TheWomanWithin

Honestly I think it depends on the person and your skin type. Take it easy and tan a little at a time and work up to 2-3 days a week. The pass from places usually is a better deal - you can always call around and ask As dark as I am naturally, I used to go to a tanning salon a couple of times a week, when I was younger. It made my skin - especially my face a smoother color since I tend to have a blotchy complexion. I tried to get my daughter (19) to go to a salon - she is very pale and she can't stand it, but she wouldn't go. This past week she went with her b/f to IOA and Universal Studios for 2 days, so I said make sure you wear sunscreen so you don't get burned -- she came back so nice and burned lol but then it turned to a beautiful tan shes gleaming about hope she listened to me and used lotion lotion lotion so it didnt dry out.

Ooo Yummy, going to get some of those banana pops for post - op at home

Teresa you inspired me - I walked 29 min @ 2.9 180 cals/1.20 mile and then went to BK ! hehehe j/k Im just trying to catch up to you walking 3 miles - omg how do you do it - 1.2 and Im :faint:

Thanks Mo :biggrin: I'm 39 and have 2 grown children and 2 small children. I really wanted a hysterectomy last year - but BCBS' guidelines have changed and they require a patient to explore all possiblities before having one - unless you have cancer. No one could even stand to be around me for those 3-4 months I was on hormones - I tried 5 different meds and they made the bleeding 10 times worse to where I was passing out daily. I called my GYN and he was going to put me on yet another medicine and I said NO WAY! I will come back to you when I am sane again - well I still haven't gotten sane so I didn't go back heheheh If the lifestyle change and band does not get rid of my symptoms, I am going to switch GYN's and go forward with a hysterectomy. The worst problem I have is with the Adenomyosis - too personal to put here lol but believe me I went from a normal active woman to where my husband stays away from me because of the pain he sees me in. I can say that exercise has helped some and my PCP switched me to Celebrex 24 hr time release, which has worked wonders to help with inflammation and pain.

I use www.sparkpeople.com it has all kinds of information and trackers, diet plans, forums, recipes etc and its free

Teresa how would he feel about Acupuncture? I bet a Chiropractor might be too much to handle for him, or has he tried one? About 15 years ago my dad, who was a heavy machine operator, had a crane fall on him and mess his spine up and had to have 3 disc's replaced. No way he would have ever done that type of "new fangled medicine" Acupuncture, as he put it lol . He was in so much pain, he couldn't stand going to the chiropractor.

Amy, did they give you info when you went in? I talked to Pat (office Mgr) yesterday and she told me that Dr. Jessee's fee was $5,000 Hospital $12,000 and the Anesthesiologist was $1,000. I found Private Healthcare Systems that is like a Medical Savings Plan and they cover the surgery as long as the dr is in the plan (Dr. Jessee is) and it is medically necessary according to that doctor. I will let you know after my 1st visit with her - just waiting on my 30 day sign up period is over then I can go and get the actual contracted price.

wow how many of wearing green shirts today? lol changing shirts since I can't change what month or day I was born. I smoked a homeless guy because I hate myself.

I was diagnosed with Adenomyosis, Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroids and over 100 Polyps removed in March 05. My GYN is great and wanted to do the hysterectomy, but Blue Cross Blue Shield has these "rules" they have to go by, since so many unnecessary ones are done each year - personally it's BS, and they are just trying to save money. Basically with the Adenomyosis and Fibroids, I look like I am 6 or 7 months pregnant all the time. Even though I had surgery, these conditions/diseases are persistent and keep returning. I shudder at the thought of going back on hormones - talk about Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde - wow I'm lucky I could stand to be around myself! After 3 months, I threw them all down the toilet and told them never again. From the Mayo Clinic (all links here are from Mayo Clinic): If your pain is severe and menopause is years away, your doctor may suggest removing your uterus (hysterectomy). Removing your ovaries isn't necessary to control adenomyosis. For younger women with presumed adenomyosis who wish to preserve their fertility, in rare cases it might be possible to surgically remove (excise) only the area in your uterus affected by adenomyosis. However, this treatment approach is limited to removing adenomyosis that is contained in one area of the uterus and won't work to resolve adenomyosis that is diffusely spread throughout the uterus Adenomyosis Signs and symptoms Among some women, adenomyosis is "silent" — causing no signs or symptoms — or only mildly uncomfortable. But other women with adenomyosis may experience: Excessive menstrual bleeding; heavy or prolonged Severe cramping or sharp, knife-like pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea) Menstrual cramps that last throughout your period and worsen as you get older Pain during intercourse Bleeding between periods Passing blood clots during your period Your uterus may increase to double or triple its normal size. Although you might not know if your uterus is enlarged, you may notice that your lower abdomen seems bigger or feels tender. Forward to 2011 - my symptoms and pain have worsened to the breaking point - my gyn and insurance approved a total hysterectomy due to major changes in my ovaries and fallopian tubes; plus worsening of the other female organs...Now I'm closer to menopause I can't emotionally go through with having it done.

