BandChick64

Hi Holly-- I'm not much of an expert on the insurance factor either since I was a self-pay patient, but my best suggestion would be to call your insurance customer service number and discuss it with them. My understanding is that more and more insurance plans are paying for the surgery because it's cheaper than paying for treatment for all of the complications that can arise from being overweight. As far as the deductible, etc., you would need to figure out what your annual deductible is for your plan whether it's $500, $1000, etc. You would have to pay whatever portion of that deductible that you have not paid already this year + 20% of the cost of the surgery. The insurance would cover the other 80%. BUT you need to check with them to see if the surgery is excluded from coverage--it was on my husband's plan thru his work. Again I would call United Health Care and talk to them--or check with your surgeon's office. They deal with this stuff all of the time and generally can tell you or find out for you which insurance companies will pay and which ones won't. Good luck to you and keep us posted!!

On the subject of protein, once you get onto regular solid foods, some of the protein bars are really good. I really like the Zone Perfect bars--15 grams of protein and 200-210 calories depending on what flavor you choose. They are pretty tasty especially if you are having a chocolate craving and they fill me up for several hours--pretty good especially on a hectic day if you have a lot of running to do. You can get them at Walmart or Kroger usually near the organic or health food section. Just a suggestion if you're not one to go for the protein drinks. Hope everyone is doing well--just checking in!! Going for a follow up tomorrow morning with Dr Lusco--I'm not sure if he will do an adjustment or not--still losing 2-3 lbs a week. Take care everyone!!:biggrin:

Cbraessler-- You are in such good hands with that group of doctors. I see Dr. Lusco, but I know several people who are with Schuster. I can't say enough positive things about my experience with them all the way from the beginning until now. And that includes the girls in the bariatric office at the hospital who handle all of your scheduling, insurance, etc. as well as Kirk Evans and Lin Gant in the exercise program. I refer to Kirk as the Exercise Nazi but personally I needed that kick in the pants myself--and continue to allow him to torture me 3 times a week. It has helped so much and I feel unbelievably better about myself just these few short months later. Just remember that the band is only a tool and you still have to work really hard to see the pounds come off but it is so worth it. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Good luck with your journey and keep us all posted on your progress.

Raymer and Busy-- How are you guys feeling?? Just wanted to check in and see how everyone is progressing. Let us know!!

Hi Busywoman-- I'm glad you're doing better!! I think I remember having a headache about 2 days later also. I'm not quite sure why--but everyone I talk to seems to say the same thing--that 2 days after the surgery is the day they felt the worst. After that things seem to improve day by day. I would say that you will be fine to return to work on Wednesday based on what you are telling me. My surgery was on Tuesday and I went back to work the following Monday and started working out at the gym the same day. (Just finished my hour on the treadmill a few minutes ago--I pretty much try to do an hour every day--and it makes all the difference in the world with the weight loss!!) As far as the gas, I think everyone is different. Personally I really didn't have much of a problem with gas at all, but I know some people say that it lasts for a couple of weeks. I think I took the chewable gas-x tablets for 2 or 3 days and that was about it. It's mostly from the air they pump into you during the surgery. Hopefully it will subside within a few days. I think walking helps with the gas also so if you're up to walking on the treadmill for a few minutes at a time as you've been doing that should help a lot. Be sure to drink lots of water and get plenty of rest--you'll feel better in no time!! Keep us posted on your progess!! :thumbdown:

Hey Busywoman-- Glad to hear that you are doing well!! The soreness will get better after a few days. Keep us posted on how you are feeling!! The protein is very important. I never actually purchased any of the protein powder--but I've heard that some of it is not bad at all. I think if you get the unflavored kind that you can mix it with pretty much anything. Once you get on solid food though, I don't think it's that hard to get the protein in. I haven't had much trouble with that. Good luck!! :cheers2:

Name...................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Go Momto1plus1.........228.8...........227.6............218 .8.......8.8 Teresajo.................195..............188................185...... .....3 Shortgal..................189..............184................182..... ......2 Hollyberries............278..............268................270....... ..(-2) Trixie.......................241..............221................221.. .........0 Osangriared...........262..............254................250......... ..4 Mariegabrieleee....252..............247................240...........7 Longhorn................204..............195................195....... ....0 Shalee04...............205...............198................197....... ....1 wnt2lose................226...............219.................216..... .......3 BandChick64.........241...............231................230.............1

Raymer-- Good luck on your surgery this week!! Let us know how you are doing!! This is such an exciting time. One piece of advice for you-- Don't be shy about asking for pain medication immediately after the surgery. If you wake up hurting they can definitely help with that. The nurses in the post op at St Mary's were excellent. They gave me a shot of morphine as soon as I woke up even feeling a twinge of pain. I think I ended up getting 2 shots before I left the hospital that afternoon, and everything was fine after that. I didn't even get the pain med prescription filled--I just took tylenol. Good luck and keep us posted!! :thumbup:

Busywoman-- You have your pre-op testing on Monday, right?? The best of luck to you. Please let us know how things go!! Everything should move pretty quickly after that. Also--I saw your question about how soon you can return to work after the surgery. I had surgery on a Tuesday, and just took vacation the rest of the week. I went back to work on the following Monday and started working out at the gym the same day. The 2nd day after the surgery (Thursday) was really the only day I felt kind of bad. By Friday evening, I wasn't even taking Tylenol or anything for pain--just a little sore after that. Of course, everyone's experience is unique so others might have a different story. I can only speak for myself, but from what I gather from speaking to other people, I think what I experienced is pretty typical. I would say you would be fine after a week. Good luck!! :thumbup:

Longhorn-- I guess I've been out of touch and haven't been keeping up with the posts much lately. I've read thru all of the messages this morning, and I am so sorry to hear about everything that you are dealing with. I know that nothing I can say is going to make much of a difference, but please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you!! Hang in there and your fellow bandsters will be thinking about you and sending healthy vibes your way!! Bobbi

Name...................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Go Momto1plus1.........228.8............228.4............218 .8.......9.6 Trixie....................241..............224.5............221....... ...3.5 Osangriared...........262..............255...............250.......... 5 wnt2lose...............226..............219...............216......... .3 TxArcher...............345..............337...............325......... 12 Shortgal................188..............185...............182........ ..3 Sades...................201..............197...............190........ ..7 Shalee04...............205..............200...............197......... 3 Mariegabrieleee.......252..............249...............240.......... 9 Longhorn...............204..............196...............195......... .1 Hollyberries............278..............270...............274........ ..4 BandChick64...........241..............232...............230...........2 3rd Fill was on Monday and it was just what I needed to get the scales moving again. Being on liquids for 3 days sure helped!! Great job to everyone!! :tea:

Hi Everyone--I haven't checked the boards for a while so I kinda feel out of touch with everyone's progress. Raymer--Congratulations on your approval and making it thru the Pre-op testing yesterday. The barium stuff is definitely the worst part of the whole process. Things will move quickly now and before you know it you will be back home and your surgery will be done. I am with same group--I have Dr. Lusco who I dearly love!! My surgery was the week before Thanksgiving and I can honestly tell you that it has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. I only wish I had done it sooner. This whole thing is a learning process of course, and you will learn thru trial and error what you can and cannot eat afterwards. Different foods affect people differently. The one thing I will stress is EXERCISE!! I literally was a total couch potato, and now I am on the treadmill for an hour 4-5 days a week, working with weights, on a bike, etc. The hospital has an absolutely awesome program, which I have continued to use even after the 6 week free period. Kirk is one of those people that you either love or hate. I happen to think he's awesome--but I needed that kick in the pants to get me moving. If you watch The Biggest Loser, he's like Bob and Jillian all rolled into one person. He's tough but very supportive. But I truly credit the exercise with my success with this program. And if I can get off my butt and do this, ANYONE can!! Sorry for the really long post--Good luck to you and let us know about your progress!! And enjoy that Texas Roadhouse steak!!:tea:

