coltonwade

Normally I have found that insurances cover 80% of surgeries . So that might be something for you to plan on . HTH Mindy

You could possibly get insurance , but you would have to pay more and anything having to do with your band wouldnt be covered. What about a loan ? Also you said you had enough money saved up to cover what insurance might not cover ? Would that be enough to maybe go to Mexico ? I totally understand how you feel though. My mom THINKS she's being Supportive but she's not . I got the " its an easy way out , you havent done enough on your own to loose the wt, I Would feel better if you did this , this and this ," But in the long run it basically boiled down to my mom was scared becuase she didnt have enough info on the surgery and she was scared because it was surgery . She's still not too keen on the idea but she doesnt say negative things anymore. HTH Mindy

Maybe you Should talk to her and have HER talk to your mom about the surgery ? Kind of sounds like she truest your brothers girl friend if she's wanting you to talk to her. So if she heard what the surgery is about and how safe it is ect from her it might help ? I agree with what someone else said, talk to your insurance company , see if they will pay for the surgery . I first was dependening on my parents( as always) to cosign a loan for me . I SO DID NOT Want to have my parents in on this to once again have them bail me out on something. I asked they basically ignored and Imvoed on . I got a job cleaning houses saved up $3000 in 2 months THEN our company took off and i'll have my surgery in December. Its goign to feel SO GOOD to FINALLY not have to depend on my parents for something money wise for a change . And im a grown woman marreid with kids. Dont depend on or wait for your mom's approval for this just DO IT . and like i said maybe your brothers girl friend might help the process. HTH Good luck Mindy

LOL Im glad you asked that question because I felt like i was confused about that too . OR thought I was missing something but didnt want to ask . Thanks Mindy:nervous

I have considered the IUD only because I can not take hormonal Birth Control due to Chronic migraines. BC with hormones make them worse. if your doc is talking hysto ONLY For treatment of PCOS get SECOND , THIRD Opinion. Hysto's are NOT approved for PCOS treatment. Trust me I TRIED lol I Tried to get my gyn to give me one , I do not want anymore children , I figured, the parts I do have do not work and are painful with periods so why keep them . I am not sure of your age but im 31 and my docs response was " EVEN if you were 55 I would NOT give you a hysto due to PCOS its NOT a treatment for it and Its NOT a reason to give someone a Hysto " Now if your having other issues like endometriosis or something that is a different story . But I actually searched for docs that WOULD give me one for PCOS and None would . NOW alot had to do with my age they didnt want me on Hormone replacements so early , I can take natrual hormones and it not affect my migraines ( so they say ) . But good luck Mindy

The Avenue has Petities. There sizes start at a 14 though so if your getting smaller than that you might be SOL LOL > I bought a pair of there petitite jeans and im 5'4" the Average jeans were too long and the P's were just an inch or so too short . But look ok with shoes on . So you might try there. HTH http://www.avenue.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Home?storeId=326&langId=-1 Mindy

Aspartame is a HUGE no no for me too w/my migraines, im better off with Sugar . Anything with Why protein is likely to have it . I started off trying to see what powders didnt have artifical sweetners in it ( That's a feat in itself) then I noticed they started having MSG In them too . OR COULD have MSG . The problem is MSG Is in EVERYTHING and on labels under about 20 names . Here is a link http://www.truthinlabeling.org/hiddensources.html just for an FYI . But here are a few names that MSG is often in or create MSG during the process of making these and this is my problem with the Protein as you will see lol : Carrageenan Maltodextrin Malt extract Natural pork flavoring Citric acid Malt flavoring Bouillon and broth Natural chicken flavoring Soy protein isolate Natural beef flavoring Ultra-pasteurized Soy sauce Stock Barley malt Soy sauce extract Whey protein concentrate Pectin Soy protein Whey protein Protease Soy protein concentrate Whey protein isolate Protease enzymes Anything protein fortified Flavors(s) & Flavoring(s) Anything enzyme modified Anything fermented Natural flavor(s) & flavoring(s) Enzymes anything Seasonings (the word "seasonings") Mindy

