Electrawoman

I watched a youtube video of a postop who said she did not have loose skin and attributed it to exercise and increased muscle mass

I dont think a TT will affect you having kids. You can always get it tightened up later if you need to for cosmetic reasons. I hemmed and hawed about surgery all year but now I am at the same place you are---I feel like I need to get rid of this pannus, almost like its a foreign growth on my body. Hopefully, I can get insurance to cover it. If not, maybe your parents can adopt me. ha ha Good luck, Meagan and keep us posted! You are adorable!

WTG! You look awesome!

If you are done losing weight and you tell your doctor that, they will probably do it. If you plan on losing more than 20 more, they will want you to wait, usually.

Here is a direct link to BCBSTX reconstructive surgery guidelines with DX codes

http://medicalpolicy.hcsc.net/medicalpolicy/home?ctype=POLICY&cat=Surgery&path=/templatedata/medpolicies/POLICY/data/SURGERY/SUR716.001_2012-01-15#hlink

Most insurance will cover the panniculectomy (removal of the pannus) if it hangs below the pubis. This is helpful and may be a good enough treatment for most people.

To pay for the panniculectomy, insurance may require that you document a history of rashes (which can be caused from poor hygeine and other factors) and usually, they will want pictures of your pannus. (Just visit your doctor for your next rash and get them to put pics in your chart. Then call to document future rashes by asking for RX refills for each one. Make sure to fill the prescriptions, otherwise your insurance could fight you and say "It must not be bad enough if you don't even treat it properly").

Insurance will rarely pay for the TT unless other factors can be documented for reconstruction such as rashes, lower back pain, and hernia. It is important to start the documentation process with your doctor now. Just mention the issues your pannus causes every time you talk to you doctor(s) (not just your WL Surgeon) to create that history.

I have BCBS TX and found that they will pay for TT if I have an umbilical hernia (I do and you may, too. They don't hurt and sometimes you only know you have one if you notice a mass or bump in your abdomen upon sitting up from a lying position. Do a slow sit up and check for weird bumps--google search umbilical hernia for more info on what to look for).

http://www.livestrong.com/article/481156-stomach-protrusions-with-sit-ups/

Insurance will pay for TT to correct this because, while they don't immediately cause problems, a hernia can become strangulated and serious).

It was not easy to find this information. Before you call your insurance, search the internet for Medical Policies for your insurance. Here is an example of the portal to get provider specific medical policies for BCBSTX:

http://medicalpolicy.hcsc.net/medicalpolicy/disclaimer.do?corpEntCd=IL1#hlink

These policies are written for the doctors and provide detailed lists of what they will cover and why. If you call your insurance and ask for this, they are probably going to give you a hard time. They will try to limit your knowledge of specific policies. Remember, they do not want to pay for your care and if you don't know the rules, they can deny you easier. Most people get frustrated and just give up after one denial and they count on that. No insurance wants to pay for anything they don't have to. Also, remember that every time you call your insurance company, they document your call and will build their own history of what you are asking about.

You weight loss surgeon or plastic surgeon is a great source of information. However, I would recommend that you find the medical polocy guidelines FIRST before seeing the plastic surgeon or PAY CASH for your first surgeon's visit and keep it off insurance until you find out what you need to document/prove. Know what you need to prove before you try to prove it. Your doctor will probably have copies or access to medical policies and specific guidelines for your insurance because they have been through this before. They are often very willing to help you decipher the secret code of insurance nonsense because they have to deal with these people on a daily basis and get just as frustrated as we do.

I have 2 bags of fashiobable clothing in sizes 18-20... With a 22 thrown in here or there. I Am also including some accessories (handbags---sharif and faux coach--- belts etc) and can include shoes if u need them...size 10. I buy most of my stuff at torrid or the nicer department stores though there are a few Target items in there too. I need 14-16 clothing in modern, trendy, retro styles and would like to trade. I have a few pics which I will attempt to post on my profile.

These are great tips. Thanks!

Thank you!

Would love any tips you might have for jump-starting weight loss. My band is filled regularly and it feels full enough but I have plateaued and I want to lose a final 50 lbs. I have been super tired lately and have fallen out of my workout routine so I know that getting back into the gym will be the first step but what are some other tips? Fasting? Cleanses? Other ideas?

Have you thought about using an e-cig? Electronic cigarettes...safe...feels just like smoking. Pm me if you want some more info or just google it. I've been using mine for 3 years.

You look great and I want those Wonder Woman shorts!!!

