Decided to get the Lap-Band done

Bleste · June 25, 2008

Hi,

I have recently found out from my Dr. that Medicaid now pays for the Lap-Band surgery. Does anyone know if they will also cover all of the fills and all that goes with it as well ?

I am new to this and I am very excited about having this done, because I want to not only have better health, but I want to live again !

Also, is there any thing that I need to ask my Dr. when I go for my up-coming appointment ? It is a consultation and I have to take records of my weight for the past five years so they can see what it has been like.

88KEYZ · June 25, 2008

My Father had lap-band on 5/28 with Medcare paying. His fills are part of the deal with his doctor at Emory in Atlanta for 3 months. After that I am not sure.

Ask what kind of band and size of band the doc will use on you. Research the bands on-line. There is sometimes a choice and sometimes not.

The doctor should give you all the info, but check on the pre-diet to shrink your liver.

Good luck!!! It is all worth it.

Bleste · June 26, 2008

I do not understand . Why does my liver need to be shrunk ?:embaressed_smile:

88KEYZ · June 28, 2008

The liver sits in the path of the surgery. In order to be protective of it as it is fragile, we shrink it so the doctor can move it or hold it out of the way during surgery. There is a lot of videos on You-Tube of lapband but I did see one really great one that shows the procedure and shows the liver being moved. The diet is made up of 40 - 50 carbs a day - high Protein - liquids. The doc gives his / her version of the diet to each patient.

Bleste · June 28, 2008

The liver sits in the path of the surgery. In order to be protective of it as it is fragile, we shrink it so the doctor can move it or hold it out of the way during surgery. There is a lot of videos on You-Tube of lapband but I did see one really great one that shows the procedure and shows the liver being moved. The diet is made up of 40 - 50 carbs a day - high Protein - liquids. The doc gives his / her version of the diet to each patient.

How do you shrink the liver . . . and does it grow back to its normal size?

I cannot watch youtube, so I am in the dark on this one.