angelatn2001

Hey Teeta, I know for sure that blue cross of TN is covering the band but that other blue cross ins. is not. I think that it is crazy some blue cross covers it and others dont!! My fiance has blue cross of Alabama and they consider it to be experimental still. As far as paying on my surgery I had to stay overnight in the hospital and was billed for my surgery. I did not have to pay anything up front for that. My doctor visits i just had a copay and then on my fills my doctor now does the first one free and the others are $150. I am now self pay so everything has to be paid up front. Keep us posted Angela

I usually drink 30 minutes before my meals and then if i have something dry i try to eat something a little more moist with it. This works for me. Before my surgery i would not drink during my meals but would drink a whole glass of something following meals. Now with the doctor telling me not to drink during meals thats all i want to do!!!!!

Well i know from personal experience that the band works as well if not better than the by pass. My aunt had the bypass about 4-5 years ago and only lost 60 lbs total!! I had the band I am only 1 1/2 years out and already lost 125llbs. And if that is not enough my cousins mother-in-law had the bypass and died from complications. There are many people on this site that are more than willing to share their stories about the band. If i were you i would keep doing research and maybe try going to support group meetings in your area. good luck on your research! Angela

Your website is great. I always told myself that i was going to keep a wls journal, but when i ran across my before picture i had to go throw up!!!! I thought that i would save everyone by not posting any pictures! You have nothing to be ashamed of you are beautiful! Keep up the great work with your website! By the way I was 284lbs and only 5'-3" so I almost looked like a big ball with feet! Angela

Congratulations Marsali!!! I am so happy that your family is going to support you through this! Be sure to keep us posted! Good luck, Angela

Cynthia, I need pretty much everything as far as a breast lift, tummy tuck, and my legs are going to need major work. I can wait for everything but my legs. my inner thighs droop down like curtains or something!!! Very very YUCKY!!! I have always carried most of my weight on my hips, butt, and thighs, but it seems like my thighs still have quite a bit of fat on them. I also want to have children in a few years so i can wait until then for my breast lift and tummy tuck. The reason i asked about the swelling is because my aunt just had a tummy tuck and breast reduction and lift. She is 3- 4 months post op and her stomach looks like she is pregnant!!!! The incisions on her boobs are still opening up and draining. I wonder if it is just her bodies reaction to the surgery or if it is the doctor or maybe both? She did go to a highly recommended doctor. i just want to keep looking around for a better surgeon. Thanx, Angela

Hey guys, Thanks for posting back! I have lost 125 lbs. I think that i might go back for one more fill and see if i lose anymore weight. If i dont i guess i will go find a good plastic surgeon and consult with him. Cynthia - Did you have much swelling? I f so how long did it take to go away? One more question, how long were you out of work? Thanks Angela

Hey Jakkie I am sorry to hear about all of the trouble you have had with the band. Don't give up yet!!! My father and i both have the band and he is filled to 1.8 cc and is at a good fill but I am at 3.8 cc and needing another fill. So everyone is different and just keep an eye on your food intake and be sure to schedule another fill until you are at your sweet spot! Good luck and be sure to keep us posted! Angela

Hey Cynthia!!! Way to go! I am 17 months post op and i think i am ready for the plastic surgery?! i am soooo scared of taking that step. i now weigh 160 lbs and i have been here for 4 - 5 months. i dont know if i should try to lose more weight before plastic surgery or what. Do you have any suggestions? I really enjoyed your testimony. It was great!! congrats Angela

Renee That was great! Thanks for sharing!! Angela

Welcome!!!!!!!! I am the same way, i never see the weight that i have lost in the mirror but you should take pictures at the same place and at the same distance every other month or so. That is the only way i can tell anything, besides my clothes!! Oh yeah congrats!!! Angela

Hey Darcy, i would love to share my story with you, but i will warn you it might be boring!!! I weighed in at 284 the day of surgery, Nov 5,2002. I was my dr's 10th patient and did have to stay over night in the hospital but thankfully everything went great. i do believe that alot of surgeries are done out patient now. the only problems that I have had are my own battles with snacking and my BIG HUGE sweet tooth. Another thing is that I would lose a good amount of weight and then plateau for a few weeks, that sometimes gets me down, but usually getting a fill will get me back on track. The important thing to remember is that the band is just a tool and it does take work. That is why it makes me sooooo mad to hear people say that WLS is just the easy way out!!! I unfortunately do not know much about your insurance but hopefully they will approve it because it is a blessing! Be sure to keep us all informed on your progress!! Thanks, Angela

WOW! That is great! I had my band in Nov 2002and lost 125lbs. I have 20 more lbs. to go until goal and I am on a plateau. Please share your weight loss secrets!!! Good Job!! Angela

Good Luck! I hope everything goes great for you! What kind of insurance do you have? Angela

Magay, Welcome! i got the band in nov 2002, i have lost 125 lbs. i know that the band has saved my life and i would recommend it to everyone! my aunt had the bypass and was in the hospital for 2 weeks and has only lost 60 lbs. total and is even starting to gain. i think that the bypass is too invasive! another thing i like about the band is that when you start to plateau you can get a fill. i think it is important that YOU are in control of YOUR own weight! good luck and keep us posted on your progress! angela

i hope everyone is doing great with their band or research. i had my band in nov 2002. i have lost 125 lbs and i now have skin hanging everywhere. i was wondering if anyone has had anything done and if so how long did you wait to get it done? i have been at the same weight of 160 for about 2-3 months and that is even with a fill! Please help me!!! Angela

Hey Mandy, I experienced the same thing and even after my 8th fill i start to notice that I am able to eat more and also eat things that i was unable to eat. my doctor gives me a shot that numbs my stmoach and then gives me the fill. so basically all i feel is the burning from the numbing med and then pressure during the fill. i dont know if all docs do it that way but that has always been my experience. hope everything works out great! angelatn2001

I hate to hear that you were in so much pain,but glad that everything is working out better! I went through the same thing right after I started eating solid foods. I had the upper gi and blood work of all kinds. Everything came back normal and my doctor said that I probably had gas lodged in there from surgery. Who knows? Everything is going better now.

I hope everyone is doing well in their progress with the band! I had my band in November 2002. I have now lost a total of 125 lbs!!! my only problems are exercising ! I hate to exercise at a gym but as far as being active I am very active. I am also needing a full body lift. I just wonder how long I should wait before getting anything done?!? I thought that I would be happy after losing weight ,but now I look at myself and see all of this skin hanging everywhere and I am starting to get depressed about that!!