Dr. Taddeucci's nurse, Christy, called me the other day to find out if I could help her find information on my insurance plan. It has been difficult in the past for Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal to get approval for revision surgery for the Vertical Sleeve Gastronomy. Since my surgeon believes this to be the best option for me, they are going to try and get the approval.
I have provided them with a copy of the insurance plan, and several pieces of information that I found all over the web where others have been successful in getting the approval from BCBS FEP.
Wish me luck.
Weight loss tracker!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Consultation
I met with Dr. Taddeucci, my bariatric surgeon last Friday to discuss my future options. He is recommending that if my insurance will approve it, I should have my Lap Band removed and have a revision to the Vertical Gastric Sleeve. We discussed the gastric bypass, but he feels I am a better candidate for the sleeve.
Now we wait for another 2 months for a full healing from the band unbuckle and the gallbladder removal. Hopefully the insurance company will approve the revision.
Now we wait for another 2 months for a full healing from the band unbuckle and the gallbladder removal. Hopefully the insurance company will approve the revision.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Pictures of the Weight-loss Progress
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The picture on the left is from June 2008 when I weighed 335 pounds. I eventually gained up to 355 pounds before I finally had the Lap Band surgery. On the right is a picture from July 2013 at 275 pounds.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Research
I've been doing a lot of research lately to determine my best course of action for the future of my weight loss road. I have found out that there are a lot of people that have had complications from the Lap Band, so my wife and I are not alone. Did I mention she had complications and had to have hers removed last winter?
I don't really know the answer for me. Do I get the band re-buckled, get it removed and get the vertical sleeve, or do I go all the way for a gastric bypass? I just don't know. I do know, that I'm not excited to deal with future complications from the Lap Band. I also know there are risks and complications with any bariatric surgery.
By the way, my pre-surgery weight in March of 2010 was 350, the lowest post surgery weight was 250 and now I'm back to 275. I am scared that I won't every get this under control.
Doing more research and praying for guidance.
I don't really know the answer for me. Do I get the band re-buckled, get it removed and get the vertical sleeve, or do I go all the way for a gastric bypass? I just don't know. I do know, that I'm not excited to deal with future complications from the Lap Band. I also know there are risks and complications with any bariatric surgery.
By the way, my pre-surgery weight in March of 2010 was 350, the lowest post surgery weight was 250 and now I'm back to 275. I am scared that I won't every get this under control.
Doing more research and praying for guidance.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Band Complications
Just over two weeks ago I was having a lot of pain in my stomach area. I couldn't keep any food or liquid down. It started on Saturday night after I got done teaching a class. I just couldn't keep anything down and started feeling uncomfortable. The next morning, I thought I could "gut it out." (no pun intended.)
I went to work thinking that things would get better, but it actually got worse. I left work to go home, I was sure that my band was blocked. On the drive home, I called my doctor, and he met me at his office to remove the fluid from my band.
When he did the xrays, he noticed that it looked like my band had possibly slipped, but even after all the fluid was removed my stoma (whole which food travels thru) was very restricted. He told me to stick with liquids for a few days to see if it got better. Well, the next morning I felt worse, and couldn't get anything through still. The pain in my abdomen was worse. I called the doctors nurse and let her know what was going on.
She called me later in the morning to tell me that the doctor was ready to admit me to unbuckle my band, but I wasn't ready for that as I do not want to regain my weight. I've come too far with my weight loss to want to give it up now.
After a couple more hours of worsening pain, no fluids making it through, and my urine getting much darker, I knew I needed to do something. I knew I was getting severely dehydrated, and it wasn't getting any better. I called the nurse again and told her what was going on. The doctor told me that I should go to the hospital to be admitted for IV fluids.
Once in the hospital, the staff told me that I was scheduled for surgery the next morning to have my lap band unbuckled. The thought of having the band unbuckled was a little saddening for me. Not going to lie.
The next morning my doctor did the surgery to unbuckle my Lap Band, and while inside, found my gallbladder severely inflamed and decided that removal of that was the best course of action. Once I woke up, and was able to eat and drink I began feeling much better.
Yesterday I had my follow-up with my doctor. We talked about getting the Lap Band reconnected in a few months and about the gallbladder. Since I have done some research on the Gastric Sleeve procedure, I asked if that could be possible. He said that it is possible, but it might be a fight with the insurance company, but he is willing to try and get it worked out. We will have to see what the future holds on this.
I went to work thinking that things would get better, but it actually got worse. I left work to go home, I was sure that my band was blocked. On the drive home, I called my doctor, and he met me at his office to remove the fluid from my band.
When he did the xrays, he noticed that it looked like my band had possibly slipped, but even after all the fluid was removed my stoma (whole which food travels thru) was very restricted. He told me to stick with liquids for a few days to see if it got better. Well, the next morning I felt worse, and couldn't get anything through still. The pain in my abdomen was worse. I called the doctors nurse and let her know what was going on.
She called me later in the morning to tell me that the doctor was ready to admit me to unbuckle my band, but I wasn't ready for that as I do not want to regain my weight. I've come too far with my weight loss to want to give it up now.
After a couple more hours of worsening pain, no fluids making it through, and my urine getting much darker, I knew I needed to do something. I knew I was getting severely dehydrated, and it wasn't getting any better. I called the nurse again and told her what was going on. The doctor told me that I should go to the hospital to be admitted for IV fluids.
Once in the hospital, the staff told me that I was scheduled for surgery the next morning to have my lap band unbuckled. The thought of having the band unbuckled was a little saddening for me. Not going to lie.
The next morning my doctor did the surgery to unbuckle my Lap Band, and while inside, found my gallbladder severely inflamed and decided that removal of that was the best course of action. Once I woke up, and was able to eat and drink I began feeling much better.
Yesterday I had my follow-up with my doctor. We talked about getting the Lap Band reconnected in a few months and about the gallbladder. Since I have done some research on the Gastric Sleeve procedure, I asked if that could be possible. He said that it is possible, but it might be a fight with the insurance company, but he is willing to try and get it worked out. We will have to see what the future holds on this.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Nutribullet
I've been using the nutribullet for a few weeks now. I really love being able to take in a lot of leafy greens and fruit in the amounts that are needed for good health. I personally have noticed a difference in how I feel.
I whole heartedly endorse the use of the nutribullet.
The best part is my weight loss is moving again. Done a few more pounds.
I whole heartedly endorse the use of the nutribullet.
The best part is my weight loss is moving again. Done a few more pounds.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Juicing
I decided to trying juicing to increase my vegetable and fruit intake. Anyone with a lapband knows how hard it can be to eat some fruits because of the fiber. The Nutribullet is my tool of choice for this. It breaks down all the fiber and skins down to very manageable sizes.
I did a bunch of research on the YouTube to see what others had to say and since almost everyone had something positive to say about the Nutribullet, I decided to take the plunge and spend $100 at the WalMart. Just a quick note, I'm not a big WalMart fan, but they had it instock and the price was right.
I will let you know how it goes, but the first week of using it has been great.
I did a bunch of research on the YouTube to see what others had to say and since almost everyone had something positive to say about the Nutribullet, I decided to take the plunge and spend $100 at the WalMart. Just a quick note, I'm not a big WalMart fan, but they had it instock and the price was right.
I will let you know how it goes, but the first week of using it has been great.
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