Kentucky, "who's your Doctor"

[Busy 0]

Hello all, I have not been on the boards for a couple of weeks, trying to catch up on work. Things are going well, I have moved to mushies and find they are hard to find. I found myself sitting in Taco Bell with my DH eating pinto Beans for dinner tonight. I thought, I'd rather be home drinking a yogart and bananna shake!! I have lost around 18 lbs but I am scared I will start gaining since I am on mushies. If I do I will make some adjustments. Incisions are almost healed except where I developed a reaction to the band-aids they put on my stomach. That hurt worse that the surgery incisions!! I am walking 1 to 1 1/2 miles per day and have lost in my thighs, butt and boobs, waist is giving me some issues!! I have read it so many times on the boards of how happy people are that they have had surgery, I join the ranks, I am tickled!! Got into a size 16/18 w tonight, that deserves a manicure tomorrow!!!!

[moosey52 0]

Hi Busy great to hear how great your doing. Well tomorrow is my big day and I can`t wait. Have my jam-jams pack and even pack me some single sugar free koolaid. They will keep me overnite, but home early the next morning. I went to the grocery today and spend 150.00 on just me. Well I have enough in my house for almost a month, hubby will get my milk as I need it. My main thing is to do what my dr and nutrionist tells me and mostly want to get the Protein they want me to have for I dont want my hair falling out. So take and will look u up in a few days.

[Busy 0]

Moosey, I hope everything turned out fine and you are home and happy. As far as Protein, I ordered the Unjury unflavored powered protein (online) and it adds 20 grams per scoop to what you are eating. I have put it in broth, carnation instant Breakfast, blended yogart, barely taste it. Since I have moved to mushies I still use it in anything I can think of. I also bought Protein Shots from GNC (someone on the boards suggested). They are 42 grams of protein in 3 oz and do not taste bad. I am the same way as you as trying to ensure I do not lose hair. Let us know how things are going.

[BandChick64 1]

On the subject of Protein, once you get onto regular solid foods, some of the Protein Bars are really good. I really like the Zone Perfect bars--15 grams of protein and 200-210 calories depending on what flavor you choose. They are pretty tasty especially if you are having a chocolate craving and they fill me up for several hours--pretty good especially on a hectic day if you have a lot of running to do. You can get them at Walmart or Kroger usually near the organic or health food section. Just a suggestion if you're not one to go for the Protein Drinks. Hope everyone is doing well--just checking in!! Going for a follow up tomorrow morning with Dr Lusco--I'm not sure if he will do an adjustment or not--still losing 2-3 lbs a week. Take care everyone!!:biggrin:

[hollyncharm 0]

ok so I'm with united health care and all it says it it covers 80% after satisfying the deductible.... what does that mean? i dont know anything about insurance. please help!!

[hollyncharm 0]

ok so I'm thinking I'm going to go with Dr Allen at Norton's. maybe. my insurance is funny and i don't know what they will pay and i don't know how much the whole things costs so i cant save for it accurately. can any one help me?

[BandChick64 1]

Hi Holly--

I'm not much of an expert on the insurance factor either since I was a self-pay patient, but my best suggestion would be to call your insurance customer service number and discuss it with them. My understanding is that more and more insurance plans are paying for the surgery because it's cheaper than paying for treatment for all of the complications that can arise from being overweight. As far as the deductible, etc., you would need to figure out what your annual deductible is for your plan whether it's $500, $1000, etc. You would have to pay whatever portion of that deductible that you have not paid already this year + 20% of the cost of the surgery. The insurance would cover the other 80%. BUT you need to check with them to see if the surgery is excluded from coverage--it was on my husband's plan thru his work. Again I would call United Health Care and talk to them--or check with your surgeon's office. They deal with this stuff all of the time and generally can tell you or find out for you which insurance companies will pay and which ones won't. Good luck to you and keep us posted!!

[hollyncharm 0]

thank you so much for your help. i have called the insurance company and they told me that they cant be sure of an amount to tell me because i haven't been approved yet. so i will go to the Dr and get approved. until then i guess ill just save as much as i can.

[BandChick64 1]

Ok, so I went for my followup yesterday with Dr Lusco and he did not do an adjustment. I was pretty sure that that's what he would say. I've lost over 75 lbs in 5 months since my surgery. He said that I am still losing 2.5-3 lbs per week and that as long as I continue to do that, that I don't need anything else. I am supposed to go back in 12 weeks which puts me right after July 4th. I have mixed feelings--on the one hand, I know that I'm doing really well, and obviously I don't want to do anything that will jeopardize what I've accomplished so far. On the other hand, I'm on a roll and very anxious to keep this trend going and to get as much of this weight off as possible before vacation time. I know I'm just being impatient--it took years to put all of this weight on and it's not going to come off overnight. And I'm thrilled to death with how far I've come in a few short months. My husband and son are proud of me and I'm proud of myself. So I'm just going to suck it up and keep working on it!! I've got my silver 75 lb pin that Dr Lusco gave me yesterday and I can look forward to getting my gold pin when I hit 100 lbs!! I'm very happy with this surgery--I have a lot more willpower than I thought I did, but I just don't believe I could have done this without the band. Good luck to everyone who's working on getting approved by their insurance. It's the best decision I ever made!!

[Busy 0]

Ok, so I went for my followup yesterday with Dr Lusco and he did not do an adjustment. I was pretty sure that that's what he would say. I've lost over 75 lbs in 5 months since my surgery. He said that I am still losing 2.5-3 lbs per week and that as long as I continue to do that, that I don't need anything else. I am supposed to go back in 12 weeks which puts me right after July 4th. I have mixed feelings--on the one hand, I know that I'm doing really well, and obviously I don't want to do anything that will jeopardize what I've accomplished so far. On the other hand, I'm on a roll and very anxious to keep this trend going and to get as much of this weight off as possible before vacation time. I know I'm just being impatient--it took years to put all of this weight on and it's not going to come off overnight. And I'm thrilled to death with how far I've come in a few short months. My husband and son are proud of me and I'm proud of myself. So I'm just going to suck it up and keep working on it!! I've got my silver 75 lb pin that Dr Lusco gave me yesterday and I can look forward to getting my gold pin when I hit 100 lbs!! I'm very happy with this surgery--I have a lot more willpower than I thought I did, but I just don't believe I could have done this without the band. Good luck to everyone who's working on getting approved by their insurance. It's the best decision I ever made!!

Bandchick, WOW, 78 lbs is awsome (GREEN with envy) in 5 months. I don't know what you are doing but I want to do it too!!! I know your DH and son are proud of you. Pat yourself on your back and be proud of yourself also. If it wasn't so early in the morning I would get up and do the Happy Dance for you....but I'm too tired and have not had my tea yet. I will do it later and call it EXERCISE!!!!:confused:

[lele 0]

I also have Dr Lusco. My surgery date is May 28 (can't wait). Good luck with the insurance proccess, I was pretty lucky I received approval quick. I have anthem ppo.:tt1:

[cindymom 0]

I got approved today, I go for they psch evaluation on may 14 and then I set up the surgery date. It has to be after the first week of June because I will be on vacation. But this is happening very fast for me, I need someone to pinch me so I know I am not dreaming. It has been a wonderful day for me today.

[BandChick64 1]

Thanks Busy--I was just being pathetic and whiny the other day. I feel much better about things now and I'm glad he didn't adjust me. Thanks for the words of support and encouragement. How are you feeling these days??

[BandChick64 1]

Congrats to CBraessler and Lele on your approval!! Things will move quickly now and you'll be on the bandwagon before you know it!! Good luck and keep us all posted on how you're doing!!:cry_smile:

[Cerrin 3]

Band, You dont want an adjustment if you are losing 2 lbs a week because you dont want your food too restricted...then you would have problems getting enough calories in. then you could stop losing all together.

I love Dr Lusco! He is Awesome!

OK and for insurance. I had a 90% coverage on first 10,000 and 80% on second 10,000 after deductable. I had a deductable of 500 for the year. When I had the surgery I had like 300 left to pay. At time of surgery I had to pay something like 360 Then everything else is paid after surgery and St Marys put me on a payment plan. I have about 1200 to pay after surgery. and I can make monthly payments.

Hope that helps you out a bit.