Cocoabean

Hi Grey Cat. Congrats on the approval. The person who called, what she from the surgery center/hospital or from your surgeons office? I dealt with two different entities. The hospital knew nothing of my pre-op diet orders. Nor did they care. My surgeon's office didn't know when the hospital would be calling me for their stuff. It is possible that due to the fact that you have already lost 34 lbs (good job, BTW!), that your surgeon is not concerned with a two-week pre-op diet for you. Thinking back to my notification....it went something like this... Around Jan 12 my surgeon's office called just to say I was approved, surgery date Feb 15. Come in Jan 31 to start pre-op diet. About a week before my surgery date the hospital called, and said I had to do their pre-op tests and pre-admission, along with a two-hour bariatric surgery class. I had no idea that was coming. At that appointment I got hit with the fact that I had to pre-pay my hospital co-pay (my bad, I hadn't read my policy that I even HAD a hospital co-pay). She says, "and you have a hospital co-pay of $xxx.xx." I said, "oh, Ok." Then just sat there. She stares at me....expectantly.... "Ooohhh! You want that NOW?" "Yes, please." "Would have been nice if someone had mentioned that to me on the phone, fortunately I have my checkbook with me today." So, they aren't always the most organized in telling you what is happening! What I would do is call your surgeon Monday and ask about your pre-op diet. If your package has instructions of what it should be, start it now. Sorry it is soooo confusing. But take a deep breath and relax! It will all work out and become clear in the next few days.

Are you diabetic? Also, when you stop eating carbs, your body can switch into ketosis which can cause the sweet taste. Ketosis can happen in diabetics as well, which is why I asked if you are diabetic. We eat so little right after surgery, it is possible you are in ketosis and experiencing the mouth sweetness from that.

You can also talk to your PCP (if you don't mind birth control pills) and go on the pill to change your cycle. Get one pack of something like seasonale that gives you three months without a period. If not, as the previous poster said, they can deal with it. I had mine when I had my appendix out. What fun! NOT!

Stresses and interruptions happen in life. The best thing about being banded for me is that it doesn't let me get too out of control. It is very easy to get right back on the horse. You can do it!

Each insurance company has an appeals process. DO appeal. I have BCBS California HMO. I was denied even getting a consult because I hadn't done the 6 month thing. I submitted WW records and other stuff like you did and won the appeal. My PCP said a denial the first time around was pretty standard. However, for me, it was the medical group that denied it, NOT the HMO. I don't really understand the intricacies there. Look at your plan brochure, your appeals process will be in there. As another poster said, ask your PCP to write a letter, if he or she suggested you do WW or nutrisystem ask that this fact be included, then you can state it was medically supervised. Even if your PCP doesn't write the letter, state that your doc recommended you lose weight, and said that WW is an excellent plan--so you did as your doctor suggested and joined. Include a copy of your plan policy that states a commercial program is acceptable, just to remind them, they administer several different policies with different exclusions. Hope this helps! Best wishes.

Here's a link to one of the first long-term studies I have seen. http://www.lapbandcentral.com/local/files/en/news_resources/clinical_papers/Favretti_Ob_Surg_April_07_12_yr_paper.pdf I did not read the entire study. With early techniques, some of the studies show a removal rate up to 50%. That has gone down greatly with the pars flaccida technique that is used today. Pubmed.com is a good place to go to read studies. I've seen others that say 30% are removed, but they don't always say why. Wether it was complications or patients' choice. Do a search for "gastric band" and read up on it. Do make a note of the dates of the studies. I believe the pars flaccida technique became the standard somewhere around 2000-2002. Maybe someone here knows for sure?? Earlier studies tend to have a higher removal rate. Here's a link to a response to a similar question by my surgeon: http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/topic/55154-lifespan-and-product-failure-of-lap-band-and-adjustable-gastric-band/ I am a bit over three years out, and have had no problems at all. That doesn't mean I don't worry about the possibility of problems, but I also don't dwell on it. All of the WLS procedures have a list of possible complications. You are doing great by asking questions and getting informed!

Were they able to confirm the slip and unfill you today? Hopefully that will do the trick and let things return to normal.

Melody, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Deb, i LOVE it!! That's how I want to go out. Have already told my DH. No sadness and boo hoos. Ok, maybe some boo hoos. But have a party and remember the fun times. I don't know how many services I have gone to that were "celebrations of life" where everyone was sad, morose, and crying. That is not my idea of a celebration. My MIL's service was also called a celebration, but there was not much celebrating going on. I think the life of a person who made it to 94 before feeling bad SHOULD be celebrated. If you aren't sure about a fill, don't do it. But it is SO hard to decide sometimes. For me, every time I start to think about it, my band tightens up on me! Sheesh!

