tonya66

Whatever it is, its a wonderful motivator, reward, etc. Take it an enjoy it! We are leaving for a cruise in 84 days, but who is counting? Me, thats who. I have it written down on my board at work, I have to look at it everyday, so it is motivating me to get to the gym. Kiss your husband, and get to the gym, you want to look good don't ya? lol. You'll have so much fun!

Thats exciting! Best wishes to u!

Bfast 1 cup of coffee with cream 1/2 packet of banana nut weight wise instant oatmeal Lunch 1 cup of tomatoe soup with 1 string cheese Dinner Protein Drink - EAS low carb mixed with skim milk Exercise - 15 min elliptical - 1.22 distance, 131 calories

Bfast 1 cup of coffee with cream 1/2 packet of banana nut weight wise instant oatmeal Lunch 1 cup of tomatoe soup with 1 string cheese Dinner Protein Drink - EAS low carb mixed with skim milk Exercise - 15 min elliptical - 1.22 distance, 131 calories

LJM - you look awesome girl!

Okay - I just knew this was going to be the right fill. I do seem to get full quicker. However, I just don't feel it? I know, I should just be happy that I eat less. In the past it has taken a few weeks for my fill to really kick in, so I'm hoping that will happen. I'm very hopeful it will work, but I'm also scared this fill doesn't work. I'm running out of room for any further fills. So, I'm not going to give up. I had weight wise oatmeal this morning, only ate about 1/2 of it. Lunch Tomatoe soup Dinner Protein shake, maybe some smashed up beans I made too. Exercise - 10:00 am 15 min on elliptical machine 3:00 pm - 15 min on elliptical machine

Okay - I just knew this was going to be the right fill. I do seem to get full quicker. However, I just don't feel it? I know, I should just be happy that I eat less. In the past it has taken a few weeks for my fill to really kick in, so I'm hoping that will happen. I'm very hopeful it will work, but I'm also scared this fill doesn't work. I'm running out of room for any further fills. So, I'm not going to give up. I had weight wise oatmeal this morning, only ate about 1/2 of it. Lunch Tomatoe soup Dinner Protein shake, maybe some smashed up beans I made too. Exercise - 10:00 am 15 min on elliptical machine 3:00 pm - 15 min on elliptical machine

OMG - what a great deal you got! I've been wanting a bodybug for soooo long. I never thought about craigslist. I've been watching them on Ebay, but so far they are still out of my price range. I'm going to continue searching for one, I really want one!

Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's) Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more! Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter. Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince 11/23/07 - Unfill - Got unfill and because of the swelling and all the PBing, doc took my fill down to 3.0cc's. NO RESTRICTION AGAIN Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital and the Doc had to take me back down to 3.0. grrrr. Now I'm back where I was in November, barely restriction again. Fill #9 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc. FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one!:biggrin:

Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's) Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more! Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter. Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince 11/23/07 - Unfill - Got unfill and because of the swelling and all the PBing, doc took my fill down to 3.0cc's. NO RESTRICTION AGAIN Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital and the Doc had to take me back down to 3.0. grrrr. Now I'm back where I was in November, barely restriction again. Fill #9 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc. FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one!:thumbs_up:

I just came from my fill #10. He did it different this time, he did not take all my saline out and just added some. I think I'm finally where I need to be. The last time I had pretty good restriction, but not quite enough I was at 3.8cc, he filled me to 4.0 and then that is where my troubles began. The last fill, he filled me to 3.5 cc's, this time he added .4 ccs in, which would put me at 3.9cc's. All along, I've told him I think 3.9 cc's would be the perfect amount, I think he finally listened to me and that is where I am now. So time will tell. Right now, I'm pretty tight I can tell, however, its in the am and I'm always tighter in the morning,then come evening, I'm wide open. So we'll see how I do this evening. I will be on liquids all day today and tomorrow then to mushies and then to regular food. I am so excited that I might finally be at my sweet spot after 10 fills and 15 months of trying!

