lml32937

My opinion is that if you have never been in a therapists office before it can be very intimidating especially when you are going through what we go through. you want to appear perfect so as not to disrupt the "system" of getting approval... Yet they are trained to see right through us and determine what is nerves and dysfunciton. I think (again my opinion only) that they really need to make sure that you personally understand what you are doing- you are not suicidal or homicidal if you fail- you have a support system and you are able to handle the post op care and success. Remember not only your life is changed; if you are married or have kids they can develop envy, jealousy etc. and you yourself could find a new sense of freedom so to speak with things you may have never been able to do- the divorce rate with WLS is pretty high- Personally i havnt seen anyone in my area "fail" the psych test and buleeve me when I met some at a previous support group it made me wonder HOW they got through the gate.. (lol) but try to relax i'm sure if it was fine and it is just pre jitter worry... If you have a good repore wtih your surgeons office call just to "make sure they got the report" in a few days- obviously if there is any negative connotation like they want to see you ASAP or something they will tell you... GOod luck!!

congrats! and I totally agree

I am scheduled for surg on Nov 18 so while family and friends are eating turkey I will be drinking broth and I'm ok with that. I have not had any food funerals so to speak but I am in my pre-pre op mode and making wiser decisions etc.. When I had my lap band that surgery was in April and by that November for thanksgiving I couldnt hardly eat anything due to restriction- it was bitter sweet- it was nice because this is what I wanted but it was sad because it made me realize the assocation the holidays had for me with food eating, prepearation, overeating etc.. it caused me to do a lof of inward reflecting that I previoulsy hadnt done and I realized how much obsessing on food I did... It was an eye opening experience because NO holiday since then has revolved around the food anymore... so hopefully after this surgery that new tradition can continue... Good luck! looks like we will be sleeved around the same time!

Thank you so much- I appreciate it!

I had my band unfilled last week. For about 2 days I still had a bit of either restriction or worry (cant tell) when I was eating.. Now I have absolutely NO restriction and feel like I can eat anything in the house including the house!!! I feel like I have reverted back to old habits in a matter of 7 days and am so miserable!!!! My doctor said don't worry about it I wlll loose it pre op and post op definitely but Is it normal to be so hungry after getting the band unfilled?? Not only am I feeling hunger worse than before I am still eating smaller portions so I feel like I am eating more often.. Should I eat bigger portions less often??

I have UHC also but as you know they have many different plans. I can offer this advice- Have EVERY physician you saw, Dermatologist, Primary care, Foot doctor, Endocrinologist, Pulmonologist etc.. write your surgeon a letter stating the medical necessity and also that failure to do something drastic may cause other life threatening issues which may possible incur more cost to them in the long run. They have to be strong in their verbage. The more they have the more ammunition you have to get it covered. It helps also if your surgeon has someone willing to work with you getting all of this stuff done- If you havent seen all these specialist for your- co-morbidities GO SEE THEM!!! Most likely (excuse the assumption) if you are overweight you have stresst to your heart- see a cardiologist- Diabetes or pre-diabetes- possible polycystic ovaries etc.. Thyroid-- see a endocrinologist- EVERY RASH or skin discoloration that may be due to overlapping/hanging skin see your PCP etc... It may take leg work on your part but it may help. NOW if the sleeve is an excluded benefit on your plan than unfortunately you are probably SOL.... and that sux.. There are some insurances that only pay for band or bypass.... good luck-

Most offices make you pay up front so that surprises me that your surgeon's office was not clear. I'm sorry you are having to go through this but seeing everything you have done trying to rob peter to pay paul I dont know what else to suggest.. I beleive everything happens for a reason and perhaps this is a sign that right now is not the right time..... Your after care is as important if not more important than your pre op care- the hard part (financially) wtih the testing and pre requisites are hard I know but unless they are willing to work with you and make payment plans and take into consideration your situation I dont know what else to advice... keep praying... I'm rooting for you!

