willowcrown

Hello! I have reached my weight loss goal and will be having surgery next month to remove excess skin, tummy tuck and breast implants. At the same time, I have asked my Lap Band surgeon to do a port revision because the one I have now is a bit bothersome in some clothing (ie - tights, nylons, some tighter waistband pants/skirts). He's agreed but I'm wondering about any insurance coverage issues. The pain is really not a concern, since I'm going to be pretty miserable from everything else - what's a little bit more? lol Anyway, has anyone had experience with BC/BS PPO with regard to coverage on the low profile port placement? Thanks!

Just wondered if anyone else had experienced significant hair shedding after the band? I started "shedding" about two months ago - it peaked significantly about a month ago and it's tapered off a bit but I'm freaked out. My hair is noticably thinner and almost to the point that I've seriously considered looking at a wig. My doctor didn't seem all that concerned, even though I was nearly in tears sitting in her office. She gave some recommendations for supplements and instructed me to try Rogaine if I wanted. Lastly, she assured me that my hair would regrow in 6-9 months. Ugh! Meanwhile, I feel pretty unfeminine and am wondering if it's better to be thinner and balding or fat with a nice head of hair. :smile: Anyone else going through or have been through this?

I follow the instructions (for the most part) of my doc and wait 24 hours before eating any solids. I've never had any problems and am still waiting for true restriction after 3 fills. I haven't noticed any yet and I'm starting to wonder if I just don't know how to identify it. lol

I have been told that the PB stands for "Productive Burp". So far I've never PB'd but I do burp way more than I used to prior to the band. I've only just had my first fill a couple of weeks ago and that has not seemed to make an impact on my hunger or volume of food I can eat. Good luck to you!

I am scheduled for my first fill next Wednesday. I am curious to know if my activity will be restricted for a couple days after my fill or not? I am due to start working with a personal trainer the day of my fill. I forgot to ask my surgeon about the activity level post fill. I know that my foods will be liquid or mushy for at least a day but I wasn't sure about working out. Thanks for your help! SOOOO looking forward to have a little help from my band! :rolleyes2:

All right, I give. I consider myself pretty smart but I can't figure out what you guys mean when you say, "PB". :thumbup: Also, I go for my first fill next Wednesday. How many of you felt restriction after your first fill? Thanks...

Holy crap, dude! You rock! You're actually online and you had surgery today??? The first 12 hours for me were spent in la-la land. Good Luck!

Hi there... I personally have not kept my decision to have surgery from anyone. My work "family" has been so incredibly supportive and truly interested in the whole process that it's been a great source of comfort. The dentist that I work for has supported me every step of the way, once he learned about everything involved with preparing for surgery - the testing, the psychological counseling, etc. Not one single person was accusatory about "taking the easy way out". I simply printed out an anatomical diagram about how the lap band works as I explained what I was having done. It was easier to show the band as a tool and not a quick fix. After my surgery, I received a get well card and a gift card to a local department store from my staff. They had all chipped in what they could afford to purchase the gift card so that I could buy new clothes in smaller sizes as I "shrunk". I was so touched and felt glad about my decision to tell everyone. Best of luck to you.

Wait a second. You're really being too confrontational for your own good. As I said in my message to you, I wanted you to take my opinion as just that - an opinion. You're right, it was my choice to share my decision with the people in my life that I would need support from. It is your choice not to. I just think you are being a bit dilusional to think that no one will notice that you're loosing weight. What were you planning on telling folks when they ask about your weight loss - because they always do? My point about "endearing" yourself to the medical community was misconstrued. I merely meant to infer that if I sued a doctor for something, or threatened to do so, I sure wouldn't want him/her to operate on me. That's my 2 cents.

I too am from Michigan. Now, I had BCN, which is another HMO. They told me that I had to go to Henry Ford for consideration of surgery. It took me over a 1/2 hour on hold to actually speak to a real person at Henry Ford. When I finally did, the girl I spoke with was not only unhelpful, she didn't even follow up or send me any of the info she said she would. After trying to follow up twice, I was still no further ahead so I just changed my insurance. I am 90% sure that all the HMOs make you do 6-12 months of supervised diet and excercise. I was told in my case, even though I had three significant "co-morbidities" that they still wanted me to go the non-surgical route. I know someone who was on HAP and that is what they were told as well. After 6mos of dieting, this person lost about 30 pounds. They considered her efforts successful and would not consider her for surgery. Not that I'm suggesting you sabbatoge a diet, but take the info for what it's worth. Good luck to you.

The situation is not comfortable. However, and I hope you take this in the spirit it is meant. From one big girl to another, do you believe that people at your church, work, etc. don't know that you are...well, fat? What difference does it really make if people know you are considering or have had Lap Band surgery? You are acting like trying to improve your health is a shameful thing that needs to be kept private. From someone who is newly banded, I can tell you that it's no "magic bullet"; I'm working my butt off! I would use the opportunity to "flip the script" on this gadfly and if someone mentions it to you say, "Yes, I am considering Lap Band surgery. It's a drastic step but I believe it will help me acheive my personal health goals." Then smile as you deliver the final, disarming but sincere zinger..."thank you so much for your concern; it means so much to me to know that you care!" I personally haven't hid a thing from anyone - not my coworkers, family or friends. It was that right thing to do. Everyone has been like my personal cheerleaders. As a manager of a large dental practice, I would immediately terminate any employee who was divulging personal info to outside sources. You should schedule a meeting with the doc and the office manager. Ask them what they plan to do about the situation and insure that they follow up. Trying to sue the doc or the office is *not* the way to endear yourself to medical community, trust me. You'd be hard pressed to find a doc that would take you on after that. Good luck! :party:

I have been away from the forum for a bit - working out takes like waaaay more time than I expected. lol (I hate every minute of working out - does anyone have a fix for that??? Acccck!) I have lost a couple of pounds, but now my "friend" is visiting so I might not lose much if anything this week. However, clearly my body is changing - my pants looked utterly ridiculous today and I almost killed myself coming down the stairs at work becuase the pants were slipping down around my hips. This made them too long and I got my feet caught in my own pantlegs! Good grief - embarrassing but funny. Anyway - I'm hoping things will change more drastically when I get my fill in two weeks. I'm pretty much able to eat larger amounts of food than I expect I should. Still haven't cheated but it sure gets pretty difficult sometimes. :party: