piercedqt78

Problem is my Insurance is not in my state. I'm waiting to see what she says when she calls me back tomorrow.

After my consult the insurance co-oridinator told me that she was going to flag my chart, and not submit anything until they had my lap band surgical notes (I have them, and took them to my GP to submit with everything else), and also the notes about the skin rashes, and pain from my skin "bunching up" when I try to lay down, or when I sit. Well they didn't wait, and submitted my paperwork and listed that I was only 10 months post-op, and no notes about my skin issues, and pain. So I was of course denied, and I'm only allowed 1 submission, and 2 appeals. So they just burned through one of my chances to get this covered. I got the denial letter on Sat, and called today. The office manager called me back this afternoon, and was like "oh, I'm so sorry this happened" I asked if they could call my insurance and tell them it was a paperwork error, or that they had mixed up their info, she said she would talk to the staff that was involved and get back to me tomorrow. I'm super pissed, they just reduced my chances of coverage by 33%. Now I'm worried that they are going to go through everything submitted with a fine tooth comb, and pick apart my appeal. I spent the weekend crying, and now I have spent today fuming. What would you do?

I would check walgreens and bed bath and beyond, so if it sucks you can return it without having to pay shipping to you and back.

my one BIG piece of advice is to keep something that you can wear right now, and have it as a reminder. I have a few things, and when people who I haven't seen in a while asked how far I'm come I can show them my before/after by holding up my old clothes.

if you click the little wheel by your user name it will open a drop down menu there is an option of "content I follow" and every post you are active in will pop up, the ones with replies will be at the top.

I love the "content I follow" option for just that reason. It keeps me on track with my threads, my next click is "new content". The programs even make it easy to follow up on your threads/posts.

I love my parents weight watchers scale, the one they have saves 4 profiles, with age, height, and weight. It figures BMI, Water, and weight. I weigh myself when I stop over to check on them so at least once a week. It's a really nice scale and they got it for around $30 at Walmart.

I have my wedding dress from almost 14 years ago. I was going to wear it next year again to renew our vows for our 15th. We were originally married in Chicago and my family from Florida wasn't able to attend. Now we are living in Florida and I thought we would have a vow renewal to let them Celebrate our marriage with us, and get to see us exchange our vows and have a party afterwards. Well now my wedding dress is waaaayyyy too big, and I won't be able to take it in at all. The only original thing that still fits will be my hair pins, and jewelry even my shoes are too big now. And I don't want to cut my dress up because my daughter says it's beautiful and she would like to wear it to her wedding some day. (it's a very simple victorian lace overlay style dress) Or at least she will use the lace to make her veil. It's a size 16 and I was about a size 14 when we got married, but formals run small. Well now I'm a size 2 and in some cases I'm a size 0, so there is no way to make it work without destroying it. I guess that means I will just have to buy something new, sigh, it's so hard getting skinny. Hubby says I should buy something simple but really sexy, since I went more conservative last time. And I have the outfit that I wore to my daughter's baby dedication day at church, it looks like a tent on me now. I will be using that as my before in the fashion show that my surgeon does a few times a year. They have patients walk out with a pre-op outfit held up, and when they hit the runway they toss it aside and let the people see how small they have gotten. It's really an eye opener for pre-op or being that are just thinking about surgery. And my favorite are the recently post-op people that gasp, point, and cry at the thought of that being them some day. I know that feeling, that your heart is going to leap out of your chest just thinking about that kind of loss.

My sleeve was not any worse than the lapband. The worst part is you will have some lingering soreness from the port removal. When I went home on day 3 I felt really good. I actually stopped at the grocery store and bought some supplies.

Look for Peanut Butter flavored syrup for your Protein shakes. Or get the peanut butter chocolate flavored pudding. I used this in chocolate protein shakes http://www.torani.com/#/products/peanut-butter-syrup

I will be one year post-op on Thursday the 8th. I want to tell you this it THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE. Except having my daughter of course. I have said it before and I will say it again, I would do this surgery once a year if that's what it took to keep my sleeve. I don't regret it for a single second!!! Here's to all the May sleevers, you are doing amazing things for yourself, and your health!! Congrats.

I had a lap band implanted when I lived in Chicago, fast forward 7 years, and I had moved to Florida, I needed to have my band checked, I was having reflux and my band was empty. I called about 6 surgeons in the Jacksonville area, and the best "program fee" I found was still $1000, with most charging $1500. I was told that since they didn't do my surgery my fees were higher. Basically she explained that was how they make up for people going to self pay centers, or out of the country and then coming to them for followup. The surgeon became a surgeon to do surgery not to do followups for other surgeons. I explained that not only had a used a US surgeon, covered by insurance, but that my surgeon had moved away from Chicago before I did. What if I had paid a huge program fee in Chicago, and then they all wanted me to pay them at least $1000, some were as much as $2500. I would understand if they were having to fight my insurance, or having to do pre/post op classes, but I was just looking for someone to check me for a slip. I ended up needed my band removed, and I was revised to the sleeve, but because I was originally brought in as a general surgical consult (after a GI doc told me it was 99% band related) I didn't have a fee, and I was approved after one phone call for my revision.

