RestlessMonkey

Like everything else, they all seem a little different! Mine was about 300 questions (taken from the MMPI test) and then a brief interview. They want to know if you might have a problem w/alcoholism, gambling, sex addiction etc to replace "food". (I think) Just answer everything honestly and you are sure to be fine!

Thanks! I'll add you too. Unfortunately I got in a spat w/a poster earlier so it's nice to know I can play good with the other kids! I DO try! LOL Good luck on your surgery...so soon now!

I'm not sure but it sounds like a good idea, to just do liquids and give your stomach and "self" a chance to settle down! I think i'll do that whether my surgeon requires it or no...2 days liquids then 1 mushie. I really feel great; I don't know why (LOL) but I do. And I had 2 surgeries in August to boot. I just REALLY was ready to get the band and so glad to have it once it was actually placed. Are you excited too? I know some people get a little anxious but I was just afraid they couldn't place it the 2nd time after my 1st fiasco (liver was too fatty. That was a bummer, let me tell you!) I feel so good post op it's hard to remember its in there.

Sweet G I WISH I had restriction! In fact, now that I'm 4 weeks post op, I'm going back on the preop low fat low carb hi protein my surgeon had me on. I'll probably get a few more calories than the 600 his called for, but want to try to do something! I know this is a time for healing etc..but good grief I'm tired of potatoes and other mushies! :thumbup: My WL so far was preop (32) pounds and the 1st 2 weeks post op (9 pounds). I haven't lost in the last 2 weeks and in fact have gained a bit, but I think it's water (judging from the fact that I have cankles instead of ankles! LOL) I feel great, though, and get my first fill about 3 days after you get your band! Are you anxious or just very ready?

Sure! Glad I could help! :thumbup:

I found this info on the TSA (Transportation Safety Admin) website.....should tell you what you need to do: TSA: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine

Good luck! :thumbup:

I agree cmcallister2...whether pro or con this is a public board and we should all be able to voice our opinions. If they are unpopular, the reader can just bypass them. If a person ASKS for opinions, info, etc then we all can state our case. That means all of us; not just the "popular" opinions! :thumbup:

Snowbird you don't know me from Adam, nor I you. I was honest in my reply. I grew up in EL Paso and have heard horror stories that would curl your hair. If you don't like what I have to say, I suggest you don't read it. But do not dare slander me. I am who I say. I don't own a bariatric center, I don't work in one. Do YOU own one in Mexico? Of course not. What a patently ridiculous thing. Just pass on my posts and I'll pass on yours. How's that for a nice compromise?

Yes I think I get your drift. Each surgeon puts his or her own spin on things. My best advice to you is to do what YOUR surgeon tells you to. You will trust him or her with your life on that OR table; you trust him to place the band, so trust him on the rest of it, too. On line is great IF you take the info with a grain of salt! (just a grain though; don't want too much salt LOL)

Medicare does cover lap band surgery so they may cover fills. Don't know for sure though!

I'm glad JWRN chimed in since she's one who appealed successfully! So....what SHE said! LOL :thumbup: Good luck. You can get this if you want it!

And I don't adress Mexico's clinics etc in every post; that's hyperbole. I address it when people ask for an opinion about Mexco based surgeons and clinics.

Firstly I don't ever say anything that isn't true. It IS hard for many to find aftercare locally once going elsewhere for the initial band. AND if one has a 4cc band, per my studies, that is the small band put out in 2001 and since replaced with newer versions. Finally I grew up in El Paso and lived on the border, and had many friends who lived across the border. There was a reason they would come to the USA for medical care. Just because something "looks" clean and safe doesn't mean it is. I have no personal experience with ANY physician in Mexico but I know what I was taught and what I learned and observed being in close proximity. Many of the pharmaceuticals are expired or formulated differently from American ones, etc. Bottom line, if they mess up, they are protected from legal recourse. Good for you going there and having a successful surgery. But remember, you get what you pay for. There's a reason it's less expensive. If the cost savings outweigh the risks then by all means proceed. We are all adults and can make up our own minds. But that doesn't mean one should pretend there ARE NOT risks, because there are. Regardless of where you have your surgery, here, Mexico, Brussels, Tahiti! wherever...risks ensue. A good consumer will weigh the odds and proceed. Surely you must agree with that!

