Wheetsin

Time for a fill! And another fill doesn't necessarily mean restriction. This is where we have to step in and keep things in moderation until we reach restriction. The band will not do anything until you have restriction. If the downtime is frustrating you, then kick up your accountability, tell yourself that because you can eat 4 cups of food doesn't mean you should, and stick to your guns. It's a heck of a lot more temporary this time than before, so "just do it".

A lady in my neighborhood is going back & forth with a guy that she accidentally tasered in the nards. She claims he was running up behind her on a jogging path at night and it scared her. He claims he was jogging, and was going to pass her. She got all worked up at just the prospect of something happening, turned around, and fried Jim & the twins. The guy is now claiming ED. Who knows.

Sad part is that's outpatient. I got there early but surgery started around 10, and I went home before 2. Wish I could make that much in 3 hours.

Proteins that aren't mushy. For example a piece of fish vs. cottage cheese, or pepperoni chips vs. a protein drink, or a fried egg vs. pudding with protein powder mixed in it. Proteins that have solid substance is maybe a better way to word it. This provide something to sit in our pouches, which gives us the full sensation. (Long story short). An egg is going to sit there and pass more slowly than, say, a protein drink.

Looks like from the actual hospital was $29,076.25. That's the amount showing from the facility.

About $37,805 original billing to the insurance company. That's everything including anesthesia, psycholgoist, etc.

Total charge to my insurance company was... *looking it up, thought I could remember, brb*

He was my surgeon and I truly can't say enough good things about him. His website is www.kcbariatric.com if you want to check it out. If you call Billie she should be able to give you some pricing information.

However, how did you all deal with the work place? From what did you tell you boss? Told my boss I was having surgery, unspecified. I would have had no problems telling her, it just never came up. She found out a few months later when I made some comment about food & she didn't understand what I meant. I'd forgotten she didn't already know. Your co-workers? My co-workers are in other states, except for one pretty nosey girl here. I didn't volutneer the information, but with anyone it came up with, I told them I was having lap-band surgery, then proceeded to explain what that was each time. I haven't decided how I am going to explain they days I am off. I am a workalcoholic, so any days out of the office will be noticed. I know I am not obligated to share my medical info, not really the point. However, there are co-workers I go to lunch with often and if all goes well, it will be clear why I was off if I begin to drop the pounds. I work in a large office area and some people can be very judgemental and ... honestly just plain rude. I was curious if anyone had this experience and how they dealt with it. At the end of the day, I am doing this for me and what they think should not matter, however, it does impact my day to day life. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. *I have a boss that is a size 2, she is beautiful and vain. She would never understand what I am doing and why. :nervous Here are my thoughts. I don't think they're the norm (many more people tend to hide their banding than share it. I tell anyone). For one, I never saw any reason to hide it. I was proud of myself for doing what it took, and had no shame at all. To me, I tell my co-workers if I'm going to the dentist, so why not tell them I'm getting lap-band? No real difference as I see it. No sensitivities. I talked about my weight. It's not like no one would know I was fat if I didn't say anything and bring it to their attention. Beyond that - here's my logic. For 1 - I'm going to lose weight, and people are going to ask what I'm doing. I'm not one to lie or tell partial truths. And in hindsight, I'm 100% happy I took that approach, because I've been able to share my information and help others, who didn't know the band was out there and thought their only option was RNY, realize that they do have some other methods available to them. I only lie well when I don't have to remember the details afterward. For 2 - like I said, I'm on a virtual team and my co-workers are in other states. I sit in an office, but don't work with the people here. So I don't really have workplace friends, or didn't then anyway. Since I don't really "belong" to a group here, the other areas always invite me to their teambuilders, lunches, etc. I knew from friends who were banded that when stuff doesn't go down it has to come back up. I figured "fat chance" being able to hide that. And for me, being able to just say "be right back, band didn't like that" or "food isn't going down right, give me a minute" is much better than disappearing to the bathroom and then having people come look for me because they're concerned I'm sick. TRUST ME. When you have to PB, there isn't much way to hide it unless you leave the table before the pain hits... in which case you're gone long enough to attract attention anyway. For three - IF something were to happen, and I were to need medical care at work, I wanted my band to be known so that someone could relay the information in case I wasn't able to. Chances of this happening are slim to none, I'm in a corporate offices environment, but still - you never know. Who gives a flip if your boss understands why you're doing this? You don't need anyone's approval. Except for insurance co if that's your route! If YOU make the decision that this is right for YOU, and to share, then others can accept it or not. How much will that mean to you in the long run? And FWIW, everyone but one person has been VERY supportive. That one person means well, but is jealous, and doesn't handle it well. My co-workers have even advocated LB to their friends, as a result of talking to me. It's fantastic.