Ok i have been looking into different protein drinks for my surgery in December. I have chronic migraines . For those who have migraines and have have triggers from MSG do any of the Protein Powders set you off ? I noticed some of them or alot of them actually have MSG under different names . And Whey protein and Soy protein in general usually has MSG in them . SO does anyone have any problems with these ? If so what do you use ? Thanks Mindy

I think you hit the nail on the head right there. I think since Bypass is so public and more people know about it (or THINK they know ) and what they do know is that you loose wt very rapidly THAT"S what they are going by . They judge the band by bypass . When i explain it to people I have noticed that they say " Oh so its not like bypass where you loose 100lbs in 6 months or something like that ? " that's the FIRST Thing they think of . Im sorry your going through such a hard time. I think i told too many people at first than I should have. It never crossed my mind not to tell my parents , im a pretty open person . But I do get crap from them , the easy way out crap as well as some friends. NOW I just tell people I know will be supportive. Good luck and try not to let them bother you your doing great Mindy

I am hopefully going to be banded in December and I Do the same thing. I think my main reason for my crying is wanting the surgery NOW , I too have been wanting surgery for a few yrs and couldnt afford it until now . Personally when i get like that i have to distance myself from my lab band forums for a day or so then i come back . Sometimes reading about others expericences with the band is too much for me . Even though I am totoally happy for them and i knwo i'll be there soon , its just too much for me on some days. My husband thinks im nuts sometimes ! But I Do it too , so if its not "Normal" than im not either lol Mindy

ROFLMAO Both Rush and Ann are Worthless peices of Trash , I Spit on them .... Spit.. lol I cant stand either one of them . I find it funny for them to aling themselves with the party who call themselves Conservatives. I would HATE to think what they would do if they were NOT So damn conservative. Stem cell research is a touchy subject for me , Since my republican husband and I just got done arguing about it AGAIN . My Sister in law has Huntington's Disease. She found out about 3 yrs ago . She is as we speak watching her mother die of a disease that she will die of in about 15 yrs , if there is no cure. Stem cell research could go A LONG way in curing her. Huntingtons disease is a disease that doesnt have onset of symtpoms for many many yrs it is a mix ( as far as symptoms goes sort of like Parkinsons, Alzheimers, Lou Gerihigs disease and MS all rolled up into one) . She has time , unlike Michael J Fox who does not . Sorry I got off subject. MJF has done nothing to deserve the attack the Rush put on him . What kind of low life scum bag are you to do that ? . Like Rush has ALOT of room to talk too given his recent past. GEEZ. UGHH > :angry Mindy

Thanks Alexandra for taking the time to answer my question . That is sort of what i figured that as long as it was an "emergency " situation it should be covered. I will see if i can call and get an answer with out giving my personal info. Thanks again Mindy

I am not banded yet , We are in the process of getting private insurance as well. Here is my question... How do i find out with out "giving away too much info " if the insurance I want to get will pay for complications post op if i have my surgery and im self pay . In other words, Im going to be self pay , I'll get my insurance before getting ANYTHING done in regards to the surgery , that way they cant say it was a preexisting condition. Then If something goes wrong later on , how do i find out if they will cover it ? I knwo some insurances will cover it if its 90 days post op . I have the info booklet here , im just not sure what to look under. Thanks Mindy

Ok So I spoke to another of my surgeon's patients , he hasnt answered me back yet, I thought he would not since its the weekend and all. She said he has her do 1 day Clear Liquids 1 day liquids and one day Smooshies ( what ever you call it LOL) then one day semi solids. So I am getting the impression that maybe this is for the first fill ? We'll see. But just wanted to let ya'll know what she said. Mindy

Dreamer , I agree with you . Each is different. His stats speak for himself, I just have gotten in contact with a few other patients of his and they ALL have glowing recommendations for him . They just cant stay enough about him. I will see how everything pulls together for me and if my "intuation is right' on my consult but I think it will be . Thanks for your input its helpful. Mindy

Its something I SAY I Can do now, But I wont know I guess until im in the banders shoes lol . I too am a believer in doing what your doc says if it make sense , if it doesnt make sense ask why lol . Ive been in the medical feild for 10 yrs so i can usually tell or feel when something is just absurd. I asked on here because on another board , like i told jack a few ppl told me to get another doc . I thought that was a bit extreme lol Thanks for your comments and help Sherryjo. I am HOPING TO be banded in December if all goes well with finances. Mindy

I will do that Jack. I asked my friend and she said that its after every fill. But Im not 100% sure she's right lol. That's why im emailing the surgeon . Some other people on another board said to find another surgeon that this is wacko . But I am not so sure. I think its conservative for sure. But WHen your talking about something you will have for the rest of your life , and its not like i'll have to do it every month, week ... its somethign I KNOW I can do if i need to . What is your opinion if indeed it does need to be done every fill ? Given you have a conservative surgeon . Like i said I have not met him yet but I am VERY Comfortable with him thus far, I have spoken to him on the phone and email him fruquently and he answers me with no problem . Granted that might change when i meet him . But as of now Im comfortable with his choices, and answers. Thanks Mindy

Ok my friend is seeing the same surgeon that im going to be seeing. (Im not banded yet ) She had her first fill today . Granted this is her first fill and she's 8 or 10 weeks post op . Now I see some benifits to this schedule and he said if she can make these stages for 2 days that's great. His fills are free for the first year post op so its not like he's trying to get more money . Im just curious if anyone else has anything like this with your doc ? This surgeon's stats are AWESOME , he's VERY helpful. He emails me when i have ANY Questions emailed to him and I have not even seen him yet. SO I have an email into him , I Sort of have a feeling this MIGHT be his policy for the FIRST Fill with post op being so soon ? I Dont know . But here it is : > NO Solids for 12 days ! . > 3 days Clearn liquids > 3 days liquids > 3 days mushies > 3 Days Semi solids > Then Solids > What do ya'll think ? Ill do it I know i can just wanted input ! I am sure that he has his reasoning and Im asking him about that as well. Any input would be great. Thanks Mindy

I have been lurking on this thread and I will have to jump in on this. I have to agree with Carlene on this . My husband comes from a VERY VERY long line of drug addicts and alcholics. His father was an a drig addict and alcohlic and abusive ( he's recovering) his mother was a drug addict and died of AIDS this yr ( She says from an ex husband Personally I think it was from IV DRug use) EVERYONE on his mom's side and dad's side from their families excluding my husbans generation are Adddicts. (I AM NOT Exaggerating ) They have on jobs, they live on welfare, NON Of them raised their own kids. Now , my husbands generations of his family some got smart, THEY MADE THE CHOICE to NOT be like their parents, to RAISE There chidlren to NOT Abuse them TO BE PRODUCTIVE citizens. My husband has 2 brothers, one is a loving caring husband and a police officer. The other is 36 yrs old and has been IN Jail more in his life than he has been out and has been ON drugs more than he's been off. His excuse " I had a hard life, my parents were loosers and never were around, I was abused all my life and it was hard im so miserable blah blah poor me " Well YEAH SO did your brothers. MY husband was living on his OWN at age 14 working full time and STILL Managed to finish high school ,he turned down a FULL Athletic scholar ship to Texas A&M Universityto play FOOTBALL ,( In texas that's the HOLY GRAIL ) because his MOTHER Gulit triped him into it because she might DIE with out him . That's a mom for ya . My point I agree with Carlene as a GROWN ADULT Child you have to make choices and stop blaming your parents. TYou can choose to follow in their foot steps or you can choose to better yourself. NO matter HOW bad it was or not. Better yourself and take responsibilty . I also had problems with drugs and alchol as a teenager (also in my 20's) I got pregnant at 16 was wild. My parents were GREAT parents, no alchol in their past , MY Dad BROKE That cycle with him , since HIS Dad was an alcholoic . I chose to be an idiot i have no reason to blame it on my parents. My brother , never got into trouble. Never touched drugs and drank for the first time on his 21st bday . Its all what you choose. Mindy

