Tess415

I have Aetna and I went to the free seminar for lapband Aug 2007 and my actual surgery wasn't until March 2008. I am a nurse and had a pretty easy time navigating through all of the hoops. It can be very frustrating at times, you just need to hang in there. Aetna is my secondary insurance thru my DH. My insurance has no coverage for WLS. However, all of the pre-op testing was covered by my insurance with the usual co-pays. Then Aetna picked up the customary balances minus my co-pays. (Dieticians were not covered, but I had a dear friend who is a Registered Dietician and she did my referral and follow up prior to surgery) There was a 3 month high intensity MD supervised weight loss period or a 6 month weight loss period with less hoops to hop thru; but I did the 3 month plan and my Lapband MD did the 3 month documentation for $25 a month and sent it into Aetna. In the end, all I have to pay is 90% up to a max of $2000 for the year...I thought that was great!! My entire hospital bill cost me $1061 and $161 for each surgeon so far. If I can give you one piece of advice that would be to get an actual person in charge of your case at Aetna to be able to contact and ask questions, it really helped me to have a name/number of someone on that end especially as I was waiting for final approval!! As it turned out, this very person had gastric bypass a couple of years ago and was very sympathetic and supportive in my cause!!!! I wish you good luck and good health!!!!!

Thin crust pizza is hardly a solid protein that would satisfy you like chicken or tuna etc... You could have added a small salad or a vegetable, cottage cheese or something with some "girth" to it to give you that fullness your wanting to sense without overdoing the pouch. I really notice the difference between certain food as far as feeling "full" when I eat what I think is the right portion. Pizza hardly ever satisfies me by itself.

For me... it varies. I've only had one fill so far. The majority of the time if I eat slow like I'm supposed to then the satiety kicks in, and I get busy onto something else until its meal time again. Then there are days where I graze, where if I actually sat down and ate my Protein for a meal like I should it would give me more of a fullness. Now, as far as over eating, it would depend on what you are over eating with...cookies, candy chips, etc... all are mostly sugar and you could eat a ton of it and never feel full. It won't fill your pouch. If I am out with my family to a restaurant and am eating protein and picking at fries, Pasta or anything that has some girth to it even breads or rolls, I will feel stuffed and may even end up being in some discomfort from overdoing it. The best thing to do is plan, plan, and plan out your meals!!! Eat the proper portion, make sure it takes you 20-30min to do it. No liquids with your meal. Then move on to something else besides eating....like LBT!!!!

TXDiva and Russ: Congratulations you guys rock!!!!

Well...now only 10 more pounds to go!!!!!! I will do it before the first official day of Fall (9/22/08)!!!!

Playing the devil's advocate... she had a medical problem, obesity is a disease! Not to mention that the band had to be removed due to MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS!!! What are they really trying to accuse her of... going to Mexico on a vacation??!!?!?!? What a bunch of bull!! I wouldn't have applied for the fund... but if they suggested it when she was having complications from the original lapband surgery... does it really matter it was to help cover taking it out??? I hope she keeps her job!!!!! Tess

Snap- How wonderful for you!!!! What a great victory!!! I hope to one day be able to post that I only have to double digit pounds to lose! Keep up the great work, and best wishes for your continued success on your journey to one-der-land!! Tess

VanWest-Congratulations on your new baby. Hope everything is going good now. I can't imagine the stress of dealing with an early delivery, no wonder you had to put your journey on the "back burner"!!!! Now for the good news... As this baby grows and by the time your chasing them around on a play ground at a park... do you have any idea how much better you are going to feel???? How much energy you will have for your child???? Just think as you get restarted and recommit to getting on track, how much both of you are going to benefit!!!!! :biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2: Welcome back to taking control again!!!!!! Best of luck to you!!!! Tess

Congratulations Lotza!!!! ::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::crying: :frown::thumbup::wub::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Tess

Almonds Fat Free Cottage cheese Tuna fish lunch kits by starkist are great and easy on the go! Skim milk chicken Kabobs (we grill out a lot a couple of these lasts me a few meals Chicken salad on wasa bread Tess

Fenton-I would be more worried if you wanted to be more like the "Suzie Chapstick" type!!!!:thumbup: Tess

