hrtgoeson

I was banded 4/24 and am only down about 4 lbs in the last month - if even that. I've had one fill so far and am getting more and more hungry as time goes on. I know this wasn't going to be overnight but all that money and all the recovery and 4 pounds??? Is that off or am i being ultraparanoid?

Ugh I need to stop reading this board lol. I see posts from ppl who had surgery slightly before or right at the same time as me who have lost 30lbs and I've lost, 4. Makes me sad. I know I'm not supposed to compare to others but show me anyone who doesn't do it!

I actually just got my first fill yesterday and I'm only 3 weeks post op. I went in for my first post-op appt and he asked if I was getting hungry. I said yes and he said 'well we should give you a fill then'. It was uncomfortable as he said there was still liquid/swelling around the port but not painful and I"m doing fine with it so far. I actually wasn't expecting it at all as everything I've read said you usually don't get one until 6-8 weeks after surgery. Someone in my support group with the same surgeon has had 3 fills already and she had her surgery 3/24 (exactly a month before me)

I had my surgery on 4/28 and the claims are starting to hit my insurance company. I don't know if all of them are in but the claims are so far over $28,000. Luckily I only have to pay about $750 so far. But, here's what I'm wondering..If cash pay is $15,000 for my surgeon, but so far my insurance claims are $28,000 and climbing, are they just milking the insurance company or is there another explanation? I'm just curious and don't want to ask the surgeon a question like that LOL

I keep running into posts from ppl who are a week or 2 after banding and have lost 30-40 lbs. I'm 2 weeks post-op today and have lost little to no weight after surgery - 1 think maybe 5 lbs. Am I doing something wrong or is this just a matter of 'everyone is different'?

Keep in mind, this wasn't my opinion. i didn't do any research on the options because I only had 1 band available to me. I was just passing along the info i was given. I hope no one ever has a problem with either band!

Ahhhh, maybe one of those hoping they'll pay the full amount but knowing they won't kinda thing? That makes a certain amount of sense. I thought I had heard years ago about writing-off the difference but I couldn't remember for sure. I noticed the same thing on my claim...The charge is $7,000 but insurance only pays $1080 and my responsibility is only $108. Craziness!

Thanks all. I'm not panicking, just curious to see if I'm on the right track. I'm going to count my loss so far as a plus and just keep moving forward!

I saw that some people had a choice so I asked my surgeon about it. He said that they don't offer the realize band because there's a higher instance of complications/issues with the realize band and they believe that the regular is safer. So for now they don't offer it as an option. course that's just my surgeon's opinion, but I thought I'd share!

Hey all, got banded yesterday and am still alive lol. I was great yesterday afternoon but this AM i wanted to scream trying to pull myself off my dad's couch (seemed easier since I have to stay on my back there). Been taking the pain meds regularly and haven't had anything but water and SF jello and really I'm not that hungry. I was suprised that I only had 2 incisions - I was told at my pre-op class there would be 3 - but hey less cutting works for me! I haven't braved the shower yet but maybe tonight. Had a walk yesterday and going to the store with my dad later so that'll be my walk today. I'm glad the meds make me constipated cuz I don't know how i'd reach behind myself atm. LOL. sorry bout the TMI but I know you guys understand!

Had me some ramen noodles sans noodles and crystal light and I'm doin great. reporting in at 8:30 am...wish me luck!

and I'm only 5 days into my week of liquids lol. I can't stand it anymore, I need something new!!!!! What does everyone do that isn't a Protein Shake? I know I have like 5 or 6 more weeks of this and I think that's going to be the worst part. Hopefully it won't seem to bad after I'm banded on Friday

I think right now I'd rather not eat than have yet another protein shake...I'm going to WallyWorld tonight to get some soups and maybe some unflavored PP to go in it. I've been SOOOOO good I can't believe it. THere's Moe's in the breakroom at work and I just gazed longingly at it LOL. I'd had nothing but protein shakes, SF/FF pudding and SF/FF popsicles so I need to switch it out since I'll have like 5 weeks of full liquids left (sigh)

the strawberry Cheesecake Protein shake recipe it is SOOOOO good! I'm gonna try different fruit flavors now. 1 scoop vanilla Protein powder skim milk 1T cheesecake SF/FF Jello pudding mix (or to your taste) 4 frozen strawberries blend the heck out of it to make sure the strawberry is liquified. I found the 'recipe' surfing on the board and would never have figured it out on my own lol. I think it was from 2006!

