TXbandit

Actually, we don't have that "moderate" choice at the voting box....it's either democrat or republican or independent....so the poll was a very good idea and the results are so interesting!!!

Hi, Steve, You are in the right place to get some good information. Use the search option, requesting that the search be for all posts on the subject you want info about. Re: insurance.....I used to work for the TX Department of Insurance, the agency that regulates all types of insurance in the state. We received many complaints from people wanting bariatric surgery and having problems with their insurance companies. Basically, either the surgery is excluded, which means you can try everything to get the coverage and never be covered. No matter how many letters or attempts you make, "excluded" means it will not be covered. Some companies require you to jump through hoops (some good and some ridiculous) in order to get coverage....some insurance companies will cover portions of the costs but not all. There are groups of people who lobby state legislatures to pass laws mandating coverage, but in TX, it is not a mandated benefit (one example that comes to mind is the law requiring insurance companies to cover breast reconstruction after mastectomies). I don't know if any states have mandated coverage for bariatric surgery yet. Each policy, or contract, is different. If the insurance company is not responding to you or is not living up to their contract with you, contact your state department of insurance. In my case, the dear old state of TX BCBS policy excludes the procedure, so I think of the financing of the band as my "new car." :bandit

My kids saw one of my old vinyl records and wanted to know where I got the Big CD....

It is post-op day 8 for me and until today I have been in the best mood! Today is another story.....I am having PMS and haven't had a period in 3 years (one of menopause's benefits :nervous). I am eating mushies with the good feeling of fullness, my husband is super, nothing has changed since yesterday......I searched the forum and read other posts about the blues - most of them were from people still on liquids. I have eaten real food for the past 2 days, so that isn't the cause. Oh, well.....let me hear from you if this has been your experience; and what did you do about it if anything? Sometimes ya just gotta wait it out. :rain:

Thanks, everyone for your feedback. I did get out of the house yesterday afternoon and felt immediately better. In Texas it is cold and rainy, but liveable (unlike some areas of the country). You will love eating your first real food! I am 9 days out and had tuna salad yesterday. I don't usually like it, but wow, was it good! So I think cabin fever and post anesthesia hangover were to blame. :bandit

I started mushies, and I promise you - the hunger is much more in control than when I was on liquids. It is a great feeling!

It is funny how all the docs have different post-op plans. Do they give different restrictions in the band at the time of surgery? Just curious as to why the difference in plans.....if anyone knows. My plan has worked well for me - one week of any liquid thin enough to go thru a straw (don't use a straw) and the 2nd week starts the mushy stage. Others have different plans. :bandit

This is day 6, and my post op diet includes one week of liquids followed by 2 weeks of mushies, then solids. Instead of eating a horse, I had a scrambled egg this morning, one day early. That was 2 hours ago, and I am still full. It is a different kind of full, but it'll do!! I feel almost normal this morning - went out last night to the movie store, and got dizzy and weak. But that is how I felt each time I started a very low calorie diet or Atkins.....so it was the lack of food, not the surgery. After the amazing egg, I feel pretty great! :hungry:

Jais, your surgeon sister would tell you to take your pain meds! I took them as prescribed for 2 days, then tried to not take them, began hurting badly and ended up taking them for another 24 hours because I let the pain sneak back up...haven't had any since Sat morning at 5. I'm a nurse and know better - patients should always take their meds and not let the pain get out of control. Oh, well..... It gets better everyday post-op, and I think it is wonderful that you got this band at your young age. My doc said it is like a guard standing over you. You still have to make the right decisions, but there is that band and it could make your life miserable if you overeat. Hope you get to feeling better soon!

Funny, I was just thinking as I watched yet another pizza commercial, that I could eat a horse also!! I am only 5 days out and can tolerate all drinks and even snuck in a little applesauce this morning. I can feel the restriction, though! I think some folks have more swelling and restriction right after surgery. I am already starting to eye the baby food I have in the pantry...(never thought I'd say that)

Wow, some of you are doing well - I did a "load" of 4 things in the laundry and walked out to get the mail on day 4!! I took my narcotic pain med for 4 days, and recommend that anyone having pain over a "6" should take their medicine as long as needed. Everyday gets better....today is day 5. The port hurts, I am woozy headed, and I am really hungry (head hunger), noticing all the pizza commercials; BUT I am feeling free from worring about dieting. I don't have the choice to overeat, because I don't want to get sick or cause band problems. For now, that is enough to keep me behaving. My doc said it is like having someone standing guard over me. I have to learn to think of something else besides food, though. That used to take up alot of my time! So far, I have lost 6 lbs.

I smoked about 3-5 cigs a day prior to banding, and haven't wanted one since I got home....3 days ago! Maybe the band cures smoking??? He he....I don't plan on picking them up again. Blessing in disguise!

