PalmBayTish72

When i went to have surgery in Feburary of 2010, I was expecting to be self pay, but it turns out BCBS of Florida with my plan in particular covered the lap Band. Awesome! But they required a 6 month waiting period. Crap! When I first submitted all my information to the insurance company in January of 2010, I also included photo copies of my weekly weight watchers weigh in's theat showed a 6 month history of trying to lose weight. I also contacted my General Practitioners office and have them send my entire medical fil to my Lap band surgeon, so they could go through and pull out all the info from my file that dealt with my weight (the different medications i tried, etc) and included that, so they would see I had a history and had been consistently trying to lose weight, only to gain it back. They (Riverside Surgical) submitted the whole package, along with my recommendation from my surgeon, the psychatrist, etc. to BCBS of Florida and i was approved within a few days....WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT 6 MONTHS. I had my surgery 3 weeks later. My whole point is don't give up...it is possible. You just need to have all your stuff together and a little bit of prayer helps too!

Congrats to everyone and remember not to overdo it...Just take it easy and enjoy the start of your new life!

No, they did not just do lipo. If they had done that, I would have looked even worse than I did before. I am 39 and yes, I have decent skin, but I had a LOT of loose skin. They did lipo, but they also tightened the neck muscles and also tightened the skin. I have an incision under my chin and 2 incisions behind my ears where the skin was pulled back as well.

I was banded in Feburary of 2010 and by Feburary of 2011, I had lost a little over 100 lbs and for me, my dangly neck skin was the worst side effect of having lost the weight. I felt thinner all over, but when I looked at myself in the mirror, all i could focus on was the extra neck skin. From the side, I looked like a turkey with the waddle hanging down. I consulted with Dr. Ross Clevens here in Melbourne, Florida and after seeing the computer generated estimates of what the results would be, I knew it was what I needed to do. Admittedly, recovery hurt like a son of a biscuit, but I am a major wuss and for a normal person it probably would have been that bad, but the results are amazing and I have never been happier. I've been told it took 10 years off my face and when i look in the mirror, I see the person I really am now. Be sure to research your plastic surgeon and ask questions, check the web for other patient reviews and trust your gut. Don't just rush into to for the sake of getting plastic surgery done. I paid $6500 and that was the full deal from anesthesia, surgery, etc...I chose to do a couple of extra things, so it really would have only been $5995. It was worth every penny. If you'd like to see photos from my surgery visit my lap band blog at http://dreamsofskinnyhighheels.blogspot.com/2011/05/post-surgery-day-two-with-details-and.html and you will see the photos...I've dropped 10 lbs since my surgery and am in maintenence, so my current photos (I posted one on my blog yesterday) show what I currently look like, as my surgery was at the end of May. I was swollen for a few weeks and remember...never forget...that the results are not instantaneous. You will swell a bit, you will think there is no difference, if you have lipo, your skin will be ripply at first as the tissue underneath has to heal for a number of weeks, etc... All I know it was worth every minute of Vicodin enhanced time off of work!! Enjoy and feel free to email or post questions and I'll be happy to respond!! Regards, Stephanie

Congrats on having your surgery date scheduled! I remember what an exciting time it was for me 18 months ago! Now I feel like an old school veteran...I was reading the follow up comments and I loved seeing how someone quoted from Amy W. I'm friends with that crazy lady and she was one of my inspirations when I was first banded!! Anywho...a few pointers. Gas-X and a hot Water bottle are essential to help with the gas pains that seem to settle into your shoulder areas. made me feel 100% better. Don't try to overdo thing. Granted I was only off work for a week and to be honest, my C-section was more painful of a recovery, but still your body will be healing on the inside and you don't want to hurt anything. You'll have mild but effective painkillers so this is your time to relax and heal. Follow your Doctors eating plan. Don't cheat...It's not that hard to stick to, because you're so swollen at first, it's like having restriction. And remember, this is NOT a time to worry about weight loss. Your body is in a state of shock and some people lose, some don't, but please, please, please, DO NOT compare yourself to others and how much THEY lost. That is a quick road to insanity, because we all lose at different rates. I was a slow loser...turtle slow. I was banded at 266 on 2/23 and by 9/23, 7 months later I had lost about 43 lbs. Around month 8, something clicked and the weight losses were steady and consistent for me. I was working out with a personal trainer 3 or 4 times a week and building muscle and whenever I would hit a plateau (and I was the Mayor of Plateauville for a while) I would up my Protein intake and boom, the weight would come off. Lastly, take your measurements, because when the scale is not budging, but you can feel your clothes getting loser, your measurements will be proof positive that your body is changing. AND...if you like to write, I really suggest starting a blog on a place like blogger.com It was there that I found such a wonderful support system of friends (the BOOBS...Band of Outrageous Babes) and I wouldn't have been nearly as successful without them. My blog link is below!!! I posted more before/after photos today! -Stephanie Good luck and have a great day! www.DreamsofSkinnyHighHeels.blogspot.com

Congrats on having your surgery date scheduled! I remember what an exciting time it was for me 18 months ago! Now I feel like an old school veteran Anywho...a few pointers. Gas-X and a hot Water bottle are essential to help with the gas pains that seem to settle into your shoulder areas. made me feel 100% better. Don't try to overdo thing. Granted I was only off work for a week and to be honest, my C-section was more painful of a recovery, but still your body will be healing on the inside and you don't want to hurt anything. Follow your Doctors eating plan. Don't cheat...It's not that hard to stick to, because you're so swollen at first, it's like having restriction. And remember, this is NOT a time to worry about weight loss. Your body is in a state of shock and some people lose, some don't, but please, please, please, DO NOT compare yourself to others and how much THEY lost. That is a quick road to insanity, because we all lose at different rates. Lastly, take your measurements, because when the scale is not budging, but you can feel your clothes getting loser, your measurements will be proof positive that your body is changing. AND...if you like to write, I really suggest starting a blog on a place like blogger.com it was there that I found such a wonderful support system of friends (the BOOBS...Band of Outrageous Babes) and I wouldn't have been nearly as successful without them. My blog link is below!!! I posted more before/after photos today! -Stephanie Good luck and have a great day!

I'm so glad to hear that things went well for you!!! Keep a positive attitude and know we're all rooting for you!

Honestly, it would all be dependent on your your surgeons schedule. Some times are busier for them than others, they may have business trips/conferences already on the schedule and just family vacations planned. The sooner you get on their secedule and have your surgery date secured, the better. On average, I would say 3 to 4 weeks. When I had my plastic surgery, I had to book 3 months in advance, so it varies from Doctor to doctor.

Without a medical necessity, no insurance will not cover it, as it is considered elective surgery and does not have anything to do with your general well being. They would consider it along the lines of a cosmetic procedure.

I am super fair skinned and when I get a fill or unfill, it looks like someone beat me up. A lot of it depends on how easy it is for the physician to hit the hole in the port and your body tissue can be really sensitive. In the 18 months I've had my band, i always bruise...badly. And I have a great doctor who definitely knows what he is doing. Call your doctor if you are truly concerned. That's what we pay them for! Good luck!

Welcome to the club! My body makes all kinds of noises now, but I've been "Out of the Closet" with my band since the beginning, so my coworkers don't give it a second thought!

Well, I just typed up this long huge message and then my system crapped out on me. Congrats on getting the band and remember to take it easy and follow doctors orders, ok? I was banded 18 months ago and i started an online blog which journaled my details. Since you have some free time on your hands, if you want to visit it, go to www.dreamsofskinnyhighheels.blogspot.com and you can start in 2010 and fllow my progress. Just today i posted my before/after photos that have me at 126 lbs lost....I just posted on below. You can do this and just remember not to overdo it. If you have gas pains, Gas-X chewables and a hot Water bottle will be your best friend. Just relax, take it easy and welcome to your new life!

