munkee'smommy

Hello October Bandsters! I hope you all have had success in your recoveries and weight loss. I got banded on October 1st, and had my first fill today! (I found out today that I actually had 3 CCs put into my band while I was having the surgery). They added 1 CC today, making a total of 4. I was very surprised about how quickly and relatively painless the fill was. I think it was about 30 seconds, but I only really felt the "sting" for about 10 seconds. I HATE needles, so I was very happy that it went so quickly. I drank Water which went down fine, and then left. In-and-out in about 20 minutes (of course, it was a 3 hour drive each way) - but go to do some shopping on the way home!! :-)

I have been doing really well, lost 22.7 pounds so far, and am so super happy with my band. I have only had food stuck once where I actually had to bring it back up. I have had food half-stuck a few times where I just had to stop eating, swallow, PB, and then it was fine. So, considering I'm learning a totally new way to eat, I think it's going REALLY well. I'm so excited about what the future has in store.

I've taken photos and will be posting them up later. I can't believe how much difference 20 pounds makes. You do need to really look at the photos to see it, but you definitely can see it... I haven't had anyone comment on my weight loss yet (which I expected as I have lost and regained weight so many times in my life), but I'm still focused on my goals!

Anyways, don't want to make this TOO long.. haha

Good luck on your journey's everyone!

Tim

Timmers, CONGRATS on the 20 plus LBS lost:thumbup:!!!!!!! I'm sure you feel much better. I have a Q. though. What is PBing?

Had my follow up appointment today and first fill. I was banded on October 15. I've lost 20 pounds so far. I was leary about my weight loss thinking, "what if my scale is weighing me differently than the doctor's" but it was confirmed. woot. I got my stitches out and everything seems to be healing well.

I got to see my surgeon (not his assistant physician). I talked to him about the Constipation and the Protein Shake causing it. He said I didn't have to take it, but to make sure I'm getting Protein in my diet.

Mushy foods for another week, and then weeks 5-8 bring in some more textured foods like ground beef/turkey, cooked veggies, fruits with no skin, etc.

The fill was a little more painful that people had led on, but it was okay. He only put in 3cc, had me drink a glass of Water. it went down fine...no problem. I told him but he said, we're taking it slow. In six weeks he will add more and said I will definitely feel it then. liquids only for today. I had some Soup for dinner, and I really feel a lot fuller.

That's the update. How are you all doing?

hey noosh! same surgery date. I go next wednesday for my 1st fill. I eat like a pig! so i really need that fill. My doc let me eat normal since day 4, so i have only lost a couple of pounds since the surgery. I only eat like 1/3 less than i usually would and i really have to fight hunger sometimes. CONGRATS on the 20 LBS!!!!:thumbup: Like i said, i really need that fill. :cursing:

I was banded 10/22. I feel better most of the time, but sometimes I feel like I could go out and eat the world. Boredom? Probably. I go back for my post op tomorrow and can't wait. So ready to get the staples out!

DITTO!!!! i hope this hunger passes with the fills. I don't get a fill until 11/11.

I was banded the same day. My doc is way different. as soon as able you are to eat chunky and not mushy foods. I was eating normal by day 4. i eat more than i figured i would. now my struggle is what i put in my mouth after being good for so very long. plus woman time came as well and i l love chocolate. Ugh. Trying to do better. it really, honestly is a tool, nothing more. No liquids for me. back to the grind. I have a knot under my rib like a baseball. that hurts. he said it is tubing, and my port i assume. gas pains suck, but are getting better. i would hate to still do liquids, but am glad they fill you up. GOOD LUCK TO US!!!

Txtigergirl -- I'm with you on tomorrow's surgery date. I'm excited. What time tomorrow: I'm at 7:30 a.m. California time! Good luck to you and all of us out there getting banded this month!

GOOD LUCK TO US ALL GETTING BANDED IS RIGHT!!!! I am nervous, but sick of this diet. I had to slowly cut carbs to 15 per meal. I've had 2 days of liquids and by goodness I think I'm ready. NERVOUS, but READY. GOOD LUCK PEEPS!!!

I am being banded tomorrow...I am starting to second guess my decison. Anyone else in the same boat?

I'm not second guessing. I doubt you really are either. I bet you are like me...nervous as a whore in chruch!!!!:thumbup:

You wouldn't have come this far if you had any doubt that this was the right thing to do. Just like me. But man, am I nervous. I hate surgery. and i am nervous about life after. will i puke all the time, will i get stuff stuck? who knows. But we both know that it will be better than what we are dealing with now. Good luck sweetie!!! I am getting mine the day after you, keep us posted.:biggrin:

Hello Sue and Stacy. Nice to meet you both.

Stacy, I know what you mean about work. I am in nursing school and can't really afford to miss too much class. Atleast this semester I am already done with clinical rotation so I dont have to worry about that. They wont start up again till January and I should be OK by then, thinner too!!! I can't believe I just used the words thinner to possibly describe myself. Seems like a dream!

Sue, I feel ya on the long waiting process. We moved from Washington to Alabama half way through the process and I had to start all over. Well lets just use the good old saying, good things come to those who wait!! Keep my posted!

i just wanted to say welcome to BAMA!!! I am seeing the same doc. as you, I bet. Dr. Robbins. I am having surgery this Thursday. :thumbup: Nervous, my knees are weak. I started the liquid diet today. If you have any Q.s let me know and again, WELCOME!!!!

Hello Everyone...if your name is not here why dont you copy and paste then add your name and date!

Happyloser 10/1

bethany329 10/1

Timmers 10/1

Lindac80 10/1

Marfar7 10/1

Ca7696 10/2

Opus03 10/2

RedboneLA 10/3

ihavehope3 10/3

Viking_girl 10/5

leetie 10/7

Jtreece 10/8

MommyOf1 10/8

Suz-Q 10/9

Noodles 10/9

SharPei 10/13

Guy 10/13

Cshytle 10/13

MoniqueD 10/14

Jenfromtheburg 10/14

ncarreras 10/14

angela677 10/15

Kme 10/15

Nooshie 10/15

munkee'smommy 10/15

Oliverdog 10/16

danyett 10/16

We3601 10/19

Onikenbai 10/19

Mzcancer 10/20

Soexcited 10/21

erenstar983 10/21

pina3940 10/21

jenrobbar951 TBA

HDmama 10/22

Crazychica133 10/26

Idahlem72 10/27

Daria77 10/27

Barley 10/28

4girlfamily 10/29

It is making me write something else since it is a quote. I can't wait. I would love to hear from those who just had their bands done and see how ya'll are doing. :wink2::cursing::redface:

i am also scheduled for being banded on October 16th! Biggest thing I was having difficulty giving up was the carbonated Dt drinks! Thank goodness for crystal light with caffiene!

LOL!!! AMEN TO THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, I'm new to talking on the threads.. My surgery date is scheduled for 10-15-09. My last visit with Dr. Moran is Tuesday then I have to do some pre-op at the hosp. I've been reading post after post and am excited, nervous and hoping for the best. Good luck to everyone that is having the LAP-BAND® surgery this month. I

Mee too, Mee too!!! U R with Me and Nooshie! YAY!!! I can't wait. i'll be having mine in Dothan AL with Dr. Scott Robbins. I like them, but he sure doesn't play. We better act right. Inflated liver= no band. So I am being good. GOOD LUCK!!!!:biggrin:

I finally got it.....I'm APPROVED! My insurance will cover 100% of it too. BCBS of AL is great!

I have my surgery in 2 days and am so happy.

I have BCBS of AL and they are telling me I have to pay 50%. :biggrin: So far, the hospital says only the co pay. I'm going with the hospital until further notice. I don't know anyone that had to pay out like 10 grand, so I doubt I will. And if I do, I'll just send what i can, when I can because in the end it will so be worth it. Congrats.

Hey Munkee'sMommy! Congrats! We share the same surgery date. Two weeks from today! I just started the pre-op diet today....so far so good, but I'm not loving the Protein Drink (too sweet) but it'll do!

Keep in touch and congrats on the great news!

Best,

Nooshie:thumbup:

YAY FOR US!!!!! I have had a pre-op diet for the past 3 months. They make us slowly low carb to 15 carbs per meal, then liquids for 2 days. I am so SICK of this diet!!! Can't wait to get my band, but you know, I am getting nervous now. I'm shocked at that. Getting nervous. Protein drink too sweet? I don't think my tounge recognizes that term LOL!! Sorry, my computer has been crazy, we need to be band buddies and stick togeter! Good luck Noosh, let me know how you are doing so far.

NO KIDDING! I just got a call 15-20 min. after writing my post. My surgeon's office called and I am moved up to 10/15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am soooo very excited. I can't wait. This is a happy, happy day!!!! Hope it is for all of you as well.

I just received my date yesterday. 10/26 A bit later than I expected, but I am happy. At least I am almost there. They said not to write in in ink, but as of now, it looks like 10/26.

Oh no! this a very real disease that I struggle with daily. I have almost lost my vision, my job, my whole world. I now have a shunt in my spine and frequent blinding headaches, neck spasms, and visual problems. But no hypertension. This is an awful, very real disease, that can rob many people of the very life they have known. I PRAY that the lap band helps me with this. I promise, IT'S REAL.

I just got approved last Thursday. Yay!! Start 15 carbs per meal Sept. 5th, meet doc. Sept 30th and I requested Oct. 5th, my birthday! What could be a better gift to myself and my family? Crossed fingers for the 5th. I am too happy and can't wait to loose this weight!

Lifecare is like home health. When a patient is too far gone for home health and not bad enough for a long term facility they call Me. Yes my number is 13000, I think that you might not have to do the 6 month supervised diet, just call BC/BS, they should be able to tell you everything you need to know.:crying:

I called BC/BS again (three times) NOPE! Thank goodness! i have to do the EMI computer course and then submit to insurance. Bless you in this endevor. write me sometimes. email too!:thumbup:

I have learned from reading these postings (It seems like forever) If you get an answer from the insurance company you don't like, wait a day and call back and talk to someone else. ) It seems to have worked a lot of times for a lot of people. If you get that "just right" person and they send it to you in writing, I think you are in. As I see it they are probably told to turn down as much as possible. (Just my opinion)

I know I am going to try it when the time comes up. And, I know it will.

