carol285

December, I don't know if the band didn't work for you as much as it seems that the doctor didn't!! I have read many many posts here and while every insurance & every doctor has different requirements and protocols, it seems like you had none. For instance my surgeon & insurance required a pre-op with a nutritionist and psychologist & those visits were very informative. Also I was seen 1 week post op then every 4 weeks (or so if I had a conflict) for this past year, I was banded on 10/25/10. At every appointment the PA & I discuss what I eat, how much I eat, how hungry I a, how long I stay full/often I get hungry etc then decide if I need a fill/adjustment. It doesn't sound like your doctor required or did any of that. If you had no real follow up, am I reading that right? It is like you didn't even have the band.

So it was 1 year ago today that I made the big leap so I could find the healthy me that I had long since lost. I am happy to say that in this year I have lost 66lbs and am off 2 or the 3 medications I took!!! I had lost focus at the beginning of the summer and floundered a bit but I had a fill/adjustment earlier this month and feel right back on track. I would have the surgery again in a heartbeat!! I would love to hear from others

I'm so glad to hear from others who are doing so well! Sure we all wish the weight came off overnight but I think we are all doing great. Any weight loss journey, surgery or not, will have it's ups and downs. Lets just have the downs (on the scale) win

Today is my 1 year anniversary of getting banded & you are both in for an amazing journey, congratulations to you both!!!!!!!!!

I have a very supportive husband who would gladly not bring any food I asked him not to into our home, he is also a recovering alcoholic (sober for 15yrs). Just as he never asked or expected me to never drink in front I him I never ask or expect him not to indulge in front of me. It sucks that we both have these addictions but the reality is that it is what it is & we both face it one day at a time. We find emotional support from each other, even if it is while he is having a cheeseburger & I am having a light beer lol!

What insurance do you have? If you don't mind me asking

Yes, he has Port Jeff too. Not sure if Holover is at the office too or not but worth an ask. I live in Queens so frankly all the offices are equally inconvienent lol!

I also posted under your question about going to surgeon for fills since I am familiar with the practice. Didn't add that the PA generally does the fills but you go when surgeon is in office just in case you need to see hi for any reason. NY Bariatric Group has 3 locations, Port Jefferson, New Hyde Park (both in LI) and in Manhattan so maybe you don't need to see him in Manhattan.

LOL, didn't think it was rude at all, we need to know these things!! I know it was under $400, but can't remember exactly since I forked over the plastic. They are a fabulous practice and really made it as easy a process as possible e=when dealing with all the specialists required.

Oh & insurance companies vary on fill coverage. HIP now covers all fills, they apparently din't just 2 years ago. It is $250 for a fill at Holovers office.......my friends insurance doesn't cover it so that is how I know.

Dr. Holover has an office in LI as well as Manhattan, he is there on Wednesdays!

PS: I was 5 months, less 1 day, from Initial Consult to surgery date & my insurance also requires a 6 month supervised diet so I think the practice is very adept at working the insurance companies. As a matter of fact my surgery was put off 1 month due to a family emergency. However, they can't work around one of the professionals not giving their clearance as that dietician is threatening!

GoBanana I am also A Spencer Holover patient, as a matter of fact today is my 1 year bandiversary! I have HIP and after finding that no dietician familiar, let alone supportive of weight loss surgery took my insurance I forked over the $'s for their Psych & nutritionist. Best money I ever spent. I saw them both in one day, no muss no fuss and knew both were recommending me for the surgery before i left their offices! Believe me I know it is tough to come up with the money, as a matter of fact I charged it lol!!

I admit I lost focus over the summer and even had a weight gain, amazing how easy it was to slip back into bad habits! I had a .75cc fill earlier this month and am mentally & physically back in the groove and it feels so good. Truthfully it is a huge success for me to stumble but then get back up and continue. Anytime I have lost weight prior to being banded as soon as I stumbled I gave up. So that is probably what I am most proud of!

Not to sound bossy or like a know it all, because goodness knows I don't, but I wouldn't wait until I lose any weight at all. We have all know been less then successful when trying to lose weight before we fill in the blank. I assure you that your doctor has seen patients who have gained all their weight back and are just happy they are back in the groove and ready to move forward again. I myself gained 5lbs over this summer after a 70lb weight loss but when o the doctor, got an adjustment and hope to lose my remaining 50-60lbs! I was tempted to cancel appointment so doctor wouldn' see a gain but figured that is a slippery slope I didn't want to stand on.

Corney, you only failed if you don't continue to try. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, go back to your doctor and start all over again.....You can do it

I was just going to post that I would wait until after vacation but not for eating/overeating purposes. I know you may not feel the effects of a fill right away and I'd hate for an issue to arise while you were on vacation no where near your surgeon!

I hate to pile on the pregnancy wagon but I personally know several women who have had irregular periods their entire lives to continue to get their period throughout each of their pregnancies. Also as stated being overweight does mess with our cycles as does weight loss. Two pieces of advice, call doctor asap to report the nausea & get a pregnancy test. Good luck & keep us posted!

My surgeon puts in whatever sits naturally in band at time of surgery so every patient is different. I got the 14cc band and had 3,2cc's added during surgery. A fellow surgery day bandster who I have since become friends with had same size band put in but under 3cc's of fluid during surgery. So basically it is what it is doctor to doctor & patient to patient lol!!

How exciting for you!! I'm sure the thought of keeping up with an active baby will keep you motivated. Good luck!!!

I think every insurance can be different. My initial consult was May 26, 2010 so my 1st appointment with my Primary Care for the supervised diet (my insurance also required 6 months) was the first week of June, July etc. By the September appointment my insurance company approved me and my surgeon was ready to put me on the schedule within 2-3 weeks. However, I had a family emergency and had to postpone my surgery until October 25th but all was in place just waiting for my availability.

I am the Mom of an Autistic teenager, just the kind of student you describe & I went home and took care of him 24/7...well, except when the Angels on Earth who teach these amazing kids had him in school. Sooooo, I'd say listen to your doctor, your body & take it one day a a time! Good luck

WONDERFUL!!!!! Welcome to the journey of a lifetime

Honestly, I would be! I just wouldn't feel like I am getting the most committed and best care if they are doing a procedure they have no faith in. Only my opinion, I'd be interested in others thoughts on this.....

Every insurance has different requirements. I would call your back and specifically ask about a physician supervised diet. For instance my insurance requires a 6 month supervised but they are flexible with it. So after my initial consult I started seeing my primary physician monthly while completing all the specialists I needed clearance from, Psychologist/Nutritionist/Cardiologist/Pulmonologist/Endocrinologist. When I received clearance from all of them & a letter fro my priary (even though I had only completed 3 months supervised diet) my 2nd consult appt was set to go over everything. At this 2nd consult we selected a surgery date!! For me it was 5 months & 1 day from 1st consult to surgery, but I had an almost 5 week delay for my 2nd consult due to a family emergency.