Oh, and as for which way to go - honestly, I'd say go with the surgeon you like the best and feel most comfortable with, regardless of price. In the big scheme of things your low and and high end of costs aren't that different, and having confidence in your surgeon and his program can make all the difference.

Hmm, that's a lot of fills! I'm in Kansas City, MO and was banded in Shawnee Mission, KS. I was covered by insurance so I'm not completely sure what my surgeon charges, but I *think* it's around 16k, and I *think* that includes all the pre-work (dietician, psychologist, etc.) and one year of free fills. 18 - 20 fills the first year??? Maybe in a VG, I don't know. I have the 10cm (4cc) band and have had 4 fills, one unfill. I would be at 3 fills, but when time for my first fill came around he only gave me half the suual amount because I was still losing very quickly.

I guess we can round up for you. I was a little surprised when I was approved because I have no co-morbidities. Good BP, good blood numbers, no apnea, no aches and pains, etc. I attribute my "no questions asked" approval to my high BMI. And that scares me. Because I look at myself now and I'm still REALLY overweight. I started off "super morbid obese", and am now "just" obese. If I tried to get approval now, I probably wouldn't get it per BMI under 40 (I'm at 39) and no comorbidities. And in a weird way that scares me, because I still have SO far to go. *sigh* Just some random thoughts for the day.

All I can say is that I've never encountered someone who had no doubts, no anxiety, and was sure of what they'd lose and how quickly they'd lose it. I researched this for 5 years, and was second guessing myself up until I was under anesthesia. And also, this is not a weightloss plan. You can't compare a weightloss plan to the band. Apples & oranges.

It's better to let sleeping dogs lay, as they say.

My last/3rd appt was the day before surgery. The psychologist in my program generally requires a minimum of three visits, and sometimes more than 10. Depends on the person and progress he feels they're making toward changing their behaviors.

Runny noses are a VERY common "soft stop" - a "soft stop" being a signal from your body that you've eaten what you can, and anything else could push you into discomfort. A lot of people consider it to be the "one more bite and you're in trouble" indicator. Runny noses, sighing, hiccups, and watery eyes are among the more common soft stop symptoms. As for breakfast Protein bars - wouldn't necessarily agree. Have you looked at the carb counts in most of the Protein Bars out there? Holy moley! You have a lot of other protein based alternatives out there, even for on the go, that are better nutritional choices. Several of us in our local support group do best when we keep carbs under 50 per day. I personally do best when they're between 20 and 30. This gives you a) high protein that we require and benefits of low-carb targetted weight loss, as well as c) fullness that Proteins give you. Another tip - don't rely on soft proteins like cottage cheese. Give your body something it has to digest, a "hard" protein. Will help you stay full a LOT longer. Any other questions? (I'm not a patient of Dr. Malley's, but I'm in Kansas City and happy to help)

Hmm. First, yes, sounds like time for a fill. When you're eating more than you used to, eating more of it, and able to eat things you weren't able to eat before, those are pretty good indicators that a fill is needed. As for BMI/fill - NEVER heard that, and THANK GOODNESS my surgeon doesn't share that mentality. I was banded with a BMI confortably over 50, and had my first fill 5 weeks post op, and my second fill 3 weeks later... subsequent fills as needed.

Most surgeons won't order band "checks" unless they have reason to believe something is wrong. Congratulations on your baby to be.