Good luck on your Quest.< /p>

LOVE THE NAME PICKLES-cuz i love pickles!:crying: Yeah, insurance co. change per person you get. Two times they said i have a 50% payment on the surgery:eek:, One time i had to take the 6 month diet:eek:, and two times they said that i did NOT have to do the 6 month diet:cool:. SO, i called the hospital and asked what it showed that i had to pay, she thinks $100 for outpatient surgery:thumbup: and was supposed to call me back but never did:confused:. oh well. I'll find out when i go to have the surgery. But yeah call call call. They are trying to discourage as many of these surgeries as possible of course, cause it cost them money. Good luck to you as well:biggrin:

Hey Girl, I just got in from work and saw that you too work for the Health Department!!LOL!! I am a nurse for Lifecare, actually I am the ONLY LPN working in Winston Co in the Lifecare Program.. I just wished that meant job security!! Hell I forgot what a raise looked like on my pay stub!!! As for the 6 Month diet, I think BC/BS has changed that recently.. I do know that BC/BS will approve you for a year from the original date they approved you. I thought that I wasn't going to be able to have it done:mad2: until I called the lady at Care Wise, they are the people who actually approve you and send it to BC/BS.When I found tha tout I decided to just save part of my travel checks from now until November.:eek:

i'm going to be honest, I don't have a clue about what LifeCare is. :thumbup: (I'm sure you don't know what the asthma pilot program is either though):laugh: I am now pretty nervous:scared2: because of what you said about the 6 month diet. I was told two different things by BC/BS. I will cry:crying: if they turn in all of my stuff and say,"Well you didn't do the 6 month diet." The most recent coworker to have it done was in January-don't know when she was approved. see, i have enough leave for one week, basically for surgery. I had a daughter 7 months ago. I can't see taking time for 7 months to get weighed. your group # is 13000 too isn't it?

I work with the state too!!!I'm with the Health Department in Winston County. The reason I am having surgery in November is I chose to because I didn't have the 1,100 at that time. Then I went through a HUGE bout of depression because I was convinced that I would never be able to save up enough to have it done, but slowly but surely I've almost got it, so have chosen to go for November because we have all those holidays and I won't have to burn as much annual.

mouth open OMG, LOL!!! :eek: I WORK AT THE HEALT DEPT IN PIKE CO!!!!!!!!! I'm a social worker for the -soon to be canned-asthma pilot program through medicaid. I don't know if i will have a job either!!! Too funny!!! What do you do at Winston? and why did they make u do the 6 month??? i understand about the money, if i loose my job, then i will have to ask for help from dad in law, or give 'em 5 bucks a month. yeah, riley freakin hates us. no state worker should have voted him back in. what is a raise and job security anymore, I forgot? i'm going to send you an email. LOL THIS IS TOO FUNNY!!!!

i also remember some coworkers saying that they had to pay like $1000 out of pocket. I didn't know if BC/BS changed or not. I sure hope that is all i have to pay, but we'll see. My doc charges $17000 something cash pay, not sure what will be billed/accepted by insurance.

I had several out of pocket expenses... 125.00 for the psych eval, 225.00 for my 6 month supervised diet program, 25.00 co-pay for my surgeon visit, 1,100 for the surgery and hospital co-pay. So far that is the only out of pocket expense...

You know the only expense i have had so far was my psych eval $335. No lab work yet. I don't have to do the 6 mo. diet due to my BC/BS group number being 13000. I work with the state of AL. I am so happy about that. I haven't had a surgeon consult yet. So far i've done: the seminar, support group, psych eval, physical therapy, and sleep study. I need to: take the EMI computer course (i will on the 28th), meet the dietian, then the surgeon. (plus my doc is now writing the letter to my surgeon-got to get that in). After the surgeon meeting it is about one month till surgery. We have to go on a super low carb diet for a month. If you have a big liver, he'll sow u up and send ya home. I'm pretty new to everything, but i can't wait. :bored: I WISH YOU GOOD LUCK TOO!

Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I can handel that much better. I know my situation will probably be different from yours, but it gives me HOPE that I won't have to be in debt. I am using Dr. Scott Robbins in Dothan. Funny, we have a Dr. Suggs in Dothan for optometry. Why will it take until November? Am i not realistic in hoping for Sept.? Just wondering. :bored:

TY so much. I am going to get this done no matter what!!! and i flippin' can't wait!!!!!!! :bored:

UGH, i am afraid of that. i called yesterday to the insurace workers at the hospital. she saw a co payment of 20%, which is better. they are going to find out and call me back. I do know one thing, I don't care what I have to do, i will get this done. I need this for myself, my daughter, and my husband. Whatever i have to pay, debt, whatever tests, i'll do it.