cm6535

:thumbup: I just talked with my insurance company, BCBSNC and the have approved my surgery. I am so excited. Now I just need a surgery date. Woo!! hoo!!

I also have hypothyroidism. As long as it is controlled with medication there shouldn't be a problem. I was banded on June 8th. Good luck on your journey!:thumbdown:

I went for my 1st fill yesterday. I am still very tender at my port site. When the doctor was pushing around in the area to determine the exact location of the port I almost jumped off the table. He said no big deal just come back in a week or so when the tenderness subsides and we will do the fill. I asked at what point I should be concerned that I still had tenderness in the port area. He said that he wasn't concerned. People heal at different rates. My surgery was on June 8th. Just an FYI. My stitches were left in 7 days longer than planned to allow additional healing. (I heal really slow). I guess since at this point I am still losing it isn't a big deal. But I do get hungry sooner than I did 3 weeks ago. So at some point I will need a fill. My question is....... How long before the tenderness around your port went away?

Thanks for your responses! I love this site. You guys rock!!!

Thanks for your response. My procedure was laproscopic. I had stitches that had to be manually removed. All of the incisions are completely healed. The pinkness of the scar is starting to fade. When I place my hand over the port area I can feel the port. If I put any pressure on the area there is tenderness. The only incision that is still tender is the one where the port is. It took longer for me to heal from past surgeries. When I had a hysterectomy it took about 12 - 14 weeks for the tenderness to go away. So maybe it is just a matter of time and the tenderness will subside. I am not having any problems with eating, reflux, pbing or sliming. I completely trust my doctor. He is very well respected in my area. However, if the tenderness hasn't gotten better in the next week or so I will have it check on. :thumbup:

This will sound crazy but I thought I would share. I was diagnosed with Pseudo Tumor in 2002. It was really bad and at that point I had lost 75% of my peripheral vision. (My vision was restored once I had spinal taps to reduce the pressure) Over the next 2 years I suffered with debilitating headaches. Many medications were tried and the majority of the time I was in a major fog from the medications. The doctor wanted to do a shunt but I refused. I had spinal taps to relieve the pressure. (55 in a 2 year span) I lost enough weight to put me at a normal BMI and still suffered symptoms. I also suffered from migranes on top of the pressure headaches. In 2005 I had a Hysterectomy to help with the migraines. My Neuro said it wouldn't help with the migraines but my Gyn disagreed. Now I gained major weight after the surgery. Well...... since I had the hysterectomy I haven't had another episode with the Pseudo Tumor even with the weight gain. Not sure if it was a fluke or a miracle. Today I no longer take any meds for the Pseudo Tumor and I am working on the weight gain with a Realize Band.

My Surgery was on 6/8. I was on liquids until 6/18. I can have 6 meals a day. Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack (2 oz of any of the following) From 6/19 - 7/3 - eggs - low fat low sugar yogurt - oatmeal, cream of wheat or grits - Beans - pintos, black beans, black eyed peas, kidney beans, fat free refried beans. - 1/2 slice of lite whole wheat bread with 1 slice of low fat cheese, Peanut Butter, cottage cheese or low fat cream cheese. - 1/2 whole wheat english muffin toasted with low fat cheese, teaspoon of peanut butter, lite cream cheese or hummus. May use 1 tablespoon of spagetti sauce and 2oz of low fat cheese to make pizza. - High Protein Soup - Mozzarella string cheese (2) - sugar free pudding made with low fat milk. On 7/3 - (4 weeks post op) 2 oz of fish can be added to the above list. (not fried or cooked in butter. On 7/10 (5 weeks post op) - 2 oz of chicken and Turkey can be added to the above list. On 7/17 (6 weeks post op) - 2 oz of lean red meat, lean pork, lean ham can be added to the above list. On 7/24 (7 weeks post op)- 1 oz of fruit of veggies can be added to the 2 oz protein serving.

Hello All! I live in NC. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO insurance. I saw the doctor a couple of weeks ago due to pneumonia. He suggested that we talk about weight loss surgery and asked that I make an appointment for a physical. He said that we could talk about our options then. I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday to have the physical. After looking at information on this site I think that I am leaning towards going with a lap band. Can anyone offer me any advise on how to make the insurance process any easier. Just an FYI. I am 5'6" and weigh 250. My BMI is 41.8.

Dr. Bauman hasn't mentioned his process for fills. I had my 1 week check up on 6/15. My next appt with him is on 7/9. I am not sure if a fill will take place on that appt. I hope your surgery goes well.

Hello to everyone and thanks in advance for your replies!!! I am scheduled to be banded on 6/8/09. We have a beach camping trip scheduled for the week of 6/21. We will not be tent camping. We have a travel trailer. Will I be ready for this trip?

Thank you so much for your tips. I am looking forward to being banded and also to my trip. I know that both will be a positive experience. I will plan ahead so that I will be able to follow the eating plan for 2 weeks after surgery. There are also many grocery stores and a Walmart within walking distance so I will always have access to healthy "mushies". I will also be taking my Magic Bullet with me on the trip.

Woo Hoo!! :thumbdown: I am finally approved. I will be banded on June 08. I wish it were sooner but this was the first appt available once I received my approval. Dr. Bauman will be doing the surgery. Counting down to 6/08/09.

Hello All! I am so excited to have found this site. I have been referred to Dr. Bauman in Concord by my PCP. I filled out the documents on the doctor's website and received my appointment with Dr. B on 3/6. I also received a list of requirements from Dr. B. I will have completed all of my requirements prior to my 3/6 appt. (See below) I hope that after my appt on 3/6 info can be submitted to my insurance company, BCBS. I hope approval won't take long and I can join the "band" wagon. 2/06 Physical, EKG and Bloodwork with PCP. 2/11 Physc eval. 2/12 Upper GI (Found Hiatal Hernia) 2/18 Nutritionist Appt. 3/06 Dr. Bauman Appt.

Hi cpippy. I have not been been scheduled for surgery yet. I had my first appointment with Dr. Bauman this morning. I have completed all of my prerequisite items except for the seminar. I am scheduled for the seminar on 4/2. The office is still waiting for the physc eval. Once the eval is received then insurance can be submitted. Then it is only a matter of hearing back from BCBSNC. If they approve my surgery then we will schedule the date. So I am just hanging out and waiting. How are you doing since your surgery? Who was your doctor?

:tongue: I started the Lap Band process today. I had a visit with my primary doctor. He thinks that the lap band is a great idea and was glad that I was open to his suggestion. He provided a referal to Dr. Bauman in Concord. I have filled out the new patient forms on Dr. Bauman's Website. Hopefully I will hear back from his office soon. I called my insurance company, BCBSNC and as long as I meet the criteria then the surgery is covered. My copay will be $100 for outpatient and $250 for inpatient. Hopefully I am on the road to a healthier and thinner me.