Lighterload

Bless you all who are going through such stress with your ports and fills. Hang in there- Lighterload

Hey cphanner, Trust me you are getting yourself all worked up for nothing. I was banded on 3/25/09, it was a piece of cake, in and out overnight. I had no problems at all, have lost 41 pounds since and feel fabulous. You too can do this. Its the beginning of your journey, calm down and best of luck- Lighterload

Try Dr. Rob Schuster at Banner Gateway Hospital in Mesa. He is my surgeon and he takes a lot of people who have had their surgery elsewhere. He is fabulous! Good Luck- Lighterload

Welcome Kate, You will find a remarkable amount of information and support on this site. If you have a question, just ask, or if you just need to vent, this is why we are here. Good luck in your journey.- Lighterload:smile:

Hey Mamajuke, WHAT AN INSPIRATION YOU ARE!!!!!!! Lighterload

Hey yzplnxg, Your determination is remarkable, you will succeed, just be patient with the insurance company, they can be tough-:rolleyes2: Welcome to the journey- Lighterload

Hey DB, I am surprised to hear you were stapled post banding. Not too many surgeon use staples for this surgery today, from what I understand, they are using the "Dermabond" a glue that glues the skin in place without staples or sutures. Removing the staples is nothing, you will be fine. I sure hope you are feeling better, I miss chatting with you- Lighterload

Hey Suziq53, Call your surgeon and let him know, you should not have to go through this- Lighterload

Hey S's Mommie, This is pure nonsense. They made the error and they are punishing you for it? I don't think so! In this ecomony there is a lot of competition out there and many great bariatric surgeons. I would suggest you find yourself another surgeon. Lighterload:thumbup:

Hey LB, Good question! I researched the protein issue from top to bottom prior to the pre op diet. I was being pro active and getting ready. I was looking for a highest grams of protein with the lowest caloric value. I found several online. I found 42 gms. of protein in 2.8 oz and only 134 calories. I thought WOW, ordered 3 cases, of two different flavors. They were call Protein Bullet Shots. OMG they were the most horrible tasting 2.8 oz I had ever tasted. Waste not want not, so I thought, I was going to use them up one way or another, they cost money. I literally held my nose so I wouldn't taste them and chased them with a Crystal Light drink. I just finished the last case on Saturday and I wanted to do the happy dance. The 3 oz. Whey Protein Bullets with 42 gms. of protein and 176 calories are not bad. I dump them into a bottle of crystal light and have no problems getting them down. I bought Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch and Orange Cream. I am not into doing the blender thing everytime I need a shake, I use the fruit flavored Whey Protein Bullets- Good Luck in your search to suit your pallet- Lighterload

Hi Anymouse, No one needs to know too much info about you unless you decide to share it. We are all in this together, sharing one common goal and that is to lose weight and be healthy. I too, am an ex-military wife, spent 15 years bouncing from place to place and seeing the world, I loved it, especially the 6 years in W. Germany. I know nothing about Tricare, because when I was with the military we had Champus. I would find out what Tricare covers and their requirements. Don't feel bad that you had several unsuccessful attempts at weight loss. We all have and that's why we are here. I wish you the best in your venture and keep in touch- Lighterload

WELCOME LB, You will find this site remarkably helpful, supportive, and loaded with solid information. If there is something you don't understand , ask, you will get more ideas and help from many folks. I joined this site in February, was banded on 3/25/09 and am 13 days post op right now. I feel wonderful and I am well on my journey. You will be there soon, good Luck- Lighterload

Hey DM Chef, Be cool, its not a tough surgery, really. :smile:I was banded on 3/25/09 so I am just 13 days post op. I felt sore for the first few days but nothing to write home about. I had no pain, just soreness at the larger incision site. I had no gas pains post op and I as up walking around the 4th floor of the hospital in 3 hours. As soon as the Versed wore off, I was out of bed walking. Went home the next day, took the liquid Lortab pain medication for two days and that was it. I am still not hungry and I see my surgeon tomorrow. I can hardly wait to see how much more weight I have lost. I had lost 21 lbs on the liquid pre op diet before surgery so I should be down more by tomorrow's visit to the surgeon. :thumbup:Do not be afraid, its not going to be a bad experience and is sooooo worth it, Good Luck- Lighterload

Hey Pephlin, Sounds to me like you have the same insurance that I have. :biggrin: I had the same requirements needed for approval for 100% coverage, for the LapBand. It took me 7 months, and a lot of determination and foot work to get it all done but it is so worth it. I was required to show that I had a BMI of 40 or more for the past 5 years, that I was on a physician monitored diet within the past 24 months and that I was capable of losing at least 10% of my body weight. I also have co-morbidities of hypertension and arthritis. :beer_yum: I needed a formal letter of Medical necessity from a doctor other than a Bariatric doctor, complete cardiac and pulmonary work-up, complete psych evaluation, Ct scan of the abdomen, bloodwork and then you sit and wait until the insurance decides if they will approve you on the info presented. Its tough, but worth it. I was denied twice even after presenting all the required paperwork, for silly things like a physician did not sign his progress note with his full name but used his first initial and last name. It was very frustrating process but being who I am, I would have taken it to my Senator before I would have given up and let the insurance company win, and I think they knew that. Good Luck with your journey, hang tough and don't give up- I wish you the best- Lighterload