Living in Fla and being in the Medical field I can tell you that Florida Medicaid does not cover it because it is NOT covered by Medicare- Florida Medicaid. Having said that there are some things that Medicare covers and Medicaid doesnt for example some types of medical equipment, supplies, proecdures, tests etc... Unfortunately every patient I know on Medicaid has had to go out of the country to be able to afford it because a) if you are able to save and have it here in the US you run the risk of losing your benefits because obviously you can cover the cost of your care and b)it is less expensive and follow up is hard to get done because very few specialists accept the plan which is why most medicaid recipients utilize the ER for their care. It's a catch 22.

to add.. Not being able to bend over to shave your legs comfortably Not wanting to go to a friends house for a BBQ without your own chair for fear they have those flimsey plastic ones Not wanting to be a passenger in someones car for fear that you cant get in and out or wear the seat belt Fear of going to a new place to eat that MIGHT have chairs with arms Going to a physician's office and NOT being able to weigh because they don't have a digital scale OR chairs that fit obese people Not being able to enjoy the beach because once you lay down it is a process to get back up without a small group of people helping you Not being able to go deep sea fishing becuse a) there is no bathroom and nto enough "room" on the boat Not being able to go to the bathroom on a plane (this might not be a bad thing for some lol) Worrying about going to a bathroom where the tank is attached to the wall and you sit and you hear a "CREAK" in the wall.. (seriously- happened to a friend of mine in an airport in Colorado) The list goes on and on and on.... Sad but true:(

If your plan "excludes" it then your employer elected to not have coverage for that service. It is not the insurance- it is the particular plan you have. Normally though if you have a doctor willing to fight and there is enough medical justification you may be able to fight that. otherwise for "excluded" benefits you are SOL... sorry... Now as to why they didn't tell you earlier- perhaps someone called to verify your benefits and was told that records would need to be received before they made a decision because perhaps Lap Band or RNY is (a lot of plans cover these) and your doctor thinking of what is normally pre-requisites so to speak went ahead and did all of them and when all is said and done once they saw revision it was not covered. Will they pay for the band to be removed?? Have you had problems with your band??

I lost about 85 lbs and at least 78 inches (maybe more) with my lapband so I already have saggy skin going into my revision- I'm hopeful that when I loose some more and feel better I can get better situated in a gym and actually tone easier but right now it is even hard where i'm at... Surgery for me is inevitable but I will just wait until I'v plateaued at last 1 year...

Well during my pre- op today I found out he does a 40. He explained that less was just in millimeters and his experience is anything less than a 38 puts you at a greater risk of problem including mal-absorption and ultimately leading to a bypass. I have to trust that he knows this to be true and am content with his explanation- worst case scenario in 10-20 years I need a revision. to my revision.. lol...

it is unfortunate that we need to be our own advocates.. I learned this the hard way many years ago.. I went into my surgeons office with letters of support from all of my physicians. That way they couldnt say we never got the fax, they never sent it etc... I know it is a lot of work but so is living with the band (as i have) and now soon to be with the sleeve. The people employed are only going to be as ambitious as they are paid to be and although it is sad it is true. I work in the medical field and it bother's me to admit but from a management perspective it is true... sort of like the rude person at the drive thru- if they were any smarter they would not be working flipping burgers.. ya know?? All I can say is a) be comfortable with your physician and his staff- if you have to take matters into your own hands legally they are YOUR medical records.. request them and go to another doctor OR contact your other physicians for letters of support so your surgeon doesnt have to... Good luck!

It did take my breath away so-to speak- sort of like a "rush" ... I was told to be cautious on what I ate but not to worry because in the end it will all come off then some- I am still going to eat like I did with my band portion wise etc and protein wise. BUT I am going to try and eat some pork and steak (previously unable to do so becuase it got stuck) OH yeah and a bagel before I go carb free for good....

Thanks guys.. Hubby just told me it would be better to do it the week before so tomorrow i'm going to see if I can change it to the 18th.. either way it's soon

Well today he apologized profusely and was very sincere... I got my band deflated (unfilled) my surgery scheduled , my post op scheduled, my surgery authorized and my clearance from PCP, Cardio and Rheumatologist ALL TODAY!!! I'm so excited... November 22 is just around the corner and I am stoked!! I feel like celebrating... I asked Dr. D about the Palm Bay supoprt group and he did not advocate it saying it is not run by any "professionals affiliated with his program therefore he could not endorse it" but that his is and suggested I go. SO i am going to try and attend the next one if time/schedule permits... Been watching all the youtube videos and that is so encouraging.. even the bad ones about people that were not successfull or had problems.. I look at it as knowledge on what not to do etc... Thanks for understanding and the encouragement along this journey.... really means a lot!:D

Well today I got emptied COMPLETELY!! Funny- my calculations would have had me at 9.5 cc's he only got out 8.5 cc's which proves that there is a LOT of evaporation... It felt weird but in a good way and now I just have to watch what I eat and the reflux that may or may not begin... I got my surgery date and authorization from insurance today so I def feel like celebrating!!!

YAY- Got date 11/22 AND Authorization # and all today... SOOOOOOOOOO excited...

Anyone of Dr. Domkowski's pt's experience any problems with his office before surgery?? I have had like every other appt rescheduled by their office for 1 reason or another and they always call at the last minute.. didnt know if it was habit or just me....

I like the Nectar Protein- you can mix it with milk, juice or water- it is fruity flavored and is really good.

I use Multi Vite's They are @ Sams or Walmart and are fruit flavored and taste like the gummy shark bites or snacks. So much so that my hubby is now taking them and they are very affordable- I think you get a bottle of 100 for like 11-12 $$

Although I haven't been sleeved yet- I went through something similar with my banding.... I got over it real quick by continuing those searches and preparing meals for friends and loved ones because I love to cook- Just because I cant eat it didnt mean I lost my zest for it.. Sometimes the smell would fill me up or sometimes a few sips of a broth or sauce etc would be enough to satisfy a "craving"... I look at meat the same way- I am a total carnivore but since my band have really only been able to eat chicken soaked in a sauce or mayo and hamburger meat.. So when/if I feel like pork or steak etc.. (this is going to be gross..) I eat it, chew it but don't swallow it- I just spit it out- That way I am getting the chewing and the flavor in my mouth but it isnt gertting stuck and I can somewhat enjoy it. As far as deserts go- I have re-arranged most all desserts to either be sugar free or less sugar or cooked with a sweetner alternative and they are just as good- sometimes almost too sweet- I NEVER ate sweets or icecream and now Ice cream or frozen yogurt is a staple in my house.. One of the bad habits I picked up from the band.. It will NOT be that way though when I dont have the band.... Don't know if this helps or not but good luck!

I too think it's a crock- I have not yet been sleeved but have done over 1 year of research trying to come to a decision and that subject has NEVER come up- I see it as an attempt on his part to gain more sleeve vs band pts' and have noticed a LOT of docs previously pushing the band are now pushing the sleeve the same way- I think 5-6 years ago the sleeve was so new and so "similar" to the bypass that was getting so much controversy they had no choice- No 4-5 years later I think they realize that the band is not a permenant solution and definitely not for those needing to loose more than 100+lbs. I think every one looses at his or her own pace and would think that those of us having had a the band are somewhat at an advantage because we have found our Protein shakes we like, our sweet spots, etc and know what to expect like head hunger etc... Just a thought but don't give up hope or let anyone change your mind- you know your body better than even your physician- Good luck!

LOL only cuz that's job security and CHA CHING for her!!! NOT!!! I agree.... I was just really put off by her... I'm in the medical field and I HATE people (doctors nurses etc) who think they are BETTER than everyone else and talk down to you... I mean she whipped out a Protein bar that was like $4.99 EACH and said she ONLY eats Greek yogurt. well back then * 4 years ago) there was only 1 greek yogurt and it was NASTY and i'm sorry but there is NO Protein Bar (unless wrapped in gold) that I would EVER buy that is 5 bucks by it'self.. A shake maybe but not a friggen bar- I mean COME ON I was not born yesterday.. Wow.. That felt good !! see FREE THERAPY!!!! lol... I'm going to try and make the PB meeting- I live in Sat Bch so Sebastian is a drive in itself... Looking forward though to meeting all of you!

when and where are the PB meetings?? Are ya'll referring to the blonde lady?? I met her a few years back when I was banded and our support group (pardon the pun) dis banded.. lol didn't care for her too much either...very pretentious and hoity toity...