Alexandra

LOL. Yup. The scariest thing about it was driving in the ice storm we're in the middle of. Thanks for asking! I guess my life is nowhere near as exciting as yours.

I can't say I've had this problem, but have you tried Gas-X? That seems to be highly recommended for this problem. Good luck!

My thoughts are with you too, Jenna. This is so, so hard. I wish you and your family peace and love through this hard time.

Norma, go to any forum section and there will be a button that says New Thread. Click on that and you'll be able to post a new thread in whatever section you're in.

Hi Emmy, I have definitely heard it said by doctors that the first fill can be considered sort of a "base" fill. It isn't until the second fill or more that the real restriction is reached, in most cases. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with your band, and there sure as heck isn't anything wrong with you! Multiple adjustments are not uncommon. I've had 6 now in 18 months, and many people have more. Look at them as fine-tuning your instrument. I know it's possible to think of them as an inconvenience but they're absolutely necessary for the band to work to its fullest potential. Be patient and don't give up!! It is a learned skill to eat slowly enough and carefully enough to get full without getting stuck, but learn it you will. And you'll be amazed!

Well, I'm back. It was a breeze! I told the tech about my band and she just stared at me blankly. :rolleyes I guess if it had shown up or something that would have been the time to mention it. Thanks, everyone! This was easy peasy and I'm sure there's nothing wrong. My doc is just a worrywart.

Well, I've come to the conclusion that I really am too tight and need an unfill. I've had reflux on and off for a couple of weeks now, and can't really operate with such spotty sleep. The good news is that my doctor's office can do unfills in the office so it won't involve fluoroscopy or all the hoo-ha. I'm going to try to set this up for Wednesday. Of course since this last fill I've now lost almost 20 lbs and I'd hate to see that slow down, but I have to be realistic. I don't want any esophageal damage and as I've said a million times, I don't want there to be ANY problems with my band so I'm going to be as cautious as I can. OK, I've said it. Now I just have to make the phone call.

Thanks for asking, Paula! I'm sleeping much, much better and have had no reflux at all. Ahhhhh... The downside is I'm hungrier. Oh well! Knew that would happen...

That's a charming story, Sue. Now nothing that happens to me this afternoon will be traumatic. Thanks!

Congratulations!! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

Hi Gigi, There are a lot of variables in an appeal. Why was coverage denied? Was it because you are not medically qualified? Or did Aetna fall back on the "investigational" gambit? I was able to fight Aetna and eventually won because my state has a third-party appeal process. In my case Aetna was denying solely because they considered the band investigational, and that's the ruling that was overturned on appeal. How you proceed depends on why you were denied. Your denial letter should have provided information on the next step you can take--which is probably just appealing within Aetna. Whether you need legal help also depends on why you were denied. So what did your denial letter say?

Becky, I'm sorry if I sounded abrupt. It's just that speculation is what leads to drama. As for when all the moderators were removed, Alex stated that he'd done it temporarily. I'm not up on all the technical issues involved, but if he said he did it I'd assume he did. Please feel free to express your opinions. Opinions are not speculation about what did and did not happen that only others know for sure.

Thanks, Donali! This will also be posted as an announcement that will remain visible to members even after they've registered.

Gee, thanks, ladies. Now I'm scared! :rolleyes I'm sure I'm fine. The dizzyness was, I'm sure, due to being too tight and not being able to drink enough. It seems to have disappeared since my unfill.

Nancy, it's premature to jump to conclusions about anything. Please don't speculate. If the people involved care to comment, they will. If not, we have to respect their decision(s). If you recall, Alex removed all the moderators for a time. It may just be that not everyone has expressed a desire to return. Can't we respect people's independence? Or at any rate, let's respect the fact that none of this is worth rehashing publicly. If you have comments or a POV to share, you might want to write Alex privately. Thanks.

You're very welcome. Good luck!

What's to be confused about? At the moment, there are three moderators. There may be more soon, or not. No explanations are necessary, IMO, and people should be allowed to step back if they want to.

You can find a broker in the yellow pages easily enough, I'd think. I know in NJ a two-person business is qualified for a group plan even if one person has insurance elsewhere. I honestly don't know what the situation is in Florida. And having the band would definitely NOT be an issue here, but again, in Florida all the laws may be different. (It's the MOST infuriating thing about insurance, the fact that it's governed by the states and there's no uniformity.)

Estela, you need to contact a broker who is licensed in your state. Individual insurance is widely variable depending on where you live, and you need to get LOCAL advice. I'm a broker in New Jersey, where invidual insurance is guaranteed-issue (that is, you can't be turned down for health reasons). I don't know if that's the case where you live, and your being banded just might be an issue. Good luck!! Edited to add that if your job has a group plan for its employees, THAT'S the plan to get on. There are protections applied to groups that do not apply to individuals and you want to be part of that if you can.

Tanya, Baltimore sounds great but plans are underway for NYC for this fall. I'd love to go to Baltimore, though--maybe we can do it there next time!

Happy as I am to welcome Kelly to the ranks of moderators, I think it's easy to get overblown about this. Moderating is not a special privilege or anything; it's not like we get paid or have private parties. It's just a favor people do for the board because Alex has asked for assistance with, well, whatever. It's not like we've won a contest or something. And when people step down it's not because they necessarily did anything wrong. I am not speaking for Betty or Marie, since I know as little about this as any of you, but we shouldn't be reading anything into it. Moderators come and go, for all sorts of reasons, and it's up to them to discuss it or not.

Glad to hear you're on the mend, Shamrock. Rest up!

Bright, the Madison Hotel your hubby is familiar with is a VERY nice hotel. It's actually in Madison, NJ which is very close to Morristown. Man, if he could get us a corporate rate I'd even spring for that and make it a honeymoon weekend. Donali, you're amazing! I haven't had time to do any research. Check out the Meadowlands area for hotels within an easy commute. I know there's a Sheraton there and probably lots of others. But the Clifton HoJo's is just as close! That sounds like a great location, actually, and a really good price. Do they have a pool, do you know?

You're doing great, Princess!! One day you'll wake up and that headache will be gone, which will make things much easier. One day at a time and you're there!!!

Dover DE is way south from NJ. I don't think we're going to have a conflict.