jenncore

Hi Shelly, I was banded on 12/26/07 and so far am adjusting okay to my band. I will get my first fill in a few weeks. Right now I'm still on a restricted diet which consists of mushy foods. Look around this site and you will learn so much about the post-op diet. I think it's a great idea for your husband to go the seminar with you. My husband is also very supportive but he had questions I couldn't answer so he came with me to the first seminar/support group meeting. He was glad he went! Okay, every insurance co. is differant. Again, do some reading and research here. I have Neighbor Health Plan and was approved about 3 weeks after my paper-work was submitted. I was incredibly thorough with my paper-work and included copies of cancelled checks and documentation of every diet attempt. If you have receipts or other documentation, I would suggest you submit copies as well. Good luck with everything. The process can seem overwhelming but be patient and it will all work out. I have had my lapband for about 3 1/2 weeks now and I couldn't be happier! Jenn PS. As far as craving foods I once ate, not so much anymore. I think the pre-op liquid diet was more difficult than the post-op diet but as you will read here, everyone is differant.

Jeni, I'm embarressed to admit that I actually gained some weight during my liquid diet. I wasn't watching my sodium intake with the soups I was having and before I knew it, I was up 5 pounds. I was able to take the 5 pds. off before surgery so I basically weighed the same as I did when I started my liquid diet in the first place. My surgery went fine without any complications and the surgeon never said anything about my liver being too large or in the way. I think having just liquids really helps with shrinking the liver and if you happen to lose weight it's an added bonus. Good Luck! Jenn

It frustrates me so much when people are so negative about a surgery they know very little about. This is about you so please don't let anyone convince you that it's not the right thing. I am 100 pds overweight not because I can't lose weight, because I can't keep it off. I have lost and gained the same weight over and over again. I chose the lapband because I knew it would help with my weightloss but more importantly, help me keep the weight off long term. You still have time to make your decision. You'll know it's the right thing to do deep in your heart. There's a reason why you started this process so don't let the ignorance of others cause you doubt. I wish you the best in whatever you chose. I had my surgery on 12/26/07 and I have to tell you it was the best decision I ever made! Good luck! Jenn

I can't remember the name of the juice I used but when I was on my pre-op diet I used a low calorie juice ( I think it was Pina Colada flavor) and put it in the blender with some no sugar added vanilla ice cream. I didn't have it often but it was a great treat when I was having a rough day. I also added some protein powder. Good luck on your pre-op diet! Jenn

I felt the exact same way after my surgery. The nurse at the hospital told me it might take a week or so to start to feel better. Slow down a little and rest as much as you can. I had my band seven days ago and I'm just starting to feel more like myself. Jenn

Hi Dazzle, I was on a 2 week liquid only diet and was pretty miserable. To make matters worse, I actually gained about 4 pds. because I didn't pay attention to how much sodium was in the soup I was having. Once I stopped having soup i was able to take a few pds. off. I had my surgery without a problem. I'm sorry about your insurance issue. Look at it as an opportunity to start over. Hang in there! Jenn

I completely agree with Kacee!!! I was banded on the 26th and haven't had to use one gasx strip. My heating pad has become my best friend. I use it whenever I have the chance and I believe it's probably the reason why I haven't had gas pains. Good Luck!! Jenn

Hi, I was glued. My incisions looked great. I like the glue because I don't have to worry about it coming off when it gets wet or earlier than it's suppose to. Jenn

Your post really touched me. I'm sorry that your family isn't supportive. I come from a very large family and have chosen not to tell any of them except for my twin sister who has been amazing. My husband and 12 year old son have also been incredible so I'm very fortunate. A few things came to mind while reading your post. I noticed that you're hoping to be banded by March 2008? So the good news it that you still have time. Are there any local colleges? You could check into having a college student (of course after you interview them) help out. You would have to pay but I bet you could get a really good deal. Check to see if the college has an early childhood ed. dept. I was banded on the 26th and stayed overnight. You can ask the surgeon what his/her policy is on that. My recovery was a little rough but not because of pain, mostly from being exhausted. It sounds like your children are old enough to be okay if you have to rest from time to time. Please don't let your unsupportive family get in your way, You deserve this and nothing should stop you! I hope I was helpful! You're in my thoughts and I wish you the very best! Jenn

I haven't had a similar situation but was wondering does it mention you being weighed at all during these visits? Did she record your weight at least on your first visit? I would be frustrated if I was in your position as well. Does your OB/GYN have any record of your weight when you were seeing her? Don't give up, find out exactly what the insurance co. needs and then (if you haven't already) speak with a bariatric coordinator in your area to see if they can help you. Good Luck! Jenn

Hi, I have neighborhood health plan so i don't know how helpful my comment will be. When I started the process in August I got all of my paperwork together. I started with a BMI of 43 with no co-morbs but didn't have a consistant weight history for more than 2 years. My insurance co. approved me based on medical necessity and the fact that I didn't have a weight history didn't play a role. Talk to your Dr. again to find the best way to move forward. I really feel for you and hope it will all work out for you in the long run! Jenn

Hi Vickie, It's nice to hear from you! I have been banded for just a few days now and hope to lose as much weight as you have. I haven't given myself a time table because I don't won't to feel defeated if I don't reach my goal by a specific time. I'm taking it as it comes for now. Jenn

As frustrating as this is, please don't give up. You have done so much work to get this far. Call the insurance co. and the surgeon's office everyday until you hear something. It took my insurance co. about 5 weeks for approval and when they finally approved me it was the bypass not the lapband. I was freaking out. I didn't give up though because I busted my a** getting everything together and ready for the big day. Please hang in there!!! I really wish you the best and have my fingers crossed that everything will work out for you. Jenn

Oh, I meant to add about the shoulder pain. I experienced some mild shoulder pain the day of my surgery and a little bit yesterday. I have been using a heatin pad and I think that's been really helping. Not to be gross but I have been also passing a lot of gas which I'm sure helps ease the pressure. Try a heating pad if you can. Jenn

I was banded on the 26th, two days ago, and have no idea where my port is other than it's the largest scar. The surgeon said it's right where that scar is but it doesn't feel any differant than any of my other incisions (5 in all). It pretty much in the lower center of my stomach. Jenn

Hi all, I am officially banded!! I got banded yesterday morning at 9:30 am. All went very well except I seemed to have a bit of a hard time with the pain meds. Yesterday afternoon and last night were pretty bad with being dizzy and nauseaus, I'm really glad I stayed in the hospital overnight! I got home this afternoon and other than being tired, I feel really good. My insicions aren't bothering me at all not even the largest one. I do have some minor gas discomfort but the heating pad really seems to be helping with that. I'm so excited to be on the other side of this. My surgeon and the nurse at the hospital have told me to take it really slow until he sees me on the 9th. I can't drive and he told me not to go back to work until after my appointment with him. Since my husband and I own our business that's not an issue for me. Well, I suppose I should go rest. I hope you are all doing well and that you had a wonderful holiday! Jenn

:help:Today i went in for my pre-op stuff since my surgery is on 12/26. Everything went smoothly until the nurse said she would see on my surgery date for gastric by-pass. That would be great except I'm having lapband surgery. So I explained that to her and she said she would call the surgeon's office and straighten it out. This afternoon my official approval letter arrived in the mail. I didn't really give it much thought since the surgeon's office told me I had already been approved. So I opened the letter and right at the bottom is said I was approved for gastric bypass and said nothing about the band. I called the Surgeon's office right away. This was at 3:30, they close at 4:00. The woman I usually speak with was out so the other woman said she would look into it and call me back. She never called back. I'm freaking out now because the insurance didn't approve my lapband surgery they approved gastric bypass which I wasn't planning on having. Any thoughts on what I should do? I know that the bypass is a more expensive surgery so I'm not so worried that they won't cover the band I'm just afraid they'll postpone my surgery until they can figure it out. I have been on this dreadful liquid diet for 10 days now and can't imagine starting all over. I welcome any and all of your suggestions. Thanks, Jenn

Thank you!!! I'll be getting banded in about 2 1/2 hours and am so exicted! Jenn

Hi, I went to my first consult in late Aug., had my pysch. eval. & nutrition eval. in Sept., met with the surgeon in Nov. and my surgery is scheduled the day after tomorrow. My insurance took about 3 weeks for approval. My advice to you is to first call your insurance co. or read the manual (if you have one) to see what the requirements are. From reading other people's experiences here it varies from one insurance co. to another. I have a BMI of 43 but no co-morbities and was approved the first time. Good luck with your journey! Jenn

Just wanted to post an update to my above problem. I spoke with the surgeon's office this morning and they straightened everything out with my insurance co. so I am all set for surgery on Wed. morning. My surgery time got moved up so I'll be going first!! I'm sooooo excited to start my new life. Happy Holidays! Jenn

You can always call and ask your insurance co. what they require. I know it varies widely depending on where you live and the kind of insurance you have. When I started seeing my Dr. about 2 years ago I wasn't thinking about weightloss surgery. She worked with me and set up a medically supervised diet with weightloss meds. I was able to lose about 20pds but then completely stalled. When I decided to have surgery, all of my appointments were already done. If you have any paper work from previous diets, get them together. Copies of cancelled checks will work as well! Please hang in there, I'm sure everything will work out for you! Jenn

Thanks Chris! I'm sure it will get figured out one way or another. I'm going to call the office 1st thing in the morning! Jenn

Hi, my BMI is 43. I think the Surgeon's office wrote down the wrong procedure when they sent it over to the insurance company. My surgery date is on Wed. and I'm determined to have the lapband surgery. I'm hoping a simple phone call from the surgeon's office to the insurance company will clear up the confusion. I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to get this mess fixed. I feel a little secure because at least my insurance co. deemed the surgery medically necessary. With the approval I'm hoping it's a simple change in the code for the actual surgery. I haven't let it upset me this weekend since there's nothing I can do until tomorrow morning. Thanks for your words of support! Jenn

That's awesome!!! You must feel incredible, inspired, and motivated! Jenn

Chris, I'm on my 2 week pre-op liquid diet and when I got weighed the other day for my pre-op I nearly fell on the floor because I actually gained 4 pds. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why since I have been on liquids for about 10 days. It finally clicked when I got home that it was from the sodium in the soups and some of the other liquids I have been drinking. I do have some of the low sodium soups but the cheddar brocolli is my favorite and it's loaded with sodium. I'm going to be careful from this point on. I thought it was just me! Jenn