You're nervous and that's normal, but you need to do this for yourself. many people criticize what they fail to understand, but I was banded 18 months ago and I've lost 126 lbs. I feel like a new person, both physically and mentally. Isn't that what you want for yourself? You need to know that what other people think is not what is best for you. ONLY YOU and your doctor know what is the best decision for your health. Why would you let unqualified people (even though they are family) dictate how you lead your life? They are not the ones who are dealing with YOUR weight issues. I was back to work after a week with my surgery and yes, the first month is not fun and weight loss can be slow, but I get a sense that you are committed to this as a lifestyle change and not some quick fix. You have to work to lose weight until the point where you have proper restriction and looking back, it can be frustrating at times, but do i think it is worth it? Oh HECK YES. I wish you had a support system at home, but I know for me, I met SO many wonderful women through the blogging world on Blogger.com. I started a blog "Dreams of Skinny High Heels" the month before my surgery and I encourage you to go visit it and read about my journey starting in Jan of 2010. The other bloggers and I share each others frustrations, Celebrate each others accomplishments (like meeting goal) and are a cheering section for one another when those around us may not be so supportive. Good luck to you and seriously, screw what other people think. This is YOUR life!

It sounds like you are a smidge too tight and being a bit looser and eating more Protein may jump start your weight loss. Times have been stressful for you and that effects your body in strange ways. When my losses really kicked in I was working out with a personal trainer to build more muscle and I was eating at least 80 grams of protein a day. I was a slow loser for the first 8 months. It does work...you just need to put yourself first.

I know that for me, Blue Cross/Blue Shield required 6 months of supervised weight loss, but since I had been on weight watchers for over 6 months the previous year, I was able to submit my WW weight log along with a statement from my potential Lap Band surgeon and I was approved, without even being denied once. I also submitted my health records from my General Praticioner which showed my times on meridia, diffent weight loss plans I had done and that worked for them. Don't give up!!! -Stephanie

I am glad you enjoyed the shrimp...18 months after surgery and at restriction, shrimp is a no-no food for me....Shrimp Scampi...Sigh!!!

You need to celebrate any loss and not focus on any percieved negatives. We all have our ups and downs, but the important thing is to recognize the changes that need to be made and move on. Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it. If you believe in yourself, anything is possible!!!

Congrats to you and I hope you are not too uncomfortable right now!! Best wishes to you!!

Thanks for the kudos...I've worked hard for it! Best of luck to you...I once was where you are and I am more than happy to help with anyone when it comes to support. That's one of the reasons I blog and blogging is what kept me sane and led me to meet some absolutley amazing women!!!

Hang in there and know it gets better!!! When you get home, take some Gas-X and a pain pill and veg

I am headed to Chicago at the end of the month and I have actually scheduled a small unfill a few days before my flight. I've had the band for 18 months and have learned the hard way that I tend to "poof up" when I fly and the swelling causes serious tightness. This past 4thof July I was so tight I was on liquids and mushies for the whole trip. I will not put myself through that misery again. It's funny how our bodies work. Some people aren't bothered at all. I just know that FOR ME, an small unfill is totally necessary to keep me at an even keel.

The first time I zipped up a sz. 8 Ann Taylor skirt and also a pair of sz. 8 jeans almost made me break down in tears. What a wonderful psychological feeling!! Congrats to you all!

Honestly, it seems that many people aren't told by their doctors that huge weight loss is not the standard after surgery and then they get down and discouraged when it doesn't happen. We have heard over and over again that it is a time of healing and that is so true. I lost at a snails pace in the beginning and over 8 months lost approx. 40 lbs. I wanted to use my scale to target practice. But I kept going...working out ith a personal trainer, watching what I ate and now I am at my goal weight and maintaining. We didn't gain the weight overnight and remember that the Lap Band helps us to lose the weight slowly and to keep it off. It gets us off the weight loss roller coaster for the first time in our lives, but you can't compare yourself to others and what they lose. Some people lose weight differently than others. People who need to lose more, may lose mroe quickly then plateau, while some may lose slowly and then see consistent steady drops. We are all individuals, so don't beat yourself up., ok? Hugs to you all!! -Stephanie

I say go for a TT, but remember it can be a long recovery, painful and I know that many plastic srugeons do computer enhanced photos to show you how you would possibly look (mine did for my neck lift). I would check his credentials, reviews from former patients, etc...but with your stomach area, a TT is the best thing, in my non-expert opinion. No amount of working out will completely firm and tone that. I have the same thing

Gas X cherry chewables and a hot Water bottle helped me feel like a real person again! I would have been miserable without them. Congrats to you and good luck! -Stephanie