Cocoabean

Yay! Any idea of a date?? Wonderful!

Hi Melissa, Welcome to Lap-Band Talk!! You are two weeks post-op and you are eating grilled fish and steamed veggies? Is that on your food plan or have you been returned to solids now? That isn't really mushies/soft foods. Fish is a food that gets stuck easily for many of us. Mushies is mashed potatoes, refried fat-free Beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, creamed Soups, things like that. If you aren't really clear what your food plan is, call your surgeon's office and ask. I understand that starving feeling post-op, but you really do need to let your stomach heal and not let it grind like crazy to get those foods to go down. You want the stitches of the stomach around the band to truly heal so you don't get a slip later on. I was told by my surgeon not to chew gum, it causes a person to swallow a lot of air, and if you swallow the piece of gum, it will get stuck and be a nasty retrieval. So he said. Your surgeon might have said different. :thumbup: Best wishes to you in your recovery!

My computer is making me mad! I had a great response going and IE crashed on me. So, let's try this again! You post breaks my heart! These insurance companies will do anything to get you to go away, so DON'T go away! This makes me sooo mad! Prepare yourself for a loooooong post! I've been looking for a copy of my appeals letter, but I can't seem to find it. I wrote it nearly 3 years ago. The computer I wrote it on is gone. While working on your appeal, don't give up on you. Also..if it were me, I'd not try to lose any weight. Time marches on, and 2011 will be here before you know it. Anyway, the book Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies has some very good appeals letters examples. Also, search "weight loss surgery appeal letter" on the internet and you'll find some other samples. I quoted this in my appeal and included a copy. You can find a PDF version online. In 1991 the National Institutes of Health wrote a Consensus on Gastrointestinal Surgery for Severe Obesity Here's the link: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Program: Gastrointestinal Surgery for Severe Obesity No where does it mention how long you have to be obese to have surgical treatment. The next section (in blue) is a quote from the NIH subsection of NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) WIN - Publication - Bariatric Surgery for Severe Obesity The first bullet is the one to hit on strongest. Yes, you dipped below a BMI of 35 by ONE pound for ONE visit. Point out that is the difference between seeing the doctor in the morning vs. the afteroon or wearing shorts vs. jeans. Or a new/different scale. Are their scales certified by weights and measures? There was a law suit against Weight Watchers about their scales, and that they could not charge lifetime members who were over goal because a member got on one scale and was over, walked over to the scale right next to it and was not. So now, at least in San Diego, all their scales are calibrated and certified. Do you have a history of being above 35 before that and after that? If so, then state that you cannot keep weight off, you NEED surgical intervention. Just because you lost some weight for a short period does not mean you were cured, obviously. Bariatric surgery may be the next step for people who remain severely obese after trying nonsurgical approaches, especially if they have an obesity-related disease. Surgery to produce weight loss is a serious undertaking. Anyone thinking about undergoing this type of operation should understand what it involves. Answers to the following questions may help you decide whether weight-loss surgery is right for you. Are you: Unlikely to lose weight or keep it off over the long term with nonsurgical measures? Well informed about the surgical procedure and the effects of treatment? Determined to lose weight and improve your health? Aware of how your life may change after the operation (adjustment to the side effects of the operation, including the need to chew food well and inability to eat large meals)? Aware of the potential risk for serious complications, dietary restrictions, and occasional failures? Committed to lifelong healthy eating and physical activity habits, medical follow-up, and vitamin/mineral supplementation? Speak of how your obesity affects your life. How your co-morbidities drag down your quality-of-life. Explain that you know you will have work to do when you are approved, but you know that this surgery is going to help you avoid expensive treatments for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. What you want is to live a normal, healthy life with your family! Best wishes!

Here is a link to the ticker tutorial: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/ Hopefully that will help ya.

Mine was a 20 minute chat about my understanding of the procedure and my expectations. We also discussed my psychiatric history. For me, it was no big deal. Just a note, if there are some psychiatric issues in your history, this does not automatically disqualify you. Others here have had different experiences. Maybe they will chime in, also. Best wishes!

Hi Everyone! Bobbie, Sounds like you are keeping a good attitude. Try to keep that up! What you are going through totally sucks! I am glad you are getting SOME financial help. It's better than no help. As for me. I am doing better. My white blood cell count is down, that means the infection is responding to the treatment, yay! My blood pressure is up. Still low, but not in the, "hey, you look terrible, are you OK?" Category. I still get woozy when I stand up, but I expect it and wait for it. I did a workout today, I got into the shower! Did y'all know that is an aerobic event? sheesh! If the hind end cooperates after dinner, I am going to try to return to work tomorrow. My boss has been super about me being gone. Well, on Sunday when I talked to him he told me, "don't be in a hurry to come back." Hmmppff! Not sure how to take that! :thumbup: I dearly love him, though. He treats me great, could not ask for a better boss. My doctor said that I will lose weight as I recover from this. He also said this was a stupid way to go about it! I totally agree. But I cannot report any losses so far. Which is most likely because I am hardly taking in any calories. I must be in starvation mode or something. I'm getting a bowl of cereal for breakfast, some crackers for lunch, and half a sandwich for dinner with some gatorade off and on throughout the day. So, as my mother would have said, "other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?" How's everyone else doing?