I've cruised 3 times since being banded. First time was before my first fill. No worries. The last two was with good restriction. The last one I learned a few things. It was a two week cruise. The first week, I got stuck several times. There was a lot of stress in my life at the time...BUT...we ordered coffee and melon to our cabin each morning the first week. I don't usually eat anything so soon after getting up. Even though melon usually goes down fine for me. The days I ate it, it set me up for problems. After I returned to my usual habit of coffee first and food a while later, I was fine. My point is, stick to your usual eating routine. Maybe pick a few treats. But don't really shake it up. As another poster said, if you are having problems, you might consider an unfill. I postponed my first fill for a cruise. I was afraid of having problems while in the middle of the Panama Canal. But the other two, I was at a good restriction level, and didn't have great fear of needing to be unfilled. Do what you and your surgeon think is right.

Snow? What is snow? I am here. Life is calming down. MIL's death certificate arrived today. I will be on travel next week. Last October I took minutes for and slightly facilitated the District Manager's Team for the Western Service Area. I guess they liked my work and found me trustworthy (they talk about some things that should not be made common knowledge), they have asked me to join them for their next meeting and assist again rather than using the local admin help. I take that as quite the compliment. After all the stress of the last few weeks and all the stuck episodes, my band has loosened back up. I guess it is time to think about a fill, that will usually tighten things up!

Sometimes I wait it out and see if it will go down. Slime will come, and come, and come. Sometimes I can hang over the toilet and work my stomach muscles and work the stuck item up and out. Other times to speed things up I do the finger down the throat thing. Being stuck is quite painful. I want it over with as soon as possible. Another cure is to drink down a glass of Water quickly, this will bring everything back up and out, without any retching.

Large pills can get stuck in the stoma. That hurts, had it happen. I take pills as large as a multi-vitamin with no problem.

Did they explain how that could happen? The band is outside the stomach.

Ok, never get dressed for a funeral in a house with a yellow labradork! Butters doesn't know what is going on and keeps rubbing up against us. So he got himself tossed into the back yard. But my black pants are lint magnets. When I wear them to work, I am up, dressed, and out without stopping. I will be looking like I am wearing a yellow fur coat before we get there! Ugh.

I liked the "foof"! I say it a lot when I am stuck...foofing chicken! Foofing bread! The other day it was Foofing Stuffing!! One day something will go down fine, the next day, not so fine. For me, that is a fact of banded life! I am three years out, and things still get stuck. I still get surprised. You can minimize the chance by taking small bites and swallowing it before you take the next bite. I am not talking about just chewing a bite well, but actually cutting the food into tiny bits before putting them into your mouth. If you feel even a tiny bit of pain, STOP eating. Often times, if I stop eating and wait, it will pass and I will be fine to continue. If I put more food on top of a stuck situation, it is just going to get worse. If it doesn't go down, and I haven't put more food on top of it, the episode will be easier to resolve. There are some bandsters who never get stuck. I think they are rare. For me, eating is NOT a chore. I still enjoy food. I just have to be careful of my choices. Eating in a group can be challenging, because I tend to pay less attention to eating and more to the conversation. Plus it can be weird to be stuck in front of people that don't know you are banded. So, I make choices I know will go down in that case. And I agree with Kim, doughnuts are SO not worth it!!

Here is a link to my surgeon's answer to this question. It is in response to GBP. http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/topic/57912-carbonated-drinks-after-gastric-bypass-and-vertical-sleeve-gastrectomy/ I have them from time to time. Sometimes it gives me hiccups. Sometimes it tastes divine!

Melody, you just cannot win for losing, can you? Wowser! Maybe there is some way they can cut the nerve to deaden the pain? They did that with nerves between my toes that were causing pain. NOT the same thing, I realize, but the theory might hold? Today is MIL's service. The viewing was last evening. We did not go, but it truly bothered DH thinking of her lying there. He was very out of sorts for the 4 hours the casket was open. I think that is a hideous custom myself.

