Susan3343

The Avenue is really great for those of us that have large feet. They start at size 9 and go up to I believe size 13. They carry wide width also. I think they are priced very reasonable. I love that store!!!

I like Avenue. They have some really cute clothes. Good luck!

the visual is .....ummm....breathtaking LOL

LMJ I hope you dont mind me saying this but you said you have a bunch of little problems that dont add up to anything big. In my own opinion I disagree...sure you dont have it documented and you are going to have to see your Dr and follow up with all of this but I think all of your symptoms could lead to something big if you leave them untreated. So even though you want the band the first step is make sure you see your primary care Dr and get your health problems diagnosed and get on the road to better health in general. Take your list of complaints to your Dr and have him/her address each and every issue. As I said earlier I also have Blue Cross of CA. I am not sure what they looked at when trying to decide if I should be approved or not but I do know....for my policy..it was covered at 90%. As far as what their guildlines are for approval I do not know. Maybe you could talk to a case manager AFTER you see your Dr and see what they have to say as far as what they look at when trying to approve/deny the lap band surgery. I wish you sucess in your journey and hope that you do follow up on all of your symptoms. This might take a little bit longer than what you would like but hang in there! Susan

I am kind of going to be all over the state. Going to Des Moines and then to Iowa City, Marion and parts still unknown LOL. I am geographically challenged so not sure where the New Hampton area is.

Hey...you can make those jeans the "traveling jeans" and see how far they go. Just like in the movies LOL.

Syrah you posted while I was trying to get mine typed....I soooooooooo agree with you!!!! That is what I am feeling!! Hang in there I am sure that it is bound to get better Susan

It is funny about those commericals! Its not that I want to go buy new clothes everytime I drop a few pounds but well..I guess I was just excited and had unreal expectations when it came to clothes. Its funny because when I was putting away the winter clothes I packed up all the ones that I just "know" I wont be able to wear this winter. I have to go to IA in June and am going to take them to a friend....so I have the pressure of losing because I wont have anything to wear when the first snow flake falls LOL. It seems that my pants are too big in the butt and legs...and do fit much better in the waist but the weight around the waist isnt going like it is in other places. I know that is normal but at this moment I hate normal Good Luck to you all and thanks for responding. Susan

Isnt it amazing how much you can pack into a pair of pants? I have lost 24 pounds and you would think that I would need to run out and buy something to wear....but noooooooooo......the old ones still fit. They dont fit as well of course but geesh. I did finally get into a pair of slacks that I havent been able to wear in 2 yrs so that was good but I put on a pair of jeans that I wore when I was 24 pounds heavier and they fit great. Makes me wonder what I looked like before when I was cramming all that extra pounds into them. Things that make you go ewwwwwwwww. LOL. Have a great day all!!! Susan

okay people...how are you guys doing?? just wondering if you are all feeling better. keeping you in my thoughts susan

LMJ I have BCBS of Calf and just had surgery on the 4th of May. I do have co-m such as HTN and reflux. Also am pre diabetic. What I did when I went through all of the tests such as with pysch test and so on all the Dr was ready to submit all this to the insurance co was I wrote a letter. I described what my family history is like, how I am limited by my back, knee and hip pain. I also described that I have several family members who are 300-400 pounds. Along with that I sent a complete list of all of the diets I have ever been on and how much weight I lost (usually 12 pds and that is it) and how much I gained back. Like I said all of this went with the Dr's paperwork. I was approved 2 weeks later. I dont know if my letter helped but it didnt hurt. Good luck to you on your journey. Dont give up....keep trying. The most important thing is to continue to follow up with your physician to have things documented. Susan

Good Luck to all of you who are just waiting for the day to get here. Waiting is hard...but it will be worth it! Susan

