NWgirl

I have anthem BCBS and it is definitely covered on my plan. Anything out of network is billed at 50% with no cap. Anything in network is 20% up to your OOP. It is also required that the surgery place be a center of excellence. Call Anthem Bariatrics and transplant line at 1-800-824-0581 if you have not already done so. You will need to leave a message for Angela with ID #, full name, and birthdate. They will assign you to a case manager and will be able to tell you more. The people in regular customer service are not the ones you should be speaking to. Good luck!

I have not, but know that I saw a plication w/banding thread out here somewhere... I can't seem to find the one I'm looking for, but you might check this out: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/134487-new-lap-band-plus-plication-surgery/page__st__20__p__1651575__hl__plication%20group__fromsearch__1#entry1651575

I was given an equation to calculate what I need as far as protein: body weight x 0.3 = amount of protein required per day. I know it seems like you should already be losing, but I want to remind you that some people do not lose until they get more fills. I remember reading that B52 gained weight between the first fill or two and only started to really lose once he hit proper restriction. Don't beat yourself up, it will all come off in due time. Just keep chugging along and don't lose site of your goals

Maybe try Biofreeze. I have heard that the NSAIDS can eat away at the stomach lining and that is why they don't want banded folks taking them.

All of their instruments, clothing, etc are either autoclaved or one-use sterile. I would bring up your concerns, but wearing your own clothes or wearing un-sterile bandages will break the sterile field they have established. I don't know that a medical practice would want to allow that to happen, even though it's more than likely safe. Can you imagine the type of feedback/lawsuits they could receive if a patient contracted an infection in surgery and died? I wouldn't chance it.

CareCredit can be used for so many places. I had filled out a thing for the medloanfinance.com and they contacted me with a work up of what they could loan me and the interest (which was crazy high). I would see how much you could get on approval through CareCredit and then look at other options.

I also am having some issues and am just on pre-op diet. I am getting plenty of protein and fiber per day, so I purchased the probiotic pearls last night and will see if those help. I also bought a little milk of magnesia because it is definitely not an enjoyable feeling!

Good luck and congrats

losing hair can also be a protein or biotin issue...

I had anthem bcbs and I was only required to submit a list of past diets and BMI above 40. My surgery center required nutritionist, psychologist, physical therapist, nurse practitioner, surgeon visit, sleep study, and blood tests. if you are worried, just contact your insurance and ask for requirements.

My surgeon only requires a low fat diet, but I have been doing two Protein Shakes, two non-fat yogurts, and one Quest Protein Bar daily. I occasionally have a broth to test flavors. I have found that as long as I get high protein throughout the day, the hunger is very manageable. I did start doing the lowfat/low calorie about three weeks ago, but have done the pseudo liquid diet for about 1.5 weeks now. I did have Pastini on Saturday night and went to my parent's house yesterday and had a regular meal (steak, because I have heard many people have problems with it). I am honestly really, really excited! I was a little bummed it got pushed so far back, but the time has flown and now I'm almost there! I can only imagine what the next year will bring. I did decide to do the liquid type diet for the last couple weeks to get some extra weight off. It's really motivating How are you feeling? What types of shakes are you drinking?

I would keep a food journal noting each food you eat and at what times you feel gassy. You may find a correlation between food and bloating.

The lapband weight loss prognosis for the first couple years is less than gastric or the sleeve. After 3 years, weight loss is comparable between the surgeries. You have to remember that the other two procedures severely limit what you can eat. After a couple years, it is possible for the stomach to stretch or soften, allowing a person to eat more food. There is no fix for this. With the lapband, you lose slower but don't chance the possibility that after x amount of time, you can regain (unless of course you don't eat correctly). The sleeve or gastric is the best idea if you like the idea of less maintenance. The band requires constant visits with the surgeon due to the nature of the band. The other options are a one stop shop.

I concur. When I first joined, someone was asking for opinions on the surgery. My aunt had gotten the band approx 3 years ago and did wonderful with it, so I shared her story with the poster. My aunt also had some friends get the sleeve at the same time, and when I posted, her friends had started to regain weight while she stayed the same because they did not learn to eat properly during their honeymoon period. I received an extremely rude response from a guy who had the band and switched to the sleeve but was still hanging around on the boards praising the sleeve and hating on the band.

I would personally look into hiring a lawyer. Have you contacted insurance to explain what is going on? You must have proof of payment, so it seems they should also be able to take action against him.

I would personally look into CareCredit if you are staying in the US. I looked into medloanfinance.com when I was contemplating going to Mexico, and the interest rates where ridiculous.

I bought a recipe book recommended by my dietician called: Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery: Over 140 Delicious Low-Fat High-Protein recipes to Enjoy in the Weeks, Months and Years After Surgery I really like that it has the recipes with calorie breakdown and also tells you (depending on surgery type) what to do to the food (ex. puree) to make it compatible with specific stages.

I always found that to show a loss in the morning, I needed to eat about 4-5 hours before bed. If I ate closer to bed, the scale would not budge in the AM, even though I'd done well.

I know we talked a while back about banding and whatnot since we live in the same city (brr it's cold lately)! I am getting banded this Tue due to overbooking Are you still going during Spring break? Are you doing a pre-op diet?

Maybe it would be easier if you uploaded your list as a google document and put a link here? Then you wouldn't have to keep sending it

Great to hear! I love success stories

I have also ordered an unflavored Protein called Fundamental Protein. It doesn't have any other additives other than they whey, which is nice because they usually have sweeteners, etc. If you bought unflavored, you could mix it with all liquids, yogurts, Soup, etc...

I have also heard of Bariatric Advantage Vitaband, formulated specifically for the band. I have personally been doing a kids chewable, but will buy those when I run out.

I have been doing a pseudo liquid diet, but my Dr only requires low fat. I would check the protein amount you're getting. more protein = fuller. If you are on a specific drink because of Dr selling it, you may find it has low, low protein. Maybe buy some protein mix and add to it. Also make sure to drink at least 64 oz of water. I usually drink 100+ and I have been okay. I do get hungry at times, but not enough to eat something that is not on the "diet."

Congrats, with many more to come!