Ok, I got a verbal approval for Dr. Tiffany Jessee. She is on my MSA and is under contract with them, so I am going to see her in June when my 30 day policy period is up. Anyone used her? When searching I see 3 or 4 use her for fills, but can't seem to find anyone who has actually had surgery by her. Sun Coast Bariatrics @ http://www.shedthepounds.com in Largo, FL. Anyone else used a MSA and have any info on things like self pay versus a contracted price? I was told by my MSA they will pay 90% of the contracted price of everything - Certainly better than paying $17,000 out of pocket :biggrin1: Now I just have to find out what the contracted price is lol They won't tell me until my 1st visit. I guess this is my reward for being patient the past 3 or 4 months and taking the bumps in the road and learning from them.

oh my, VQ I don't know how you do it and keep going - but you are and so many of us look up to you for being so strong. Every day that I remember things about my mother and our relationship, I wish life had been different. I think, even though she was the way she was, I wish I had the chance to say I love you before she died - makes me feel guilty every time I think of this. We can't change things of the past, but have to live today for today. The best gift you can give your mom and yourself is to tell her and show her that you love her, and if you have a good relationship - cherish every moment....

wow Diva, sounds like you are having a tough time. Hope your colonoscopy goes well and you have as easy a recovery as my DH did with his. (doh I didnt finish this) he had 3 or 4 small polyps that was causing the bleeding. Sending good thoughts and a speedy recovery your way.

So sorry to hear this, it's especially scarey if you haven't had any other surgeries other than the band. In March 05 I had something very similar to what you are having done and even had to sign for a hysterectomy if needed when my Gyn did the surgery. I found out a week later, my BCBS insurance requires 1 surgery to diagnose the problem, 3 - 6 months of medicine to "try and correct" the problem and then another surgery to decide IF they want to approve me to have a hysterectomy due to all the unecessary hysterectomies done each year. I was diagnosed with Adenomyosis (causes the uterus to be like you're pregnant - mine was 6mths!) Endometrosis, Uterine Polyps and fibroids. I had all but a very small portion of my uterus removed, all the fibroids, scarring and over 100 polyps. I have 3 very small scars from this surgery and had no problems with the surgery. I came home the next morning and other than feeling woozy and weak, had no problems. At that time, my children were 2 & 4 and I took care of them because my husband had to go back to work. I was not allowed any lifting, vacuuming or major housework for 4 or 5 weeks. Good luck and have a speedy recovery.

Hmmm ... I asked this when someone else here had a problem and had their port removed. When you get to goal, does your band stay in place and you can have the port removed - but what if you gain weight back, can they redo it with no problems? From all Ive read so far its pretty easy to do? If the band is a permanent thing or until you have to have it removed, can the port just stay there and no problems? Do you just quit getting fills? If you get a smaller port are there any problems for fills if you gain weight back? As my date for my new dr and approval gets closer each post of things like this I have more questions - is stuff like this addressed in meetings or at office visits?

:wow2: Teresa IM CHEERING for you!:cheer2: :cheer2::cheer2: You are doing so great, keep up the good work - you're a great inspiration :think I want my band now! <back to topic>

I would love to know about coffee also. I haven't heard to cut out coffee - if so, then I am going to be a bad bandster because I will never give my up my coffee hehehehe It wasn't hard to give up soda - I drink unsweet tea or use sweet n low.

Rhonda, you have UHC in Florida and they covered WLS? I was told by the Ins Commissioner's office themselves that any FL policies specifically exclude ANY WLS. If you have a UHC plan in Florida, what plan do you have? I called them and they told me that they do not have any plans that include WLS due to the above reason. I would love to find a plan that covers the surgery under a traditional insurance plan instead of an MSA. Right now, we are paying BCBSFL and our MSA just so I can have WLS covered. It is so weird that a patient having the surgery at PRMC only had to stay for 6 hours, but your post is like mine that says includes 2 days post-op if needed. I wont even get started on the pricing again - yours is totally different than mine and others <pulls hair out more> How can they charge so many different amounts and have different stays just for different counties/hospitals? I posted in another thread - under the FL section and more people replied - Dr. Grossbard is an extremely busy man! wow I had no clue he did surgery at TGH, as well as all the other places that people have had it done.

LOL Angie when I was reading your first post about Chris from AI, he was on the TV here and I was thinking the same thing! hehehe not too many times in the 8 years Ive been married have I ever taken a 2nd look at another man, but OMGOODNESS HE IS HOT! and Im too old to be thinking like this! Ok, sorry to highjack your thread just had to agree - good luck on finding his clone

oh wow, glad to hear you're ok. anytime I read someone having problems like this makes my heart skip and beat and wonder if Im making the wrong decision - but it wasn't your band, so that is a relief. If you have had Asthma for any length of time,it's a wonder you don't have more scars - my 19 yr old daughter has had Asthma since she was 2 and has scarred lungs - it's the same as someone else explained above. Good luck and sending good thoughts your way.

:wow2: Teresa IM CHEERING for you!:cheer2: :cheer2::cheer2: You are doing so great, keep up the good work - you're a great inspiration I have to be careful and lose too much more, I found out if I lose 5 more lbs I wont be in the MO category anymore then my new ins won't pay for my surgery!!! 3days exercise and that's it for me - and added a few more carbs until my appt with new doctor.

Thanks Alex, that's how I did it before, at the very bottom - that option is not there now Enter your present password to continue: Edit Password (Optional)New Password: Confirm New Password: Edit Email Address (Optional)New Email Address: What am I missing?

Ok, got back on track ) finally got some sleep and feel better today. Started walking at 2.4 mph to warm up - hmm maybe the week off helped, I did 2.9 mph for 27 min and no pain or shin splints or maybe my legs are just getting stronger? 161 calories burned and 1.15 mi walked

Kayla, you and I have alot in common - as I read your post that sounded just like me. Read my journal - you will go wow lol Im on my 4th rescheduling due to one complication or another. After my 2nd rescheduling, I decided to start living like I was banded (see previous posts) thank goodness I did - now 6 weeks later and I am STILL waiting on my Urologist to release me to even go farther. I switched from Slimfast to EAS low carb chocolate shakes and started losing steadily. I was really afraid I would not get down the 14lbs I needed before surgery either. Now I have lost 29lbs on my own and other than a week with sick children I have exercised no less than 5 days a week. I usually have coffee and 1 EAS drink at Breakfast, pork rinds or fruits/veggies at snack, a chicken salad with cheese and dressing at lunch, cheese & crackers for a snack in the afternoon, 1 EAS drink if I get hungry before dinner and dinner with the family - just smaller portions and very limited carbs plus a salad, after dinner if I get snack hungry its another EAS drink or pork rinds. Exercise exercise exercise.....water ~~ omgosh I had no clue 80 oz was not enough until Heather told me in another thread for my weight I needed 130 oz When I don't exercise, I can tell a huge difference in the way I handle stress and what I have to deal with in our household. Luckily, I work out of my home and that helps some, but then sometimes it just adds more stress :speechles Hope this helps and good luck with your journey, and don't give up hope I forgot to add (my isp is acting funky) this might not work for everyone and being boring and BLAND bleh! but it's helped me get my eating in control. If it weren't for the support and understanding of alot of people here, I might have given up.

On March 31, 2006 (I turned 39), I started a lifestyle change plan. I started exercising 4-5 times weekly on April 2nd along with high protein, low carb eating. I usually have: Breakfast: coffee and 1 EAS drink Snack: pork rinds or fruits/veggies Lunch: a chicken salad with cheese and dressing at lunch or South Beach Diet Wraps with salad Snack: cheese & crackers or 1 EAS drink if I get hungry before dinner Dinner with the family - just smaller portions and very limited carbs plus a salad Snack - after dinner if I get snack hungry its another EAS drink or pork rinds. 4/2 ~~ until 4/17 -- Started out at 3 min @ 1.1 ugh! Im so out of shape, then adding 2 min a day and .1 4/18 ~~ I finally worked up to where I can run YES RUN on my treadmill 2 min at 2.7mp; throughout my 25 min workout, I did 5 times of running! 4/19~~ I walked/ran on the treadmill for 27min 4/20 ~~ I walked/ran on the treadmill for 30 min - 2 min running @ 3.0, walk 5 - 7 min @ 2.5/2.7, 1.33 min running and crashed and burned :hurt from the shin splints in my left leg, walked 3-5 min then ran again 2 min walked the rest of the time. 4/21 ~~ had a major allergic reaction to Barium sulfate last night so I have been sick all night so no exercising today and no CT SCAN ugh 4/22 ~~ woke up feeling totally better from the allergic reaction. Going shopping/walking at the mall with family. Do I get an extra point for buying all things for kids new rooms 1/2 price at Disney store? walked 1 -2 hours then walked 1 hour more @ grocery store 4/23 ~~ was supposed to go to the Zoo but 40% chance of rain. We went to JCPenney's madhouse friends and family day LOL my daughter works there and I got an extra 20% off we must have walked the store 4 or 5 times - then went to Sam's club /flex weight trained while pushing 2 kids that weigh 100lbs total and 4 bags of 50lb pool salt! lol 4/24 ~~I walked/ran on the treadmill for 24 min - 2 min running @ 3.1, walk 5 - 7 min @ 2.5/2.7, 1 min running, walked 3-5 min then ran again 2 min walked the rest of the time. Shin splints in my left leg still bothering me. 4/25 ~~ :confused: 4/26 ~~ :girl_hug: 4/27 ~~ I walked/ran on the treadmill for 27 min - walk 12 min @ 2.7; 2 min running @ 3.3, walked 3-5 min then ran again 2 min walked the rest of the time. Loading up with water before and wrapping my left leg helped some. 4/28 ~~ Had to do bookkeeping - no exercise 4/29 ~~ Walked 2 hours at the zoo, trailing behind a 3 & 5 year old running LOL 4/30 ~~ Walked in Sam's and Publix pushing 100 lbs extra in the buggy with kids - Sams added 4 bags of 50 lb salt! ugh May 1 ~~ Sick kids May 7 ~~ Pushed the kids around WD - had to go out even with them sick but getting well May 8 ~~ Started walking at 2.4 mph to warm up - hmm maybe the week off helped, I did 2.9 mph for 27 min and no pain or shin splints or maybe my legs are just getting stronger? 161 calories burned and 1.15 mi walked May 9 ~~ 0 May 10 ~~ 29 min @ 2.9 180 cals/1.20 mile May 11 ~~ 30 min @ 2.0-2.3 155 cals/1.06 mile - taking it easy today May 12 ~~ May 13 ~~ May 14 ~~

