brew44

Alienbandit, What kind of erosion did you have? How bad was it? I recently went through an erosion that I became septic from and almost died. After saying that, I want my lapband back! I lost weight with it like it was made for me. Any information you can give me would be great! My surgeon will not reband me because my erosion happened 3 months after I was banded. Thank you, Misty

Hi, I actually had a complete erosion. I was banded November 2010 and lost weight like the band was made for me. It was going great until February 2011. I went in with severe pain and high fever. The doctors couldn't find anything wrong with me. I was sent to my lapband doctor for a upper GI. Everything checked out. I had severe lower abdominal pain, after about a month of complaining about the pain and having it get worse instead of better, they did a ct scan with contrast. They spotted a small hematoma where my lapband should be so I was sent back to Dr. Eldridge with the ct scan results to see what he thought. He actually spotted an abscess below the port site and ordered it to be drained ASAP! He also did an endoscopy. He said that my stomach was eroding and it was so bad he could actually see the lapband through my stomach lining. He had to take the band out because by this time I was sceptic and fighting for my life. Before he had taken out the lapband I had lost 40 lbs. It was great! Now I have no lapband and he won't reband me because he has never heard of anyone's stomach eroding/or lapband eroding that fast. I am devastated! I don't know what to do! He said I would be a good candidate for the gastric sleeve but how do I get my insurance to pay for that now since my BMI is not in the 40s? I am doing my best not to gain the weight back by exercising daily but I have already gained back 10 lbs. I'm not sure if this helps you but I hope you do not have an erosion! It is heartbreaking to lose the band I worked and waited to get for so many years! Misty

Hi, I was banded on November 15th. Things have been going well for me until a couple of weeks ago. The joint pain started slowly so I didn't think much of it at first. It started in my knees. The muscles feel tight both up my leg and down into the calf muscles. Now it is my knees, elbow joints, some hip pain, and this morning when I woke up my hands were hurting with the same kind of pain. The pain is the same on both sides of my body. I have tried icing these areas, as well as, taking a nice hot bath, with no effect on the joints. The pain is just as bad after as when I started the treatment. I still have some pain meds left over so I have been taking them at night to help me sleep, otherwise I would not be able to sleep with the pain. It has gotten so bad I can barely navigate the stairs, I'm like a 70 year old woman even though I'm only 33 trying to move somewhere; off the couch, into another room, etc. Everyday I am noticing the pain is worse and has progressed. Has anyone heard of this before? I will be calling my surgeon today but am worried he is going to tell me it's nothing. My quality of life has been reduced to just what has to get done each day. I have never felt anything like this before and it is horrible! Please help! Misty

Hi all, I have been in another state visiting my family for the holidays. Unfotunately, I have an HMO and so nothing will be covered if I try to see someone here. I have gotten a hold of my doctor and he said it isn't from the band. So that is a relief! He put me on ibuprofen to help with the inflammation and it has helped...some. Any decrease in pain is better than nothing. Thanks for the replies!

Hi, I was banded on November 15th. Things have been going well for me until a couple of weeks ago. The joint pain started slowly so I didn't think much of it at first. It started in my knees. The muscles feel tight both up my leg and down into the calf muscles. Now it is my knees, elbow joints, some hip pain, and this morning when I woke up my hands were hurting with the same kind of pain. The pain is the same on both sides of my body. I have tried icing these areas, as well as, taking a nice hot bath, with no effect on the joints. The pain is just as bad after as when I started the treatment. I still have some pain meds left over so I have been taking them at night to help me sleep, otherwise I would not be able to sleep with the pain. It has gotten so bad I can barely navigate the stairs, I'm like a 70 year old woman even though I'm only 33 trying to move somewhere; off the couch, into another room, etc. Everyday I am noticing the pain is worse and has progressed. Has anyone heard of this before? I will be calling my surgeon today but am worried he is going to tell me it's nothing. My quality of life has been reduced to just what has to get done each day. I have never felt anything like this before and it is horrible! Please help! Misty

Hi, I have been walking for exercise. I have my surgery Monday and I know I will be able to lose the weight. I am worried about my arms and legs just becoming saggy with so much excess skin. Does anyone have any ideas/tips for exercises that may prevent that from happening? Thanks!

Thanks everyone for the advice. I used to do pilates but just have not started that yet. I have lost 30 lbs just doing pilates and walking so I will certainly start that up again. Good luck to all of you!

My surgery is Monday too!!!! I am way excited, a little scared, and a little nervous. My surgery will be done as an outpatient procedure. Let me know how ya'lls go! Best of luck! Misty :rolleyes2:

I switched to iced tea. At first it was difficult because it was just a habit for me to get a soda. I noticed it was harder to not get a soda at certain restaurants I went to. One good choice made it easier for more good choices. Everyday is a work in progress for me. Good luck!

