snowbird

Be really careful when you schedule your surgery that EVERYONE involved is a preferred provider for BCBS. Our son went to the ER and checked that it was a preferred provider, but then we got an outrageous bill from the anaesthetist because he wasn't one. They just did an article on the news last night about this, how while your doctor might be covered, the lab he sends your work to isn't. It is really near criminal what the health care industry can do to those who think they are covered by insurance and too late, find that they aren't.

Where we have really noticed the savings is on our restaurant bills. We used to go out to eat several times a week, and now it just isn't worth it. In fact, we don't really like eating out anymore because we don't feel we have the time to chew well and eat slowly, plus the atmosphere is noisy and rushed. If we do eat out, we order an appetizer or share an entree, plus we drink just water, so our restaurant bill is less than half of what it used to be. We do have a drop in our regular food bill too, because we were eating healthy before--lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, not much prepared food. So it's not so much that we eat different things now, but we sure do eat a lot less!

Don't gauge how you will feel a month from now on how you feel right now! Getting surgery can cause some emotional reactions as well as physical, and it's not uncommon to feel down and discouraged right afterwards. Give yourself some time to heal and you'll be feeling much better in a couple of days. Hope your trip home goes well.

I was totally out for mine, so I have no recollection of it at all except for waking up. No big deal, definitely.

I had the endoscopy at the request of my PCP up in Washington state, because I had had some fairly severe GERD for several years and because I had tested positive for the bacteria causing stomach ulcers (which name escapes me at the moment). The endo found Barrett's esophagus, a cellular level change in esophageal tissue due to chronic reflux, so I am supposed to go back in every couple of years to check it. I still have reflux, though not as severe as before getting my band. I had an older friend who died of esophageal cancer a year ago, so it scares me. Dr Ortiz's clinic does fluoroscopy with every fill, which gives them a look at band position, but they have not mentioned having an endo regularly. I will ask when we are there in June. Thanks for everyone's kind words. I'm kind of stalled out on weight loss so close to goal, so it helps to reflect on past accomplishments!

Hi, Linda. When are you going to TJ? My husband and I are headed over around June 9, for a fill and some dental work. Husband has the Inamed VG band, while I have the smaller 4 cc band. I checked Dr O's website, and it says he does do the Realize band also. I believe he wait until he actually gets into surgery to decide which band is best for you.

My sister in law is a classic enabler; she's been married three times and every husband was an alcoholic, and she pushes food on my husband (her brother) and me all the time. When we were on Atkins she would invite us over for Pasta and mexican food. ????? And by the way, she is not heavy herself. I've given up on trying to figure it out. Otherwise she is a very nice person, so we just laugh and say, "There she goes again" when she goes into her food pusher identity. Just realize that the problem isn't yours; it's theirs.

marie, I would really appreciate it if you would let me know how your doctor's appointment goes. I am not looking for a doctor to help me with anything specifically band-related, just a PCP who understands the band and will be aware of what it means to be banded. I was amazed when I went to a gastroenterologist in Surprise for an endoscopy who had never even heard of lap band. I was his main source of information!

I would also go back to your primary physician and talk to him about co morbidities. See if he will go to bat for you with BCBS and help you document your reflux and any other problems stemming from your weight. My physician did a thorough interview documentin knee and joint pain, GERD, slightly elevated BP and cholesterol levels, and I was reimbursed quickly for my surgery in Mexico from FEP-BCBS.

My thighs are okay (well, not okay, but not as bad as a couple other areas, but my butt does have it own little butt hanging below it . . .

While I am fairly sure you will not agree with me, I have to say I do not believe we need a mommy here always telling us to play nice. Yes, we are adults. Adults sometimes express themselves strongly, especially when their beliefs and integrity are being questioned. Other posters will let us know when we cross the line. Please don't try to overpolice this forum; it will ruin it.

There is no one in particular I am calling an idiot, as this is all about generalities and not specific posts or posters. I do say that anyone who goes through surgery without knowing what it is about, what its results are, and what their requirements will be, is sadly lacking in the knowledge they will need to make it work.

