paracelsus51

That depends on the insurance plan. You would have to let them know you had the band and make sure they didn't exclude it for being pre-existing. Usually with employers nothing is excluded as pre-existing, as long as it's actually covered by the plan. Otherwise insurance companies try and make as sure as they can that they are not going to have to pay anything for you.

I am sorry this happened to you. Everything has its risks. I am self-pay and know that if any happens it's going to be expensive. I did mine for GERD treatment and have been so much happier with it. I was sick and miserable and in pain all the time before I got it and was given no other choice than to stay on meds that didn't really help and told there was nothing else they could do. I did check out the serious complication rate before I did it and found it to be around 6% or so. I have myself checked out on a regular basis being paranoid like I am. I hope you get to feel better and recover well and still reach your goals. Maybe with this new insurance law, they won't be able to decline insurance for the band as a preexisting condition.

Have you measured yourself? If you are controlling the calories and working out, you may have gained some muscle. You may also be retaining water. That is usually what happens when I gain a couple pounds overnight. You have to have some carbs. Having too few calories is just as bad as having too many.

No, my snoring hasn't stopped, even after 50 pounds and a few months. Probably never will. Why can't you sleep with your CPAP on? You may sleep better in the short term do to recovering from surgery. Or, you may just be one of the lucky ones. Enjoy.

How is the band viewed in South Korea? I've never seen anyone from there post before. It's still seen as some sort of cheat here as all you really have to do is eat less and exercise more.

The manufacturer is usually only responsible if the device is defective and only the cost of the device, not replacement cost for the surgery. Like if your roll of film is bad, they will give you a new roll, they won't pay for you to go on your vacation again so you can replace those photos. I had a good surgeon. If a doctor messes up, I don't go back to them. Dumped the local doctor's office (not my surgeon) for aftercare here as I wasn't going to give them a second chance to hurt me. It sounds more like incompetence than an actual problem with the product.

Beforehand had two weeks of no rice, potatoes, bread, or pasta. Basically, meat and veggies and a little fruit. After there was a week of liquids a couple weeks of full liquids and then moving up as you felt you could. Felt like a long time. You are also supposed to keep up the no pasta, rice, bread or potatoes for the rest of your life.

Apnea isn't really just a fat thing. It runs in my family, only a few of whom are obese. My sister is pretty big and doesn't have it. I got it and, like I said, genetic defect. I'll always have it. Took four different masks to get mine a good fit. If you don't like your mask, try another one. They also have a strap to hold your mouth shut. I couldn't stand the full face mask at all, or the just nasal one. Every time I moved it lost it's seal. My best friend uses a gel mask. I use an air cushion mask so I don't have something clamped so tight to my head. I took a while to get used to it. Still don't love it, but everyone around me likes that I am not crabby and tired all the time.

Yes, I am from outside of Colorado. My insurance excludes any weight loss treatment (which is funny, as they now have this "wellness" program where we are supposed to talk to our doctor and nutritionist about diet, but we can't because it's excluded). The cost here was nearly $5000 more than Dr. K. After doing a LOT of research around the country and Mexico. Dr. K does not offer the BLIS insurance. You can call around to find a place that will treat you after the surgery. You will need a post op check up and fills at some point. Usually not for 4 to 6 weeks. I went to the local surgeon's office for follow up and I recommend that no one ever go to their office. I should note a couple things, one is that I have GERD, so that is why I did it. My stomach is very sensitive. They gave me a fill at four weeks to accommodate the doctor's schedule even though I never saw him, just an assistant who did the fill. They have a schedule for everyone that is exactly the same and if you don't fit that, it's your fault that you inconvenienced them. I was having no problems beforehand and after too much fill I had to have a complete unfill. I, even at 9 months, have no fill at all. I now go to the next town over to the University Med center. They actually take the time to figure out what is best for you. So, after that book, sorry, didn't mean to make this so long, what I am saying is that you need to make sure that whatever place you choose, that they don't have a schedule they go by, but make an individual plan for you. You make need a fill every few weeks or months. Don't rush it. Even with no fill I have lost more than 50 pounds. Another thing is that, and Dr. K will talk to you about this, is that most places fill to the point where Fluid backs up into your esophagus. He does not believe in this. Just because fluid goes through quickly, doesn't mean solids will. In my case, any fluid back up will cause a reflux attack, so I may never be able to have a fill again. So, give real thought and planning to your aftercare. I spent so much time on finding the right surgeon, I didn't even realize how important the long term aftercare is. I should have talked to some people about the local office and asked more questions. Hindsight and all that.

