JOURNEY BEGINS NOW

I was given a 1 day liquid, 2 day mushie, and on the 4th day after surgery I was allowed solids ( protein first, but anything other than bread). And I go for my first fill on 04/13 and I've lost 12lbs so based on my post op diet I would think the actual band is safe, but your doctor may want you on a special regimen that he has found successful and that's why the difference in the post op diets from dr to dr. I would just try to stick to your assigned meal plan and wait until your first post op appointment.

I have my first fill next Tuesday and I want to go in there ready to ask for some serious restriction because I have been banded for 3 weeks and sometimes I feel very restricted after 1/2 cup of protein, but most of the time, I could eat another 1/2 cup easy. Soooo, this band thing is very confusing. Sometimes I get stuck and I've even did the slimming thing ( not fun) and sometimes I can eat with no prob ( as long as I chew chew chew)....but foods that have no substance even get stuck, for example mandarin orange slices that I was feeding to my 16month old got stuck, LOL....this is a learning game and I have to say it keeps the day interesting, lol.... :thumbup:

Thank you so much for all the info....I'm ready to see these pounds FALL off, LOL....of course with hard work *wink*

Also since I weighed yesterday at the gym and I have officially lost 5lbs now, lol....so I will continue to be patient :tt1:

I received the phentermine Tuesday and I called the surgeon Wed afternoon and he said if I wanted to take them now he doesn't have a problem with it, but feels when I come in in 2 weeks for my 1st fill that I will not need them any longer. He did say that the pcp is attempting to treat the 'head hunger' and that the band is not expected to curb hunger before the 'sweet spot' is found. I have done research on the phentermine and I have lab work scheduled every 90 days to monitor and look for any dangers that may be associated with the medication. I was not mentioning it for a lecture or to be discouraged about my choice, I just mentioned it because it is helping to curb my appetite while waiting for my first fill :tt1:

ratchetjaw: I had my band at Baptist, Dr.Charles Morton and you?

Wow, you guys have no idea how lucky and blessed you are to have supportive spouses. My husband from the beginning said it was fine but the recovery could not take away from him or my two children. He said to be sure and be ready for our trip we had preplanned two days after the surgery. Me being who I am, I was ready to go on the trip despite not feeling 100%. I kind of feel now that because I had the surgery and tried to talk to him about being uncomfortable with my weight physically and emotionally he now knows I'm fat, lol. I feel like I brought attention to it and maybe before he didn't notice, lol. I laugh because it doesn't discourage me it just makes me feel like I should have done it and then told him afterward so I didn't have to really 'discuss' anything. Just maybe say, hey honey, no personal time for a couple days until I recoup from my surgery today, lol......anyway, I am very happy with my decision even though I have only seen a 4lb weight loss total but I'm ready to see this weight fall off :thumbup: and now have the tool to make it happen!

Okay so I'm also 8days post op ( surgery Tues 3/16) and I haven't lost but 2lbs and I'm starving! I only did liquids 2 days pre op and 2 days post op then on the 3rd day mushies and the 4th I was allowed solids ( anything Protein based I wanted per Dr.)....I have zero restriction and I'm sooooo hungry so I went to my pcp yesterday and he wrote me a prescription for phentermine ( I used to take it religiously)....it helps with suppressing the appetite in a major way, I just wasn't successful with just that b/c when it wears off I had NO self control, lol. So I have my band, my 64oz of Water, my 1/2 phentermine, and my Protein Bars to help with hunger and I'm still hungry, so I think we are officially in bandster hell....at least that's what I'm blaming it on, lol....I haven't eaten one thing unhealthy in 2.5 weeks and I have lost less than 4lbs since my pre op appt and 2lbs since surgery, that sucks :thumbup: But we must stay encouraged so just keep taking your frustrations out here in a positive way and don't give up

I was banded 03/16 and was on liquids the day of and the day after then on Thursday ( Day 3) I could have tuna salad, chicken salad, etc ( any protein mushy/soft food) then on Friday ( Day 4) I was moved to solid foods. I have stuck to all protein and veggies ( staying away from carbs) and I have done great. I have had some foods get 'stuck' but it wasn't unbearable but definitely uncomfortable. The easiest thing I have found to eat that is easy quick and convenient and protein packed low fat is bbq ( low sodium) meatballs. They are starting to become my every day lunch item ( or at least these last few days since returning to work)....I have kept my calorie intake at 1000 calories or less and I have lost 3lbs which isn't great but I'll take it. I'm going to workout tomorrow doing some light cardio ( elliptical for 30mins is the plan) and try doing that 3x a week for a few weeks and hopefully build up to more days per week....I'm ready to lose :thumbup:

Does anyone know of anything I can do to fast track the process....should I make an appointment with a psych for the psych eval and the nutritionist now so that is out of the way? I have a 6month physician monitored diet history but I have never met the dr that is over the program. I just go in and get weighed and they give me my phentermine and every month I return...with a total weightloss of 12lbs in 8months! and I do the elliptical 2x a week for 45minutes but no weightloss! My question is do you think the dr ( who is a pcp in the area in a different office) will write a referral if I've been coming to his clinic for more than 6months with a minimal weightloss? Shouldn't he have too? I have seen his NP every month and I do the diet that comes with the pills but no weightloss. I have lost inches but not enought to tell a difference in my clothes.....I hope the records of me going to the dr diet program is enough and I don't have to ask him to give me a referral???

Hello, I am hoping to be banded in Jan also....I have been trying to get the lapband since 2006. I started with Humana then after stringent testing and lots of out of pocket expenses that I just paid off in 2008 I backed out because there was more testing that the cardiologist wanted me to do that was going to cost over 2K out of pocket...so after 2 years and I weigh almost the exact same thing I did then and taking phentermine still with no noticeable weightloss I am back on the lapband wagon. I really really want to have it done in Jan but my pre auth is all on hold with the surgeon's office because I have new insurance effective 1/1/2010 so we are waiting until that goes into effect. It is with Anthem BC/BS so I'm hoping the criteria will be a lot easier to get through compared to Humana's in 2006. I filled out the registration paperwork at Dr.Charles Morton's office Dec 16th, but the nurse could not schedule me for anything else until the new insurance goes into effect. I desperately want it done in Jan so I can be in class the first week of Feb...but if not I will just miss class for the surgery...I desperately want it!

It was nice hearing from someone else in the same situation as me, which I know everyone on the forum is in it, but its nice to know someone close to home is. I have done extensive research on the procedure and am confident it will work, if I get to have it done. Right now, I am still on the 6mth physician monitored diet and taking Phentermine, I have went from my highest @ 224lbs to approx. 212lbs (it fluctuates), and of course I feel much better and confident, but its only temporary. If I miss one dose, I gain like a 1lb, and of course I have adjusted my food intake and my average daily excersise, but no drastic improvements yet. I wear like a 15 sometimes 14 (pretty snug) and would love to be around 150 and wear a 10, that's where I was before my 18mth daughter came along. I know how you feel in regards to your husband's comments, my husband is supportive as well, so of course that makes me feel like he thinks I need it more than I do. But of course I also recognize my insecurity as well. That is an awesome weightloss of 27lbs even if you did gain 10 of it back, that's still 17 down. I am sure you are looking more toned even if you don't see it and are more comfortable walking for longer periods of time and etc. I am sure this procedure works, my aunt is 230lbs, 5'0 and she just turned 40, and she is on her last step of being approved through Blue Cross Blue Sheild for the lap band to be done at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN. I can't remember the name of her Dr, but he is highly recommended in any type of bariatric surgery. And the Dr. I have chosen comes just as recommended, Dr. Charles Morton at Southern Hills Medical Center, also in Nashville, TN on Harding Place. If you have any questions about the seminar or procedures please feel free to ask I will be more than happy to answer them and if I don't know I would be more than happy to try and find the answer for you. Cyndi

Okay, I didn't have anyone else to ask but you guys, lap band dr's office closed, ins office closed, and the hospital called wanting to do a pre- registration for my appt on Mon (2/20/06) for an upper gi that Humana is req before they will approve my lap band. However, when I spoke to Humana and my dr's office before each one said it was just a simple x-ray of my esophogus and stomach, not of my colon and rectum and all the things that a barium enema includes. I haven't mentioned the worst part of this situation, the test is around 3200 and my copay due monday before testing is 320.00 I have a 20% ded. I don't know what to do, I need to find out if the test ordered by the cardiologist (not even the lap band dr) are the ones necessary. I don't want to pay for something that is not required. If anyone has anything please, I feel like a big rock feel on me when she called.

Okay, well today is 2/21/06 I was supposed to have those test 2/20/06 (yesterday), change of plans. I spk to Humana rep and she said w/out a 6mth physician monitored diet I would not meet the criteria for approval, so I went and found a pcp in my area instead yesterday. He prescribed Xenical and gave me a diet outline to follow. So, August will be my new goal month to have the surgery. So has anyone tried Xenical is it effective at all????

