tonya66

Hello, and welcome. I'll be banded in January too. At the bottom of my signature is a thread you can join if you like, it is for the January bandsters to help support us and encourage us. I was told no ibprofen as well BEFORE the surgery only. They do this in case you have ulcers. (I think). Thats what I was told anyhow. I was told only to take Tylenol beginning 3 weeks prior to surgery. AFter surgery, I believe you can take it liquid form, once you heal, you may be able to go back to ibprofen, but not sure, you would need to discuss this with your doctor for sure.

Hello, welcome. I will be banded in January too! At the bottom of my signature, there is a thread you should check out, its other January bandsters. Feel free to join us. I starte my pre-op on 1/4.

Hang in there and don't give up!!!! What insurance do you have?

*is there a health insurance company that covers the lap band most of the time? I have UHC Choice Plus and was approved in about 2 1/2 weeks. You have to make sure your employer doesn't have an exclusion on weight loss surgery, many do. It is up to your employer whether they choose to allow the WLS. So you should call your insurnace and ask if they cover CPT code 43770. UHC required a BMI of 40 or above, no exceptions. So make sure you ask your insurance what criteria is needed to be approved, and then get the name and badge number, ext. etc of the person you talked to for future reference. It may or may not be needed. * is it safe to have it done in Mexico? I've heard a lot of good experiences, but I've also heard some bad. So do your research on the doctor, not just Mexico in general. * if i choose to pay with out insurance what is a round about cost? My doctors charge is about $15,000 - $20,0000.

I haven't had surgery yet, but everything I've read, been told, etc. It is very common to gain weight while waiting for the first fill. The first 6 weeks are about healing so after your first fill, the process of losing will start. Hang in there, this time next year, I'm sure you will be celebrating your Band Anniversary and telling about how much you have lost. And you will be reassuring others who are just 1 month post op about your experience. Just try and eat healthy until your fill. I am planning on staying off the scales until my first fill so as not to get discouraged. Congrats on being banded and 1 month out!!!

Justine717, I'll be banded in January too - about 6 days after you. I chose January because I will have $$$ on my payflex medical spending card and it will not be a financial burdon on my DH & I if I wait until January, also the holidays are hard enough so I decided to wait until after the holidays. Now, I'm so anxious, I wish it was tomorrow. But, I know it will be here before I know it. I wish you well with everything and I am sure it will be okay.

Thank you!

Hi Vicki, here is how mine went: 11/11 - went to my seminar 11/22 - had my doctor appointment - first visit - they said they would file with the insurance to get approved, but told me it would be a week before their letter went out due to the holidays. 12/11 - Got the news that I was approved and then they scheduled my surgery date. I chose January 18 for financial reasons or I could have had it sooner. Hope this helps. Welcome to our January Band Crew.

I like the show too. I just catch it when I can. But its a neat show.

Wt this morning 227.4 - Scale is moving REAL slow. Yes, today marks 1 month away from my band surgery. Its exactly 31 days until banded date. Yay. I have to say also, I MADE IT TO THE GYM last night. Thats right, I got off my ASS and exercised. I did 20 min on the elliptical machine, and then 10 min on the treadmill. I know its only 30 minutes, but I felt good and I will continue doing a minimum of 30 min. of exercise EVERYDAY until banding date. I'm getting my body in shape for surgery.

Wt this morning 227.4 - Scale is moving REAL slow. Yes, today marks 1 month away from my band surgery. Its exactly 31 days until banded date. Yay. I have to say also, I MADE IT TO THE GYM last night. Thats right, I got off my ASS and exercised. I did 20 min on the elliptical machine, and then 10 min on the treadmill. I know its only 30 minutes, but I felt good and I will continue doing a minimum of 30 min. of exercise EVERYDAY until banding date. I'm getting my body in shape for surgery.

And PS - Wow, look at your stats, congratulations on how much weight you have lost, you have done GREAT!

Thank you HeatherGurl, one more question, are your fills done Flouro or blindly? Just curious because I know that my doc uses Flouro so I was wondering if the price changes for that?

Well, today starts my 30 day countdown until Bandsterland. I'm so excited. I just need to get thru this month at work and start preparing for my surgery. Yesterday at the grocery store, I bought a few things that I know I will be needing. Here is a list for some of you if you want. I copied it from another thread, it is very helpful in case some of you bansters haven't seen it yet. For Fluid stage: • Bottled Water – plain or flavored, some like Propel or Fruit 2-0 • Popsicles (sugar-free as needed) • Crystal Light • Crystal Light “On the GO” in different flavors - add to bottled water • Jello (sugar-free) • Gatorade • Bouillon or chicken/beef/veggie broths (low sodium as needed)* • Ensure, Boost, Glucerna - or whatever Protein drink the Dietitian asked you to drink based on your history* • Protein powder for shakes* • Frozen fruits for Protein shakes • Clear Soups • Decaf tea • Hot cocoa mix (sugar-free) For creamy stage: • Cream of Wheat • Creamy soups • Applesauce • Yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit • "Imagine" Soups - in cartons (Potato Leek, Butternut, Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than ’Cambells soups.)</B> • Soup-at-Hand soups • Small pudding cups (sugar- and fat-free) - Take a spoonful to get meds to slide down easier •Sugar-free gum (ask your doctor) •Sugar-free breath mints (Ask your doctor) *Make sure to taste each item before you buy them in bulk DRUGSTORE • Liquid medications Tylenol (adult strength) Pain medications Gas-X or Phazyme You will want these meds right away when you come home. It can be very difficult to find them in a liquid form. Check with the pharmacy beforehand to see if they stock them or how far in advance you will need to order them. At your preop visit (or earlier if needed), ask the doctor for prescriptions so that you will have them ready when you return home. • Chewable Vitamins • Stool softener • Antihistamine cream, if you tend to get irritated by tape or bandages Do not put directly on incision. • Heating pad • Flexible ice pack • Pill cutter • Gauze pads 4x4 • Non-irritating tape, such as paper tape • Kitchen timer – for 15 minute sip intervals for the first few days • Blender • Wet Wipes or “adult baby wipes” like Cottonelle • Toilet tongs (long barbeque tongs) – Use if you are just too sore after the surgery to reach around and wipe your “behind”. Just wrap the wipes around the end to get an additional few inches so you don’t have to contort yourself. OTHER THINGS TO MAKE YOU COMFORTABLE • A few books or movies • Comfy clothes, such as loose-waisted shorts • Slip-on shoes • Squishy pillow for car ride -to cushion seatbuilt • For women, a sports bra – “doc said no underwire for a few days” THINGS TO DO BEFORE SURGERY • Prepare your advance health care directive form, so key people can carry out healthcare decisions important to you if you are unable to so. Discuss your decisions with these key people, including family and doctors. One excellent way is to fill out your “Five Wishes” booklet. Obtain several weeks in advance from “Aging With Dignity”, 1-888-5-WISHES (1-888-594-7437). You can obtain other formats from your hospital or online. • Cook some chicken before surgery. Save the broth and freeze it in very small containers (ice cube trays work well). This broth has less sodium than store brands, if you have a salt problem. • Check if your medications are “crushable” (able to be crushed without causing problem with effectiveness). • Get rid of all the foods in the house you are not to eat, before you go to the hospital. • Buy all the groceries you will need for at least 2 weeks after surgery. • Catch up on your laundry and housecleaning. • Make arrangements for someone else to prepare family meals – You may not feel like cooking for some time. • Get a manicure or pedicure.

Chrissie, how long were you in the hospital after surgery? Dr. G is saying that if we go in in the AM that we should be out by the afternoon, after lunch or somewhere around there. Just curious how your hospital stay went at Southcrest? That is where I will be having mine too. Today marks my countdown - 30 days until banding date! I can't wait.

Yes, My insurance is the Choice Plus. It took no time at all to get approved. They sent my letter off to the insurance company somewhere between 11/22 (the day I visited the doctor) and 12/1 (the nurse told me they wouldn't get the letter out until the 1st of December due to the holidays), and I found out 12/11/06 that I was approved. So very fast. I am going to try and call the insurance company today and see what I can find out. I'm at work and it is hard to call since I don't want anyone at work to know about it. They just think I'm going out for a hernia repair, which I am, but I'm also doing the lap band at the same time.

I have UHC Insurance and I have been approved for the surgery - YAY. I get my surgery on 1/18/07 (my choice to wait until January). The frist 3 months are basically covered with the price of surgery. My question is, there is not a CPT code for fills and I was wondering if they generally pay for fills? I have to 90/10 plan, where I pay 10%, $100 deductible, $1000 max out of pocket expense. How does the fills work with insurance? Do they pay? Do you pay 10%, do you pay a copay or what? Just wanting to know if anyone had experience with the insurance company I am using.....

Okay, I guess the carb demons are getting to me in the evening time. I do great all day long, then evening is here and I cheat!!!! Yesterday we went to a going away party for one of our Elders at my church. I had a protein shake for breakfast, and then drank another one for lunch, just because I was on the run. I did pretty good with dinner at the party, except the dessert table kept calling my name. I snuck over and had a brownie, then I had a 1/4 piece of peacan pie - yum, then ..............one more bownie. grrrr. I hate when I can't just say - NO THANK YOU. Today, back on track,,,,,so far. Actually, I'm headed out to the gym to workout. So, hopefully I can work off the desserts from last night. Tomorrow begins my 30 day countdown until surgery. I can't wait!

No, not at all!!!! Matter of fact, anyone who jumps in here with a banding date, just copy and paste the latest list and add your name to it. I thought we could keep the names listed by surgery date. We are getting a large group of January bandsters, and its so cool!

I am very familiar with Surgical Associates, they took my gall bladder out, and did my husbands appendix surgery. Very fine reputation. I wish I had done more research on docs, but I couldn't find any other docs but Dr. G that did Lap-band. Now that I have paid my deposit (non refundable) with Dr. G's office, I am hearing a lot of good things about Dr. Fisher, and I wished I would have known about him BEFORE I chose Dr. G. I think dr. G will be fine, but, I think dr. Fisher's bedside manner is so much better.

WOW - I am too! I have my surgery 1/18 with Dr. Gorospe too. Do you know what time yet? They told me they would call me on the 12th to let me know the time I need to be there. How exciting!

January will be here before you know it! Hang in there with the pre-op stuff. I start mine on 1/4 - not looking forward to it, but at least we should lose weight....right? I hope anyhow.

Wow, the list is really growing. We have FOUR people being banding on the 9th....Wow. Welcome everyone. Angy12314 - 1/03/07 Kellie Reachell - 1/03/07 Babygotback - 1/05/07 Susantunanoodle - 1/08/07 SeattleEbeth - 1/09/07 Moog24 - 1/09/07 PinkyBandito - 1/09/07 Bhamguy31 - 1/09/07 Klo - 1/10/07 Roses733 - 1/11/07 Mommi-hammi - 1/12/07 Pinky12202 - 1/16/07 Sunshine2 - 1/18/07 Phlyinphebee - 1/19/07 Jun0610 - 1/22/07 rsbell - 1/22/07 Shesha - 1/25/07 shues138 - 1/26/07 Lapbandhopeful - 1/29/07

Updating the list for surgery dates; Has anyone else got a surgery date yet? If so, lets add it on. Angy12314 - 1/03/07 Kellie Reachell - 1/03/07 Babygotback - 1/05/07 SeattleEbeth - 1/09/07 Moog24 - 1/09/07 PinkyBandito - 1/09/07 Klo - 1/10/07 Roses733 - 1/11/07 Mommi-hammi - 1/12/07 Sunshine2 - 1/18/07 Phlyinphebee - 1/19/07 Jun0610 - 1/22/07 rsbell - 1/22/07 Shesha - 1/25/07 shues138 - 1/26/07 Lapbandhopeful - 1/29/07

Hi, welcome Lynn. I am not too far from you, I live in Oklahoma. I know how you feel about being Nervous. I'm nervous too and excited at the same time. Its such a weird feeling isin't it? I am lucky that my insurance and employer allow the WLS, because there is no way I think I would be able to come up with the funds to pay for WLS. I think if your a self-pay, there is even more motivation to take care of your band and treat it like gold, no cheating, etc. I'll only be out of pocket around a $1000, but still, I'm gong to treat it as I do my jewelry and treat it like gold. No cheating around the band for me. Welcome to our little January band crew. I'll update the list and add you on. How is everyone else doing? How are you surviving thru the holidays? Who has started a pre-op diet? OMG, January is almost here!!!!!