I have no fill at all and morning eating doesn't work for me either. By 11am I am fine and need to control the hunger thing. I can drink though. It looks like this is pretty common.

I got my band to help me deal with my GERD. I have never been skinny by any means, but I had gained nearly 70 pounds in about a year eating nothing but bread and crackers to help the pain stop. It's a genetic issue, so even if I weighed 90 pounds it wouldn't cure it. Since the band, I've had only mild heartburn and it's been so much better. I had my panic session a couple days before surgery. Man, what was I doing? It's surgery and it's scary. As far as eating out and with the family. There is still so much you can eat. I take my nieces and nephews out to eat all over the place. I order things without the bun, alter the side dishes. You are the customer, so it's not like you are too restricted in choice. For example, today I went to Arby's and had the fish meal. I ordered the tartar sauce on the side and ate the fish and potato cakes. Ok, too many calories, but you get the idea. The only time I have trouble is when I order chinese without rice. They really, seriously, cannot understand the idea of no rice. When eating with family, just find out what they are having, or let them know what you cannot have. Mine doesn't mind setting something aside for me if necessary. Same thing at work. They know about my band, which was my choice and are accommodating on food days if necessary and I can always bring my own stuff. It's not a big deal at all. If you are one who chooses not to tell anyone, you can just let them know you are on a restricted diet and let it go at that. By the by, you will try to eat too much. It will be a learning curve to figure out how much is enough and how much chewing and still get enough Protein and enough to drink. Especially if you get distracted. It will frustrate you, but hang in there, you will get set in time. Long post, but basically, eating around others isn't that big of a deal and you will adjust and figure out how it's going to work for you. Ask, ask, ask, don't just let yourself worry or get freaked out.

It took me weeks to get used to mine and four different masks. My machine is set 6-14. It adjusts according to the resistance, so it's usually around 6-8 when I check it.

Everyone is different. I have no fill at all, so this may change depending on how much you have in your band. I can eat pretty much anything I could before. I don't eat pasta, rice or bread because I am not supposed to. I am just used to it now. Yes, I do get stuck, even with no fill, the band is not just hanging there, which you may hear from some folk. I have learned to chew the living daylights out of meat. Just follow the rules and you should succeed. It will take time and you will have to learn again and again. The mushy diet isn't that bad and it's only a few weeks. The liquid diet was really boring. Campbell's Soup at hand is a great thing for that.

I had my surgery about 9 months ago now. Did all my preop stuff over the phone. Saw my local GP for tests and checkups. Contacted Dr. K's office in March and had surgery in June to fit my schedule. Talked with him over the phone and the nutritionist over the phone. Had an appointment with him day before surgery in person. I have no complaints. He had a good record. When I talked to him I had confidence in him. He provided his direct number and talked to my mom after surgery himself. I've had no problems with my surgery at all. I had surgery at 3pm and was out of the center by 6:30pm. Got all the drugs the day before, which is a great idea. All my calls and emails were answered promptly and my questions answered and not blown off, like at my local surgeon's office. We stayed at the Comfort Inn Denver South. It was really nice. You will have to have someone with you. You won't be able to drive. A hotel with a recliner would be great as getting up and down afterwords hurts! After I found out I would have to pay for this myself, I considered Mexico too, but my family was dead set against that idea. Many people go and have no issues, but I don't usually get that lucky. I flew home two days after surgery. They have transportation in the airport if you need it. All your meds are liquid, which you can bring on board with you after they bomb test it. I am just reaching the point where I don't freak out about every random thing I feel. It is different.

You will get some pains everywhere. When I am full, my left side hurts. Not bad pain or anything at this point. But it was very concerning at first. Do you notice the pain after you have eaten?