Okay, actually you know I am so glad you guys mentioned that, b/c now I remember at my first consult w/ins rep she said the upper gi or gastro testing could be done via blood work or upper gi xray. I do not want to give up, I feel like the dr's are taking advantage of my desperation to have the lap band surgery and are doing unnecessary test. When I call the ins company to ask for the checklist for pre cert testing they told me only the dr's office that was ordering the surgery could get that!!!! What is up with that????? I just want to stay focused and keep my eyes on the prize......

Does anyone know if it safe to have the lap band w/the IUD implanted? I haven't got a chance to spk w/the Dr yet, my gyno thought it would be okay, but today I was reading that birth control is much less effective within the first 18mths post op. I do not want anymore children for a few more years and I am not sure I want anymore even then. Me and my husband have 3 together and we are happy with them. Please if anyone has any info on birth control effectiveness w/the lap band let me know....

Oh, yeah, I have it in now its been almost 2yrs and I have not had any problems, I actually never have a period, I might spot but that's it, so I am loving it. I just didn't know if the lap band and the iud together would work.....

Can anyone relate or share there story on getting the preop testing done? I have not had a primary care physician for the last couple of years, so I do not have a pcp to give me a recommendation for surgery, which is required for approval w/Humana. I also have to have a upper gi xray and a cardio pulmonary clearance given along w/of course a pscyh evaluation and a one time visit w/a dietician. My concern is, I can't find anyone in Bowling Green, Ky willing to do these tests. The only thing I have considered as medical records for my weight is WIC papers that I have gotten from the WIC office and it has my weight history from 2004-Nov 2005. If anyone can offer any advice on how to get these test so I can get my band, please let me know. The dr doing the surgery is over an hour away so they really can't offer any assistance w/ my preop testing that Humana is requiring. Please help, beginning to feel hopeless just like the insurance companies want. But I don't want to give up this easy, I have been overweight for years now, I can push through and get these tests out of the way and be on my way to a life of successful weight loss.

Just wanted to leave an update. I went to a pcp in my area, Dr. Tapp, and it was a very horrible experience. They told me they didn't want to come in on the middle of the process, they only would offer a recommendation based on yrs of providing care for me. I even mentioned some people have to do a six month monitored diet and that would be okay, but she (nurse practitioner) said they could prescribed me phentermine again, (which I had taken Dec 04), no I don't want anymore diet pills, they do not work for me. So, I left there very discouraged. My lap band dr advised I still try and get the other test done at the specialist office if possible, so after several phone calls I found a cardiologist, Dr. Gott, who would see me w/out a referral from a pcp. His staff was awesome, they offered me sooo much assistance, I cannot quit bragging about them. They have gave me the referrals I need to get the upper gi and lab work completed. And the cardiologist wrote a letter of referral for bariatric surgery based on my decreased energy levels and I have an apple shape so I am more apt to have heart disease, diabetes, and other heart related diseases b/c of the type of fat I have in my abdominal area. Okay, it may just be my opinion, but I think a cardiologist specialist will be a pretty good reference as far as the ins company goes, possibly even better than a pcp's reference, I don't know yet, but I am hoping. So after Feb 20th all my appts will be complete for preop testing, dietician, and psych evaluation, so I am hoping and praying for a surgery date in March. Wish Me Blessings and I will do the same for all of you.....

Hi, I am from Bowling Green, KY and I am in the process of going through my last few hoops to be approved. I am actually using a dr in Nashville, TN at Southern Hills Medical Center w/Dr. Charles Morton. I have Humana Choice Care and so far I have had to have a cardio pulminary, upper gi chest xray, one visit w/a dietician and one visit for a psych evaluation, and then I should be okay for surgery. The ins rep from Dr.Morton's office has been doing all the paperwork for the ins comp so I haven't really had to be too involved. Once approved, I have to do the 2wk preop diet and then I can have my surgery. I am extremely anxious and excited w/a little dab of nervousness. But best of luck, just wanted to give you an idea of what my ins comp is requiring before approval.

Hi, I am checking to see if anyone has used Humana of KY for the lap band? I am really wanting to have it done within the next few months. I also wanted to know if anyone knows exactly what they are wanting when they ask for a history of your past weight loss attempts and documents 5yrs saying you have been overweight. I guess I just don't understand exactly what they are asking for.

I live in Bowling Green, KY, I am really interested in the lap band surgery and qualify, and its open enrollment for several different insurance companies, so I am just wanting to get you guys advice on what insurance company is easy to work with, easy to communicate with, and who does not exclude weight loss surgery. Any Help Out There, have to make insurance decision before 11/18. Thanks in Advance