Newbie from Georgia

[sghatl 2]

The unflavored Unjury Protein can be added easily to any food.< /p>

Seven days post-op and I feel great. I even went mall shopping for 3 1/2 hours yesterday by myself. I called all the malls near me and found one that had valet parking. They got my scooter out of the trunk for me. I have arthritic knees and use a scooter for mall shopping and traveling through airports. Of course, it was like having my own pack mule - it carried my packages. I am not supposed to lift anything but that hasn't been defined. I have my post-op appointment tomorrow and hope to find out. I had a sizeable hiatal hernia repaired at the same time.

I have had the easiest time. I do follow orders and drink, drink, drink that Water and other acceptable juices and tea. I have had no problem with getting my protein. Using the Unjury products, I am getting 66 plus grams of protein daily. I usually mix it with milk or bouillon. Other than that I am only allowed SF Jello and SF popsicles and clear juices. And I am NOT hungry. I have been pain free since 4 hours after surgery. The energy came back 4 days after surgery and I haven't napped the past two days. This has been a fantastic experience for me so far. I will be on liquids for 2 more weeks and then 3 weeks of mushies. The only thing that will get me is boredom with having the same things daily.

I've tried mixing a SF liquid chai tea mixture with my milk and protein and I love it. I can drink it hot or cold. SF apple cider has been a nice treat too. Yesterday, I tried a very flat Sprite Free. My husband didn't finish his can and left it open on the counter overnight. I made sure the bubbles were completely gone and drank it. Loved it and I never was that fond of Sprite before. Just looking for new tastes right now.

Thanks for asking but I guess I got carried away with the answer. I LOVE MY BAND.

[georgia girl 35]

Wow, sghatl, I can't believe how great you are doing, and the fact you had a hernia repaired at the same time, I'm just amazed. Being on liquids ,for so long, can get boring. I absolutely love chai tea. The other night I made some with low sugar apple juice and added a little splenda and it taste like hot apple cidar. What kind of SF apple cidar do you buy? I love drinking that at this time of year. I'm so glad you are doing well.

[sghatl 2]

I found both the SF liquid chai tea and SF apple cider at my local Kroger store. The apple cider was where the hot chocolate can be found. I have always bought the Oregon chai tea mixture to be mixed with milk. But it had way too many calories and carbs. I was so excited before surgery to find the SF version - no carbs and no calories. I just mix it with my milk and some LDS vanilla cinnamon Protein Powder. Yummy. And as I said I can drink it hot or cold. This morning I had it cold. It has been in the high 70's here the past 5 days. I am ready for winter. The chai tea is not with the teas and coffees but I found it in their area where the gourmet and organic foods are. The Protein powders are there too and specialty waters, Soups, etc. It's a large area in my Kroger store. They have about 6 or so versions of the Oregon chai teas.

[4jin 0]

nice I am going to check out the chai tea. My local Kroger has a specialty area for organics.

I found a SF Hersheys Dark cocoa that you can make hot chocolate with...I just mix it with Water and some sweetner.

It is sold at Kroger/SuperWalmart.

[sghatl 2]

Thanks 4Jin - love the dark hot chocolate. I will get some and can to my milk which I have to have 2 to 4 4oz servings daily according to the nutritionist's liquid meal plan for me.

[georgia girl 35]

Thanks sghatl and 4jin, I'll look for these things. There's not a Kroger here in Moultrie, but I'll check at Wal-Mart.

[SteveInKansas 0]

I have lot's of question's and have tried to read alot of the post here to get answer's, but most fall just short of what I want to know. First off, I live in S.E. Kansas (2 hrs from anywhere, KC, Joplin, Tulsa, Wichita). I dont feel I am having a "mid-life crisis" but we have just had our 1st grandbaby and she has REALLY opened my eye's to the reality that my health may not be up to par! I'd really like to be around to spoil her in the years to come.

Myself, my BMI is 50.1 (5'7" 320lbs) I am scheduled to attend Dr. Kirshenbaum's seminar Dec. 19th in KC. (1st step) I have been told that BCBS "will not" cover this so I started counting my penny's. But then I read on here that some of you are getting them to cover it??? So what's the deal, you have to know somebody or what??? I called BCBS and they all but hung up on me, READ YOUR POLICY, we dont cover weight loss "but they will cover a penile implant"! Doesnt make much sence to me but what do I know!

Reading on in the post, I have seen several different price's mentioned. Dr. K in KC I've heard run's about $16,500, you can go to CO and get it done for $9950 and Mexico for $7,000. What, are we having a blue light special here??? My wife said no way was I going to Mexico to have a surgery. We have been just over the border a few times and I must agree it's not the cleanest part of town we've been in (tourist trap). But I read here the oppisite (not doubting anyone's word) Has anyone gone to Mexico and had a problem with a Dr. here doing your "fills" or will they mess with another Dr's work?

I work where we take most of the winter off so without doing any homework before now, I thought I would just make an appointment and go get it done . . . . . WRONG. Is there a secret to getting the ball rolling so I dont have to wait until NEXT winter to get this done? I dont care if BCBS pays or not, I just want to get it done while I'm in the mood and have time before heading back to work.

Anyone else in the S.E. Kansas area have this done? Where do I go to find other perspective Dr's? I told you I didnt know what the heck I was doing! Any help would be greatly appriciated!

[sghatl 2]

KLPDBL, I don't see the chai tea at Walmart at all. I would be willing to mail you some to moultrie - that is if the post office will let me mail liquids. I could send UPS. Let me know.

