faithmd

Thanks! And most excellent to hear 300 is good. The DH wants to go see it and I agreed, but ONLY if we go see it in IMAX!

OMG BB, I'm laughing my considerably huge a$$ off, here! I agree, you sure can do a 28lber breast down, it *does* take some creativity (which you certainly seem to have), but it can be done! And it's wonderful! I'll be the old guy behind you was so grateful for your efforts he wouldnt have complained about a thing. :welldoneclap:

Yup, and if you do some looking around here, you will find TONS of threads about pre-op AND post-op diets. Every single one of those threads say that every doctor is different. The philosophy behind shrinking the liver is a sound one, there is tons of data and research to back it up. But some docs are fine with not having you try to shrink it. Some of the studies also say it takes at least four weeks, others say it takes six. Because of the data that says it takes longer, I think some docs just don't have us bother. It all boils down to following what YOUR doc wants you to do. If you don't understand, then question her/him. They are working for you, you have every right (and actually it's your responsiblity) to ask questions.

Sadly we don't get much Blue Bunny stuff up here in Michigan.

Yep, gotta be NPO. Here's a link that describes it really well: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=uppergi&bhjs=0

Hooray!!!!! Only two tiny hoops left. You're almost there!

You are going to have to call them back and ask them about your specific policy. Even if someone else also has BCBSOK, they may have different "riders" on their policy than you do. VERY few insurances will pay for any cosmetic surgery. The key to getting a TT or AL paid for is having your doctor document skin irritations and the like after weight is lost and the insurance will cover it because it is medically necessary. Not too sure how many folks have been able to get breasts paid for, though.

we're looking forward to hearing from you tomorrow, big.

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Rocko!!! Your day is almost here, and you're losing weight, congrats!!! You perhaps smell an insulin needle-free future, but sadly, our futures will not be completely needle free (what with the port accessing and all :welldoneclap: ).

I think you are definitely due for a long hot soak!

Man that sounds good!

I read an interesting article recently about how scientists and therapists are now finding that quite a few folks who have had WLS have developed other addictions such as alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, etc. Makes sense to me, if you can no longer satisfy a food addiction and someone has an addictive personality, then one would substitute another addiction for loss of food.

You have a hiatal hernia? Many bandsters apparently have them, most have said their MD just repairs it when they get banded.

That was always the thing for me, the TONS of weights :welldoneclap: One time in Mexico the guys in the boat tried to get me to climb into it with my belt still on, wasn't going to happen! :Banane20: I am so glad to read about deeper dives being okay. I haven't been down in years but traveling and diving again is a big impetus for me to lose weight. I work with a woman who teaches (so I'll take a refresher from her) and also ice dives in rivers. That's something I've always wanted to do, ice dive (forget the river, though). I also want to cave dive, but realize that it's a challenge when you are a bigger girth, though I loved cavern diving at night for langostinas in Puerto Vallarta!.

Congrats on your upcoming banding, Marsene! I don't know if you've found it yet, but there is a thread here geared to lower BMI Bandsters, here's the link, enjoy!: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/lower-bmi-bandsters-t26697.html?t=26697

Thanks for popping in, Wheetsin! What I'm doing in my waiting period: I am waiting for my first consult (next week), but believe I have all the rest of my ducks in a row as far as insurance requirements. I did my 12 month diet under MD supervision, I see my cardiologist tomorrow and the surgeon's office told me what I need him to write in a letter so that I will be approved on their end without further testing, and I've gotten my clearance letter from the psychologist (as has the surgeon's office). I've got no idea how long this will take for an approval, so for the last few weeks I've been doing what Wheetsin has suggested above. I read around on the threads here (there is SO much good info) and decided I had best get my head straight and start practising eating "Bandster style." Of course my portions are larger than they will be post-op, but I've started eating Protein first, then veggies, then carbs if I've got room. I've stopped drinking with my meals and started chewing, chewing, chewing (that's the hardest for me-I hate the mushy texture!). I'm getting samples of various protein supplements and I've tried making some of the Protein shake recipes folks have posted. I've tried out the different ready mixed supplements people have listed here and have a few packs of what I liked. I found a GREAT sale on the Campbell's Gold Label boxed Soup and bought two cases of the Butternut Squash (my favorite). I got a couple of jars of Better Than Bouillion in different flavors (really yummy!!). I priced baby food for the mushy stage and found that Target and Walmart have the best prices. I've picked up a few jars of meats, veggies and fruits and tried them out to see what I like and what I don't. I'm stocking up on medicine cups (for sipping post-op), and bought a kitchen timer for timing that every fifteen minute drinking thing. I have dressing supplies (I work in healthcare), and various topicals folks have suggested for the itching during healing. I've ordered the drink mixer I decided on from walmart.com (they don't have it in my local Walmart). The one Walmart sells is less than half the price of a Magic Bullet and it has far more power. I've picked up a king-sized moist/dry heating pad and have stocked up on Gas-X strips, liquid Tylenol, Chloraseptic (for the sore throat after surgery) and tried the liquid Centrum (which I hate) so I bought chewable children's Vitamins, I also got a hair, skin and nails supplement. I already chew Tums EX for Calcium and I'll just have to see if I can still use it after surgery. If not, I'll get the Cal with D that's liquid. I found some small kiddie sized plates and cups and bowls at Target and purchased those along with some small silverware. I ordered more loose-fitting work-out clothes to have for after surgery and to encourage myself to work out (I start cardiac rehab tomorrow which will put me on a six week monitored exercise regimen). I bought a pair of locking kitchen tongs (just in case :omg: ) and already have bathroom wipes. I have loads of books and movies to keep myself occuppied. Am I missing anything?? Oh yes, and I've lost about 20lbs in the past month with the food changes I've made, so hopefullly that will go in my favor with the insurance company (they require a weight loss on the MD supervised program to prove you can follow orders and show committment).

It is fairly commonplace that some patients have a slight fever after surgery. They'll be watching it closely. And when he does come home they should give you guidlelines as to what to call them about (how the wounds look, fever, etc...). Splinting the stomach with a pillow or folded blanket works well when doing deep breathing and coughing. The incentive spirometer (a little plastic thing you take deep breaths from-usually a ball needs to be kept at a certain level while you do it) and the deep breathing and coughing (three big, slow DEEP breaths, then a good cough) is to prevent pneumonia and collapsing of the the little air sacs in your lungs, it's VERY important to do, despite the pain. If they don't have an incentive spirometer to give him (they SHOULD), then get a bottle of kid's bubbles and make him blow lots of them. It works in a similar way, you take a long, slow deep breath and blow out in a slow, controlled way. Make sure he does get up and walk, it will hurt, but he HAS to. Have that heating pad ready for him to put on his shoulder for the gas pain.

Glad to hear things are moving along well this evening!

Heck if i'd wear a pad:eek: ... I'm glad your doc said a tampon was just fine! I'll be closely watching my pill pack when I get a date set and will be playing around with those little suckers to avoid this issue. I hadn't even thought about it, so thanks for bringing it back up!

Oh no, I wouldn't throw away such a good relationship over that. Many docs suggest gaining weight if you are close to being approved, in order to put you over the top. I think they do this because being a self-pay is such a hardship for so many folks. Having a bit higher BMI helps as far as the insurance goes. Did she know you would rather self pay than gain? Most times our MD's don't know this unless we tell them. I think she was just trying to be helpful.

Woohoo!!!!! Goodonya and congrats!!!

In that case, I would absolutely make a point of calling about it. They told you it was okay. I hope you have the name of who you spoke to, it might help.

First of all, on the weight loss: Some require it to show that you can follow a plan and have a high level of committment. My insurance requires you to lose 5% of your excess weight during your MD supervised diet. Second, Mischevious1: You might want to call your insurance and find out EXACTLY what they require as far as records go. My insurance will NOT accept ANYTHING but MD office notes. Yep, I have to have one YEAR of MD office notes where we discussed my weight and my diet EVERY month, as well as a weight MONTHLY at the MD's office. Letters from the MD are NOT accepted. But every insurance is different, so call tomorrow morning, and then have them mail it to you so you have their requirements in writing.

You could call your CC company and as for a convenience check to be mailed to you and then use that.

Disney38, I'm sorry about your denial. If I were you, I'd call my insurance company have them explain it to me, and then I'd ask what I need to do to be approved and have them mail it to me so I have it in writing. I would not reapply without knowing EXACTLY what it was that got me denied, because the more times you are denied, the more you risk never getting that approval. Some companies have a "three strike" rule, if they deny you three times, you have no more chances for approval. One suggestion is to check out www.obesitylaw.com, the site is for a lawyer who is fairly successful in fighting denials. He costs a little bit but it's far less than paying yourself for the surgery. Fees are on the site. Here's a link to the thread about Dr K.: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/considering-dr-kirshenbaum-t26213.html?t=26213 Many people travel long distances to be banded, it is possible to do.