JJLaw08

I am probably making a big deal over nothing, but I was self-pay for my surgery. The doctor charged me $3000 for the surgery, and that included free fills for the first year. Well, they have been billing my insurance, which is fine, but the insurance isn't suppose to pay anything. I have finally met my deductible this past time I went to get a fill, and I received a claim report saying the total paid to the provider was $54.40 (out of $100 he charges for a fill). I don't have to pay the balance because he writes that off so I have two questions. 1. Are they suppose to be billing my insurance whenever my insurance is not suppose to pay for those services? This may actually be helpful whenever I am no longer covered after my first year of free fills. I don't know how his office is billing it. 2. Is he getting paid twice for something I've already paid for? If so, that kinda makes me mad because he has already been paid for the first year fills. Then again, I probably shouldn't be mad because I pay enough to the insurance company so it's nice to see them actually paying for something. I know I'm making a big deal probably over nothing, but I figured someone here would know.

Oh yes. It does hurt. Once you get tighter, you will not be drinking while you eat.

I get the Target brand Flintstones chewables. They are kinda nasty. I take one per day. I also need to start back taking my calcium.

I am at exactly 200 lbs. as of this morning. I go to the doctor tomorrow so maybe it will be 199 :thumbup:.

I have been having worse vision the last month or so. I don't know if it is just my vision getting worse ( I have had bad vision ever since I was little) or if it has to do with the surgery. I'm getting blood work done as well to see if everything is okay in that regard.

I drink water and Milo's Splenda tea.

I have noticed for the past month or so that I get stuck really, really easily. I eat a Protein bar for Breakfast, and that goes down just fine. lunch and dinner seem to give me the most trouble. I feel I am eating slow enough because it takes me like 30 mintues to eat a small portion. My food is cold by the time I get finished eating. I may be taking to big of bites, but I chew to mush. It could be the foods I am eating, but I cannot figure out what to eat for lunch. That is a work in progress. It is frustrating because it hurts like heck!

I cannot say that I was totally prepared before surgery because mine was basically spur of the moment. I decided in January to go visit the doctor (even though I knew in December of last year that I wanted to have surgery). I had all my labs/tests done that very same day. A couple weeks later I visitied the doctor, and we set a date. Two weeks later I was banded. So in about one month (on Feb. 8), I went from not having a band to having a band. It was a very fast process, and I have lost 51 pounds. I couldn't be happier. I'm not perfect, and I eat things I'm not suppose to, but it is a process. It will get better. I did read up on everything, and I checked out this site beforehand so that helped me. I have to say it has been an easier process than I expected. I was afraid of not being able to eat chicken or some of my favorite foods or throwing up a lot, but it hasn't been bad.

Yes, enjoy it while it lasts. I was good until I started eating soft foods. Now I am patiently waiting for restriction. I go for my fifth fill this coming Wednesday so maybe that will do the trick.

I've had 4 fills with 7 cc in a Realize band, and I'm not at restriction. I don't know if I'm near yet because I haven't had much trouble eating. It can be frustrating, but I think it will be worth it when we get restriction.

I was banded on Feb. 8. I have had 4 fills with 7 cc total. I still do not have restriction. I can still eat a lot more at one sitting than I should. I thought this last one would do the trick, but it hasn't so far. I have lost 45 pounds, and I feel great, but not at restriction yet. I heard it takes longer with the Realize band to reach restriction.

Mine has loosened over time. Usually 2 weeks after a fill I can start to tell I can eat more.

Prayer absolutely will help. I think I may have hit a plateau, but I'm not eating the right foods so that is the reason. Keep praying and keep pushing!

My first fill was approx. 6 weeks after surgery. He put in 4 cc. I then go once a month until I hit restriction. He has put 1 cc in each time after the first fill. I have 7cc in now, and I don't think I'm at restriction. I cannot wait until I get there. It is frustrating.

I have 6 cc in my band (I go for a fill tomorrow), but I really haven't had any problems. I can still eat whatever I want. I'm sure that will change once I hit restriction. I still haven't learned to eat slower and take smaller bites, but I think that will come.

I weighed 211 this morning. I have not been in the one's in like 5-6 years so I will be glad when I get there again. My goal in Feb. when I had surgery was to be under 200 lbs. by the time my cousin's wedding roles around. Her wedding is in October so I should accomplish my goal!

Mods, please delete. Sorry!

I had trouble sleeping for about 2 weeks after surgery. I took Tylenol PM, and it worked great. It doesn't take much to knock me out though so one pill was enough for me.

I used to have heartburn almost daily before being banded, but ever since I've been banded, I haven't had any heartburn problems. I guess it depends on the individual.

Usually toasted bread goes down easier. Regular bread seems to expand once it goes down or something like that so it gets stuck easier. I have had 3 fills (6 cc), and I am starting to tell bread doesn't sit well. I take bigger bites than I should, and it doesn't get stuck, but it hurts going down. Usually supper isn't as bad, but if I eat a sandwich for lunch it is worse.

That is weird. I've never heard of water or liquids for that matter stretching the pouch or causing a slip. If that is the case, I'm screwed. I had to gulp a bottle of water this afternoon because I was outside working and got to hot :thumbup:.

You know Tae Bo is really fun. I haven't done that in a long time so maybe I need to start again. I have been running on the treadmill, and walking at an incline on the treadmill.

I have a spastic stomach (no problems with this the last year or so), and my doctor told me not to take anything like Advil, etc. even though that seems to help my headaches more than Tylenol. Luckily, I have not had many headaches since I started drinking more water.

Well I can tell you none of that has happened to me. Everything tastes just as good as it ever did. Ya'll are lucky.

I don't. I get going on it for a day or two, but get tired of doing it.