*slim*

This is just something else to think about... I have heard of (and experienced) taking too much tylenol or advil for headaches actually started causing more headaches. I had finally gone to my doctor and she mentioned that taking such medicines on too regular a basis can cause the same headaches you are trying to get rid of. Like I said, just a thought to add to everyone elses. I hope you get to feeling better. Headaches are no fun no matter how they are caused.

Thanks! I will keep you posted!

First, I love the idea of a significant tatt. I say something with your surgery date or even just the number from your goal weight. No one but you would know what that meant. My question to you all that already have tattoos and have already been banded, did they change after weight loss? I have several but one that I concerned about goes across the expanse of my rear.:confused2: I never should have gotten that on my huge rear, but when I went to the first place and the artist actually told me that he couldn't handle doing my art anywhere because of my size :tongue:(it was like a challenge to me)! I went and found an artist that would not only do my ink but across my, well, butt. I am so scared that it is going to look horrid after I lose some weight (not that it doesn't look horrid now:embaressed_smile:).

I am so glad you asked this question. I am not banded yet, but plan to be by the time we go back to Disney next year. We didn't buy the meal plan the last time but I wished we had. I think we will again just giving my son the adult meal and I will eat the child's meal. That sounds like a plan!:tongue:

Wow you could have been telling my story. I can only hope that once I am banded (if I get approved) I have the same improvement. My symptons started after having my gallbladder removed and continued to get worse. I now have esophagous spasms with my flares. I take levsin every four hours and it only helps the pain. I hadn't thought about imodium. I too have not been able to figure out my real triggers because something that triggers today, won't tomorrow. Anyway, I digress, congrats on your improvement. I hope the rest of us have the same improvement!:tongue:

Hi. I am still waiting on insurance approval before getting a surgery date. I am in TN. I would love to be a friend. Everyone on here has been so nice to answer my stupid questions.:tongue:

I have always heard that if you wear some type of girdle while losing the weight, it helps bring the skin in line. Of course, since I haven't lost any yet, I can't say whether it works but it can't hurt.

I fully understand what you are going through. My doctor required me to pay a "program fee" that isn't billed to insurance.:confused2: They told me up front $250. Then they sent me to a psych and nutritionist visit at the hospital where the surgery will take place. That was another $95. I found out at the hospital that if I had used their doctors for surgery, this would have been included with my price. It does at least cover 5 more visits with the social worker if I want or need them. I still have another $1000 "program fee" that has to be paid 7 days prior to surgery. :tongue: This too is not billed to insurance. I think they just want to make as much money up front as they can.

Thanks, I hope so too. You would think that all of the insurance companies would recognize how much easier it would be to pay for the surgery now, than to pay for all of my other illnesses later on. Of course, that would make sense and most insurance companies don't believe in making sense. Go figure.:confused2:

Way to go! Congrats to you! :tongue:

Way to go! I am glad that you were finally approved. I can only hope that I don't have to go through multiple denials. I have been calling them everyday. I have also been emailing them daily. I am not letting up. How exactly do you get in touch with Obesity Law if you need them?

I like the way you said that. It gives the feeling of such power over this. Something that we all have struggled with, we are now within our power to change. Sassymama, you have gone through the pre-op diet and the pain of surgery. You have been strong through all of that, you can make it through this too.

I'll definitely keep you in my thought also! I will also add a few steps to my ancient insurance approval dance:biggrin2:.

I sure hope not. If that is the case, then I hope that I am the exception. I don't want to jump through any more hoops. I will if I have to, but I don't want to.

Thanks, I will do that. I have a "boat motor" too.:biggrin2: I am sure it is not near as good as Emeril's, but it might do the trick.

Hey Heartfire, I just noticed your surgery date is fastly approaching. Way to go!:smile2:

Thanks for the tips. I actually have a large food processor and one of those little ones that hold about 2 cups? Then I also have a blender so I guess I will experiment with them to see which one of my cheap buys works best.:smile2:

What is better to use, a blender or food processor to puree the food? I have used both for other things but never to actually puree anything.

This process is not for the faint of heart. If a person doesn't really want this, they would give up at the beginning.:eek: I guess that is what they want. They make it just hard enough that some people won't finish. I am not giving up.

I haven't done the pre-op diet yet (my diet is liquid only), but I figure by then, pureed chicken will sound good to me too.

I wouldn't give it to a baby, but...

I have to admit the refried beans sound pretty good even now. I will keep that in mind for something with some flavor to it.

Thanks. I wondered about pureed meat. It just doesn't sound appealing.:thumbup: I will definitely try thy cauliflower and the pie. Thanks again.

Thanks. That is definitely a great plan. I just might put them on my speed dial.:biggrin2:

Thanks so much. Me too. I figure I am going to bug them to death until they just tell me yes to get me off of the phone!