Good luck and feel free to write anytime, I look forward to your progress.

I can tell you that day 2 -14 I was on full liquids and it included scrambled eggs, re fried Beans which are yummy with salsa and sour cream, cream of wheat and oatmeal, now with that said before you take my or any others ideas please call your surgeon and get it approved because all docs are different and it only matters what yours want's you to do. Also you can add Protein powder to oatmeal,cream of wheat or pudding if you get tired of Protein drinks. Good luck.

I started my pre op diet at 373 and on surgery day March 24th, I was 344. I am now 317 and I was due for my first fill last week and my surgeon and I decided that I did not need a fill yet. I am eating small portions and staying satisfied up to 5hrs, I go in again in a month to re evaluate. So, it's just my opinion but I say go for it!!!!

My insurace has a limit of twenty thousand so anything after that I am considered self pay. So I just got all the bills in and I owe 10.000. But since day one after surgery I have felt like a new woman and that is priceless!!!!!!!!!!

By no means did I want you to feel ashamed and I am sorry if that's the way it sounded, but 2 weeks into this is pretty early to introduce chunky foods, but that's just my opinion and if your doc is ok with it then that's great. Something that really helped me was re-fried Beans with salsa and sour cream, also I took 2 chewable Centrums a day and did not skip the Protein shakes, the lack of protein is what causes fatigue.. keep us posted on what you find out and I hope you get to feeling better soon.

just because it goes down ok does not mean that it's ok to eat. There's a reason we are put on a specific diet. You just had surgery and the point of following the food phases is to allow for healing. If your stomach has to churn to digest you risk pulling stiches loose or even slipage. This is the hardest part off the process but talk to your dietition and get back on track. This is just my opinion but I know that getting approved for lapband took me 5 months and I can't imagine any setbacks because I didn't follow instructions this early into the process.

Oh I can soooo relate to this, I have only been banded 5 weeks but before being banded there were times that when I had to pee it hit me so quick that notthing I did was slowing it down so I could get to a bathroom, It as really getting frustrating because I could be anywhere when that went down. Now since being banded and loosing 50 pounds I have not had that problem.... So yes there's hope. And as far as skin I have alot, at one point in life I was 410 so I have yo-yo'd from that high weight all the way to 265 and back to my pre op weight 373, so this girl is not in denial that there will be skin... and lot's. I am going to have my doc document any skin conditions, rashes, back pain, you name it and if insurance cover it great but I will otherwise pay to get it removed. There's no way I will reach goal and continue to carry a skin apron around :thumbdown:

Awwwwww stop!!!! Your doc should have given you a list of food phases that you will go through for the next 4 weeks. Most start off on liquids, then pureed, mushies, than soft. This is so your band can heal and if your stomach is churning to digest too early you chance your band slipping. Please double check with your surgeon on what you should be eating. I know it's the weekend but they should have an on call number to help you.

I too was banded on March 24th. I lost 30 pre op and 20 post op. First fill scheduled for May 14 and I really need it as I am starting to eat more and more and the fact that I am loosing is sheer will power!!!

ok here it goes......drum roll......... I'm seeing parts of my body that I haven't seen in years (blush, blush) And I'm only one month in!

your insurance company will let you know what there requirements are, most steps probably could be done in advance except the pre op tests, that's done 1 or 2 weeks before surgery. But if you are required to follow a special diet or go see your physician for so many months you should start that as soon as you can. So get all the details in writing from your insurance company.

If you are going through an insurance company then there might be special requirements that must be met before surgery is approved, some require 3,6 or even a 12 month supervised diet. Also there are psychological evaluations, pre op tests like Ekg, Ecg, Lab work, Barium swallow and mine even required me to go to 2 support groups.... If you are self pay then you probably would jump right to the pre op tests. Good luck

Awesome!!!!! sounds like you are on your way.....

I started having people at work ask me every week "how much did you lose this week" and I told them that I would only give updates once a month. All in all it's not about where I am now it's about where I will be 2 years, 5 years from now. Heck we have all lost weight.... But only to regain it plus more.

Well remember, it can always be your secret if you want it to. Personally I told everyone and there mother but I also have never been one to really care what anyone else thought.. But I will say that I have not had one negative opinion, the way I see it anyone that does not want to see me happy and healthier, more active and have a better outlook on life is not a true friend.. Good luck..:crying:

The hospital gave me a really cool ice pack, it was cloth, not like when you were a kid and your mom put ice in a ziplock and it was so cold you cried.... Anyway I used mine for 4 days and I put it right on the port location. Maybe this would help you as well.

Hi Erica. This is a great site for information and many experienced members to help answer your questions. Just jump right in!!!! Good luck.