BlackButterfly

I had to stay overnight for insurance purposes. Actually stayed about 30 hrs because my bladder didn't want to put out any urine so I also had to wait for that to happen. Myrna

Hello, I have BCBS/UT Select through Univ. of Texas Med. Branch and they do cover it. I was banded 12-29-06. There is a 6 mo. diet requirement (you can use Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, L A Weight Loss, etc.) and there are a few other requirements. Also, you must meet your deductibles and out of pocket maximums for the year. But I was approved in less than a week once I met the requirements. The Cust Care Rep was very helpful when I called the Ins. Co. PM me if you need more info. Good Luck!!! Myrna

Internal dissolvable sutures, glue and steri-strips for me.

One more Dr. Benavides fan here. I was banded on 12-29-06. Have lost about 30lbs so far. Had my 2nd fill last week, with moderate restriction. I have 2.3cc in a 4cc band.

Hi All, I think everyone is a little different, some lose all restriction after the swelling goes down in the first month (like me!), and some people retain some restriction even up to the 1st fill. I can eat a little more than a cup if I let myself, before i feel satisfied. But I try to eat the right things from the plan even if I eat more of it than I should. I am due for my 1st post-op exam and 1st fill on the same day (1-30-07), which is 4 weeks and 4 days after surgery. I sure hope it helps! So hang in there! Butterfly

Congratulations Deb, and welcome to LBT. You'll find much help and many answers to your questions on this forum. Hope you're feeling OK about now.

:help: :help: I just had lap band surgery on 12-29-06, and am doing well. I am researching options for my sister in Ohio, who has Kaiser (HMO) and medicare. According to her- Kaiser only covers Gastric Bypass, and not Lap Band. SHE DOES NOT want to have such a drastic surgery at her age. She is 67 yrs old. She is desperate to lose weight and will consider Lap Band if she can get approval through Kaiser. She can't afford to self-pay. She has diabetes, hypertension and arthritis. Has anyone ever had Lap Band at a referral facility through KAISER? It seems to me that since lapband is safer that they would be willing to authorize it through another facility, especially since they do that for other procedures they don't perform in their own hospitals. If anyone knows of any way this can be done-pleeaase respond. You can pm me also at Myrmart9@aol.com. Thanks for any help I can obtain for her Butterfly:help: :help: :help:

Hi Laurend, I went to initial consult (not with surgeon) in mid-October, had nutrition, Psych eval and meical clearance in November and submitted to ins. co. late November, approved 1st week of December, pre-op surgeon's consult Dec. 26th and surgery Dec. 29th. (changed from Dec. 21st). It moved very quickly for me. (BCBS-TX) I haven't yet been to a seminar. Myrna

Hey, thanks for the invitation but I'm a little confused. Is this for December bandsters? If so-what's gonna make it different from the regular December Bandster forum? Please "splain" it to me?!!! Myrna

Nathalie, Sorry you had problems and SO glad you're doing better now!!! Mel--I was banded 12-29 by Dr. Benavides. How are you feeling? Today I feel lke I have a golfball stuck in my chest, and I've tried antacids, gas medicine, and warm coffee to no avail. I think he's an excellent surgeon. He found a hiatal hernia and repaired that as well. I'm afraid to take pain pills for fear they will add to the feeling. No plans for New Year this year. Happy New Year to everyone!!! Butterfly

Thanks Susie, Congratulations and good luck to you!