Here you go - Bard® Titanium Low-Profile port

Okay - I just came from fill #10. The doc did something different, he usually takes all my fill out and then refills it. But since I've had so many fills, he just added to it. I was at 3.5 cc, he filled me .4cc, which gives me 3.9 cc's. I remember the last time I had pretty good restriction was at 3.8 cc, then he filled me to 4.0 cc's and all my troubles began. All along, I've always thought 3.9 cc's would be the perfect spot. Well, finally after 15 months I'm at my sweet spot - or at least I think I am. Its still too early to tell. I will be on liquids all day today and possibly tomorrow, then I go on mushies for 2 days, then to regular food. He had me eat some jello while I was there, I can still feel it in my pouch, I ate about 1/2 of the container, and I was stuffed. Now, the problem is, I'm always tighter in the am and loose in the evening, so tonight will be the real test. Menu today bfast - jello Lunch - tomatoe soup - puree Dinner - protein shake Exercise - 3:00 pm - 15 min on elliptical machine

Okay - I just came from fill #10. The doc did something different, he usually takes all my fill out and then refills it. But since I've had so many fills, he just added to it. I was at 3.5 cc, he filled me .4cc, which gives me 3.9 cc's. I remember the last time I had pretty good restriction was at 3.8 cc, then he filled me to 4.0 cc's and all my troubles began. All along, I've always thought 3.9 cc's would be the perfect spot. Well, finally after 15 months I'm at my sweet spot - or at least I think I am. Its still too early to tell. I will be on liquids all day today and possibly tomorrow, then I go on mushies for 2 days, then to regular food. He had me eat some jello while I was there, I can still feel it in my pouch, I ate about 1/2 of the container, and I was stuffed. Now, the problem is, I'm always tighter in the am and loose in the evening, so tonight will be the real test. Menu today bfast - jello Lunch - tomatoe soup - puree Dinner - protein shake Exercise - 3:00 pm - 15 min on elliptical machine

I'm staying on plan today because I just got fill #10 and I think "Houston, we finally have the sweet spot - the perfect restriction!"

ladies - I hear you both about the no weightloss. I think it was November I was at my lowest of 167, I'm now at around 178, or something like that, I haven't weighed in over a week. I decided it was time to recommit myself, I reminded myself why I had the surgery in the first place, I am making baby steps to make the needed changes. I'm back to exercising, not everyday yet, but 4 to 5 times a week. Even if I do it 1x a week, its still making those needed changes. We can't change the past, only the future, so thats what I'm focussing on. 5jacks - i'm the same way as you, I tend to stay quiet when I'm in a rut, but I really really really do want to get to goal this year, so I'm trying to pull myself out of the rut and get back on track. The time to be involved I've learned is when you really need the support, no one is here to judge you or "lecture" you, we're all here for support and encouragement. You've come a long way, and you should be very proud of yourself! So hang in there and don't give up!

Glad your feeling better! When you go back to Arizona, your going to knock their socks off girl!

Thanks guys, I think I'm a little hormonal. lol I do feel better today, I was just a little down yesterday because when I first had the surgery, I figured I would be at goal by now.....Was a little sad yesterday that I haven't reached goal yet. Thank for all your support - we can and will do this!

Yep - I had a rarer type of hiatal hernia, they call it Para-oesophageal hiatal hernia. With or without the band, I would have had to have surgery, it can be life threatening I have later found out. They repaired this, and also stretched my esophagus because of some other issues with the hernia. Anyhow, since they repaired the hernia, I have had ZERO reflux! I feel like a new woman for sure! They did this all at the same time they put my band in so it was a simple surgery. I did have to spend just one night in the hospital, and the only problem I had was my throat was really sore, but I'm sure that was from the stretching of my esophagus. I stayed off work for about 3 weeks, but that was my choice because I had a job that allowed it with 100% pay. I took advantage of that. I could have returned without anypain in about 7 days I think. Best wishes to you!

Today I'm doing something I know I shouldn't - I'm just flying by on my menu. When you don't plan you plan to fail, as the old saying goes. I need to be careful with what I choose to eat today. Here is my plan: Bfast QT coffee, iced Snack string cheese Lunch roasted chicken salad (going out to run errands and I will run by a local deli and pick this up) Dinner - ground hamburger, small orange - weird combo I know, but I'm thinking this is what I will have 10:00 am - 15 min on elliptcial machine 3:00 pm - 15 min on elliptical machine 9:30 - LBWO at the gym 11:00 pm - be in bed and asleep - I know this probably WON'T happen, but thats my plan :biggrin: My fill is next week, I'm SOOOOO ready for it! Wt - Another day I didn't weigh! Yay!

Today I'm doing something I know I shouldn't - I'm just flying by on my menu. When you don't plan you plan to fail, as the old saying goes. I need to be careful with what I choose to eat today. Here is my plan: Bfast QT coffee, iced Snack string cheese Lunch roasted chicken salad (going out to run errands and I will run by a local deli and pick this up) Dinner - ground hamburger, small orange - weird combo I know, but I'm thinking this is what I will have 10:00 am - 15 min on elliptcial machine 3:00 pm - 15 min on elliptical machine 9:30 - LBWO at the gym 11:00 pm - be in bed and asleep - I know this probably WON'T happen, but thats my plan My fill is next week, I'm SOOOOO ready for it! Wt - Another day I didn't weigh! Yay!

You know, I know I can't change the past, I know I've come a long way since last year, but sometimes I am just a little disappointed - not in the band, but in myself. It all began with my cruise last year, after I fell, and had to have surgery, along with my house flooding when we returned home, and my grandmother dying, everything went to H-E - _ _. I ate whatever I wanted, I couldn't exercise, I was so depressed and just ate. The habits came rushing back in full swing. I'm disappointed in myself because I thought I had changed. Now I look at me 14 months post op and I haven't lost weight since - well, November I think I weighed my lowest, 167. I did so good the first 6 months, but the 2nd 6 months were pure aweful! I know, there is nothing I can do about it now, I'm just venting. I am now determined to get 'er done! I want to reach or be pretty close to my goal by my 18 month post op anniversary. I just had to write down my frustration and my disappointment in myself. Now, I'm ready to kick some butt and ready to lose this weight. I think my mind is finally right!

You know, I know I can't change the past, I know I've come a long way since last year, but sometimes I am just a little disappointed - not in the band, but in myself. It all began with my cruise last year, after I fell, and had to have surgery, along with my house flooding when we returned home, and my grandmother dying, everything went to H-E - _ _. I ate whatever I wanted, I couldn't exercise, I was so depressed and just ate. The habits came rushing back in full swing. I'm disappointed in myself because I thought I had changed. Now I look at me 14 months post op and I haven't lost weight since - well, November I think I weighed my lowest, 167. I did so good the first 6 months, but the 2nd 6 months were pure aweful! I know, there is nothing I can do about it now, I'm just venting. I am now determined to get 'er done! I want to reach or be pretty close to my goal by my 18 month post op anniversary. I just had to write down my frustration and my disappointment in myself. Now, I'm ready to kick some butt and ready to lose this weight. I think my mind is finally right!

Ah, thank you.

Another important thing is to be diligent. Insurance companies often have tactics to discourage you from seeking approval for procedures. Usually, the insurance company would prefer that you pay for reconstructive procedures yourself. So if you are initially denied: appeal, appeal, appeal. By law, the steps detailing how to appeal are listed on any letter that informs you of a denial. Take advantage of the information, and be prepared to submit an appeal in writing as necessary. Although with insurance companies, written documentation is king. But don’t be afraid to also call the insurance company to try to find out what factors led to their decision. (That’s what I did after I was initially denied, once I found out who made the decision, I called more than once and asked if my entire file was sent. After some research, I had the file sent again to the doctor who acted as the clinical director and I was later approved. ) Once documentation is received by the insurance company you'd be surprised how often file documents are separated, lost or mislaid. So if the insurance company or a specific department of the company (like the Pre-Determination department, which often makes the decision for reconstructive surgeries) says they didn’t receive the photos along with your file - then ask your surgeon’s office send them again. If they don’t have copies of letters from your other doctors, be prepared to send those again as well. Make sure you are fully prepared with any documentation they would need to make their decision, and you are better assured of approval. NOTES - I don't really know who to give credit for, but I found it while googling on someones blog, I couldn't find a name. But It is not mine - although this person was very informative and I appreciate her cander.:biggrin: