bretta717

I had United Healthcare and my fills were a specialist co pay? I never ever had a issue at all. Unfortantely I had to change job and am in the process of seeing if my new insurance Aetna will cover fills. Call customer service and go up through the chain until you get someone who understands or have your dr contact. Did United Healthcare cover the surgery?

I was Banded by Dr. B on 02/08/07, and had my first fill last week. I was losing nicely and hesitated getting a fill, to not rush and push to hard. SIGB filled me with 1.3CC in my band. I was on liquid that day, mushes the next and then back to food. I am glad I did go get the fill now, because I can definately tell I feel full much longer then before. I am eating 2.5 or 3 small meals a day, and before the fill I was having to snack on applesauce, or yogrut, or crackers between meals. Not that there is anything wrong with snacking, but it is nice to have that feeling of fullness for much longer. I will tell you I didnt get my first PB until after my fill, so I would take it slow. They will tell you to get off of mushes and soups as quick as you can, most have too much salt and are carb based. I haven't updated my ticker, but have another 5lb loss since the fill about a week and a half ago. **** AIGB, if that is where you are getting your fills, doesn't do the fill like what is described on this site or like what others told me it would be like. They do not use and Xray guide or locals, the PA "feel" for the port, and then go for it. Since I was expecting something different and prepared myself for that, I think it freaked me out a bit to think she was going to find something in my body that I wasnt even sure where it was. I promise you it was NOTHING. No pain, 1 stick, she hit the port, no brusing, and I was up and back to doing anything in min. You do have to sip a cup of Water before you go to make sure you are getting liquids down, so plan for 1 1/2 hours at least.

I did head back to the Dr because I thought I was going to DIE from where ever the stupid port was. I know this sounds crazy, but I wore a tummy tucker panel that went up to my bra, that was a size or 2 bigger then I normally would have wore. That helped me sooooo much. It gave me support, and let my muscles rest, kinda protected it so I didnt bump it, and prevented my pants from cutting into it. Week 4 was soo much better. I was able to sleep without moving and waking myself up, and even sleep on my tummy! Hang in there, get your rest. I had to constantly remind myself I did just have surgery!

I was banded 02/08/07, I drank from the dole 1 oz cups to keep my serving size in check, and then just sipped it. Taking about 15 min per drink. I envoyed warm drinks the best, as it felt soothing to my stomach. There are several threads that have some recipes, but my favorite was the chicken " Better then Bullion". If there is anything you and warm up and add garlic to, and then strain it out - that worked wonders getting rid of my gas! Best of luck, hope to hear more from you as you get started on this journey!

I was banded 02/08/07, and feel great except for my left side below my rib cage. I assume this is my port, although there is not an incision anywhere near it. I will wake myself up at night if I move just right, or still getting up from bed or a chair has a SHARP pinch knifelike pain. :cry I know the first month is the healing time, but I just wondered if anyone else felt like this. It doesnt matter if I am hungry or full and I have never had an issue of getting sick yet, so I think it is more my port then the band. I keep reading these site talking about the importance of the stitches healing and wonder if I am pulling mine or if this is normal. Thank you to anyone who replies. As with all the postings, I think it helps us all to know there are others out there and no one is doing this alone!

I felt the same way, and my food cravings were horrible because I was so hungry. I called my Dr and the office sd that if I was keeping everything down and not having problems to go ahead and move to the soft foods portion SLOWLY, for 1 meal a day. Once I had oatmeal on Friday, I was fine. I also think this is a good time to start learning what you body feels like when it is full, which has been a different feeling for me. If you feel comfortable, call your Dr and tell them how you feel. The band is a tool not a torture device. We are not meant to be hungry, but definatly need to allow enough time to heal.

Dr. Benavedies in Richardson, and the surgery was performed at the Surgery Center of Richardson. I had a great experience! Everyone was so friendly and helpful at the Dr office and the surgery center. My insurance covered most everything. They are set up where a testing center performs all the pre-op testing, and then a different group assists getting the insurance approved or any information necessary. After approval, you make the first appointment with the Dr, and begin the pre op diet. Compared to others, mine was realtively easy. 2 healthy meal and protein shakes. Then a Pre op consultaion with the Dr, and surgery. Now it sounds easy, but I thought it would never get here. Total of 2 months, 1 month of that is for the insurance approval from United Healthcare, and probably a delay since it was submitted right before the holidays. Following is the link to thier website. http://www.lapbandsolutions.com/

Today is the first day I have logged on since my surgery, as I didnt think I would ever be able to get off the couch. I couldn'd decide the day after surgery if my Dr would think I was nuts if I called him to take it all out, and which would hurt worse, taking it out or just leaving it in. LIVE WITH THE HEATING PAD. That made the biggest difference! For the gas, which I thought I was going to DIE from, use 1/2 a spoonful of minced garlic in with your broth. :hungry: My mom reminded me that garlic cures a colic or gasy baby. And 3-4 servings of the broth with garlic and I feel like a new woman. Hang in there, keep moblie and remember that at one point you were willing to do anything to lose wait. We can't think that this was the easy way out with no "pain".

Where are your scars on the Thigh lift? I have always wondered if there is a scar the length of the tight? Do you mind sharing what that cost. I have always been thigh heavy, and look forward to having normal thighs again!

My doctor game me MyOCel for my pre op diet, which surprisingly was good. I have tried several shakes, including Medifast and prefer this. It was $40 for a 2 week supply.