rene2005

I saw her on TV and she had lost 60 pds a couple of yrs back. Did a search and can't find anything current. Wondered if she lost more weight or kept of what she lost. Rene

Just wanted to know since I'm researching if the band is pretty much what you expected it to be or is it better or worse then what you thought? Rene

New Device Approval Address:http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mda/docs/p000008.html Changed:4:12 AM on Friday, March 4, 2005 This states the average loss after three yrs is 35% so 100 pds overweight would be 35 pounds after three yrs. Have the numbers changed?? Where is there new stats on average loss? Rene

Rorysmom, thanks soooooo much! I have been waiting for this. CNN had anounced about 11 months ago that medicare was going to review the lapband and have an answer in 5 months. Well medicare never gave the answer. Wonder why it took so long to get it covered?

Cute puppy. How about Georgie? My moms dogs names are Bandi (short for Bandit) Daisy (Daisy Rose or Daisy Rosie) and Snuggles. Let us know!

AMy I'm researching too so good of you to ask. This here is a good site. She deflated her band after five yrs and she is doing a commercial for lap band here in CA. Robin's LapBand Journey Address:http://www.geocities.com/robinh26/lapband.html Changed:5:38 PM on Thursday, September 16, 2004 I haven't come across someone with the band that long other then Sharon Osborne! Rene

Anyone change there opinon now that its been awhile?

My BMI is 37 and I have hypoglycemia, and prediabetes which do NOT count for the surgery. But just find out my triglyerides are 320 (fasted on the blood test) but cholesterol is fine but good cholesterol is kinda low. Hard to get through to my dr I have Kaiser! thanks. Rene

Good for you Karen! Thanks for sharing. Rene

pizza pizza pizza!!!

If you google medicare lapband it will say that medicare is researching the band and doesn't cover it yet. This was a big deal months ago when medicare deleted obesity isn't considered a disease. It was on CNN and CnN announced medicare is considering covering it and they were supposed to have an answer after 5 month review. I called a major lapband office in San Francisco and she said no medicare doesn't cover it and spoke to medicare offten. She did say doctors can fudge on the coding and get it covered but their office doesn't do that. I also called Sacramentos lapband offices and got the same thing. Both lapband offices said that medicare will pay for the hospital part (a few thousand?) and that I'd have to pay for the surgeons fee. So you can save a little that way.

Kaiser in CA does cover it. I called member servives and went to the dr too last week. Your doc has to say that the band would be better then bypass. In Ca you have to have one of serious comorbidities if you are 35 to 39 bmi. Pre diabetes or hypoglycemia doesn't count which is my catagory. Keep calling till you get the answer you want!

Jodie, There is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome. I have had it for 6 yrs and even the National Institute of Health flew me out for 11 days to study me last yr There guess is reduced blood volume which I have and only 5 hosptials in the country can do the test but not all CFS have it but most do. I do. Having CFS I know you know there is no cure and exercise makes you worse! I am at the 37 BMI because of CFS not the other way around! I was very fit and exercise was my hobby. Rene

Thanks Star for your update! I needed to hear that as I was just in emergency the other day for severe abdominal pain and I'm like no way am I getting the lapband! Guess you get better but sure I will regret it for a couple of days. I thought when I was reading you thread you were gonna say you went and ate doughnuts!! TC Rene

Kylie, Good luck. I will follow up on you to find out how your adventure goes! Hope you get some sleep tonight! Rene

I would give a quick call and leave a message telling them you made a mistake. Then YOU won't have to worry anymore!

Minus the first 2 months or so who has NO side effects from the band other then what the band is supposed to do. Thanks, Rene

bump for Betty and pre ops

bump for Freckles. this ay help too!!

I called the local lap place here in Sacramento and she said that medicare only covers bypass. But she said that what they can do is bill medicare for the hospital stay and I'd have to pay a total of $7200 for the surgery and that would include on yr of fills. I told her I had called medicare and that the lady AT MEDICARE told me to just have my dr send it the papers that the dr would know how to code it. Medicare would not tell me outright if its covered. The lady in Sac said that yes if a dr is willing to "fudge" the coding that they can get it covered but that their drs don't do that. I'm going to keep waiting until I know that medicare will cover it. I know someday medicare will cover it!! Thannks Rene

Hi Terri, I guess there is some way but I've called the local clinics here in Sacramento and they don't take it. So I'll wait until the medicare report comes out on reviewing the lapband. Thanks!

I have looked for these and can't find any but went to amazon and found them. Do they work good? Don't see why they wouldn't but just don't know why no stores carry them. Thanks, Rene

I called Wal Mart too and they are in the fabric department. She said they only have 2 styles, 2 or 3 snaps. She said to go to Joann Fabrics they have a lot. Jo Anns is just down the street so thanks! Of course I'm not banded as I'd be getting smaller but I almost think I gaining just thinking of the band!

good I will get some. I called JC Penny and they have them! I had asked the gal at Lane Bryant and she said she didn't know who had them but everyone is always asking her. Thanks!

Just wanted to know who owns this site. thanks