flowergurl

Thankfully I have thick hair but mine is still falling out too. Badly! I run my fingers through it & I have a handful...not exaggerating either. :crying: I have no idea how long it's suppose to last but I did hear that it grows back. So far I'm not missing it but it is annoying.

Hi ladies, I tried to post earlier today but the website was acting crazy. I'm still here...and encourage anyone thinking about the lap band...I may not be loosing at a fast rate as some, but I'm doing ok otherwise. I haven't updated my ticker but I'm down 47 lbs & Sept 5th will be my 6th month anniversary. I've had 4 fills and this 4th one is the first time I've actually felt the band work like I was told it would. My schedule is a bit crazy with two boys so I am not available to exercise with y'all...my hubby doesn't get home until late so I'd have to bring boys in tow...I get enough exercise just chasing them in the backyard and my house, let alone around a track or somewhere else. If my home life changes, I will have to get involved with a walk group such as you local ladies. I hope this finds all doing well & loosing big!

Hi, I'm not military either. I'm originally from here but lived away for 13 years & just moved back. I've got plans tomorrow. Hubby works late & isn't home until 8:30 so I may have to bow out of a meeting. :thumbdown:

More in common! I'm looking for work too...been home over 3 years now but need to find something! Sorry to hear about everything going on...once you feel better then things should start picking up. I'm not sure of where in Cabot is a good walking place? Actually the Jacksonville Community Center has that track. I've only been living in Cabot for a year so maybe I don't know what it all offers.

bandster, you are pretty far out from the band...how are you doing? I just had my 4th fill & finally feel like it might be working the way I thought it should. I'd be up to getting together with those of us nearby...I live in Cabot.

Yay, you found it--do you like it? I shop Cabot Walmart but I have not looked for the Skinny Cow ice cream there yet. Let me know if it's any good--I love chocolate! Each doctor is different & if you research outside of AR threads, you'll find that some go home from the hospital with a fill! I got my first fill at 4 weeks post-op. Between every 4 to 6 weeks is when I have been getting my fills. Congrats on the 13 pounds!!

keri: The Skinny Cow chocolate milk is at Walmart Supercenter. It is by all the other milks. I LOVE IT! I have not seen it at Kroger though. Someone told me they also have Skinny Cow ice cream but I have yet to find it.

Hi y'all, I was banded by Dr. Baker in Little Rock. I highly recommend him & his office staff are great!

Hi all, I'm bouncing back in here just to add some info about protein stuff...I have found the Atkins protein drinks to be WONDERFUL! I have only tried to 2 different chocolate drinks (b/c I'm a chocolate lover) but they are truly wonderful. One drink is what I have for breakfast & it is 15g of protein. At night, when I take pills & before bed, I am also drinking an 8oz glass of Skinny Cow (fat free chocolate milk) and it is 9g protein in just the 8oz. I know I appreciate the tidbits when it comes to foods...so I just wanted to share & see if anyone else is drinking the same?

Giggle & I have the same insurance, same doctor & surgery on the same day...crazy huh? I just wanted to add also that I had no problems with Federal BCBS. My claims were all paid within a 2 month period. jaybee: If your BMI is 40 or greater, you should not have any issues with your insurance.

My fills have been off...he was out of town and then his next available is later...I am a bit miffed over that. I just had my 2nd fill and it was 6 weeks from the first...I don't go in for my 3rd until the end of June so that will be another 6 weeks out. I've stalled on my weight loss & it is frustrating. I don't think he fills me enough...I cannot tell a difference from the first fill to the 2nd. I have a total of 2cc. What about you? When is your next fill? Do you feel a difference at all? I can still eat quite a bit of food...it is willpower & my "diet mode" keeping me from eating as much as I COULD. This has been difficult...feels like I don't even have the band. I've lost 30 lbs so I really should not complain.

GIGGLE, I actually did not talk with anyone except my roommate...she was in for something other than WLS. What time was your surgery? I think I was the 2nd one of the day. That is just too neat. Yes! I did get that card. I got it from the nurses--you are suppose to keep it in your wallet in case you are in an accident & they have to emergency surgery or something...they must know you have the band. There is a number on it to register with Realize (I am bad & have not gone on there). I would call Dr. Baker's office & ask Addy or someone to help. They may have it in your file or something. It actually feels good to know that you are in my area with same surgery date & doctor!

Hi ladies, I'm jumping in...I hope you don't mind. GIGGLE, I also had my surgery done on 3/5/08! WOW! And I live in Cabot. I had Dr. Baker & love him. I was saying on another thread that I only attened one support group meeting (the required one) and have not been back. There were too many people there--well over 100 & I did not feel like I could support or be supported in a crowd of people. I mainly use on-line forums for support. Ok, stepping back out to lurkdom.

Hi everyone, I'm butting in again...hope you don't mind. Dr. Baker is great...and like someone said above...I admire his "no nonsense" approach. He's direct & to the point...he doesn't skirt around issues & is upfront, honest & I truly believe he CARES. I only went to 1 support group meeting & have not been back...it was really too big for me...I was gunshy I guess...didn't feel like I could actually support or be supported b/c the room was so big with like probably over 100 people there. Post & Pre bandsters too.

Hi folks, I had the band on 3/5/08 with Dr. Baker. He & his office have been great. I am down 28 lbs thus far & feel absolutely wonderful! I can't imagine feeling even better as more weight is lost.

Rocket City Guy, it was not my intent to imply that we do not read our brochures. Our brochures do not give specific information, especially about WLS. My brochure did not mention requirements for WLS other than the BMI references. I also thought FED BCBS was the same nationwide but from what I've read, many people are paying differently. Interesting info on the band vs DME. Guess that is something that I will look for on my claims as I have no idea how or who billed for the band.

