choldren

Just wondering if anyone having lap band surgery was paid by Anthem BC/BS insurance? Anthem (VA) told me Bariatric surgery was covered under my policy but only if I had a BMI of 40 or 35 if I have life threatening problems. My BMI is 34.5 and I have no (that I know of) life threatening problems. I think I'm going on to MX to have it done and self pay since it's cheaper and they do have more experience but just wanted to see if anyone else has had a similar situation as mine before making my final decision. **** Also, if anyone has any input on their experiences in MX and lap band surgeries I would love to hear them. Thanks so much!

I was wondering if anyone who band surgery in MX (TJ) has been able to write off surgery expenses on their Federal tax return. I don't see any harm in at least trying to do so.....what can I lose?

I never had heartburn before my band and not after until the last 4-5 days. I was banded in late Aug. 2005. I had a very bad PB experience a week ago so it makes me think my heartburn must have something to do with the PB. I never knew heartburn hurts as much as it does. When I first got it I thought I was having a heart attack, scared the bejeevers out of me! At first it was just after eating dinner (soup the first time). Now it seems like everything I eat goes straight to heartburn. I have swallowed Malox, cimetidine, Rolaids, just about anything I could find in hopes of getting rid of this monster in my chest. I had a fill in early Oct. but it was only .6cc's so it couldn't be that my band is too tight. This is driving me crazy, not to mention how uncomfortable it is, so if anyone could shed any light on this for me, I would appreciate it.

Internal disolving stitches and external glue.....in my opinion, that's the way to go!

If your MIL has a computer or access to one and knows how to use it, give her this web site and this thread "I hate my in-laws" and show her what everyone has said about her. Maybe she could see how much in the wrong she is if she would read what everyone here has to say about her. I don't know which is worse, telling you what she thinks to your face or her going directly to her "gossip machine" (phone) to tell everyone she knows what you've done wrong (in her opinion), like my MIL does, gossip is a way of living for her. Juicy news like that travels far and fast but when you loose 20, 50, or 100lbs. I'll betcha she doesn't tell anybody. Funny, how juicy or bad news travels fast but good news just sits there. Your hubby should definately have stood up for you.....shame on him. I had my surgery in TJ too with Dr. Ortiz and the only ones that know about that is my DH who went with me and my daughter who still is in shock that I went to TJ to have it done but she knows to keep her comments to herself because I'm just ready to BLOW if any negative comments are made. Good luck and hope things can be smoothed out because I know how uncomfortable things can be in a family when there is a division between family members. Be proud and don't let the old biddy get you down!

I'm post-op 4 weeks (Aug 24) . I've been walking daily on my treadmill but haven't started back to my aerobics / pilates exercise yet. Does anyone know how soon we can get back to those exercises without pulling or harming my band?

My DH and I are self-employed. We own and run a Roofing / Siding / Windows business, http://www.holdrenroofing.com/door/ . I also sold on e-bay for about 5 years but got out of it, at least for a while. I want to get back into it but right now we're busy trying to do some up-dating of our home, which is a pain in the butt. We have 2 adult children who live about 200 miles away from us in Charlotte, NC.

Hi Amy, I live in Roanoke County, not far from Halifax or Montgomery Co. I was born here many moons ago and although my DH and I love the beach I would be lost if I lived outside of these Blue Ridge Mountains. Both counties you you're considering are very nice but if I had to choose I would probably choose Montgomery Co. The mountains and hills are beautiful there and VA Tech is located there. There's lots of small little country roads and towns in the area that we love to visit especially at this time of year. If there's any specific questions you would like to know just e-mail me and I'd be happy to help. Good luck! Carolyn

I've felt so good since surgery, 8/24/05, so I started walking on my treadmill about 5 days ago for 2 slow miles each day. Yesterday after I finished my left side port area and a little to the left of that, started hurting. The pain was similar to that when you've eaten alot then ran or walked fast. As long as I was sitting it was okay but when I walked or went up and down stairs it would hurt again. I've not had a fill yet but since yesterday it seems like I'm having a lot of trouble just getting down juice, like it's just sitting in my throat. If any of you have had similar experiences I'd really like to hear them. My mind is going nuts thinking all kinds of things that could be wrong. Thanks so much for any ideas!

I'm getting my first fill in about 3 weeks and would love to hear from some of you about your fills. Do most Dr.'s numb around the port area before putting the needle in or is it really uncomfortable enough to need numbing? About how long does it take to do it? I'm anxious to get my 1st fill but sorta nervous too since I really dont know what to expect. At least when I had surgery I was totally asleep and didn't know anything that was going on. I even told the the Dr. when he woke me up after surgery "don't do anything yet, I'm still awake!" He then told me, while really laughing, that it was all over. Boy, was I relieved! I always had a fear of waking up during surgery because that happened to my daughter a few years ago and that was a terrible thing to happen to a young person or for that matter, to anyone! Thanks for any input about your fill experiences.

Diane, I'd say go for it if you can resist eating alot of the wonderful food on board. By then you should be off of your liquid diet. This is some info on another surgeon that's in Concord NC, which isn't far out of Charlotte. His name, address and contact info is : ROC W. BAUMAN, MD 1090 VINEHAVEN DR. NE CONCORD, NC 28025 CAROLINA WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY 704-786-5700 Here is a link where you can read testimonials from former lap-band patients: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidob...uman+fmd.ht ml I don't know him personally but he's a Dr. that I came across when I was doing lap band surgery research. I live in VA, my daughter lives in Charlotte. Good luck, Carolyn

Hi Missy, I'm 17 days post-op. It sounds to me that the hard thing you're referring to is your port where you will have your fills put in. That's what is hard under the skin. Good luck on your weight loss. Carolyn

Thank goodness you're okay now. That must have been a horribly scary thing for you. I can't believe that just happened today and you're already telling your story. When you called Dr. Martinez on his cell ph. was he helpful? I had a PB 4 days post-op but it was because I did something really stupid, I gotta tell you I thought for a few minutes there I was going to die. I didn't throw up blood though. Well, I'm glad all is well with you now. Take care.

I need to know if any of you had your first fill less than 6 weeks after surgery. I scheduled my 1st fill 5 weeks and 3 days post-op thinking it was 6 weeks 3 days. I even got plane reservations and don't know if I can change them now. My Dr. said 1st fill 6-8 weeks post-op. Any input would be appreciated.

I'm going to have lap band surgery Aug. 24 and then scheduled to fly home on the 26th. The thing is, I'm flying from San Diego across country to VA, will I be unbearablly uncomfortable sitting for so long or should I reschedule my flight a day later? I've heard so many of you talk about the gas pains in the stomach and shoulders. I tried to get first class seats so I would have more room to stretch but all were sold out. Has anyone else done this? Any input would be great! Thanks. Carolyn

My surgery date is Aug. 24th with Dr. Ortiz in MX. I haven't gotten real nervous yet but I don't think it has sunk in yet that I'm really going to do this. Other than having 2 babies, i've never been admitted to the hospital for anything so I imagine when it comes right down to it I will be a wreck! I wish they would just knock me out before i leave my hospital room so I won't see the Op Room. I know, I'm a big baby. Time is getting closer so hope to have some good vibes from the great people on this board. Thanks so much! Carolyn

I'm looking for a Dr in VA (I live in Roanoke) that will do fills or will take care in case of emegency on lap band patient done in MX. I still plan on going back to MX for first couple fills but would feel better if I know if I have a Dr close by in case of emergency. Thanks for any info!