Slim2bnik

Hey All! I'm debating back and forth as to whether I should get a fill (1/12/09 will be my 3rd fill) or am I just not eating properly? According to the info I received from Inamed (Lap Band makers) I should be eating 1-2 oz of meat, fish or poultry. I can eat more than that. I can eat 4 oz. and be satisfied, not stuffed. Also approx. how many oz. of veggies do you eat with each meal? Do you go by the: eat a ½ cup to 1 cup total per meal theory? I’d love to hear your experiences with learning how to eat like a bandster.:tongue2:

Thanks to everyone for their response. I'm still trying to figure all of this out. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one playing around with portions still.:tongue2: I'm trying to determine whether I need another fill. I was out of control over the holidays (eating). I figure if I just get back on track this week, I'll know if a 3rd fill is needed.

I want to wear a normal sized jean. NO MORE PLUS SIZES! I want to wear a swim suit again. I haven't worn one in about 15 years. I also want to wear tights without starting a fire. I can't wait 'til these thighs go down....LOL!:huh2:

Hey Ladies, Happy Sunday to ya! I hope everyone had a pleasant weekend. I was banded on 10/30. Everything went very smoothly. I wasn't and haven't been in any pain. Just a lot of soreness, like I've been going a million crunches. I was released on Friday afternoon, and I was feeling so good that I even took my 3 yr old trick-or-treating. The walking was good for me. It was nice to stretch my legs, plus I had some gas that needed to be worked out.....LOL I'm so exicited to be on my way to a slimmer me. YAY!:cool2:

Thanks Ladies! I'm feeling really good, and I'm trying to take it easy. After surgery, I had 3 papers to work on for school, and I had my son this weekend. Woo! It sure is hard being Super Woman!

Hey All! I was banded on 10/30. Everything went very well I wasn't and haven't been in any pain. Just a lot of soreness, I was released on Friday afternoon, and I was feeling so good that I even took my 3 yr old trick-or-treating. The walking was good for me. It was nice to stretch my legs, plus I it worked some to the gas out.

Congrats on your band! I know what you mean by moving around like a turtle. That was me walking the halls of the hospital the day of surgery. Each day get better and better. Good to hear you doing well. We're on our way girl!:cool2:

Hey Ladies, I'm not around much. Very busy with school and wrestling with BCBS. I was lurking a lil though.:crying: Anyhow you ladies are the only ones that can appreciate how happy I am. I've finally been approved!!! Everyone in my house is like "Oh that's nice" then go about their business. I can't believe it! I don't have a date yet. I hope I can be banded in October still. My Dr. is on vacation and so is the insurance coordinator. I won't get a date until they return. It's always something ain't it?!?

Hey Everyone! Can I join y'all. My date was originally 11/6, but the dr's office called and bumped my surgery up to 10/30. Woo Hoo! A whole week sooner. I only have to do a seven day diet. I start this coming mid week.

Guess what?!?! I got a call from my dr's office yesterday....they moved my surgery to October 30th! I'm doin' the cabbage patch y'all... :wink2:

I feel your pain! I too have a dr. with an incompetent staff. It's like....I don't have a problem having these tests done, it’s the fact that they just call you up like "oh, you didn't know???" My pressure is rising thinking about it....LOL

I'll join you. This can be a part of my concervative couch to 5k program I found. The first month is all walking. I will try to 7 day with a minimum of 5.

Hey all I finally got my date! November 6th. I'm very excited! I don't know how I'm going to work this around school.:biggrin: I definitely don't want to wait until the first of the year. I need to get the show on the road. My birthday is in Jan, and would like to be a few pounds slimmer by then.:thumbup: Thanks again ladies for your support!

THANK YOU Ladies, for your enthusiasm and support! :tt1: I'm sooooo excited. I was told today that I may be able to have surgery as soon as 10/16. I have to wait until my dr. returns from vacation for it to be confirmed. I'm trying not to think about it too much. I don't want to be disappointed if that date doesn't work out. Thanks again!

