sharon160

Also, make sure your surgeon will accept the Medicare assignment for the surgery. If the hospital is a Center of Excellence, they will accept the Medicare assignment. That basically means that they wil get paid a WHOLE lot LESS than what they bill and the rest will be written off. I was banded when I was 65 plus 10 months but I'm sure it's up to the individual surgeon and your medical condition to determine if they will do the surgery. Good luck, and welcome to the forum.

I had my surgery in February at a COE, and medicare paid for everything. NO 6 month diet was requred. However, make sure you surgeon accepts medicare assignment. They only pay a very small amount.

Guess I better chime in on this thread. Haven't been on this site in a while. Anniversary date June 12, 4th fill, 5.8cc in a 10cc Realize band, have lost right at 27# for the 4th anniversary. Going for another fill this week, and am close to good restriction, I think.

my hernia was discovered during the lap band surgery and fixed before they put the band in. I had no idea I had a hernia, and just thought the heartburn and reflux was from the weight.

I had my second fill Thursday and I sure hope it kicks in because as of now, nothing. same as before the fill. 3 cc first fill, and 1 cc this fill. I've lost a total of 23 since surgery, and although I'm happy with that, I want to not be so hungry.

I'm delurking too. banded 2-12 and hungry as all get out. 2nd fill on this coming Friday and I know there isn't much hope of restriction more than a couple of days, but I will continue to hope. Have lost no weight since my 1st fill, but haven't gained anything either. I read pretty faithfully and am keeping tabs on all my band sisters.

Surgery Feb 12, first fill March 17 and virtually no restriction after the first couple of days. I've had to hold steady all month and go for my 2nd fill on next friday April 18. I think I have actually lost 2 pounds this month, but I know this is fairly normal. Just keep to the rules, try not to eat huge amounts, eat healthy and stay away from things you aren't supposed to eat. I'm pretty sure I'm open enough to eat bread, rice and pasta, but I'm not going to chance it. I haven't had it for 2 months, and if I do, I know I will have a hard time breaking the habit. Stay strong as you can.

I guess it's just a matter of time. short periods of restriction, loosing weight, then no restriction and not loosing weight, holding pattern until next fill, at least for a few months. I can live with that, as long as the loosing weight part exhists and I don't get discouraged.

I live in Gardnerville Nevada, about 15 miles south of Carson City, the capital.Banded on 02-12 and doing great. looking forward to my first fill on Monday

I'm glad to hear that you guys are having a little bit of restriction since your fill. My fill is Monday afternoon, and I was hoping (at least for a week or two) to have a little more restriction than I have now. My food just isn't staying with me for very long right now and of course haven't lost any weight for a week and a half. Want to get started again. I'm right at 200.6 and want to break that 200 mark. It's been really frustrating.

5 weeks after surgery, 4 weeks after post op visit

I get my first fill on Monday, and boy do I need it.

Angie: Funny, I was just saying today, wonder when I can eat nuts? I used to love my 12 almonds a day (1 oz) and really miss them. We may have had surgery the same day, but my fill isn't until next monday.

I also have AARP for my secondary. I would highly recommend them. I never see a bill, they pay all excess charges (Plan J) between what medicare approves and what medicare pays. Never a hassle, it's all just seamless.

Medicare does not require pre=approval. Once my paperwork was submitted they were ready to do surger;y the next week, even tho it took me longer to get the rv and family ready to travel. Any requirements are from the surgeon (any tests, psychirtist, chest x ray, etc etc)., ;yes, also here, having to stay overnight which I think is a plus, as the nurses keep you on monitors, pain free, walking, heparin shots (so you don't get blood clots).

Congratulations. That is really fast. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks for the kudos on my weight loss. This is a person who lost 6 lbs before surgery from Sept to Jan, and then gained back 3 just before surgery. You may notice the turtle. Apt avatar, cuz I still think I will be a turtle at this. I've ALWAYS lost very very very slowly. I can't believe this loss in the last 3 weeks. It's actualy faster than I would like, but I'll take it for now and a fast start off the starting line. thanks

JOann: I'm going to do the 400 mile trip (by plane of course). Since Medicare will cover my fills, it will cost me 148 to fly down there, and stay with family who will transport me (or loan me a car). I just feel better staying with my surgeon whom I totally adore. I didn't even check with the local bariatric group since so many on the lists have said you can't change doctors for you fills, unless you go to Fill Center USA. One of those are opening about 150 miles away, but for now (I'm only 3 weeks out) would rather stay with my surgeon. I'm not sure, but be ve;ry careful what you sign ...I don't believe the surgeon can come back on you for the difference. I think it is a "rule" of medicare. My medicare statement came thru today for the hospital. and anithesiologist and both said I would be billed 0.00 even tho they discounted the bills from 37,000 to about 12,000. I don't have the doctor's bill yet, but he assured me.......

B-Weight control oatmeal with 4 oz soy milk l- 2 oz refried beans, 1 oz salsa, and 1.1 oz beechnut chicken & chicken broth s-Kozy Shack Tapiocas SF pudding d-1 scrambled egg, 1 oz cottage cheese, 1 oz salsa and 1.1 oz beechnut chicken & chicken broth s-maybe if there is room, a carmel sf pudding

Yes medicare and aarp paid for my surgery (well, they will, haven't done it yet, but I'm only 3 weeks out) No 6 month diet requirement. The biggest problem I had was the original center i went to had a 3 year waiting list for medicare patients, as they only took 2 per month. I had to go to another center of excellance 400 miles away to get surgery. Took 3 months for all the pre op stuff and when that was all done, they wanted to do the surgery the next week. Took us another 3 weeks to get the trip all organized and the snow to stop so we could travel.

not here either,

Congrats to you all who were banded today. It's over, and now your new lives are begining. Enjoy the adventure. I'm two weeks out, and feeling great, still have a little port pain but that's all.

Becca------------------March 6th Enchantedruby----------March 7th Jaxbanster--------------March 11th CynthiaMcc-------------March 12th Sadie-------------------March 13th Marathinner-------------March 13th Sharon160--------------March 17tj Viridesence-------------March 18th Nicolek-----------------March 26th Ponomimi---------------March 10th_

Just checking in. Surgery was on the 12th, post op on the 18th. Pain free except very occasional port pain (if I bend forward to pick up the dog have to be very careful) Down 11 pounds since surgery. Hungry but able to control it between "meals" Headed home tomorrow from Vegas to Carson City, even tho storms are predicted. Usually take 2 days for the drive, so may do it in one, or may hole up somewhere till it passes.

Welcome Jean: I also have the Realize band (02-12-08) and have had trouble getting on the realizemysuccess website. Can't get the proper information from my dr. office. still working on it tho. I also do cross stitch my favorites are Marilyn Levitt-Imblum, if you are familar with her Lavendar & Lace, Butternut Road, Told in a Garden patterns. I used to be a model stitcher for her and some of my work ended up on the picture for the product. I also had a Hiatel Hernia repair during surgery. Wonder how that effects recovery? I'm feeling pretty good at 8 days out.