Alexandra

Robyn, oh, how scary!! New Jersey had a terrific storm last week too, and I did my share of skidding around on the icy roads. Thank goodness for 4-wheel drive!!! I'm so glad you and your kids are OK. Banging up your car hurts too, I know, but it could have been a lot worse. I'll bet you're good and ready for spring. I know I am.

CJ90, Greg is right. Insurers can't renege on approvals already given just because you're asking about a different procedure. But it sounds like you have a lot of research yet to do before making a decision. Please feel free to ask whatever questions you may have and perhaps we can shed some light!

Oh, I see. Well, depending on where you live you may or may not have any options. In my state, for example, your wife wouldn't be permitted to buy individual insurance because she is eligible for coverage under your group plan. Laws vary considerably from state to state, so it's very hard for us to advise at all. I suggest calling a broker licensed in your state and asking about your options. Fighting your current insurer may be easier than you think, too, depending on the reasons they say they don't cover the operation.

I'm not sure what you're asking. The whole point of the band is to keep food in the pouch so you feel full longer. If you eat only things that go right through, you're totally defeating the purpose of it. There are lots of things that break down easily, and you'll discover them over time. Yes, chips are among them. I don't know if I'd say tofu breaks down so much as just slides through because it's so soft.

While I think a lot of what's done on reality shows might be fun to do, the very idea of doing it on TV makes it an absolute impossibility for me. Like, I love the idea of Trading Spaces, and anything that involves challenges of one kind or another could be fun. I've done road races and scavenger hunts where we compete for prizes back in college and beyond, and that sort of thing is great fun! I used to belong to a club that had all sorts of cool stuff like that going on, and I participated regularly. But sometimes I think I'm the only person in America who has literally no desire to EVER see my face on TV. I truly do not see the appeal of that 15 minutes of fame. It's not that I'm shy or anything; I had a pretty public role in my former career, and speak to large gatherings regularly. I suppose if I do something newsworthy I'll live with the cameras. But to deliberately maneuver so that the attention of the TV audience is on me even for one moment? Nuh-UH, no way, no how. I was born without an exhibitionist bone in my body. Am I alone?

Hi Sharon, I'm very happy with my doctors' office, in Florham Park NJ. Very convenient to Routes 78 or 80. You can check them out at www.advancedlaparoscopicsurgeons.com Good luck!

Kathy's right. New medical issues arising from the band should be covered as though they have arisen from any medically implanted device. Aetna doesn't evaluate whether they would have paid for the original implantation when they evaluate claims for complications down the line. It's not relevant to the current medical situation. Whether they will pay for fills probably depends on the coding your doctor uses to submit the claim. If it's done in the office and he bills for an office visit, it could be covered. If it's done with a barium swallow and a fluoroscope that might be billed as something else. It's possible some of the charges would be paid and not whatever is charged for the actual injection, if the items are billed separately. And, of course, a lot depends on your policy. Good luck! And you're very lucky to have been banded before switching to Aetna.

In my opinion reality TV shows of whatever persuasion only serve to strip whatever dignity the participants ever had in the service of the almighty advertising dollar. I woudn't go near one for all the money in the world, literally. Sorry, but you asked.

I eat a Protein bar for breakfast almost every day. They dissolve to nothing in my mouth and so are easy to eat when I'm tight. But I get very sick of them sometimes, so I know I certainly couldn't eat them for three meals a day. They're too sweet! Even the Atkins kind which is low in sugar. Do be sure to read the labels, since some of them are LOADED with sugar and carbs. Atkins has a good ratio of the various nutrients, including 10 grams of Fiber. Check out the world of SOUP! There are lots of high-protein yummy Soups out there if you're tight. And bean and lentil soups also pack in the fiber.

Congratulations, Teresa!! I'm still working on the jogging thing--been too chicken to try it at the gym on a treadmill, and it's too cold to do it outside. But I have dreams in which I'm running so I know I'm going to be doing that someday. Wonderful NSVs!!

