mrskrzyz

I can't believe that my insurance has agreed to pay for my tummy tuck as they have termed it medically neccessary!!! I was totally prepared to pay on my own someday and I applied just as a long shot. I have lost 65lbs to date. I had my lap 10 months ago... so I am not even a year out. I have gone from a size 20 to a 12. My doc said it was highly likely they would reject it the first time around!!!! So I am shocked and the happiest person alive right now! Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY.:laugh::smile2:

To clarify... I have no documentation of skin problems. Only the surgeons word that I am a sufferer. According to the buzz around... if an insurance company approves weight loss surgery.... they generally will pay for reconstruction to a degree as well. They kind of go hand in hand.

At this point.... I am thinking its pure luck! My doc put that I have skin issues. Now, I have to admit... I never really have had anything bother me that powder doesn't fix. To be frankly honest, my skin hangs a bit, about 2 inches I'd say. Not the worst case, by far. That is why I thought for sure they would say no. Also... in truth, I could stand to lose at least 20 more lbs. I thought they would make that a requirement before approval. I am just shocked at the whole thing really. The approval was for skin removal and tummy tuck. I don't know my docs secret... but if I ever find anything out, I'll be sure to post it!!! I don't want the surgery until February, as I do plan to tone and lose a little more between now and then.

Thanks and good luck to you too!!!

Hi all... I am going for my first plastic surgery consult next week and I am starting to get nervous about showing my body!!!! I am interested in a tummy tuck and breast lift. What generally happens at the first appointment?? Thanks!:redface:

Hi all... don't want to travel too far. I have been researching quite a bit and was wondering if any of you banders have used a PS around Buffalo you could recommend???? thanks:wink2:

Thanks ladies... appreciate it!!! oh, how dreadful...

Thanks so much!

An "unfill" will give you instant relief!!! I just had to get one yesterday!!

I just posted the same exact question about a week ago!!! It's like the band works with the weather or something... The band is placed as a fixture in our body so you would think it would work all or none of the time. I am with you!!! Somedays it does the job... Others is takes a break... and then, Lo and behold its working again!!! I have a fill scheduled on Friday and dont even know if I should get it as last week I couldn't eat for about 3 days. Today of course, I have eaten plenty!!!!

Ok....going nuts here. I had lapband surgery last December and have lost a total of 60lbs. (which I have been at for a couple of months now.) I am not complaining.... but I am having a very difficult time finding my spot. I have had a total of 3 fills. I believe there is 4cc's in my 10 cc band. Anyhow... for a couple of days in a row, I feel like the band is doing its job. I can only eat small, infrequent meals...etc. Then I go for a cycle where it seems I can eat (and fit) whatever I want for about two or three days. Then back to the tightened feeling again... It keeps changing on me all the time. Anyone have idea why it would change day to day like this??? I am definitly doing bad on those days when i "can" eat!!!:thumbup:

Thanks for your thoughts. It is so agrivating that I CAN eat (or binge) sometimes. I don't want to be able to... but I can tell when my body is going to let me. I consider calling and going for another fill and then BAM!... I am back to being super tight again for a few days. I even cancelled a fill apt. for this week. ???????????

OUCH! Second Fill DISASTER!!!! So... I have been waiting for my second fill very patiently. I was banded in December and didn't get me second fill till now. I noticed that my portions have been gradually growing bigger and bigger so this was much needed. I only had 2cc in my 10cc band. So I go yesterday and have my fill at 3;30pm. I drink Water at the office and everything seems like a go. Mind you my Doc and hospital are both well over an hour away from my house. At home around 7:30ish.... I have a drink and it won't go down. In fact, I start throwing it up. Well, I threw up about 10x through the night. Very hard, whole body puking!! Anytime I would try to sip water or anything, it would happen again! Around 5am it started turning to blood so off to the emergency room I went! Turns out, my stoma swelled in reaction to the tightening of the fill and closed the hole up completely! They had to remove my 2cc's that we added and put me back to "normal!" this sucks,,,, I am back at square one, but I am feeling much better! Thought I was going to die!!!! OOOOOUUUUCCCCHHHH!:thumbup:

If you like the combination of Caramel and apples together... then you will love this Cool whippy, caramel apple flavored treat! 1 Large or 2 small containers of Fat Free Cool Whip 1 can crushed pinapple, no sugar added 2 boxes Fat free/Sugar Free Butterscotch Jello pudding 5-6 apples, diced Mix Cool whip, can of pinapple, (do NOT drain!), and pudding mixes till well blended. Add in apple pieces and chill till cold. Enjoy!

