minpinmom

I LOVE Dr. Spiegel - he now has an Xray machine in his Houston office for fills (so you don't have to go to the fill center for a barium swallow). I went with him due to his experience doing Lapband surgeries, also at the time he ONLY did Lapband, now he does other WLS too. I also liked Spivak, but at the time I was doing my research, Spivak hadn't done as many surgeries - so I went with Spiegel. I think they are both excellent choices - and 2 of the Very Best Surgeons in the US, not just Texas. NOTE: In a couple of months, Spiegel will have a center in The Woodlands for all of us Northern' Houstonians :-)

It sounded like you were promoting it to me as well - sorry for all the confusion. We are all BB fiends in here - It appeared you came across as an employee of BB, then began promoting a different product, I am sure you can see, in this thread, that is like throwing yourself into a hungry lion's den! Hopefully no feelings were hurt - OH, I have a great idea for the new UPGRADED version - I want mine to zap me if I raise the fork to my mouth too many times! Ha!

Sensewear~ I am a bit baffled, I was told that 24 hour fitness, Apex, BodyBugg were all owned by the same company, which I thought you worked for? Now you are promoting BodyMedia - which, after looking at their website, looks like a bb knockoff. What gives, does Apex own them all?

I can't believe they didn't tell you this stuff! It is as if they want you to fail! Please feel free to ask any questions - I would be happy to help you!

I learn more from this site. I didn't ever think about athletic tape - I will have to try that!

She was just wonderful! She kept thanking US for standing in line to buy her book - She was SO beautiful. It was really a great experience. Also - I am hoping that when Jenna continues the book tour - she will start signing her new name - because this was the last stop before her wedding - so it makes it a bit more memorable being the last set of books she signs as Jenna Bush!

We made it! We are all unloaded and resting. It was 6.5 hours - then when we got here - they had us down to check in yesterday - but my card was declined (it was stolen a few months ago - so we canceled it) - So, anyway after begging and pleading, the honored my reservation - then we found out we are upstairs and there are NO elevators! Well, I guess I won't have to workout tonight!

I purchased mine from Craigslist for $240.00 with the digital display. But mine was unopened, so I got the 3 months subscription and 2 coaching sessions as well, so it is really no difference, I think the only differences is if you buy one that has been used - then it is harder to setup and you have to buy the subscription and coaching sessions.

I have been planning and packing and giddy with excitement. Amy, one of my Dog Show buddies will be here this evening with Keela, her show dog. We will be driving out tomorrow morning - at the butt crack of dawn. :-) Headed to Oklahoma City and the Miniature Pinscher National Show. Piper is so excited, she knows something is going on she just doesn't know what. She sees me getting all of her show gear out - but she hasn't been groomed yet - so she is a bit confused. We are staying from Sunday to Friday - and most of it is pretty dressy, so I have a ton of clothes to take - then of course, the dogs have their own entourage of luggage and accessories. So we will have 1 packed vehicle. We will be showing on Wednesday (I believe), so wish us luck. I have packed all of my workout clothes - they have a huge gym - so hopefully I will find time to workout. It won't all be fun and games, I work from home - so I will be working from the Hotel while I am there - so it should be pretty darn busy. I will take lots of pictures to post when I return. Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

I have been planning and packing and giddy with excitement. Amy, one of my Dog Show buddies will be here this evening with Keela, her show dog. We will be driving out tomorrow morning - at the butt crack of dawn. :-) Headed to Oklahoma City and the Miniature Pinscher National Show. Piper is so excited, she knows something is going on she just doesn't know what. She sees me getting all of her show gear out - but she hasn't been groomed yet - so she is a bit confused. We are staying from Sunday to Friday - and most of it is pretty dressy, so I have a ton of clothes to take - then of course, the dogs have their own entourage of luggage and accessories. So we will have 1 packed vehicle. We will be showing on Wednesday (I believe), so wish us luck. I have packed all of my workout clothes - they have a huge gym - so hopefully I will find time to workout. It won't all be fun and games, I work from home - so I will be working from the Hotel while I am there - so it should be pretty darn busy. I will take lots of pictures to post when I return. Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Thanks for the warning - I may still try it - I am getting desperate.

