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At my highest I was 180. at 5'2. and wore a size 1i6.. I got the band and got downe to size 4or 6.. I now wear a size 6. I am unfilled at the moment..for I guess since last Augest. So I have put some weight back on. Dr. Lopez 3/29/06 180/125/127 SLipped 1/07 Fixed slip 3/27/07 self pay IF someone asked me if I WOULD DO IT AGAIN.. OH YEAH.. IN A HEART BEAT...I EVEN TOOK OUT SECOND PPO TO COVER MAINTENANCE ON THE BAND...... Diane in San DIego:cry:cry:cry:cry

i just signed up FOR BCBS PPO.. I self paid for my band in TJ.. but I wanted maintennace insurance so I took out this PPO...I have already had 1 slip, which I paid for due to the fact the TRICARE WEST does not COVER LAP BAND procedures.. I am glad for open season and being a Fed Employee... Diane in San diego

DID you end up picking out your HMO.. I AM GETTING ready to pick one just for maintenance for my band. I was self paided and now I am just wanting someone who will cover maintenance on it. LEt me know who you went with. I have 12 days to decide. diane in san diego

So I get a second HMO then I should be able to bill Tricare for the FILLS, vice going to TJ and paying 100.00 out of my pocket each time I go down...fill unfill.. ect ect. I am going to pick my Second HMO this month due to being OPEN SEASON for federal employees...I am SICK OF TRICARE WEST.. THEY SUCK diane in San Diego

HAVE YOU GONE ON LINE TO LOOK CLOSELY AT BOTH POLICIES AND FIGURE OUT WHICH ONE IS BETTER FOR YOU..AND DO YOU ACTUALLY MEET THE MINIMUM BMI AND OTHER CRITERIA...I am a Federal Employee and i paid out of pocket to have my lap band done. NOw I am looking for a medical coverage that will help me maintian it,, in case of slippage and other stuff...I am tired of paying out of pocket for maintennace.. SUCH as $5000. for a SLIP. LUCK REAL CLOSE AT THE VERBAGE ON THE WEB SITE IN REGARDS TO WHAT YOU HAVE TO MEET FOR THEM TO COVER THE LAP BAND PROCEDURE. DIANE in SUnny San DIego 3/27/2006 178/125/127 Slip 3/29/2007 fixed Dr. Lopez TJ, Mexico

IF THE GRAPE VINE IS CORRECT THEN WOULD SAVE ME LOTS OF MONEY TAKING OUT A SECOND HMO JUST TO COVER THE BAND I ALREADY HAVE THAT I PAID FOR. I AM NOT TAKING A CHANCE MISSING FEHB OPEN SEASON AND NOT GETTING A SECOND HMO,, I AM GOING FOR IT AND FINDING ONE THAT COVERS THIS LAP BAND I WISH YOU LUCK WITH TRICARE

I have a stretched pouch,, and have been UNFILLED FOR 2, GOING ON 3 MONTHS.. I WENT today for a fill and Dr. said I am still stretched, but NOT SLIPPED>..So I am just going to stay unfilled and really watch what I eat so I dont gain any more weight.. I will take some weight gain over ANOTHER SLIPPED BAND, MY COST TO FIX A SLIPPED BAND IS 5000. I am a happy camper today