Wow were gathering steam as we go!!! WOOHOO! All aboard for the land of 200's!!!! Good to hear from you "Lotza"! :biggrin2::thumbup::biggrin2::redface::biggrin2::biggrin2: :biggrin2::thumbup::biggrin2::thumbup::biggrin2: Tess

Salsa-I'm glad you have air conditioning now no matter how you got it! I've been following the thread and I am wishing you a whole lot of better days and nights soon! You are one tough cookie!!!! Keep cool and keep a drink in your hand whenever your awake. I can't stand the urgent care doctors in my area...they are complete rejects!!! Emergency Room is always a better bet!!!! Take Care!! Tess

Fenton-This is a great idea for you! I have been seeing a life coach for the past year and she is very big on visualizations. As you read and watch the DVD try to actually see yourself on the board at the weight and size you want to be and repeat often. It's supposed to affect your subconscious mind and trick into thinking its real and it feeds your motivation!!!! (I hope you don't think I'm too pyscho, but I am really into this kind of stuff. Of course it has been on Oprah a lot lately!) Tess

TX Diva Hope you hit it on your visit next week. Keep us posted!!! Tess

Russ On my 3rd week I was on pureed. I ate a lot of Protein puddings, shakes, and if I could put what I fixed for my family in a blender and add chicken or beef broth to thin it down I did it!! I also loved crushed ice... I am a cruncher and I needed to crunch! So I did crushed ice covered with crystal light, cranberry juice or orange juice for a refreshing taste!!! I couldn't have real food until I was 6 weeks out. I have to admit by that time I was pretty board with the liquid phase and I turned to ice cream and frosties (not a good idea)! Hang in there, I know its tough but you will be on real food soon!! My doctor wouldn't fill me until after 6 weeks and actually I've only had 1 fill and it was at 8 weeks. I think I need one now, and I have an appt in 2 weeks. Tess

Welcome Russ Sounds like your doing great!! You'll be in the 200's before you know it! Tess

I just love kid vacations!!! My boys are now 13 and 16 and I miss the younger years when we would take them on vacation... now its a different kind of fun. I just loved watching the little one's amazement of the world. That sound like a nice time with your family. Is it pretty warm down there? I think of Texas and summer and it makes me sweat thinking about it!!!!! :biggrin2: Tess

Hi Lucy Where are you going on your vacation? I just got back from Gatlinburg, (I left no home made candy store unvisited ) Had a great time, I can't wait to go back. Our cabin was beautiful, I told DH that I think I would like one of my very own!!!! Tess

Just checking in with my close to under 300 friends... how's it going? I have gain 3 pounds from vacation last week. Now its back to work... no messing around!!!!! Tess

I spend a lot of time on LBT!!!! It's a great distraction from running into the kitchen to eat!!! I also bought an Mac Laptop this past winter and am organizing photos and making slide shows. I was even asked by someone at the gym to photograph an anniversary party and make it into a slide show. Tess

Salsa, I've been thinking about your big day tomorrow, and wanted to send you warm wishes for a speedy recovery!! You are truly an inspiration, and it means so much that you are sharing your journey with all of us!!!!! Take Care!!! Wishing you well!!!!! Tess

I have been giving some serious thought to where I would like to be on my one year bandiversary...I would like to put some goals out there so I can see it in writing and check it often!!!!! 1. Participate in a 5K walk/run 2. Participate in 2009 Bike to the Bay for MS in NW Ohio 3. My total pounds lost will be at least 100! 4. I will ride my first Roller Coaster ride at Cedar Point in 20 years... even if I puke the entire rest of the day (I have bad vertigo! LOL) Any one else have goals for the coming year???? Tess

I just tasted hummus for the first time. It was great on english cucumber slices. I also keep a supply on hand of the south beach Peanut Butter Breakfast bars, quick don't need refrigerated and have 10 grams of Protein and they taste good! I also been eating alot of cottage cheese with a fruit cup on top...very refreshing! Tess

Hi Everyone, I just got an email from my friend I mentioned earlier who was diagnosed around the same time as me that I used to work with. As I mentioned she is expecting and just finished a 35 mile bike for MS. She has a fantastic team that raises lots of money for MS. She would like me to join her next year!!!! I think I am going to set myself a goal of doing a bike-a-thon for next year. I attached the web page if your interested in seeing how fortunate we are to have people support MS Research!!!! Tess MS Bike to the Bay Ohio.pdf