RaeZur

Just wondering if anyone out there has FEDERAL BCBS? I was not charged for my first two fills, however my third fill I got popped with a $150 co pay. I assumed the filling process was part of maintaining the band and therefore not an additional cost? I have called BCBS and they insist that the fill is a surgical procedure; therefore I will be charged. I am pretty frustrated and hoping that I will not require anymore fills anytime soon.

I want to get a steady exercise routine going. I was banded in August and have only lost 17lbs since surgery, needless to say I am frustrated. I am hoping to lose 20lbs by summer.

jkangasrdh -- When I woke up from surgery my right shoulder was in horrible pain!! So thank you for explaining it. I have a spirometer that I am to use a couple times a day to help with lung expansion. That is def. helping, its just when I have to take a deep breath, it REALLY hurts.

I had my surgery on 8/19 and my surgeon found a hiatal hernia. He repaired it and successfully inserted the band. I am not having very much pain in my abdominal area, however I am having tightness in my chest when i breath deep, laugh or cough. I am wondering if this is because my throat is still sensitive from the removal of the hernia. Anyone have the same experience?

I was banded yesterday! I am doing well with only moderate pain. My surgeon found a hiatal hernia when he was in my belly..so I had that fixed before the band surgery. The staff has been wonderful here at the hospital. I'm only consuming ice chips right now and I am urinating like a race horse!! I am not hungry at all...the ice just helps sooth my throat from the tube they stuck in it. I'm really excited about starting my new life. Cheers to August Rush '10!!

My surgery is tomorrow (8/19) at 9AM. Wish me Luck!

I am getting banded this week on Thursday, 8/19/10. I had a quesiton: Is anyone else experiencing or has experienced diarrhea during the liquid pre-op diet? I was fine up until DAY 4; then its constant, as often as I urinate. Seems like the more I drink; the more it happens. Is this normal? And should I be contacting my surgeon about this?

Honk, vent on my sister! Brad, thanks again for your advice and support! I feel like I still don't know everthing that I need to know, but I know part of the journey is post-surgery. I am still nervous about the eating portion and PBing. Now that I know that I can keep my energy levels up with Protein, I feel confident that the work out portion will not as much of an issue as i thought it might be.

Thank you everyone so much! I am starting to think those that are not supporting me in this, are definitely scared about the surgery because they are misinformed. I really only have about 3 people that are totally supportive of my decision, and two of those people I haven't know for very long. The other, being my mother. I figure if my mother suports me, that is all that should matter. Once it gets closer, it just seems like even though I have done all this research, all these what-ifs are looming overhead. What it comes down to is going to be my own experience with the band and how I go about my daily life. The one thing that really brought into the light the complications that can occur is in my last support group. There was a girl around my age and same BMI situation that had a slippage after a year and a half. She had so many complications. And it didn't phase me at first, but it scared my and I started having bad dreams right after that meeting. She was having a revision to a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. I started thinking that was a safer route, thinking no band slippage, but that is such a permament procedure, and I dont want to deal with the possibility of malabsorption and such. There are many more success stories that I read about the Lap-Band than stories of complications. I came to find out later that the slippage was caused by the woman's own actions, that she started eating Pasta, bread and rice and was vomitting and didn't tell her doctor. So, ultimately, she set herself up for failure. As my date nears, I am very nervous, because of the unknown really. I am excited about finally being in control of my weight, and not being labeled the "fat chick". Thank you again for all of your support. Cheers!

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences. I feel better about my decision more and more when I hear success stories like yours. I have a lot of people that are ignorant that want to tell me that I am going to extremes here with the surgery. I too had to gain about 10lbs to make sure that I met the BMI requirement for my insurance to cover. (I probably didn't need to gain but 5 really, but I threw an extra 5 in there for good measure). However, I have not ever in my life been able to maintain a loss. I think people just think I am lazy for getting the surgery, when really I am probably one of the most determined individuals I that know. I have lost and gained my entire life and am ready for something to be more permament, I think the Lap-band will be my life-long aid. I am comfortable with the decision and have decided to dump this trainer. I can do this! I know I can! Thanks again everyone!

