Calif_Princess

Thanks! I'm trying to picture all of this....I'm glad I won't have a valve steam sticking out of me lol I called to put my name on this list for a seminar that Dr. Oliak is having here in So. Calif but was told the since I have a HMO my insurance will not cover that Dr. since it's out of network. I was SO crushed. Well I called Health Net and asked if the surgery is covered and they said yes and my first step is making an appointment with my primary care Dr. So I did that and I go into see him on the 16th.........we'll see what he says. :cool2:) Melissa

That's GREAT news. I was so worried that Health Net would laugh at me. What constitutes documentation of diets? I'm 270 pound with my BMI at about 58% and I've been fat all my life. I have tried a million diets over the years (as have we all) but I didn't go to my dr. every time I started a new one. In fact, we moved and this dr. is sort of new....we've only had him for a few years now. I'm worried and I haven't even gone to the seminar yet....lol Melissa

Oh I hate red tape. I wish I wouldn't take so long. I guess the waiting is the worse part. :smile:( So does something stick out of the incisions? I don't have a clue what this will look like when it's done. How is the band "filled"? I keep thinking something is going to be sticking out of me like the air stem on a tire...lol Also, is there much scarring left? Melissa

Hi JEM I'm seriously considering the surgery and am planing on attending the next seminar in Orange. I live in Riverside County (Idyllwild) not too far from you. :thumbup:) What's your experience with Dr. Oliak?

<< Lost 165 pounds in one year. Endured port reattachment surgery, gallbladder removal. Major slip, Dr. Hamn said caused by my major weight loss. TriCare Prime refused to do anything but pay to have it removed. Attempted "fix" of band 4.10.05, Dr. Louis Fox (my saint) Continued slippage, no fill, major reflux Band removed and replaced 4.24.08, Dr. Louis Fox much scar tissue removed and hiatal hernia repaired. >> Kimberly, wow, you went through so much! How did you lose SO much weight in the first year? Did you do a special diet along with the surgery? So, you had the surgery, then a reattachment surgery, then another surgery to take the old one out and put a new one in? What's reflux? Your insurance wouldn't pay for this??? So you had to pay for the new surgery out of your own pocket?? Sorry for so many questions, I am seriously considering this surgery and I want to be prepared. :thumbup:) Melissa

Okay, so what's this "restriction" that everyone is praying for? :thumbup:) Please explain, I'm a total Newbie. :biggrin:)