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Newbie from Virginia



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Hi to everyone,

I've been thinking about lap-band surgery for a while, so have lurked a bit on this site up till now. Finally, I realized that time was a-wasting. and I got moving.

My BMI is 38, but I have some co-morbidities. My surgeon's office told me that they would submit my paperwork, but tried to gird me against the disappointment of being turned down. My insurance is with Anthem (Blue Cross) Covacare of Virginia. Less than a week after I had my last appointment on their protocol (visit with their dietician), I was approved. Anthem rocks!:cool2:

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Fitflab25,

I'm in Roanoke. Have you been banded, is it giving you a good result? Right now I'm going through the pre-surgery diet and have a constant headache, in addition to the plain old hunger. I'm hoping maybe my body (and especially my head) might adjust to the new diet after a day or two????

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Hi Kittygirl

I.m from the Roanoke area also. I'm being banded on 4/27 and my Dr. is Lucktong. I start my pre-op diet on Monday.

I been spending the last couple week preparing mentally and now I'm ready to be banded and start a new life.

When is your banding date and your dr.:cool2:

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Hi VaDarlene,

Its nice to know there's someone from the area on the Board. I have Dr. Bruce Long from the same practice as Dr. Lucktong. I haven't actually met him yet, though he spoke at the Seminar. Have you actually had an appointment with Dr. Lucktong yet?

My date is April 23. I hope your diet goes well. I'm thinking that I feel a bit better today - I started my diet on Thursday - but its tough. We can do this! And it will be worth it.

Stay in touch! Kitty

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Congratulations, I'm also a newby from Texas. I'm being banded on 4/30 and I'm excited and also nervous at the same time!

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Hey Kitty

Had my appt. with Dr. Luck on 2/3/09, Had a seminar with him and two other ladies then a private meeting with him, also private appt with Jimmie the NP all in the same morning. I have another appt with him on 4/23.

Good luck..VaDarlene

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VaDarlene,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I have a new job and went out of town last week for training. I didn't take my laptop, so have been out of touch.

Sounds like you'll be having your visit the same day as my surgery. I hope yours gets scheduled soon. I'm so ready to get this show on the road, though I'm a bit nervous as well.

I lived most of my life in a larger metropolitan area, and have a fear that the docs here don't have enough experience. I know that's silly, but there you have it.

I have lost about 5 pounds during the first 10 days of the pre-surgery diet, but have four more days to go and am hoping for a couple more.

Stay in touch, and good luck. Kitty

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My surgery is scheduled for April 27, One week to go. I'v lost 5 lbs my first week with one week to go. I have been so hungry. Good luck with your surgery, I'll be thinking about and wishing it was me in there.

Let me know how it goes.

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    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
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