Go to http://www.empireblue.com/ and enter your membership info. Then search your policy. It should state very plainly what is covered and what the requirements are for coverage. Find out what YOUR coverage is, then worry about self pay if needed. This is what I found..if it is your policy, a BMI of 40 or greater qualifies you. So don't lose any weight before seeing your surgeon. When measured, don't stand your tallest. Best wishes. http://www.empireblue.com/provider/noapplication/f2/s5/t9/pw_ad080419.pdf Medically Necessary: Gastric bypass with a Roux Y procedure up to 150 cm, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (the Lap-Band® System), vertical banded gastroplasty, or biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch as a single surgery, is considered medically necessary for the treatment of clinically severe obesity for selected adults (18 years and older) who meet the following criteria: Policy Statement 1. 2. 3. BMI of 40 or greater, or BMI of 35 or greater with co-morbid conditions including, but not limited to, life threatening cardio-pulmonary problems (severe sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome and obesity related cardiomyopathy), severe diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease or hypertension. *Note: Individuals considering the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band®) procedure must meet the above minimum BMI requirement and, in addition, have a maximum BMI of less than 50. The patient must have actively participated in non-surgical methods of weight reduction; these efforts must be fully appraised by the physician requesting authorization for surgery. The physician requesting authorization for the surgery must confirm the following: • The patient’s psychiatric profile is such that the patient is able to understand, tolerate and comply with all phases of care and is committed to long-term follow-up requirements; • The patient’s post-operative expectations have been addressed; • The patient has undergone a preoperative medical consultation and is felt to be an acceptable surgical candidate; • The patient has undergone a preoperative mental health assessment and is felt to be an acceptable candidate; • The patient has received a thorough explanation of the risks, benefits, and uncertainties of the procedure; • The patient’s treatment plan includes pre- and post-operative dietary evaluations and nutritional counseling; • The patient’s treatment plan includes counseling regarding exercise, psychological issues and the availability of supportive resources when needed.

Ok, take a breath! That surgeon should not have been talking about other patients. I believe it is against the law. Shame on him! Keep reading YOUR surgeon's instructions and follow those as closely as you can. Protein drinks will go through a straw, so yes, they are fine. If it says that you switch to clear liquids 24 hours before, then you move to clears. If not, then you don't have to. It seems doctors have varied pre-op plans. You must do your best to follow the one prescribed by YOUR doctor. He knows your health history and what condition your liver might be in. As to a hubby bringing in your favorites...well, I'd throw it at him and say this isn't helping me right now. In time you will have to come to terms with the fact that you had this surgery and have dietary needs that your family does not. He has a right to eat what he wants and it might be your favorite that you can no longer eat. But right now? While you are struggling..that's just...well, either mean, or he doesn't even realized he's doing it. Talk to him about it if you can. If not, then leave the room when he brings it in. You have to take care of YOU. YOU are responsible for yourself.

If you are still on liquids after the fill, it makes sense you are hungry. Your stomach is empty! Many people don't feel much difference from the first fill. My restriction kicked in on my third fill. Chin up! Protein Shakes. I had to do liquids for nearly a week after my last fill due to a holiday weekend. My nurse practitioner who did the fill didn't want me in the ER as the doc's office was out of town for a conference. My surgeon had done all my fills before that, and he only had me do liquids for the remainder of the fill day. But I made it through, miserable, but I made it.

I don't know how the 6 bites should fill you up. Our bites are to be the size of a pencil eraser. I eat about 1500-1700 calories a day. I am maintaining now. It is about what I ate through the weight loss phase as well. I try to concentrate on eating protein first. A typical amount of food for me (it can depend on the day, as bands are sometimes fickle): half a cheese enchilada with some beans and rice Outback Steakhouse French Onion Soup with a couple slices of their bread if band tolerates it 3"-6" of a Subway sub. I use the bread as a handle and tear it away to eat the meat and veggies, eat a bit of bread if band tolerates it. 1-2 beef ribs with some broccoli on the side...maybe 1/3 cup. 1 pork chop with a little mashed potatoes and a veggie side dish. 1 chicken thigh with same sides as above. Sometimes I can add in a little bit more dark meat.

I'll take you for a sister any day, Melody!! DH and I have been dreading this time for these reasons. She got the fiduciary because my BIL was the trustee. Several years back he was having some financial problems. He asked Mom to quitclaim the house over to him, "to make it easier for him to take care of the estate." Fortunately she asked DH if it was a good idea. Nooooo! Not only that, but you have to take control of the estate away from him. He was trying to figure out ways to screw one sister and leave her with nothing. Could not have happened, due to what Mom had written, but what a mess. His wife made several comments about all the work she would have to do to the house to get it ready for sale and would "have" to charge that time to the estate. We were all very relieved when she chose the fiduciary.

I am very glad you are seeking further help with it. Some of it sounds like an ulcer. My niece has gastroparesis, a motility disorder where the stomach doesn't empty. It is no fun, for certain. It took a long time to finally get a proper diagnosis of scleroderma causing the stomach issues. I wish you all the best in the search!! Feel better soon.

Hi Steve, welcome!! Here's a link to the forum about Florida doctors: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum/599-florida/ Good luck! This is a great place for support.

I had a problem with grilled cod. Just as I was telling my husband that I could not see how bandsters have problems with fish. Karma! That was also the first time I had a public toilet backsplash into the eye!! ugh. Note: put a seat protector into the Water before you urp, it stops the splash! Also, beware of auto-flushers. PF Changs gave me a face shower! Dark meat chicken is fine for me. The breast meat is just too dense and dry.