Hunzi

Hi gang! I'm anticipating that I'm going to be denied by my insurance (Tricare Prime) because they consider lapbands to be "investigational". Naturally, I'm keeping my fingers crosses anyway that they've come to their senses. However, I want to be prepared for an appeal. I'd really appreciate any links that people have bookmarked to studies showing the long term effectiveness of the band vs RNY (which Tricare would happily pay for me to have done if I didn't mind the risks and having my insides rearranged!). I'm thinking about studies showing long term results vs RNY, risks of lapband vs RNY, and any other studies preferably published in medical journals that show the advantages of lapbands vs other options. Now I'm not blind to the fact that lapbands also have their downsides and risks. I just think my chances are still better with the band. I absolutely will not consider RNY or DS (both of which the surgeon I've been working with is very skilled at doing and strongly prefers to the lapband....and yes, I'm considering other surgeons too. I think he's more than skilled, but may still be on the learning curve for lapbands since he has only done about 20.) I'm basically trying to change the policy of a government vendor. Not an easy task! I do plan to ask Imamed for help. I also think especially given the recent news coverage, that I'll contact my Senators and Congressmen and ask for intervention on my behalf. Trust me, a Congressman's office phoning the insurance company or the AF surgeon general's office probably has a little more impact than just my appeal letter! Anything else you all can think of that might help with an appeal is greatly appreciated. Always Hunzi preparing to tilt windmills

Serious goals: I'd like to be fit enough to play soccer with my daughter. I want to fit in any seat without worrying. I want to be able to shop in "normal" stores. I want to look better naked than I do clothed. Fun goals: I want to be able to wear a slinky evening gown and look good. I want to be healthy and fit enough to do some serious hiking/backpacking in the rockies. I want to raft the Colorado river and be able to hike into the side canyons. I want to go horseback riding regularly with my daughter. I want to be able to Water ski and scuba dive. I want to look so good I make my man's head swivel around. I want to look so good that old friends don't recognize me. I want to look into the mirror and see the girl I know has always been waiting for me there and be able to say, "the chick in the yellow sweater is back" Always Hunzi

Oh I so relate to the cookie dough thing! My mantra is "Cookie Dough is the DEVIL". I even wrote it on my shopping list that way. Today I was in Target chanting it to myself as I walked in the valley of the shadow of the dairy aisle. My pre-band bad habits are not exercising every day, wanting sweets, and eating way to large a portion. Always Hunzi not banded yet, but trying!

Well the "insurance company" is Tricare Prime from Triwest. I'm definitely not going to give up, but I do know convincing a vender of the federal goverment to change a policy is an arduous task. I will appeal, with all sorts of documentation, and I'll contact our local Congressmen and Senators for assistance if needed. I've seen policies "bend" before when a congress critter gets involved. It is discouraging though to have to fight for the right to have a safer procedure or have to consider going to Mexico to get it. How ironic is that? Always Hunzi every hopeful

Ok, I am officially bummed. I went to the WLS seminar tonight, and they told me that my insurance will only cover RNY. Not only will they cover RNY, but apparently, it's quite easy to get approved. But no lapbands. Like I'm gonna let anyone rearrange my insides! I'm still going to go to the consult, but if there's no hope that the insurance will pay, then I'm outta the WLS scene for quite a while until I can formulate Plans B, C, D & E (either appeal, self pay, Mexico, or wait and hope they eventually come to their senses!) Bummer, because I was moving fast, had my support group on the 12th, my consult on the 13th, had my psych consult scheduled for the 17th, had the appt set with my PCM for all the pre-op tests on the 17th. I figured I'd have all the preliminary stuff done by the end of October. I'll find some way, Always Hunzi ain't nobody rearranging my insides!

You are soooo not going to let that girl win. You are way too smart and too strong for that. My tip is to go buy a couple of sugar free Davinci syrups and mix a bit of that in your Water. You'll get all flavor with none of the guilt, sugar, caffine, or carbonation. Even though I drink bottled water all day long, I drink most of it with a little splash of something in it. I just get bored with water all the time. Coke is known for having no "flavor memory" on the palate. That means you won't get sick of drinking it like you'd get sick of eating chocolate after so many. You can literally drink Coke all day long and not get tired of it. That's why it's so addictive. Always Hunzi Coca-cola shareholder

Oh my gosh, I have to tell my vegemite story! I have a good friend who is an Aussie, and when he came to visit, naturally he brought his jar of vegemite. So one day we're making breakfast, and I'm putting jam on my toast, and he's getting out his vegemite...and I asked him what it tasted like. So he offers me the jar and I swipe a finger around the rim and get a little, and pop it in my mouth....and tried to be very polite! Ick! I had to tell him I didn't think his mum must have liked him very much to feed him that! No offense intended to the vegemite lovers of the world!

Hey everyone! I'm Hunzi and I'm a new person here. I've been researching lapbands for about 2 years now, and finally picked up the phone and called my doctor and asked for a referal to the surgeon. Yay me! I'm 40 yrs old, married since birth (or so it seems), 2 kids, 16 & 11. I've been a Mary Kay Consultant for 17 years now, and I love helping women look better and feel better about themselves. I'm about 278lbs. My highest weight was about 3 years ago at 298. That's when I decided I really needed help. I got on Xenical, exercised my butt off, and did it all while following Weight Watchers. I lost 40 lbs then stalled out, eventually began to loosen up my habits again then 15lbs of it came back. I have pretty much kept off the last 20lbs, so I feel that's a small SV. I've taken the first steps towards banding. I've talked to my PCM, I called the surgeon's office and got on the seminar list, I've phoned my PCM and made an appt for all the pre-op tests, and phoned the psychologist about getting an appointment for the psych evaluation. I've also ordered and been testing out all sorts of Protein shakes and drinks so I'll know which ones I like. so far I like the chocolate ones (duh!), and the Isopure liquids.

This seems like a good place for a newbie to start posting! I'm a Work at Home Mom for my two kids, a boy 16 who is a junior in hs, and a girl age 11 in 6th grade. They keep me busy with Soccer, Scouts, Art classes etc. For income and basic sanity, I've been a Skin Care Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics for the past 17 years. I love my job! I get to help women (mostly) with their skin care needs and play with make up. Prior to MK and Motherhood, I worked with abused children and thier families, helping to reunite foster children with their parents by teaching their parents basic life skills they lacked. I was also working on my Master's degree in Agency Counseling. I also spent a couple of years working for a financial media company that is a popular Internet website. That was fun. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all. Always Hunzi www.marykay.com/jfloyd