I just want to second everything Donali said. (Girl, you ROCK!) It's totally natural to take a breather, both mentally and physically. I think it's important, actually, because being in a losing state all the time is just not normal. I know I went through it, and stayed at roughly the same weight for several months, but the world didn't end and I've been able to pick up the reins again and move forward. Be good to yourself, Nancy. If your body wants to rest after losing, what, more than 10 lbs a month for the past six months, you shouldn't feel bad about letting it! This isn't about abusing ourselves, it's about learning healthier ways to live. And you're doing that, in spades.

Hi Dave and Bev, That's a very broad question. In most workplaces there is the option to cover dependents if you have no other coverage. Can you add her to your policy, even if you have to pay the difference in premium? Talk to your employer to explore your options. If your employer has prohibited ANY coverage for dependents, for ALL employees, then you can probably buy an individual policy for her. But I'd bet that there's likely a way to get her on your own policy, even if you have to wait until open enrollment to do it. (That's a time, usually once per year, when employees are given the chance to make changes to their coverages. You should be able to add dependents then.)

Congratulations, Wade! Welcome to bandland!! :banana :banana :banana :banana Take really good care and rest up, you'll be back on your feet in no time. Happy healing!

LOL!! I have a 6 y.o. and an almost 4 y.o. and YES, it is normal! My older daughter doesn't do it so much anymore, but she had commandeered the downstairs shower as her little clubhouse for a while. Every so often we'll find a pile of toys under the dining table, where both girls had been playing house. Actually, your daughter's nest is a lot neater than those of my girls. Count yourself lucky!

Ouch!! I'll bet that wasn't fun. But I'm sure it will heal up as quickly as it did the first time, barring any infection. Are you going back to your doctor for a checkup? If it shows any signs of being infected obviously you should have it looked at by a doctor. If you can't get back to your surgeon go to your regular doctor for treatment. You don't want to play around with infections!

Hi Sharon, First, I don't think you're overreacting. Whether I would have decided to change surgeons based on such a negative impression is hard to say--there is a LOT to be said for having a doctor close enough for easy access. My first new-patient seminar was held in an auditorium with probably 500 people in it, all there for RNY. Needless to say I didn't get any good impression that day, either. But it's medical care, not a social event. Doctors and nurses can give good care without being your best buddies. Of course their talking about other patients is totally unprofessional, and I probably would have made a comment about how I hope they'd respect my dignity and never talk about ME that way. Their pre-op testing and requirements are not unusual. You'd have to jump through similar hoops with anyone else, I'm sure. So I guess when you ask if I'd stick it out, the fact that this is the closest band doctor would influence me more than anything. And I'd probably just stick it out. Good luck!

Actually, I was picking on the spelling. I use the word, too, but it's spelled "groovy." Sorry about that! I'm an incorrigible editor.

Wow, I can't believe this still hasn't healed completely. My fingers and toes are crossed for a TOTAL healing VERY VERY soon. Newbies, PLEASE don't be scared off. This is a very unusual situation.

"Grovey," huh?

Thank you for sharing that very valuable story! I'm so sorry you had to go through that. That's a pretty hefty antibiotic indeed. I hope whatever you're taking now clear up your infection, and fast!

Hi Cameron, and welcome! In all my journeys through the banding knowledge on the internet, some of the wisest people I've found are the medical types who are taking the time to really interact with bandsters. You have a very valuable perspective to share, and it's good to know you appreciate that you can learn from us as well. Nice to meet you, and I hope we get to know you better.

Mandy, we can't predict what your insurance carrier will say. But I will say that even if they say no on that basis, you're only six months away from a YES. Start right now and go to your PCP and have them put you on a plan and make notes monthly about your progress. Before you know it, you'll be done!

Good luck on Monday, Crystal!! All best for a totally uneventful surgery and quick recovery. We're rooting for you! :D

Yay, Megan! You deserve some fun and I hope you find it with Mr. Right-for-now. Cool! Now, how do you get over the feeling that you don't deserve it? It's hard, but you can do it. Time with this fellow will go a long way to changing your perspective on that, because you'll see that it's possible to be uplifted by a relationship, not cut down. And even if things don't work out with this fellow, you WILL meet someone who treats you with respect and love. Of course you deserve it!! :D I'm editing to add that I don't necessarily agree there's any point in divulging the band to him anytime soon. It makes no difference to who YOU are; it's just a medical device! I've managed to go 18 months without telling coworkers who see me every single day.

What is your idea of fast weight loss???