Congrats to all December bandsters!! I am officially a member as of yesterday!!! Let's get things rolling!!!! Butterfly

Welcome Carole!! Congratulations on your decision. I'm in Ferris, TX and just got banded yesterday!! I stayed overnight in the hospital, came home today and feel ok except for some muscle soreness. I think you will be happy you made the decision to be banded. I am. My procedure was uncomplicated, except he found a hiatal hernia during surgery, but fixed it while he was there. You will be fine, and again, WELCOME!!! Butterfly

Thanks Kitty! I think I'm a little nervous- I've been having muscle spasms on the left side of my back for the last 3 days. Muscle relaxers don't seem to help either!!! GRRRRRH! Butterfly

Congratulations Denise! I hope all goes well for you in the morning, I'll say a prayer for you! BTW-I'm getting banded in the morning too (8:30) We can walk together to the other side! YYYYYAAAAAAAy for us! Butterfly

Denise, I agree this board really helps a lot. Best of luck to you and have a Merry Xmas1 Butterfly

Rosierdays-Maybe we should start a group- we could call it "The end of December" or something equally as corny(smile). Susie-congratulations and welcome. Keep us informed on your progress ok? Butterfly

Sweethot-glad you're feeling better now. Beversman, how r u holding up? What? It's Christmas? Butterfly

Hello Rid! I'm being banded Friday too, by Dr Benavides. I FEEL YOU on the pre-op diet! It's sooo hard because I've been cooking up a storm to take to my in-laws for Xmas, and I can't even sample anything to see if it's seasoned!!! GRRRRRR!!!! I can't wait 'til Fri. 'cause at least after surgery I won't even WANT anything to eat. Lord, give us strength PLEASE!! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!!! Butterfly

Hi everyone, I'm getting banded 12-29-06 by Dr. Richard Benavides in Dallas, TX, and would like to know if anyone has any knowledge/experience with him? It seems nobody has seen my previous posts asking about him, and it's probably something I'm doing wrong on the posting? If anyone can help me-please jump right in!! (smiles) Thanks in advance, and have a great weekend.

DFWRph-thanks so much for that info. I will be seeing Dr. B. on Tue. (26th) and I making a list of quedtions for him. I'm also in the med. profession (LVN) but am not privy to the info. you are. I am on Maxzide 25, Labetolol and just started Synthroid 25mcg. 3 mos ago. Also am taking Iron 65 mg daily. I stopped taking my Premarin last Friday until after the surgery. Not sure if I'll have time to get new RX's for liquids for any of my meds at this late date (Xmas week too!) But I will see what I can do. I'm glad you had an uneventful surgery and hope you continue to do well. GayleTx I was referred by Dr. Maese 3 yrs ago but insurance did not approve it at that time. I was told then that Dr. B. was one of the more experienced band surgeons-but it's been difficult getting info on the lap band forums about him so I appreciate yours and DFWRph's responses. By the way you're doing a WONDERFUL job with your band. Keep up the good work, and I just hope I can be as succesful! Myrna

Beversman-you crack me up girl!!! I'm so glad everything went so smoothly for you.God is good!!!! I sooo hope I have as good an experiece on Friday. Levi27-Good to know your band is in place and you're feeling good. Look out world, we're on the move!!!! Butterfly

Beversman, Will be thinking of you tomorrow, Everything will be fine! Try to get some rest this evening, and may God cover you during your procedure. Butterfly

Levi27 You're in my prayers today. Hope all goes well, and let us know how things went, OK? Butterfly

Hi Again Denise! We are also almost the same age (I'm 55). My pre-op instructions say that going on a high Protein, low fat and low sugar diet will help to shrink the liver-which has to be lifted out of the way during the procedure. Because the liver is pretty fragile, the smaller it is the better/easier it will be to avoid injury to it if it's smaller. Sooooo, put some brakes on the ice cream and such!!!!(smile) I do understand how you feel though. When my surgery date was pushed back (1 week), My DH and I went out for Mexican food the next day!!!!! And I ate what I wanted the whole weekend!!! But I got back down to business on Monday. Maybe from today on you can try to up your protein and reduce everything else. It's hard I know-especially this time of year-but it WILL help you avoid complications during surgery. I think we both would be considered "lightweights" on this forum and on the OH forum. By the weigh (pun intended), have you browsed that forum yet? It's also very interesting and informative, but it includes people who've had ALL types of bariatric surgery. They do have a state forum and a Lap Band forum though. Check it out at www.obesityhelp.com. And have a wonderful day!!! 8 Days and counting, Myrna