You were apparently unhappy with your weight before....if you kept on eating like that, you'd still have been unhappy. I think you need to chill out and give yourself a chance to heal. I'm sure you had your own good personal reasons for getting the surgery; perhaps you might take a quiet moment or two and write them down and remember them. Life is more than eating junk food. I'm sure your kids would rather you play with them and be around a long time than have a big Mac with them. When you go to their weddings, will you be there for the love and joy, or for the cake? LOL It will get better. Trust yourself.

My center just got like $25 from me for my visit....the hospital $150 the day of my preop tests. If you do have "good insurance", use them!

Then, call your insurance. Find out if they cover bariatric surgery and if so, find out what centers/surgeons are covered. Then go to a FREE seminar, and get moving on the band!

Here's a link to a website that might help; bands that hold 4cc's appear to be the ones manufactured in 2001.... Compare Adjustable Gastric Bands - LAP-BAND vs. REALIZE Band

If it only holds 4 cc's that's the old style band (another down side of having surgery done in mexico) since the new Lap Band AP's are now sized and hold 10 ccs or 14 cc's. Try google for info on yours. Good luck!

I didn't have to do one. But you need the appeal letter. You need to find out exactly EXACTLY why you were denied (you might need to call them) and then depending on what is missing, resubmit it. Tricare will be able to tell you their appeals process. You'll have to work a little but again, it's worth it if you want the band!

First I'd find out which surgeons/centers ARE covered by my insurance. That should be your initial step. And I agree...2K for a seminar is outrageous, unless they teach you how to do the surgery yourself! Good grief!

I will say, from what I've read, Tricare is VERY rigid. If, per their tables, (and they use something odd like the low end of the met life tables from 1980 or some such nonsense...you need to find out exactly WHAT...) you are supposed to be 100 pounds overweight and are only 99 overweight, they DENY you. This goes against common sense, but it's what they do. Too many people get a defeatist attitude and let them get away with it. If you want the band badly enough, find out exactly WHAT they are missing and make sure they have it! What will it take you, a few hours? and save you what, 15K or so? I don't know about you but I don't have a job that pays me 15K for 5 hours of work. Don't let them do this to you!

I'm so sorry! I have a cold and my brain is lying on a beach somewhere far far away! LOL The "full liquids" need to be of a consistency that will FIT through a straw, but no, you are right, you do NOT use a straw to drink or consume them! Just use that as a visual aid to make sure what you are having is thin and "clump free"! Thanks for asking about that! :thumbup: And if you see my brain running around loose somewhere, would you tell it to come home? Thanks! :frown:

Make sure you have aftercare lined up locally, or plan many return trips to Tiajuana. You will need a series of fills and maybe some unfills to get your band adjusted properly (most likely a minimum of 4-5 fills plus an unfill or two) and if you have pain, a slipped port, excess nausea etc that's another trip back, because unless you can find local care most bariatric surgeons will not see you if you are someone else's patient. If going back and forth to TJ isn't feasible, line up that care locally BEFORE you proceed. If you think about it most surgeon's don't want someone elses' "mess"....if they do take you, often the fees charged are very high. Get that in place first. The band requires a good deal of aftercare.

My Doctor covered this at the seminar I attended. He said it is related to the "trauma" of the surgery and protein, vitamin, or other supplements (like the popular biotin) have not, in his practice, made any difference. He said most lose hair between 3 and 6 months, only 1 of his 1000 Plus patients felt they needed a wig or hairpiece (and the lady owned a wig shop) and that everyone "grew it back". So I'm forwarned, braced for it, won't stress over it (that can make it worse) won't spend a bundle trying to "stop" it, and know it will all grow back again. Worth it for the band.