VegasGrace

Yeah, think they were just not comfortable going abroad. There are folks who ONLY shop at Walmart...afraid to venture to Target, and vice versa. There are those who are afraid to the US...for any reason while many flock overseas. Nothing wrong with it, just one way of doing things.

Hahaha, I did too. Once my doc, family doc, took my vitals and height/weight and I had shrunk 2 inches. So, with that in mind, I figured I wouldn't stand all the way straight... my bmi was low, really low. But I had comorbids and a history of obesity... so I worried for nothing.

I switched to Boca Burgers this summer in attempt to get my family healthy. They taste really good. Had a burger last night from the diner, take off the top bun!!! But after one swallow I knew it would get stuck. Oh well, 2.99 down the drain.

I've not had a problem with rice. I eat it frequently as it's one of the foods I don't have a problem with. Now Pasta...that's another story. I even broke the spaghettie noodles down to tiny sticks, really tiny...still came back up. But there are many who don't have this problem w/pasta.

Just get the yellow pages out and look at your local hospitals. Call them up and they will tell you who does the surgery. Meet with each one and get patient referrals. You would only want to go abroad if you wanted a really experienced surgeon and to save money. The docs around here have way less experience than my surgeon I chose in Mexico. But docs here in the US are just as good, they've been trained, too.

Hair loss happens with weight loss. I lost a 46 pounds within a year on Atkins..the protein diet no doubt... and my hair fell out...well... THINNED OUT. This time around I've only lost 15 pounds, but again it's been over the past month or two and my hair is thinning out again. It does stop, and it does grow back. And luckily, it's not in patches...it's more of an all over thinning.

Hi, yes, I have. Lived there several years. Of course, being in Utah I'm freezing. It was just an idea...high school reunions will be in the summer, as it marks such and such year. Just thought a year mark would be cool... even if some couldn't justify getting away... to mark their banaversary...may may. But anytime. Let's do it when most are comfortable.

Simply, your body refuses to lose weight/ aka unlock the cellulose. Our bodies are machines and they are programed for fuel intake...when that fuel intake goes below a certain point...WARNING! WARNING! the brain orders the body not to allow cellulose to break down...after all, fat cells are nothing more than stored energy. I bet if you increased your calories ...you'd start losing. But you can only catch the body out of sync for so long. After a day of eating high calories, cut back again. This was put to the test and the hypothesis is...it takes sugar to shrink fat cells.

I've thought about this more and more lately.... June is our bandaversary. Why not June? We are the June Bandsters. Anyway, I have hooked up with someone and am offering to donate funds for the hotel...so that it's either paid for altogether or lessens our out of pocket expenses. Who ever is going to be in charge of this...please contact me so that I can have a goal in mind and make the arrangements.

I had scheduled for around lunch...but didn't arrive until the afternoon. My surgeon was so wonderful just saying, "come on in"....the cardiologist and the Psychologist...all on standby for me. Now that's service!!!

Yes, there is hope. So many have had their insurance pay...even when they didn't expect them to do so. If you get denied, appeal... others have posted on their success with appeals. If you can't get it paid for by someone else... pay for it yourself. I 'could' have gotten the VA to pay for mine after a year of MOVE, move to another zone...etc. Nope, just took $7,000 and did it myself. No looking back now...I'm losing weight and am benefiting...plus the money I save...no binging, no drive thru several times a day. It's so worth it. Good luck and keep us posted.

Sorry you went through this. You could appeal... or just decide that you are so worth it. Get your kids to max out the student loans for a semester....take that and get the surgery done...there are tons of reputable places that you can have it done for 7-10k, and pay those student loans off. $7,000 is worth it for a lifetime of control and not feeling dependent upon an insurance company.

I was like you, thin. I was even in the military. -lean, mean, fighting machine. But then kids happened, Desert Storm...injured. 100 pounds! You know, I lost it all was trim, though not tiny. I had a tummy tuck and some other nip/tuck. I gained the weight back, then lost it all ....again just 2 years ago. Then moved out of the country and gained it all back. After returning to the states... I chose lap band to get that monkey off my back once and for all. The weight loss has been slow since my bmi was lower than yours. But just knowing...I won't ever gain it back!!!! How wonderful. I may gain a pound or two...but then it would be time for a fill. It's a lifestyle choice...one I've made. Good luck and keep us posted.

I was self pay as I don't have insurance...like they would have covered it if I did...yeah, right! I'd shop around a bit. $17,000 is an awful lot considering I paid only $7,000 plus about $500 for two fills. My $8,000 is less than HALF of what you're paying. Look for an experienced surgeon and ask his/her patients... to take control of obesity/eating out of control is no reason to break the bank and live in financial ruins. Good luck and keep us posted.

According to makers of the lapband...not supposed to drink during meals. I'm at optimum restriction and have drank too soon after eating...it spewed back up.

OUCH! Hate that for you. I'd contact the office manager to see what you can get worked out. If they won't budge... I'd contact the Better Business Bureau, the attorney general's office, etc. But make sure you have a quote in writing first. If it was verbal...I just don't know. You could try.

Dr. Huacuz was my surgeon also. I'm uninsured so cost was a major factor. Then after doing research found Dr. Huacuz has done more of these procedures than the best surgeons around here.... that's a no brainer. Mine was 7,000 even and that included everything from surgicenter, anesthesia, cardiologist, psych evaluation, meds, surgery, the appliance...everything. Fill Centers USA - Weight Loss Surgery - Bariatric Surgery - Gastric Bypass Surgery - Lap Band Surgery Information and Support is where I get my aftercare and fills. Only needed two, so I got two. When I need more, I'll give them a call. The fills are cheaper than if I went to a local doctor on my own. Good luck and keep us posted.

Sorry you are going thru this. I was banded in June as well and have lost 15 pounds. I'm losing about 1/3 pound a week. My band is half full (2.2cc in a 4cc band). I know when I don't see the scales move...it's my soda and candy. Don't shoot me.... I still have soda and eat candy from time to time. But isn't that so opposite of what I'm trying to achieve...weight loss? You bet. But I'm happy to say my addiction to food is getting better and I'm in more control now that I used to be. So for me, the band is working...keeps me in check. Just take a look at your intake and ensure it's 100% nutritious...if it's not...don't eat it.

Good post, you know, I have no clue what determines which size band they use. Everyone chime in on your BMI and size of band..perhaps that will help out. My bmi was barely 30 and I got the 9.75

First decide if you want the doctor's opinion or are you going to self medicate. If you want to go w/ the doc...let him guide you. If you want to self medicate... make the decision and say what needs to be said to get the job done...but you must live with any complications that may occur.

Take your business elsewhere. Inamed recommends 6 weeks out. And then 4 more weeks for the second fill. To make you wait 12 weeks for your first fill is against recommendations. I'd fire him/her.

I am at 2.2 cc and am well restricted. My 1st fill was 2cc and the second was .2. 4 weeks later I was to get another fill but cancelled the appointment as I'm doing so well. I won't get another fill unless I start gaining or just simply stop losing for a while. Good luck and keep us posted.

I was in the hospital for 3 days and 2 nights w/ surgery on the first evening. I went to Mexico for mine.

If you are going to use insurance, I'd almost bet you have to go thru your primary care doc to get a referral. Or at least document the problem (obesity) with the primary care doc. If you are self pay- pick and choose the surgeon. You have no restrictions on where, when, or how. And about smoking, I think I read somewhere they ask you to stop so long prior to surgery as going under you'd want to be near optimum O2 level. And with pregnancy... no problem. The band is an appliance at the top of the stomach/lower esophogas...so it doesn't interfere with the fetus at all. Now, you must ensure you get adequate nutrition so they may unfill you during those 9 months and then right after the babe comes...tighten you up again. Good luck and keep us posted!

I admit I wish I could have had bypass, but am a lower bmi so not a candidate. But the success I'm having with the band has been wonderful!!!! Wouldn't change a thing. Fills - get a good fill doctor and you could only go in for 2 fills to get you restricted. And then only as you need them. When you get the band you will get a handbook that outlines the fills. I hear complaints all the time about 'no restriction after 4 fills' and then see they have as much as I do and I've only had 2 fills. Of course, each doctor is different and I'm sure the doc thought they needed a slower rate of fills... but you are in control of the band, the doc, and surgery...don't forget that. You have the power of decision. Financially speaking, the band is better....and not just the lower cost of surgery. The sagging skin issue so many have w/ bypass and then have to either live with it or have the funds to pay for more surgery...the band has a better rate of tighter skin..thus avoiding this additional cost and scarring. Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing and what you decide.