ML in VA

Hi! I was banded on 8/14 and and after 3 fills, now have 6.6cc's in a 10cc band. I FINALLY have restriction and can now only eat approx. 1/2 cup of food at each sitting. Hope this helps! ML sw 295 cw 268

Hi everyone, I'm hoping I can get some good advice here. I was banded on 8/14; went for my first fill on 9/24 (3 cc's in 10 cc band). Today I am still very hungry and feeling very little restriction. I called my doc's office to schedule another fill. I was told that I could not get another fill until after November 19th (90 days post op). The first appt. available was 12/4! :biggrin: Does this sound right at all? In reading the boards, it seems most docs will give another fill if the patient requires it. I'm getting a little discouraged, although I am down 30 pounds since surgery date. Any advice would be appreciated. ML sw 295 cw 270 (?? - haven't weighed in 3 weeks; don't want to get discouraged)

Just came back from the support meeting. The fitness trainer who was supposed to faciliate wasn't there so it wasn't really structured. I guess I'll try next months meeting and then decide if they're worth the trek. Didn't have a preop diet other than clear liquids the night befoe. Hope this info helps!

I really like the UNJURY shakes - no after taste at all. My biggest learning is about the pain post op. I was the first surgery at 8:30 and was ready to be discharged by noon. When I left the hospital, I was virtually pain free. By the time I got home to Va Beach, the gas and stomach pains hit pretty quick. I didn't take anything other than tylenol for the pain. Boy was that a mistake! Lesson learned...take your pain meds to stay in front of the pain. After day 4 the pain subsided pretty significantly. Day 7...no pain at all. I totally understand all of your fears, but I think you'll find that the staff at Sentara does a great job to help alleviate your fears and Dr. T is the best at making you feel very comfortable. So no worries...you're gonna rock! :smile2:

I was banded on 8/14/08 by Dr. Terracina and I am doing great 7 days out. I'm on the post op diet for the next 7 days - liquids including broth and protien shakes and feel great. I'm down 14 pounds and can feel some restriction. Nothing but great things to say about Dr. T and the gang at WLSC; Sentara staff also rocks! Good luck on your journey. I'll gladly answer any other questions you may have! ML

Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm feeling pretty good 5 days out; gas pain has subsided pretty significantly, although its still uncomfortable to burp and I tire pretty quickly. All in all - I think I'm on my way. I have my post-op on the 27th and then i can move to mushies - very excited about that! Good luck to you on your journey!:thumbup:

I woke up this morning and dared to weigh myself...I know that I was facing a gain due to Water retention, bloat, etc. Anyhoo...I was banded on 8/14 and I'm down almost 14 pounds. Yahoo!!! Just had to share. ML

I had the same situation. I was initially denied by cigna (primary) and was advised by Tricare Prime (secondary) that they would also deny if cigna did. I ended up appealing cigna's decision and won.

Wow! Insurance really is a tough nut to crack. I have Cigna Open Access as well, but since my employer has a bariatric provision, I was able to at least submit the auth to them. They denied due to lack of consistent BMI and 6 month diet (i had docs for 4 out of 6 months). I appealed and they approved. I think it starts with the employer and how your insurance plan is written.

Thanks for your response KKS! I posted under a seperate thread that I had prepared to self-pay but shot off a pretty emotional appeal letter to cigna - they approved me 10 days later. Appeal it KKS...you will most likely be approved. I did not provide them with one extra piece of documentation when I appealed, which leads me to believe that they try to deny on the first try. Good luck to you! I am scheduled for banding on Thursday!!

Hi Angela, I'm having my surgery by Dr. Terracina at Sentara Careplex in Hampton. I would love to chat as well!

Thanks so much, Stephanie. I think I may to keep some of my 401K money out for the new wardrobe that I'll be sure to need. I can't wait!

I'm scheduled for August 14th as well. I went from insurance denial to self-pay and today found out that based on my appeal...I'm approved! Yahoo! ML in VA:tt2: