A wandering ramble of thoughts

May 19, 2009

Pinch me please!   After reading various posts since my surgery in March, I have seriously been wondering if I really did have surgery.    I had no bloating from gas, no pain in my shoulders, my incisions didnt hurt, and yes, I can see them but was the band really put in?   I can feel my port.....but I have never had any kind of port pain, twinge or twang from it.    Did they just give me anesthesia and then put me on a ventilator (cause I know I was hooked up to one for about 18 hrs after the phantom operation!)   Oh, and the $32K hospital bill states I had surgery....so I must have, right? 

Actually, I am counting my blessings that the surgery went so smoothly and I am now on the other side of bandsterville.    Fortunately, none of those things happened as I think the devine powers knew I couldnt take much more of any kind of hell.   It allowed my son and I to get back to "normal" and I actually do have way more energy already.   We have done a few things such as going to the aquarium,  spending the day at the beach, etc...that I could not have done 37 lbs ago!

And I am very proud of myself for having the foresight to plan financially for my surgery. 

Pre op costs:   $1076
Surgery/Hospital costs:  $49670
ER Costs:   $3635
First Fill:  $477

I have a high deductible medical plan with a HealthFund that my employer contributes $1000 to each year.  I also set aside money into a Flexible Healthcare spending account.    My deductible is $1250 and my coinsurance limit is $1000.   Bariatric surgery was covered at 50% coinsurance.   Since all my practitioners and hospitals are in my network, overall costs were greatly reduced.    My total responsibility was $2250 and that was paid from my HealthFund and from my FSA.   I had nothing additional to pay for.    And.....I still had money left over in the FSA to cover any medical expenses for my son for the year.    The FSA will also cover things like my vitamins and nutritional suppliments.    Dont get me wrong, I planned well but because I put more away this year into my FSA, it decreased my take home on my salary...so I still feel a financial twinge but I own nothing now to anyone.....that is a good feeling!   

So, I had my first fill on May 11th.   Totally weird feeling,  but no pain.  Here I am a week later and I have lost the 6 lbs that I had gained between my 3rd and 6th week post op.   Ya me!    I had 4.5 cc put in....and feel only a bit of restriction.   I definatey eat less than I did but I am finding that I do get hungry between meals, so I am having to exercise some willpower.   On the good side....my previous hungry foods was often bread and I am just plain scared to try it now (I HATE just HATE the thought of being stuck...or PBing or sliming or throwing up so Bad BREAD...bad bad bread!).   I have some healthy snacks at home and allow myself a snack in the evening.     But I am already looking forward to that next fill June 24th!

I think I am done rambling on.......for now.

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About Me
palm harbor, FL
Location
52.9
BMI
Surgery
03/25/2009
Surgery Date
Oct 26, 2008
Member Since

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