That did it. Thank you, 2muchfun!

The preop diet is the worst part. People lose weight at different rates. I happen to be an oddball who can go weeks without losing anything and then, all at once, 5 lbs will disappear. It is so strange that I often wonder if my scale is broken but I have purchased several and its always the same. I agree with the previous poster who said that lapband helps with obsessing over food. This is the number one reason why I would get a lapband again, even if I never lose another ounce. The preop diet offers this benefit as well. I felt like it reset my body. It was hard...the hardest part... but you can get through it.

I tried that. TY

Nothing there that will allow me to update the Surgery Information section.

I can't seem to figure out how to do this...checked profile update and settings, etc. Please help.

I read somewhere since posting that it may take time for the saline to work its way around the band. This is the only thing I have found so far that attempts to explain the phenomena. Is the saline solution thick? Why would it take 2 weeks to work its way around? I guess I am looking for why there is a delay. I realize that there is one in some folks and know how to work with it as well as swelling from PBs and stress changes. Im just curious about why.

Can someone point me to more information on this: "A fill may have a “Delayed Action” of up to 4 weeks. A “Delayed-Action” means that the fill may not become effective for up to 4 weeks after the fill. That is why the ALLERGAN protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill."

I have had my band for 2 years but only had 2 fills--both this year. I think I may be experiencing this delayed reaction. How does that work? Why does it happen?

Weird! I have a friend named MaryFran...and when I saw your post, I was like "What is she doing here?!" (She's a staunch vegan and has never needed WLS. lol)

BTW, ya'll, I only have a few of them in my closet at this point, but the first time I fit into a size 14 (at my highest I was inching toward a 26), I broke down in tears in the Torrid dressing room because I was so overjoyed.

AWESOME!!!!!! Good for you!!!!!

Salads are one of the easiest things for me to eat. Like everything else, it depends on the person. Moisture is important for most of us and for me...density is important. Fluffy, light foods are are usually not my friends (scrambled eggs...popcorn)

You are probably going to get sick at some point, though. Try not to worry. The more you stress, the tighter you will get. I can't eat at all when I am stressed out.

I got a fill today. PA said that the antidepressants will, indeed, make me hungrier but I still should not have been able to eat as much as I was. I told her to lock me up tight and she did. I was able to swallow a pill and from what I can tell so far, that may be about it. Good. I feel better now. She also said I'm still doing great and that is always refreshing to hear. I know so many people who have had barisurg and gained weight back. I don't want to be one of them, especially since I haven't even reached my goal yet!

HELP! I am not sure what is going on. I was doing really well until a few weeks ago. Now, I have gained nearly 10 pounds and I feel hungry all the time. Today, I did pretty well all morning...ate sensibly for Breakfast and went to lunch and ate my normal lapband portion of food. But when I came back from lunch, I was starving...ate the rest of the lunch and topped it off with 4 calorie-expensive fig bars. I just went over my calorie limit for the day and I still feel hungry.

Three things have changed in the past few weeks: I started a new anxiety medicine, Prestiq, and I had a hormone-laced IUD removed. I also started working out again. I think my lapband is still tight enough but I'm not sure. Up until this point, controlling food was the easiest part of my journey. Now, I am having trouble controlling myself. I am hungry all the time and feel ravenous in the afternoon. I have an appointment for a fill on Monday but I am worried about the damage I am doing in the meantime. And what if I don't even need a fill? Anyone else experience anything like this?

Hey everyone! I am sad to hear that some of you are having problems with your band but happy that you are still posting here and trying hard.

I have lost around 90 lbs so far. Losing goes slow but that is okay with me. There is a definite pattern to the way I lose: down 2, up four, down 5. I am getting close to my mini-goal and it's almost a little scary. When I realize it and feel anxious, I notice that I have a bad day...eating more junk, etc. I think that is fear-based self sabatoge but haven't figured out what I am afraid of.

I have gone from 22-24 to 16-18 now. When I look in the mirror, I still see the same person I always did. That's not necessarily a bad thing because I never really saw myself as "fat" weird, I know My body is smaller but the shape is still the same, though.

I definitely LOVE not being tied to food or plus-size clothing stores anymore. I have more energy. My sleep apnea has improved by 75% and the pain in my ankle is not as severe.

I have had one fill since being banded and my doctor says I am doing great. I am starting to play with the idea of a Tummy Tuck or body lift when all is said and done. I had said I never would (surgery for vanity sake) but it seems a shame to not finish the job I started.

For those of you who are still struggling, don't give up.