rdbiles@sbcglob

Jen good luck. I don't want to discourage your pursuit to get your insurance to pay for the surgery. The others you mentioned, do they work for your company? I still stand firm in that BCBSSC will pay for the surgery if your company paid for this benefit and you meet their criteria for bariatric surgery.

Flip, In regard to your Medicare question, I just found a post in the Fort Worth Star Telegram newspaper, here is a quote and I'll add the link so you can read the article. " Another important factor: The federal Medicare program, which often leads the way for private health plans, agreed last year to cover weight-loss surgery for elderly or disabled beneficiaries in certain cases. In general, the agency pays for surgery only at facilities that are certified by the bariatric surgery society or the American College of Surgeons. And obese beneficiaries have to suffer from an additional problem, such as diabetes or sleep apnea, to qualify for coverage." http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=118DC89C660137B0&p_docnum=1

Jen, Congratulations on your marriage! I would recommend calling your insurance carrier and ask, "Does my company have an exclusion on any weight loss surgical procedure?" If there is an exclusion, the insurance will not pay, appeals do not apply either, they simply will not pay. Calling will take approximately 10 min and you will not need to wait for an answer. My husband and I took out a line of credit and paid for my surgery, $13,500 all inclusive including one year fills.

Flip, I was banded in February. Based upon my healing process I would wait three to four weeks post op to take a long road trip. Your surgeon will want to see you 2 weeks post op and you could get clearance at this time for your trip. I cannot answer the Medicare or Mexico question, as I was self pay in Texas, $13,500 all inclusive with one year fills. Since you are still in the research phase, let me recommend a couple of places for you to read and ask your questions. Go to DFW Bandsters a yahoo news group. There are a lot of old time bandsters and medical professional who can answer your questions about Mexico and Medicare. I would also recommend reading Wendal Edwards story at http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/wendell_edwards/ he has answers to a lot of questions preop and post op.

I know what you mean about the weight loss shakes making you binge on sweets. But I found one at my local vitamin store that doesn't effect me this way. It's called Designer Whey Protein, in choc, vanilla. It's a powder, one scoop in a blender, I add ice, milk, banana or frozen strawberries. It takes care of my hunger till lunch and in the afternoon if I have a sweet tooth it satisfies me.

Hi, Cap, Sounds like you are eating healthier and when you do that, you tend to eat more meals during the day, which is not so bad as long as the in between meals are healthy. One thing you might try is making a Protein shake, customized to your taste buds. The shakes I make really curb my hunger and satisfy my sweet tooth. I buy the Designer whey Protein, using my blender I mix one serving with milk, ice, Peanut Butter, sometimes add frozen strawberries and cocoa. I think they are great and you don't have that powdery protein taste. Other things I snack on are hard cheese, humus/crackers, beef Jerky, pb/cracker, sf pudding. One other suggestion when you eat, is to eat your protein first, then veggies and starch/carbs last. If it were my plate, I would only take 1 giant tablespoon of the starch/carb, and then if I didn't eat it all, boy I would feel great! Good luck on your journey, Rebecca

Hi Lost, I was banded in Feb. from what you have described, it sounds like you have a lot of swelling going on. I would stay with the liquids until you can get more Fluid down the hatch. My surgeon had me on full liquids for two weeks. I'd like to make a suggestion, first your body can only absorb 30 grams of Protein at once, so don't buy anything over 35 grams a serving. The first two weeks it's difficult to get in your protein, then after that it's not so hard. My surgeon said that if I could get at least 35 grams in a day he would be happy, but encouraged me to get 60-70 grams. Protein will help with hunger and help you to regain your strength after surgery. Take a medicine cup and sip your liquid or protein, or simply serve yourself a couple of ounces in a small glass. My personal favorite Protein Drink was Boost. It wasn't thick and tasted good. After three weeks I switched over to Designer whey Protein, a powder that I blend into shakes. I started soft foods by week three and I was so ready for food. My advices is to not stress about your liquid intake, just eat a lot of good soup/broth, popsicles, sf fudge bars, drink protein and Water. Good Luck on your journey, I hope you feel better today!

I was reading Dr.C's reply to this question on another board, here are his comments. "Post Date: 4/26/07 5:31 am In the US there are currently 2 bands, both by Inamed/Allergan, a 10cm/4cc band, and a VG band which holds 10cc. Most US surgeons use whichever band properly fits around your stomach. There is no real data on one being better or worse than the other. There is also a 9.75cm band but I don't know of any US surgeons who use it." Dr. C Cincinnati, Ohio

Erin, I was also banded on 2/23 and my first fill was 4/12. 1.5CC in a 4cc band I feel restriction and have to eat slow and smaller bites. My surgeon told me to start taking calcium tabs, anyone else taking calcium?

Go to DFWBandsters news group on yahoo and you will find great support from long time bandsters. We also have dinner get togethers once a month at various locations, Burleson, Arlington, Dallas, Plano and Denton.

I have requested a couple of times to add my name to the feb. list, haven't seen it appear yet, rdbiles banded 2/23. Thanks

Protein builds up, maintains, and replaces the tissues in your body ie; muscles, organs and your immune system which are made up mostly of protein. Adults need about 60 grams of protein a day. Protein will help satisfy your hunger and maintain you until your next meal. Hope this helps.

Mike, I belong to the yahoo news group called DFW Bandsters. We have a link containing forms for an insurance appeal. Good Luck and Welcome!

Anon, you are doing fine. You are still swollen from the surgery. Patience bandster

Sheila well stated! Congrats on your weight loss!

Diddi congratulations on your weight loss! Glad you found us. You'll find lots of support and good information. Look for a January bandster posting and share your progress.

Please call your surgeon.

Hello fellow Texas, I am from the Dallas area. I was scheduled for the duodenal switch four years ago and chickened out. I was self pay too, had my lap surgery four weeks ago by Dr. Wade Barker. I've lost 10lbs so far and need to schedule a fill to get this weight loss moving. Good Luck!

For some it's easy, but it was liquid prison for me. I hated it and fought the structure. My supportive husband let me whine and cry, feeling bad for me, he went out and bought me some SF fudgesicles and suddenly I began to except the fact that there is an end point to the liquid stage.

I felt this way after my surgery too. I would drink a Protein drink, have another fudgesicle and eat more Soup. Calories don't seem to count right now, staying hydrated is what is important.

The pulling pain at your port site is part of the healing process. The pain in this area for me subsided three weeks after surgery. Hey all you recently post op bansters! I was banded in Mexico on the 12th of March. My shoulder pain is subsiding but I am having pulling pain at my port site. Of Course, I still have my stitches. It is making me nervous. I was really wxcited about the band and now I am thinking about possible complications or problems. Guess I just need a little reassurance. Thanks, kim

This worked for me, wear a disposable 8 hr heat pad. My pain went away in six days post op.

I was banded 2/23, my port scar is about 4 in. and the others are 1/2 in or smaller, all should fade. I paid $13,500, day surgery, no overnight, the sixth day I was pain free. I hope this helps your research of the lapband. Rebecca

I think you should go for it, he's very reputable, coaching Oprah in her weight loss. I downloaded three free videos from Dr. Oz and Roizen, beginner, intermediate, and advanced exercise. I hope to begin these exercises in a couple of weeks. Rebecca Banded 2/23

I was banded 2/23. I was on full liquid after surgery. I understand your misery. I was so depressed and would cry because I felt like I could eat but was instructed not to eat. This time does seem to drag on, but it will pass soon, I promise.