sherilynn

Ok; maybe a stupid question...but how does the band 'un fill' on it's own?

A friend that had Bypass surgery was given a card by her surgeons. Basically, it's a 'free' pass at resturants, allowing her to share plates, or order from the Kids Menu...is this a common practice for Lap Band? And silly as it may seem, will my Band be hindering me going through security at the airport; as I travel alot. Geez, I sound silly asking this stuff...but you guys would be the ones to know! :embarassed:

Hi Everyone, I’m rather new to the board, and I’ve been posting on the ‘Newbie’ Forum, to get a feel for what others are thinking in the planning of WLS. I see that we pretty much all share the same concerns for the most part. I wanted to get myself on the General Forum now, as I’ve got questions for the ‘Lap Band Veterans’ to answer for me – as only you can! **I have to say that I just went to the Before/After pictures Forum, and have tears streaming down my face with happiness for all of you. I can only aspire to have my pics posted some day soon! You’re all heros to me, and I hold each of you in such high regard – as I’m learning that this whole journey takes Nerve, Perserverance, GUTS, Stamina (shall I go on!) As I’ve said, please forgive me in advance if I post any questions that may seem ‘stupid’…but if I knew the answers, I wouldn’t ask. I’m using the search tool on this site; it’s fantastic. A bit about me: I’m 36, overweight, one co-morbidity – High Blood Pressure. I just had my first live forum with the doctor that I’m considering here in NJ; Dr. Abkin from Morristown. I went to the hotel for the forum that focused a bit more on Bypass than Lap Band. I had dozens of questions, but couldn’t get them all answered in two hours! I am scheduled tomorrow for a meeting with my General Doctor, who will then refer me onto a Nutrionist and Pscyh Doctor. Right now I have Aenta who requires 6 months before surgery. Next month my employer has Insurance enrollment, and I’ll be changing to Blue Cross or United; as per the “Insurance Pros” at my Surgeons office – since they approve nearly automatically. (WOW, I’m long winded – sorry!) I will have all my ‘pre’ stuff done before 1/1/07 – then I can work on scheduling my consult with the doctors; and onto Band Day! I know it seems rather premature for me to be doing all of this; but I think doing this slowly can help me prepare better mentally. The one question that I have for you Veterans is this: Other than complications, what can I expect after surgery, that I probably haven’t read about yet? I think now I put so much emphasis on ‘getting together for dinner’; I fear that I will cry at some point when I realize that I can’t just go out and do that with my boyfriend, mom, etc. Sorry for being long winded…but I am so excited to have this forum to help me!!! :faint:

Hi Gayle, Believe me…I'm ready to face the whole list of challenges to get approved. From what this team tells me, they are the ones who will jump through the hoops to help, and that was reassuring. I did call and find out it is an approved surgery - WITH 6 months of evaluation ahead of time. And I'm fine with that as well. That is with my current surgery. Being that I work for a major Pharma Company, we have GREAT insurance coverage choices. Next month I will choose to go to BC/BS or United Healthcare; both of which approve the surgery for my company WITHOUT 6 months requirements. We'll see…this is all just in the 'planning' stage. I need to read here some more, find out how folks are dealing after - and so forth.

Well, not the actual consult with the surgeons, but the 'forum' they put together in a hotel ball room. There were probably about 40 of us; all ages, shapes, sizes. I have to say the team I saw, I was VERY impressed with them - but then again, that is their job; to 'sell' you on the surgeries. They geared it alot toward Bypass, not so much the Band...but I had alot of questions answered. They passed around an actual band, thought I'd hit the floor. I don't mind when I'm under anesthesia....lol - but keep that stuff away from me! Anyway, I have to call my insurance at 8 a.m., as I got very specific instructions on what to ask them as far as coverage goes. My dilema is this: My current 2006 insurance may not cover it. However, next month I can change my insurance for 2007 to a company that will definately (from what their insurance pro says) cover it in full. So, it may take a few more months than usual...but I'm willing to wait. I can say that seeing the Bypass vs. Lap Band side by side and what surgeons had to say, etc....I was totally put off of Bypass. Luckily for me, I do not have any ailments b/c of my being over weight (other than elevated blood pressure). But I will - eventually as I get older. So that is where I am in this long long road!!! Have a great day...and I'll keep you posted as to what my insurance has to say!!! PS: IT's ALMOST FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!

Hi Paula, Thanks so much for the advise. I have not been working with my doctor at all with regard to weight loss. I suppose I should start immediately? He knows that my back hurts, b/c of my large breasts and that I have indents on my shoulders. (My OBGYN). He knows I have high blood pressure. My cardiologist has been treating me for severe Mitral Valve Prolapse for about two years with medicine. I have a neurologist who has treated me for Pseduo Tumor Cerebri (known to be in overweight women), and I've done Weight Watchers about 6 times in 5 years...but never saved the books!!! And WW is not anxious to give me my information for documentation purposes. Wow...seems all will be against me, since I didn't do much documenting. Is there anything that insurance DOES want to hear, and "DOESN'T" want to hear???? I'm talking fluff???

Hey All...glad to see I'm not the only one consisdering Lap Band. I suppose this is as good of place as any to start investigating and getting the 'real story' on the what's and hows', etc. of the LB surgery! Please forgive me in advance for any stupid questions I may ask; or questions that must have been asked a thousand times already. I am trying to gain as much knowledge as possible. WHERE DO I START? I have a 'intro' meeting tonight that the doctors are holding at a hotel. That's where I believe they're going to try and 'sell' the procedure to myself and others in the general public. I know that is where to start. But in terms of me getting other medical attention for insurance approvals...will they let me know all of this tonight? I know I have to go for psychatric evalutation, etc. Do I just go and seek that out myself? OMG - SO many questions I have. Don't want to bombard anyone. Just want to know; where to start!

Hi Everyone, My name is Sheri. I'm 36 and overweight. I too have tried all the weight loss programs, yadda yadda. :help: I've had a number of friends and people I know who've done Gastric Bypass. It terrifies me!!!!!!!! :omg: Then I heard of the Lap Band - and I'm not so scared (easy for me to say, as I'm just only investigating!). I have made the first step and I've registered for a seminar TOMORROW evening where the Doctors/Surgeons speak, intro everyone to the device, etc. My current insurance doesn't pay for the device, however my company is up for insurance renewal for 2007 in the month of November. I'm hoping I can learn what companies WILL pay…and I'm hoping to be a few steps ahead of the game, so I can perhaps get the Band in early 2007. I've not read many of the threads on here; but now that I've found you all - you can be certain I'll be reading every one!! In any weight loss regimine, support is KEY! I'm glad I've found you all!! I'll be updating my profile shortly. Thank you, Sheri

Hi Everyone, My name is Sheri. I'm 36 and overweight. I too have tried all the weight loss programs, yadda yadda. :help: I've had a number of friends and people I know who've done Gastric Bypass. It terrifies me!!!!!!!! :omg: Then I heard of the Lap Band - and I'm not so scared (easy for me to say, as I'm just only investigating!). I have made the first step and I've registered for a seminar TOMORROW evening where the Doctors/Surgeons speak, intro everyone to the device, etc. My current insurance doesn't pay for the device, however my company is up for insurance renewal for 2007 in the month of November. I'm hoping I can learn what companies WILL pay…and I'm hoping to be a few steps ahead of the game, so I can perhaps get the Band in early 2007. I've not read many of the threads on here; but now that I've found you all - you can be certain I'll be reading every one!! In any weight loss regimine, support is KEY! I'm glad I've found you all!! I'll be updating my profile shortly. Thank you, Sheri