Hi, I just wanted to pop in & give you my experience. I have Federal BCBS, live in Arkansas and just had the Lap Band surgery on 3/5/08. I'm still watching my claims to see if & how they are getting paid. So far, everything has been covered...I'm waiting for the hospital bill to get paid. I've not had to make ONE phone call to BCBS. You all really need to know your policy--it seems like we may have slightly different policies and/or being told something different with each phone call. This can & does happen...I worked in customer service for a major health insurance company at one time. Anyway, my plan has a $300 ind ded or $600 fam ded. After ded is met, my plan pays 90%. My in-patient hospital co-pay was $100. I had to meet my deds on the surgeon's bill and labwork plus my 10% coinsurance. So far, I've been out of pocket roughly $500. Not too bad considering this surgery is thousands of dollars. My BMI was 46 with no co-morbidities. My literature states that a BMI >40 is considered eligible for WLS. BMI <40 are only eligible if co-morbidites exist. I have also heard, as someone else stated, that our insurance is one of the easiest to pay; however a year ago & a different surgeon than the one I had, refused my insurance b/c "they wouldn't pay up". So I don't know who's right or wrong here...but I've not had any problems thus far. Trying to cover all the questions...not sure if there is anything else I should mention...except that the only pre-op stuff required was by my surgeon which included a dietician/nutrition counsel session (by conference call), support group meeting, labwork & a 2 week pre-op Protein shake diet. The diet, do not mistaken, was not for liver shrinking but to measure dedication...if I did not lose weight, the surgery would have been cancelled. Period. If anyone has any specific questions, please PM me. I am still trudging through claims but I do not anticipate any problems. GOOD LUCK to all of you pre-op! I wanted to add also that I was not able to get an approval number...I felt really uneasy about it...but so far, no issues. Supposedly, BCBS federal will not pre-auth WLS...however I did get my hospital stay pre-certed...???

I wonder why most of you aren't getting fills until weeks 7 & 8? I know every doctor is different...but I wonder why there is such a difference. I'm getting my first fill at 4 weeks post-op & I cannot wait. I've done really well but since starting on mushy food, I am gaining my initial weight back. I'm barely eating anything--not starving myself--but using a lot of willpower (power I didn't think I had)!

Angelface, my insurance does not pre-authorize procedures. My hospital stay was pre-certified but the actual procedure is not approved. My insurance states that if I meet qualification then the claims will be paid. So far, my insurance is the only one that I know of that does not give pre-auth to procedures such as the LapBand. I know my policy...like I am responsible for 10% coinsurance, but that is with the hope that this procedure gets approved & my insurance company pays up. Then I will pay 10% of the usual & customary fee. What I am bracing (afraid of) for is that my claims are not denied. I have BCBS Federal program, which is entirely different than the other policies within BCBS...from what I was told anyway.

Hi Brina, I was banded 3/5 and just starting to feel somewhat normal, except my incision areas. I have to admit, I was starving after the first week. I started eating puree tunafish and beans about 4 days ago--too early according to my doctor but I saw many others on here doing it & I have been ok. I eat slow and stop when I feel satisfied so I'm not eating too much, but definitely more than 2 tablespoons worth. I can stay satisfied with the puree food for about 3 hours but I also start drinking my water an hour after eating. I'm having a hard time getting my water in. Mostly at night is when my hunger kicks in but I think it's all in my head b/c my habits were to snack at night in front of the tv when my boys went to bed. I've picked up a hobby in beading so now I do that in front of the tv--keeps my mind busy as well as my hands. I've lost 19 lbs so far but that includes the 7 I lost on the pre-op diet. I have not gown down any in the last 3 days so that is discouraging. I see that you have BCBS Federal and I have it also. I'm a nervous wreck that my claims won't get paid. About what did you have to pay out of pocket? So far I'm out $100 ded to hospital, $189 to complete my year ded to the surgeon and now I'm waiting on the bills to come in.

I'm new around here, banded 3/5/08 so I am one week post-op today & still in some serious pain. The gas pain is working out pretty good...but the two bottom incisions I have are extremely painful! I am waiting on a call back from my doctor's office but thought I would check here too. It literally feels warm to the touch--like a sunburn and then I have this intense burning feeling whenever I move--sit-up, sit-down, walk, etc. It is nothing like I've every felt before. Is this the normal healing process? My bandages are still intact. This burning feeling also kind of feels like I'm ripping from the inside out but I'm afraid to pull the bandages off to take a look--I was told they would fall off. Help--this hurts!

Yes, feels just like a bee sting!! That is exactly how it feels only it is a larger area than just a sting would be. It is really ridiculously painful! I am also still in the recliner--that is even getting old. Glad I have some company here too but wish everyone was feeling normal again.

What a great response in less than an hour--thank you very much! Congrats to you all as well! Well the nurse called me back & said that it is just the healing process and that if it is still bothersome by Friday that I could come in & have the doc put some Lydacane (sp) on them to numb some of the pain. I wanted to tell her I'd be there in 30 minutes but she said to wait it out. :cool2: Mari, my banded sister. :huh2: I have hardly been able to drink anything up until 2 days ago. Trying to get that Water in has been difficult. Yesterday was the first day I felt hunger so I had a few sugar free popsicles, some chicken broth and Jello. Today, I did try some refried Beans with a bit of cheese in them--made them real mushy & watery. YUMMO! I ate about 3 tablespoons before I felt the fullness. What about you? Still on liquids? I am dying for next week when I can try tunafish, mixed in the food processor, but still...craving! I am suppose to be on liquids until next Weds but the hospital told me only a week. My paperwork between the dietician & the hospital release is conflicting.

Just an update...I had my surgery on the 5th by Dr. Baker and he is great. His entire staff has been wonderful! I am 6 days post-op & still recovering but I am very happy with my doctor.