Goldie

I have about 10 more pounds to go. How long after I reach my goal should I wait before getting plastic surgery? I am thinking about a TT and a breast reduction. Can those be done at the same time? Any suggestions about surgeons in the Washington, DC area?

Ask your surgeon when is the earliest he will give you a fill and that is the day to get it done! I found that I had no significant restriction until the third fill. Up until then, it was virtually pure will power. High Protein, low carbs, and drinking lots of Water (except of course for after I ate) really helped me. Good luck!

:help:Today the surgeon told me that since I have lost about 60% of my goal within the first year, he wanted me to slow down my loss rate to about 1/2 pound a week, instead of the previous 1 to 2 pounds. He said that at the lower rate, I had a much greater chance of keeping it off permanently. He said that my goal should be eating about 4 oz. of Protein over 30 minutes at a meal, chewing carefully, and not drinking for 30 minutes after the meal. I needed to relearn how I was supposed to eat, and that if I did that I would have the loss I want long-term. Has anyone else heard something about slowing the loss rate down?

The surgeon I used does have some patients that he does fills for that he did not perform the surgery on.

I have CareFirst BCBS under the Federal employee plan in Washington, DC. They started covering lapband in January. They told me you had to be at least 100 pounds overweight. They would not do a pre-approval. When I started seeing the surgeon I was more than 100 pounds overweight. I was banned in February (at that time less than 100 pounds overweight), and had to pay about $500 out-of-pocket for the surgery, hospital, etc. There have been no issues with my insurance coverage. Because it was early in the year, I had not yet met my deductable, which added to the cost. For the first 60 days, all of the follow-up visits with the surgeon were free. After that, I have been paying a co-pay of $15 per fill.

I was banded in Montgomery County at Shady Grove Hospital by Dr. Greene. I have been very happy. He has several patients who come down from Baltimore.

This is a great thread! It really is motivating to see all of you who have lost so much weight. Thank you so much for the inspiration!!!!

Today I went in for another fill. I now have 8cc in a Vanguard band. This was my 4th fill. I am no on liquid for two days. I was still having major carb craving, so I hope the new .5 cc will help.

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal for the Washingotn, DC area. It started covering lapband in January, if you are more than 100 pounds over your ideal weight. They covered the surgery I had in February. If you are planning to file an appeal, you need to folow the procedures set out on the health care booklet put out by OPM. For my insurance, the first appeal is with the insurance cimpany, the second is with OPM.

I was banded in February. I found that when I started doing more strenuous exercise, that I had port pain if I over did it. I no longer have the pain when I exercise. You might want to try going a little easuer for a while.

You can also try products salt substitutes that are made from potassium chloride. Morton's makes one that I think is called "No Salt" and is in the spice isle of the grocery.

I was banded 2/21/07 in Maryland.

I would watch the amount of protein you are getting. I find that when I am close to hitting the protein amonts that my surgeon and nutritionist set, I do not feel hungry. I also use sugar free popsicles and sugar free gum. Chewing on them helps alot with hunger.

Before I had the band my favorite exercise was going on the elliptical at my gym. I had my one-week post-op visit yesterday, and was told only walkng or tread mill for now. I am wondering how long others had to wait after surgery before they could do an elliptical. Thanks!