Graceful One

I read an article in my Self magazine this month taking about alternatives to plain Water. They suggested fixing a tray of fruit juice ice cubes. If you're bored with bottled water and crave more flavor than you get from a lemon wedge, fix yourself a tray of fruity juice cubes. Pour 1 1/2 cups pure cran-raspberry juice into an ice-cube tray, drop 2 or 3 frozen raspberries or blueberries or a strawberry into each cube and freeze. Each fat-free cube provides at least 10% of your daily Vitamin C needs and turns water into a delicious drink all for only 13 calories. Here's to drinking our water in the New Year!

I just had to tell everyone, Wednesday will be my three month bandiversary...wow what a journey so far! I'm in love with my band and while I can't figure it out right now (so tight tonight...usually at dinner time I'm loose) I am loving every minute of it! Today I had a check up with my primary care physician and when the assistant was weighing me in she had looked at my chart and put the weight on the scale up to 250...I stood on it and it was in the down position...I watched her slide it to the left...past 240...past 230...past 220...and finally resting at 213! She looked rather astonished when she was marking down my weight compared to what it was last October...I just smiled...she said wow you've lost quite a bit! The young (skinny) medical assistant asked what are you doing to lose so much weight in such a short period of time, and unlike Bright I didn't tell her to eat Oreo's with her pork tenderloin...LOL...I told her and she was really suprised! When my PCP came in she was also very suprised...although she said I lost 27lbs I had to correct her and say 37lbs! She said duh...her math must be off today and couldn't believe it! When I began my journey and enlisted her help she had no clue about the Lap-Band...she did some research at my delight and has also grown from my journey! I have to say thank you to everyone who has ever replied to my posts during my learning stage and after surgery...you are all such wonderful altruistic individuals and I appreciate your support and most of all concern. Here's to being a loser!

Umonica, You are going to do fine...I think the hard part for you was finding the doctor!

Sheri, As far as head hunger is concerned I didn't have a lot of problems with it...I do think I used to eat when I was bored...because I was HELLA bored after surgery when I couldn't eat...I decided to start working on my Masters...that cured the boredom really fast! Now I'm just bored and avoid my homework... I'm lucky that I'm not a big snack and sweet junkie...thank goodness...but I'm still working on my fast food addiction...it's just so quick and easy...that is my goal now...to start making better choices...

Thanks for all your replies! Bright...oh...I've been wearing the flip flops in the snow...it has raised my metabolism...tell that to all the skinny girls at work...the chickens will be walking around barefoot! I'm really happy thus far...my next "quarterly" goal is to start making better choices now...I've taken the past three months to get used to having a band...haven't changed my eating habits...now that the trial period is over I need to really use it the way it was meant to be used...getting enough protien, Water, etc... The funny thing is though I've lost weight and can really tell in my tummy I thought I would notice it first in my face and chest (can't wait to get rid of the TIG OLD BITTIES!). Well today at work I washed my hands and caught a glimpse of my face in the mirror...it actually for the first time since surgery looked quite a bit slimmer! How cool that was...now just waiting on the collar bones! I promise I will post some pics as soon as I get them developed...I have two before pics and I'll take some during very soon and ge tthem posted! Thanks again for all your support

For all of you who may be protien challenged like me I bought this fab cook book from Barnes & Noble...400 and some recipes with chicken...and stuff normal people will eat...not foo foo food...it was only $10 and every recipe has a picture...very cool! I see it is sold out online but if your interested I would call B&N and see if you can get a copy! http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=2X7TWPVV2S&isbn=0760734542&itm=2

My pleasure! I was once in your shoes... Inamed is the maker of the Lap-Band...you can check them out at: http://www.inamed.com/products/obesity/us/patient/patient.html I'm doing pretty well...will be out 3 months on Wednesday and have had two fills thus far and am down 36lbs. I have to say I'm very happy with the choice I made and would do it again in a heartbeat! The only side effect I have had has been some reflux, which I've had pre-banding...I'm taking Aciphex for it and it has pretty much resolved...other than that...none! I would strongly urge you to ask your surgeon's office about filing an appeal through Inamed if your insurance is denying you based on investigational or experimental. You may also want to check out a group on Yahoo called "Bandsters Insurance" they are dedicated to fighting appeals and offering advice. Good luck!

