OpenHrtOpenMind

Dr. MacColl was also my surgeon & everything had been wonderful. Shellie, his PA is truly amazing and has made this journey always a positive one. Although Dr MacColl has now moved on, the Altru system is still THE place to have this done!

Just an FYI.. I've been looking at Bodybugg too & right now until 12/1 it's $149.50 at 24hourfitness.com.. lowest I've seen it!!!

Hi, & welcome!!!! Although there are so many factor that affec this process (namely insurance & doctors & individaul programs), I'll answer as best as I can from my perpsective. -Time from beginning to end: 3 months (seminar 2/14/08 & surgery 5/7/08) - Yes - you can keep it private. Only my family & close friends know & only my HR at work & one close friend at work know. It's up to you to tell whom you choose :frown: - Can't really answer the specifics for your areas, sorry :smile: I wish you well & seems like you've made some great choices already!!! Don't be a stranger as this is the most amazing place for info & support!!!

I just read a thread that reminded me of when I went shopping for a few new things last week (it's starting to get pretty chilly here in ND & none of my shirts or sweaters fit anymore - they're TOO BIG!!!!). Anyway, I found a few sweaters & even though I've lost a considerable amount so far, I find my head still can't wrap itself around my smaller size sometimes. I still go straight for the Plus section & seek out the largest size they have, only to try them on & realize..hello!!! that looks WAY too big on you!!! :cool2: Anyway, so I finally found 2 sweaters & a suede jacket (in a 16W by the way), only to find I needed a new pair of pants to go with the suede jacket for the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert coming up on Nov 1st. I searched low & high amongst the plus size for a 16 or 16W anywhere & almost gave up, when a funny little mule musta kicked me upside the head for not checking in the Misses Dept. I walked over thinking what are you doing, Liz.. you're fat butt is not gonna fit in stuff over here.. this is Skinny Land!!! :smile: 'Lo & behold there are the 16s, not even 16W mind you right there & sliding up over my much smaller behind (even though I was still thinking "THIS IS SO NOT GONNA HAPPEN!!!"). Anyway, they fit perfectly, not too loose, not too tight...call me Goldilocks!!! Anyway, just wanted to share that sometime our funny brains don't seem to catch up with our smaller size & you get to have these great moments to laugh at yourself & then smile because it's you that brought you here!:frown:

Congrats to you!!! What a major milestone :smile: Be so proud of yourself & all you've done! Keep it up!

OMG!!! I can't believe the treatment your are describing. As many others have stated here, you are a paying customer and deserve to be treated with dignity & respect. I highly encourage you to both put them in their place at the next visit & also write to the highest source you can at that facilitiy to make a written complaint. I know for me it took a lot to get to where I am today & to have to deal with this kind of additional burden would leave me wanting to run for Cold Stone (ice cream). Still, be strong, you make the choices for you & quite honestly.. to the @%ll with them!!! Give it right back at 'em!!!

Awesome, job!! Keep up the great job!!! I'm so happy for you!!!

Hey, all~ It's been a while, but wanted to check in with you all & see how everyone is doing! It's been a pretty amazing journey thus far. I'm hovering right at around teh 200# mark & eager to break that barrier (201.3 to be exact). Anyway, would love to hear how the May 2008 bandsters are doing :wink2: Take care all!!!

I second the advice to call you doctor's office to request your records and/or get as nurse to clarify this. I think maybe there is some misunderstanding as I find it hard to believe he'd fill 5cc - may fill up to 5 ccs ??? I know I had 2.5 in at surgery, then 1.5 for my first fill to bring me to 4. I've had 2 more fills now at 1.0 cc each, so I'm at 6.0 currently (& hopefully nearing the sweet spot!!!). I also know that each time before a fill, they actually extract all the fluid to measure to ensure no leaks. Again, knowledge is power & I'd either get with a nurse at the Dr.'s office or get a copy of the records yourself. Best of luck & let us know how it goes

I feel your pain & am right about where you are, with the exception that I had my first fill today. But prior to today, I have been C-R-A-Z-Y hungry really for about the last week & a half. I have been able to eat so much more than the 1/2 c or so that was pretty typical about week 2, & was forcing myself to stop long short of satisfied, let alone full. Hang in there! This is really almost the hardest part. You've come this far, so give yourself a little room & know you're not alone :wink2:

Welcome!! You've taken the first few steps on a very exciting path :thumbup:

Try not to be discouraged :thumbup: I think Debbie may be right in that it was possibly the way the question was worded. We have BCBS Federal & it has covered nearly about 90% of the entire cost including all the pre-op work ups, tests, & visits & even surprisingly the EGD (endoscope) which most insurances don't' cover (this procedure runs about $1175). Our Bariatric center had a insurance checklist that even contained the medical codes they use so we could reference these with our insurance company. You may see if they have something similar they could provide to you. In a pinch, here's the wording in our policy regarding what is covered: "Gastric restrictive procedures, gastric malabsorptive procedures, and combination restrictive and malabsorptive procedures to treat morbid obesity – a condition in which an individual has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more, or an individual with a BMI of 35 or more with co-morbidities who has failed conservative treatment; eligible members must be age 18 or over. Benefits are also available for diagnostic studies and a psychological examination performed prior to the procedure to determine if the patient is a candidate for the procedure." Maybe this can help to give you some more specific wording when you talk to the insurance company again :tt2:

Hi, there. I was banded on 5/7 and our program too called for a nutrition program before (12 wks) that was $350 & also a program fee for after of $275. It was explained to us that both are to help ensure the success of the Lap Band by prepping you with the nutrition, exercise & fitness know how before surgery. The program after is to cover the cost of dietitian visits after as research has shown that people are often much more reluctant to seek these out, even though they are very necessary, because they are typically only partially covered by insurance and subject to deductibles. Interestingly, I found it a very concrete way to keep me grounded as I have spent this money, so I'm certainly gonna get something for it!