No change for me this week either. Going for a fill tomorrow (Monday), so I'm hoping that will get it moving again. I also only worked out twice this week instead of my usual 4-5 days. So maybe I need to get moving again too!! Shortgal................189.............188.2.............184......... 4.2 TxArcher...............345..............342...............325......... 17 Osangriared...........262..............258...............250.......... .8 Shalee04...............205..............203...............197......... ..6 Trixie....................241.............231................221...... ....10 Longhorn...............204.............197.4.............195.......... .2.4 Teresajo................195..............190...............185.... .... ..5 Hollyberries.............278.............273................270....... ....3 Skinny_Jill..............186..............182...............178....... .....4 want2lose..............226..............221.8.............216......... ...4.2 MarieGabrieleee......252.............251................240.........11 Momto1plus1.........228.8..........230.2.............218.8.........11. 4 BandChick64..........241..............238................230.............8

Name...................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Go 1. TxArcher............345 ............342................325.........17 2. Skinny_Jill..........186.............184................178........... 6 3. Momto1plus1......228.8..........229.2.............218.8.......10.4 4, Longhorn...........204.............199.4.............195...........4.4 5. Mariegabrieleee...252.............251................240.........11 6. Teresajo............195.............193...............185.... ... .10 7. Shortgal............189.............189.................184......... 5 8. Trixie................241.............235.................221......... 14 9. want2lose........226.............223.5...............216..........7.5 10. bandchick64.....241.............238.................230...........8

Can I play too?? I missed out on the last one and it sounds like you all did really well!! :wink_smile: Name...................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Go 1. Momto1plus1......228.2..........228.2.............218...........10 2. Mariegabrieleee...252............252................240...........12 3. TxArcher............345.............345...............325...........20 4. Trixie.................241............241................221.......... .20 5. Longhorn............204............204................199............5 6. Tralynn222.........320............320.................310..........10 7. shalee04............205............205.................197.......... 8 8.ellebrookes..........178............178.................169......... ..9 9. Skinny_Jill...........186...........186..................178.......... 8 10 Shortgal ............189...........189.................184............5 11. Sades...............201...........201..................190..........11 12.lisawach.............300...........300.................285......... ..15 13. BiggestLoser2be..198...........198.................188...........10 14. want2lose..........226...........226.................216...........10 15. Osangriared........263...........263................250............13 16. Cindyg...............215...........215................200............1 5 17. Teresajo............195.............195...............185............1 0 18. BarbBee.............270.............270...............259............1 1 19. BandChick64.......241.............241...............230.............11

Hi Everyone--I haven't posted for quite a while, but I thought this topic was interesting. I went for my 2nd fill this past Monday, and I now have a total of 3.9 cc's in my 10cc band, and I feel restriction too. It seems like several people have said they are feeling it at around the 4cc point. I've been back on solid foods for about 3 days now, and I seriously am getting full after just a few bites, and I find myself having to slow down much more than before. I am PRAYING that this continues. I dropped about 7 lbs this week--of course it was that time of the month, so that counts for a good part of it. But I am so happy--I have never been so motivated to lose weight and keep it off. I am actually hopeful for the first time in years that I'm actually going to be able to do this!! Everyone here seems to be doing so well!! This is a great board!!

Hi Cerrin-- I love Dr. Lusco--he's kind cute too!! I just went for my 2nd adjustment this past Monday, but I've never had an experience with fluoro. I know from reading the message boards that some other surgeons only do the fills using that fluoro, so I don't think it's anything to worry about. From my understanding, I think it's just a way to locate your port a little easier. I think he looks at it on a machine and that you can actually see the Water going down--I've heard that it's pretty cool to see. Good luck and I will probably see you at the next support group meeting!!

Hi Busywoman-- I had my surgery on a Tuesday, and went back to work the following Monday. I just took a week of vacation, and I was fine. I started working out that evening also, and although I was really tired, I didn't have any problems. I work at a desk so my job is not physically strenuous. I know everyone is different but as long as you don't do a lot of heavy lifting, I think you will be fine. As far as the testing, my experience might be different since I was a self-pay patient. I didn't have to do a sleep study. My pre-op testing was all done in one day about 10 days before my surgery. They did an EKG, a chest x-ray, blood work, and a barium swallow (which is completely disgusting). That was on a Friday, and I had my follow up appointment with Dr. Lusco on that next Monday, and he already had all of the results. I started my pre-op diet that next day and then surgery was a week later. I hope that helps!! I wish you the best of luck with your surgery!! Take care!!

