Dontondan

I don't remember what it actually said, but I know lapband was not covered. It is worth a try though, especially if you have medical problems from being overweight! I was Diabetic, had back, hip and knee pain and also GERD and high blood pressure. I worked in medical offices and around billing insurances (worked for a facial plastic surgeon) and it was my experience that the squeeky wheel gets the oil. Make some noise, girl! The worst that they can do is say no, officially. We got all sorts of crap paid for that shouldn't have been paid. You can get an itemized statement and a copy of all the testing and the operative report from OCC. Even if they don't pay for the surgery they may pay for some of the testing (EKG, etc.) that you had done. Make sure you make copies of everything, my insurance company lost it the first time (not likely) and keep track of what and when you send it and keep calling and bugging them!

I am tickled pink that I got some money back, I will actually probably save it for a boob lift someday, LOL! I am also going back to TJ in December as I have to go to San Diego for a cruise then. I will get the fill after the cruise though just in case. I really liked the girls, and yes we are so lucky to have them and they are very reasonable. I got so much information from them and tips on things that I have problems with. My sister-in-law wants to go to them too, she just had an unfill with her Dr. after they filled her using the flouro a few weeks ago. When are you going on your Disney trip?

This was news to me, but I have been really stressed lately and was worried that I needed to get unfilled.....didn't want to do that as it was working fine on some days. That must be my problem....guess I just have to relax, but that is easier said than done, got (4 ) 16-17 year olds in the home!

I had to submit it twice, the first time I made a mistake and said it was inpatient......then I changed it to outpatient and they paid it! I wasn't expecting to get anything back, but it doesn't hurt to try. They told me before I had it done that it wasn't covered at all! Glad I kept trying---$4100.00 worth of glad!

Destinie, Just keep track of your weights and dates and give that to the Dr. when you get to go, that way they will use that which you have already lost as your starting point. Don't forget to have someone take some before pictures. I know this will be a tough one, but it will let you see what you need to do and you will want them someday. Me, I can't handle the impact of Te-bo, so I do water aerobics several times a week and I love it. I also walk when I can and take stairs, it all helps if only for a little bit at a time, it will get a lot easier. I started out doing 10 minutes of Water aerobics and thought I would die! Now I do 45 minutes at a time and it is like nothing...my skinny kids can't do what I do! I have some special workout CD's that I really enjoy and I make the lifeguards play it in the pool for me to exercise to, but some of the old ladies get mad at me for it. Oh well! If you have any questions or just need to bounce ideas off of anyone, you can e-mail me at Dontondan@msn.com or go to my Myspace account myspace.com/love_my_pets.

You are so beautiful!!! Mind if I ask what nationality you are? You look like you might have some native american? What a difference your loss has made!

That's awesome, I love passing those milestones too!

I want to go to the bank and cash it before they want it back! I am thrilled! Only took 6 months....they denied it the first time I submitted it, but my friend got $6000 back on hers....I don't know why she got more, I have more co-morbidities than her and we have the same insurance. I got something back so I am not going to complain about that How are you doing now Pammie? Are you able to eat now?

I went to a lapband support group last night and some of the people were talking about how stress in their lives affect the tightness of their band. Has anyone ever heard this before? I know I am very sensitive some days and can barely eat anything because I am so tight, and sometimes I can eat almost anything. Could this be from stress???? I never much thought of that being the reason before, but it would explain a lot of things on why I can eat something one day and the next day can't tolerate it, but a few days later have no problem with it. Anyone else experiencing this? Donna

Whooo-Hooooo! Finally got some money back from my insurance (I wasn't planning on any)! I have Tricare and they paid $4100 of it. Sure was great to get some money back. Well, gotta go shopping and buy some new clothes! Donna

Hannah, that is who I go to also, they are great, I had mine done in Port Orchard as they visit that area every other month. Very convenient, and they are really up with current stuff. I got a lot of good pointers from them. Saw Pammie there last night for her unfill. Donna

We all do a pre-op diet before surgery to lose some weight and it consists of drinking slim fast shakes for breakfast and lunch and then having a lean cuisine for dinner and green (only green) salad with just the spray dressing on it. Lots of water, no soda's! There are probably more posts on pre-op diet, so I would do a search on the forum. Mama Michelle is really a great source of information also.....she always finds stuff! I am not too upset about David A losing, he will still have a wonderful career ahead of him only without the "Idol" title. I look forward to seeing him signed for a record deal and he will probably have a CD out before Cook does! All the other second places have done fabulous. He has so much appeal we will see him all over for a long time. Well you have quite the motivation to lose the 15 pounds, you can do it, but it will be very hard. Do you do exercise at all? I don't know what your starting weight is, but it would be a good idea to see a Dr. and get a starting weight and they can advise you on how much you will have to lose for the surgery anyways.

The logo is really great, michelle!

Pammie, It was nice to see you this evening, sure wish you could have stayed for the meeting, it was pretty interesting. NW Fills is really great! Glad to hear that you are feeling better now. Donna

I read about that this weekend and was thinking "what the ____?" I don't let my kids have video games and now I want one! They will be so mad at me when I come home with one! How will I stick to rules of "no video games" if I am using one every day???? Such a dilemma.

I too have a lot of difficulty with this. I drink a nice glass of water or crystal light while I prepare my families meal and then I don't drink anything when we are eating, even having it on the table is too hard for me. I eat and then set a timer for 1 hour and don't drink again until the alarm goes off! When we go to a restaurant, I drink while I order and then ask the waitress to not refill my glass, but leave the ice cubes. If I can't do it, I suck on an ice cube. Good Luck!

Enjoyed your account of your experience, very similar to my own, and glad to see that nothing has changed!

My first fill was only .8 cc and it was done at OCC under flouro....I had no restriction right off the bat, but I didn't know any better and went home anyways and then couldn't afford another fill for several months and ended up getting 1.8 cc in a blind fill (no flouro) and it seems to be just right so far. I know it was risky getting the blind fill, but I was desparate and didn't want to gain any more weight. Sometimes I wonder if I am too tight, but usually if I PB or vomit it is because I haven't chewed or have eaten too fast at 6 months I am still re-learning how to eat!

Yeah, my girls are all gaa-gaa over David A! LOL! Hope he wins, we will know tonight!

That is going to be tough, will you be eating out the whole time? Just be very picky and order sides or off the appetizer menu and ask for a small plate and put your portion on that. Just remember to drink lots of fluids. You won't want to stretch your pouch by increasing your portions. I usually just have an oatmeal packet for breakfast, easy if you have a microwave. When traveling I use the lean cuisines and slimfast shakes and don't eat out much.

Destinie, Hurray for you and your decision! I am a huge Idol Fan and look forward to seeing you audition and get a "golden ticket". I have 4 teens your age in my home now and applaud you for taking control of your life. BTW I am rooting for David Archulleta--love his innocence and sweetness.

Everyone has their ups and downs. You just have to get back on the Bandwagon and push through the rough spots same as pre-banding. I suppose it is possible to gain it back afterwards, but keep your fills in check and you should be fine. I am up a few pounds this week, but increased my exercise to try to get it back down. I fluctuate with my weight quite a bit at times. This is the most weight that I have ever lost though and it is staying off so far, but I am also getting into new eating habits that were impossible before the band.

If you are here, you will never be alone! This forum is addicting! Welcome!

Dr Ortiz and the OCC are the best! You will be in great hands and will have a great experience. Doesn't hurt that he is eye candy either!

I love the Tylenol Jr. Meltaways also, I am still using them for times I don't have anything on hand to drink (in the car).