[travelgirl 3]

I have lot's of question's and have tried to read alot of the post here to get answer's, but most fall just short of what I want to know. First off, I live in S.E. Kansas (2 hrs from anywhere, KC, Joplin, Tulsa, Wichita). I dont feel I am having a "mid-life crisis" but we have just had our 1st grandbaby and she has REALLY opened my eye's to the reality that my health may not be up to par! I'd really like to be around to spoil her in the years to come.

Myself, my BMI is 50.1 (5'7" 320lbs) I am scheduled to attend Dr. Kirshenbaum's seminar Dec. 19th in KC. (1st step) I have been told that BCBS "will not" cover this so I started counting my penny's. But then I read on here that some of you are getting them to cover it??? So what's the deal, you have to know somebody or what??? I called BCBS and they all but hung up on me, READ YOUR POLICY, we dont cover weight loss "but they will cover a penile implant"! Doesnt make much sence to me but what do I know!

Reading on in the post, I have seen several different price's mentioned. Dr. K in KC I've heard run's about $16,500, you can go to CO and get it done for $9950 and Mexico for $7,000. What, are we having a blue light special here??? My wife said no way was I going to Mexico to have a surgery. We have been just over the border a few times and I must agree it's not the cleanest part of town we've been in (tourist trap). But I read here the oppisite (not doubting anyone's word) Has anyone gone to Mexico and had a problem with a Dr. here doing your "fills" or will they mess with another Dr's work?

I work where we take most of the winter off so without doing any homework before now, I thought I would just make an appointment and go get it done . . . . . WRONG. Is there a secret to getting the ball rolling so I dont have to wait until NEXT winter to get this done? I dont care if BCBS pays or not, I just want to get it done while I'm in the mood and have time before heading back to work.

Anyone else in the S.E. Kansas area have this done? Where do I go to find other perspective Dr's? I told you I didnt know what the heck I was doing! Any help would be greatly appriciated!

Hi, Steve!

I'm from North Central KS, and I was banded in Topeka. Their cash price for banding is $12,000. The best way to get the ball rolling with anything is to go to a seminar, (most bariatric surgeons have these either weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly), and they'll tell you everything you need to know to get started. As far as I know BCBS of Kansas does not cover it, and they have no plans to change their minds. Now, the BCBS companies that you're reading about that do cover it are other state's or the federal policies. If you have the Kansas policy, though, you're barking up the wrong tree trying to get them to cover it.

The biggest thing though, is to not jump in with both feet until you've educated yourself about the process, and how your life will change afterwards. This is not something you decide to do and then just go do it. Some people do that and then they have no idea what they've gotten themselves into, and education is KEY to a successful bandster.

Good luck!

Welcome to LBT!

[sghatl 2]

Steve, I began my journey with a seminar in July and was approved in September by BCBS Federal Employee program. Yes SOME BCBS plans approve the surgery. However, it all depends on the contract they have with your employer. Even in states where BCBS approves, some company plans do not and it is the companies that dictate and do the negotiating of their healthplans not BCBS. Hope this explains it. You can try and get your company to change their policy. Call your company insurance person and see what their policy is. It might be covered. If you are self-pay, the approval process is much easier and faster. The insurance companies require so much documentation and approval of various doctors like psychiatrists, pulmonogists, etc before they will approve you for surgery. Some even require 3 to 6 months of medically supervised dieting. Good luck. You BMI is perfect for surgery.

I can't speak for pricing as it was not a concern to me. I knew up front that I would get approval if medically fit. Good luck in your journey and I hoped this helped.

[sghatl 2]

I wasn't exactly clear - I started the formal journey in July but I researched the entire procedure and process beginning in February before deciding this was for me. The previous post was entirely correct - you just don't jump in.

[TXbandit 4]

Hi, Steve,

You are in the right place to get some good information. Use the search option, requesting that the search be for all posts on the subject you want info about. Re: insurance.....I used to work for the TX Department of Insurance, the agency that regulates all types of insurance in the state. We received many complaints from people wanting bariatric surgery and having problems with their insurance companies. Basically, either the surgery is excluded, which means you can try everything to get the coverage and never be covered. No matter how many letters or attempts you make, "excluded" means it will not be covered. Some companies require you to jump through hoops (some good and some ridiculous) in order to get coverage....some insurance companies will cover portions of the costs but not all. There are groups of people who lobby state legislatures to pass laws mandating coverage, but in TX, it is not a mandated benefit (one example that comes to mind is the law requiring insurance companies to cover breast reconstruction after mastectomies). I don't know if any states have mandated coverage for bariatric surgery yet. Each policy, or contract, is different. If the insurance company is not responding to you or is not living up to their contract with you, contact your state department of insurance. In my case, the dear old state of TX BCBS policy excludes the procedure, so I think of the financing of the band as my "new car." :bandit

[georgia girl 35]

KLPDBL, I don't see the chai tea at Walmart at all. I would be willing to mail you some to moultrie - that is if the post office will let me mail liquids. I could send UPS. Let me know.

That's okay, thank's anyway. I have some chai tea that I got from Winn Dixie, but I do want to look for that SF apple cidar. Is the apple cidar a liquid or a powder? And also, what brand is the cidar? If I can't find it at Wal-mart or Winn Dixie, I'll look online for some. Thanks.

[georgia girl 35]

Hey Steve.

I'm sorry your insurance doesn't cover the surgery. I have BCBS Federal Employee Plan and luckily, they covered 90% of the procedure. You're right, it is ridiculous that they cover penile implants and not lapband surgery. Just do all the research you can about lapband and when you feel confident that your well educated, jump in. Good luck at your seminar. Here is a link to a thread about questions to ask reguarding pre-op and post-op http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/surgery-questions-ask-20271/

Good luck to you and I hope everything works out for you.

[sghatl 2]

I looked at Walmart today and they have the Alpine brand SF apple cider.