annecolorgreen

I am still waiting to hear from insurance and now my job is going to change in some capacity which may or may not send me out job hunting. Today, I am meeting with the CFO of the healthcare organization that I work for as a nurse. I am praying that the upper management DOES see the reality of what they are trying to do. For 2 1/2 years, I have been on-call at night 40 hours a week for a certain salary and now they want to raise that to 55 hours a week for the same salary. Their justification is that I don't "work" all those hours. My argument is that is what they offered originally and that I have to make a commitment TO work those hours if needed away from my family. I wouldn't want to do it even if offered MORE money. They are eliminating five positions and creating four that we must interview for. Physically, I don't think I CAN work it as it would require TWO 16 hour shifts a week in addition to three 8 hour shifts. Maybe post-band but not now (there are some nights that I am busy all night). One of the bosses suggested a compromise of a 48 hour week (four 12 hour shifts) which I think would work for me but the organization seems like they won't allow. If I need to leave my job, not only will I have increased stress from interviewing and changing, but I will also forfeit my sick time which I was counting on for when I, hopefully, get banded. Sigh.

Hi! I am still awaiting approval from insurance and have a question. This weekend, we went over to a friend's house to play cards and I had some alcohol to drink. It made me think about what happens AFTER the band...do you have to watch how much you drink? I would think that being able to have less food on your stomach would cause the alcohol to effect you sooner. Anyone noticed a difference? Thanks...just preparing for a life change! ~~anne

Amazingly, they haven't threatened to kick him out...but they did threaten to send him to Iraq when he was stationed in Kuwait. I guess the reason they haven't done anything is that he still does PT, etc...and maybe because he has a "desk" job. Who knows? He only has another year, so I figure if they were going to do it, they already would have. Thanks for helping me understand... ~~anne

I'm sorry...what does "chapter" mean? Thanks! ~~anne

Have you ever visited Washington DC? It's been many years ago that I did but was amazed at the fact that most of the reps don't vote or, if they vote, aren't present when the speeches are made giving the facts on the issue! I felt quite disillusioned after that visit. It SEEMED to make it apparent that the information wasn't important. The rep would breeze in and vote and leave. Maybe I misunderstood, but I don't think so. ~~anne

I was 17, single, a junior in high school. I was scared to death and married the father of the baby. That was 23 years ago and we are even more committed to each other now than we were then :thumbup:. I have four wonderful children, have a four year college degree in nursing, and just found out I'm going to be a grandma as my 21 year old Army soldier son's wife is expecting. Agreed...not my business. ~~anne

Do you feel like you are taking enough in? Getting Protein in? I am a nurse but I ALWAYS tell people that if they don't feel right about something to go ahead and call the doctor. That's what they get paid for! And if you still aren't comfortable with what they tell you...call them again! :smile: Hope you feel better soon... ~~anne

Thanks for your hospitality!

I'm right there with you on wondering who to tell...I don't think it's everyone's business. It will be here before you know it! (that's what I'm hoping for me!)

I like it that, regardless of who wins as president, this election WILL make history! How cool is that? ~~anne

Oh my...still waiting on insurance but just found out I'm GOING TO BE A GRANDMA!!! I am 40 years old and my 21 year old son and his wife are expecting! I'm excited and upset at the same time...they live a three days' drive from us. He is stationed in Tacoma, WA (Army). I don't want to be a long-distance Grandma, but I guess I have no choice. Also, just found out about some big changes at work which MAY send me out job hunting. Right now, they are telling me they expect me to work 55 hours/week for the salary I've received for 2 1/2 years for working 40 hours. :tongue2: ~~anne

Oh my...still waiting on insurance but just found out I'm GOING TO BE A GRANDMA!!! I am 40 years old and my 21 year old son and his wife are expecting! I'm excited and upset at the same time...they live a three days' drive from us. He is stationed in Tacoma, WA (Army). I don't want to be a long-distance Grandma, but I guess I have no choice. Also, just found out about some big changes at work which MAY send me out job hunting. Right now, they are telling me they expect me to work 55 hours/week for the salary I've received for 2 1/2 years for working 40 hours. :party: ~~anne