How far out before you tried the ranch powder? I was told as long as it didn't add texture I could have it, I could even add a squeeze of ranch dressing to my cottage cheese, or to my finely chopped chicken salad. (I used homemade ranch made with plain greek yogurt in place of mayo) I also do jerky (after 6 months) and I love hard boiled eggs. I boil about 12 eggs on sunday evening and store them in the fridge, I grab one egg and a string cheese. I have pet sugar gliders, and they eat them too, so they are never wasted. I also use them to give my dog her medicine. We go through a few dozen eggs a week at my house, I buy them from a local farm, and they are amazing. I usually eat all of the white, and maybe 1/4 of the yolk. The sugar gliders get the rest of the yolk as a treat, or it gets split between my 3 dogs. I plan on making pickled eggs this summer, it's been a tradition in my family for generations, and they are soooo good. I also keep a pack of low sodium turkey bacon cooked and in snack sized bags in the fridge, 2 slices to a bag. I cook it in the oven on a cooling rack over a rimmed cookie sheet, it cooks nice and crisp, and perfectly flat. Also it doesn't shrink so 2 slices is a perfect go to with a stick of string cheese. I don't eat pork, but my family does, and I make their bacon the same way, except because it makes such a mess, I do 3 or 6 pounds at a time, and then wrap it in wax paper, and freeze it in quart freezer bags. When they want bacon, they just take it out and pop it in the microwave for 20-40 seconds and they have perfect bacon. I also use it in recipes, and to top salads and Soups for them. Last but not least, I keep imitation crab in the fridge, it's higher in calories, but it's better than grabbing chips or crackers. I'm also hooked on apples with peanut or cashew butter on them. Yum!

At least they will hydrate you with iv fluids in pre/post op, and you should have better pain management from the hospital. Try to relax and think positive thoughts. I have had more surgeries that I care to admit and will say that if you go under positive you tend to wake up more peacefully, but if you go under nervous or paniced you tend to wake more agitated.

Next week is my 1 year post-op and after a warm shower my scars are still fairly dark, but I'm really super pale. I was/am willing to tell anyone about my surgery. But if I had to hide it I would go with the gall bladder or hernia route, if they take the gall bladder, (some surgeons do) then just say that, if not hernia. Both would cause the same type of scars, and a gradual return to a normal diet. Some doctors have a 6-8 week post-op diet, how will you explain that everything you are eating must be soft, not drinking with meals and the tiny portions? I know that even when I was doing extreme dieting I ate at least 3 times what I was able to eat in the first several months post-op. You might be able to explain, the scars, and the type of food, but if we eat out even now a year later most of the time it looks like I haven't even touched my food.

Woot!! Awesome for you!!!!

My name is Mandy I have been in contact with Alex and I will be working with the Jacksonville chapter for local support meetings. We are working to have the first meeting in June. Please feel free to give me your best times/days so I can try to make this is accessible as possible. I will be talking to St. Vincent's Riverside today about using their meeting room. Also let me know if there are any particular guest speakers you would like to see. I'm thinking about a healthy cooking demo, maybe some plastic surgery seminars, I have someone that can help you pick out the correct workout/running shoes and he will offer discounts at his sales location. Any other requests? I figure I will talk to the local hospitals and see if they will allow us to host in their conference rooms, and we can either rotate areas or if there is a good central area we can make it a set monthly location.

What an amazingly strong woman you are. I'm in awe. That is why it's so unfair for others to judge based on what they see. I've met so many fabulous folks on this site and we all talk about our challenges and struggles and not giving in to them yet others see us as fat and lazy. It just makes me mad... Oh and your auto immune disorder....same here. All this time, I was told to lose the weight and my knees would feel better. Well...I lost the weight and got worse. Finally I went to the surgeon who was convinced I had hip trouble, not knee trouble and oh boy was he right. Turns out I have osteo-necrosis which is compromised blood flow resulting in dead bone. It's likely a combination of some auto-immune disease that they are still trying to identify along with genetic pre-disposition. So much for being heavy. Yes...I'm better and healthier at this weight. I'm not sorry I had the band...not sorry at all. But same as you, this was not all obesity related. Though all of my doctor are very supportive of my getting WLS. Your doctor is just showing how ignorant he/she is by telling you to do it the old fashioned way. No sorry...it's not ignorant. It's stupid. Good luck to you. We are here to support you. Part of my problem is I have always tried to be the strong one, and instead of saying I'm hurting, or I'm sad I would just eat. You know the old joke about having a child inside screaming to get out, but you can shut it up with Cookies? Sadly that was my reality. My sleeve really truly saved my life. I'm blessed with an amazing general physician, an excellent bariatric team, and a supportive family. I don't know what I would have done without that trifecta. When I was using my old doctor (the one that didn't support the sleeve idea) I really felt as if I would die if I didn't make a change. I started seeing a new doctor, she not only suggested the sleeve, but sent me to the surgeon that I ended up using. And they keep very close tabs on my labs, both offices share any results with the other. It's nice to have a doctor on my side, that actually cares about my health. It's funny my mom also sees the same dr, and I was in the office last week with her, she was getting cleared to have a minor knee surgery, and my dr that I haven't seen since early feb noticed my haircut right away. My own daughter took several hours to notice it, and my sister has yet to realize it was cut. LOL, but my dr noticed, and complimented on it right away. She also said it hides my hairloss very very well. It's nice to have her know my first name without a chart in hand, and she remembers my medical issues. She even remembered to ask me about my shoulder/knee pain. My mom and I have different last names, so I know that didn't give my name away, like I said she knew my first name off the top of her head. It's a really big practice, and I've only been there 1 year.

