silvers320

You didn't say why she thought they would deny, so I assuming because you didn't have visits 5 and 6 - because the doctor is hospitalized. I know that my 6 months were actually closer to over 8 or 9 months - so if the doctor is planning on coming back you do that. Good Luck

Doublewall, I don't not IF fighting the denial will help get it approved but I KNOW that not fighting it is certainly not going to get it approved! I know is frustrating but take some time and work on the appeal. You have nothing too lose and everything to gain.You can get most of the information on the internet. I don't know if your state as a level of appeal but mine did and that's what worked in my case. Good luck.

At the end of the day, you have to make the decision that works best for you. But here are some of the things I thought about: Lap Band - reversible, no food was completely off limits (later learned that carbonation is bad), less invasive, less risky ( in terms of # of deaths per surgery) and adjustable. Bypass - not reversible, not adjustable, higher risk of death during surgery, food issues (dumping with sugar). Do what's right for you. Good luck.

Its not Westchester but its close - Greenwich CT, Dr Molinelli - I highly recommend him. His office staff is ok - not great so you have to stay on top of them but he is great. I am down about 85 lbs since late July so your goal is reachable. Good Luck.

I did the 6 months for Atena - the first denial came quickly after the 6 months was over ( I would guess within two weeks). It took an appeal which took somewhere between 30-45 days to get finally great approved. It turns out not everything had been submitted or was lost -which caused the first denial. Make sure you document everything. Good luck

Guy- here are a couple of things that work for me when I it a wall: 1. I kick up the calories for a couple of days - then go back to my normal diet. 2. I kick up the protein -either thru shakes or those tubes things. 3. I know you said your doing an hour of cardio but I was just reading in Mens Health about doing less cardio with best results - by doing internals - I think it was the May or June issue. You can check it out online

So I have some questions: I read on here somewhere there are "issues" about soy for men. Of course that's all that was said. I looked on line and can't find anything. I don't use a lot but I actually like the taste and convenience soy milk. What's the deal with Carbs in food - there are good carbs and bad carbs. How do I make a smart choice when looking at a label as it relates to carbs? Thanks for the help

First let me say that I worked in customer service for years and I believe there is much truth to the saying "You only here from unsatisfied customers". So while I think there are a lot of people who post about not being able to eat, or throwing up, I think are a large number of happy people. Part of satisfying their customers is managing their expectations, which I think a large number of doctors are NOT doing. I discussed with my doctor his approach of taking fills slowly so that I would be able to eat every type of food. I too am at 3 fills and have used the time to educate myself in terms of what a portion is, what should we eat in a day, etc, etc and adding exercise. I am down about 65 pounds since surgery and 85 in total. Am I happier, you bet. If I did nothing else then add a year or two to my life. Have I thrown up - only the 2 times I have eaten faster then any human should! Lesson learned. As for your situation, I am sorry you have only lost 2 pounds. I would discuss it with your doctor/nutritionist, including your concerns. Start tracking what you eat in a day ( I always hated when people would recommend this - but it really helps)

Buyer's Remorse seems to be pretty common right after the surgery. It makes sense - they put you on a liquid diet, you lose weight which makes you feel good, then BAM! they rip you open in the middle! I had second thoughts for the 1st couple of days. I am now 4 months out and even with a port infection it has been the best thing I could have even done.

Please call your Doctor, ASAP. I had similar pains, and it turned out the port and the tube were infected. A small problem, but still worth it in the long run.

I like the other topics suggested. Here are my two cents. Having struggled with some social/ psych type issues over the last couple of months, if I could have changed anything it would have been being more prepared for these types of things. For example: Do you feel like less of a man if you don't clean your plate or eat the biggest steak on the menu. What to do socially when your in the liquid/mushie stage. I know a huge part of my social life fell off when I couldn't hang at the bar for hours. Never realized how food centered my social world was. Cooking- 3 or 4 ingredients that take 20 mins or so. Not being sexist just a topic I would like in general

Mary I live in Upstate NY (the Hudson Valley) and have Aenta. I had a BMI of 41 to start with co- mos but still had to fight - some of which was fighting due to documents never getting to where there were needed. Nicole is pretty right on - There are 2 options - the 3 month diet and the 6 month - both of which must be under medical sup/ with documentation . I will say this that if you are denied after doing what Aenta requires NYS has an independent review process - it will cost you $50 unless the find for you - in which case its free. That's final the route I had to go.

