justmel1957

Thanks for the link, and I checked it out, but it is not available in my area...............darn! I really wanted to try it out.........

As a previous surgical nurse..........All surgical patients are intubated. That's a given. You may not know it, but as soon as you are "out" the intubation tube is inserted. It is usually removed as soon as you are safely "out of the influence". And you may not think so, but you want it there. If anything unexpected were to happen, (and 99.9 % of the time everything goes fine) the intubation tube is in place to provide the means for needed support measures. You won't have an option in choosing or not to have the ET tube. Sure, it may cause a little discomfort but the safety it provides for both you and your anesthesiologist is well worth it.

Gosh, I hope we have them here in the mid-west..........I would love to try them.

My doc doesn't use fluro either...........he has me do a "mini-crunch" (half of a sit-up), then one poke (which i don't feel much of anything) and he's done.........I'm in and out in 5 min or less.

Where do you get the chewable pre-natal? Would love to try it.

That's what I was wondering also.......I had considered pre-natals myself, but they are sooooo big. Where do you find the liquid?

I was required to spend the 1st nite in the hospital, but even then I was up without help and walking the halls pretty easily. My only restriction was no driving til my post op visit, and not to lift anything heavier than a gallon of millk.

I too had both at the same time and it was no problem. In fact the HH repair was the best thing that has happened so far. I used to have a terrible time with severe reflux. Couldnt eat after 4pm or else I would aspirate stomach content into my lungs causing pneumonias, etc.........im so glad that he repaired it. it has been a god send!

I initially planned to keep it hush hush, but eventully it became evident from my weight loss, and needing time off from work for DR's appt's, eating changes, etc that I had something done. I figured, it's just easier to not try to hide it. So far, I've had only good comments, and others asking more specifics because they have been considering WLS.

I KNOW!!! Don't you just love it!!!!

Huh..........I didn't have to do that. I only paid $40 total to the hospital. The only thing I had to pay xtra for was the bill from the doc who did my contrast xray for the swallowing eval the next morning. He was not a BCBS provider. It was $82. Must be in how the facility submits the bill?

My hospital overnight/surgery was a $40 co-pay. Everytime I see the doc for a visit or a fill it is $30. But, perhaps the difference is my doc does not fill me underfluroscopy. Does yours?

Check the benefit page on the on line Fed BCBS site. It depends I think on if you are being considered a 23 hour patient (which is essentially out patient) or a full admit.

It also depends on whether you have the Basic or Standard Fed BCBS option. With basic option, I only pay $30 per fill/visit co-pay. I was approved for an overnite with a $40 co-pay and rec'd a approval letter prior to surgery. (not a pre-cert number, that is only done for in-patient status (over 23 hr stay). With basic option, you just have to be sure that your provider and hospital are BCBS providers. If not, there is no coverage at all. With standard option, there is some coverage if you are out of network, but it is less). Also, the state is which you are having the surgery is the state that approves or denies. I live in Illinois, but had my surgery in Kentucky. Kentucky was the state that reviwed my submission and sent approval.

I was kinda like that too........I felt very satisfied for 5 weeks or so then slowly began to get some appetite. I think it's both a little luck and swelling...........I say we just enjoy and not question it! LOL I get my 2nd fill next week. Looking forwrd to it.

I've enjoyed it twice since banding (May 7th). My dietician said I could prob tolerate it right now, but prob not when I was more restricted. I use lo-fat PB and sugar free jelly on very toasted whole grain bread.

My dietician told me that when that happens, you aren't getting enough protein in...........

I am lifing Joan and her family up to the Father. May He heal and bless her in this time of uncertainty and fear.

My LBS had me do the breathing test before surgery. It ready my metabolism as "high" but that can't be true! I wonder if this is something that can really be measured that accurately?????

This should be an issue between the patient, their primary physician and the LB surgeon only. What the rest of the world thinks is really not important or necessary.

I too have Federal BCBS. Your federal plan does approve LBS, however, the state in which you are HAVING the surgery is the state that the approval comes from. I live in Illinois, but BC Kentucky was my approving agency. I had a BMI of 35 and was approved within about 20 days. The federal program can only hold your approval for 31 days. They are required to give an approval or denial in that time frame. At present a 6 month diet requirement is not required. But state BCBS does require it. To submit an approval request, you must do all the pre-op stuff as everyone else requires: sleep study, labs, cardiology stuff, respiratory tests, psych eval (out of pocket expense-not covered), etc. A letter from your primary, along with a personal letter. Your surgeon knows what is required and will help you along the way. Go for it!

I like the sound of that................"comfort bike" LOL

I just bought a bike this weekend. Now don't laugh, but I got the old fashioned kind. The kind I had as a kid. Brakes on the pedals, no bar across the middle (a girl bike) and a big seat with handlebars you don't hunch over. DH has to tighten the seat and air the tires and then I'm ready to try her out! Don't expect to get very far, but I think this is something I will do. Kinda looking forward to it. Won't be riding in any races but want to give this a try.

Non-scale victories!

I was also banded May 7th. At my last visit June 12th I had lost 14 lbs. (I'm a lower BMI to start). I'm only planning to weigh when I have my Dr's visits. I get too easily psyched out by the number game. Next weigh in and 2nd fill will be July 14th. I am enjoying the NSV's though. I had noticed my pants getting looser, and decided I need a new pair of capri's for something I had over the past weekend. So, I go to the store and choose a size lower than what I usually wear, but thot, just for fun, I'd also try on a pair 2 sizes smaller. Guess, what! They fit!! And very easily. I was thrilled. Bought 2 pairs. I am very carefully measuring my foods and making the best choices I can. It's a whole different thought process for me now. It's almost fun. The fill was a breeze............no numbing and didn't feel a thing. Looking forward to the next one!