JoannMarie

Cher, my coverage is with medicare. Your coverage and requirements may be different from mine - mine is just 'cause I'm old (over 65) (that's a ha-ha, because the 60's are the new 40's, right?:biggrin2:), and yours is because of end-stage renal disease - I don't know if there is a difference in our coverages. I suggest you ask questions at the facility where you are having your surgery. They should be able to tell you about the charges and coverages. Several people on the 60's thread have been banded (not me, yet) and covered by Medicare. Their experiences might also be helpful to you. Good luck on your journey.

Ellen, have you had your thyroid checked recently? I'm hypothyroid, and when my synthroid is off balance and I become hyperthyroid my hair becomes dry and brittle and I can have skin issues. I don't know if your weight loss can affect the thyroid the way it does blood pressure, blood sugar, etc., but worth a question? Hugs,

Janet, you and Andrew are in my prayers. Thank goodness he has received good immediate care. That is so important to future treatment and eventual healing. Take care...

I am so excited to hear this from you! I had wondered, but "dare to dream" -- the possibility of skin issues that can be health threatening made me think Medicare might cover ps in this case. Not even banded yet, but I am making plans. It's not easy to save for special purposes when retired, but I'll do what I have to do... If medicare will help with this, it will be greatly appreciated. :biggrin2: BTW - congratulations on your weight loss! I, too, am 5'2", current weight is 242, and my true goal is 125. This goal seems impossible to me now, but seeing your success makes me feel as if it might actually be attainable. I asked the psychologist if that goal was reasonable given a timeframe of 2-3 years. He said - "of course it is." Right answer! You are living proof. Thanks so much for your post. You have made my day!

"The wait is a blessing if you allow it to be" -- words of wisdom. Thank you, Orea. Your postings always make such good sense. I've been at this since first seminar in early March, which seems like forever right now, but in the overall scheme of things is not too bad. I wholeheartedly agree that the wait is great for learning more about what I am signing on for, helps the determination to make this work, etc. One question - what is smartbandster? I tried a search, but turned up an electronics site. ugh. Anything for more research, more information while I wait PATIENTLY. (I love capitalizing that word - makes it sound so impatient, doesn't it?) I, too, am working at the habits I will need in the near future...eating healthy (DH and I already do that, just more than necessary), smaller helpings, small bites, chew a lot, etc. Exercise is still an issue. I will work on that.

Janet, you cook like I cook - "most of the time it comes out good." In our house if you complain you get to cook. Nobody's complained yet. I do like to experiment and I like one pot wonders. They are so easy to do and they are good leftovers as the flavors tend to blend even more the next day(s). Tonight I cooked orzo, added a can of diced tomatoes, a little olive oil and basil - then mixed that with sauteed shrimp, garlic, onion and yellow pepper rings. No complaints so I guess I will cook again tomorrow.

Thanks, Lisa. I don't know why I was suddenly thinking of tomorrow night. I'll wait and go next week when everyone else does. I hope you are feeling okay and getting some rest. I am looking forward to meeting you next week.

Kidder, I don't know how you have tried veggies, but lots of ppl who don't like veggies don't like the texture of cooked vegies. You might try some of them raw -- VERY SMALL bites and chew well to try it out. My youngest daughter was a vegetable hater until late teens when she tried them raw. She eats almost all vegies now - cooks them crispy and loves them. Might be worth a try.

Hi All, I am confused about when the support group meeting is this month... I was under the impression the meeting was the 4th Thursday - 6:00-7:30pm. That would be next Thursday, Aug 28th. Is this correct? or is it tomorrow night? Thanks...

You and your family are in my prayers. You all have a lot going on - but God's hand is guiding you. He is always there. Be sure and post often to let us know how you are doing. This is such a supportive place to be, we are here to help each other...

Mistymoon - at the top of the page you will find a heading "thread tools". In that area you can subscribe to this thread. If you're having trouble getting notices just by posting and you haven't tried subscribing, give that a try. BTW - WELCOME! These folks are very helpful and supportive.

Lori, what a great idea! A non-food reward for goals attained (not that you have ever rewarded yourself with food of course, but many of us have). Big goals broken down into smaller goals (how 'bout that 50 pounds), and a non-food reward for each victory. At the end of it all you have a tangible record of all your success. hmmmm. You may just have something here...

Lisa, I wish you successful surgery and speedy recovery. You are on your way!

Ellen, welcome to this thread. I've met you on other threads and always enjoy your posts. I really love these groups - great support and sharing.

Hey Lori, yesterday you were concerned about some blood work your PCP had done - you'd gotten a call and were not there to take it, waiting for Dr. office to call you back. Is everything okay? I hope they were calling you to tell you to get off one of your meds. That would be good news!

Your anniversary celebration sounds like fun, Phyl. I would love to visit Seattle - it sounds like a beautiful city. Maybe someday I can be asking you for advice on what attractions to visit! Glad you had such a good day...

Stacey, my prayers are for your little kitty and for you. I hope he will be okay. I hope you will be okay, too - I hate to think of you so worried about kitty and feeling so bad. Your heart was in the right place, wanting him to enjoy some time outdoors with his buddies. I pray your surgery will go well and you will have a speedy recovery - and many more years with Kitty. God Bless...

Welcome back, Janet. We always miss you when you are gone. Ever feel like a mother duck with a bunch of babies following you around?

Lori, let us know when you have the okay on your blood work. Thoughts and prayers are always with you... Congratulations on the weight loss! You are doing GREAT!

Phyl, how did the anniversary celebration go? Congratulations on 44 years together! It will be 48 for DH and I this October and I almost can't believe that. Time sure flies when you are having fun, doesn't it? (and most of the time it HAS been fun!) I wish you many more celebrations!

sblue, Try writing down everything you have been eating, drinking, and your exercise. If confident you are doing everything you should be doing, call the doctor and ask them for suggestions/guidance. From the information on this thread I believe it often takes more than one fill to start feeling good restriction - sometimes 2 or 3 fills. If you are not losing and you are hungry all the time maybe you need a tweak. Also, make sure you are getting plenty of hard protein. That fills you better and keeps you from getting hungry right away. All this from someone who has not been banded yet - but reads these posts faithfully! I think this is the advice the successful bandsters on this thread would give you. You can get great advice here, but ultimately the doctor's office should be able to help you out. Good luck!

Sue - thanks for clearing something up. My first choice of facilities has only one surgeon doing bariatric surgery right now. I understand they are wanting to hire two more, but that could explain why it is taking so long for them to get their final okie-dokie. hmmmm.

Hi Don, You have been waiting so long - I know you have your heart set on CMMC, but in checking out the various Centers of Excellence in my area, I have found that the final designation, Medicare billing number, etc., can be many, many months of waiting. Not necessarily the facility's fault, but government wheels move very slowly and there are several parts of the puzzle that have to be in place. My first choice of facilities has also been told "any day now" for a long time. My second choice got the designation, then had billing issues with Medicare and it took 6 months to get it straightened out. Meanwhile the waiting list just kept growing. It would not hurt to check with other facilities that already have everything in place to see if you could get this done sooner. I am 66 and will do anything I have to do to get this done before any other health problems creep in. As it is I need a knee replacement now, but I know I will gain even more if I have it done at my current weight. The lapband and good weight loss has to come first! We have to be the managers of our own health and I will do what it takes to see as good an outcome as possible. Good luck to you, Don, whatever your decision. I know how frustrating it can be. I wish you the best.

Hi to all, I had my sleep study last night and it was uneventful. (I actually love uneventful, esp when dealing with medical procedures.) All the electrodes hooked up, lights out and nighty-nights by 10pm. I did not sleep as deeply as usual, but did okay and still felt rested this morning (though tech woke me up at 5:00am!). It was a "split" study - the tech would have awakened me to give me a mask if I had shown signs of low oxygen in order to determine correct oxygen level w/out a second study. Apparently I did not have low oxygen levels, because she did not bring in the mask. At least I can check off that requirement -on to the consultation on Sept. 3. Inch by inch. It is so good to have all of you here for inspiration and a little bit of hand-holding! Thanks...

Thank you, Long. I'm still waiting PATIENTLY!!! Actually I have my sleep study tomorrow night, consultation with my surgeon on Sept. 3rd. I am hopeful I will get a date at my consultation. I am so hoping for surgery this fall... heck, I would go first thing in the morning!! You are all such an inspiration to me.