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Oh actually going to my local Kaiser to pick up the report today...............how easy is that!! :-)

Ok got an email back from Kaiser. The answer is the same so I am moving ahead..........I can get the operative report and the Barium swallow no problem. Dr. Baggs said they can send it or I can come pick it up. Darn unfill and ER visit messed me up but I can't let that be an excuse to stay on a plateau forever. So I guess I know what I have to do...............

So Riley the soda thing...........doesn't that blow you up and make you gassy. I still worry about that exploding band story. I know it is not truth but that is the visual I have when I think about soda!! LOL.

Riley I will admit on my side I need to exercise more. Work has been crazy so my lunch break gym trip has been out for the last two weeks. I think when we forget to put ourselves first and the weight loss we get in trouble. Work and my daughter have been sucking up all my time. I have to change my priorities a bit and get on top of the fills. So starting today................I am taking back control. Back to work..........*****sigh******

Ah Riley you will be fine. You just a bit distracted :-) I am going for a fill on March 10, 2010. I stepped on the scale today and I am done, done, done. So I called and got an appointment. I have to drive to Navato but if this gets me back on track and helps with my attitude I am ready........I need to feel like I have some control over the process. And yep I can get fills every two weeks but I doubt I will. I just want to get back to where I was. I don't need huge fills I am fine under 6cc's. But I am not fine at 3cc's I have tried it for six months and it doesn't work!! LOL. I just emailed Dr. Baggs to explain where I am and to see if there is anything Kaiser can do before I move ahead. But yea i have asked him and Robin several times and the answer has always been no. I expect it will be the same. I have until MOnday to cancell but I doubt I will. I just want to know if I do self pay fills for awhile than want to come back to Kaiser later can I? I am waiting for the answer. I will probably change insurance in September anyway. Pam: Unfills are free if I am too tight. I did find that out first. Maria I know lots of people that are getting fills every two weeks. But they live in the same town as the doctor. Kaiser has been great in the beginning for me but the drive and the delays is not working for me right now. I think Richmond Kaiser is just totally overwhelmed with all the bands they are doing and they don't have time to do all the aftercare..........every two weeks would kill them right now. THey are doing good to see us all every 6 weeks or so. I think with the change I will get more individual attention and hopefully be able to play around with the fills more until I get to my sweet spot. I bet I will be back losing in a couple of weeks now........... They also may be opening a Sacramento office eventually and then I would already be in their system and could transfer back. If I change insurance in september I can get a docter in town with free fills. I just need to do something between now and September.

OK so I found this on the APS lapband site: FILLS:(recommended) 3ccs at surgery: First fill at 4 weeks: 1-1.5cc's If patient is losing 2 pounds a week or more: no fill If patient is losing less than one pound a week: fill .5 to 1.0 at a time If patient is losing 1-2 pounds a week fill .5-1.0 as doctors and patients descretion based on satiety, restriction and amount of food that can be eaten. SO..............why is losing weight a requirement for a fill at Kaiser if losingweight means you don't need a fill?? I don't get it. But like I said there are a thousand different ways to do things.........

Oh Heather you look great!! I remember the before pictures a year ago............you have come a long way!!

Yea I have no control that is true I figured that out last month. I just am not willing to halt my weight lose anymore. Six months is enough. If Kaiser won't work with me I will just find someone who will. I did email Dr. Baggs twice and was honest with him. He just said he does want to see me again when I am down to goal weight and asked me to talk to Robin. I already did all that. In the end I have to accept the answer is no and make my decisions based on that. If this isn't working for me I have to make decisions that will that is my responsibility. I did this to be healthy and lose weight. That is not happening now. So I have to do what is best for me. I was losing steady when I had a good fill, I stopped abruptly when I got unfills. From what I have read on Lap band talk that is normal. So I have to get do what is best. But for those who wonder I have talked and talked and talked to Kaiser and they are very firm on their position. So I have to do what is best for me and my health and weight lose. Just life. I am not doing anything they aren't aware of. And I haven't been told to stop or that this isn't a good idea. Just that they want to see me one last time and for me to let them know if I change offices.

