JoannMarie

Welcome Steve. I think we were kinda in the middle of a couple of thoughts on this thread and completely missed your first post! Very sorry about that - I don't think anyone would want to miss welcoming you. Congratulations on your banding - hope everything is going well for you. One month out - you must be close to real food after many weeks of liquids and soft stuff. I am waiting for banding - but I have my surgeon consultation this afternoon and will probably receive my date during that consultation. I am excited - talked to the coordinator this morning to get directions (how did I forget that???) and could hardly talk to her I was so excited... It has been a long process and I am so hopeful to be scheduled soon. In spite of every glitch that has happened (like happens to all of us), my Father has opened the way quickly. That is why I know this is the right solution for me. Good luck to you, Steve. Please let us know how you are doing.

Sue, from what I have been told, Medicare pays the hospital the normal amounts they would pay for any hospital stay, surgical care, etc. However, where the surgeon is concerned, they only pay approx $900 - far from what any surgeon is charging for this surgery. Having supplemental insurance helps out some, but still is a very low payment. That's why some surgeons are opting out of Medicare. Now - to qualify - I heard this first from a surgeon's office, and one who does not contract with Medicare so he can charge his normal fee for the surgery. I would take it with a grain of salt, but I've also read this on other threads on this site. The surgeon I am planning to use does contract with Medicare (as does the hospital), but even that surgeon's coordinator tells me she is never sure what payment they will receive from Medicare and the supplemental. It is my understanding that if they contract with Medicare they are bound to accept the Medicare payment + supplemental and not charge the patient for any excess. ALL of this is "what I hear" - guess I will find out soon enough. Please understand, I am not dissing Medicare. Bless their hearts - they take care of a lot of people with all kinds of medical problems and they do the best they can. You really got this done in a hurry! I thought about the group you went to, but was concerned about the distance from my home. I am glad you had such a good experience with them. I've heard similar from others who chose that group. I actually have found that the wait, while I was not happy about it at first, has not been a bad thing for me. It's given me a chance to read a lot and make sure I really want to do this.

M&M's.. funny.. haha. Charlene you have a cruel sense of humor...

Rosie, I'm so sorry you have this wait. I'm a Medicare patient, too, and did not have to do this diet. However, I had a 7 month medically supervised diet with a medical center (liquid diet similar to Optifast) within the last 2 years. I had all the paperwork (dr. notes, lab results, nutrition education, etc.) from that program (I also gained the weight back!). I believe that was acceptable as a medically supervised diet so I didn't have to do it again. Phyl's cardiology report may have done it for her. Still, my seminar was in April and all my paperwork was in within a few days from the seminar. I had to have a sleep study (done on Aug 16th). My surgeon consultation is TOMORROW, and I should get a date set then. I've been told it should be late October or early November. That will be 6-7 months. I do know Medicare pays a fraction of what other insurances and self-pays pay, so my guess is that Medicare patients are placed in the mix of patients so the surgeon and hospital are making a steady stream of income to provide for their expenses and profits. That is just MY GUESS, but let's face it - they gotta make a profit or nobody gets it done... Some surgeons have opted out of Medicare and charge the full amount, even if they are affiliated with a Center of Excellence. I have run into that here in the KC area. Be very diligent and call often enough that they remember your name when you call. The old adage "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" is a good one to remember. That's what I have done, always pleasant and easy-going, but always around. Good luck to you - and don't give up. Hopefully, as soon as you finish this 6 month diet, you will get your date!

Happy Birthday, Don! You are getting better every day! I am glad to see you have put your name in at other hospitals. I actually have done the same thing - the first one to wheel me to the operating room wins. Each of us has to be our own health advocate, educate ourselves, and research the available information on all health issues that concern us. You are a motivated man - I hope you have a successful banding well before your next birthday and are on your way to a healthy weight and no more weight related issues.

Marilyn, my prayers are with you.

Charlene, I know you are near Houston - I hope you are out of harm's way from Gustav. We have a friend in Tyler who told DH last night they were expecting a lot of rain, at the very least. Seems to me you are quite a bit closer to the action than Tyler. Please stay safe.