Hooooraaay! Well done! You'll make goal, you are so close. Enjoy the rest of the journey.

Yay!!! I just thought of something else. If they balk at the OB/GYN, you can have your records transfered to PCP and have PCP write the letted based on those records. Then the letter comes from PCP! Best wishes, keep us posted!

I have thyroid issues, too. Getting the thyroid under control is certainly very important. But, once treated the amount of weight loss is not huge. www.thyroid.org states that a loss of 10% of body weight is all that is expected. This can make a significant improvement in health, yes. It's most likely less than the amount of weight you want to lose. As to angermom's post, I might be misunderstanding it. Not all mental disorders will disqualify you. I don't know about OCD. Blue Cross approved me with well treated depression. It may be that they want you to be in treatment and have your symptoms under control. The best you can do for yourself is be honest in the psyche eval. I hope the new meds work for you, and that you can avoid surgery entirely! Best wishes!

I don't know for sure, but a doc is a doc in my opinion. Your OB/GYN has the history of your weight in a medical setting. Those are official medical records. Many women see their GYN more than their PCP. That should count. But, that is my humble opinion, which I am sure means nothing to Cigna. Best wishes to you!

Hi SwissMiss, Welcome to the board! Looks like this is your first post. I don't have anything to offer you advice wise, just wanted to say OUCH! Hopefully it will get better as you lose weight and the port become easier to access. Best wishes to you!

What was your lunch? The definition of sensible could be different. Anyway, assuming it was 3-4 oz. of lean meat and a salad with low-cal dressing. Consider yourself lucky, and go with the flow. Not everyone feels they are starving while on the pre-op diet. I had more hungry days and less hungry days. You may do the same, but here's hoping it stays easy for you!! Best wishes!

Hi Dani, If I were having issues with my band, I'd not hesitate to revise to a different procedure. I'd work with my PCP and surgeon (both of whom I love) to decide which was best. Best wishes! I hope you are feeling better soon!

Hi Melinco! I had bloodwork done in Feb. and my potassium was A-OK! Good point about passing out in front of someone rather than alone. Hadn't really thought of that. So far, I've had warning to get seated before I keeled over, but ya never know. I was at urgent care Saturday with low BP and intestinal upset. They suspect a c. diff. infection. My potassium was low, and my white cell count was high. Still waiting on cultures to be sure. But being treated for that, and am responding to the treatment. So, I think they were on the money. It's been a joyous month thus far! :thumbup:

I LOVE salt! Can I shake with wild abandon?? Tee hee!! They checked my soium levels just recently, they were right in the middle. I was at urgent care on Saturday for an unrelated problem and they did some blood work.

Hi Again, Nice to know I am not alone! Little bit more of my Band history. I had high BP prior to surgery. Was on meds. They stopped it right before I got my band. It came down quickly as my weight went down. My weight has been pretty stable for several months. Just a few lbs. lost. My pressure is usally in the 110/70 range. When the last bout happened I had my BP taken and it was 80/50. Yeah, I felt awsome! So, how do we combat this? I drink my Water like a good patient should. We cannot always avoid standing for longish periods of time. In my case when this happened, I had been moving around a bit. I was chatting with friends leaning against a wall or counter. Nothing stressful. I'd really prefer to not collapse in front of a bunch of people, I'm just odd that way :thumbup: Thanks!

Hi Everyone! Over the past seven months I have had 3 episodes where my blood pressure has dropped to very low levels, and I have nearly passed out. Each time I had been standing for about 20-25 minutes in a relaxed manner. Then all of a sudden I get hot, nauseated, sweaty, and everything goes gray. So, after the last episode, I saw my PCP. He said he's seen it many times with his patients who have lost significant amounts of weight. He said it appears that we have a hard time maintaining blood pressure sometimes. I was actually seeing him today for something else, but have a follow up with him in a week and a half. I'll speak with him further about it then. I am curious if anyone else has experienced this? Thanks!!!

Best wishes Sashay! I had mine down the road at Sharp Memorial.

MY EYES!! OH MY EYES!!!! Aaaagghhhh!!!! Leigha, not sure how potassium figures into the blood pressure thing. They told me it was probably a factor in why my pulse was so high, and that I could have started getting arythmias from it. I was very glad I went in. I am feeling much better today :thumbup: I go see my primary doc in just a little bit. My blood pressure is still low, but I feel ok. Not much pizzaz, but hey, I am upright! The low potassium was from losing so much fluids out the back end from the c. diff. What I found fantastic is that the PA who saw me Saturday actually kept a copy of my paperwork and called me this morning to follow-up with me and be sure I made an appoinment and see how I am doing. I don't believe that is a normal part of the urgent care process. I was touched. He treated me so well, everyone did. All you gardeners kill me. I can't even grow weeds. Plus we have a concrete yard. It is all pool deck. Ah well, I can enjoy everyone's pictures!! Ok, time to leave for the doc's. Here goes nuthin'!!

It sounds like a stuck episode to me. I sometimes have a delayed reaction. Usually it is immediate, but not always. Since the food stays in the pouch for a while and slowly empties, it is possible for something to get stuck a while down the road after you finish eating. Pork chops can be killer. Be sure to take very small bites. I love them, but they are very dry. I also eat them with applesauce to moisten them. Yummy!

Hi Gorainy, I'd think that should count, bring all the paperwork with you to your surgeon's or PCP's office. Also, bring it to the seminar. They usually have someone there you can speak to about your specific issues. Make sure you have extra copies, never give over your only copy! You don't have to write anything up, your surgeon's insurance person does the submission. Just provide them with copies of the records or the name of the nutritionist so that they can request copies. If Aetna denies it, I'd appeal. That was a supervised diet. The book Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies has some great appeals letters examples. Best wishes!

Christie! Wow! BIG Congrats!!! On the old doctors' scales, that is a big clunk down, when they'd move that 50 lb marker another clunk one direction or the other. Liegha, You go girl! You just have victories coming all over the place! Yay!!! Bobbie, I think theoretically, a calorie is a calorie, it is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius. But in reality, the way they make us feel and the foods that we consume to get them make a big difference. You can get 2000 calories of sugar and get hardly any nutrition, or eat 2000 calories of protein, complex carbs, and a little bit of fat, and feel satisfied. I am far from qualified to speak on the topic though, as far as the inner workings of the body. And I can't address the difference between eating it all at once or over the course of a day. But I will anyway, :thumbup: Something in my pea brain is saying there is a different reaction that goes on when we eat way more calories than we can use in the near future-something to do with fat storage vs. glycogen storage. I think Betsy could address that better than I can.

Amy: my surgeon is relatively conservative when it comes to fills. The first one was pretty large though, but they got smaller as things went along. His reason is that he prefers to "sneak up" on the sweat spot instead of chasing it by filling, unfilling, filling, unfilling. He said in his experience with the second route, patients don't tend to find the sweet spot as easily. But, restriction is such an odd creature! Even with his take on it, I ended up overfilled once. I've lost track of my fills and amounts, I think it was 3rd or 4th. He had put in 1cc. I went back he took out .5cc. A month later I was HUNGRY. So I went back and he put in another 1cc. That's where I am at now. I think it is 5.5cc total. So, I am good with my surgeon's approach to fills. I am not sure how I'd feel if he were more aggressive with them, because this is all I know.

With you on the restaurant thing. What I have done in the past, but not often, is ask them to add some ice in a baggie to the to go bag. It worked. But to ask someone to go the extra mile like that, the food has to be really, really good. In my case, it was PF Changs! I have learned to consider porability and share-ability in what I order. Last time I got stuck on something, I had chosen a dish my hubby did not like, and we weren't going home right away. Plus it would not have traveled well, anyway. So, I had to trash it. I felt horrible leaving the wonderful food, but had no choice. Oh well. That is why I am down nearly 70 lbs! Yay! From now on, I will be ordering stuff hubby will eat if he wants some, or that will be more portable than what I chose last time. :thumbup: At least that will give me more options.

Hi Everyone! Bobbie: here's hoping the job works out AND becomes full-time super quick. Or at least holds you over until full-time comes along! Anne: How's this for ustabilizing......ugh Friday night about 2am I wake up nauseated. Couldn't vomit it out. Lay awake miserable in bed for an hour. Get up to try to bring it up again. Nothing. This wakes the hubby up. So I stay on the couch. Well, instead of vomiting, it starts out the other end. This was the first time since banding I have felt the need to truly vomit, dang it, that HURTS! Miserable the whole day, BP low 90/55 range, pulse 120. So, after about 12 hours of feeling like doo-doo, hubby took me to urgent care. I was dehydrated from the day's "events." They started IV fluids. Blood test showed an infection and low potassium. They think I have a bacterial infection called c. diff. caused by an upset of the normal bacteria in the gut from some antibiotics I was on last month due to a sinus infection. There are some cultures growing to confirm the diagnosis, but they are treating as if it is. After some potassium and 2 liters of fluid, I was feeling quite a bit better. They said this low blood pressure doesn't have anything to do with the drop last Tuesday, when I nearly passed out. It's just been a joy! :confused: On the good side, this takes away your appetite, and I don't have to go to work tomorrow. They want me to see my primary care to have the blood work run again to re-check the potassium and the white blood count.