Atlgadgetgrrl

Are the shots for two weeks standard for everyone?

Not me. Doc's regimen is a baby aspirin a day for 3 months.

One of the best bits of advice I have received is to look at the % of EBW you have lost, not the number. While I may have "only" lost a little over 40 lbs, I am now over a third of the way to goal. As a "lightweight" with only a little over 100 lbs to lose, I know I am not going to see big dramatic losses on the scale. I am trying to enjoy the inches lost and maintain a healthy and patient mindset as I go. Good luck to all.

This is such fantastic news!!!!! Congratulations! I so love happy insurance endings!

My doc wanted me on skim milk for the first 14 days. It has 8-9 gms Protein per cup- it just might get you through.

My tastes are changing weekly. Lately, I can tolerate nectar Roadside Lemonade and lemon tea. Also, unjury is sitting well right now, too.

Double check your Pepcid - mine says do not crush or chew. It is supposed to dissolve in the intestine and can't make it through the stomach if crushed. Some formulations may allow crushing so ymmv.

Re: tummy racket: by day 5, it sounded like a bear had moved into a volcano in my belly. It has settled down 3+ weeks postop.

I had that too. I figured it was either from the steristrip adhesive or contrast used in a CAT scan. Benadryl gel applied topically didn't help. I pulled the strips off, replaced with non reactive band aids, and got approval from my doc to take liquid Benadryl. Two doses later, it faded considerably. Good luck!

My date was the 12th.

Have they checked you post operatively for h pylori? I have a friend who developed gastritis symptoms post op and it turned out to be h pylori. Good luck to you!

I bought a couple of maxi dresses at Walmart. They were cheap, worked as pajamas, and my tummy/incision sites appreciated the empire waistlines!

Make sure you are getting all your fluids in, as dehtdration can mimic hunger. Also, does your doc have you on a ppi? In my reading, I have discovered that acid can mimic hunger, and that for some, getting on a ppi can really help.

No drain. Just curious@prettyinpink, how much Fluid did you have over a week's time?

find out exactly why they denied you and address those concerns item by item. You'll have a specific due date for your reply, so pay close attention to the calendar.

My first denial (I had two) was because of height inconsistencies in my medical records. Eventually, I did win.

#%*¥|.?!<]>£!,|>£<|>¥!\|

They sent the letter and all it says is my start and that I was a member and that I should refer to my registration materials. I told that \<^€~, on the phone I don't have them.

I want to punch her.

I'm going to have to hire a GD lawyer.

Completely enraged.

FWIW, I hired Lindstrom Obesity Advocates for my appeal and it was a great experience. I won, and they held my hand each step of the way. They do an initial consultation, and even after that call, I felt like I had my game back on. They do charge a flat fee for handling appeals, but my rationale was that it was cheaper than private pay. They offer a sliding scale, as well. Good luck in your journey.

check your denial letter for the amount of time you have to provide a response. I know with my two denials, there were specific dates mentioned in the letters that the response had to be received by. I can't remember if it was 30 or 60 days.

Good luck to you -

I will jump on the Lindstrom wagon here, too. I have United and was denied twice (initial submission and first appeal). My insurance required BMI of 40 and 5 years documentation of morbid obesity. I initially submitted at BMI of 38.3.

I got Lindstrom's office involved and they took over from there, and handled my case through my third and final appeal with my husband's employer since it was a self-funded insurance plan. I won. Even better, based on the thoroughness of the argument that Lindstrom's office put together, the medical director at my husband's company realized that their criteria was outdated and instructed United to change their criteria for WLS. So, hopefully, I have opened the door for others through my efforts.

I cannot say enough about Kelley. The experience was fantastic. I felt so much better even after our first call. They give a free consultation, and I recommend that you go ahead and get that scheduled because it will lift your spirits.

Best of luck on your journey. You can fight this and you can win.

Like Sue, I was covered in a rash that I think was a reaction to the orange stuff they painted me up with for surgery, the adhesives, and/or contrast from a ct scan they did looking for clots. I was using Benadryl gel topically, and the doc gave me the ok to take Benadryl liquid. I take it at bedtime. yesterday morning, I peeled off 3/4 of my steristrips, including the one with the giant welt around it that seemed to start the inflammatory reaction, and covered with non reactive band aids. This morning, after the second dose of bedtime Benadryl, things are looking much better.

So wait, let me get this straight - you made Protein Jello? I am growing weary of Clear Liquids but have another week to go. Looking for options!

You poor poor thing. Please remind your hubby to put this on his application for sainthood.

I'll make it a swapportunity! (ive always wanted to use that word in a sentence lol)

Love that phrase!,

6 days post op today. Yesterday, I went to the mall - to the food court, looking for won ton Soup, which i could have on my Clear liquids. Nobody had any, but I was SO JONESING for a hot pretzel, I was dying. Here is what stopped me- 1) the fear of physical damage to my baby sleeve. 2) the overwhelming feeling that I have worked too hard to get to this point. I didn't walk away empty handed, though - I treated myself to a nice cup of jasmine tea, which is a treat for me. Now, I realize that a hot pretzel is nothing like jasmine tea, but I think because I identify the tea as a treat as well (truly, I love it), I didn't feel like I was giving up *as much* in making that choice.

Do you have any go-to or "treat" foods that will HELP your weight loss? If not, find some that you can swap in when needed.

Also, the other poster's suggestion to carry stuff with you is spot on. I found that really amping up my Protein during preop allowed me to feel satisfied all day. Also, the longer I was able to stay away from carbs, the less I wanted them.

Good luck to you. I know it's not easy.

Not my arms, but my abdomen is covered with a lacy rash front and back. I am thinking its either the yellow stuff they painted me up with after surgery, of an allergy to contrast that they used in a CT scan to check for clots when I was having difficulty breathing.