DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Wow 22 pounds in one month? You're off to a great start! Congratulations!

If it's a medical expense you paid out of pocket, you can deduct it. If the insurance paid it, then it's not deductible.

How soon you can get fills is dependent completely on your surgeon. They all seem to have their own schedule. Keep in mind it takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band. Even then, you will always feel hunger because hunger is the body's natural signal that it needs food. You'll just feel hunger less often.

You were just banded 4 days ago and are already eating chicken and green beans? Didn't your doctor put you on a post op diet?

Wow, you're doing so good and you look great!!! Congratulations!!!

As long as your doctor says full liquids, then that would be fine.

If you make it fit into your daily calories, I honestly don't see a problem. You obviously are able to control yourself. I, on the other hand, realized I was "oh just one more spoonful" until I was over my daily calories. Repeatedly. It is just too dangerous of a snack for me because I apparently lack the self control to stop at just a spoonful.

They actually make a low profile port, too. I've heard of quite a few people having their original ports moved and replaced with low profile ones. Honestly, if it's something that bothers you, I think you should do it. I mean, you did all the work to lose the weight. You deserve to fully enjoy it without being self conscious about your port.

Have you tried Gala apples? They're not always easy to find but oh my gosh they are SO good with Peanut Butter on them! I actually love peanut butter, too. Too much. I had to stop snacking on it because I was eating way too much. I think it's a "trigger" food for me.

Unfortunately it varies greatly not only state to state, but also on your state uses to issue the coverage. Your best bet would be to ask your case worker where to find out.

Thank you all for the kind words, encouragement and support. Having my "band family" here means the world to me and helps me so much. :wub:

Here is a picture of the band: The band does two things, it creates a small pouch above the band and it adds just enough pressure to the Vagus nerve to dim the hunger signals to the brain. The combination of these two things make it so you're satisfied on much less food for a considerably longer period of time. Essentially, it tricks your brain into thinking "oh, I've had enough!" with only a fraction of the food we used to eat.

I couldn't agree with you more! Granted I only have 2 children, but when I started changing recipes to make them healthy they never noticed. I buy all whole wheat pasta and I use it in everything from spaghetti to macaroni. I buy skim milk, low fat cheeses (they eat a lot of cheese) and either ground turkey or 93% lean ground beef. I even buy turkey bacon. Honestly, they never notice and still love their old favorite foods. Only difference is, I can eat them too and we're all healthier for it.

I also drink right up until the point I start eating. I then a wait 30 minutes after I finish eating to have a drink again. I've never had a problem with it and it's what my surgeon advises. I really wish all the Lap Band surgeons followed the same protocol! It would make our lives so much easier if we all followed the same rules!

That's an awesome NSV! Congratulations!

Well, I can tell you what kicked it for me. Fear. When I was in the hospital getting the Lap Band the roommate I shared a room with was in there for a band replacement. Apparently drinking carbonated drinks not only caused her band to slip, but her stomach actually prolapsed up through the band. As a result, she had to have her band replaced and gained back 40 pounds. That's why I kicked the habit. I didn't go through all this and lose this weight to sabotage myself and my band. It's just not worth it.

Thank you...it's funny, but my doc just asked if I'd speak at both his seminars and the bariatric support group. I'm kinda nervous but I agreed.

That's so weird!! Can you see it like this? :

They sell test strips in the pharmacy. It's with the diabetic supplies. You have to urinate on the test strip and then it gives you a ketosis range.

I just looked and still saw it. The before is on top and the after was directly below it.

I think if I were in your shoes, I'd request a lot more testing. Possibly an upper GI. It could be something band related but it also could be totally unrelated to your band.

If she already had FMLA in place to cover the initial surgery then she could've possibly got some of the follow up appointments covered. But, she didn't, and fills aren't considered "serious health conditions" so they wouldn't have to cover them. I might also add that FMLA time isn't paid. It grants you up to 12 weeks of unpaid time per year. So, even if you do get it covered, by law they do not have to pay you for the time off. They only have to guarantee your job still be there when you return. (and actually, they don't have to guarantee your exact job even, only one of equal status and pay) Because of this, I personally would rather take the day off as a paid personal day without dealing with all FMLA stuff.

Unfortunately, fills and follow up appointments with your surgeon would not be covered by FMLA. "Elective Procedures The FMLA rules do specifically delineate procedures that are not considered a serious health condition. CFR section 821.113 (d) specifies that "cosmetic treatments" such as acne treatments and "plastic surgery" are not serious health conditions. If complications arose, then the complications could be considered a serious health condition under the act. Additionally, if the surgery is one that requires "inpatient hospital care" -- defined by the regulations as an overnight stay -- then it likely qualifies as a serious health condition. Restorative Surgery The Federal regulations (CFR section 825.113 d) state that "restorative dental or plastic surgery after an injury or removal of cancerous growths are serious health conditions provided all the other conditions of this regulation are met." Therefore, if the condition for which the employee is undergoing elective surgery was in itself a serious health condition, then the surgery is covered under the act. In some situations, such as bariatric surgery, the determination of the underlying condition differs between individuals. If doubt exists regarding the status of a surgery or condition, the legislation allows the employer to ask the employee's medical provider to certify whether the procedure constitutes a serious health condition for the purposes of FMLA." Essentially because you have to stay overnight in the hospital you could get the surgery and recovery time covered by FMLA, but routine doctor's appointments after would not be covered. Plus, you'd have to divulge the nature of the medical issue to get it covered, which isn't something you said you wanted to do.

I'm supposed to be having a tummy tuck this spring. I'm terrified of the recovery process but I can't wait to get rid of all this extra skin. I'd love to get my arms and thighs done eventually too but we'll see if I can find the money for it.

Believe it or not, chicken put in the blender with chicken broth really isn't bad at all. The broth gives it flavor. You could also do chicken or tuna, mixed with a little low fat mayo, in the blender. Refried Beans with a little melted cheese on top was VERY filling. (refried beans are already mushy even!) I really liked no sugar added applesauce at that stage, too.