beeblers

SHOULDER PAIN!! I HAVE IT! There was a study done in Australia (they have been doing LAGB longer than US) that showed that at one week post op 62% of pts had left tip shoulder pain and by 5 weeks post op 23% still had it. It is common among laparoscopic surgeries like gallbladdr etc. It usually is worse sitting up, taking a deep breath, eating, it is sometimes relieved by laying down. Related to the nerves that get irritated in the diaphram during surgery, either by the gas or the manipulation, It is called "referred pain" similar to the way a heart attack will "refer" pain down the left arm. I am 5 days post op and am dealing with some pretty nasty left tip shoulder pain right now, it is better if I lay down, worse sitting up. I hope I am not in the 5 week group, because it is the only thing that really hurts right now!

I would also question if the office staff that treated you so badly was really a "Nurse" at all. :omg: Most office staff are medical assistants not nurses and they do not have the background to be hounding you like this. I take it personally when a medical assistant tries to pass themselves off as a "nurse". Here in Cali, only and LVN or RN can legally use the term nurse! So what you may have experienced was a entirely uninformed individual expressing her opinion and not backed up with any education or science! I also would tell the MD, he needs to know how his office staff is treating his client who pay everyones salary! You know what they say about bad word spreading faster than good! Take care, an RN in California, just banded 10/26/2007:)

I would have to say I haven't had much of any experience with the insurance co. I called to see what was required back in May 07 and they said they covered lapband but had to be done at a center of excellence, they required a psych consult and nutrition consult. I didn't think to ask them about the BMI since mine is well within and I have diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and asthma. (they probably HATE insuring me). Heck they would have don GB on me in a heartbeat. The program at SRMC did the insurance paperwork for me. I have not heard a peep. I still have my surgery date, and they just called yesterday to confirm the date and tell me they were sending the preop diet and prep instructions in the mail. I guess I am approved??? I have dual coverage (thru my hubby) it is BC also. All BC's are not created the same...for instance mine (primary) won't cover out of network AT ALL. Wheras, hubby's will at the "usual and customary" fee. So it all depends on your plan. Call em, find out, get a plan summary book. I may be jinxing myself but I haven't heard peep one from them.:zip:

Hi everyone, I have lurked around this board while researching the band. Now I finally have a surgery date...10/26/07. Hope everything goes OK. Looking forward to everyones helpful suggestions and experiences! Thanks for all of them so far. I am going to look up how to put the ticker on my profile.

Thanks, They are starting up a new lapband program in Redding, CA. at Shasta Regional Medical Center. They have done GB for 5 years now, and are a center of excellence (which Blue Cross required). I will be the first or second patient my docter has banded. I am not afraid, it is Mark Nichols and he is a most excellent surgeon. He performs lots and lots of lap surgeries..some of the hardest, plus the proctor has done hundreds and will be there also every step of the way. It's like getting two doctors for the price of one! Dr. Nichols is one of our best trauma surgeons. ( I happen to work for the "other" hospital, but they don't do bariatrics there). So I will let you guys know what happens!