SaucyBandster

I would think it be VERY VERY helpful to have anti vomitting medicine at the house AT ALL TIMES as a precaution. I know there are Rx's that are anti vomiting and I wonder if a PCP will auto prescribe one just in case. Things to add to my band list before I get banded. Hope he feels better soon!

I just found this post. I am in the St. Pete area and going thru the process with Dr. Rehnke. I was curious if there were any recent Rehnke patients out here OR any new St. Pete bandsters. I will be a Jan 2012 Bandster!!

TexasDianne - my last supervised Dr visit is Jan 6th. I am SO crossing my fingers for a late Jan surgery date. I am ready... OH so ready!!!

What happened that things didn't go as planned if you don't mind me asking?? Was it insurance or Dr related??

Hi everyone - just checking in to see how you were all doing?? I am on my last monthly supervised weigh in and I will FINALLY be submitted to insurance - YAH!! I am crossing my fingers and toes for a quick approval and surgery date. I was curious how all of you were doing. Happy Holidays!

Have you been to a Lapband seminar yet? Typically there is a bariatric coordinator and it's their daily routine of working with insurance companies and knowing the in's and out's and pitfalls, etc... I would recommend attending one of if you already have a surgeon in mind, they usually have mandatory consults or seminars they hold which are very helpful. They definitely got the ball rolling for me. I am going on my 3rd (3 out of 3) supervised monthly weigh in's with my PCP and had my psyche eval last week. One more Dr's appt and I am then submitted to insurance. From there, once approved, the surgeons office will schedule my surgery date and guide me on my EKG, Chest X-Ray and Labwork appts. Good Luck!

I posted awhile back and wanted to update. I have now completed 2 out of 3 monthly weigh in's with my PCP and then she will submit a recommendation. I sent my surgeons office 2 yrs of previous Dr's visits where my weight was documented. I just had my psyche eval and he gave me the green light. My last Dr's weigh in 3 of 3 is Jan 6th ( I can't wait!) and then they will submit everything to insurance. I have Independence BCBS. I was told this is what is standard... they didn't send it initially or anything. I hope I wasn't jumping thru hoops for nothing and could have been approved back in October or something? Anyways, I am really crossing my fingers that once I am submitted in early Jan that insurance will approve and approve quickly. It amazes me to read how others on BCBS get instant approvals. Any idea why there are so many variables??

Hi everyone, I am new to this group and in the inquiring stages of getting banded. My new insurance covers it and it's something I have read about and thought about for a few years. I submitting paperwork today to get the ball rolling but wanted to get some of the questions out of the way from real people versus Dr's. I am 100% Sicilian. With that means, food has always been about comfort. I am an experienced cook, very creative in the kitchen and have won recipes and ended up in cookbooks, etc.. I also food blog and do restaurant reviews so this is a huge life challenge for me. I have done well on Weight Watchers in the past but it always creeps back up. I was doing so well and lost almost 50 pounds until my center closed and moved far away. Thhen the weight crept back and I am back into this stage and want to do something while I am still young. I am 37, overall very good health but overweight (obviously). I am curious if I have to walk away from everything or if you can occassionally try things that aren't on your list?? For instance, once a month, my Italian family gets together for all of us to cook. Will I never be able to have Pasta again in my life?? Or is this something that once a month, I can have a few bites and partake in our tradition?? How are holidays for everyone? While everyone is eating, is it mentally tough? I know high Protein is pushed... Is sushi or sashimi an option? Are you able to ever have a glass of wine? I know you can't eat and drink at the same time (is this correct?) but what if I went out with friends and wanted a cocktail? Is it just hard to digest or is it because it's empty calories? I just want to check on how my lifestyle and this surgery would go together. Thanks in advance!

Hi Everyone, I need to schedule my psych eval next and was curious if people could tell me what to expect? If I say something wrong, can they not recommend me for surgery? I am so apprehensive about this next appt so any words of wisdom are appreciated.

I am nervous about the hair loss potential as well and am glad to read all of these responses. Quick question regarding Lupus. I didn't think you could have the lapband if you had Lupus? My mom really wanted to get the lapband and has it and her Dr said no. I would love to hear how you are doing and if you had any issues with getting approved if you don't mind? Thanks!!

That is wonderful!! I so wish I was you right now! I am still in my Dr's visits and have two months to go. Get some rest and feel well!!

I posted this on another thread and thought I would post here as well incase someone has interest... Frittata recipe for anyone interested... Ingredients: Buy one large container of Egg Whites One package of baby spinach (you can switch out any veggies but this is my fave) Pam Spray Goat cheese (you can also add low fat mozarella) Italian seasonings (or any spices you enjoy) I buy one package of Jimmy Dean low fat Turkey Sausage crumbles. (You can also switch this out with turkey bacon, vegetarian fake sausage crumbles, etc) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Take one large frying fan with a METAL handle (NOT PLASTIC as this will go in the oven) Spray with pam pretty heavily so that the fritatta pops right out at the end Pour the bag of turkey crumbles in the pan (or your meat of choice) and warm up Then I add the whole bag of spinach which cooks down and softens up very well and sneaks in a good amount of veggies - (this is where you can also sneak in other veggies if you want - Asparagus tips, red peppers, etc) Then on Medium to Medium-High heat (you don't want this to burn the bottle) add the carton of egg whites which will cover the large pan. You may not have to use the whole container. It all depends on how large you want your fritatta and how big your pan is. It doesn't rise so you can eye this. On Medium heat, let is cook for a few minutes. You will notice the whole thing cooking except the top. At this point is where I put in goat cheese crumbles which end up melting with the turkey sausage and spinach and then I sprinkle Italian seasons all over it Put it into the oven for about 8 mins which will cook the top up and melt the goat cheese Once you see it's finished, pull out of oven and flip onto plate. You can then use another plate to flip it back over to see the pretty side. Cut into pie slices. You can then rewarm each slice for about 45 seconds thru the week. It's a super easy, super quick Breakfast and it's such a great flavor and way to sneak in veggies and Protein and being very low fat. It also helps with less waste of throwing food away because you can sneak in different veggies. The one above just happens to be my fave flavors. You can alternate different meats and cheeses and veggies and have a million different variations. This ends cooking with Lisa LOL

Frittata recipe for anyone interested... Ingredients: Buy one large container of Egg Whites One package of baby spinach (you can switch out any veggies but this is my fave) Pam Spray Goat cheese (you can also add low fat mozarella) Italian seasonings (or any spices you enjoy) I buy one package of Jimmy Dean low fat Turkey Sausage crumbles. (You can also switch this out with turkey bacon, vegetarian fake sausage crumbles, etc) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Take one large frying fan with a METAL handle (NOT PLASTIC as this will go in the oven) Spray with pam pretty heavily so that the fritatta pops right out at the end Pour the bag of turkey crumbles in the pan (or your meat of choice) and warm up Then I add the whole bag of spinach which cooks down and softens up very well and sneaks in a good amount of veggies - (this is where you can also sneak in other veggies if you want - Asparagus tips, red peppers, etc) Then on Medium to Medium-High heat (you don't want this to burn the bottle) add the carton of egg whites which will cover the large pan. You may not have to use the whole container. It all depends on how large you want your fritatta and how big your pan is. It doesn't rise so you can eye this. On Medium heat, let is cook for a few minutes. You will notice the whole thing cooking except the top. At this point is where I put in goat cheese crumbles which end up melting with the turkey sausage and spinach and then I sprinkle Italian seasons all over it Put it into the oven for about 8 mins which will cook the top up and melt the goat cheese Once you see it's finished, pull out of oven and flip onto plate. You can then use another plate to flip it back over to see the pretty side. Cut into pie slices. You can then rewarm each slice for about 45 seconds thru the week. It's a super easy, super quick breakfast and it's such a great flavor and way to sneak in veggies and Protein and being very low fat. It also helps with less waste of throwing food away because you can sneak in different veggies. The one above just happens to be my fave flavors. You can alternate different meats and cheeses and veggies and have a million different variations. This ends cooking with Lisa LOL