tomjerry

Hi there, sorry didnt explain it correctly. Medicare has a service call Dental Services under Medicare. In the past this used to apply to people who were Diebetic or had depression. Now they have added to the list people who are over weight are also entitled to this. Lets face it fixing our teeth is very expensive. The form is call a Referral Form For Dental Services Under Medicare (your GP can provide and recommend you to a dentist in your area). The form says that "Eligible patients may access Medicare Benefits of up to $4,250 in total over 2 consecutive calendar years for dental services under items 850111-87777". Contact medicare on 132150 for more info. I thought I would add this to this database as seeing that we are all having lap band done then we are also classified as over weight, therefore entitled to this services.....this is all FYI if anyone is interested...Hope this helps...

Some info I have come across whilst researching about the lap band. After your surgery: Day 1 You will start on clear fluids only (water, black tea, apple juice) no more than 50mls at a time over 20 to 30 minutes and these will need to be sipped slowly until you have had an x-ray to make sure the band is in the right position. You will then be able to have fluids (any types of fluid that can pass through a straw) for the rest of the hospital stay. You will need to stay on free fluids for two weeks after the surgery. You may not feel very hungry at this stage and find fluids will satisfy you. This will allow the band to bond with the stomach and reduce the risk of causing any danage to your new smaller stomach pouch. Days 2-3 Once you have had your x-ray you will be given a variety of fluids including juices, broth, low fat milk, tea/coffee and nutritional supplement drinks. After leaving the hospital You will stay on a liquid diet until day 14. By day 4 you should be able to take 100 - 120 mls fluids every 20 to 30 minutes remember to sip the fluid.

:thumbup:Hi all Also for us (temporary) over weight people we are entitled to alot of benefits through medicare as we are classed as over weight. Your GP can put you on a EPC Program, which entitles you to 5 visits to a dietician per year (which means you get $50 back for each visit to the dietician) plus you can fix your teeth through a dentist for the amount of $4,000 or $5,000 (cant recall the amount)....so anyone interested ask you GP...I just found this all out on the weekend when I went to my GP for the blood test results for my lap band surgery.....

Hi there If you have health insurance then why do you have to go on the waiting list, why not use your health insurance and book yourself through a private hospital which is what I am doing. I see your in Sydney....so am I....I can provide you the surgeons details and you can email them. I will know be able to confirm cost when I meet the surgeon prior to surgery which is next week..I was told it would cost $2,500 and I would claim the $2,000 so I would only be out of pocket by $500. On top of this is the additional ost of dietician visit and seeing your surgeon but you can claim the cost through medicare and get some back....If anyone want the details of the surgeon, happy to provide......

Yes health insurance does help if you have it. I have been shopping around for the last 2 months and have finally found a great surgeon and its not expensive. I started off being told I would be out of pocket by $7,000 (this is what I have to pay even though I have health insurance) but management to get it down to $4,500 and now I am in luck with a private hospital in Sydney and it is going to cost me $2,500.....not bad...I'm booked for 23rd March. I start my pre-operation Optifast diet until the surgery day....have an appointment with the dietician next week and have done a ultra sound & blood test....so all good (so far) cant wait....

HI...your right about helping as many people as they can....maybe he just wanted to ensure that I knew what I was getting myself into and also that I was prepared.....but I am all fur it now...bring on 23 March....cant wait

"Magnificent March" sounds good to me....:thumbup:I'm booked for the 23rd March :thumbup:

Yes I have cheated after a few days....Optifast doesnt taste very good.. The only item I have added to the pre-op liquid diet is a skim flat white....so its not so bad...3 weeks on pre-op liquid prior to surgery is killing me......how did anyone last:biggrin: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Hi all I just wanted to tell you all that I love this forum.. I was well prepared when I went and saw my sugeon. He tried to put me off the surgey at first, saying that its not guaranteed etc etc....but after he could see that I was keen and really wanted to go ahead with the procedure, he booked me in for 23 March.....yes.....cant wait....bit nervous as I dont know how it will all go......:thumbup: