MelindaH

yes, I am afraid it is....well, now wait a minute. It is a surgical procedure...but probably what your benefit book is referring to, is that it does not cover any surgical procedurer with the diagnosis of obesity.Typically weight loss programs are weight watchers, jenny craig etc.

Are you on iv antibiotics or oral?

Merry Christmas to you and welcome to our forum> There are many knowledgeable, supportive people here. I was banded on Dec 2nd so I am a little more than three weeks out.As far as the surgery goes, I am doing well. However, I have had a migraine, sinus type headache since last Tuesday, Haved lived on excedrin migraine and hopefully can get into primary care on Tues. I haven't had one in several years but am wondering if it could be hormonal. I heard that any of the WLS can do a number on your hormones. I have been very weapy at times which they say is normal. I started at about 240 in 2008 when I was taken off of prednisone (for arthritis). I lost fitteen pounds which I kept off and began the band journey at 225. I had to get down to 207 before surgery would be scheduled. I was fortunate that insurance approved mine fairly quickly (within one week) and I was 205 at preop appt and 202 at surgery. I gained back up to 210 after surgery and am now at 198. I haven't been below 200 in at least fifteen years. The thing I am having trouble with is getting the Water in each day and have been kind of dehydrated a few times. I used to be able to get 80 ounces in a day without second thought before surgery. Be careful! Anyway, enough of me. I wish you all the best in your journey to good health. Keep up the good work. There is a book that the psychologist strongly recommended I read called "The Emotional First Aid Kit" by Cynthia Alexander. I did read it and it has helped me a lot about distinquishing between physical hunger and emotional eating. You can get it on Amazon. Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year. Melinda

As far as the competency of Mexico surgeons, I would disagree that the surgeon is any less competent than surgeons in the states. My cousin had a RNY in Monterey and I have a friend that had her band in Tijuana. And both had very positive experience and have kept their weight off. As far as your questions about justice for your problems, I honestly don't know but like was suggested, talk with a lawyer here in the states. I am so sorry and sincerely wish you the best, Merry Christmas, Melinda

Have you tried the Centrum chewables. My team said not to take the centrum silver because it doesn't have Iron in it. The chewables are orange flavored. They aren't awful, though. I am going to try the ca citrate petites today and see how that goes. If ok, I am going to save the chewables for after fills. I bought the cinnamon ca citrate from Bariatric Advantage that was a big mistake but they will eventually get used. I really like the chewable caramels that they have but they are ridiculously expensive for a ten day supply. That said, I will probably buy another bag as my Merry Christmas to me gift, lol. All the best to you on your journey to good health. Merry Christmas, Melinda

hon, the scheduling is done by the surgeons office. Insurance has to be approved before it can be scheduled. Also the surgeon may have some requirements of his own that may or may not correlate with the insurance' ones. All the best to you. Melinda

I know that you wanted this very much, Loretta, and am so happy for you. Did insurance come through? I wish you all the best, Merry Christmas, to you! Melinda

With the basic plan, do you have to pay 30% of the band? With standard or basic, does anyone know what happens if band has to be removed for whatever reason, will they pay to have a second band placed? Thanks in advance, Melinda

With the basic plan, do you have to pay 30% of the band? With standard or basic, does anyone know what happens if band has to be removed for whatever reason, will they pay to have a second band placed? Thanks in advance, Melinda

Hi, and congratulations on your band. I am one week out today. The only thing I can suggest is that it is really important to breathe deep. Use a pillow over your chest. I thought I was over the gas pain but, oh man, has it hurt today. I know that the recovery on a hernia repair takes longer so pace yourself, hon. All the best on your journey to good health. Take good care. Melinda

I have to agree with the other posters that requesting your records is critical even if you have to pay for them. If the request goes office to office you shouldn't have to pay for them. I would get the recommended tests that your pcp is requiring and see how that goes. Your pcp should have been talking weight loss strategies all along and hopefully that is documented. She should have given you WLS as an option. As said above, you have to have PCP clearance for surgery. I do not know of any way around it regardless of insurance coverage. It seems to be a universal requirement. And Lisa is right, no surgeon worth anything would do surgery on someone with elevated liver enzymes without evidence of hepatitis status. The hospital and staff really take offense to that. Hon, take a deep breath and relax. It all works out in the end. I can personally attest to that as I had surgery on Friday. I sincerely wish you all the best. Melinda

Have you already switched insurances? If so proceed as you outlined. But most clinics especially Centers of Excellence, have a mental health provider within the clinic. I would really urge you to use a C of E if there is anyway possible. The other thought I have is that the surgeon may have someone in particular that they would prefer you to see. Don't worry about it. You might have to take a MMPI but that is not difficult either. If you have not switched insurances, I would hold off until the new ins is in effect. The new one might not accept the records that you have. You can probably count on a minimum of three to six months nutritional counseling. All the best to you, Melinda

What a phenominal story! Congratulations. I am almost 55 and one of my reasons for having it done was that I wanted to live to be your age. I know it is hard getting used to the small portions but it will be so worth it. Take good care, drop in often and keep us abreast of your progress! All the best to you, Melinda

I am barely five days post op so I am probably not the one to be giving advice, but from what I have been reading the above post is correct. I just wanted to cheer you on. That is a fabulous weight loss. Keep in communication with your MD and his staff is all I can tell you. All the best to you, hon, Melinda

I would say that your expectation should be yes, it will. Mine sags from genetic predisposition, two babies and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a disease that reduces your skins' elasticity among other issues. Add in a couple of weight loss efforts and it is not a pretty picture for me. I will probably have to have plastic surgery whether or not ins will pay for it. All the best, don't let that stop you. Clothes hide a lot. Melinda

Could be a little of both. If no better on Monday, call your MD. Hope you are better real soon.

Corrigan, I went thru a Center of Excellence here in Eugene, OR. It is so interesting to me how different clinics can be even within the C of E network. My surgeon told me this morning to expect no more than two pounds a week and that this month he would be happy if I maintained. I hope for losing five. I did stage one yesterday, started stage 2 today and on to stage 3 by next Saturday. I do not expect to eat much of Christmas dinner or New Year's Eve dinner but they want me on whole food by then. My surgery went really well. I had superior care post op. I was able to stay overnight asking for more hydration and to have better pain control. Unfortunately, I watched the clock go round. I am excited but I agree with you, the C of E is well worth the drive. I am very fortunate that it is only fifteen miles round way. TO VERONICA: Congratulations on your weight loss and keep on, keeping on with your journey to good health. Melinda

I was told Tuesday to expect a foley catheter Joy, joy!

They will assign your case to a managed care team. I have the number somewhere (although not sure if it is just for the west coast) but I will find it and messge it to you this weekend. Hang in there. It will move fast once it is in the hands of the nurses. Melinda

You are probably feeling pain from the hernia repair, also. Take it easy except for sipping, walking and resting. \.

My Md yesterday said that I will be on foods by four weeks. The only difference is that it will have to be cut up in very, very small bites and I will take 30-45 minutes to eat with heavy chewing. You should do fine on chicken and turkey as your source of Protein. Lots of good luck. Feel free to message me if I can be of any help. Melinda

If it is any consolation, my second study lasted only about four hours. The hassle was waiting to get an appt with the MD who at the time was it for our area. I have been able to live with the full mask for close to ten years now. My sleep MD told me a couple of months ago that I probably won't be able to get rid of it due to a narrow airway. He did say however that the pressure could be reduced significantly by weight loss and was a strong supporter for the surgery. The anesthesia MD said I won't be able to get rid of it either. Lots of good luck to you, hon. Melinda

I have BCBS Federal as primary. I didn't even know that it had been submitted until I received a copy of the request for more information. I called the next day to see if they had received the information requested and they said that I was approved. I worried a lot for mothing. My surgery is scheduled for 12/2. I start my protein shakes on Friday. Had my preop yesterday and it is a go subject to the approval of my PCP. I has a recent infection. But I do not think she will turn me down. She is the one who recommended it. Tomorrow my relationship with food ad I know it ends. I am ready to continue on my journey to good health Good luck to all of you, Nelinda

I start my diet on Friday. Tomorrow is my day in my relationship with food as I know it. I do not plan to eat much; in fact I have not been that hungry the last few days. Just trying to keep my fluid intake up. I wish you both all the best in your journey to good health. My surgery is Dec 2nd. My clinic only does one week protein shake diet for all three of the procedures. Melinda

Cheri, I know you say you have been stuck like this before.....but I really would call your MD office if not unstuck by 8 am. I am not trying to give advice just very concerned about you. I am getting banded next Friday and the office said today that we are to call the office 24/7 and to proceed to the ER on the weekends....Know my thoughts and prayers are with you tonight. Please keep us posted...Don't put yourself on a guilt trip over this.... Melinda