I was actually told the same thing yesterday. I started at a BMI of 41 and as of yesterday I am at 32, after a little over 3 months. I point it to 3 things: 1. I make smarter food choices then I ever did before. That doesn't mean I dont have the occasional cookie - but not a 1/2 box like it used to be. 2. There is no way I can eat like I used too. I used to be a one huge meal a day kinda of guy. Now I eat 3 small meal and maybe a snack. I used to laugh when a serving size was 6 crackers - now I eat 6 crackers and I am happy as a clam. 3. Actually seeing the results, has motivated me to work out more then I would have in the past. Granted I still need to work on this one. I care less about the speed at which its coming off and more that its coming off for good and being replaced with better habits.

I had the Death Breath as well. Since we aren't suppose to chew gum, I wasn't sure how to deal with it. Then I came across breath strips. You can usually find them in the gum section. The are small enough to carry around and work magic. Since they dissolve in the mouth - no Band worries, like gum!

I went to Boot camp about 2 months after -it includes like 10 mins of abs work. Anyway, I ended up a little sore - so I think bowling after 5 weeks might be pushing it - just from what I experienced. Re: the doctor - it depends on when your appointment is, and what you think. I waited about 2 weeks. Good luck

I had something similar. I was healed and then the port site looked like it opened back up, was red, etc. I was worried I was infected. The doctor said that in most people the stitch goes into the body and is passed - in my case the body is rejecting it - so it is working its way out. He went ahead with the fill (it was the second). But you should get it checked out to be sure

Don't take this the wrong way but are you trying to convince the world or yourself?? I sense that you felt pressure from the surgeon for this "choice", with your statement "happy enough" .It might medically be the best choice for you, but it doesn't seem he has you convinced of that either. It never hurts to get a second op - better before they cut out 20% of you insides then after.

I dont know that I "plan" my meals but I make sure I have the things I need - sources of protein, veggie etc in the house. I do live alone so I only cook for me but if I am out with friends etc I eat a "regular" meal - I just usually end up taking a lot of it home with me.

I did the 6 month diet, it was a pain in butt. I was 1st denied by Aenta and then I appealed to the State Insurance department, since I had met the requirements of Aenta. That's when I was approved. Which ever you document everything.

I have Aenta and was approved. After I got the first set of bills after - they "couldn't find the approval". Thank god I had the letter they sent, because they couldn't locate it. Just make sure you get it in writing and hang on to that approval letter- you will never know when it will come in handy.

Congrats on the 70 pounds. I bet if you had lost 70 pounds in Dec 2007 - you would be feeling great and not defeated.I feel your pain. I am about 1/2 to my goal and my weight loss as slowed. I also had your state of mind for a while. This helped me: That 140 pounds didn't go on in 2 weeks and it isn't going to come off in 2 weeks. It would be great to go out and re-fill my closet with new stuff. But having spent a small fortune thru the years only to have it be too tight a month or so later- I am happy to have stuff be a little big right now. You have to remember this isnt a process or a diet. This is the new healthier you. There is a famous saying that Life is what happens when you are making other plans. Don't wait to hit your goal to start living.

For those of you doing the C25k program on a treadmill - are you adjusting the incline at all? I am on week 4 and have only been adjusting the speed at this point - thoughts?

I had this too. It went away after a couple of weeks. In the mean time invest in some Listerine Breath Strips - they work.

I did the Atkins ( Mocha Latte was the best, Strawberry the worst) and the Myoplex Lite Choc - no so bad, Strawberry nasty. I prefer the Atkins.

I appealed and won. It added an extra 30 or 45 days to the process but I saved $12,000. In my state, you can appeal the state department of insurance - which is what I did. Well worth the effort