Oh Heather is Robin even hears the word snack........well ya know!! She really doesn't like any snacking. That is what is so crazy everyone has a different theory. Some say protien shakes some say no........I think you have to do what works best for you. There are so many ideas out there about what is right. So I called Kaiser today. Getting the operative report will take time. Not sure exactly what it is but I think it is a good idea to have it so if I go to another doctor I can it on hand. Also for ER if I ever have to get an unfill or if I am out of town or end up moving out State. I asked for it to be sent to my home so we will see how it goes. They need to find out if they can do that or if it has to go directly to a doctor. Will be interesting to see what is written and if it matches my perception of what is going on. It was also suggested to me by Kelly that I cancel my next appointment and reschedule once I am down to goal weight and know if I will have Kaiser insurance. She said it might be better to just wait awhile and see how things go.............I didn't get a fill in January and I cancelled in February since I was not at goal weight......I intend to get a fill in March just not sure where or how yet. I am still thinking. I will email Dr. Baggs and see what he says I know he told me to come see him again even if I am not at goal weight so we could talk. I know I am not getting a fill from him in March. No way I will be down that much in three weeks. I am fighting to NOT gain. Never mind losing that much that fast..... So anyway I have a consult appointment on March 19, 2010 to talk to a surgeon here in town. I just wish I knew how many fills I would need. 1-2 and it would be work self paying..........more than that??? Not sure how Kaiser feels about fills somewhere else than coming back to Kaiser. Kelly says I can always come back if I keep Kaiser but I want to hear that from my doctor at Kaiser!! So well see.......... I do know I need a fill for restriction and emotionally to kick my butt back into gear!! The last week I realized I have to do something now and I have to get a fill this month. I just have to figure it all out.........:-) I have to get back to restriction I am almost a year out. Problem is as always I am a liablity to Kaiser. Sux but it is true and I understand why.

yea I will email Dr. Baggs about that. But if I go with another options I will be done with Kaiser.............I am really hoping I am only 2-3 fills away from my sweet spot and can stop all these appointments. I would prefer fills every few months.................I am almost a year out and am still yet to find my sweet spot.............

Ah Heather I had a training for work today.............just got out. YOu guys were in my thoughts though!!

I have a few options trying to decide over the weekend what to do: 1. Stay with Kaiser and just not get fills until I am down 20 pounds. (not my no 1 option) 2. FILL CENTER USA in Navato: They can see me with only a weeks advance to make an appointment. 365 to sign up for the their program and that includes a consultation and fill. Than 165 for additional fills. Still a long drive but shorter than RIchmond and they can get you in within a week. They just need proof of the type of band I have and the cc count. 2. Dr. Jenkins in Placer County. He can see me in two weeks and only has a week to two weeks wait to see people for fills. He is 10 miles from my house. He charges 500 dollars for a consultation and two fill appointments. THan a 100 dollars if I need more fills past that. He needs an operative report from Kaiser so he can see the position and type of band and what I already have before he will see me. Thus the two week for me to try and get a report from Kaiser. If I change my insurance to Health Net in September I can stay his patient and everything will be covered by insurance after that. He works two doors down from my uncle. 4. Dr. Laura Machado: 2 blocks from my house. She can see peole for fills within a week of a phone call. She charges 500 dollars for a consult and one fill. Than 100 per fill after that. She wants a operative report and a copy of the barium swallow on CD. If I can't get one it costs 1300 to get another one down. She won't take Kaiser or Health net but will take Blue Cross/Anthem (can we say 39% increase??) But she is so close and has a great reputation. No 1 Bariatric surgeon in Sacramento. 5. Bariatrics of San Fransico: (satellite office in Sacramento) Still waiting for them to call me. Dr. Cirangle is involved with this one. He is a founder of laproscopic bariatric surgey and has his name all over bring lap band to the USA. But still no call back after two days. I did joine their bariatric support group and now get a monthly news letter on all the latest on surgery. This one is two blocks from my office so that would be nice to. So gonna think about it this week. It is alot of money up front but getting an appointment in a week instead of waiting six and not having to drive??? Tempting, very tempting. I could still work and go on my lunch breaks. I am thinking about it and gonna call Kaiser and try to have them send me an operative report and hopefully a CD of my barium swallow. Than I can make copies and give them out if I decide to go with another office. I would also like to see what they are writing about me. MOst places said Kaiser is slow and will also charge me 40 dollars for the report. But lets see what Kelly says.... I am going to keep my appointment with Dr. Baggs on the 26th either way and email him if I decide to change. I really like him but I think I have to do something different that works better for me. I need to start losing again........ Anyway. OPtions but expensive. Wonder if all the time and gas save would equal the expense of the change. Probably not but I can hope.

THanks I just called and got the information. Do you know if the package deal can be paid monthly? Or is it up front? ANy chance that Sacramento will get a fill center any time soon?

Hey Heather Happy Birthday!! LIke I said before if anyone deserves a band it is you and I know you'll get one :-) Ok did I read somewhere that there is no set amount to get a fill. Ah geez..........I am so getting the short end of the stick here!! ***sigh**** My rules are different than anyone elses. I am thinking of changing to Health Net at the next sign up period at work. IF I do that I can get my fills in Sacramento after that. I think that is in September. But there is an office two blocks from my house and it would be so, so nice to get a fill and than go on with my day Have to see how much it costs to change insurance next time. I emailed Dr. Baggs at 1:30 am this week since I was up on call for work. He emailed me back worried I was up to late!! LOL. I told him I was on call like him!! I like he notices that kind of stuff.........he asked when he was gonna see me again since I cancelled this week. I think he wanted me to come in anyway but with work and stuff........if I was gonna get a fill but I can't so I didn't want to drive and miss work and I told him. He just emailed me back. "and I do want to see you back in my office again." ok, ok.................I will make sure I go next time regardless of the circumstances I just wish I had a good fill and could put visits off for every few months. Work is not really like this once a month for a year now............LOL. I told them 6-8 months tops. anyway, gotta get some sleep..................... I think I found a fill center in Sacramento that charges 100 a fill without insurance but will take Health Net. Hmmm...............

Ah Reggie I hear ya about losing weight quick. So you have to lose 10 between fills too?? When was your last appointment? How much do you have to be done. If you don't lose do you still go in or cancell the appointment? Do you still see Robin? Just wondering what Dr. Parks is like.

Beatriz you need a SMALL unfill. But don't let them take to much. Get it done before you can't get liquids down otherwise it is a trip to the ER and all your fluid gone. That is where I am at. Now they haven't let me have a fill for 5 months so by the time I go back it will be six months without any restriction. Seriously I would not let it get to a point you can't get water down cause than your screwed!!

Tamra your like me I tell the truth and than just deal with the consequences with Dr. Baggs and Robin. Problem with me is that she doesn't believe my food logs even when I tell the truth. THat is what frustrates me is being truthful and than being treated like I am not. Makes me not want to talk about it................I was told I am eating sliders when I am not. I eat to much but not bad stuff. But I think you will get a fill anyway cause it is your first time. As long as you are down about 10 you should be ok.............but from there on out if your not dropping consistently you'll be in trouble. WIth the things your eating the weight loss will stop and than the fills will stop. I am hoping I don't get referred back to Robin cause I am done. I know the rules I have meet with her monthly for a year. Not sure why Dr. BAggs wants to see me fill or no fill but.......hmmm I don't want to start over with Robin again. Well see how it goes. Kelly told me for sure that no insurance no fills. She was not sure about fills in Sacramento but she said I would need to talk to Dr. Baggs and see about a referral to another surgeon. So that is something to look into before June. I will ask him at the next appointment if he knows anyone. Ok well back to work here. Watching the budget hearings but so far I can't figure out what direction they are headed. THe sheriffs are fighting for their funding and the animals............sad about the animals and the 3 day hold before they die. I know that isn't why I am here but it is bugging me that because of money they have to do this.

Maria no problem. I won't be there this weekend I have a day long training at work for a leadership committee. FIgure I need to go and make myself useful in light of all the layoffs this week!! Maria: I hope you get the job!! Riley: I had to give the soy a rest I think it was making my estrogen levels go up like crazy. I was swelling up like crazy and sore........got better when I laid off the soy. I still eat it some but NOT like before.

Maria I talked to Dr. Baggs this morning and they cancelled the appontment before I could tell them I was waiting for you. I did tell Kelly to hold the appointment for you but she didn't promise. I didn't plan to cancell I just wanted to talk to Dr. Baggs and he forwarded me to Kelly and she rescheduled me right than. So Maria call quick I also left a message on your voice message letting you know. I am going back during my vacation in March so I won't have to take a day off work. With layoffs this week and all the budget hearings it is bad, bad timing to ask for a day off. Dr. Baggs does want to see me regardless if I get a fill or not ..............??? So I will go either way in March. I talked to Dr. Baggs about layoffs and he said to keep him updated. He said I could go COBRA and still get fills probably cheaper than through a fill center. I think he is right. I didn't really want to tell them but he asked why I was cancelling and I was honest. Candra I get those headaches too but 4 days is to much. Could it be sinuses. I need to get that sinus surgery cause I have an ongoing sinus infection that is causing headaches but don't want to take time off work right now. Once things calm down at work I will follow up. Ok back to work.......

4 Pages ladies I had to read before I could post!! Wow!!

Happy Bandannivery Riley!! Wow I so remember that day I can't believe it has been a year!! Candy: Glad to hear your fill is going well. I really need a fill to I haven't have any restriction since October and it is getting old. I think the sleeve is a good thing have your husband do some research. Mo: Today was not great for me either. I get discouraged with no having a fill and not being able to get one. But I will focus on March for now. I am almost a year out and have less of a fill than when I started. Not what I expected. Riley/Nicollie: I can't stand the texture of cottage cheese either. Just grosses me out but I wish............cause I know the protien level is good. I can't be at the meeting this week. I have a training all day for work. I am on some leadership committee and have to do the day long training. Donna: Where are ya? I haven't seen or online or heard from you in two long. Ok all I finally got texting so give me your numbers and I can PM mine. I would like to stay in contact more with people for accountability:=) Maria: I will probably be cancelling my appointment on Friday and trying to trade for March since we have layoffs this week. I emailed Dr. Baggs today to see where he is at with my fills. I am up 7 pounds since October and I am not losing at all. Before that I was losing about 5 a month. So clearly my band is not doing anything right now. But I don't expect him to change his mind....if I can get a fill I will sneak over to Vacaville at lunch and than high tail it back to work before they know I am gone. If not I will call you and you can call for an appointment same time I cancell!! Give me your number and I will let you know if I cancell. Most likely I will!! Ok ladies I gotta get to bed!

I hear ya Heather and if anyone should have a band it is you..........I don't agree with making you wait so long. So many other people have already gone and got the band with alot less lost......... Just don't give up............cause if anyone deserves a band it is you and I know your gonna make it!! Still don't get why you have to lose so much. You need to talk to Dr. Fischer and find out if that can change. Maybe, maybe, maybe........... Rock the fitness challenge...................

COCO: I had GERD and terrible reflux before surgery. None since. A couple days of reflux when the band was to tight but honestly the band totally cured my GERD and I had it really, really bad pre band. John you fit right in now I don't feel so bad about all my TMI posts. LOL. Did well today until I had ice cream with MIchaela. Ah geez gotta start over and I was having such a great day before that...............

Dr. Oz says 10,000 steps a day and food logs..........how much is that Omron run? I have the regular pedo nothing fancy. Lee-I had the darn wet cough after surgery and it hurt to cough. I think it was a touch of pneumonia but it passed in a week. Just hurt like heck to try and cough the first few days so I tried not to which I am sure made it worse. I agree if you don't start feeling better call Dr. Baggs. But I think he would want to see you in ER cause when my incision got infected he wanted me to come in.......luckily my uncle is a doctor and I had him check the incisions and he told me it was not bad enough to go to ER. I let Dr. Baggs know and he said to just watch it for a few days. Hope you feel better. Well I have to work today.............yuck but at least I have a job and am busy so job security!! :-) Have a good one!!

Still hoping my uncle can get certified through Lap Band/Allergen but I think it will cost him to attend the training so we'll see.......