Ricky

Thanks for posting this!! Here's another Oregonian headed to Mexico...Scheduled for Memorial Day w/Dr Aceves for revision of Lapband to VSG. Trying not to be nervous

So happy for you!!! I am praying for that call soon

dentonpl- thanks for sharing your experience. I need to have my band removed as I have a new hiatal hernia and possible slip. Since I need to have it removed, I wonder if I have to meet all the new revision requirements. I would love to see your appeal letter. My email is crispene@yahoo.com. BTW..how are you feeling since your sleeve?? Erika

Hi Stacy, In Nov., I was denied a revision from lapBand to VSG, based on that is was "investigational." I too have Fed BCBS. I am working on my appeal now. I am curious though, since my denial was before the new rules..do I follow the new ones or old?? I am assuming the new, but I don't know. I was just diagnosed w/a hiatal hernia and have wretched acid reflux if there is ANY fill in my band. I had lost just over 50lbs w/ my band, but have regained most of it since it's been empty. I too am interested in hearing anyone else's answer to your ?. Maybe we can be approved together?? What is your BMI?? Mine was just at 40 before my surgery and I am around 38ish now w/no comorbidities. I am sure w/my empty band I will be back at 40 soon. Best of luck to you, Erika

I just have a few minutes and wanted to respond. I can more specifically answer your questions later...for me, it's the heart..the intent..yes, the OR health plan is for any pregnant women w/o insurance. There is a big difference between a woman living in Oregon, working or not, that is here legally and finds herself pregnant and w/o insurance and someone that is pregnant, crosses the border illegally or comes here when she is pregnant, over stays her visa w/the INTENT to birth on American soil, knowing she will get free healthcare, the housing, food stamps, etc... No, I am not for denying prenatal care. Just don't come here, to this country, expecting it for free. Except for pregnancy, the OR Health plan has very tight restrictions on who qualifies. This is because they are broke paying for the births, prenatal care of illegals. Also, they aren't "undocumented workers." Very very few of the women work and they don't marry their significant others, knowing they would then have to claim their husband's income and loose their benefits. I do see this among citizens too..but, it is a much larger trend amongst the "undocumented workers." I am not wanting to get into an angry debate here and I don't have statistics..I just know what I see everyday at work and it's very frustrating.

Humbly speaking, I would like to add my two cents. I am a labor and delivery nurse in Oregon..I see illegals living off the system every day. In Oregon, you just have to be pregnant to get the OR health plan, it doesn't matter it you are here legally or not. Also, once you get on the OR Health Plan, you automatically qualify for food stamps, WIC, and can sign up for Section 8 housing..all w/o being here legally. The illegals that I see KNOW what they are doing and how to use the system. It is so frustrating to hear about the poor Mexicans being abused. The ones I see, I am working to pay taxes for their free healthcare, free groceries, and free housing. They all get every form of gov't assistance out there. Please don't try to tell me otherwise...I've been watching it for years. I am all for legal immigration...but it seems SO unfair that there are so many people that have worked, paid taxes, and then don't qualify for anything because they still aren't broke enough...well, and they are white.

That sounds like a good little healthy treat..how long to you bake the apple for??

I am at 8ccs and think I might be there...

Hi.. I was banded just over 4 months ago...I kept going in for fills (mind you my Dr is almost 4 hours away) and then on my 4th fill my Dr realized something was wrong...to make a long story short..my tube had completely disconnected from my band. He had to put me to sleep to go fishing for it and reconnect it... He put 4ccs in after reconnecting it, and then had another fill yesterday for a total of 5.5..I have the 10cc Realize band... I still feel nothing!! I had lost 20lbs on the postop diet and have refound 10 of them...I desperately want restriction!! This entire series of events...fill after fill...surgery again...another fill.. has really taken a toll on me and my family... I had been so hopeful and excited about this and now I am so depressed. I have never been quite like this...I really don't want to leave the house, I am so terribly ashamed of myself...I hate my size 20 clothes...I do not love myself like this and have been questioning my husband daily how he can love me... Sorry, this got long....Not many people supported me in this decision, so I don't feel that I can talk to anyone about the complications I have been having...thank you for reading and letting me vent.. Erika:crying:

Hey Indigo Girl..I have read several of your posts and have come asking for some tough band sister love. I was banded almost 11months ago and have had one problem after another..very long story, but bottom line is I have already had 2 surgeries (initial Lapband and then rehooking the tubing to the port) and this dang thing still doesn't work..I went to my Dr a couple of weeks ago because I still have NO restriction and found out I have a leak... SO..I am getting a new band in 2wks..I am struggling SO much with being cynical..I know I have done nothing wrong..but I still feel like a huge failure and am seriously doubting myself..I have had so many fills and two surgeries and am down 10lbs (I had lost up to 35 but didn't maintain it)... I need to find a way to believe that I CAN DO THIS... I would love any "tough love" that anyone has...I know for starters I need to quit feeling sorry for myself... Thanks..Erika

I too really really struggle w/not much restriction. I have had 5 or 6 fills and am at 8cc (I have a Realize band) and still feel vague restriction. I am really really trying to stay optimistic..I have only lost 15 lbs since surgery. We just have to continue to ask for fills until we get to that beloved "sweet spot." Kat- I have so appreciated many of your posts and feel that I often relate to what you say.. we are close in age/weight/ and band dates...you have Realize too? right? and YES..we can do ALL things through Him who gives us strength! Blessings on you both...let's keep taking it one day at a time!! Erika

GOD HELP US IF WE JUST SIT IDLY BY AND LET THIS PERSON BECOME OUR NEXT PRESIDENT. IT WOULD BE SUICIDAL FOR US TO DO NOTHING TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. PASS THIS ON TO ALL THE ONES YOU VALUE, JUST AS I AM DOING. IT'S TIME THE 'SILENT MAJORITY' TAKE A STAND! GET OUT AND VOTE! PLEASE! __________________ Agreed!!! I voted...too bad I live in liberal Oregon..

Donna 113...I love it!!! so true....LMAO!

Well put Jack...unfortunately people aren't too interested in facts these days..

Yes...I too had to go to radiology to get a fill under fluro because they couldn't find my port...it's no biggie...actually less painful, because then they do get into your port quickly and less digging around w/needles in your stomach

I had kinda sharp shooting pain from my port to my belly button for exactly 1 month after my surgery...

I too have had a difficult to access port... I am going in again in 2 weeks for another fill...so hopefully I will feel something this time!!! Doing any better??

Thank you Jack..that is exactly what I need to do... I need to settle down and defeat the dragon of self pity..

I have 7cc in my Realize band (holds 10ccs I think) and I feel nothing.. I am going in on Wed for fill #4...I am so hoping (with the rest of you) that this will do something..I lost 20lbs on the liquid phase and have refound 7 of them...

Hi all..I was banded a couple of weeks ago and am struggling quite a bit.. I am fighting believing lies...I know that God gave this to me as a tool... I just have so much self doubt and feelings of guilt. (Guilty that I couldn't let go of my sin and required surgical intervention). I really want God to be glorified in this and allow Him to use this in my life. I am also still in a fair amount of pain (at the port site)- I read so many other experiences and thought I would be feeling really good by now... so, yes I am a bit discouraged about that too... I would love to find another Christian to share this journey with that I can pray with and for... Peace, Erika

My second fill is tomorrow!!!! Here's to restriction!!! Erika

I also had the glue (Dermabond)..unfortunately I was allergic to it!! It was miserable....SO itchy!!!

Hey Ali...A personal trainer!! That gym sounds great..I wish they had one like that in my neck of the woods..I do belong to a women only gym. But, I am too embarrassed to go!! I went quite a bit last year and then regained all that I lost (another WW attempt). I know the owner and most of the employees and am embarrassed about my failure..I need to get over it and go back..I am still paying!! Even though I don't really have any restriction at this point. I am eating less for sure. I am grateful that I haven't reagained any of the 18lbs I lost while on the liquid phase...But, I haven't loss any more in over a month either... My next fill is this Wed...I know people can need even 3+ fills to hit their "sweet spot." I am still hoping that I will feel something this time!! WTG on just one bean burrito!! That is a HUGE NSV!!!! Skinny hugs to you!! Erika P.S. Where are the rest of the April's Fools Avengers???

:ohmy:OMG!!!! I cannot believe that...

Sounds like you are doing great Ali!!! WTG on the exercise!!! I too have my 2nd fill next week...I didn't have any fill w/my surgery and then had between 3-4 ccs w/my first fill...I feel NO form of restriction....I am eating less than I used to, but I feel that old habits are slowly creeping back...I am hoping and praying that my 2nd fill will do something!! I am ready!!! How is everyone else???