When I had my coaching session, Tamala said never to leave a message - stay on hold the hold time is usually 5 minutes or less and if you leave a message they won't call you till the next day. You might want to try staying on hold. I know I would be going nuts without mine!

I had the same problem - they ended up having me start with a zero and mine didn't even have a zero on it to make it work. Maybe there has to be a minimum amount of digits or something.

:blushing::thumbup::rolleyes2::biggrin: I couldn't find a dancing smiley face - so this was the next best thing! Congratulations!

That is a good idea! I have that already in my cabinet too! I have to say, I now have a small blister on my other heel. I have been using the stick - but I thought my shoes were pretty much broken in- so I didn't put much of the stick on today and damnit if I didn't get another blister.

Is this what they do on the show "You Are What You Eat"? I love that show and it almost always shows them going in for something having to do with the colon - and it shows clips while they are in there , like with a tube with "stuff" in it. Sounds interesting - but I don't think I am up for it.

Sorry this didn't format very well. Tricare started covering Lapband Dec. 10, 2007. They backdated it to Feb 2007 (I believe). This is taken directly off of their website. I had surgery Feb 19th of this year, covered 100% by Tricare. Good Luck! (Oh, I put the important stuff in RED) TRICARE POLICY MANUAL 6010.54-M, AUGUST 1, 2002 SURGERY C-66, December 10, 2007 CHAPTER 4 SECTION 13.2 SURGERY FOR MORBID OBESITY ISSUE DATE: November 9, 1982 AUTHORITY: 32 CFR 199.4(e)(15) I. CPT1 PROCEDURE CODES 43644, 43770 - 43774, 43842, 43846, 43848, 43886 - 43888, S2083 II. DESCRIPTION Morbid obesity means the body weight is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure, according to the most current Metropolitan Life Table, and such weight is in association with severe medical conditions known to have higher mortality rates in association with morbid obesity; or, the body weight is 200% or more of ideal weight for height and bone structure. III. POLICY A. Gastric bypass, gastric stapling or gastroplasty, to include vertical banded gastroplasty is covered when one of the following conditions is met: 1. The patient is 100 pounds over the ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated medical conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome (and other severe respiratory diseases), hypothalamic disorders and severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints. 2. The patient is 200% or more of the ideal weight for height and bone structure. An associated medical condition is not required for this category. 3. The patient has had an intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and, because of complications, requires a second surgery (a takedown). B. In determining the ideal body weight for morbid obesity using the Metropolitan Life Table, contractors must apply 100 pounds (or 200%) to both the lower and higher end of the weight range. Payment will be allowed when beneficiaries meet all requirements for morbid obesity surgery including the ideal weight within the newly determined range. TRICARE POLICY MANUAL 6010.54-M, AUGUST 1, 2002 CHAPTER 4, SECTION 13.2 SURGERY FOR MORBID OBESITY IV. EXCLUSIONS A. Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction. B. Biliopancreatic bypass (jejunoileal bypass, Scopinaro procedure) for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven (CPT2 procedure code 43645, 43845, 43847, or 43633). C. Gastric bubble or balloon for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven. D. Gastric wrapping/open gastric banding (CPT2 procedure code 43843) for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven. E. Unlisted CPT2 procedure codes 43659 (laparoscopy procedure, stomach); 43999 (open procedure, stomach); and 49329 (laparoscopy procedure, abdomen, peritoneum, and omentum) for gastric bypass procedures. F. Adjustable gastric band (open or laparoscopically) (CPT2 procedure codes 43770 -43774, 43886 - 43888, and 90772). V. EFFECTIVE DATES A. Laparoscopic surgical procedure for gastric bypass and gastric stapling (gastroplasty), including vertical banded gastroplasty are covered, effective December 2, 2004. B. Laproscopic adjustable gastric banding is covered, effective February 1, 2007. C-66, December 10, 2007

