inri09

depends on your employer and the contract with Anthem. My employer had Anthem and it did not cover. I switched to my wife's plan this year, also through Anthem, but she works for a hospital, their plan did cover it. The hospital is pro- surgery since they know the benefits. There is a rider that each contract can either choose or decide not to cover. They see it as an option for an "elective" surgery. Good luck, hope your covers. my doctors office had a person who would verify insurance and give a quick answer on if you were covered or other options. They would know how to phrase it so if it is covered, they get the right answer. I've heard of some on here who were told it did not cover over the phone, later found out it was covered. I'd ask a surgeon's office to check.

is it possible to train your spouse or another worker how to cover the most important tasks for a couple days? You should really develop some back-up anyway, sounds like a good time to start. At some point you may want a vacation or have an unexpected medical issue that keeps you from work. Would be helpful to have a back-up plan in the long run. more to your question, you'll probably be able to work on computer after the first or second day, but take it easy if you can...good luck.

my surgery and recovery went much easier than I was expecting. I think it's because I'd read so many horror stories also. Was preparing to have pain for a few days, but it was much easier than expected. I was walking easily in the afternoon, had almost no port or incision pain. I did get some gas pain on day 2 and 3, but it was more of a discomfort than pain. I realized it was what I had read about, but I couldn't even really call it pain. Hope yours go as well, don't panic, I think more people tend to write about problems than all the success stories.

you can try explaining to him that even though he does not see you as obese, health wise, statistically it is important you loose a lot of weight. You may not be "super obese", but you are obese and it causes many health problems. One doctor told me he'd rather see someone at your BMI range get a lapband while they're still young b/c you have a better chance to get close to your ultimate goal. Not only helps with heart problems, diabetes etc...but even the effect on your knees and other joints having to carry all the extra weight. He may not believe you still, but perhaps coming from a health approach will help. He may think you only want to do it for cosmetic reasons. Good luck, its worth it.

since surgery is tomorrow, make sure you are on clear liquids only for today. Even though you didn't follow the pre-op diet exactly, you don't want to have food left in your stomach during the surgery. If you were told to drink some milk of mag this afternoon, make sure to follow that. good luck, hopefully all will go fine.

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it does get easier, the first couple days are the hardest to get used to the changes. Spread the protein drinks out during the day to help feel full. The headache may be from a lack of caffeine. If you were drinking much coffee or soda before, it can cause headache as you get off it. I felt a lot better by day 3. Good luck, it's worth it in the long run...

I was banded yesterday. The recovery has been going easier than I expected. I had minor pain at incision sites, could tell they were there, but not hurting badly. Was more worried about gas pains after reading so much about them. Haven't had much of a problem yet. I walked shortly after surgery, talked with nurse about it it and she thought if I wasn't feeling much gas yet, it probably get much worse. A couple times it felt almost like hunger pangs, but I think it was gas, did feel a little in left shoulder at one point, but all in all it's been a lot easier than expected. I was even able to sleep on my side (away from port site). I did see someone else there who did have a lot of pain, so I'm thankful to be one of the lucky ones. I followed the pre-op diet closely, hoping it would help with recovery. Not sure if that's what did it, but to those soon to be banded; it really can go without much discomfort and it seems worth following the diet.

It depends on your plan and your employer. I had Anthem (in CT) with my company, they did not agree to that rider when making the contract with Anthem. I switched to my wife's policy also with Anthem in CT. and it does cover. I'm getting banded tomorrow.

nothing against subway, but....don't they have any place that makes a good steak and cheese out there?

Less than 2 days to go. How's your pre-op diet going? I'm on a two week pre-op, today and tomorrow are clear liquids only. Before I could have protein shakes and 1 protein bar. I've seen a wide range of diets, some only 1 week, some with only the last two days. Today I met someone going this week, who didn't have any pre-op diet at all. At this point is just getting through tomorrow, go to hospital in early a.m. Good luck.

I like the Atkins advantage shakes. Some brands are un-drinkable, the Atkins tastes fine.

mine got moved to 3/3. Office called to see if I could move it back, didn't mind so much, except was already into the two week diet. Need to go a few extra days. Good luck, I'll check in to see how everyone's recovery is going from the 27th.

my date is the 3rd also. I'm not so worried about the surgery or recovery time, it's more about getting used to eating post band. I'm sure you'll do fine, I'll look forward to your posts after surgery letting us know how you make out.

March 3rd also. On the 2 week pre-op diet now.

I'm on 6th day of liquids. It isn't as bad as I expected. It's not so much as feeling hungry, as dealing with the "head hunger". After working out on day 2, I realized that was usually my excuse to go eat a big lunch. You see how many times you'd normally go eat something. The toughest time for me is at night, I try to have a sugar free popsicle or jello to hold me over. You'll get through the liquids okay, just need to water or clear liquids allowed to help fill you up. I never realized how good a cup of beef broth tastes.

I'm scheduled the 3rd also. Was originally scheduled 2/27, but doc office called yesterday to see if I could move it back to 3/3. My doc calls for a two week liquid pre-op, so it prolongs it a few days. Was day 5 of my diet, I took advantage and went to dinner last night. Re-starting the liquids today. When he called I was hoping it was to move it up a few days, not back. Take advantage and take the early date. Have fun,

my insurance requires people to stay over. Normally you'd think they want to kick you out asap...The next a.m. they x-ray to make sure you band is okay and you can drink thru it. Other than that, it sounds like many go home the same day.

I'm on day 5 of the pre-op diet, not cheating at all. I just got a call that my surgery is moving from 2/27 to 3/3. I'll start the pre-op again tomorrow, but tonight, I'm going out to dinner. I'm sure adding a few extra days would have some value, but another good meal.....priceless.

I just got kicked out of the Feb. group. Office called to move my banding into March. It's okay, I've been kicked out of better places before. Hate to throw in a late option, but, how about Shameless Shamrocks?

I think your analogy to alcoholics is close to the issue. He's probably reacting to the fear of how his life will change because of your lap band. He needs to learn how to adjust, eventually he'll realize that you can still go out to dinner and he can normally even though you will eat differently. He may feel "pressured" into dieting with you, but if he doesn't want to diet, he'll go back to his old eating patterns soon enough. Look at the bright side, if he's loosing weight, your band has worked for both of you. Would he have the initiative to loose weight if not for your decision? Stay positive and give time for him to see that you're only changing your own eating patterns, and I bet he'll calm down soon. i.e. ignore negative comments for a little while and hopefully he'll tire of making them. If that don't work... good luck.

also, you can check out WebMD, it has a portion size plate section that shows foods in ounces or in 1/4 cup --1/2 cup. Puts them next to common objects like deck of cards etc....gives you an idea

so, now that you're all banded, how's the first days of recovery going?

just under 2 yrs. My doctor recommended it, starting looking into it and decided I wanted to wait, give diet another try. At same time found out my ins would not cover. After the year, the diet had not worked, again, changed onto my wife's ins. My surgery is scheduled for the 27th. I start my pre-op diet this Friday. I think the wait has given time to learn a lot more about the surgery and the changes we need to commit to in order to be successful. even though I had chosen to wait initially, once I decided to go ahead, the further delays and wait for ins etc... seems long. I'm ready to get going.