Sheri, I was told no soda, however, I've recently read some posts that state people do drink soda...for me...I wasn't a big soda drinker but I craved McDonald's Coke...sometimes I could rip the face off of someone who cracks one open in front of me...but then I just drink something else and think...small price to pay for being healthy! As far as the gum and straws, I haven't heard either. I usually drink my Water through a straw...I haven't been chewing gum because I've had some reflux and gum will bother me, however, I wouldn't be opposed to chewing it if it wasn't for that reason. I believe the reasoning for the gum and straws is it allows you to swallow more air...however, I have yet to burp since being banded and I drink through a straw daily...can't be taking in too much air...prior to banding I was the burping queen! In relation to your insurance, time will tell. I chose the lap-band also because I could deflate it and not have problems with nutrition when I get pregnant (yeah, that requires finding a man first...) At my surgeons office if I would have been denied Inamed was handling the appeals...check into that and see if they are also helping your surgeon. I know Inamed is especially swift in handling the appeals if it is denied due to investigational or experimental. I hate to say it but that was the most nerve racking part of this whole journey...wondering if I would get approved. Actually I was told I was by my surgeon's office...then they had to call back to verify benefits with the benefit department, not the nurse that approved, and they were told Lap-Band was not covered but I could have the RNY. Let's just say I had a fax into them approving my appeal within five minutes. I also contacted my HR department and spoke with our benefits manager and she arranged a call with the benefit manager at my insurance. Come to find out it was a mistake and Lap-Band was a covered benefit! Good Luck!

OK, I have read "how to tell if you have the perfect fill" however, I still have a few questions. I'm at 2.5cc's currently and right after my last fill I had a good amount of restriction...4 chicken Mc Nuggets and I was satisfied...a few weeks out now and I'm able to eat quite a bit more...sometimes 2 cups...I do notice however that I do not get hungry nearly as often... Am I normal? I'm so paranoid I've stretched my pouch...

Kelly, I'm glad you shared that too. I eat until I'm full. I've only slightly PB'd a few times and that was when bread and a cheese curd got stuck...but I've never PB'd from being so full I had too... Isn't it too bad that the band didn't have an instruction manual that laid everything out for us...like after first fill you will be restricted X number of days...don't eat bread...at fill #2 you will be restricted for two weeks...when you get your period it will reincrease...LOL...we are all so individual in our Quest for the sweet spot...

Alexandra, So that is why they call it a fickle bitch...LOL I think it is so odd that one day I'm restricted...the next it's a free for all! As long as I keep losing I will not complain but it just worries me! I also read your post on being complacent...wow did I need to read that! I've been living on toasted cheese sandwhiches for the past month...that is all I'm hungry for...last night I decided to go grocery shopping and made a great chicken stir fry...also bought a great cookbook "Simple Chicken" from B&N with over 400 pages of recipes each with a picture...at least that will give me some ideas...even though I've lost weight eating as I have been I need to increase my protien and being a big meat phobic hasn't helped...hopefully this will! Thanks for replying.

Billie, I would speak with the insurance coordinator in your office as Inamed is appealing denials on behalf of patients based on the exact same reason.

Your dieting secrets are heinous! You are going straight to hell...LOL...I love it! Isn't it funny...being fat is truly the last acceptable reason to discriminate...what cracks me up is going into a store such as banana Republic and not having anyone even ask you for help before...then they fawn all over you when they think you can fit into their highest size...LOL...anything to make a buck...sad isn't it? Luckily my co-workers have been extremely supportive of me...but they all know my secret...LOL...steak and icecream!

Bright! IT HAS TO HAVE BEEN THE FLIP FLOPS! You look so great sweetie! Like a model! Today is my 11th week with my band and I'm down 36lbs...I love it too...we are very similar in our banding...I was addicted to McDonald's and now I can eat 4 McNuggets and be stuffed...I still need to start exercising...although I never sit down some added activity would be beneficial I'm sure... Keep up the great work!

Tellie, Trust me...fills are so easy...no need to worry...I was scared out of my mind...they gave me a shot to numb me and that was all I felt... Can you bring someone with you to hold your hand...lame I know but it helped me...or...ask a nurse to hold your hand...sometimes a little security does alot!

Congratulations! Your on your way to being banded...and it sounds like everything is going very quickly! My experience was the same...it was a two month turn around between my seminar and being banded...I was in such agony waiting...I can't imagine those that wait an entire year... Good Luck!

Hold on I'll ask my dog...oh wait...he has no clue! I know alot of people snore because they are overweight so it is no suprise to me your not snoring any more with some weight loss. How cool huh?

Renata, I'm sorry to hear about your son. My girlfriend has been trying to get pregnant as well with no luck. She's one of the lucky ones with all the symptoms...I pretty much diagnosed her this summer and finally when she went to the doctor guess what...PCOS! You should speak with your PCP or whom ever is prescribing your Glucophage...1500mg is the minimum dose effective for PCOS...2000mg may make a big difference. I also recommend checking out www.soulcysters.com This is a great PCOS website if you do not already know about it! I spent alot of time on there before being banded trying to get my IR under control. Also, have you heard of the Insulin Resistance Diet? I bought the book and it is a great one...basically teaches you to eat without spiking your insulin. I know alot of gals have had good luck with Glucophage and this diet in both losing weight and ovulating! I highly recommend checking out the website as it is for PCOS as this is for banding. Good luck sweetie!

Renata, Welcome. My best friend too has PCOS and is in the process of trying to get banded. I was diagnosed with Insulin Resistance...the major player in PCOS. Have you tried Glucophage XR? That usually helps a bit with ovulation by evening out your insulin levels. Since being banded I've lost 32lbs and been off the glucophage...let me tell you...never with IR could I have lost 32 lbs... Good luck to you!

Jimmy, My prayers and well wishes are with you and your family...I went through alot of the same things with my father who had osteogenic sarcoma...the doctors gave him six months at diagnosis and he lived for 13 years... Also, if Mayo isn't the resource you want it to be try Sloan Kettering Memorial in New York (I think that is the name) and there is a really big cancer hospital in Texas (don't remember the name but my Mom should know if your interested). I know my Dad was put on experimental drugs and the pharmacutical companies paid for them... Keep your chin up and keep your lovely wife smiling and laughing...a good attitude does alot to overcome struggles...

Big Al, I'm not a big drinker but had a beer on a blind date to "fit in" the other week. Guiness doesn't have carbonation...not sure if you like it or not, if I am forced to drink beer (which I only do once or twice a year) Guiness is my choice. It has a nitrogen pellet I believe or something like that so when it is opened it gets a head, however, has no carbonation... So happy barley pop to you!

Sultana, I just got my EOB for my first fill done in office without fluro and it was $300.

Good thoughts from Carmen. Do you have your SPD (Summary Plan Descriptions) for both of your plans? That should state clearly whether it is covered or not. I forgot to tell you that I was denied on the phone for the lap-band after my doctor authorized it. I called back to speak with a claims manager and found it was a mistake... Also, speak with your HR representative and see if they can do anything if your self-funded to get WLS removed as an exclusion!

You may also want to check if the surgeon you select has a self pay option. This is generally alot less than what would be billed to your insurance. Also ask if surgery can be done in a day surgery center as most of the cost is for the hospital facility bill. For example, my surgery for insurance was about $28,000, about $23,000 was for the hospital, $3000 for the surgeon, about $1000 for the anesthesiologist, and the rest I'm not sure...but my surgeon is going to offer day surgery for about $11,000 total. Big difference! I would also try to get approved...think of anything and everything your weight is causing you problems with...it is worth a try...plus you can always appeal!

Shelly, You should check with your HR department and make it a point that they cover treatment as you already have been banded. I think that type of change in insurance coverage only applies to people starting the banding or WLS journey. What you have now is maintanence...or a pre-existing condition persay that legally should be covered.