Constance

I see you are being banded by Dr. Sanchez. As far as I know you aren't required to do any pre-op diet until the night before. (?) But I could be wrong. I am nervous too! I am still a week and a half out but every night I lay awake with anxiety over everything that will change. But that is why it is good to come here and get support. You will be fine! I was strongly considering Dr. Sanchez. He is excellent and has so many happy patients -- soon you'll be one too!

I sent my request to my boss and wimped out and just said " I need to take these days off as vacation time" I totally lost my nerve! I just think it would get back to people that I was out for a medical reason and then the girls I work with would harrass me. I mean, they are great, but the peeps I work with don't even understand the concept of "personal and conifidential" I have a ton of vacation time so that part is OK.

I just scheduled surgery for 8/31! Yikes, it is so soon. I have been researching it since Jan. but I didn't expect when I was scheduling to get a date so close. I'm nervous and excited and pretty much in shock! Ortiz - 8/31/06

(Warning: venting/whining/complaining to follow) Uuugghhh. So even after my PCP submitted more info to overturn Cigna's denial, Cigna decided to uphold the denial. I read about the folks at ObesityLaw.com and filled out their online questionaire. They responded promptly with what I needed to pursue their services. But frankly, just the thought of trying to get the ridiculously incompetent medical staff to send me my charts/files/letters to me to pass on to the lawyers makes me want scream. I'm so mad at how little I am able to be involved. I can't even have my own medical records from Cigna. I can't get anyone to talk to me and discuss the denial. They just read me the letter they sent me, which is so incredibly vague. I'm so disgusted with the whole process. Apparently no one, not my PCP's office, the sugeon's office OR Cigna have any clue how to communicate or transmit info. Then I think, well, what if I appeal and it's 400-800$ for legal. Then let's say Cigna only covers 80% of the surgery. (Which btw, is there any way to find out a)exactly how much they cover and b)exactly what the surgeon charges? I can't get a straight answer from anyone) So I'm then up 4 or 5K$. Geez, I can just go to Mexico for 8500 and do it in the next few weeks. I'm so over it. I'm so sick of being fat. I feel like such an idiot for gaining weight so I could be in the 41 BMI. I thought surely that would get me covered. I feel like another 3 months of waiting and I'm gonna have stretch marks on hands. This quick weight gain has been horrible on me. Where do I go from here? Is he legal help worth it? What if I'm too damn healthy? (My only slight co-morbids were depression and joint pain -- not that I'm complaining) Should I just take the legal money and book a flight to Mexico? I'm fed up!:help: Advice??

Yo DrewsL, I'm sort of in your vicinity (E'wood actually) and I wear a 20/22. Do you still have stuff left?

That is so cool! I'm so glad for you and I can't wait to be in your shoes.

I, fortunately/unfortunately, am very close with several women I work with. While I love them, I'm not telling them about surgery. I KNOW they are going to harrass me about where I am going so I have contemplated many excuses. Uterine fibroids? Colposcopy? Or, I may just say I am taking a few days off to hang with my husband. Then when I come back I'll say 'yeah, I'm doing this liquid fast', etc. Taking time off isn't so big of a deal. It's answering to my nosey co-workers that will suck!

As far as stinky breath goes, try parsley gelcaps and/or chlorophyl juice. Both are in health stores. They make evey part of your body, armpits and all, smell fresh and clean. Totally awesome for ketosis or mass garlic consumption.

That is so cool! You have come so far! I feel totally inspired by your story.

Ortiz peeps: Could you do something other than Slim Fast? I find it so overly sweet and fake. Could you do a whey Protein shake that gives you a little more staying power and isn't so gaggy? Maybe toss a wee little spoonful of Peanut Butter into a vanilla Protein Shake?! Hang in there. I'm not in your shoes yet...but I will be!

Don't give up yet. Try for a partial or total un-fill. The tool will be there for you when you feel ready to try again. Maybe this isn't the time to focus too much on weight loss. Maybe you can just work on feeling good about yourself and celebrating victory over addiction! Yes, see a nutritionist and maybe a therapist, too, if you don't already. You deserve to feel good about yourself and weight is only part of that equation. Maybe you could talk about what's going on inside and get some support from someone who has experience with addiction. From what you say about wanting a regimented program, it sounds to me that you have some fear of losing control with food? This is totally a 10 second analysis so I could be way off base here. But I think therapy is so helpful for re-learning those feelings of control. Or maybe just seeing a nutritionist and talking about your need for structure could help you find more balance. I agree with 'best me', you HAVE gone through a lot -- take the weight loss in baby steps. We are here for you! :clap2:

Today my PCP sent in another month of supervison along with some aditions to the first month. Please please let that be enough! If not I will look into the legal action. UPDATE: Denied yet again :cry After much debate I've decided to move on from Cigna and seek surgery in Mexico. Can't say I didn't try!

Here is the link for the Cigna surgery requirements: http://www.cigna.com/health/provider/medical/procedural/coverage_positions/medical/mm_0051_coveragepositioncriteria_bariatric_surgery.pdf

I am actually appealing a denial with Cigna based on the 6month supervision being 'inadequate'. From what I have learned, they want 6 months, "without significant gaps" over a 12 month period. So I think you could probably skip a month, maybe two. But ultimately they are looking for each month to have your vitals, weight, blood pressure, etc., the diet and exercise plan you have been using, and any things you and you doctor talked about related to that. Also, I think they like to see doctor reccomendations, like, "Patient asks about joint pain. I advised low weight bearing exercises". You know, something concrete that was discussed. You can submit what you have - however you only get 3 appeals so proceed wisely. They denied me for what it seems is nothing. Litererally, we can't figure out what this denial is actually about since I have the 6mo documentation. But they claim I am 'missing' 2 months. So obnoxious! If you have chosen a surgeon they may have someone on staff who does all the insurance processing for you. That makes things easier and that perosn can guide you in the process. If you are going it alone, Cigna has a list of their requirments in PDF on their website...I'll see if I can find it for you. Good luck!

DO NOT send him one more email or text or tiniest bit of contact. Seriously, you tried and once or twice is enough. I second the book recc. It is tough to read at times but overall very liberating. Don't spend even a moment questioning whether you somehow trigerred his distance. It may have nothing to do with you. Or perhaps it does -- but who cares! He isn't worth the worry. You deserve someone who WANTS to have contact! The intellectual stimulation, etc, etc, is worthless when he doesn't have the repect for you to make contact or return your messages.

Oh that sucks! I'm sorry. The 10th is just around the corner, maybe that will work?

Fakey von Fakerson. Why would you come on here and post that and NOT mention the surgeon?

OK, so I am NO medical professional -- but if it were some type of internal bleeding the blood would be very dark. Bright colored blood would be more typical of having your period. Again, I'm in no way schooled in medicine. But I personally have had all kinds of odd consitency and quantity from my period and would suspect that over any internal gastro issue.

Yeah, not be totally contrarian here, but what is the point of being exessively strict? We have hundreds of bandsters here who had the standard 4 week transition; clear, full, mushy, and then real food. I think we can safely say the overwhelming majority of those bandsters have had no problems. Is the strict clear liquid diet just to speed weight loss? It seems like it negates the whole point of having safe,slow weight loss with the band. Not to mention making you INSANE with thoughts of food! Ok, end of rant. Carry on.

Brandi, there are no clear rasons form erosion. Some say it is the band being an improper fit. Some say it is certain conditions that exist in the body. The risk is very low - but do your homework. If you are considering a doctor in Mexico, I suggest joining the yahoo group "Mexcian Bandsters" and searching for the doctors of interest to you.

baby jessica today http://people.aol.com/people/article/0,26334,1154151,00.html

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/img/222_fig3.gif

Brandi, Rodriguez in Monterrey? Or Jose Rodriguez in Acuna?

Yoga to battle stuckness? Brilliant!

We call this 'caca caliente' in my house. Totally hit the milk, sour cream, or dairy based product after the offending item. You'll be right (and cool)as rain. You can also take a charcoal pill if you are too late to follow the spicy food with dairy. I think wipes were INVENTED for caca caliente. So cooling and refreshing.