*slim*

Hi. Of course, I am not not auntlucy, but I saw them on the vitaminshoppe website. Here is the link: Vitamins, Nutritional Health supplements & Herbal Remedies - VitaminShoppe.com It's by IDS sports. You can do a search for that brand and it comes right up. I haven't tried them but every forum that I have been on says that they are great.

Hi. first congrats on your surgery! I am not banded, but I have read several threads about headaches. I don't know if they go away, but it seems to be a common complaint. I wonder if it has anything to do with withdrawal symptons from maybe carbs? I am not completely sure, but it does appear to be common post op.

My doctor gave me a liquid diet to follow 2 weeks prior to surgery. I am to drink to 6 Glucerna weight loss drinks a day plus all of the no calorie liquid I want (i.e. water, diet soda, broth... you get the picture:sad:). I haven't been approved yet, but I was given the diet paper before I left the office so that I am prepared.

I read somewhere else that your doctor can write you a RX for aniti-vomitting medicine just in case or as soon as you come down with it. Every thing I have read says vomitting is not good for bandsters (especially when first banded). That being said, I have also read that some doctors say its no big deal. Which is true? I don't know, but my gut says too much stomach heaving can't be good for a bandster. Since you know you get the bugs, be your own advocate and get a doctor to prescribe something to have on hand. That's what I plan to do.

Way to go! Keep us posted on what they taste like. I haven't started trying any just in case I am not approved by insurance.

I'm not banded yet so I don't know this from experience. My doctor said that with PCOS that after weight loss, your hormones that haven't been being produced the way that they should be can start with a vengence. Since you are taking BC and have lost weight, your body may actually have too much estrogen due to increased production with the weight loss. Your doctor can, of course, be able to tell for sure. I would definitely ask for a hormone level check. I hope this helps.

I noticed in one of your other posts that you lived very close to me. Maybe if I actually get approved by insurance, you and I can provide support for each other. I know I am going to need it. Let me know.

$250 up front program fee $95 nutrionist & psych evaluation $1000 admin fee 7 days prior to surgery (not billed to insurance) +10% of whatever the doctor charges (insur pays 90%) insurance pays 100% of hospital, pre-testing, etc

It is funny what some companies will pay for. Previously, the company I worked for had BCBS of Alabama. They would pay for gastric bypass (more risk) but would not cover lap band. Now we have BCBS of Illinois and they cover both, BUT my understanding is they make it so VERY hard to get approved. IF they approve me, I have care credit to handle my out of pocket costs. Good luck to everyone!

Thanks for the info. I can only hope that I will be so lucky with my tattoo.:biggrin:

Thanks for the info. I can only hope that I never actually have to use it.

This is just something else to think about... I have heard of (and experienced) taking too much tylenol or advil for headaches actually started causing more headaches. I had finally gone to my doctor and she mentioned that taking such medicines on too regular a basis can cause the same headaches you are trying to get rid of. Like I said, just a thought to add to everyone elses. I hope you get to feeling better. Headaches are no fun no matter how they are caused.

Thanks! I will keep you posted!

First, I love the idea of a significant tatt. I say something with your surgery date or even just the number from your goal weight. No one but you would know what that meant. My question to you all that already have tattoos and have already been banded, did they change after weight loss? I have several but one that I concerned about goes across the expanse of my rear.:confused2: I never should have gotten that on my huge rear, but when I went to the first place and the artist actually told me that he couldn't handle doing my art anywhere because of my size :tongue:(it was like a challenge to me)! I went and found an artist that would not only do my ink but across my, well, butt. I am so scared that it is going to look horrid after I lose some weight (not that it doesn't look horrid now:embaressed_smile:).

I am so glad you asked this question. I am not banded yet, but plan to be by the time we go back to Disney next year. We didn't buy the meal plan the last time but I wished we had. I think we will again just giving my son the adult meal and I will eat the child's meal. That sounds like a plan!:tongue:

Wow you could have been telling my story. I can only hope that once I am banded (if I get approved) I have the same improvement. My symptons started after having my gallbladder removed and continued to get worse. I now have esophagous spasms with my flares. I take levsin every four hours and it only helps the pain. I hadn't thought about imodium. I too have not been able to figure out my real triggers because something that triggers today, won't tomorrow. Anyway, I digress, congrats on your improvement. I hope the rest of us have the same improvement!:tongue:

Hi. I am still waiting on insurance approval before getting a surgery date. I am in TN. I would love to be a friend. Everyone on here has been so nice to answer my stupid questions.:tongue:

I have always heard that if you wear some type of girdle while losing the weight, it helps bring the skin in line. Of course, since I haven't lost any yet, I can't say whether it works but it can't hurt.

I fully understand what you are going through. My doctor required me to pay a "program fee" that isn't billed to insurance.:confused2: They told me up front $250. Then they sent me to a psych and nutritionist visit at the hospital where the surgery will take place. That was another $95. I found out at the hospital that if I had used their doctors for surgery, this would have been included with my price. It does at least cover 5 more visits with the social worker if I want or need them. I still have another $1000 "program fee" that has to be paid 7 days prior to surgery. :tongue: This too is not billed to insurance. I think they just want to make as much money up front as they can.

Thanks, I hope so too. You would think that all of the insurance companies would recognize how much easier it would be to pay for the surgery now, than to pay for all of my other illnesses later on. Of course, that would make sense and most insurance companies don't believe in making sense. Go figure.:confused2:

Way to go! Congrats to you! :tongue:

Way to go! I am glad that you were finally approved. I can only hope that I don't have to go through multiple denials. I have been calling them everyday. I have also been emailing them daily. I am not letting up. How exactly do you get in touch with Obesity Law if you need them?

I like the way you said that. It gives the feeling of such power over this. Something that we all have struggled with, we are now within our power to change. Sassymama, you have gone through the pre-op diet and the pain of surgery. You have been strong through all of that, you can make it through this too.

I'll definitely keep you in my thought also! I will also add a few steps to my ancient insurance approval dance:biggrin2:.

I sure hope not. If that is the case, then I hope that I am the exception. I don't want to jump through any more hoops. I will if I have to, but I don't want to.