I thought of this after posting last time . Do any of ya'll have migraines ? there is a "phenomenon" where people who have migraines have "Odor Auras" for lack of a better word. I dont know how else to describe it. They smell things that are not there. For instance I smell propane, Gasoline, and smoke like the house is on fire . It doesnt happen all the time or with every migraine but it does happen . Sometimes people have this and have no migraine. But mine always come before or during a migraine. My husband use to think i was NUTS. But i also have an EXTRaORDINARY Nose. For instance, if someone is smoking a cigar ( something that gives me a migraine ) at a crowed place I can smell it from across the room . When no one else can smell it . My son can spray colonge and i'll come home and hour later and still smell it. So might be something else to think about too Mindy

I too am waiting for surgery . Im self pay so im waiting for money . We are self employed and we are making sure this big job is going to pay out in December then HOPEFULLY I can get it then. I know this form has answered just about every single question I have had . Anything You want to ask , do a search first I can almost GURANTEE you its been asked lol . there is SO MUCH info on here that is so useful . Good luck with the surgery . Mindy

Im not banded yet but I use to work in the medical field for 10 yrs and just from what you described it sounds like ketosis . I remeber smelling that smell one time on a man and I told the doc about it and he rushed in there. It can also be a indication of a diabetic being in trouble. BUT its also what happens when people diet. You hear people on atkins talk about throwing themselves into ketosis alot. Its a very unpleasant smell and can vary a bit. But Amonia smelling is close. Its very strong . and it probably is coming from your breathe. Being that your probably eating alot of Protein i wouldnt worry too much about it but i would check with your doc . Just so he can check your glucse levels. Here are some websites that migh thelp explan it better. http://www.webmd.com/content/article/36/1728_52578.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketoacidosis Mindy

That's an issue for sure if you have to choose from a list . I guess that's one small advantage to being self pay . NOt too many advantages I see to self pay but that would be one of them. I would then ask their policies on Emergencies and problems , how are you to get ahold of them ? Even speak to the doctor . Tell him you didnt feel you were treated very kind on the phone. ALOT OF times docs do not know how their staff treats patients and when they do find out they dont like it . Good luck . Mindy

I will say this though, If you feel like your docs office does not care about you or is not concerend, that you are just a number you may want to rethink your choice of surgeons. There is NO WAY I could go to a doc that treated me like a # and not a person. I have worked for docs offices for 10 yrs and even though they are busy and your right your not the only person, you CAN Be treated with RESPECT and kindness , if you do not feel like your getting that and its important to you to feel that way ... Well you mightw ant to rethink things with that office. How are things goign to be if you have a concern ?I have not even SEEN my surgeon yet and I have his email that HE PERSONALLY responds to , I can email him and he will respond within 24 hours with an answer, Others who see him speak to him on the phone frequently . You do not leave the hospital with out His cell phone and Home Phone number. Those things are important to me . If they are important to you you need to make sure you can get them from your surgeon. Just my input Mindy

Darrell, CONGRATS to you . I hope things go well. I did call Capital one and a few other places. Our problem is a catch 22. We have the money to make the payments, our credit score is fine ( now) but we have a chapter 7 bankcurpcy discharged on our record from this yr. SO im stuck. I THOUGHT my parents were going to cosign for me, I even started cleaning houses to "Show" My parents " Look this money is 3 monthly payments for a loan" and because they dont exactly agree with the choice they have not exactly said anything else about it since I asked them so i took that as a no and im just goign to wait until December when our business has a big job payout and I can do it then. So we'll see. Hope your surgery goes well tomorow good luck Mindy