ribearty

Mama, I found myself not as focused also and attribute it partly to the anesthesia. It takes awhile to get it out of your system. I believe some of it also is tiredness. It is major surgery. I need to have a lot of focus with my current position, and it wasn't there in the beginning. It cleared up by six weeks post-op for me. I too am back in class and finish next Sunday. I hope to sit for my professional exam in mid-March. Good luck with your recovery, weight loss journey and doctoral studies. I received my master's in May 2012 and it took me until November 2013 to take another class.

I agree tighter is not better. I believe my band being overfilled is a major reason it prolapsed. When I first had my surgery, my doctor did not do fills under fluoroscope. For me at least there was a fine line between the green zone or sweet spot and being too tight. Please don't think you're doing yourself a favor and you'll lose more weight by having your band too tight. If it's too tight, you will more than likely wind up gaining weight. If it's too tight you can experience difficulty eating and keeping down food which could result in you eating slider foods because they stay down but are much higher in calories.

Jean, another great article. The above is true for any restrictive weight loss surgery. If you don't change your eating habits and physical activity, you may lose for awhile but not get great results. Weight loss surgery is not a magic pill or wand. It is a tool to assist and still takes work to be successful.

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.

Not this girl, like Miracle Whip lite. I tend to not follow the crowd. LOL. Patti, thank you for the recipe. Sounds great. When I make mine I used powdered mustard. Just like the flavor better.

Good luck Lily

I think that having my band too tight is going to result in me having to have it removed. I am 6 years and have been on prescription heartburn medications for 3 years with no relief. Last year my esophagus was dialated and they removed some fluid. It went back down. I go see a new doctor on 7/31 and I know he will do some diagnostic tests.

Yep, that is me in IT. I am now working for a great company I have been there for almost a year and a half.

I am checking in. I haven't posted in a very long time. I am now a grandmother, Janet you're right, it is awesome. I am also back in school at the graduate level. I am working on my MBA with an emphasis in Project Management. I'm glad our thread is still going strong. I am still trying to get the last weight off. I hope that when I am on a one class schedule in May I can get back to serious exercise through August. I will try to log in periodically as my schedule permits

Thank you all for commenting on my grand daughter. She is very precious to us. Her name is Chloe. It is amazing how big she has already gotten in 2 1/2 months. I am riding my bike going to get in 70 miles between today and Sunday. Weather finally cooperating. My goal is by the end of October to have 2,000 miles. I am pretty sure I'll make it. I want to ride a century ride in mid October which to me will be the equivalent of running a marathon. (Probably a bit easier) but it is a goal. I just have to get better on hills. I have fallen a couple of times on hills with my clipless pedals so now it is part a mental fear. Have to get over it. Gotta go ride. See you later.

Here is a picture of my grand daughter. She was born on 2/5/09.

I'm sorry to hear about Janet's brother. Please tell her I am thinking of her during this time. I saw gas today for 283.9 I thought wow, it's sad when you get excited about gas under $3.00 a gallon. On Sunday I volunteered for a century ride. In case you don't know this is a 100 mile ride in one day. I was at a rest station at around the 75 mile mark. It was amazing there was one girl age 14 riding and she looked great. Prior to Sunday the most she had ridden in one day was 38 miles. The area where I was had leaves starting to change color. It will be absolutely stunning either this weekend or next. We haven't hit our peak for fall yet. I rode my bike tonight only 12 miles. I feel like a slacker. I went back to Curves tonight. I took time off with my ankle. I can tell I had not been on those machines for awhile. So far for the month of October my exercise is 162 on the bike out of 250 and 1 out of 12 for resistance and strength training. It is supposed to rain tomorrow so I may try my first spinning class.