*slim*

Welcome! I understand, I want to chew something myself. Drinking your dinner just isn't right.:tt2:

They are very high cost. I had accepted in my mind the first fee that they quoted me. I was not ready for the extra $1000 "fee" that they charged me on top of my 10% coinsurance. I don't understand how they can have any type of fees that can't/won't be charged to insurance. That is just so over the top. You would think that with the amount that they charge, the first year of fills should be included in the price. I don't know when you were last there, but Johnna had her band placed. She has lost quite a bit of weight. I almost didn't recognize her at my 1 week appointment.

I was charged two fees. The first fee was $95 (my part from $250) which pays for the consult, filing insurance, some kind of online educational class, and my pre-op class. I still had to pay $95 to the hospital for the nitritionist visit and psych evaluation. The second fee was $1000. I have no idea what exactly it covers (apparently not much since I still have to pay for fills), but he was the most experienced surgeon under my insurance. The other doctor under my insurance only did gastric bypass until this year. He did my gall bladder surgery and did NOT do a good job when it came to my incisions. So out of pocket to my surgeon's office was $1400 ($305 was my 10% co-insurance).

All I can say is WOW! What an awesome job that you have done!:tt2:

I am so sorry that you are going through this. I hope that they will be able to treat this so that you can keep your band. I will continue to pray for you speedy recovery.

I made lentils today. They were a great hit. :thumbup: Thanks everyone that responded with recipes.:tt2:

I wondered about the fill costs too. Johnna told me they would bill my insurance to see what happens with my first fill.

Hi. I knew it was the shrink the liver, I was just never quite able to understand how they knew what my liver looked like without some type of x-ray or something. That's why I wondered if it was based on your BMI, you know, a higher BMI=more chance of fatty liver. Then, they never actually weighed me again after my pre-op class. Did they weigh you before surgery?

Do you like the Muscle Milk products?

I won't get to get a fill until October 23. I do get to start mushies Thursday and I am so glad because I am starving. I wish that I could get my fill before I start them so that I don't over do it. I hope you do well with your fill.

That is so good. I really hope that I can feel that way soon.

I'm doing pretty good. I actually slept in my bed last night without it hurting! woohoo! How are you doing? Are you doing better?

well, it did until I went to another page and came back. now it's not working any more. Alex, can you tell what is wrong with it?

I can't believe it! It worked!

hmmm. let's see if mines works.

I did have to do the pre-surgery diet. I was supposed to do a 2 week liquid diet. Because my surgery was moved up 1 week, I ended up only doing 10 days. His pre-op diet is 6 glucerna shakes a day, 2 cups of yogurt (low fat), 2 cups of 100% juice, and all of the low or no calorie drinks (broth, crystal light, diet soda, etc). He doesn't make everyone do it. I don't know if he bases it on your starting BMI or what. It was tough the first few days, but by day 3 it was ok. I am doing really well post surgery. My only problem is I am starting to get hungry. I get to start soft foods this week (scrambled eggs, tuna salad, beans). I am so ready to actually chew some food. I get to go for my first fill in a couple of weeks. I think I am ready, physically at least.

Ok, here is what you do. Take that one bite and freeze it until after your post op diet is over. Then you can savor that one bite later, or hold on to it for prosperity. :tongue2:

That looks so good.:tongue2: I have seen Nutella in the store and on TV. What does it taste like?

Darn it, I didn't even get to see it work today.

That is so awesome! Thankfully I didn't find them!

I didn't measure myself before surgery. I was kind of expecting my doctor's office to do something day of surgery. Of course, it didn't happen (they didn't even weigh me before surgery). I don't have the right type of tape measure here at home. I may need to make a trip to the store to get one. That would be encouraging to see that I am losing inches when the scale doesn't move. Thanks for the idea and pep talk Teri. Valerie

I have a lump like that. I found out last week that my lump is my port. I wasn't expecting my port to be so high up.

Enjoy that shower, and good luck with your journey.:tongue2: I have glue holding my incisions closed. It looks really weird, but it allowed me to shower the day after surgery.

At least now you know what it feels like and probably what you did (or didn't do) to cause it. I bet you will be less likely to whatever it was again. Take it as a learning experience and move on.

still not working