Well, I got to thinking that I will get bills for the incentive spirometer, barium swallow, etc, but that I would take them to True Results and have them deal with it since it is "all inclusive." I didn't have to give any checks to anyone, I guess True Results took care of that. I do know, however, from working in the insurance industry, the bill the doc charges and the amount he/she is reimbursed are often two different things. If the anesthesiologist agreed to the 1000 reimbursement, but billed 1500, he has to accept the 1000. Your doc's office people deal with this all the time, I am sure. I liked the hospital staff and the place was very clean, but I think they could spread out pre-op a little so you don't hear what is going on right next to you. I am a hospital surveyor, so those things come to mind. I have no complaints, however. I am just so glad to have it OVER!!! I don't wait well, and the 2 months I planned the surgery were just too long. I had to put it off because of other family members' medical issues, but now it is done. yippee!!

Chris, it is good to see you doing well - you were banded one day before me, and I am just now getting back into a normal good mood. How is your pain?

I was banded on the 4th, and the first taste of broth was wonderful!!! I am drinking things I hated before - V-8 juice and those liquid yogurts.....I hate mashed potatoes, but am looking forward to those as well.

Hi, Longhorn! Glad to hear you're doing well - I have had a wild 3 days post-op, and it is good to hear that finally, it feels normal again. The port-site pain is bad right when I stand up, then goes away. I am getting off the liquid Vicodin, and today is better than yesterday! Woo Hoo!

That is funny, because I gained 15 lbs just to make my BMI higher before going in for a consultation. I was 5'8", 218 lbs. I gained up to 233 to be sure I could get the procedure done, because I knew it was only a matter of time until my weight DID rise! My insurance (state employee in TX) excludes procedure for any reason so I was self pay. I thought I would enjoy gaining the weight, but I couldn't breathe, had no energy, cried all the time, etc....Made me all the more sure I wanted to do this. And even on post op day 3, I am glad.

I got some Beano tablets, crushed them, mixed them in a little water and drank 'em down prior to "eating" my protein shake. I think it helped.

Carol, I am so sorry - but soon you will have some answers. Plus, I believe everything happens for a reason. If the same thing happened to me, I would be telling myself that maybe the timing for me getting the band was off, or for some other reason, it was not supposed to happen now....hang in there! I arrived at the hospital yesterday at 6:30 am for 8 am surgery. I didn't go in until 11! But I woke up in recovery at 1:00. That is so right about anesthesiologists - they seem to love giving you that first IV push into oblivion. Mine was humming "Margaritaville." When I woke up in recovery, I knew where I was and realized I wasn't hurting at all, except for a little pressure. Then I had to get up and go to the xray department for a drink of barium and a picture to see if the liquid was able to get through. After having nothing to eat or drink for a day, I can say the barium actually tasted good!! My only complaint was an extreme dizziness and weakness. That didn't go away until about 2:30 pm when I left to come home. I was still alert enough to "back-seat drive" for my husband, though.:rolleyes I have been taking the liquid Vicodin on schedule, but today I am pretty sore and swollen and feel like I should put on a tight t-shirt to brace the incisions. Gas is a problem, but I take the Gas-X strips every four hours, too. I'm not the type of person to pass gas in front of my husband, but I think he is getting a kick out of it! :straight When I start experiencing problems, I think back on all the posts I read before - the main one was trying to get up and down in bed, and trying to sleep on my side. I am thankful for all the good info I have read on this website....and hope all goes well for the Merry Losers!:bandit

I have been going to Curves for about a year. Anyone else go there, and when did you go back after surgery?:bandit

Well, Crispy and traci - y'all are young - I am 55 and I never get bored with Curves. There is something about everyone talking and getting some excercise at the ripe old ages of 50+:bandit

Thanks for the info - I am going to be banded in the morning and am freaking out a little. It helps to read others' experiences.

Hi, Candy, We are scheduled for the same date and both chose the daisy chain for our ticker.....maybe we are looking toward Spring, when we will be lighter! I am 55, but remember that even at the young age of 47 time just seemed to fly by. That is a good thing, now!!

Beka, yesterday I was also looking thru posts and noticed that most people who post are new to the band. I TOO wanted to hear from some others who have been banded for awhile to see how they are doing. Thanks for your thread!! Since I am so close to surgery, I wanted to stay positive, so I told myself that the oldies are all happy and without complications, so they are not needing the support anymore. I was glad to read that same answer from someone responding to your posts. Now, if someone could tell me what the acronym PB stands for....I know it means barfing, but I can't figure out the PB part....I would think BC (blow chow) or HC (hurl chow). :bandit

You are so young - it is wonderful that you had this done at this time in your life. I am 55 and getting close to my surgery date. When I was 25, I was on diet pills and maintained 155 at 5'9". Then the diet pills stopped working and I gained up to 225 in the past few years. Also, now you won't have the yo yo dieting that messes with your health and with your mind. Hope you get to feeling good really soon!