Okay, so I am dealing with blisters on my heels for the first time I can remember. (I wasn't too active up to this point). I joined the gym and am having a blast until the dreaded Blister. First, let me introduce you to the cause of the problem. My new shoes (which I really liked before they decided to rub me the wrong way - hehe). They are from New Balance and are actually pretty comfy. I paid $35.00 for them at TJ MAX. I am not going to hold this against them for long - everyone needs a second chance. My blister is not too pretty. I got it last week - and haven't been able to do the treadmill because of it. The picture was taken today, I think 5 or 6 days after it showed up. So, thanks to everyones suggestions, I went to Walgreens to see if they had Band-Aids for Blisters and they did! I bought them and a Blister Block Stick. It is supposed to slick up your heel so that there is no friction, thus, no blister. I tried them today and was able to workout like normal. It still felt a little tender, but it was do-able. The Band-Aid Blister Covers were $4.99 and the Band-Aid Blister Block was $6.99. I would suggest them to everyone - I wished I would have known about them before the "incident"

Okay, so I am dealing with blisters on my heels for the first time I can remember. (I wasn't too active up to this point). I joined the gym and am having a blast until the dreaded Blister. First, let me introduce you to the cause of the problem. My new shoes (which I really liked before they decided to rub me the wrong way - hehe). They are from New Balance and are actually pretty comfy. I paid $35.00 for them at TJ MAX. I am not going to hold this against them for long - everyone needs a second chance. My blister is not too pretty. I got it last week - and haven't been able to do the treadmill because of it. The picture was taken today, I think 5 or 6 days after it showed up. So, thanks to everyones suggestions, I went to Walgreens to see if they had Band-Aids for Blisters and they did! I bought them and a Blister Block Stick. It is supposed to slick up your heel so that there is no friction, thus, no blister. I tried them today and was able to workout like normal. It still felt a little tender, but it was do-able. The Band-Aid Blister Covers were $4.99 and the Band-Aid Blister Block was $6.99. I would suggest them to everyone - I wished I would have known about them before the "incident"

I loved Ali on The Biggest Loser - and I couldn't believe she won! It was such an awesome transformation. The men look great and lose so much weight, but the women's looks change so much. I can't wait to lose a significant amount of weight and it be noticeable. Too funny about your hubby falling off - I have to hold on - I have horrible balance and I would totally fall.

lol, I agree with the price of gas - my hubby is getting a motorcycle for that very reason. I can't wait to be thin enough to look good on the back of it! I have never seen blister bandaids, I am so going to WalMart tomorrow morning to try some! I went to the gym today and wore some tennis shoes that don't have backs - I could ride the bike, but I kept walking out of them on the treadmill. I had been looking at bodybuggs - and then noticed them on The Biggest Loser too - I think I was addicted to that show this year. I still LOVE my Bugg - it doesn't lie - this week has been crazy and it keeps letting me know - girl - you ain't gonna lose weight if you keep this up! I just wish it would zap me when I eat the wrong things!

The booklet my Dr. gave me at pre-op, said no "rough sex" for 3 months. He said we can have sex as soon as you feel up to it - be careful and nothing "rough" I wonder if his definition and my definition is the same!

The gym WAS going great, but I have a HUGE blister on my heel from new workout shoes. I have taken 3 days off - but I will probably go back with some backless tennis shoes - hopefully I will be as motivated. :-)

If you just had a fill, you should be on liquids until your stomach's swelling goes down. My Dr. has you on liquids for 4 days following a fill, then soft foods for 4 days. Then you start adding real food. There would be no way I would be able to eat real food right after a fill. Your stomach needs time to get back to normal - it is irritated and mad at the tightening it feels.

It sounds like you are doing GREAT - My Dr. wants me to lose 1-2 lbs a week - a friend of mine got a fill 2 weeks ago and she was too tight, but didn't want to tell him because she wanted to lose the weight fast - she finally broke down and went in she had lost like 15lbs in the past 2 weeks - he gave her a complete unfill (she was also sick from it). He was very angry with her and told her to go on liquids for a week, then come back in 2 for a slight fill. I am a little jealous when I hear people with huge weight losses, but I just keep telling myself that I will get there - and probably at the same time they will. Bodies have a way of evening themselves out. Keep up the great work - the time before fills is the HARDEST. And thanks for going easy on a Republican here! :-)