inspectorgadget

I was banded on 2-3-09, had follow-up 2 weeks later and don't have a fill scheduled til 3-23-09....I think most wait til at least 6 weeks after surgery.

I haven't tried the burger, fries, and a coke thing. I think my stomach shrank during the pre-op diet phase so I get full a little quicker. But when I eat I can tell there is no restriction, so I mindfully eat less and make better choices. But when I eat I can tell that if I wanted to push it I could eat more, but I make the choice not to because I don't want to regain what I've lost before my fill. I haven't had problems eating any types of food either...but I chew well just to get into the habit. I talked to my NP about this and she said basically the band is just in place and just about anything will pass thru right now. They give you 6 weeks to heal then they restrict it. So I picture it as the opening being big enough for food to pass thru (not sitting in the top pouch)...so I'm filling the stomach I always have for now!

I get the Viactiv chewable vitamins as well as the calcium. They're chewy and good for a chocolate fix. VIACTIV

Like you said "no sweat", it was and has been a very easy road (too easy lately). My biggest problem being 4 weeks out is that I have no restriction and "COULD" eat anything if I chose to. I have my first fill scheduled for 3-31-09 and am just going on will power right now. I basically don't even feel like I have a band. My Nurse Practitioner said I would feel this way til I got a fill. I started feeling like my old self about 3 weeks out. I could tell a moajor difference just getting my staples out. Good luck!

I know exactly what you're talking about. I had it too after a day or so...I guess the anesthesia was good and worn off by then, but it felt like I had a sore throat. I was told that it was from the tube they put down your throat during surgery (makes sense to me). I think it went away in a few days...like you said it feels raw...hang in there! I was like you and had no gas pain or anything...I thought this is no big deal, other than the raw throat and some discomfort at my port sight I was good to go and walking around and cleaning house when I got home.

Same here, I was banded on 2-3-09 and I feel ashamed of myself. I followed the diet really strict for the first 2 1/2 weeks, but I've started eating a little more lately. I stop myself, but I feel I eat too much sometimes. My surgeon said that once I get a fill I will feel the restriction. I eat less because my stomach shrank during the pre and post op diets, as I'm sure yours did. We just need to hang in there til our first fill and try not too eat too much and lose what we can basically on our own til the fill. Good luck!

I have BC BS FEP in TN...I was really disappointed with the process. The doctor submitted my paperwork and I kept calling the 800 number to see if it was received. Each time the person would say they don't know if it was received or not (no system to tell), that it would be posted when it was approved. After 4 weeks of calling another guy on the phone said if we had received it, it would show in the system as pending approval (totally opposite of what I was told for 4 weeks). At this point my doctor resent the package and I called a week later and it was received and approved. I just called the BCBS 800 number, they'll tell you when it's approved...but my doctor didn't get the letter til a week later (they wouldn't schedule me without it). So...with that being said I would make sure they show it in the system and don't give you the run-around like I got. No way to check it on-line, they only show paid or pending claims. Once it's received it's fast!

I am a federal employee with BCBS Fed Basic. The insurance has the BMI/Morbidity restrictions that you must meet. My BMI is 41, but no co-morbidities. The individual doctors are the ones that set the requirements as far as the Psych Eval and other things. BCBS Fed Basic doesn't require a 6 month weigh in....once I got all the things complete the doctor wanted my paperwork was sent to BCBS and I was approved in about 5 weeks and scheduled for surgery. BCBS gives you a nurse that is your case manager and you call them personally with issues from lengthening your stay to payment problems. I think you would be hard pressed to get it worked out from where you are. If I were you, I would cancel the surgery date and go thru the proper channels and get insurance to pay for it. Remember federal plans drop children on their 22 birthday whether they're in school or not...except in cases of mental or physical conditions that make you dependent. GOOD LUCK:tt1:

Yes, part time federal employees pay higher premiums when they work over 15, but under 40 hours per week. Interestingly enough, if you only work 15 hours per work (been there myself) you pay the same premium as a full timer, but over 15 until full time you pay a prorated amount. As for who the other insurance questions, I don't know. That stuff is pretty sticky....just try to hang on to the federal plan.:tongue2:

I'm a long term Federal Employee and have BCBS FEP Basic. There is no 6 month waiting, but (as stated by others) each doctor has different requirements as far as Psych/Nutrionist/etc. As long as you are covered by the plan it will pay, federal insurances have no pre-existing exclusions in any of their policies, and also part time employees receive the same plans/benefits as full time, but the premiums CAN differ based on the amount of hours you work. :thumbup: