Neicy

Hi Kim, My daughter is your age and has Aetna insurance. She was banded last November and Aetna covered it at 100%. She had to request a "hearing" after they denied her initially and about 2 days before the hearing, they gave her the OK. She had to take all the tests and do the sleep lab and see the psychiatrist and jump through all the hoops, but eventually was approved. The process took about 9 months. She is elated with the result, has lost 60 lbs. Good luck and be persistant!

Hi Lisa, I just got back from vacation and just read your post from yesterday and answered it! We are in the same boat together and practically neighbors! I was banded 5 weeks ago in Monterrey. My insurance excluded bariatric surgery. Besides, most insurers want you to have a BMI of 40 or greater to be elligible for coverage, and have a bunch of c0-morbidities to go along with it! I was very pleased with the treatment that I recieved from Dr. Rumbaut and his associates, and impressed with his credentials and skills. Let me know if I can help you in any way. Denise

Hi Lisa I live in Slidell, LA. My BMI before banding was 36 also. Insurance excluded bariatric surgery for me, so I had to self pay. I went to Mexico for my band, because I thought that Dr. Rumbaut was the best surgeon around, and the cost was exponentially less than having surgery in the states by a less experienced surgeon. I was totally pleased with the treatment I recieved, the hospital was very impressive. I am 5 weeks post op, and no problems so far. I have a couple of choices for follow up doctors here at home. My daughter got banded by Dr. Lavin in Mandeville, her insurance covered it at 100%(Aetna), but she had to jump through all the hoops first, to prove co-morbidities. She has done very well since last November, has lost 60 lbs so far. If you would like, you can e-mail me and I'll be happy to let help you with anything and everything you would like to know.

Hey everybody, just wanted to say that I'm leaving tomorrow morning to start a 2 week vacation. I'm real excited, we're driving to Pueblo for a hot rod show in our '48 Chevy streetrod. It's not a maiden voyage, but the first time we're driving so far. I'll miss checking in to see how everyone is doing. I'll keep you guys who are having trouble in my prayers. I'll check in in a couple of weeks! Bye for now, Take care all. Denise

Hi Tina, I made the decision to get banded after my daughter got banded last November. She has done so well, and has lost 65 lbs. I was scared to get the band because I had to self pay and if anything went wrong, I wasn't sure how I would afford to deal with the complications. Then I realized one day that I was already having to cope with obesity related problems, like swelling, hypertension, high colesterol,gerd, on and on! So I figured it was worth the risk to improve my health. Like Alex said, it's reversible if you have a problem. I consider it an investment in me! I asked my surgeon about slippage and he told me that the risk was extremely low if you adhere to the post op diet of liquids, and mushy foods for the perscribed period of time. He said that once the band has "scarred down" in about 4-6 weeks it won't slip. We're all different and there are no quarantees on the human body. You are wise to research everything and make an informed decision for yourself. Good Luck and welcome!

I love pictures! Yours are fabulous, congrats on your sucess. One day, I hope to have some before and afters too. Thanks for sharing. Denise

Donali, I, like so many others, have looked to you for your support and as an inspiration. So very sorry that you are going through this, but I'm sure you know that we are all with you in our hearts. It is so scary when suddenly and out of nowhere, these major problems pop up and wreck the strategy. I am just blown away when I read about the things that you and Delarla and others are experiencing. It's so close to home that I think we all can relate and sympathize. Thank you for sharing your ex-perience with us and I think you have a wonderful balanced outlook on everything that's happening, you are again and still an inspiration. Denise

Lisa, I am so glad that it went well for you, I've been worried ever since I read about the problems you were having. I'll keep you in my prayers, like so many others. Take it easy girl, and get well! Denise

Lisa, I am keeping you in my prayers. I truly hope that everything goes well for you and that you recover quickly and with no more complications. I'll be watching for your posts to see how you make out in Mexico this weekend. My heart goes out to you. May God bless you and keep you in his care. Denise

Hi, I'm 51 years old, born and raised in New Orleans, home of awesome food and the obesity capitol of the U.S. lol I live in Slidell, LA., which is about 25-30 miles from New Orleans. I have been working in the dental field for 25 years and I mostly specialize in denture impressions and setup for esthetics and proper fit and function. Before I got in dentistry, I was a paralegal. I am married to a good man, both in our 2nd marriage. I have 2 grown daughters and 4 grandsons to brag about. I also have 2 dogs, a dachshound, and a yorkie. I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Rumbaut on 5-28-04. I am 5'7" and weighed 232 when banded and today I weigh 207. No fill yet, but I am satisfied with way less food! I was really blessed that I could be banded, and I am actually losing weight. I have yo-yoed all my life and it is so wonderful to hope for stable, healthy weight. I have enjoyed this site so much, lots of great people contribute, and it is so helpful to so many of us, love the comraderie! Denise

Congratulations on your fantastic progress! You're an inspiration to me. I can't wait until I can post some snapshots! Keep up the great work. Denise

Hey girl, I'm sorry to hear about your infection. You knew that something wasn't right with your port for quite some time now, it must be a relief to know that it has been diagnosed, treated and you're on your way to getting straightened out. Best wishes out to you, hoping you have a speedy recovery. Denise

I'd be screaming off the rooftop! That's awesome weight loss. Best wishes to you and your wife. Keep on rollin'. Denise

I was banded 5-28 by Dr. Rumbaut and he was just fabulous, good looking too! The hospital was impeccably clean, and I really look for that, since I work in a dental office, we're kind of obsessive types about this stuff. Dr. Rumbaut's associate, Dr. Rafael Diaz was so very nice to me post op, I thought him an angel! From all the research I've done, I think Dr. Rumbaut has done the most lap band proceedures on this continent. I haven't gotten any follow up, but I have a choice of a couple of doctors that are willing to do the fills. Good Luck

Hey Delarla, I'm a cajun gal from down the bayou, and we love to drink (and eat!). We eat anything that doesn't take a bite out of us first! That's how I got in this situation. I feel like I've been given a second chance since I got this band. I really was prepared not to lose, cause I've failed so many times. I've lost 18 lbs. in 12 days! Whew! I've been on weight watchers "religously" for 4 months and never lost this much. Of course, I know it's fluid, But who gives a crap! I'll take it! I saw the pics of your port, and it looks like you're gonna have a sizable keloid scar, no wonder you've been so worried, all the other incisions look great. Hopefully the rascal will calm down and heal quietly and quickly. Good Luck! Denise

They have me on liquids only for 2 weeks. Third week, I can start soft foods like scrambled eggs, mushy stuff.(Doesn't sound appetizing does it!)4th week, I should start incorporating regular foods in the diet. They say it takes about 1 month for the band to scar down. You risk slippage if you eat solids too soon. That keeps me straight! I mostly get my protien from Atkins shakes, and yogurt smoothies. I've also had egg drop soup, and I did eat some cottage cheese once, but I chewed the heck out of it. I just want to chew so bad! I've got to say that I am shocked that I'm losing so well, I'm down 18 lbs. today and it feels like a miracle. I haven't lost weight this well since I was a teenager, back in the dark ages! It hasn't been too hard, I'm not terribly hungry, although from what I've read, it will rear it's ugly head before too long.

Hi Delarla. I've been following you since your surgery was a week or two before mine. My port feels exactly like that, especially if I roll from my side to my back in bed. Good luck to you, I know that port has been giving you grief. It will become a blessing soon! Denise

I am 10 days post op, and I haven't had any pain, or problems with my port. I am on thin liquids and I wouldn't mind chewing something, but I've lost 15 lbs already! I am thrilled about this. You're going to love Dr. Rumbaut. My incisions are virtually invisible and I haven't had any leaking or pain, I can even sleep on my stomach if I roll over gently. I did have some problem post op with nausea, but I'm sure I had a virus. The doctors were very attentive and did all they could to get me past it. Good Luck to you, I know you will be glad you chose Dr. Rumbaut.

Hey ya'll, I've been running fever too for the last few days. I was banded on the 28th of May. Don't really feel badly, just chills and sweating like a mule when it breaks. One thing that I wondered about was if anyone else had significant bruising down at the pelvic area following surgery. I know it's blood products from surgery, but how do they migrate down there?! Neicy

Oh yeah, my fever is low grade, 99.4, but I usually run below normal at around 97.8. I guess my real concern is that I had gotten sick after surgery. My husband started as soon as we got to Monterrey with nausea and diahrrea. So, I had to follow in his footsteps. Yuck yuck! I did a little dry heaving after surgery and none of the drugs that they gave me would stop it. The docs were amazingly attentive and even came to the hotel at 1:30 in the morning to help me. I am a little worried that I may have torn a suture or something, and it bled inside.

The "bruising" is, I believe, from bleeding under the skin during the proceedure and the blood collects in pockets until your body breaks them down. The area is directly over my pubic bone and directly below one of the hip bones,( the ones that will hopefully be visible in the not too distant future!) Anybody else have this?

Like most of you, I only told a few close friends. If someone lets the cat out of the bag, I won't be too upset, I just didn't want to hear any negativity or diet tips to try, and I feel like it's my body and I decide what's best for me. Denise 5/28/04 225/hoping 150

Hi Linda, I just got banded by Dr. Rumbaut on the 28th of May. He and his staff were excellent. Everything went down just like they said it would, and I would recommend him also. I was so impressed with the care I recieved from them, I just think he's the bomb! My BMI is 36, and I had to self pay like you. Good Luck. Denise 225/ hoping 150

Hey, For 4 days post-op, I think you're doing pretty good. You're cooking for your family, goin' shopping, and not hungry to boot. I hope I do as well, I'm going in this Friday and oh so excited about taking this trip. I hope your recovery goes well, and you're on top of your game in no time. Denise

I am scheduled to have surgery in 5 days, and wouldn't you know that I have this annoying tickle in my throat and chest that I just can't seem to kick. I am flying to Mexico on Wednesday, and I am starting to get paranoid that they won't want to do it since I am coughing too much. I have no fever, it's seasonal allergies, anybody else have upper respiratory distress when they got banded? I am worried that if I cough too much, it may affect the sutures or just hurt me too much! I just hate to reschedule, I want this so badly, and I'm psyched up for banding NOW. Whatcha think?