jennifermarie

JACKPOT!!!! Check out this site for some good extract recipes - http://www.lap-band-surgery-site.com/protein-shake-recipes.html I vaguely remember butter extract in a chocolate shake... yum'mee!

I remember when I was doing a VLC program through UCLA and we were pretty creative with flavors. Pick a few extracts... vanilla, orange, coconut, etc. A little orange in a vanilla shake makes a nice 50/50 flavor and the coconut gives a little pina colada taste. There are few others, I just can't think of them right now. Also, if you haven't already, check out the youtube community. They have great ideas and recommendations. Check out my "favorites" for some good suggestions from vloggers: YouTube - jynafa's Channel GOOD LUCK JENN (6/08 LAP BAND)

My surgery was moved up to June 8th. Will you be at Chapman? I'll try to keep an eye out for you through all the daze :thumbup: GOOD LUCK!!!!

My surgeon's office called today to say that they had to move my surgery date. I deflated at the sound of the words, BUT... I get to move the date up!!!! So, June 8th is my new date! I'm a little freaked out that it's so soon, but if I had one wish it would have been to move the date up. So I guess wishes do come true. whoohoo!!!

OMG! I thought you looked familiar. I watch all your vlogs I'm subscriber, Jynafa Good Luck!!! Jenn

I'm self pay with Dr. Oliak (16k, includes surg, anes, hosp, f/u and fills for 12 months). I went to a seminar on May 2, consultation a week later on May 8, a long day appt. on June 9 and surgery on June 22. For self payers, remember that you can write off cost that exceeds 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. See IRS 502 for rules. http://www.discoverybenefits.com/attachments/p502%20Medical%20Expenses%202008.pdf

I'm scheduled with Dr. Oliak on June 22, 2009. One of the reasons I chose him, aside from the healthgrades and Chapman being a good facility... and being near my sister, who I'll stay with for a few days after surgery... I like the way he places the port. I can only explain that he secures the port to a mesh and places it "in" the abdomen, not on the muscle wall. It heals in place by developing scar tissue. This helps keep the port in place (no flipping) and there isn't a risk of the port detaching. Also, it's closer to the surface, making fills easier. He said that he's consulting with Lap Band to make this a standard procedure. And, I ain't gonna lie girls... he's easy on the eyes...LOL

WhooHoo!!! June Bansters!!!! I'm scheduled for June 22 with Dr. Oliak at Chapman Medical Center in Orange, CA. I can't wait! I spend time on the Internet (more than I should), mostly on youtube watching vlogs of bansters and bypass folks. I've learned a lot from everyone, especially about fills and how to get through those liquid days. Check out my channel at YouTube - jynafa's Channel for those who I subscribe too. If you also do youtube and see that I should see someone's vlogs, please let me know. If I find the nerve, maybe I'll start posting. But for now, I like watching and listening :purplebananna: Jenn 239lbs, 41 BMI

Another thing is that in So Cal, wherever you look there are billboards, bus ads, and TV commercials for Lap Band. This added attention might have something to do with the time taking longer than the typical 12 months down here. I'm just guessing, because the ads might be just as big in No Cal, except that NCAL KP might have their act together better than SCAL. I don't know :scared2: I'm just glad to be getting it done! Too excited to worry about anything else. GOOD LUCK!!!!

Yeah, you NCAL'ers are lucky, but I have no regrets for doing it on my own. For all of us who have done it or plan to have it done, I have high hopes. I'm glad it's available, however we can get it :scared2:

I have SCAL KP ... I have a bmi of 42 with high blood pressure that is well controlled with medication. When I finally tracked down my referral from my pcp, I was told that the next Options Program in Panorama City would begin in July. I mentioned the lap band to the person on the phone and was told that the doctor would decide what was best. Just to confirm, I asked if it would take about a year to have surgery. She quickly responded, 'oh no! it'll take at least 18 months and in some cases 2 years!!!'. Well, that was the deal breaker for me, on top of maybe fighting with a doctor for what procedure was best for me. I didn't tell her that though :scared2: I decided to go elsewhere and self pay. Since that phone call, I have researched a number of doctors and facilities. I have settled on a surgeon, gone to his seminar and had my consultation. My surgery is scheduled for June 22 '09!!!! I still have not heard a peep from Kaiser. I think many plans will either begin to make it harder get the surgery or stop covering it all together. I think the costs will outweigh the benefit in the long run. Because the assumption is that all fat people are expensive and that's not always true. I think plans will spend more on more skinny people who smoke over time than fat people. I think that's why it takes so long for some plans. They're trying to weed some of us out of the process. A little secret... I also work for KP and there are HUGE differences between the North and South for many things that they do. It's almost as if the regions are different organizations. So when you hear that they do it one way in the North but not the South, don't be surprised.