JScooney

I went to the lap band seminar in late 2009.  I did the six doctor visits and applied to the insurance company in mid-2010.  I was denied because the paperwork was not completed correctly by the PCP office.  For example, the billing codes indicated I was seeing the doctor for a hang nail and back issues.  Never had a hand nail, so I have no idea how that got billed.  Nonetheless, after getting over the frustration of denial, I worked closer with my Surgeon's office, and eight months later I was approved (in September 2011).  Had the surgery on Oct. 20, 2011.  Weighed 295 on the day of the surgery after the two week pre-op diet.  Had the surgery at noon.  By 4 pm I was walking around the Nurse's Station (about 100 yards).  My physical condition before surgery was able to walk four miles in 50 minutes and do about 40 pushups in a row.  I opted for the band due to having issues with diet discipline since age 23.  After some wear and tear issues in 2009, my hip and back started to hurt.  My history of yo-yoing and lack of ability to do my old workout schedule for so many reasons (excuses), I knew the lap band was my only long term approach to get down to a healthy weight for my long term health.  I look at it this way:  lap band is a lot less complicated than a hip replacement.  I see this as a serious way to postpone a hip replacement. Post op, I am able to walk 30 minutes slowly two days.  I have used very little pain medicine.  I refused the pain medicine at the hospita 16 hours after the procedure.  The nurses all stated my Surgeon took extra steps to reduce issues.  The pre-op diet and the steps to avoid blood clots were extraordinary.  No complications.