Hi Kiki, I decided to go with the lapband instead of the bypass or sleeve because the band is the only one that is reversible and can be adjusted to restrict eating where the other two are permanent removal of parts of the GI tract and reorganization of other parts. I am a nurse and have seen many patients who are suffering from all kinds of vitamin deficiencies due to the bypass and sleeve. The band can be adjusted to allow you to be able to eat more when you are pregnant, since I see you are looking down that road. Considering the risk factors and the route you are looking at, I would seriously consider the band- Good Luck and I hope your insurance will approve the band- Lighterload

Sounds like you've got it together. Congratulations on your loss. I look forward to seeing my surgeon Tuesday to see what my total loss is since I was banded on 3/25/09- Lighterload

I am confused to hear that any insurance company who approved the banding asks for a reapplication to get fills. What kind of nonsense is this? The fills are part of the whole procedure, what good is the band without fills? I would call your insurance company and ask to speak to a Case Manager regarding Bariatric intervention, good luck in this battle, my thoughts are with you- Lighterload

All insurance companies have different requirements. Mine required a BMI of > 40, with proof of being at a 40 BMI or greater for 5 years, proof that I had been on a physician monitored diet within the last 24 months and that I lost at least 10% of my body weight during that time, had a medical necessity and co-morbidities. It took me 7 months to win the fight with the insurance company and much leg work to get it all done but I was determined to satisy their requirements. I was approved after 7 months and was banded on 3/25/09, so I am just 13 days post op. I am so glad I fought to have this done.- Lighterload

Tig, I am happy for you. I know you are ready. I will be banded on Wednesdy, March 25th, here in Mesa, AZ. I too, am making preparations for my absence from the office. I am absolutely sure no one will keep up with things while I am out for 2 weeks, so I won't be disappointed when I get back thinking things would be up tp date.........LOL I am so ready, this is day 18 of the "just liquids" diet, three more to go. Its been tough but I won the battle being as committed as I am. You keep in touch and good luck with your banding. Lighterload

I am 4 days out from surgery,:thumbup: and was put on a 21 day clear liquid pre Op diet.:laugh: I can have nothing but sugar free clear liquids and 80 gms. of liquid protein each day.:w00t: Today is day 18 and I can honestly say I have not cheated one time nor have I even thought about it.:smile: I have not been hungry at all and I know I have shrunk my liver. I look forward to surgery on Wednesday morning at 6am.

Hey baylorjai, the best advice is to find a Protein shake or bullet that you like, because you are going to be on them for awhile. What you are doing now is wise, everyone should prepare in such a manner. I am into day 12 of my strictly liquid, pre Op diet and I have learned that I should have searched out the taste of a Protein liquid that I liked. I bought 7 cases on line so I am going to use them as I hold my nose and down them....yuck I am never hungry so that's a great thing. There are no more surprises you will encounter other than those I listed above. Good luck and keep in touch. Lighterload:smile:

Hey justme2u, this is your journey, don't let any one take that away from you. 28 pounds is 112 sticks of butter lost, now that's impressive. Learn to understand not everyone is educated on this whole process, most are ignorrant until they learn or decide to take a journey like you have. It sounds to me like you are working the program well, keep it up. If you really think people who look at you as you described, are intending to be mean or inappropriate, I suggest finding new friends. You are doing fabulous!!!

Thanks so much for the idea and your words of wisdom, socalfosh

When my Nutritionist told me it was time to begin the 21 day pre Op Bariatric diet, I did not think much other then this was getting me closer to my surgery date. No one told me that those liquid Protein Bullets and Shots tasted like the something from Planet MARS. I quickly learned to hold my nose and downed them, followed by a flavored water, so not to taste that nasty bullet.:w00t: Three days into this, the "brain extracting" headache fell upon me. Oh my and nothing releived it! After three days, it passed and the south end of the digestive track was having issues.Another thing no one warned me about.:tt2: Oh and by the way, I was told this south end issue will last for about 8 weeks since nothing solid is going in. I believe I have been so focused on the headache and south end issue that I did not realize I am into day 12 already and I only have 9 more days to go before my surgery date on March 25th.:thumbup: If I can do this, anyone can! It may be tough in the beginning but remember the reward in the end and that is priceless.:cool2:

Hey kookaburra64, I hear the Dr, Jose Rodriguez in Juarez does a lot of Lap Bands and from all I have heard he is excellent. I believe he charges about $6000 from ones that I have talked to at support groups. I would look him up and check him out before you make any final decisions. I know a lady from Alberta that waited 4 years to be approved there and finally went to the media, raised holly hell and they finally approved her. She is here in AZ half the year and I met her at Support Group. I wish you the best in your venture. I am on the pre Op diet right now and I will be banded on March 25th. Good Luck and keep in touch.........