My claim continues to be denied. First they needed the notes from my 6 mo med super diet. I had to send that twice, because they were playing games. Then they claimed they didn't have a psych eval. More games. Now they're claim the dr didn't put enough deatailed notes. I mean what else could he put in there beside my diet, exercise routine, I was even Rx'd weight loss medication. I contacted www.obesitylaw.com and I spoke to an attorney there who informed me that Allergan (the makers of the Lap Band) has an appeals program. The dr's office has to call and request the appeal form fill it out with my info, they then send it off to obesitylaw, to appeal to the insurance company. I was told the whole process will take approx. 60 days. They attorney also told me for my situation they have a 90% success rate and my appeal would mostly likely be approved at the 1st level. I guess that's sort of a silver lining:confused: I try not to be, but I am very discouraged with all of this. I think its because of all of drama and stress I've had over the last 3 years (married, had a baby, cancer and divorce). My mind and body has really had ENOUGH. Now school has started back and I have 18 credit hours (I know its crazy but I want and need to graduate ASAP), and instead of recovering from surgery or at least preparing for it, I'm having to mess around with this whole appeals process. GRRRR! Thanks for letting me vent ladies....

Thanks, I'm still going forward. I have BCBS of IL PPO. I've heard on msg boards and even my dr's office that this ins co is a pain to deal with. And yes that how it supposed to go. Jump thru the hoops, and Voila! you're approved. But thats not the case. They keep finding reasons to deny my claim. My Nut is supposed to amend the notes. However I have to track the Nut down. Which is another source of my aggravation, having to chase people. I'm also going to write a letter chronicling weight loss attempts.

Congratulations on your surgery. I'm sure it feels great to be a "loser":thumbup: I remember those gas pains from my c-section. I heard the same thing about the baby gas drops too. Take care!

I'm looking for those of you out there that used Obesity Law or even just a lawyer period to fight an insurance denial. What was your experience like? How fast or slow was the process? What were the costs? Any other helpful details you're willing to share. I have BSBC of IL PPO. And they have denied me because the dr's notes are not detailed enough. Never mind the fact I have enough medical history as proof that I need and would really benefit from surgery. I've been in this process since late December/January. Enough is enough already!:thumbup: Again any input is greatly appreciated. ~Nikki

Hey All! I'm Nikki, I'm probably more of a lurker on these boards, but I just wanted to introduce myself. Take care!

Sandra, By law your boss CANNOT ask what is specifically wrong, or what procedure you're having. All they need to know is that you need the time off, and for how long. HIPPA protects you from having your doctor tell your employer that you are seeing him/her, and/or what you are seeing him/her for. I hope this will put your mind at ease. Have a blessed journey

Time2Bthin, I had to do a 6 mo med supervsd diet, and I didn't loose ANY weight...in fact I gained about 6lbs. The nut. did say that they wanted me to loose weight before the surgery. I've been slacking lately. Not because I don't want to, I have this horrible addiction to fast food.:w00t: Over the weekend I started a pre, pre-op diet to drop some weight. I do 2 meal replacements and then a healthy dinner, plus fruit or cereal bars for snacks. Also, I was diagnosed with sleep apena, and had to do a second sleep study. At the 2nd study I had to sleep with a CPAP. The dr. then Rx'd a CPAP for home. The CPAP is NOT my friend...LOL. Good luck to you on your journey!

Hi! I'm going to have my lap band done by Dr. Sarker too! Provided I can get approved by my insurance. My coverage switched from a regular plan to COBRA. I was told by BCBS IL PPO I should know something this week. Everyone please say a prayer, cross your fingers, legs and eyes for me....LOL:tongue_smilie: ~Nik

Think it depends on what your insurance requires..I could be wrong though. I had to do: cardiology clearance, psych eval, nutrition eval, pulmonary function test + clearance from pulmonary dr., sleep study, chest x-ray, UGI dysmotility, and blood work (don't know the specifics). I hope I was some help. Good luck in your journey! ~Nik