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My doc is planning on removing the band and performing the sleeve in one operation. My band was unfilled on 8/5. I worry about the amount of scar tissue present also. My case has been submitted to the ins. co. early due to band complications. If they deny me, I will finish up the 6 month med supervised diet on 12/2 and then be approved for surgery in December or early in 2014. Hoping for a December surgery since I have met all my deductibles for this year. Good luck to you with your upcoming surgery.

Gamegirl too funny, we both posted the same thread. Great minds think alike.

Here is another thread talking about people with lower BMIs http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/80717-lightweights-in-the-house-any-more-people-with-less-to-loseless-bmis/page__st__300#entry972227 I am starting this journey out with a BMI of 35. My insurance co. requires a six month med supervised diet.. My doctor has submitted my claims asking that they waive this criteria due to lap band complications. Good luck to both of you on your weight loss journey.

I rode 8.4 miles tonight which brings my total to exactly 50 miles. That "job" thing got in the way. I will need to wrap up my miles by Sunday. I just spoke to my doctor, and after my surgery on Monday I won't be able to ride for six weeks. If I do not finish my 100 miles riding, I will have to finish it by walking.

I rode 14.2 miles tonight, popped my chain off (put it back on) and saw 4 deer. I now have a total of 41.6 miles leaving 58.4 miles remaining. I am waiting to hear from my doctor to see how long I will be out after a surgical procedure on Monday. Not my sleeve :-( I may have to switch over to walking if I don't finish by Sunday. Now hope the weather holds it has made it so much more enjoyable. Thank you so much for starting this thread. Near the end of September, we will have to set up an October challenge.

I rode 14.8 miles tonight for a total of 27.4 leaving 73.6 miles left for my 100.

Try cardio tracker it keeps track of distance walked, incline, calories burned. I know it is available for Android platform but nor sure if available for iPhone. It also will tracks cycling as well but I have never used it for spin class. Welcome to the forum and the 100 mile challenge. This will be a great challenge for me since I have not had my surgery yet and have not been as active as I used to be so this will force the issue.

So far for today I have in 12.6 miles. Not the 20 I was hoping for, but the day is still young.

Laura, glad you're not hurt too bad. Wait until you switch to a road bike and start riding clipped in. There is a learning curve. I fell on day two and rolled in a ditch and didn't clip out. My ankle to this day still acts up sometimes. It was 101 yesterday and felt like 98 today. Shooting for 20 miles in the a.m. tomorrow.

Good luck. Wishes sent your way. Speedy recovery.

I will commit to riding 100 miles on my bike. Between now and September 30. I think it is a great goal for you and also for me. Good luck with your upcoming surgery as well. Is there a place where we can track our progress?

I have UHC and had already met my $500 deductible so did not have to do that. I started this process on 7/31 and so far the tests, visits and bills for anesthesia and biopsy from endo total $11,300. I have paid around $400.00 out of pocket for co-pays. My insurance cover hospital at 90-10 up to $1,000 out of pocket. The hospital give you a price based on what they estimate the insurance will cover. I have heard and won't know for sure until I have my surgery, that the hospital where I am having my surgery, will keep any money you have paid for procedures based on their estimate and then apply it toward your surgery bill. My endoscopy was over $7,000.00 for the procedure, but I had a bravo chip put in to monitor esophagus acid. There was a $500,00 plus bill for anesthesia, my doctor's fee was about $675 and there was a biopsy charge of about $350.00. I believe that I will have about another $500 out of pocket and then should be good. If I do not have surgery before the end of the year, I get to start over in 2014 with a deductible. Next year it may not be $500 but $1,000 and the coverage might be less. It all depends on the contract my employer works out with the insurance company. I am really hoping that I am able to have surgery in 2013.

Laura welcome to the world of cycling. As Butterthebean said a pair of cycling shorts is worth their weight in gold. It takes a while to break into a seat each season unless you ride in all seasons. Even if you switch off to a spinning class during winter, you still have to break into your saddle again. Another thing if you are going to start riding on a regular basis, invest in some chamois butter it helps with the chafing and reduces friction. Also you might want to get some socks that have wicking capability to remove the moisture. Remember the phrase "cotton is rotten." when riding. I hope you wear a helmet when riding. It amazes me when I ride to see so many people riding without helmets.

Sorry this happened, but glad they found it and will get it taken care of so you can start off your weight loss journey healthy.

Luvnumbers, Your efforts on the diet give the insurance company more proof that the surgery is necessary for you. It can be a long process, but it also prepares you better for your life after the sleeve. You have already started making changes in your diet and exercise which will help you post-surgery. If you hadn't started making any lifestyle changes, imagine how much more difficult it would be to have to do them all at one time. Good luck. I also am waiting on an insurance company decision. My doctor has submitted my claim early due to complications. However, if they deny the request, I will have to finish the six month supervised diet. I know I will be approved after the 6 month diet for sure since I met my ins. co.'s initial criteria. Hang in there, it will be over before you know it and you will be on to the next step of slimming down and becoming more healthy.

I hope you feel better. I agree with most of ScottsGirl's quote, but I have to disagree with her about pain medicine slowing down healing. The pain meds are there to help you if you need them. If you are in pain, you may not move which is very necessary after sleeve surgery. It may also prevent you from getting the rest you need to help heal.. There are many sites that discuss pain medication and the healing process, but the one listed here is from the Mayo clinic, which in my opinion is a reputable source. http://www.mayoclini...cations/PN00060 While I have not been sleeved have had several surgical procedures and have used pain meds on most of them. Hope you feel better soon. It won't last and every day will get better.

Sounds like it will be a lot of fun and very pretty scenery. Please post photos when you have time. How fortunate that you caught the last early opening of the season. Good luck on your weight loss journey. Very happy to hear you have family support that helps so much.

Pain is a very subjective to each individual. What is a 4 to you could be a 8, 9 or 10 to someone else. There is no way to know what your pain will be until you go through the experience. While I have not been sleeved yet, I have had several other surgical procedures. Another factor involved could be if you are a revision patient and are having a lap band removed at the same time, this results in a longer surgery. I am not sure but it seems to me that the longer the surgery takes the pain level could be higher.

Carole, you should be able to appeal this charge. Like Mkak said you had no say over who your anesthesiologist is and they are providing services in an in network hospital. I would also ask them what the payment would be if it was in network then see if the ins. co. will pay that amount. I run into this a lot at one of the hospitals where I have x-rays taken. The bill is read by an out of network radiologist, but they always accept the amount that my insurance pays because like you I have no say over who is going to provide read and write the x-ray report. Good luck.

The level is tied to your reputation. It is determined by the number of likes you receive on the posts you make on the forum. i believe the level order is neutral, good and then excellent. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/33450-green-box-with-number-inside/page__hl__reputation#entry292688

If it's any consolation, the Mariners are losing right now 2 to 0. You'll feel better and will soon be able to go and do a lot of things.

PB2 and chocolate PB2. It is powdered peanut butter that you can use in shakes and protein recipes. A lot less calories and more protein.

I have been asked that many times by people and I would look at my watch and answer at 5 p.m. tonight when I pick them up from the baby sitter. The look on their face was priceless. The best one was when I was at the gym working out and I was talking to a lady next to me on the treadmill. We were talking about the hot tub and she says you shouldn't use it, and I asked her why. She says aren't you, aren't you. I told her no, and she proceeds to tell me something is wrong with me and I should go to the doctor because I had a tumor in there. You have done great and keep up the good work. You will be slim and she will still be clueless.

I am not sure where you are in your weight loss journey, but even without that you have two of the biggest stress factors already occurring. Looking for a job and moving. This site rates stress factors in people's lives http://www.mindtools...e/newTCS_82.htm It is easy to get upset and take things personally when you have a lot going on. Try to relax, take deep breaths and take control of the things you can. For things beyond your control, try and determine what your plan will be if it goes one way versus a different path. For example, I don't know if you are moving into a completely different area, but if you are, it is difficult to know how much you can afford etc until you know where your job will be and your income. This knowledge would help alleviate a lot of stress on you and help you make a more informed decision on where you move. You would know the location of your job, income and be able to better determine where you move and the amount you can afford for your rent or mortgage payment. Sometimes I find it helpful to write things down to get a clearer picture of all the issues and decision choices. I hope this helps you and good luck. Good luck

I have a friend who is almost two years post-op and lettuce is only one of two things he experiences problems with still. The other is bread. Everyone is different. What one person may have a problem with another can eat without any difficulty at all.