YOU look good chick

I am going to TJ tomorrow..I have OVER EATEN. I am afraid of second slippage..Acid Reflux at night, but that is about all If I eat too much the chest hurts and that gives me a good sign I am full..I am self pay. I had mine first repaired in Mar 07. I am LOOKING AROUND FOR A HMO PPO RIGHT NOW TO GET SECOND MEDICAL COVERAGE...I HAVE TRICARE WEST THRU MY HUSBAND BEING A MILITARY RETIREE.. BUT I A FEDERAL WORKER AND OPEN SEASON IS HERE.. I HAVE 60 DAYS TO CHOOSE A SECOND MEDICAL PLAN..SO I AM CHOOSING ONE THAT COVERS LAP BANDS AND IF IF I HAVE HAD ANOTHER SLIP,, I HOPE THIS SECOND MEDICAL WILL COVER IT. I AM AFRAID OF WHAT I WILL FIND OUT TOMORROW.. I HAVE BEEN EMPTY FOR 2 MONTHS BECAUSE I WAS HOLDING MY OWN WEIGHT AND DIDNT NEED A FILL. BUT WHEN I WENT DOWN 2 MONTHS AGO,, MY FILL DR SAID THE STOMA WAS STRETCHED.. SO I DONT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT TOMORROW WHEN I GO BACK DOWN TO TJ.... TOTAL COST FOR BOTH SURG HAS BEEN 13000.. I UNDERSTAND YOUR STIUATION...8000 FOR ORG LAP BAND AND 5000 FOR FIXING THE SLIP... DIANE IN SAN DIEGO

I agree FLuro FILL tell you if it is stretched or SLIPPED

HOw do you knoiw you had anther slip...Did you go back to the Dr and get a fluro xray..I have had one slip and fixed but I am not sure if I have anther slip till I see the Dr. on Wed if they call me back.

BCBS looks the best.. I have been going to the different web sites..and BCBS is probably going to be my choice...I Need one that will give me maintenance on the band I paid for out of own pocket.. What a real zoo looking at these different plans and prices and coverages.. Driving me nuts. DIane in San Diego

I HAVE Tricare Prime...thru my husband's retirement.. But I am a federal employee.. I was looking for a plan that will cover my band,, I paid for it out of my OWN POCKET.. due to fact that I wanted the band, cut and dry.. Now I am looking for a plan that will cover the band. I am not even sure if I get BCBS will take care of me with a pre existing band already.. Diane in San Diego

8000.00 surg 95.00 for fills TJ MEXICO

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF TRICARE PAYS FOR FILLS, IF YOU DID NOT GET PRIOR APPORVAL TO EVEN GET THE LAP BAND..I AM A SELF PAY..BUT IF I CAN GET TRICARE TO PAY FOR MY FILLS, THEN I WOULD BE A HAPPY CAMPER.. I TRIED TO CALL MY PCP.. AND SHE DIDNT HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.. I WOULD SURE LIKE TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT IT. BUT I CANT GET ANYWHERE HERE IN SAN DIEGO TO GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER. DIANE :cry

Dr. Lopez only charges 95.00.. but the gas your burning up kills ya also.... PLUS THE FILL DR. IS VERY AGGRESIVE AT DR. LOPEZ'S OFFICE...

62" started at 178 size 16, went down to 114 with the band wore a szie 4 but that weight was too low for me, at 120, now and holding within 2 pds size 4-6...depends on what brand name of the clothes. Hope this helps diane in san diego self pay band mar 06

Well Now.. I Think Your Just Simply Beautiful. Way To Go.. This Must Be A Big Boost For Your Ego.. You Go Girl

I have only had one slip.. I am self pay,, IF you end up paying for the second slip,, you looking at a cost of $5200.00.. GOOD luck to you.. This price is from a DR. in TJ, Mexico Diane in San DIego

How Did You Get Ahold Of These Codes

What code are they using for getting "fills" I see code 43770 for the actual lap banding but I cant find a code for FILLS. ANY IDEA

:eek::scared::mad:How tall are you

How tall are you

I guess I agree with the rest.. I would not want to gain 20 pds back,, I would try what the rest has said to do.. If that FAILS, THEN GAIN THE 20 BACK AND LET THE INSURANCE PAY FOR YOUR BAND.. NOT LIKE SOME OF US THAT SELF PAID TO THE TUNE OF 8000 AND MORE..... GOOD LUCK TO YOU .. 10 PDS OF ANKLE WEIGHTS,, THAT IS EASY TO HIDE AND SWEAT SHIRT... ECT DIANE in San Diego 178/120/123 3/29/06 slipped band 3/39/07 fixed. $5000. out of my pocket Dr. Lopez TJ unfilled now 2x months.

I dont think you will regret the decesion you have made. GOOD LUCK AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY WAY DOWN THE LINE DIANE