I hate to be a party poop, but I've been fighting a migraine all day - probably the weather changes. I don't think I feel well enough to attend the support group meeting tonight. I am disappointed, anxious to meet all of you. I will plan on September meeting and hope nothing will interfere. Have a great evening - and a great holiday weekend...

Katieq - I know your thoughts are absolutely normal and very difficult to deal with. I have also dealt with that, but over these last months of research and decision-making, I've decided to look ahead instead of behind me. I don't know of any obese person who has not failed at the diet/fail/regain merry-go-round (what's merry about that?). Every person on this thread has "been there-done that" many times. I've made my choice based on the science behind the lapband. If I do things right and follow the rules I will be successful. It means a total commitment to new habits of eating and exercise. It means if I stray from the eating and exercise plan and get off track, the tool is still there and I can regroup and begin again. This is the only way I can feel confident that I will lose the weight and keep it off. Good for you, Lori, getting the larger sizes out of your house. Me - I've already been looking at these size 20 jeans and planning how I'm going to cut them up and re-sew them into some great purses - dare I say tote-bags!?! DH and I went to the baseball game with friends last night. All those stairs and walking - with my cane and my knees - and 120 extra pounds to move up and down through the stadium. I was miserable. Every time I go through an experience like that, or have my picture taken with my normal-weight family, I feel this way. This is not me! I am a healthy, beautiful, vibrant, slender person inside this morbidly obese body. I will not spend the rest of my life feeling this way. Katieq, I've decided this is the way for me. You have to make your own decisions, but focus on your future, not your past. You are the only person who can decide what your future will be.

Welcome SoccerDad, I have not been banded yet, so can't give you specific advice from experience, but wanted to welcome you anyway. I know some docs recommend Clear Liquids like broth, apple juice - others go for "full" liquids like creamy Soups, smoothies - "anything you can get through a straw". Would your surgeon's office be able to give you more guidance than the hospital did? From all the posts on this thread I do know one thing. The first few weeks are tough - lots of questions, new habits getting established, major changes for those who are banded. I can't wait!! because it will also be very rewarding to start moving toward my goal. Others on this thread will be a great help to you, 'cause they are doing it too. Good luck to you!

I thought you might enjoy that image to carry while you work those quads!

Judy - google Yahoo Groups, pick the first entry, then search on their home page for Smartbandsters - I just did that and it came right up. You can join from there. See you there....

I also tested negative for rheumatoid arthritis and am thankful for that. Lori, you are doing the right things for better health and it will come. As you lose weight your knees and ankles will be less painful and exercise will be easier for you. I think you are right to postpone the replacement until you are close to goal. By then you will have established such good habits the physical therapy will be much easier, you will be exercising sooner after the surgery, and you will continue to lose the rest of the weight you want to lose. AND THEN - you will have new left knee, improved prospects for right knee and ankles, a cute tush and a whole new attitude (attitude already in place!) haha! you go, girl!

Great idea, Janet. Maybe LBT should talk to some of their advertisers about that. Between sponsorships, vendors, and $$ from attendees, maybe something could be put together. I go to large quilt shows every year - sponsors, vendors, lots of quilters spending lots of money with said vendors. I think the organizers of these shows must be doing okay because they are growing and adding shows every year. Three or four have been added to the list this year. Could be worth looking at...

Hi Lori, I can identify with your knee issues. I had the left knee replaced 5 years ago and overall it was very successful. The problem I had was exercise - I was already heavy, and aerobic exercise was not possible for many months. I was religious about the physical therapy and I believe that's why the surgery was so successful. Unfortunately, inactivity brought on about 40 pounds over those months. I lost that weight with a liquid diet 2 years ago, only to have the right knee get to the point where it is very painful, and needs replacement. I feel like a type rewinding...have gained the 40 back. Ortho says replacement is the only long term solution and is currently treating with injections which have helped. I am determined to lose 75% of the weight I need to lose before the replacement surgery. My exercise of choice is the elliptical trainer, which causes less pain, recumbant bicycle, and water exercises - all recommended by my ortho - also weight training for overall muscle building. It is not easy, cause most days it hurts... However, as you are finding, as the weight decreases it becomes easier to exercise. I'm counting on that! I probably will have a second injection treatment this fall - doc said every 6 months or so would be okay if it is helping. It took about 6-8 weeks for the first series to help, but it is working. I wonder if it will work for ankles??? They have been an issue, too. Doc says my lower back pain will be alleviated by losing this tummy. Let's face it - losing the weight is the answer for so many problems. I am so anxious to join all of you in this journey! Hoping for an October date...