What all happens at the orientation/informational meetings? That's going to vary by surgeon. At mine it was a combination of introducing everyone in the program (nurses, coordinators, surgeons, psychologist, dietician, etc.), then going through a PPT of the procedure & statistics, information/paperwork is distributed, then Q&A, then the surgeon has past patients come up and share their experience and opens up to Q&A with them, etc. After the initial meeting is that when you schedule your 1st meeting with the Dr. to discuss the surgery & ins. and the whole shabang? What happened in my case was that the initial meeting is ONLY for information & getting the paperwork. You then do your paperwork and submit it to the coordinator who processes with your insurance. Once you're pre-approved they schedule your consultation. Keep in mind this process can be very different depending on insured/self-pay, insurance co, etc. It's generally during the consultation with the surgeon that a surgery date is set. I never discussed insurance with my surgeon, that was completely handled by hos coordinator. I called my ins. co and they told me they cover 80% of surgery. And I think she said I had a $1,000 deductible. I am having them send me a copy of our benefits booklet. Want to get it in writing... Make sure they send you an "SPD" (summary plan description). One of my biggest things I am concerned about. What if my PCP doesn't agree with this surgery. I am sure there are many Dr's out there that will not approve having LB done.... ?!?!?! Is your PCP's consent required for insurance approval per their conditions? If not, then it doesn't much matter. There are some doctors that don't approve, but I only have experience with two. My PCP was thrilled and told me I was the perfect candidate, and is very eager to see how I'm doing whenever I come in. The other is my mother's PCP - very old-fashioned and generally goes with "diet and exercise, maybe WW" as the only way to lose weight. She mentioned to him my surgery and how I had done, and she said his reponse was, "Well then sign up." Have any of you had a PCP not approve surgery? If so, how did you handle it? Did you get another Dr? :nervous No but again - is PCP's approval a requirement from your insurance company? In my case, I didn't need a referral (I don't have a true PCP, but she is my doctor). Try talking to your doctor - you seem pretty "sure" s/he is going to say no, you might be surprised. See if it's even required. If it is required and you get a no, then whether or not you seek out another doctor is up to you. Also tell me about the Optifast? Is that a drink? What is the taste? Never had to do it so I don't know what it tastes like. Yes it's a liquid formula.

So by their rationale, we can all do bread & rice, we just have to eat it with a spoon? :heh: Unless you're (too) tight, liquids can either go right through or will drain quickly. Thin liquids, I should say. Like soup, Water, tea... That's why we're advised to eat as chunky as possible (e.g. large curde cottage cheese vs. small). Or I was, anyway.

The advice about slipping slowly over an hour's period is usually geared more toward RNY patients. When I had my surgery my program was geared toward RNY with lap being a minority, and unfortunately they gave us all the same dietary guidelines. I did the math one day, and with all the Water, time to eat, etc. it would have been phsically impossible to get in everything they were saying to get in, unless I didn't sleep. 64oz is the general guideline. Some people will advocate for an additional 8 oz per 10 # overweight if you're on a high Protein, low carb diet. Some days I hit 64, some days more, usually I'm probably in the 30s.

Yup, sounds like a stick before it progresses to slimes or PB.

Yes. I pretty much don't eat after a flight because I've slimed on Cream of Tomato soup. And last week when I was overfilled I was PBing on my own saliva. Talk about fun. A friend of mine likes to be tight, and has slimed on a margarita before.

Don't think it can be done. Unfortunately! You could do what I do, which is not eat/drink before the appt (bad, I know, but not atypical regardless of whether or not I have a fill scheduled) , and wear the lightest clothes I have. Well - that works for summer, but in winter all clothes weigh a lot. It's sticker shock - I know - to go from my nekkid, morning weigh-ins at home to my fully clothed afternoon weigh-ins there. Robyn - whatever, that dress is going to be big for you in 3, maybe 4 weeks. But back to your pictures. One thing I notice is that your boat looks really nice. What cruiseline were you on? Ours was Carnival, and our boat was tacky! There was artwork that looked like someone yakked on a piece of glass. No kidding, I have pics to prove it. I actually remembered to talk to the PS. He won't entertain a group of us, he's too busy now. But even though he does wonders with insurance, I've since heard some not so great things about his work. Hmm... the lady I knew of - I never thought to ask what she thought of it, just whether or not ins. covered. And I'm going to need work too! Arms, belly for sure (after kids, if kids are a possibility), and I'm pretty sure upper/back thighs. Man, talk about a problem area!

I know a Justin Case. I also know a Justin Thime (pronounced "time"). And I know an Anita Johnson. And I went to highschool with twins, Richard & Harry - last name Ball.