BetsyB

I went with the least invasive procedure--knowing that, if not a permanent solution for me (which I am actually quite confident it will be), I can be revised to a sleeve in the future when, hopefully, it will be covered by insurance. While I'm 100% committed to making all of the lifestyle changes required to be a success, I was not willing to commit to such a drastic, body-altering surgery unless it was proven necessary to me. The cost was also a huge factor. The sleeve is not covered, even in part, by my insurance. It is still considered experimental, and I am not willing to experiment with my body. (I do think it will soon become standard, and covered, procedure, but for now, the jury's out.)

Hang in there--it does get easier! For me, it took until the 4th day or so, but after that, it was all downhill.

There was a $300 fee to the surgeon's office for their nutrition/exercise program. $35 copays for office visits. And, depending on whose surgical bills make it to the insurance company first, a deductible. Our max out of pocket for the year is $4,500 for the family, I think---so between this and my son's tonsillectomy, which was done 2 days after I was banded, we should be medical bill free for the rest of the year. (My husband has serious health issues, so getting to the max never takes long; this is the first time I've contributed to it significantly, though.) The out-of-pocket expenses for the surgery are purely those outlined by our insurance policy--no surprises.

I like the Inspire shakes from bariatriceating.com. Each morning, I have a scoop of the Dutch chocolate cake flavor blended with almond milk---it starts my day off with 30+ grams of Protein. I track my intake on Fitday.com, and have been surprised at how the grams add up, if I focus on protein for meals. "Regular diet" has taken on a different meaning, post-op.

It's my understanding that FBS is really sort of independent from restriction--that it's related to esophageal spasm rather than difficulty of passage through the band/stoma. When you think about it, this makes lots more sense. Foods don't pass out of a well-restricted stomach as rapidly as the relief from FBS occurs. You can have a touchy esophageal sphincter, and little restriction from the gastric band. A fill will deal with the latter, but probably have little effect on the former.

Doesn't sound like hell to me--sounds like you're doing really well. I was banded the same day, am on a protein-only diet, exercise for at least an hour a day, and am down 8 pounds, post-op. It's come off steadily over the 3.5 weeks or so, but slowly. That's on top of only about 7 during the preop diet. 18 pounds in 3.5 weeks is ASTOUNDING. I agree that it's very difficult when HUNGRY---but your progress is really, really good IMO ETA: Is there any way your surgeon would get you in sooner for the first fill? I have mine on Friday, and a second on 3/3. The light at the end of the tunnel!

It sounds like the insurance company made an error--and I'd draw it to their attention. If you signed the check over to the surgeon, then there will be no problem--the insurer will then negotiate directly with the doctor. Aside from the fact that the bill seems very high, it seems odd to me that the surgeon's bill included all of the hospital stuff (OR, meds, etc.) It's also unusual that an out-of-network would be paid at 100%---though if availability in-network is limited, they sometimes do decide to pay. Give your insurer a call. (Just a note: doctors often do negotiate smaller fees for self-pay. It's not a scam; it's intended to help those who do not have medical insurance afford care.)

Even with full insurance coverage, my PCP didn't factor in at all. I mean, I told him I was doing it, but that was the extent of the matter. In fact, I haven't seen him lately; he doesn't even know I've already had it done. The PCP really plays no role. I'm not sure I'd feel safe, personally, going into this surgery without pulmonologist and cardiology clearance, though. I thought I was comorbidity-free, and found myself needing bronchodilators for the couple of weeks on each side of the surgery because of something found in pulmonary function testing---something I was completely unaware of.

Don't feel bad for me! Yes, my insurance required clearance by a pulmonologist, cardiologist and psychologist---but as a morbidly obese person facing general anesthesia and surgery, that clearance is necessary, not time-wasting hoop-jumping. Spending 3 months making sure the surgery is safe and appropriate (and then having it paid for!) seems like a pretty good idea, to me.

I did find this out before surgery---and my preop diet---and I'm glad I did, so I'll share: the source of the best protein powders is bariatriceating.com. Their Inspire line is really good.

Every doctor's recommendations are different, so yours may allow more. For my preop diet, I was allowed 2 protein shakes plus the protein/veg meal each day.

Did you have restriction before the fill? If not, then it might just be that it's going to take you a bit longer to get there. You may have felt restriction immediately post-fill due to swelling rather than reaching the optimal level of Fluid in the band.

There is so much variation in pre- and postop diets! My doctor advances his patients to purees at 3 days postop. After 10 days, we move to solid Protein. I haven't cheated, because I've been allowed to eat---but I can't imagine that a bite or three will harm you. That said, it might be a good idea to really work on establishing the healthier habits that are necessary for success after banding; adhering to short-term guidelines will help break the bad habits that got you banded in the first place.

INSPIRE proteins from bariatriceating.com. I especially like the Dutch Chocolate Cake and Peanut Butter Cookie flavors. (The chocolate is AWESOME mixed with almond milk.)

Give the doc a call; many antibiotics are very hard on the stomach. Chances are, s/he can switch you to another class of drug that you'll tolerate better. Feel better fast!

Intrusive thoughts can be a sign of depression--or of something else. I think it's important for you to be evaluated by a professional; nipping obsession in the bud is easier than treating it when it's got a strong grip. Where are you located? Most areas have sliding scale/low-cost/no-cost mental health care available, but it can be tricky to track it down.

Ya know, Malnati's makes a FAB crustless pizza....really, really good.

I add FiberSure (inulin fiber--I usually buy the generic version) to my liter bottles of Water. (1 tablespoon = 15 g fiber; I'd work up from a teaspoon to start). Be sure you get plenty of Fluid and enough good-quality heart-healthy fat, too (I love flax seeds, crushed RIGHT before using to preserve the Omega benefits of the oil), or the fiber will compound the problem instead of make it better. Also remember that stool frequency and bulk is going to be far different from what it was preop because you're taking in far, far less.

The process is what it is; faking something won't speed it up. Your insurer will require a BMI of a certain amount without comorbidity, or a slightly lower BMI with comorbidity. That is independent of the other requirements, such as a 3- or 6-month period of diet supervision, and clearance by pulmonologist, cardiologist, and psych. Speaking of the psych, I'd omit discussing faking comorbidities with him/her if you want to be cleared.

You're right; obese people do have surgery all the time. Each one, however, has the potential to carry greater risk for the patient. The testing isn't a money-making scam. It's to ensure that you're as healthy as possible before undergoing general anesthesia and surgery. The psych stuff is a PITA, but there are many who really are not in the right place to have this surgery. Insurance companies can't be faulted for weeding them out---the procedure is EXPENSIVE, and identifying who needs additional support before proceeding is important. I know the wait seems interminable, but the time will pass, and before you know it, you'll be happily banded.

I can't see how it would be helpful. If you're eating the right way for the band, how much benefit would Alli really provide? Whisking away 1/3 of the fat your body needs to function properly just doesn't seem as though it would be very helpful and might, in fact, be harmful. Are you 12 pounds from goal, or 12 pounds from an interim goal you've set for yourself? If the former, 12 pounds in a month is unrealistic, Alli or no. If the latter, 12 in a month is probably pushing it, too---but if you return to band basics (lean Protein first, then nonstarchy veggies), you've probably have better luck.

Yuck--that's a real shame! Dumping used to be a much more significant problem with banding, but most bandits don't experience the same kind. Nevertheless, the OP is a relatively "fresh" postop, and her diarrhea seems to be of a different nature than yours.

It's not simply a matter of what's appropriate to ask; it's a matter of what is LEGAL to ask. A simple, "I need time off during my Spring Break for medical reasons" should do the trick.

It sounds like a terribly demoralizing situation. I understand how finances can trap you in less-than-ideal situations, though. I hope you get some kind of relief very soon. Life is too short to spend with mean men.

It's unfortunately pretty common for the constriction created by the mask to create pooling of Fluid in facial tissues--hence the swollen eyes. Does it resolve quickly once you get up? (Aside from double-checking mask fit, you might be able to minimize the fluid collection by raising the head of your bed a bit.)