On March 31, 2006 (I turned 39), I started a lifestyle change plan. I started exercising 4-5 times weekly on April 2nd along with high protein, low carb eating. I usually have: Breakfast: coffee and 1 EAS drink Snack: pork rinds or fruits/veggies Lunch: a chicken salad with cheese and dressing at lunch or South Beach Diet Wraps with salad Snack: cheese & crackers or 1 EAS drink if I get hungry before dinner Dinner with the family - just smaller portions and very limited carbs plus a salad Snack - after dinner if I get snack hungry its another EAS drink or pork rinds. 4/2 ~~ until 4/17 -- Started out at 3 min @ 1.1 ugh! Im so out of shape, then adding 2 min a day and .1 4/18 ~~ I finally worked up to where I can run YES RUN on my treadmill 2 min at 2.7mp; throughout my 25 min workout, I did 5 times of running! 4/19~~ I walked/ran on the treadmill for 27min 4/20 ~~ I walked/ran on the treadmill for 30 min - 2 min running @ 3.0, walk 5 - 7 min @ 2.5/2.7, 1.33 min running and crashed and burned :hurt from the shin splints in my left leg, walked 3-5 min then ran again 2 min walked the rest of the time. 4/21 ~~ had a major allergic reaction to Barium sulfate last night so I have been sick all night so no exercising today and no CT SCAN ugh 4/22 ~~ woke up feeling totally better from the allergic reaction. Going shopping/walking at the mall with family. Do I get an extra point for buying all things for kids new rooms 1/2 price at Disney store? :eek: walked 1 -2 hours then walked 1 hour more @ grocery store 4/23 ~~ was supposed to go to the Zoo but 40% chance of rain. We went to JCPenney's madhouse friends and family day LOL my daughter works there and I got an extra 20% off we must have walked the store 4 or 5 times - then went to Sam's club /flex weight trained while pushing 2 kids that weigh 100lbs total and 4 bags of 50lb pool salt! lol 4/24 ~~I walked/ran on the treadmill for 24 min - 2 min running @ 3.1, walk 5 - 7 min @ 2.5/2.7, 1 min running, walked 3-5 min then ran again 2 min walked the rest of the time. Shin splints in my left leg still bothering me. 4/25 ~~ 4/26 ~~ 4/27 ~~ I walked/ran on the treadmill for 27 min - walk 12 min @ 2.7; 2 min running @ 3.3, walked 3-5 min then ran again 2 min walked the rest of the time. Loading up with water before and wrapping my left leg helped some. 4/28 ~~ Had to do bookkeeping - no exercise 4/29 ~~ Walked 2 hours at the zoo, trailing behind a 3 & 5 year old running LOL 4/30 ~~ Walked in Sam's and Publix pushing 100 lbs extra in the buggy with kids - Sams added 4 bags of 50 lb salt! ugh May 1 ~~ Sick kids May 7 ~~ Pushed the kids around WD - had to go out even with them sick but getting well May 8 ~~ Started walking at 2.4 mph to warm up - hmm maybe the week off helped, I did 2.9 mph for 27 min and no pain or shin splints or maybe my legs are just getting stronger? 161 calories burned and 1.15 mi walked May 9 ~~ 0 May 10 ~~ 29 min @ 2.9 180 cals/1.20 mile May 11 ~~ 30 min @ 2.0-2.3 155 cals/1.06 mile - taking it easy today May 12 ~~ May 13 ~~ May 14 ~~