motherwanttobe

Be sure to do your research. I had my surgery 4/07. I am lucky my insurance did pay for the procedure as well as for the follow up. I tolerated the procedure well and have had no problems to date. I am down 68 pounds and am very happy; but I have heard and read many horror stories from self pay individuals. Examples: 1) Self pay patient had internal adhesions from other non related procedures. During the procedure they discover the adhesions. They had to remove the adhesions. This required additional medical care and follow up. The insurance company, which did not cover the procedure or related costs, stated everything stemed from the intial non approved procedure. That nearly doubled her cost. 2) Self pay patient developed pneumonia, insurance refused any costs associated with the pneumonia because it was associated with the non approved surgery. 3) Self pay patient developed stomach and esophagus ulcers, 1 year post. This required testing and draining the band 2 years post the procedure. Since her issues were the result of the banding the insurance company refused to cover any of the additional expenses stating it was all related to the initally unapproved procedure. 4) Number of follow up visits and fills. When you are self pay, many times you can negotiate your fills for the first year to be included in the cost of the procedure. If not what can you anticipate: each visit an estimated $100 and the fill another $150. How many fills have I had in 1 year? I had my first fill 6 weeks post the fill. I have had additional fills every 10-12 weeks. Then at the 1 year point you have bloodwork and an upper GI to ensure you do have not developed ulcers. I am told I will require the same bloodwork and upper GI at the 2 year point. I don't know about after that. After year 1 the fills will greatly decrease. After 2 years the fills are about every 6 months, just to tighten it up a little and make sure you are slipping back into old habits. Every person is different this is just my experience and what I have been told. I am not discouraging anyone from having the procedure. I am simply stating you need to be aware.

I had surgery 4/07. I just had my 1 year follow up and am down 68 pounds. I have struggled with keeping my protein high. It took me about 6 weeks to figure out the best way to get my protein up. There have been many periods where I have fallen below what the dietician states I need, particularly following fills. What has greatly helped is an early morning shake made with 1 scoop unjury, 1 teaspoon of benefiber, carnation instant breakfast (the blue box or container is sugar free and the liquid is easier and quicker), I add fruit sometimes and sometimes a scoop of yogurt. One shake last me most of the morning. Any soups I make at home I add Unjury and fiber too. It doesn't matter if the rest of the family eats the soup as well, it will not hurt them. Actually i found everyone eats less because the added fiber fills them up quicker. I look for frozen foods such as south beach diet items which are high in protein. Once a week, excluding the week post a fill, I go for Sashimi at a local Sushi Place. That helped keep my protein levels high. Milk has become a staple. I drink several glasses of 1% milk a day. Remember to take at least one Pepsid a day. I personnally split the little tablet and take a 1/2 tab with each meal. If you do not the probability of gases backing up and possible ulcers in your stomach and esophagus are much higher.

Chronic Constipation Reply: I was banded 4/07. I tried several things before finding a routine that worked for me. I use the chocolate chewable generic brand laxative. One square every other day. I do not have constipation nor do I have the squirts. I also add Benefiber powder to my protein shakes and to any soups I make at home.