NWgirl

I think they would do another WLS. I seem to have read about insurance companies paying for re-banding/revisions because they know the only reason you are skinny is because of the band.

My first fill was a lot of poking too- my surgeon never removed the needle, but did move it around. She also kept hitting the side of the port and not the small center. Since then, she is spot on every time.

A good calculation for protein intake is weight x 0.3 = grams of protein per day. Obviously as you lose weight, this decreases, but 30g less than what you were originally told seems too low.

I wish Dr's would educate their patients more on the WHY of the liquid diet instead of letting patient's think "well, if I can eat it, I should." It is not for torture, We all could have eaten after surgery! The point of the liquid diet is to stop your stomach from churning, which it does if it gets any soft/mushy/solid foods. The band is sutured to the stomach, and by eating and allowing the stomach to churn, you risk popping one or more of the sutures holding the band in place until the proper scar tissue can form. This can lead to issues down the road, such as slips, because the band was not allowed the necessary time to get properly settled on the stomach.

If you didn't give them the code the dr would bill the appointment under, then they cannot say yes or no indefinitely since each code identifies a special procedure and maybe your Dr used one they do not pay for. There is a difference in insurance terms between a regular Dr visit and a specialty Dr. Just an idea, but you could ask the Dr to re-bill under a CPT code they do cover.

I was banded March 20 and am cruising right along I love my band and even though sometimes we don't agree, it's meant to be. I have somewhere between 4 and 5cc in my band and don't think I will go in for a fill for awhile. I have had some PB episodes since the most recent fill (including on a drink... how is that possible?!) and actually feel good where I am. I have lost over 50 total, about 20 pre-op.

I hate it when they come around the first time, take drink orders, say "are you sure you don't want a drink?" and then every time they come back they ask again.

This is bored eating, try and stay away from it.

Like others have said, I would try and stick with the Dr who banded you. Especially because what if another Dr ended up puncturing your tubing? I'm guessing they would say they didn't do it and your original surgeon would probably do the same. Do you go home to visit at all?

I have heard that Dr. Ortiz is probably the best in Mexico. He actually trains US surgeons and Oprah had him on a few years ago to discuss the surgery. I think he's about the same price as Dr. Weaver though...

Congratulations!!! I agree with Mis73 about taking a little out. I guess in the UK you can probably get a slipped band fixed under your health care system, but that would not be something I would want to explore while pregnant.

You look great! you should post your photos in the Lap band success stories before and after photo thread

Hi Christy, the liquid phase was crappy for all of us... I would recommend adding SF syrups or extracts to your shakes to change the flavor up a little bit- Maybe even try a new kind so you are not as bored. Another thing, I was allowed SF jellos and puddings, as well as creamed Soups. I also liked the Lipton Cup-a-soup cream of chicken (a little red box with 4 or 5 broth packets) for a different flavor. Just keep your head up and you will be done with this phase soon enough.

I got my appetite about three days after. There are very, VERY few who report no appetitie again- I'm thinking of Muelle (http://www.lapbandtalk.com/user/305700-muelle/), who since banding has not had an appetite.

PS: I would call your insurance company and ask for the requirements for WLS- this way you will know what testing, etc is required.

Your insurance policy very well could have changed in a two year time frame in regards to the requirements for WLS, esp the band, as more companies are realizing that a patient getting WLS is cheaper for them in the long run. At your previous weight/height, you were only BMI of 35. Most insurance companies require 2+ comorbidities at 35-39.9 BMI, some also require a 3-6 month supervised diet, proof of BMI over 35 w/comorbidities or 40 BMI without for 2+ years, list of all diets tried with weight lost and time frame, etc (pretty much trying to throw in every obscure thing possible to discourage people from seeking WLS). Even now it looks like you are 39.9 BMI- make sure to wear heavy clothes to your first weigh-in as usually anything over 40+ BMI does not require comorbidities.

Insurance has 30 days from submission to respond. I have heard horror stories of people who believed their surgeon had submitted their info and on pins and needles for weeks just to find it was not submitted yet!!

If you are having pain swallowing, you are either taking too large of bites, not chewing nearly enough, or taking bites too quickly one after another. The liquids hurting is a common issue I seem to have read about on here, you will just need to slow down and no big gulps. I am pretty lose on band tightness and I get pains when I have not followed the above food rules correctly. If you think your bites are wrong, then you are probably right. Remember, each new fill is also a push to re-learn how to eat.

1. Look at your benefits book and see what is covered for obesity treatment. If it is not covered, it will say something like "excludes any surgery for weight related" issues. 2. If it is a part of your plan, then you will need to find out what exactly you need to have (high BMI, comorbidities) to qualify for surgery. Some plans require a supervised 3 or 6 month diet. Also find out if you must see a Center of Excellence Dr- some plans require this. 3. Find a surgeon who takes your insurance and is covered by whatever specifications set forth by insurance. I recommend a center of excellence, even if it is not a requirement, because they have an all-in-one staff with surgeon, nutritionist, physical therapist, and psychologist. Also, try to find a Dr who does not charge a program fee- some do this to make more money and insurance will not pay. 4. Gather records documenting weight for as far back as you can. This will help to show insurance your history of obesity. I even contacted the Dr who treated me from birth to teens to get weight records showing early obesity. Some plans also require 2 to 5 year proof of obesity above either 35 BMI with comorbidities or 40 BMI with none. 5. As part of my insurance requirement, I had to assemble a list of all diets I'd ever been on, the length of diet (mm/yy-mm/yy) and how much weight I had lost (estimated). This may be something to do regardless and include with your pre-authorization paperwork. 6. Complete all testing as required by insurance and/or surgeon. Some surgeons require sleep tests, etc as mandatory things whereas insurance does not.

I run a restaurant and had surgery on a Tuesday and went back for a partial day Thursday, a full day Friday, and then had to fly to Vegas on Sunday for a work conference. I came home Monday late and worked another partial Tuesday before going back full-time. I personally felt fine after two days off resting. I did have some mild gas pains at day five or six and just made sure to massage my shoulder and take it easy.

Sounds like you're stomach is upset. It could be that you need another unfill. I would stay on liquids for a couple more days to let things calm down.

I found when I started working on no drinking/eating at the same time, I made sure I did not have a glass anywhere near me or I would drink out of it. Nowadays it is just second nature and I don't ever have a glass unless I am at a restaurant where the waiter pesters enough- then I get one to shut them up and don't drink out of it.

If you are planning on having surgery at Christmas, make sure that the Dr has submitted to insurance and check too see if that approval will be valid then. This is to assure that if you lose more weight before then, you are approved and don't get pushed around by insurance.

Sleep deprivation can also stall weight loss.

Heck, I'm sure everyone would like to do better, even those dropping A LOT per week! I think it's the human disposition to be impatient and want it now, I know I do