Thanks for the good luck, my surgery is Friday - Yikes! I'm not adventurous in the kitchen so my liquid diet is probably going to be nothing but protein shakes and variety is certainly nice! (1 1/2 days down, 5 days left)

oooooooh PB!!! good idea!!! is there a good PB to use on pre-op liquid diet?

Thanks for all the support everyone! I'm back to being completely confident in my decision, though still jittery lol. I start my liquid diet on the 17th so it's creeping up.

I've been feeling great about this decision to have the surgery but, i'm sure as expected, I'm less than a week away from my weeklong liquid diet beforehand and I'm starting to panic. I've started to double up on my anti-anxiety meds because I am always feeling like a panic attack is only a minute away (and this will only be my second surgery ever, i had my wisdom teeth surgically removed in high school). I had a dinner planned with some friends and family to have my farewell Thai food dinner and everyone cancelled. :-( And, i was talking to my mother and we were discussing what I can/can't eat after surgery (which i KNOW we've discussed before) and now she's 'not sure sure this is the right decision'. She didn't withdrawl support, but I don't know.....It didn't help. So now I'm double guessing myself and I'm sure part of it is jitters but the people i thought were behind me are scattering at the last minute and I'm FREAKED OUT!!!!!! Someone please give me some encouragement because now I just to know I have someone(s) to talk to that get this, I really don't feel like starting a crying jag this late in the day lol.

I didn't have any kind of paperwork, she just sat down and talked to me about my family, how I ate as a child, what I hoped to get from the surgery....very basic. Unfortunately the way she coded it I won't get money back from my insurance :-(

Thanks for all the great ideas (and good lucks!). I'm gonna have to go thru my closet to see what I've got. The slip on shoes are no problem but no button down shirts...(*shiver, i hate them). And, I am not going to ask my dad to help me dress (*double shiver). lol

I'm in the planning stages...I've been approved and got my release from my regular doc, now I'm just waiting for surgery on 4/24....I was thinking of buying a nice summery kind of dress so nothing rubs against the incisions but I'm concerned about the over the head motion...and since my dad is the one taking care of me after I REALLY don't want him helping me undress lol. I heard button-down shirts but I don't have any...and what kind of pants? I guess everything will be loose after the liquid diet but I doubt you can wear a belt... OMG i just don't KNOW!!!! lol HELP!!!

Luckily I only had to try one and i loved it so I'm sticking with it...That's the Jay Robb ones. There seems to be only one place in my city that sells it but you can get it online at jayrobb.com and it's free shipping so it's about the same price as getting it in a store. I actually put in a banana and some choc fudge sf/ff pudding mix and it's just like a chocolate banana milkshake cuz it gets frothy....(and I'll be remembering that because choc banana milkshakes are so YUMMY!!!!!) sorry if this sounds like a paid ad but i just love them and i've gone thru a tub already just having them for breakfast every day. I haven't tried the other flavors, just vanilla. i really want to see how the strawberry is!!!!!

Rebecca that is TOOOOO funny....But for my own TMI, I think I'd rather go commando than have my father help me with panties!!!!

ok, good, ty! gonna have to surf old navy to see what i can find! congratz on your surgery yesterday - how's it going so far??

YAY KMCD and I are band buddies!!!!! I'm starting my pre-op diet on 4/17 and i'm hoping my reg doctor gets his butt in gear. I asked him for my surgery clearance letter a week and a half ago and he said he'd do it, but when i called yesterday his nurse said i had to come in for an EKG and some final blood work. GRRRRRRRR, why couldn't he tell me that when I was there last time??? I think they're trying to give me a heart attack before I can have the surgery LOL. :scared2: Luckily I have until 72 hours before surgery before I have to have it turned in otherwise I'd be a lot more annoyed!