TinaM8

I too have BCBS/TX and will use Dr. Chung if I ultimately decide to have this surgery. I had the lap band with Dr. Chung but have had too many problems. I called their office today and it seems as though it is up to me to find out if I am approved. Now I have no idea where to start!! I was a self-paid with the lap band so I am totally lost !!!

I too have BCBS/TX. I called the surgeon today (who I had the lap band through) but the girl answering the phone acted like it is up to me to figure out if my insurance covers it. Now what? I have no idea where to start !!!

Does anyone have any protein shakes and such that they recommend? Are there any high protein drinks that aren't milky? I just don't tend to like the ones that are milky chocolate or vanilla.

I really want the gastric sleeve. Literally I can't get it out of my head. I had the Lapband in 2006 and all I ever lost was 60lbs. I now gained 20lbs back so it is like I only lost 40. I am convinced that the sleeve would do for me what the band never could. I was throwing up everything I ate and even throwing up in my sleep at one point and now I have ZERO ANYTHING from the band except one big headache. The best way I can describe my current situation is that it is like I never had the band at all. I am so encouraged to read stories like yours from patients that have converted to the sleeve. I have a lot of deciding to do !! You story is very encouraging

Well folks...still no answers. Did the barium swallow with xrays and the xray technician seemed to think that everything with the band looked okay. That was almost a week ago and my doctor's office has yet to contact me to go over the results. This is what is irritating me more than anything at this point. I know the second I call and make an appointment all they are going to want to do is give me another fill and take another $125 out of my pocket. I really don't know what to do at this point. It really didn't help that my surgeon was suggesting I get the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy the last time I was in. This is so discouraging to me. Maybe I don't want another surgery. Maybe I want to figure out why this surgery isn't helping me like it should. Maybe I want a doctor that is going to help me figure it out instead of trying to push another surgery down my throat. I feel like in his head he has almost washed his hands of the situation. I am beyond frustrated. Don't get me wrong, I can't lie, I have thought about getting the gastric sleeve surgery just because I feel desperate at this point. Not sure what my next move should be...........

I definitely need to read these and will do so tonight. Thank you

Thank you for this

Thanks for the encouraging words!! I definitely hope tomorrow will bring me closer to some answers. Like I said, I know I haven't followed the rules to a T and I know I have made some mistakes but I am ready to right some wrongs with my band and do what I need to do.

Actually I have a 10cc band. I wish I knew how many cc's I had in my band. I am not sure why he has never been forthcoming with that information. But I guess I never really asked for specific numbers so that may be why I don't know.

I have been seeing everyone talk about red zone and yellow zone and all this and I have NO CLUE what any of that means. I never found myself in any kind of "sweet spot" with restriction. I have struggled from day ONE. It really isn't that hard to believe that someone wouldn't lose weight while throwing up and such. I struggled with bulimia for years and never lost anything and just stayed at the same weight. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow as a matter of fact to get some answers. I have so many aches and pains that I can't account for. Everything I eat makes me feel bad. My stomach always hurts. I have even gone so far as to see a Gastroenterology specialist and have had a colonoscopy and such because of all of the problems I have had. I feel like any doctor who has a patient bring all these concerns to them they would want to get to the root of the problems. I feel like I have been steamrolled a couple times with my lapband doctor so tomorrow's appointment I am not going by myself. To answer your question No my doctor has never told me how many cc's are in my band. Also, after these last few fills he took all the liquid out and put it back in and was shocked and scratching his head that I didn't have any restriction. Obviously something is not right.

I definitely take responsibility for not losing more in the beginning. There was a time when I was throwing up at every meal but it was almost like once I threw up I could eat more than I did before I threw up. I am by no means a "Perfect Lapband" patient and have made some mistakes but having a band with no restriction is pointless. Isn't that the whole point?