NWgirl

I would also like to bring up the family issues involved here. My brothers and I love each other dearly, but if one of them was to monitor my diet and exercise to help me lose weight, our relationship would turn hellish. Honestly, you have 124lb to lose. How are you going to lose and maintain that weight loss? Do you really think you can? Will this be something you always regret if you do not do it? I know personally that I have been on diet after diet after diet, and this is my chance to finally be diet free and lose the weight in a healthy way. I want this demon off my back now, and this is the only way I know how. My family is supportive and understands the struggles I've faced with my weight. They put themselves aside and look honestly at my situation and know that this is what I need. It doesn't mean that they're not worried about what could happen, they just know the complications to not getting it (diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc) are worse than what could happen if I do. Please look into your heart and be 100% honest with yourself. If you need to give traditional weight loss one more go, do it. If you don't think you can, then I think you know the answer and the path you need to take.

From what I've read, If you are only getting stuck when you aren't chewing well enough, you probably are not too tight. One of the things the surgeons/dieticians pound into our heads is that everything needs to be the consistency of applesauce before swallowing.

PB = productive burp. From what I've read, it should NOT be like regular vomitting.

good luck to you too! My surgery is the 22nd, and I really can't believe how fast time has gone by :-)

Have you called your insurance to inquire as to the status? If not, I would. I read awhile back about a gal who had been waiting for a week or two for a response, only to call either the Dr or the insurance to find the paperwork had not been submitted as promised.

I have also heard a heating pad provides some relief

If you think the stuff is so nasty, why don't you find another replacement? I personally am planning on using my stuff after (like protein shakes on the go), and am satisfied that the ones I'm on will work for me whenever I need them.

Funny thing, I asked my surgeon's assistant if they would be providing an abdominal support velcro. She asked the surgeon and she said no and she did not recommend it. I did not ask why, but did buy a mini pillowpet to hold against my tummy and may or may not be buying the velcro support. I'm sorta leaning towards buying it, but wonder why exactly it's not recommended?

At my local Walmart, they only have fruit flavored greeks and normal yogurts.

I also found the regular adult Tylenol (not cold) at Walmart next to the regular advils, tylenols, etc. I did not see it at a local Fred Meyer (Kroger chain), and have not looked elsewhere.

My center requires two weeks of full liquids followed by two weeks of mushy/pureed foods.

that is where your port is. The port is sutured to the muscle.

I buy the Yoplait four packs from Safeway. the one with no chunks is honey vanilla, the coconut has a few flakes of coconut.

my Dr only requires a low fat diet. I have been doing a pseudo liquid diet for bout 1.5 weeks now, but will do complete liquid w/yogurt starting tomorrow. the only things I have had out of the norm in the past 1.5 weeks are steak, Pasta, and pizza. I had heard plenty people say they have problems eating these particular foods, so I wanted one last chance if it's the case for me too. I did eat mindfully each time, so did not gorge myself :wub:

Probably the plain... But I don't know for sure.

Mine only requires a low fat diet, but for the sake of losing more weight up front, I have been drinking protein shakes for at least two meals a day.

You are looking great!

woohoo congratulations!

just because you can eat 1.5c food, does not mean you should. Remember why you got the surgery and stick to the rules set forth by your surgeon.

When someone calls you back from the Bariatrics line, they will ask you a few questions about who your surgeon is and where it will be. They will then send out a bariatric benefit summary.

Unfortunately, you're right. I have read of times where insurance reps have told people they are covered and then they go through the whole process and amass $$$$'s in bills, only to get a denial letter saying it is not covered at all. I have also heard (and experienced myself at one point with a different insurance) of the insurance coordinator's for the surgery centers not verifying and only ASSUMING the surgery is covered based on what they know about the certain plan, and then finding it is not part of that plan. There really should be a way to take legal action when they do this.

Now that would be cool... Did you get that little wallet card for restaurants too?

I am being banded on the 20th as well in Portland, Or. It's almost here!

I have anthem BCBS and it is definitely covered on my plan. Anything out of network is billed at 50% with no cap. Anything in network is 20% up to your OOP. It is also required that the surgery place be a center of excellence. Call Anthem Bariatrics and transplant line at 1-800-824-0581 if you have not already done so. You will need to leave a message for Angela with ID #, full name, and birthdate. They will assign you to a case manager and will be able to tell you more. The people in regular customer service are not the ones you should be speaking to. Good luck!

I have not, but know that I saw a plication w/banding thread out here somewhere... I can't seem to find the one I'm looking for, but you might check this out: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/134487-new-lap-band-plus-plication-surgery/page__st__20__p__1651575__hl__plication%20group__fromsearch__1#entry1651575