jrrtubbs

My band may have to be removed (which I'm kind of happy about, maybe going for the VSG instead), due to erosion (does anyone know what causes erosion). I'm wondering how long the hospital stay is and what kind of off work time there is so I can schedule this properly.

Has anyone ever changed their insurance provider after having the band? I've been banded for two years now, been really bad on following fill dates and everything and feel like I'd almost be better off just eating good and excercising. I keep having to have surgical adjustments cause the stiches break and I never know why. From what I've read on here that shouldn't be happening. Any how, long story short, the band and the fills and everything has been covered by my parents insurance. I'm moving to Chicago in October and will be off their insurance in December. I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with having to change providers after surgery. Since it's pre-existing, is it grounds for denial of coverage or do they have to cover it. I'm asking all of this because my port has flipped yet again. I need to either get it fixed or get it removed before I move. That decision is going to be almost solely based on the insurance issue.

I was filled 2 years ago, and I've lost 95 lbs. I know why, I'm not eating right. I'm not eating right because I'm scared to try new foods. I'm scared to try new foods because I have problems with pretty much everything. I am able to eat overcooked Pasta (I like on mac and cheese), Soup, crunch things like crackers and chips, rare beef if I have ranch dressing to douse it in and it's ground up, and the occasional sandwhich if I drink something with each bite to really soften it. So the reasons I want to get it removed: - everytime I've tried to go for a fill, I've found out I broke some stitches and I've had to have it fixed. If I don't get it taken out, I have to go for a third surgery to get it fixed. - I have a lot of trouble eating good foods like apples or oranges and I eat my safe foods cause I'm a recently graduated student who can't afford to buy groceries I may not be able to eat and will therefore have to throw out. I can't afford the money for that. - I'm getting ready to move to Chicago and I will be off my parents insurance. I don't want to get there, get a job, and have the insurance not cover any of the fills and possible surgeries I may have to have. That would be bad. - I want to try and do this on my own, finally. -On a less healthy note, I'm moving to chicago, not being able to eat a Chicago style pizza now and again would be a travesty. Your thoughts?

Thats me in July 04 two months before the banding. Me in December 06. Not near how I want to be, but getting there. About 106 lbs I think, but I'm going to the doc for a official weigh in and fill today.

So this is me in August 2004, rockin out. Here I am December 2006, rockin out. I used two rockin pictures so that everyone will thinK I'm cool as well as because its pretty much the same pose and you can see the weight loss. Especially in my face.

And I'm going tomorrow. Here's what I ate yesterday. Breakfast 1 1/2 cups of Cereal 1 1/2 cups of milk Snack coffee Pop tart lunch 1 1/2 cups of Toasted Sesame and Garlic Thai noodles with ground beef 1 1/2 cups of milk dinner (whoo boy) 1 1/2 cups of Soup Cheeseburger (resterant size) A desert that shall remain nameless (ok it was half a fried twinkie. You can't go to the Detroit Beer Company and not have the twinkie) Thats all I had. I'm eating way to much and not eating well and I've all but stopped losing weight. I have a fill appt tomorrow and I'm sure my doc is going to yell at me. My resolution is to try a new healthy thing once a week and if I like it, make it a part of my diet.

I too am from MI. I live in Detroit now, but I was banded at St John's Grosse Pointe by Dr. Hawassli. I had written some negative things about the procedure and him here, but I had a very pleasant experience today (aside from not being able to be filled, gotta have a fluroscope) and there for the whole staff gets a gold star. Anyhow, I was banded in September of 04. I've lost about 106 lbs, I'll have a more accurate number tomorrow when I go for my fill. Look forward to maybe meeting some people more my age who have had this surgery. I'm 23.