Oh,Chrisann, how wonderful for you! I'll bet that was a great feeling (and still is!). ~~anne

Found out that I had damage to 2 of my heart valves. No clue if this was related to the meds, or if I had it my whole life. Oh Greyhounder, I'm so sorry! I'm glad you found out! I did get checked...fortunately, no damage. A local lady ended up with major heart damage, ended up with heart/lung transplant, and then died. :smile2: I'm afraid to take any diet drugs now. ~~anne

I've heard really good things about Dr. Allen but I didn't want to go to Norton's as I used to work there (prefer the anonymity). I've heard really good things about Dr. McMillan at Clark Memorial too (close drive and a more personal hospital). I'm going with Dr. Lusco at St. Mary's. Good luck!

Doing lots of online "research" today on many things. My mind keeps jumping around with new questions! This forum has really helped me get answers as well as think about new possibilities--that I might actually LOSE all this weight, what is the best way to exercise?, how much will insurance pay (if they do)?, and whether or not family members might also qualify. I've also been thinking a lot about the possibility of having my pannus removed if/when I get this weight off (I already have issues with rashes). I didn't think it possible but it seems some insurance companies pay for it! My greatest desire will be to be able to be as active as I want to be. I finally feel like I might achieve that!

Doing lots of online "research" today on many things. My mind keeps jumping around with new questions! This forum has really helped me get answers as well as think about new possibilities--that I might actually LOSE all this weight, what is the best way to exercise?, how much will insurance pay (if they do)?, and whether or not family members might also qualify. I've also been thinking a lot about the possibility of having my pannus removed if/when I get this weight off (I already have issues with rashes). I didn't think it possible but it seems some insurance companies pay for it! My greatest desire will be to be able to be as active as I want to be. I finally feel like I might achieve that!

Oh my! That was so fast! How awesome! How long will it take to schedule your surgery? My surgeon's office said it's typically about two weeks.

That's awesome! Do you feel like your weight loss has increased since you've started in the pool? I've always felt like I didn't get a "workout" unless I got sweaty! Keep it up... ~~anne

Good luck! The VLCD sounds like fun <not>...but is the means to an end! Be sure and let us know how it goes. ~~anne

Hi! Sorry to invade your territory but I had a question. My 22 year old son is very overweight (the biggest I've seen him...probably about 240+ and 5' 9"). He is in active duty Army in year 3 and is still an E-2 since they refuse to promote him while he's overweight (he joined overweight but was physically fit so they allowed him in). He just returned from Kuwait and is even bigger than when he left. He has a "desk" job--he works with computers and satellite defense stuff. Will the military pay for a lapband for active duty military? He is due to get out in Aug. 09 and his unit won't deploy (as of now) until Oct. or Nov. 09. I am getting close to getting one (awaiting insurance) and just thought how wonderful it would be if he could get one while he's in as he will be in college when he gets out. By the way, my other son has only been in for one year and is a PFC. I feel so bad for son #1...especially since he sacrificed for 15 months and didn't get a promotion. Thanks so much! God Bless you all for your service to our country! Proud Army Mom, Anne

Hi! Are you like me and want to "do something" or even "control a situation"? That's how I feel about all this. It's frustrating to wait on someone else to file insurance. Fortunately, I paid attention initially as I was told at first I didn't have bariatric coverage and then told my surgeon was out of network (neither was true and I had to provide documentation MYSELF). Sigh. Hopefully, we BOTH hear something ASAP! :-) ~~anne

The other thing that was a HUGE LIFESAVER was the doctor gave me a script for a motion sickness patch...scalapia or something like that... The drug is called a "scopolamine patch" (I only know this because I'm a nurse and we use it frequently). It looks like one of those round bandaids and you just put it behind your ear and it's good for 72 hours. Congratulations! I can only hope to get approved quickly (my paperwork goes in this week). ~~anne

I have been told by the bariatric coordinator that my surgery is tentativly scheduled, however, they won't tell me because it is subject to change That's no surprise! Both my sons are in the Army and things/dates seem to change on a daily basis! Good luck to you...sounds like you are on the right track! Aloha! ~~anne

Congratulations! Please keep us informed on how you are doing. I'm still in the "waiting on insurance" phase :crying:. ~~anne