coltonwade

EWW good point . that is something to look into ! Mindy

LOL NO I dont think so , I think if its a life or death deal your primary insurance would pay for at least some things. that is my guess ? mindy

Well There is a phase called bandster hell and nearly everyone goes through it . Its the phase between when your healed and the time you get a fill. Mushies are a good stage though . LOL You can find lots to do . My friend did say not all his patients have the 5 months stage. But her BMI was not very high , you would think the larger BMI woudl be better ? But anyway , just thought I would mention it cause I dont think i would go 5 months post op w/ out solids. Mindy

No offense but your only 2 weeks out . You will most likely be hungry . After you are healed more , the more you heal the hungrier you become. I just asked my friend and they said it depends on the patient but he does have some patients go that long w/ out solid foods , he doesnt want their stomach breaking down things like steak , which i understand that but at 5 months post op its a bit excessive in my opinion . I hope you do not get hungry . And if you do not have to do mushies for 5 months that's great ! Mindy

Nope just checked that's him . unless he's changed it in the last yr. But from what I heard from a friend who had surgery ( she's on this board too) he does not allow solids for many months , even after you get your first fill you are still not on solids. Perosnally MHO i dont agree w/ that. How do you know if you have restriction or a good fill level if your not even eating solids. But that's just my opinion . Mindy

I have a friend that went ot him and im pretty sure he does not allow solid foods for 5 months . you are allowed mushies, let me check that its the same doc. Mindy

Is this the doc that does not allow solid food for 5 months post op ? One of the docs in Austin does not allow solids for 5 months post op , I cant remember if its Ganta or not ? Mindy

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate you both. Where are you from? I see you are in Texas. I live in Austin.... I live in Austin as well.. I start back to my old job on Nov 3rd. I'm thinking my insurance coverage starts the day that I start back. I would not be so sure about that. I would check , Your insurance could start in 30,60 90 days . So I would double check on that to be sure . I want to have an appointment ready for the doctor the next day if possible. I am very anxious...... Did you have to go to the primary doctor first? I will have Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield. Or, can I just contact one of the weight loss clinics and have an appointment set up? How does all that work? I don't want to go to an orientation if I don't have to. I would make sure of when your insurnace starts. You do not want to have some pre existing condition situation come up because you made an appt too soon . Although w/ most group plans they do not have that BUT you never know . Again I would make sure. I was self pay So i did not have to go to a Primary doc first. Most WLS clinics will make you go to a seminar first its how they get their info out at one time . What i'm really worried about is I have two insurances. My full-time job does not cover the lap band surgery. Even if it is medically necessary. My part-time insurance is what will cover it.... but, if I ever decide to leave my part-time job..... and lose that insurance. Will my full-time job insurance cover the fills, x-rays, and any complications that I have? There has to be at least one person on here that has had the same situation. I really doubt your other insurnace will cover anything w/ the lap band. If it wont cover the surgery chances are its an exclusion in the policy , and that usually means they wont cover ANYTHING . They MIGHT cover a complication but you would have to look into that ? Also FYI , In Texas if you ever lose EITHER JOB or for some reason have to get private health insurance you CANT W/ the lap band. Your deemed uninsurable ! I can not get health insurance expect thorugh the Texas high Risk Health Pool and I pay $500 a month for JUST ME !!! So, from pre-op to post-op ... how long was it before you got to eat 'normal' food. no mushies or any of that stuff. I'm really worried about after I have the surgery how tough it is going to be not to eat. I've been reading on here that some people on here don't start feeling the band is working until the 3rd or 4th fill? What is the time-frame to get to that 3rd or 4th fill? I was only on a pre op diet for a week , And it was high Protein low carb. I could eat solid foods about 6 weeks after surgery . Yes some people do not get restriction for a few fills. BUT that does not mean you cant eat until then . I have to tell you , this is something you have to KNOW You can do before you do it . I am a BIG BIG BIG ( see my blog ) advocate on FOLLOWING DOCTORS ORDERS, You have to go into this thinking of what your GAINING NOT what your giving UP ! Or what you cant do !!! I might be wrong but based on your posts your desision , or at least time frame for surgery seems a little rushed maybe ? And i understand that I do. BUT you have to make sure you have all your bases covered. Like if your insurance does NOT cover the band OR if your part time job CHANGES covereage that does not cover it ... the doc you plan on using ( BTW who do you want to use ) how much do they charge for Self pay fills ? can you afford that ? Because it will do you no good if a place will charge $500 a fill and you get the band then at some point cant afford the fills . But at the same time , i too was self pay and if some kind of complication were to come up I really would be screwed I do not have health insurance, bUt it was something that I will deal w/ if it comes up . Because the band was worth having my life back for . Just be VERY SURE on the time frame of when your insurance kicks back IN and what they require for surgery ! HTH Mindy

