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ReneBean

LAP-BAND Patients
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Everything posted by ReneBean

  1. ReneBean

    just banded today

    Congrats Jay! We are all thinking good thoughts for speedy healing! Welcome to Band Land!
  2. ReneBean

    When food is just not the same

    All I can add is to be sure you are getting enough Protein and taking your Vitamins. They can't cure this problem - but they will help. Hugs!
  3. ReneBean

    Banded 3/8/07

    I have some "gummi" children's Vitamins that are pretty good. I also prefer the chalky ones to the chocolate chewy kind. Those nasty viactive vitamins left a slimy gooey residue. YUCK. I used the last of mine and will never get them again! I think they have to be chewable forever... because once you get restriction, a large pill just isn't going to work... Most multi vitamins are pretty big "horse" pills... so, chewables or liquids are the way.... Good luck finding some chewables that you like. Or you can google liquid Vitamins. I know they have some. :]
  4. Fear of fills - yeah. It was a while before my first fill, too. I mean, I had heard horror stories about PB's or not being able to eat certain foods... somewhere in the back of my brain, I was still resisting the band. So, I went in and got one. I made sure not to look at the needles (cause that really would scare me) and was prepared for anything. The end result was that the first fill gave me some restriction for about 15 minutes... then the swelling went down. I have had a lot of fills since then... but only one PB - which was totally my fault. I wasn't paying attention, I was eating the wrong food, and I was talking to my DH at the same time... Not the plan, at all. So, no horrible PB's. Scratch one terror. Then there was that "not being able to eat _ ever again" fear. Uh.... yeah. I can still eat any darned thing I want. It's more difficult to eat fluffy bready things... but not impossible. Scratch fear number two. So, I would definitely get that fill right away. It will probably be the first of several before you get restriction - and it will probably NOT do any of the things you are worried about. Good Luck!!
  5. ReneBean

    Port Pain.

    Look - a good excuse for New Pants! :] I usually just adjust my waistband so it hits higher or lower. I really don't know WHY they put the ports right where your pants hit - but hey - whatcha gonna do? :] Now, if there is any redness or swelling or that Hot feeling over your port - get to a doc right away... but if its just an achy feeling - your pants are prolly just pushing the port into that muscle all day. Kinda like walking with a rock in your shoe. :]
  6. ReneBean

    Port Pain.

    My waistband hits right on my port - so sometimes it gets sore. Could it be something like that for you? The constant pressure on the port causes it to poke into the muscle it's attached to - so it probably really is bruised...
  7. Mike There are those who advocate rolls of quarters in your pants pockets when you weight... I didn't qualify for insurance either - according to them, I was TOO fat for lap band. They would only give me the by-pass. Uh, yeah. Sure. Whatever. So I fought and won. Get the list of requirements and make sure you have included documentation for each item. Then, if they deny you again, fight. I just don't see why the insurance companies aren't more enthusiastic about providing these surgeries... It has to be cheaper than open heart... and that is what I was headed for. Good Luck!
  8. Congrats, Shine!!! Woo Hoo!! We are all thinking good thoughts for a speedy recovery. Hugs! Band Girl - no heavy lifting for 3-4 weeks. Get a confirmation from your doc - but you are going to have to get some stock-boys to help you lift for at least 3 weeks.
  9. Having surgery is a pretty drastic step. Even Banding - which is the safest - is still surgery and it still has risks. I chose this because I have been overweight forever, and felt like an old, old woman at 40. I hesitate to advise surgery until you know whether or not you have an eating disorder. There is a real difference between having an appetite out of control and having a disorder. If you have an eating DISORDER you need to get a handle on that BEFORE you get surgery. Most disorders cannot be fixed by surgery. Only head-work will do it. My advice in the immediate sense is to contact a counsellor or psychologist to have a couple of sessions. That would be a good first step. I am not saying surgery couldn't help you, but until you know what is going on in your head, then you probably should wait for a bit. Hugs!
  10. ReneBean

    I'm thinking about surgery

    Some health insurance covers the surgery - IF you meet their requirements. Otherwise, people use 401k loans, personal loans from Capital One and other lenders, HomeEquity loans... The only way to know if your insurance plan covers the surgery is to call them and ask (SPECIFICALLY) whether they cover "bariatric surgery for treatment of Morbid Obesity." If they DO cover "bariatric surgery" then you need to specifically as about Gastric Banding. Once you determine whether the INSURANCE company covers the surgery, you have to determine if your employer's plan covers it. A lot of employers have exclusions against bariatric surgery under any circumstances. They do that to get discounted insurance rates. Your HR dept or your employer's insurance company rep can find out for you whether your plan has a specific exclusion. If you have to pay out of pocket - you can get the surgery done for $15-$20K in the US. I have heard of some places going as low as $12,000 - depending on your location. If you go to Mexico for surgery - the costs can be lower. First check to see if your insurance is a possibility. Good Luck in your research!
  11. ReneBean

    Omg - I Am Booked

    Awesome, Robgoblin! Congrats to you, too!
  12. ReneBean

    April chat for NJ!!!!!