Hi Everyone-- I was banded on 11-13-07 by Dr. Lusco at St. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital in Louisville. I can't say enough positive things about that group--the doctors, the girls in the bariatric office at the hospital, and Kirk Evans and Lin with the exercise program. I've lost 47 lbs so far including the 7 day pre-op diet. I'm working out 3 days a week at the hospital and the other days at home. I go for my 2nd adjustment on Monday, 1-21-08. My insurance would not pay for the surgery so I paid for it myself, and it was worth every penny. I would do it over again in a heartbeat. It's amazing how much better I feel in such a short time. I hope everyone else is doing well also!!

I guess I was really lucky!! I had surgery on a Tuesday morning and by Friday, I wasn't even taking Tylenol. Just some soreness and very minor gas. The 2nd day after the surgery was the worst. I went back to work the following Monday and began working out 3 days a week from that point on. It truly has been a really good experience for me. No problems at all. I think everyone is different though. I hope that helps!! Best of luck to you with your surgery!!

My doctor told me not to drive the day of the surgery and to use caution if I was taking the pain medication. I took a week of vacation the week of my surgery so I think it was probably about 3 days before I drove. As far as exercise, my surgeon's office has a complete 6 week exercise program set up at the hospital for his patient's use beginning a week after surgery. You can participate longer for a monthly fee. So I've been working out in the rehab gym 3 days a week with treadmills, recumbent bikes, weights, etc. It actually helps to go work out with people who have had the same surgery and are at different stages in the process. I haven't had any problems at all--just sore for the first few days. Hope that helps!! Good luck!!

My surgery was yesterday--and today everything seems to taste funny!! Even water!! Kinda weird--has anyone else had that experiece or am I crazy?? Wait--maybe I don't want the answer to that!!

I am SOOO glad I'm not the only one. Water finally started tasting more normal last night. My surgery was Tuesday--supposed to start full liquids today but I really have no appetite for anything whatsoever. Plus I opened my big mouth yesterday and said I wasn't having any gas trouble, and now this morning I feel like I have a big lump in my throat and I'm afraid to put anything in it. Is that gas?? It's kinda scary--almost like I can feel something in there when I swallow. Is that normal??

Wow--that's awesome to be doing it together as a family. My husband is thinking about it also. We went to the initial seminar together. MY surgery was yesterday (11-13)--I think my DH wants to make sure that I do ok first before he commits to it. He's a big chicken!! I guess he figures that if I don't complain about it, then he might do ok. But then again--he's whiny when he gets sick and I'm not. And everytime I get sick he thinks he has it too. My Mom says that the only thing I've ever done that he hasn't is give birth--and he gained more weight than I did when I was pregnant. Too funny--but I think he might consider it if I do well with it. And so far so good... Good luck to everyone on their upcoming surgeries!! :clap2:

Hi Everyone!! This is my very first day of posting. I've been lurking and reading everyone else's messages for a couple of months now. I was banded yesterday (11-13) and I'm doing fine. My surgery was scheduled for 9:30 yesterday--had to be at the hospital at 7am. I was home by about 2:30pm. They kept me for a little while because my oxygen level was a little low (mostly because I have asthma). The Dr. prescribed something for pain and for nausea, but so far I've only taken Extra-Strength Tylenol (the liquid kind). They also stuck a sea-sick patch behind my right ear which I took off early this morning. I'm sitting here drinking coffee right now--so far no nausea and the Tylenol is managing the pain and soreness very well. No gas pain either. My surgeon and another from his practice did 9 band surgeries yesterday--they have 2 surgeons for each procedure. The bariatric office at the hospital called me a little while ago to see if I was ok. I can't say enough about the staff here in Louisville, KY. They are AWESOME!! I'm anxious to hear everyone else's stories--your posts are what has kept me calm the last few weeks!! Thanks to all and to everyone still waiting surgery, I wish the best of luck!! I hope everyone has as easy of a time as I have so far (knocking on wood!). Have a great day!! Bobbi :embarassed: