NWgirl

Only on an as needed basis. My immediate family knows (parents, grandma, in-laws) and my boss. I will share with others who could benefit, but my weight has always been a very personal struggle for me.

Most people who lose that amount of weight in less than two months are either heavier and have a lot to lose, or they are on a seriously restricted calorie diet (800). I have lost about 35 in a little over two months, but mostly due to a very low cal pre-op diet and the post-op liquid phase. The Allergan Lapband booklet says SOME may lose 3-4 a week, but that 1-2 is the norm. To the thread starter: Please don't get discouraged about the weight loss. It will all come in due time, it's not a race

After two weeks, I figured they had enough time to read through and decide if I could get it or not. I called my bariatric coordinator with the insurance company on a Monday and she called me back on Tuesday to tell me I was approved.

Hi there! You have done very well, just keep your head up! I just got my first fill today, so I will have a few more to go as well before I find the zone. I figure I will diet, diet, diet and when I am right about to the point where I would have formally given up and gone back to my old habits, my band will kick in and keep me going.

Any weight loss can cause loose skin. Look at a pregnant woman who only gained then lost 30-40lbs, but has a saggy stomach. It all depends on genetics, age, and skin damage.

I also noticed there was a lot of old threads pulled up for removals. Someone has gone through looking for information in old posts and commented on them with questions, which brings them to the top of the "View New Content" section. Don't be discouraged.

Usually there is a max 30 day waiting period for pre-authorizations. My approval came in two weeks.

I would say that they are screwing you over. Insurance has an allowed amount that they contractually pay- My surgeon and the hospital billed total about $20k and my insurance only paid about $15k. Of that allowed amount (15k), I owed $800. I also did not have to pay a "program" fee. I went with a center of excellence location, and would suggest that you look for another surgeon who will not screw you over. You could SELF PAY for $11k in many places.

great loss so far! I actually got banded at Legacy Weight management institute, which is the door down the hall from Dr. Patterson. I think we are probably on the same post-op as well. Liquids couldn't end fast enough for me

did you drink enough water? I'm sure you'll find you'll drop it in a day or two.

making sure to get enough protein is equally important. I also take biotin and started it the week before surgery. I have not had any hair problems so far.

if you have been with your pcp for a long time, it would he good if they would write a letter saying it's beneficial. The insurance company is actually the one who reviews and decides if it's medically necessary. some insurances also require you go through a center of excellence. It's best to get as much information backing up your struggle with weight loss. I got a letter from my pediatric Dr who I saw from birth-20 (I am 23 now) showing growth chart and diet attempts. I also wrote up a list of diets i've done over the years. The more you provide the surgeon with, the more they send to insurance, and the more likely you are for approval.

the surgeon, when they verify coverage and when they submit for pre-authorization.

authorization means that the surgeon who will be performing the surgery submits for pre-authorization from the insurance company. The insurance company will then decide based on what is submitted if the surgery is medically necessary. some insurances require a 3 or 6 month supervised diet, so I would call back ans ask what the specific requirements are.

Oxycodone tablets.

For the first few stages (liquids, full liquids, mushies) it doesn't matter because those things go right through the band. When you get to normal foods, you will need to practice not drinking before or after.

You could even make your own mayo at home. I personally use Best Foods light mayo. To me, it still tastes right but isn't full of calories.

Yeah, I've been truly fortunate in that I was back to normal a couple days after surgery. Who did you go through? How has it been so far?

you could look into Fills Center USA for fills. It is seemingly uncommon for Dr's to want to take on any patient that is not their own, no matter where you got banded. I'm guessing it's due to the possibility that surgery could not be correct, etc and they don't want someone else's mistake. I read there is a guy in Colorado who does the surgery around the Mexico price. It may be easier to get the band from a U.S. Dr and then say you relocated.

I know some Dr's will... Specifically, B52's Dr told him he would do just that if the liver was not right. I have also heard they may open you open like in traditional surgery with some large single incision vs laproscopically if they feel they cannot operate safely. if you are cheating now, ask yourself why and start working on the emotional side of it. You will be doing full liquids after surgery for a week or two, and it is imperative that you not cheat then because of the stomach healing.

Hi there, I am in the Portland area and have been banded since March 20th. I'm not too far ahead of you

weeks 1-2: full liquids week 3: pureed week 4: mushies week 5-6: soft foods with slow reintroduction of normal foods. some Dr's vary greatly in diet. The above was mine for the first 6 weeks.

I would say set a timer every 15 minutes to prompt you to drink as you need to get that water in. As for the food, it will come.

looking back at my food logs, I only got a couple hundred calories the two days after surgery. On day 3, I was around 600. Are you unable to drink the volume or are you unable to get anything down?

The shoulder is gas pains. Only way to ease that is to walk a lot.