umystifyme

In the case of BCBS of Michigan and Illinois, they DO go by the STARTING weight. Here's my story. In March 2009, I weighed 285 lbs. My BMI was 48.5 and I had several co-morbidities. I met with my pcp, a nutritionist, and a psychologist that month and began the lap-band process. I began to eat healthy and to work out. I started to lose weight rather quickly. Each month I saw my pcp and I attended my weight loss program sponsored by my bariatric program which was approved by my insurance company. I lost over 80 lbs during my 6 month supervised weight loss program. A lot of my co-morbidities disappeared once I dropped that large amount of weight and started to eat healthy and work out daily. I want you to know that BCBS of Michigan (PPO) DOES go by your STARTING weight. I have my contract in front of me and that is what is stated in it. I was terrified that I would not be approved for surgery because I had lost too much weight during the six month waiting period. That is why I started this thread. That was in August 2009. I had surgery on Dec 23, 2009. At the time my paperwork was submitted to BCBS for insurance approval (Sept 2009), my BMI was close to 35. Here I was, barely 200 lbs with a BMI of 35 and no life threatening illnesses. No high blood pressure. No diabetes. No sleep apnea. Honestly, I really thought that I would be rejected. My surgeon's program coordinator kept reassuring me that my contract stated that they go by the starting weight and not your current weight. But in all honesty, I was scared that I had lost too much weight and resolved too many health problems in such a short amount of time that the insurance company could say, "Hell, she can do this on her own. She doesn't need the surgery." Well, in all honesty, I WAS the perfect candidate for this procedure. I was living proof that I could change my lifestyle for over 6 months and lose weight. I wanted this. I was not looking for a quick fix. I knew that this was a life altering decision that would change me forever and I was already embracing the next chapter in my life. Six weeks later and a few pounds lighter, I was approved!! (Oct 2009) I continued to work out and eat healthy and lost several more pounds over the next 2 months). My BMI was a 33 when I had surgery on Dec 23, 2009. I know all insurance companies are different but BCBS of Michigan and BCBS of Illinois STATE that they go with your STARTING BMI!! Talk with your surgeon and your program coordinators. They know what your insurance company wants and if they don't than think about changing doctors. And my surgeon stated my medical history as outlined by my pcp and all my tests. And my insurance company went by the guidelines as set out in my contract. Thanks, Amy

I'm almost 11 weeks out and the pain is getting better. It is not as intense. I'm able to work and go to the gym. I still have not had a fill yet and that is by my own choice. I have lost another 1.6 lbs though. Hopefully, I will continue to feel better and will be able to get a fill soon. Thank you for all your continued support!!

Thank you!!

It wasn't a diet per se. I saw a nutritionist and started to eat healthy and work out. I like to say that I changed my lifestyle, because diets never worked for me. I am down over 100 lbs from exactly one year ago today.

My surgeon believes in doing the first fill 4 weeks post-op. However, I am an exception. If you go back and read this thread since December, I have had many complications. I went back to a physcially demanding job 8 days post-op, I fell on ice/snow twice, and have had many other things go wrong in my recovery which have absolutely nothing to do with my surgeon. I am on prescription pain meds for the pain I am experiencing at the port site. I can barely get through a day of work with pain meds. I want to heal from this surgery and I want the daily pain to go away. I cannot wear jeans b/c of the pain in the port area. The last thing I am thinking about is someone going towards my port with a needle for a fill. That's where I am right now. I'm trying to heal from this surgery. I'm eating right and I'm still losing weight with NO restriction. Yes, it takes a lot of will power but I do it. And now I can start working out again. Hopefully in the next few weeks, the pain will subside to the point where the surgeon can even touch my stomach and when he can do that, then I will let him give me a fill. He's leaving it all up to me at this point given the extraordinary circumstances surrounding my case. Thank you for your concern and your prayers. I do appreciate it and definitely need them.

I'm almost 8 wks post-op and I saw my surgeon today for a check-up. I still have not had a fill. I'm still experiencing a lot of pain at the port site. However, my surgeon says everything is fine. He gave me the go ahead to start working out again. He wants me to keep a journal of what activities cause the most pain. I have lost 3 lbs since my last visit and he said I am doing well considering I haven't had a fill yet. He said I am probably still healing. It's frustrating for both of us. Hopefully this will go away soon. If anyone else has experienced problems with pain at their port site or has known of someone who has, please let me know. Thank you for your support. Amy

Elfie Poo, Thank you SO much for your candid and honest account of your post-surgical experiences. It's a relief to know that I am not the only one out there that is or has experienced soreness at the port site weeks after having surgery. My surgeon knew that I was a cashier and everything that it entailed. Where I work, is a small family owned business and you rarely have a bagger. Not only do I cashier but I do my own bagging and I get carts. Also, I am a supervisor and take care of the front end. I returned to work 8 days post-op and worked a 9 hr shift. I repeatedly scanned cases of soda, beer, and Water. I was constantly lifting cartons of juice and milk. I had to lift 25-40 lb bags of dog/cat food. I also lifted 25-40 lb bags of water softner salt. Also, I lifted countless bags of cat litter ranging between 10-40 lbs. During this 9 hr shift, I did not have a bagger. I did all my own bagging and placed everything in the customers carts myself. It was New Year's Eve and we were packed. I was ringing up and packing orders between $25-$350. I never once complained. I just took off another 3 weeks from work, which my doctor thought was ridiculous. He actually laughed at me and said, "Come on, Amy. That's too long." But he complied with my request. I returned again 4 wks post-op, feeling great. The first two days went really well. After that, I could feel a pulling and twisting feeling at the port site, which would later turn into a burning sensation. The pain became unbearable. I sat down with my surgeon and explained in great detail everything I do at work. I think he finally understood how physically demanding my job was. He wanted me to take more time off. I couldn't. They didn't know the real reason why I took off from work to begin with. He told me to take Advil to get through the days. That didn't help. Finally he prescribed some pain meds that helped ease the pain once I got home from work. It's just odd that I'm fine until about 2 hrs into my shift. IF I have a bagger then I am ok. When I have a day or two off, I am fine. When I return to work, the pain returns. I know it is the job. The repeated movements I make all day long. The lifting I do repeatedly. If I have any restrictions at all, my job will not allow me to work and/or they will let me go. I've been told that. Thank you for your insight. I greatly appreciate it and it was right on the money. I will try to be more careful about how much I lift and more conscious of my movements. I will also try to warm compresses. It's getting better. I just hope that it continues to do so.

I've spoken to him in greater detail and since my pain is less severe than it was last week and the prior weeks, we are going to see how everything goes from here. No he does not think my band is damaged. Nor does he think my port is damaged. When he examined me, everything was fine. Meaning there is no hernia or swelling around the port area. He does not know why I am in such pain and discomfort after 7 weeks post-op. He said he's never had a patient that has had this experience. I think a big problem is that he does not understand how physically demanding my job is. He thought I should only take 1 week off and thought it was ridiculous that I took 4 weeks off. Now he wants me to take more time off. It's a little late for that. I can't have surgery again as I don't have insurance anymore. There are several things he wants to try and surgery is his VERY last resort. But hearing that made me really upset and depressed.

Hi Sue, My surgeon is suggesting that he remove the port permanently. :thumbup:

I am 7 weeks post-op and I have lost a total of 12 lbs. I have not had a fill yet. My weight has remained the same for the past few weeks. I have not been going to the gym. Yes, I am finding it difficult to follow the rules. I'm hungry all the time and I am not working out because I am in pain. I'm trying to eat healthy but my portion sizes are larger than I they were immediately after surgery.

Well, the past 3 weeks have been not so great. I have been in a lot of pain at the port site. If I am off of work, the pain goes away or is less severe. It's throughout my work day that the pain becomes unbearable. At the moment my surgeon is at his wits end. :cursing: And so am I.