Welcome, Ms Rob. This is a great thread for love and support. I have not been banded yet, but I am full into LBTalk for the everyday information I've gained prior to the big event. I am impressed every day with how strong and supportive the people are on several of the threads. It is wonderful to see the person who needs the support of others today will be giving loving support to another tomorrow. Blessings,

Actually, Anne, you will have much better skin tone as you lose weight if you do work out - both cardio and weight training. May not totally eliminate the need for plastic surgery, but it will help. The additional benefit of weight training is that building muscle will improve your metabolism, burn more calories, and help you maintain your loss. It's a win-win! The kids among us may be able to maintain their skin tone somewhat better than us, but we can still help ours along. Good luck on your surgery. I am hoping for an October date, too. I should hear next week.

May I add my thanks and appreciation to both of your husbands and their service -- and to you who kept families going and sacrificed so much time together over the years. There are no words to express the gratitude of your nation. Just "thank you". May God bless you and keep you safe.

Here you are at home, relaxing, with all this time to be mentoring -- and nobody's posting. bummer. They must all be doing great, Janet - a tribute to your mentoring!

Circa, you are one of those my heart goes out to. I can survive arthritis. The second knee replacement will be a picnic compared to liver transplant. I am so happy for you and your ins change that will be covering your illness the way it should have been covered from the beginning. I know the LB surgery and subsequent weight loss will improve my situation enormously, allowing me to exercise again - which has been very difficult for me for the last year - and probably putting the Celebrex in the medicine cabinet for use on occasion instead of daily dosage. I hope you will be on the mend soon, and on your way to a healthy and active life again.

Right now I'm in a battle of my own - not as earth-shaking as many of the ins battles out there, but will be costly to DH and me... I've been on Celebrex for years for severe arthritis (everywhere). Nothing else even comes close to working, and Celebrex is the safest when considering the bleeding issues with NSAIDS over long period of time. PCP checks for cardiac issues regularly. Even with the Celebrex, I have many days of breakthrough pain that are debilitating. Since being on Medicare I have been paying Humana for my drug coverage - which has been a plus for them, since two of the three drugs I take are generic and not covered by them. Humana will not pay for Celebrex. After all the years of use of this drug (approx 10 years on the market?) it is not on the formulary. My doctor has put me on other drugs for several months as required by Humana to override their coverage refusal. Last week they denied me again. There's $110/mo out of pocket for the only drug that helps me. DH has the same problem with Lipitor - not on the formulary. (Now we're up to $200/mo for the 2 of us.) DH and I don't take many meds, thank goodness. My heart goes out to those who have to take many more. The problem with gov paid medical care is that they limit the newer - and most often the better - treatments that are available. Why should anyone research for better treatments when they won't be part of gov coverage? I am thankful MC covers WLS, but their coverage amount is so small it is harder and harder to find surgeons willing to accept MC payment. I know this is a political issue this year and I don't mean this in any political sense, so please don't misunderstand my concern. I think it is imperative that we think this issue through very carefully and consider the consequences of our actions. I worry that most people will receive seriously substandard care because the best is not on the formulary... I apologize if I have offended anyone's political views. My intention is just to voice a concern.

Wow, Lisa. It's awful close to football season to be wearing a Nebraska shirt in Kansas... You are a brave woman.

Red it is! I like the red and denim idea - the new business casual...

You gals are inspiring... Congratulations to both of you!

Can I choose red? My wardrobe is rather limited right now and I have 2 tops I feel presentable in! My favorite of the 2 is RED... I am open to options, though... like red. haha