I was self-pay but I've been on a cycle of PB, swelling, liquids, etc that has culminated to today not being able to drink anything since lunch and now throwing up blood. Not a little, since like 8 p.m.

Will my insurance cover a trip to the ER? I can't sleep and in a lot of pain. I'm supposed to have an unfill at 2 pm tomorrow, but I don't think I can wait.

Thanks.

Kristin

OMG.......I don't have you're answer. I would think they might, but since they could come back and say its band related....dunno.

Is it dark black looking? I would throw that up during the night for two day right after I got my last fill. I was scared and thought I needed an unfill, but then it stopped and I had fine restriction...I took it as I was swollen and then became unswollen and was fine. If it thats, where it is really bad feeling and SO hard to sleep, but maybe not worth an ER trip if you will be seeing the doc tomorrow....I dunno, but if it is scary enough and painful....I guess you shoudn't tempt it.

So sorry to hear this!

I hope you got your butt to the ER girl!!! Or at least be at your Dr's office when they open this morning!!!!

Let us know how you are. I am worried about you!

what ever happened? I'll be looking for an update...

I went to the ER at 1 week post-op with swelling and I was almost completely blocked, but the contrast Fluid slowly trickled through. 3 bags of IV fluids later, I was on the mend. My insurance paid for the ER trip, I just had to pay the $150 co-pay. I was banded in MX.

Good luck. Sip Aloe Vera juice to sooth your irritated band. Too tight stinks!!!

Oh my, I hope you get there fast and get taken care of. I will be thinking about you.

I would guess it would depend on your insurance. I have BC/BS of Florida. While it did not cover the band, I was told if I had any complications, etc. that it would cover that.

Best of luck to you!

Kristin,

Are you O.K??? I hope you got in to the ER and got it checked out.

Please let us know.

Kathi

I know your unfill is scheduled for tomorrow, but would your surgeon see you today because of the complications?? I hope you are alright girl!!! I will be thinking about you a lot today.

Most ins cards will state the coverage/copay on them, at the bottom. You can always call your ins co and ask. That aside - if you're throwing up blood & in that much pain, who cares -- get your butt to the doctor. If you can't wing the bill/copay, seek an urgent care clinic, or as the others have suggested try to get in to your doc/surgeon ASAP. Most docs will see you if it's urgent (trust me, I'm always the one getting in the room an hour late because they saw someone right before me. )

gosh Kristin,

i hope you update us soon, we are worry to death about you!!

<snip>

Will my insurance cover a trip to the ER? I can't sleep and in a lot of pain. I'm supposed to have an unfill at 2 pm tomorrow, but I don't think I can wait.

OMG, Yes! Yes! Yes!

No your insurance might not cover an unfill, but if you are in severe medical distress - never base your decision on being a self-pay LapBand patient. :sick

It might not even be band related - it could be GERD, reflux, gastritis, a stomach virus, a flu or anything. In other words, these could be the band-like symptoms but something else could be causing this.

PLEASE go quickly and let us know how you're doing.

Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All...

Kristin--

Hoping your at the ER and getting help currently!!! Praying for you!!!

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -49lbs

Even if it doesn't, if you can show hardship you can apply for Charity care at that hospital.

I hope we'll hear from you soon Kristen. I'm so sorry you're having a problem. We're all thinking about you and waiting to hear from you soon.

FYI. Just in case this happens again or to anyone else.

I was banded in Mexico and they did pay for my trip to the hospital when I was PB'ing blood. Turns out they really didn't do much but call my Mexico dr. Gave me a maalox type thing and took an xray and stay on liquids for a week.

PLEASE let us know how you are.

Lindsay

Hope she is okay. Check in when you can!

Hey guys. Thank you all so much for the prayer and concern.

I went to ER and they gave me a drug coctail to keep me from throwing up anymore and I went through 3 bags of IV Fluid I was so dehydrated. They kept me stable until my lapband dr could get there this morning to unfill me. INSTANT RELIEF!

As it turns out, the doc that I paid to do a slight unfill while I was on vacation apparently didn't take any out (even though I paid $100 for it) because my doc gave me the syringe with 2cc in it that he originally put in. So thanks to a small town doc not knowing what they were doing (yes they were lapband certified) I had to go through another month of pain.

Anywho, my band is completely empty so that my stomach can heal for now and I'll get pumped back up (not quite as much) in about 3 weeks.

AND for future reference, as long as you have Emergency Room coverage with your insurance, it doesn't matter what the problem is related to, it IS covered. WHEW!

Thanks again everyone,

;)Kristin