I am starting to think that I might honk. I have the P90X program and I think I should just try some stuff on my own first. I was pretty pissed that he was trying to sell me on some diet program that he and his g/f were on. Seemed like some AMWAY crap anyway. It's amazing what people will tell you to your face isn't it?

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Yeah, I know what you mean. I have a couple of friends that are like "I don't know why you are getting surgery anyway." That type of attitude just makes me mad, why not just support my decision and move on. I wish that I hadn't told some folks now, but I figure they won't be in my life much longer if they can't be supportive friends. Thanks for your input.

My surgery date is coming fast it seems. I have been getting lots of flack from some of my firends and others that are telling me that I don't need surgery. Admittedly, I am on the low side of the BMI chart, I still have had weight issues my entire life. My insurance approved me with no issue, so I am pretty well convinced that this is a sound decision. I recently went to a personal trainer who has had experience with bariatric surgery patients, and he offered me some diet plan rather than getting the surgery. I was pretty ticked about it, but i think he was just trying to give me other options. He is willing to train me after the surgery so we will see how it goes. I am just concerned of a band slippage, or not being able to work out because of lack of energy. He was telling me that he has a patient that undewent gastric, and he can only last about 30 minutes max. I currently workout about an hour - 4 days a week. I would like to maintain that schedule after surgery. Does anyone have any experiences with working out and being able to maintain a fit physique? That was something else that the trainer expressed to me, that being restricted by calories will make it hard for me to have muscle. I think it is a crock of $hit to tell you the truth, but what do I know? He is supposed to be the licensed professional. Any advice would be appreciated!

I just got insurance approval in July 22 and am scheduled for surgery on August 19. Start my pre-op diet on 8/12. I am very excited and nervous!

yes, that would cause me to strangle someone, because everyone thinks you get surgery and it is some miracle, when they don't realize that you have to actually WORK at it to make the surgery work for you. Idiots...

I have to tell you FED BCBS (I have BASIC) s probably the best insurance to have for this surgery. I started this process in mid May and have a surgery date of August 19. My insurance has paid for everything with the exception of my normal copays. The only thing that I did have to pay for out-of-pocket was the Bariatric Center's Program fee ($500.00). Other than that I have had a total of 3 copays of $35.00 for doctor's visits (including the Psych Eval). You just need to be sure that you use In-Network providers and get pre-certification (usually for the Psych Eval) when required. Fed BCBS likes to use their "Blue Disnction Centers" for the surgery (it makes the process go alot smoother and quicker) than just choosing some random Bariatric Surgeon. Once I had all of my necessary paperwork completed (as well as labs and classes completed) I was approved over the phone in a matter of minutes. No pre-op diet required either, so that is a relief.

Got my call this morning! I have been approved! I am so freakin' excited!! And now the nerves set in!!

I am Pre-op and have switched from Lap-Band to the Vertical Sleeve. To tell you the truth what really convinced me was a friends mother's horrifying experience with the band along with a slippage shared in my support group. My surgeon is really pushing this procedure, he thinks it is an absolute break-through in the bariatric world, which I tend to agree! I have Fed BCBS Basic, I reside in VA. Wondering if anyone is in process of insurance approval yet? I have a finish up consult for my Psych Eval Friday and one more lab test (iron) on Monday and then I will be good to go for insurance submittal. I am hoping with this new CPT code being assigned, that insurance companies will take this procedure seriously and start approving it! Fingers are crossed here... This change is last minute for me, but I think overall it is a better surgery, and will cost me a lot less (not having to be filled and such).

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this? I work in an office and don't do much outside, hence the low Vitamin D levels. What could be causing the low iron? I take a multi-vitamin daily and eat my share of red meat...so I am not certain why it was 38 instead of 40 (normal level), I was not on my mensus during testing either.

Hey Faith, I am in the process of getting all my pre-op stuff done and hopefully will be banded by september by Dr. Wohlgemuth at Sentara Norfolk General. I am here for support, god knows I could use some!! Rachel

my first consult is monday, so I guess that will be a good question to ask then! Thanks!

I was wondering, with FED BCBS Basic, do you have to pay an extra fee for fills? Or is it just considered a normal copay?