    Another Glorious Day.... Hey All - I think my scale has actually shifted another pound!! for 3 days running - I am getting 282 on my scale - which translates to 286 at my Doc's office. That is making me pretty happy. Considering the fact that I haven't been exercising - and I haven't really been making great food choices - I am ecstatic! Now - I did actually drag my butt to the gym last night - so I get a gold star today. Now, if I can just drag myself in again tonight, it will be easier to go over the weekend..... I actually feel a little better for going, since I had been pretty sore from yard-work, still, after 3 days! I am a spazz - I thought Last weekend was the opener for Scarborough Faire - but it is THIS weekend... Coolness! DH and I are planning to go - maybe on Sunday. He is feeling much better and for the last couple of days has indicated that he is fully recovered. Thank goodness!! I was getting tired of cooking and cleaning! Now he gets his job back. AND, we can go to the Faire! Yippee! Mandy - having the Water delivered to the hotel is a GREAT idea! I will keep that in mind for my next vacation like that. Cindy - a cruise sounds like fun!! Dianne - I actually looked into Ultrasound Tech schools, too. I hear the income is good, the jobs are plentiful and there will only be more of them because they are using ultrasound for more and more things. But, it wasn't really my first choice - and the only school for it here in Dallas is booked full and is not accepting any more students. So, I stuck the the first choice... teaching. Kat - Your DH is Too Funny. Like you were going to whip out a manual and discuss the merits of particular heating elements or water pipes... My fridge parts are here... I just have to get the repair guy back. He is scheduled for Tuesday. Now, I have to empty & defrost the freezer. Oh Joy. May? I am psyched for that. Let us know specific dates as soon as you know what they are. :] Betty - How is your Algebra? I could use some help... :] Brrr. If it gets any colder, I will have to turn my heat back on! And here I thought I had escaped from the evil clutches of the gas man for another year... *sigh*. Yenken - 7 weeks out for your first fill is pretty standard. I seldom hear of anyone getting a fill prior to 6 weeks - and I don't know anyone who got filled before a full 4 weeks had passed. The docs want to be sure that you are healed up. Yeah - that last couple of weeks are going to be tough - they were for me - but you can do it! Hugs! Mary - Vacation - WAHOO!! I wish I had more left. There is so little to do around here that if I wasn't studying and surfing LBT all day, I might lose my mind. I hope the new starter helps the car situation. I know mine is coming down to the end of it's useful life - and I am SOOOO not looking forward to having a car payment. Particularly, now - with the possibility of unemployment looming large, I don't want to ADD to my debt load... *sigh*. Hugs for you and your HB. Well, I have to run. Someone actually brought me a file to work.... Wow - work! Love you guys!
  13. ReneBean

    What should I expect?

    Yes - fills are very low-trauma. No effect on working or anything. Just no food for 4 hrs prior and no liquids for 1 hour. I have often had a fill on my lunch hour and gone right back to work. Jonathan - I have had 8-9 fills now - and I have made a point NEVER to see the needle. It really helps. :] Happy Band Trails...
  14. Hey Alldbill! Welcome to LBT. I guess it's good that you didn't get clearance for ByPass... cause now you get the option to have a band! Good luck in the process!
  15. Hey Christy, If you like the EAS - you might like the Atkins pre-mix also. (chocolate royale) I actually prefer the Atkins to the EAS... Just an alternative in case you can't find EAS or they get more expensive. Good Luck!
  16. ReneBean

    My turn -- I've slipped

    Good Luck, Alex. I hope he can fix it while he is in there. Hugs!
  17. ReneBean

    Finally Filled But Still Struggling

    Exercise is difficult... try parking farther from the door at the grocery store or walking three times around the inside of your house... Just those little things will help. Maybe do a couple of canned food lifts while you watch TV... every little bit helps. It doesn't have to be dramatic or overly athletic - just move a little bit more. Dance while you sweep or something. :]
  18. How many calories are you doing? If you are used to getting 2500 calories a day and you drop down to 1000 or less, yeah - you are going to be tired. Aim for 1500. Your body will still appreciate the reduction - but you will have more energy. Low carb is tough, for some people. It will be better after you get your band and get all healed up. Exercise might actually help, too. Good Luck!
  19. ReneBean

    I was banded last friday

    Congrats!! Follow your docs diet - no matter how hard it is. Healing is your only goal, at the moment. Good Luck!
  20. Christy - it sounds like maybe you are just really swollen, still. Sorry you are having a hard time. Are to taking tiny sips and waiting for the liquids to pass through between sips? If not, that might help. Also - try making any liquids as thin as possible. Cry if you need to. It's really ok. Hugs! Hope you feel better, soon.
  21. Hi Nikki! Welcome to LBT! Maybe your insurance will cover this. We will keep our fingers crossed... but there are a couple of other options - 401k loans... Medical Savings Plans... 2nd mortgages... Capital One loans... Hopefully, you won't have to resort to these alternate methods - but you CAN if need be. Good Luck!
  22. ReneBean

    Newbie

    Hey Phuber It is the rare individual who can't still eat anything she wants - at least until after the first fill. Trust me - you WILL be able to eat your favorites again. Honest. Stay strong, now... you can eat pizza later - maybe the night before your first fill! :]
  23. ReneBean

    no precertification for bc/bs

    They may not do precertification - but they may provide a pre-authorization that they agree the surgery is "medically necessary" for you. Those insurance agents can be tricky. Personally, I wouldn't want to find out after the fact that insurance will not pay...
  24. ReneBean

    Happy 1 Year

    NSV = Non scale Victory I can wear all my old clothes again... I can fly without a seatbelt extender. They are things that just ARE - whether the scale is gracing me that day, or not.
  25. ReneBean

    Don't know why...

    Perfect. We all should be "doing it for me". Really, it won't work any other way. Good Luck!

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