yayamama76

Thanks Cher! I just got my 4th fill on Thursday (7.5cc in a 10cc band) and I haven't been able to keep any solid foods down. I really don't think I'm overfilled. I think I just need to make my bites and my portion sizes substantially smaller. Plus, at five months post-surgery, I think I'm finally seeing my band work well. I need to follow the rules (no liquids 30 min before and 1 hour after) too before I determine I'm overfilled. Before now I really haven't had to follow the rules - just ate less and lost about a pound a week. If I do this right I think I'll be fine and loose more. Thanks for your help and advice.

Thanks so much for this discussion. I had my first fill 1 1/2 weeks ago and I got 3cc. I feel like I've got a little restriction, but not close to enough. Plus I haven't really lost any weight at all (maybe 1/2 lbs.). I'm going to go back next week and see if I can get bumped up to 4 or 5 cc. I still feel like I've got a long way to go before I 'm at that "sweet spot" I keep hearing about.

Oh, I'm so glad to read that I'm not alone! I was banded on April 28th and have lost a total of 12lbs. I'm thrilled to be loosing, but I am starting to feel hungrier every day. I have my post op appt. Monday and, I guess I'll find out then when I can get my first fill. My biggest problem is that all my friends and family seem to be watching me ALL the time and asking me questions (how much weight have you lost?) It was easy when I wasn't eating much (right after surgery), but now that I'm hungry again I feel like a failure if I eat too much. I almost wish I hadn't told anybody about my procedure. I know their all just wanting the best for me but I just want to say BACK OFF! Just venting.....thanks, I'm better now.

I would highly recommend Dr. Marsden. I loved his fun but professional bedside manner.

Ask them why your claim was denied. Tell them you need to know specifically why you were denied. If they say you did not meet the criteria, ask them which part you didn't meet. Also - you might want to try going through a company (I used Lapband Solutions). those people are used to dealing with the insurance companies. They are the ones who did my peer-to-peer review and were able to push my claim through after 2 previous denials. Good luck!

It took my six months and 2 denials to get approved through Aetna. I finally ended up with a peer-to-peer arbitration between my surgeons office and Aetna. We won! I was banded two weeks ago and I feel so fortunate! I'm on my way now. Don't give up - if they tell you no, ask them what the next step is for you. If the procedure is DEFINITELY covered in your policy and you are sure the meet the quidelines = make them work. Good luck!:thumbup:

What fun to try on chlothes and have them be too big! I'm only 2 weeks banded and I'm already down 12 lbs. Hoping to have that shopping experience soon myself! Congratulations! Now if I can get as much ambition with the exercise!

Well, after going through all the hoops Aetna requires, I found out last week that I was denied. They say I don't have the co-morbidities. But, I have sleep-apnea and high cholesterol, so I just don't understand. My BMI is 39. But, my policy says that your BMI only needs to be 35 if you have at least one co-morbitity. My counselor at Lapband Solutions scheduled a peer-to-peer consultation with Aetna, but they never called, so she is rescheduling it for next week. After all this effort, I am so depressed I don't even want to get out of bed. Has anyone ever had any experience with these peer-to-peer reviews? I wonder if they ever change their minds once they've made a decision.

I'm new to the forum and still waiting for approval (hopefully I'll hear something this week). I am one of the oldest in an office of 10 women and, sadly, at 202lbs., I'm one of the smallest. There are three other women in the office who are in their 20's and are at least 300lbs. each. When I mentioned I was hoping to get the band they just laughed and said, "that's ridiculous...just go on a diet." So now I just don't say anything. If I get approved I'm hoping these young women will see my success and realize they can have success as well. Either way I'm on my way to a healthy, happy new lifestyle!