I was just told to avoid soy milk, it is being linked to breast cancer, instead my dr said use almond milk, or rice milk. They may be a bit higher in fat or calories depending on which you choose, but they are safer.

Peanut Butter and bananas/carrots/apples? smoothies made with Protein shake and fruit or yogurt? I don't do cottage cheese, but know a lot of sleevers love it. Also what about meat substitutes? Morning star makes some great meat free sausages, and "burger patties" they are soy, but loaded with protein. Is there any meat you can do? Can you do chicken salad? What about shaved ham/beef/turkey like from the deli? I take shredded turkey or beef and a jar of premade gravy and warm them up together, then serve them with mock mashed potatoes. (pureed cauliflower), I use some greek cream cheese in the mock potatoes for that creamy consistency and to make them richer.

I want to do this too, but I want to do vintage pin-up for my theme. I have several large tattoos and want them to be the focal points. That is what caught my hubby's eye when we first met, so I figure that is the one thing that is the same today. I have always loved Bettie Page, my daughter's middle name is Paige as a tribute, and I have several of her photos that I want to recreate. Now that I'm smaller than she was it will be easy to do, I just need to find the right photographer.

Here is my list: 1. I'm a stress eater with a child with special medical needs (rare bleeding disorder) 2. I had thyroid issues in my teens and that started my weight gain, this resolved with pregnancy, but the weight remained. 3. I did too many yoyo diets, and wanted to be Barbie when I was in high school, with thyroid issues that never works. 4. I have an autoimmune disease that causes soft tissue damage, I have had 2 knee replacements, 3 (getting ready for #4) rotator cuff repairs. And can't workout without doing major damage to my joints. 5. I spent 17 years living in Chicago, and the cold weather caused me so much pain I was a hermit for 7 months a year, just packing on the pounds. 6. I was raped when I was 16 by my former step father, and didn't tell anyone until I was in my 20's. I think I ate to silence the scared hurt little girl that was inside my head. food didn't keep me safe, but my mom always equaled food to love, that's why under my user name it says "Food in NOT love". I learned with counseling that feeding people, and overeating myself didn't fill the void in my life, or make me feel any more loved. That was a HUGE step for me. 7. Genetics just about everyone in my family is obese. My grandfather was over 400 pounds, my mom is the oldest of 10 kids, all but 3 are morbidly obese, and those 3 are still overweight, one has a lap band and is getting healthy, the rest seem happy just the way they are. *I was just diagnosed with the auto immune disorder, in the past my pain, joint damage and soft tissue injuries were ALWAYS blamed on my weight. When I lost the weight and still had issues my new doctor started looking for answers. She said weight doesn't cause rotator cuff tears, and that I shouldn't have been dismissed because of my weight. I started seeing a new doctor when my previous md was not on board with my being revised from band to sleeve. She said just remove the band and do it the old fashioned way.

I have found that lingerie hides it well and I have enough that my plastic surgeon is helping me fight my insurance to get it covered. A good bra, and a fitted anything with spandex holds everything in nicely. I have been married to the same man for almost 14 years, but he says having me more flexible, no longer tired all the time, and the fact that without going into too many details we are able to do things now that we haven't done since we first got married totally makes up for the skin.

Do you like Beans? Tofu? I make a cheese and refried bean quesadilla, and I top it with chopped avocado. eggs are good, try them chopped and added to a dark greens salad with some low fat cheese, and a yogurt based dressing for added Protein. I eat P3 from oscar mayer they are 2 oz packs with cheese meat and nuts, I know you don't do meat, but maybe make your own little packs with cheese, nuts, boiled eggs. Grab and go makes for easier adherence than eating on the fly.

I use over the counter cold meds that contain guaifenesin (mucinex) or the generic. I also take a daily dose of zinc to help build the immune system.