Hampton Roads/Peninsula thread

[~Bridgette~ 0]

Hi everybody. Sorry it's taken me so long to get on here to post! I'm in bandland too! :teeth_smile:

I'm doing pretty well. Just sore around the port area. I've been taking my percocet regularly to not be in pain. It hurts to lie down in the bed, so I'm doing most of my "napping" in my chair in the den. So, having said that, I'm sleeping for about 4 hours at a time then waking up to walk around. Who would have thought I'd be so awake after surgery! LOL

I got 85g of Protein in yesterday. That was good. I was sipping all day it felt like.

The worst part so far is the coughing like they showed me at the hospital. That hurts so I don't really *want* to do it that often. But I try.

Thanks for the well-wishes everyone. I really appreciate them. I'm not really hungry, that's pretty cool.

[HarleyNana 10]

Bridgette, how's it going?

Hope all our new VA bandsters are doing well.

[~Bridgette~ 0]

Ok, still a little sore and pretty sick of shakes, LOL. But it's worth it!! I've been walking everyday and am trying to regain my energy. I'm looking forward to my post-op with Dr. Clark next week. I can't believe I finally have my band. I really can't tell its in there yet. I'm not hungry hardly at all, but when I forget my Protein for more than 3-4 hours I get all dizzy and woozy feeling. So, I need to be better about making sure I'm getting in my protein in regular intervals. 13 or 14 lbs gone since Weds, so I'm thrilled with that!

[vayiayia 1]

Hello,

Can someone who has been banded by WLSC in Newport News tell me if there are any out of pocket expenses not covered by insurance?

I went to a Lapband seminar with the Norfolk Surgical group. I have full insurance coverage. The entire group of seminar attendees were told there is a ne time out of pocket fee for services ($500)that is not covered by insurances. The fee has to be paid at the initial office visit to proceed with pre-op care and surgical schedualing.

Is this common with other Tidewater weight loss surgeons?

Thanks!!!

[~Bridgette~ 0]

There is a program fee at WLSC for around $700 (I'm not sure the exact amount). It's due after you meet one on one with the doc and go through your pre-op counseling. Basically, right before you take your classes for surgery.

Best of luck as you begin your journey!

[AmandaHW 0]

The total "program fee" is $750. You will pay $30 for the computer test and they deduct that from your program fee so you will owe $720 which can be paid all at once or half two weeks before and half two weeks after. HTH.

[SueDoNymm 0]

I go to Dr. Clark at WLSC. I paid for my band and surgery out of pocket, though.

[luvmy2dogs 2]

Hello Hampton Roads People!!! Just checking in to see how everyone is doing after the food filled Holiday!!! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

[HarleyNana 10]

I made it through Thanksgiving, have my tree up and a few gifts wrapped, I'm on a roll, LOL.

Hope everyone is doing well, it's hard to keep these Hampton Roads/Peninsula threads alive.

[luvmy2dogs 2]

Hi Harley, Great to hear from you. Thanksgiving went well for me. I had a bunch of family here, so the eating was a little hard. Overall, I did really good. I did have one small piece of pumpkin pie, and did my elliptical for 40 minutes after to try and burn it off. hahahahha I ended up losing 3 lbs over Thanksgiving!!! I'm certainly ready for my next fill. It's on the 18th. My first one really didn't do much to give me restriction. I'm beginning to thing someone is wrong with me. I feel like right now it's more about will power than band power. I guess we'll see how it goes on my next fill. I'm certainly going to tell Dr. T.

I started putting my tree up last night, but got tired and didn't finish. I usually do it the day after Thanksgiving, but with the family here and all. Anyway, great to hear from you. PM me sometime.

Hello to all you missing in action Hampton Roads/Peninsula people. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

[luvmy2dogs 2]

HELLLLOOOOO! Anybody out there hahahahah where in the world is the Hampton Roads Peninsula people? Well, I have my 2nd fill today, and I'm soooo ready for it. I'm down just about 40 lbs. How is everyone doing! Does everyone have their shopping done?

[tharris48 0]

Hello all!

This thread has been very inspiring to read. I am scheduled for my banding on Feb 25 down at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. I have been "in process" since last spring and was told to expect a wait of 9-12 months. My original band date was about Jan 8 but my Dr. got deployed and now my new Dr. is getting certified. I was disappointed naturally with the delay but quickly figured out that that wouldn't change anything so I am just happy to have a date to look forward to. Like Carlag, I live in Gloucester. I know of 2 other ladies here that have been banded by WLSC and have had good experiences with them as well. I am fortunate enough to not have any co-morbitities but my BMI has made me eligible. My 2 sisters have both had GB with good results, I just don't like the GB for myself, l think banding is the right choice for me.

Thanks for your wonderful informative posts and I am excited to join this great group of banders!

Happy New Year!!

[GR8 1]

tharris - welcome!

I used to live in Gloucester. North end -- almost to woodscross roads right off 17.

:thumbup: Gina

[Beth20fan 0]

OK Soooo let's bring this thread back to life! LOL

Hiya! My name is Beth and I am just beginning this journey. Although, I have known for at least a couple of years that I wanted this surgery. Up until now, I have not been financially able to do it. No, there was no house to mortgage, no loans to get, blah blah. Although, I did find out over the summer that TriCare is now covering this surgery. I knew that I would need to wait until after the new year to do it since I tried going through my PCP, but I was told that the waiting list at Portsmouth Naval was several year long. Yeah, I am not going to wait that long, as I may not have that long. I decided to change my TriCare, so that I could go to the NN WLSC. I go to the initial seminar on the 13th. I had to wait after the new year to start this journey, because there will be some out of pocket expenses with the TriCare Standard...co-pays and other limited coverage. But, hey, it's all good...at least I won't have to go all the way to Portsmouth for all of my apppointments now and there is no waiting list! I am so excited to finally start this!

What are some good questions that I should ask the doctor? At this point, I can't think of anything because of all the research I have done over the last couple of years. This forum has been quite helpful, too. I spent the last few hours just reading a lot of the posts here. Anyway, I hope that some of you guys will come back and start posting again!

[tharris48 0]

tharris - welcome!

I used to live in Gloucester. North end -- almost to woodscross roads right off 17.

:tt2: Gina

Hi Gina,

We live right about mid county, by the Toyota dealership. We have been here 20 years. Navy brought us to the area and we stayed :-)

How is your banded lifestyle going, especially after the holidays?

I really enjoy reading up on peoples LB experiences on this forum. I am starting to test taste some of the Protein drinks, do you have any suggestions?

Happy New Year!

Terri