I'm curious about a few things.... The pre-op diet is two weeks? How about the diet afterwards? How long is that.... and how long is it about until you actually eat solid foods? (Steak, chicken, etc) What do you eat during pre-op? All questions that would be specific to your doctors orders. Each doc is different , not ALL pre op diets are 2 weeks. Each doc does things a little different so its best to ask your doc, If your still looking for a doc be sure and ask these very things. How long does the pain last from the surgery? I had my gall bladder removed... is it similar to that pain? I had my gallbladder out too and I personally think the surgeries were VERY similar . What does a psych evaluation consist of? Is it just a bunch of questions they ask? What kind? How long is the evaluation usually last? My psych evale honestly was a joke, it was the same questions asked over and over and the dude i had liked to talk more than he liked to listen to me , it lasted 30 mitnues tops.But each is different . Did you vomit any? Do you feel like vomiting? NO NO NO . you want to avoid vomiting at ALL COSTS !!! I did get nasuses a little on day 3 but that's cause the liquid vicoidn they give you tastes like a$$ ! But i had a good supply of meds to prevent vomiting on hand, something i HIGHLY recommend . VOMITING IS EVIL POST OP I'm sure I will think of more questions....... just help me out. I'm just curious is all. :grouphug: No problem w/ the questions ask away that is what we are here for ! Mindy

The great thing about the band is we can pick up where we left off and start over . It sounds like you know what you have to do to get back on track. Have you had a fill recently ? And the sugar ? I am assuming you mean your eating "bad" stuff that goes through the band easy . That is going to stop you from losing weight and or gain it. You can get back on track !! Mindy

EVERYONE PLEASE READ : With the PM system that is in place and now the places for comments to be left in peoples profiles PLEASE leave comments about peoples pictures in either of those places. The comments bog down the thread and as people have said they have to weed through the thread to find the pics. The comments are GREAT and we ALL LOVE THEM But please put them PM the person or put them in their profile comments section . Thanks Mindy

I will be working on getting the comments off the the thread . we prune them from time to time and it has not been done in quite some time. give it a day or so and it should be better. This thread is SUPPOSE To be limited to Pictures ONLY but it seems to not work that way . Thanks Mindy

Nope not that I know of . And I have tried to get people together before and both times one person showed up . BUT I am happy to meet with anyone one on one , its always fun to get together . Mindy

Fiills are a BREEEZE they do not hurt at all ( Or at least they dont me ) and I dont get numbing shots before either. The main thing for me to remember is after your fill , remember the main rules chew your food slowly , take small bites , and do not drink w/ your meals. Also if you cant eat food comfortably , drink liquids ect your too tight. Basically if you THINK your too tight after a fill you probably are. Also remember this , It CAN take up to 2 weeks after a fill for them to kick in, and some people do not get restriction after the first fill . So Patients might be needed. You will do fine, listen to your doc and if you have questions when you leave, call the doc that's what you pay them for ! Mindy

I just emailed you Mindy

If you have insurance i am wondering if its not that the insurnace covers 3 or 3 are included w/ the insurance then after that you have to pay a copay ? I have heard of that . I would ask for sure. maybe find someone else w/ your insurance in the mean time see what they say ?

Becky brings up a good point . Maybe its just 3 fills , which that even is a little low , who is your doctor ? Maybe you can find someone else on the board who has seen him and ask them about it ? My doc when i had my surgery had the first yrs fills and after care visits free now its 6 months . But i would check Mindy

You might try tracking what your eating , make sure your getting in enough food or that your not getting in too much . Also you might try adding in a little more walking OR adding in another component to your work out . Our bodies like to mix things up a bit . Mindy

That is how my doc does the fills ( however i am not limited and I would not call mine aggressive ) he fills the band up, then slowly allows it out , but its also done under flouro, But that is also not a guarantee that you will not become too tight. Im PRIME Example of that ! Knowing what I know now, no way i would go to someone who only allows so many fills, limts when you can get fills, or schedules them in advance . Wouldnt do it . I personally do not think that would work . I think that allowing only a certain amount of fills is setting patients up for 2 steps forward 3 steps back kind of thing. I had 5 fills my first yr and 3 unfills , ( I swell easily ) and i only have a 4cc band . So no i dont personally agree w/ that . Mindy

Tricia , Feel free to email me if you like i am happy to help you . Mindy

Oh your too sweet ! its nothing really , but i am glad to help ! Call me, email me anytime ! mindy

Before I had surgery , I was asked to be in my friends wedding and I told her no because I was so big , I did not want to be the biggest one , the dresses were NOT flattering to boot. It was sad for me to tell her no . But I understand !

Its Close ! At least you know that. The last few weeks leading up to surgery are painful emotionally , at least they were for me, I am NOT a patient person . But hang in there, It will be here before you know it ! Next yr you will be a whole new you on the way to a whole new life !!! Mindy