Today was a lot better. I was up at 4:30 (not by choice) and got my expense reports done (always a good thing) and then took the dog for a walk, went grocery shopping, did some laundry, worked more in the office, did some drive by house hunting, took the dog for another walk, changed the bedding, another walk with the pooch, fixed dinner and only had one episode where the pain was bad enough to lay down for about 15 mins. Oh I did talk an hr out to watch Dr Phil LOL. Part of my problem is that I am not a cook either. So I really dont know what to fix. I did cut back to more clear things today instead of creamy which seemed to help. My weight is down quite a bit but wont report that until I see the Dr on Monday for the offical weigh in (just to make sure my scales are right). I have been hungry these last few days but trying to deal with that. Its amazing when you cant eat real food what kind of smells you can pick up. I swear I can smell what the neighbors are cooking LOL. Thanks for the advice on the Sorbitol. Not sure what it is but I will start looking for it Kacee. 4RE4ME- I tried the doggie thing...I guess it probably did help but I think its truely the moving around and walking a lot that really gets it going. Try walking then the doggie thing. Ginger-I think its a good thing when we reconize that our attitude stinks but we also have to get out of the funk. I felt so bad yesterday and as embarrassed as I am to say, I truely walked around like I was an invalid. Heck sat in my outdoor lounger, with a blanket and a book. Which is fine....but not when I need to be up moving and trying to get better! So lets keep kicking each other along....we cant really move to the next step if we dont work on getting through this phase. Hang in there!! You also have 3 little ones, dont know how you do it...whewwwww. Have a great weekend and Happy Mothers Day to all the moms. Talk with you soon Susan

Thanks for the kick in the butt Leatha. I was doing those things but maybe not to the extent of what I should be. So I changed my stinking thinking last night and got up facing a whole new day with a new attitude. I really want to get better and get used to the band, learning how to work with it. Thanks again Susan

Thanks for everyone who replied and offered suggestions or just shared the misery It is day 6 and today was horrible. I am not getting my liquids in nor my protien. I finally called the Dr today but was told just to take something for nausea. I didnt make it through the whole day at work...close..had to quit at 3:30 instead of 5. Maybe tomorrow will be better but right now I am wondering if I made the right decision. My stomach is so swollen......grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... Thanks for listening to me complain. Susan

Hi all. Heard back from the Dr and the xray is fine. Am glad of that but this pain still hangs on. Was talking to a friend tonight who said that when she drinks Crystal Light she gets gas...so since I drink that I am going to try to avoid it and see if I can get this cleared up. I was going to go back to work today but am waiting until tomorrow...and will go regardless. The lucky thing is I work from home most of the time when I am not traveling so I can finish the week here. Ginger how did your first day back go? Randaree when do you go back? Wishing everyone well. Susan

Thanks for the advice Deanna. I have spent a lot of time today with my butt up in the air hopeing that things will be better for me tonight. My Dr did a chest xray but I havent gotten those results back yet. I am a little more comfortable tonight and hope that it will continue throughout the night so that I can sleep. Thanks again Susan

Thanks Tranam. If I am not better tomorrow I will call the Dr. Ginger I feel for you if you are feeling like I do...ughhhh. I am passing the gas...as much as I hate sharing that with everyone...it just doesnt seem to help with this pain. Will let you know what the Dr says Ginger. I just thought I would be feeling better today.... Susan

I was banded on Friday May 4th and have had issues with gas in my shoulder, in the front, not the back. I have walked and taken gas ex but this is so painful that I still have to take pain meds. The area where I had surgery seems fine and isnt really painful at all its just this darn shoulder. I seem to be pretty swollen and its painful to take a deep breath. I am running a low grade fever and just feeling horrible. Any suggestions? Thanks Susan

Hey thanks wolfmaydn. I will check it out. Tyanna---congrats on the approval!!!

Congrats on the weight loss. Hey were do you get that protein mix? I am using a whey protein mix but am always looking for something else. Thanks Susan

Hi All. Day 10 of this liquid diet for me. Tomorrow is my big day! I am so excited but nervous too. Going this morning for my pre op appt with the surgeon. I know I have lost but I have no idea how much. I have been drinking ISOPURE which has helped. I dont feel as hungry when I get my protien in. Have a great day everyone. Wishing you all the best!! Susan

Thanks Travelgirl. I am prepared for the post op pain from surgery...have had many so I a pretty ready for that but was unsure of the swallow thing. I guess I am just getting nervous because its so close....Thanks again.

Okay stupid question here...but one that has been on my mind. Does the first swallow after you have the band hurt? I dont mean the soreness after having the breathing tube but when it goes through the opening to the stomach. Gosh I hope that makes sense. Can anyone answer this question for me? Thanks

Bullwinkle We have the same banding date, May 4th. I know what your feeling especially with the smoking. I know it is so much healthier to quit but it is so darn hard. Along with the fact that you are not supposed to GAIN weight while waiting for surgery.....sighssss....its hard! Anyways...you can do this! Will keep you in my thoughts.....keep your eye on the prize!!!!! Susan