I'm 4 weeks post-op and returned to work on Tues, 1/19. As many of you already know, I have had some ups and downs during my recovery. My job is physically demanding. I am a cashier at a local grocery store. I not only cashier, but also bag my own groceries most of the time. I returned to work 8 days post-op and had to cashier and bag for 9 hours. It was a day from hell and set me back at least a week. I'm really excited to share with you that so far, I'm doing really well. I feel great. I'm very active at work. I have been working 6-7 hr days. I am able to cashier, bag, and lift heavy items without distress. Today after cleaning and doing laundry, I am experiencing some pain at the port site. this is normal and to be expected. I am very pleased with how this week is going. I hope it continues this way. If you are about to be banded and have an active job, please take an appropriate amount of time off from work to heal properly. This is about you. Thanks again for all your support!!

I'm feeling much better and am more active. I return to work tomorrow. I will be 4 weeks post-op on Wed, so I should be fine. I'm praying that everything will be fine, as I will be training as a supervisor. My weight has stabilized. I'm drinking more water and eating more fiber. I'm still hungry but not as much. I'll have my 1st fill in approximately 2 weeks. I will say that I was thinking that this was a mistake, but things are turning around. Thanks for all your support! Amy

I had my first post-op support group meeting on Monday night. That went really well. It was very informative. I was able to get ideas on how to deal with my hunger until my first fill. I know a lot of it is probably "head hunger." It's difficult to deal with since I am not working. It'll be easier when I return to work next week.

I slipped and fell on ice this morning at the local pharmacy. I landed pretty hard on my port area and am in pain. I am frustrated and scared that I may have done something to the port. I put a call into my surgeon and am just waiting to hear back from him. I'm going to lie down and rest until I hear from him. I don't know what else to do. I was on my way to the gym too! UGH!!! Not a way to start my week.

I'm 17 days post-op and feeling good. I'm still walking on the treadmill every day. I tried riding a bike on Friday but my stomach area became uncomfortable. I'm still experiencing pain around the port site. But I'm doing really well. I'm thinking that I'll be well enough (healed enough) to return to work the week of the 18th. I have one problem... I'm hungry all the time!!! UGH!!!!

I went to the gym on Wednesday afternoon and walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes!! It felt great to be out of the house and in motion!! But I am taking it very easy... step by step... day by day. Thanks again for all of your support!! Amy

Hi Sue, I saw my surgeon this evening and everything is fine!! :tt2: He said the major area of tenderness is around the port, which is to be expected. He said that it will be sore for awhile. Also, he did not feel that I went back to work too soon, but he did feel like working 9 hours was too much. He wants me to wait until the 18th before returning back to work. I still don't think he comprehends how physical my job really is. Also, on the plus side, I joined a gym today. WHOO HOO!! I'm SO excited!! :thumbup: I can't wait to get started!! Thank you soo much for your support!

You're right, Sue. I see my surgeon tomorrow~ Tues. Jan 5th. I'm excited to see him and to make sure that everything is okay. I'm sure it is but it'll be great to hear it from him! I'm still stiff and sore. Worse than I was last Monday. But I know it's because I went back to work too soon. I haven't started exercising yet because I'm afraid of doing damage to the band and/or port. And honestly, I've been in too much pain to do anything. I thought I'd wait to see my dr. first before I started to do any sort of physical activity again. Hopefully, he'll put my mind to ease and I'll start walking on the treadmill tomorrow. :smile2:

In the very beginning (March 2009), I chose only to tell my immediate family and a few close friends that I was going through the process to be approved for WLS. Their negative reactions toward my announcement really hurt my feelings. Also, they were not supportive of my decision to have WLS. In fact, they were against. I thought through time, they would become educated and more supportive but they didn't. In fact, they became more convinced that I shouldn't have the surgery. In my family and circle of friends, WLS is a taboo subject, like depression or alcoholism. I learned that people can be really judgmental. The very people that I loved and trusted. So, I kept my mouth shut and decided that it was no one's business but mine. So only those few know that I've been banded. Everyone else thinks I've had surgery for my endometriosis. Yes, I lied. Do I feel bad about lying? Nope. Do I feel accountable to anyone? Yes, I feel accountable to myself. Am I glad that I kept this as quiet as possible? Yes, because people are still in the dark about mental illness and other diseases. In 2010, I'm stil judged about suffering from depression. Talking about taking anti-depressants is a taboo topic. It makes other people uncomfortable. I don't go around saying, "Hi, my name is Amy and I'm Bipolar." Nor will I go around saying, "Hi, my name is Amy and I'm Banded." It's too personal for me to discuss with everyone. And it's no one's business. That's how I approached the situation. BTW~ Hope you are doing well, Cheryl. :blushing: Amy

I'm going on 12 days post-op and still don't feel well. I'm experiencing a lot of pain around the port area and around my belly button. I noticed that my belly button area is bruised today. It hurts to get in and out of bed. It hurts to stand and to even walk. I can't bend over without being in severe pain. I feel like I'm 3 days post-op. All I've done since Thursday evening has been resting. Anyone else experience a rough recovery?

I had slight bruising around the other incision sites right after surgery but they disappeared within days. The bruising in and around my belly button appeared today (well, I noticed it today) and is quite colorful. It is tender to the touch. The port area is still sore too. I'm thinking this is from working on Thursday. I'm going to email my surgeon. Thanks! Amy

Katy, I would still go to your doctor's appt and see the tech, just to make sure everything is healing properly. You can always go back and see your surgeon in a few weeks. I have severe bruising around my belly button area. It's very tender too. Did you experience this? Or has anyone else have? Thanks! Amy

My surgeon is very invested with his patients. He never once asked me about my insurance. During my first visit all he would discuss was why I wanted this procedure, what it entailed, how I would have to change my life, and what to expect. He told me not to make a decision that day. He told me to go home, think about it and to email him with any questions. He then gave me his email address. I was in constant contact with him via email after our initial consult. He answered all my questions and supported me even when I couldn't decide if I wanted the surgery (even after I was approved). Then when I finally decided to have the surgery, he had me come in and sit down with him and talk about everything again. He's very hand's on. Very personable. The evening after my surgery he called me to see how I was feeling. He told me he would be going out of town but would be calling to check in on me and if I had any problems or questions to call him. He called me for the first few days post-op and always returned my calls. I was talking to him at least twice a day! And he was on vacation!! I started this process at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2008. I stopped going because of personal reasons. I re-started the process with this surgeon in June 2009. I was a bit wary at first because he was not with a Univerisity Hospital. However, before his private practice he was with Northwestern University. I have had an amazing experience and would highly recommend my surgeon. I've had a lot of health problems during my life and it is difficult to find a doctor that can relate to you on a personal level. However, they are out there.

Katy, I'm having the same problem with my bras. I put extra band-aids over the incision strips too and that seems to help. But it is uncomfortable. I was told to leave the incision strips/tape on. That they will fall off on their own. I have 2 that are barely hanging on. The other three are still stuck on pretty good. Maybe the surgeon will remove them at our 2nd week post-op visit?? I see my surgeon on Tuesday and can't wait. He was out of town this past week and I have not seen him since the recovery room. I've spoken to him on the phone several times but it's not the same. I went back to work on Thursday and OUCH!! It was a BAD, STUPID idea!! My surgeon left it up to me... and I should have listened to my body more. Anyways, I am not returning again until after Jan 11th or 18th. My job is very physical and I need time to heal. I'm very, very sore still from Thursday. I've been resting a lot and I have cabin fever but I need to heal completely before going back again and risking injury. Good luck to you on Monday. Please keep me posted on how you are doing, Katy. Speak soon, Amy