txaberry

I have Aetna POS with a $2000.00 out of pocket Max. Be aware that Dr. Davis is not an aexcel specialist. I was grandfathered in because I was a patient before he dropped aexcel. Make sure you don't need an aexcel specialist. good luck.

I was banded by Garth Davis on 3/7/08. The program at Methodist for the pre-op was really comprehensive and great. Meeting with him before approval was short and sweet. After approval I found him to be very nice, he took the time to answer all my questions. I don't know if it is because of the quality of his office compiling my information or my insurance but I was approved in 3 days so that was great. I have been very satisfied with him and would highly recommend him for the lap band. Good luck!

You have to put it in the html signature box. But I had to delete some of the weird characters in front of the http:// and at the end. Then it worked. Good luck.

I got it at waldenbooks. They have a deal where you can get the cookbook 1/2 price when you buy both. The book is about healthy eating. They claim people are fat because we are unhealthy because of all the nasty stuff in our food. They tout a vegetarian diet with no dairy. The book is an easy read and quite informative. However, if you are offended by cussing, watch out. The book reads like you are talking to your foul-mouthed smarta** girlfriend. I've been considering becoming a vegetarian for many years and i have made some changes, but this book is really pushing me to do it.

You can get them at GNC, or I got mine at bariatriceating.com They are super nasty. I have to hold my breath and basically drink them like a shot, and have a water chaser. They are really thick However the 42g of protein is worth it for me. Good luck. Just don't expect some fruit flavored good tasting thing. however, I do not mind the taste of the Isopure ready to drink bottles. they have 40g of protein and only 160 cal per bottle. The are not wonderful but they are the least offensive protein drinks I've found. good luck.

I was banded on 3/7/08 and have experienced a lot of nausea especially in the morning and in the night if I wake up. I found if I can force myself to eat something it goes away pretty quickly. Good luck.

I can relate to all the feelings poking thier ugly head as I get more control over eating. I knew I was addicted to food and was using it to stuff my feelings. My insurance pays for 30 counselor visits a year. I decided that this was more than just a physical battle and that for me to be successful I would have to address my mental health as well. I've been seeing a counselor since about 3 weeks pre-op, and I really think it is the only reason I haven't cheated or tried to cheat my diet or band. My counselor specializes in eating disorders and has been a great help. A book I've been reading is called "Fat is a family affair" and has addressed obesity as a food addiction and treats the emotions as such. It has been really helpful. So many different feelings have been coming up and my counselor calls this "shedding" because I can't stuff them back in they are going to keep coming up and out. I highly recommend seeing a counselor who specializes in eating disorders, see if your insurance will cover it... Good luck!!

I'm one day post op and it seems that I can't drink anything without gulping air with it. Can I mess up my band by swallowing too much air with my sips. I didn't realize how much I gulped, any tricks?? I'm really bloated and everything I try and drink only makes it wose... HELP

crazy, I am in the same boat! I get banded tomorrow, but don't have any family or friends around. We are getting a nanny service for a week and then my partner will be off for a week. I'm kinda stressing too... It's just habit to pick them up, I don't want to mindlessly pick him up and ruin something... Good luck!! I hope after two weeks I can get back to mommy duty :thumbup: I just keep reminding myself that although I'll be out of comission for a few weeks, he'll benefit much more in the long run... Keep us posted!!

I had a 14 day liquid diet. That is 4 Optifast shakes (800 cal total) and water. I called to see if I can have anything else like crystal light or anything and they told me no! I can have a cup of chicken broth if absoutely necessary!! I wonder why mine is so much more strict? I only have 3 days left but it has been a mental battle. I haven't been particularly hungry physically, but the last few days I've craved nearly everything I see on tv!! Good luck to all!!

Hello all. I have a weird question... I am day 6 of my 14 day optifast liquid diet. I don't even feel hungry, but I also don't feel like I'm losing much weight. The only thing I've had besides 4 optifast shakes and water each day is two cups of broth (total) between 2 days and one diet sprite, I'm chewing sugar free gum, because of the nasty taste. I'm wondering why I'm not hungry, and why I'm not losing faster? Has anyone else experienced this?

You are not alone. I am on day 6 of my optifast and I had super bad headaches for the first 4 days especially when I woke up. Are you taking b12? Yesterday and today have been much better... Are you allowed to take tylenol? Good luck, My date is 3/7 keep up the good work!!

I am on day 4 of my 14 day optifast. I haven't cheated, don't plan on it. I'm not even really physically hungry, but it is a real mental fight for me. I really want to eat and a lot of it is just habits. I also just want to taste something because I've been slamming the optifast shakes and they don't taste good at all. But I am resolved to stick with it and hope I have a good drop in pounds.

Can anyone tell me what the deal is with B12? I ordered the suggested pack of vitamins from my doctor and there is a sublingual B12 pill and a multivitamin that has 1668% of suggested B12...Also, is this a vitamin that sticks in your system or makes its way out?

I'm actually going through withdrals now. I work at Starbucks and was a total addict. I mean we can drink it free while we work. I quit cold turkey but took advil for about 5 days. The only caffiene I get now is from white tea and green tea (personally I think the benefits are worth the caffiene) even two weeks out from quit day I still get some headaches, just goes to show how bad it is for us. I don't think I'll go back....Good luck

I'm approved for surgery and scheduled for a date. I started this process in July 2007 and followed the whole system etc... By accident I found out that my surgeon is no longer an aexcel specialist as of 1/1/08. Which means now I have to pay 5000 instead of the 2000 for in-network! I feel totally frustrated!! I'm saving up for it as it was. My insurance told me I can find an aexcel surgeon and my approval will be ok. So I find one, and try to make an appointment but OH, I have to attend the seminar before I can even make an appointment!!!! WHY IS THIS SUCH A HASSLE??? And now I have no idea how much longer I'll have to wait for surgery!! I feel super frustrated and really let down by my original surgeon.:scared2:

Well, I went to the seminar for another surgeon last night. Today I called my first surgeon and made arrangements for my file to transfer and they called me back a few hours later and told me I was "grandfathered" because I was already their patient before he dropped the aexcel program. I called insurance and they told me I was approved with him at the highest level of payout (in network) so today had some good news. Thanks for all your support.:biggrin:

I have Aetna and did the 3 month program. It was part of the prep needed at my center, I went through the weight management center at the Methodist hospital in Houston. We had a class with a nutritionist once a month (4 total meetings) we weighed in, got nutritional information usually a powepoint and had to keep a log of all our eating and exercise that we turned in each month to the nutritionist. We also met with a psychologist. I was really glad I was able to do this program rather than the 6 months. But, we could not miss a meeting and had to turn in materials each time.

Thanks for all your replies! I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet, I signed up for another seminar so we'll see how long I have to wait to get a date with him. I appreciate the encouragement!!

Go see Drs. Davis they are in the medical center. The pre-op progragm is really comprehensive and they help you with the insurance. I'm scheduled for surgery March 7. The seminar is totally FREE and they'll call you a few days later and let you know what your specific insurance benefits are. I was really impressed. go to Houston Bariatric Surgery

Hello - I'm new here and looking for advice. I just got approved and have a surgery date for March 7th. I have a 9 month old and I am a stay at home mom. How long before I can carry him? Can I do it right away? He weighs about 20 lbs (give or take). Anyone else have this situation? What did you do?

My insurance required proof that my BMI was over 40 for 5 consecutive years. A short term weight gain would have done me no good...