Part of the research process? The original post was complaining about people ALREADY BANDED who had no idea what a fill is. I think it is the height of idiocy to undergo elective surgery and have no idea what it is about and what it entails. Yes, come here for research (well, maybe not on this thread), but don't wait until you've already spent thousands of your own or your insurance company's money only to find out you will need to seek follow up care and you still can't eat lasagna and pizza all the time.

Check out the Arizona forum under Local Lap Band Support Groups for postings from other Arizona bandsters.

I am very glad that you have had a good relationship with this doctor and he has treated you successfully. However, the opening poster did nothing wrong in asking about him, nor in reporting the facts of his past difficulties.

The gas was more of just an uncomfortable feeling for me than real pain. I was sore after the surgery and couldn't sleep on my left side for about a week, but it was very minimal and I took exactly one pain pill for it.

It does sound as though the doctor has an Atkins mindset, which says to count carbs, not calories. That can work, and I have lost quite a bit of weight (65 lb) doing Atkins, but I couldn't keep it off. Low fat foods often make up for the fat by adding extra sugar to make them taste better, so they aren't necessarily a good alternative. I usually look for low sugar rather than low fat in processed foods, and it seems to work for me. I don't know if this is your problem, but I have trouble being honest about portion size. I estimate rather than measure, and usually estimate low. Have you tried actually measuring your portions? Just trying to come up with ideas, not accusing you. Like I said, I know I lie to myself with portion size.

Well, think of all the threads we have here complaining about what people say about our weight, the backhanded compliments, the things we take offense at when none is intended. Why should we be surprised that men are afraid to say anything? My son is the same; he was visiting last week and didn't say a word until I brought the subject up, then just mumbled, "It shows."

I'm like Salsa; I'm not warm and fuzzy, but we are all willing to give anyone support. I'm no expert and I hit plateaus frequently, but I am willing to say it is my fault and not the band's. I do cringe when I see TV ads for lap band surgery. It isn't magical, it isn't effortless, it doesn't stop you from wanting to overeat. But it can work. It provides me a safety net that prevents me from eating enough to gain weight when I would have without it. My way of looking at it is, when I am properly restricted, the band stops me from binging and gaining, but I still have to work to lose weight. I am close to 100 lb less than my highest weight now, and while the band isn't responsible for all that weight, I expect I would weigh at least 80 lb more if I hadn't gotten it. You can ask for support and help here on a public forum or ask privately via private message. We come on this site to get help and to give it, to share ideas and experiences. Come take advantage of the years of band experience that is available here.

Well, he's a Mexican doctor, so maybe he's talking about Mexican soup?? Just kidding.

It's common to be able to eat more than we need before the first fill. A lot of people actually gain weight during this time. I didn't gain weight but I didn't lose any either. Until the fill, your band isn't really restricting what you can eat very much, so you are feeling almost like you never got a band. When he gets his fills, he should feel different and you should start noticing the restriction.

What I am missing is the resolution to your pain and suffering. Obviously you are not still dehydrated and unable to get liquids down, so what happened? Did you ever figure out what was wrong? Why was the surgeon telling you that you were able to get liquids down when you weren't? Did you ever figure out what was causing the pain?

Tijuana, Mexico, $8000, $100 each for fills with fluoro. Do you want insurance coverage amounts or just gross price? My insurance reimbursed me $7200.

It certainly doesn't hurt to discuss this with your surgeon. However, If I went to my surgeon right now, he would ask me, "Are you eating three meals per day of Protein and vegetables?" and I would have to say, "no." "Are you snacking on foods that your band does not restrict?" "Yes." Sometimes a little honest self-examination is more helpful and enough to resolve the problem. But if that doesn't give you any answers, talk to your doctor. By the way, I was on Atkins and lost 65 pounds with caffeine and artificial sweeteners every day. With my band, I've lost 68 lb doing the same. My nutritionist allows both coffee and artificial sweeteners, although many others disagree. If you honestly can't find another reason you aren't losing, it is certainly worthwhile to try cutting out caffeine and sweeteners.