My psych evaluation was $276.00! I had to pay out of pocket because my insurance will not cover it. Thank God my insurance covers the lapband but it won't cover anything that is a requirement for the surgery. I also had to pay for 6 months of nutritionist supervised diets. My wallet is hurting too! I hope they don't require a sleep study because I certainly can't afford another expense! I hope all works out for you and that your insurance will cover the things that it is requesting you to do for the surgery. Hang in there! Misty

I am in the same boat as you. I have the same insurance and have done the nutritionist, psych eval., etc. Now I am waiting to hear what the insurance says. I have been waiting for years for this and have changed so much since I have begun....I hope that it goes smoothly! Good luck to you and keep me posted!

Thank you all so much for replying!!! It was a great help and it eased my nervousness/fears. I went and had to take 4 tests and meet with the psychologist. In all I was there for 2 1/2 hours! He did say that I seemed like a great canidate for the surgery and he gave me two thumbs up! :smile: The downside was that my insurance didn't pay for that either. It requires 6 months of nutritionist appointments and the pysch eval. but didn't cover any of it. My psych eval cost $276.00!!! I am hoping that soon the out of pocket costs will be over. Thank you all again! Now on to waiting for insurance approval. :thumbup:

Hi, My insurance, BSBC of Oklahoma, requires me to have a psych evaluation. I go to it in a couple days. What should I expect? I am nervous. I have already paid out of pocket for 6 months of nutritionist appointments. I am wondering if this will be covered or if I have to pay for this out of pocket as well? This is my last hurdle before I go for approval!!! Help!!! Misty :thumbup:

Hi! I have an appointment for my first consult next week and they have sent me the paperwork to fill out before hand. I am worried that if I write down or miss writing down something that I may not be approved. So I have some paperwork questions and would like to how you answered the question. 1. Who is your PCP and may we contact them? I have recently gotten my HMO and picked a PCP out of a hat. I have seen him once to establish care (last week) and that is it. What do I say? Because of my insurance I don't need a referal from my PCP so I never brought the subject up of lapband or WLS. 2. Weight loss attempts: Year, how much lost, and how much gained. I started dieting in 1996. How do I answer because I have so many attempts I cannot remember all of them; plus weight lost and weight gained on the attempt. How many do I need to catalog to prove that I have tried multiple times and failed? Thanks for any suggestions you can give me on these questions! Misty :biggrin:

Thank you so much for replying! It makes me feel better knowing that the insurance isn't going to see my doctors' paperwork. Misty

Hi, Here is my update: So far I have talked to a Lapband surgeons' office and because I have BlueLincs BC/BS of OK I don't need a referral to see them! I have an appointment set up for the 24th of this month to see if I qualify. If so, I can get started with my 6 month diet and nutritionist appointments. Excited and hopeful!

Hi Everyone! I am just starting the process to try to get approved for the lapband surgery. I was wondering if anyone has experience with BC/BS OK? I recently switched from a PPO to a HMO because it said bariatric surgery was covered. I haven't been able to find any information on what surgery or the requirements for it. Please Help!

Okay everyone! Here is what my policy states from the 'exclusions and limitations' section for bariatric surgery. Surgical procedures, services or charges related to weight reduction. Bariatric surgery is excluded except when ordered by the Primary Care Physician and in accordance with Medical Necessity requirements. So now I guess I just need to find out what the medical necessity requirements are and to find a doctor who agrees with me that I need the surgery. My BMI is 43 and I have no co-morbidities. Also, I need to find out if it will cover lapband and not just rny. So everyone; keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer! Misty

Thanks for being so helpful. I went online and tried to do some research for my BlueLincs HMO plan for OKC but couldn't find anything except for BC/BS information on programs set up to help you lose weight. I couldn't find anything under gastric, banding, weight loss surgery, etc. I have been trying for quite a few days to actually get someone from customer service on the line to request my policy information. If I ask them point blank about the bariatric surgery will that disqualify me for getting it? I had BlueChoice PPO for a year then on open enrollment I switched to the HMO because it stated in the condensed version of benefits that bariatric surgery was "covered." That is what I am most afraid of. I have wanted this surgery for over 3 years now and I am afraid that somehow I am going to get disqualified. Are there any other questions other than the ones you listed that I should ask when calling them? Misty

Diana, I work for OU here in OKC. I am told it is a state paid position but have no idea if it is federal BC/BS. I have BlueLincs HMO and it says that bariatric surgery is 'covered' whatever that means. Will requesting a copy of the policy tell me what WLS it covers? Thanks, Misty:confused:

Hi! I have tons more questions. I don't really have a primary physician so should I talk to a lapband surgeon or pick a doctor as my primary and approach them? I am pretty sure that one of the requirements is a 6 month diet. How much weight do people actually lose on this diet? What is the point of the 6 month diet? Misty

Thanks for your answers! I will get started on that. Did you have a family doctor that you went to? If so, who? I am fairly new to Oklahoma and am lost when it comes to picking a decent doctor. Or did you get a hold of a surgeon and go that way? Which is the correct way to start?