Hey there! From Dunkirk and have BCBS of Wny and they approved me two days after my doc submitted. I had a BMI of 40. I did have to do six months of monitoring with my primary doc before they would submit though. I did mine at Hamot in Erie so things may be a bit different for you. Good luck!!

Hey... still here too! Do much more reading these days than posting! I am doing great, during the week! I find weekends I lose complete control. (Which worries me since I am off for the whole summer!!) I am down in the 170's which I haven't seen since before my first child 10 years ago. I also am down from a size 20 to a 12!!!! Yah!! I just think of how great I could be doing if I didn't screw up every stinkin weekend!!!!

Thanks everyone!! I have been researching the doc's in my arean and have called and made an appointment with the one who seems to really stand out!!! It is not until this September... but that is when I expect to be at/or damn near my goal!!! I am also using this appointment as my next "goal" as I seemed to have decreased on my momentum!!!

Hi all! Just curious as to when I should make an appointment and begin the process. Of course I am hoping I can convince my insurance to pay. I had surgery 6 months ago and have lost 50+ lbs. now. Still have a little more to go.... but boobs and tummy are already dropped and loose!! When is a good time to get started with this process??? Thanks in advance for your posts!:thumbdown:

I think one of my biggest changes is having a normal period. I use to only get it 3-4 times a year. People would comment that I should be thankful for that... but really it made me feel abnormal. I never knew when it was gonna come... or if I might be pregnant. It feels good to be normal and predictable once again! My cholesterol is down, I nap MUCH less, and do seem to have less headaches than before. I have also weened myself off of antidepresants already and all has gone well. I know this is due to feeling much better about myself!!!

I am right there with you!! I had my second fill this past weekend only to later have it removed in the ER! I needed that fill, but my body didn't agree. I hope when we try again it will be successful because my appetite and ability to eat is slowly creeping back!!!!!!!!!!

luv2teech7.... Probably a smart move not overdoing it!!! I don't want anyone to hesitate on my behalf though!!!! I know that I am going to dread my next fill after this horrible episode. Doc's office said they will do it whenever I am ready, but I don't think I will be for at least a month. Then I will try .5 cc's at a time. Baby steps I have to remember!!! Have a great Memorial weekend! It will be here before we know it and I have Friday and Monday off this year!!! Yipee!

Thanks all.... feeling better now! Although my soreness from the episode has kind of worked as a "fill" becuase I am currently eating much less. I have to be very careful, and thats good! Not to mention the whole incident has put me down another 4-5 pounds and has got the scale moving again!!! Live and learn... I have one of the newer bands as the doc showed it to me right before surgery. The name is escaping me right now... sorry! It has the ring with the bumps in it for a better fit??? thanks for all your wishes!!!!

In my opinion.... nothing. My progress papers showed my bad habits....my docs comments to them... and I was still approved!! I even increased in weight BCBS. Good luck!

So... I have been waiting for my second fill very patiently. I was banded in December and didn't get me second fill till now. I noticed that my portions have been gradually growing bigger and bigger so this was much needed. I only had 2cc in my 10cc band. So I go yesterday and have my fill at 3;30pm. I drink Water at the office and everything seems like a go. Mind you my Doc and hospital are both well over an hour away from my house. At home around 7:30ish.... I have a drink and it won't go down. In fact, I start throwing it up. Well, I threw up about 10x through the night. Very hard, whole body puking!! Anytime I would try to sip water or anything, it would happen again! Around 5am it started turning to blood so off to the emergency room I went! Turns out, my stoma swelled in reaction to the tightening of the fill and closed the hole up completely! They had to remove my 2cc's that we added and put me back to "normal!" this sucks,,,, I am back at square one, but I am feeling much better! Thought I was going to die!!!! OOOOOUUUUCCCCHHHH!:thumbup:

Thanks everyone! and beware... because I was fine at first, the swelling came later! I had my husband drive me over an hour to the hospital I had the surgery at because I knew my local hospital wouldn't know what to do. (and I wouldn't have wanted them to attempt to fix me!!!) Oh.. and yes, I am counting those days down to summer vacation!!! Still very sore from using my whole body to vomit!!! :tt1: