Sojourner

Michelle...just so very happy for you! This is a milestone you don't forget. Keep on dancing, it burns those extra calories! Keep up the great job. Terri, very glad you arrived home safely. Thank you for the update on Dee and family. Diane, I hope that you will enjoy a peaceful weekend. Enjoy all your beautiful surroundings... Dawn, terrible,to,read about your neck. Janet is right, you cannot ignore neck issues. Do you recall ever injuring your neck? I have empathy for you, as I have chronic neck pain, and understand how it can wear you down. Take care of you. I've found that the type of foam pillow which looks odd shaped, but is formed to allow better neck and head support has helped me immensely. Others may think I am crazy, but I take my pillow with me when I travel.

When it rains it pours... Definitely Ange, Emilia, and Charlie are in my prayers. Another friend of mine had her son in law deploy this week to Afghanistan. I thought everyone was coming home? Janet, please keep us in the loop with Ange. This cannot be happening now... I don't want to intrude at a time like this, but is there anything we can do formDee and family?

Good Morning all... A fast hi-bye, off to the day spa, as I hope I won't be in town for my regular appointment on Tuesday. Janet, great news about Ange and Emilia. Very good news. Well, the type just became invisible again. I also need to get a "care package" ready to mail to Seth. He has requested individual serving cups of Cheerios, powdered flavoring s for bottles of Water, and more candy to share with the staff at HQ. It's the least we can do while he is in such a harsh environment... BBl...yes, I do know how to spell, but I can't see my post to correct it! Have a great Friday a.....

Janet, it's good to read that you are catching up on your rest, and life is getting back to normal for you. I hope all continues to go well; you deserve a break!

Through my experience, and observing the posts of many on this forum, while it is fairly easy to reach the conclusion that surgeons who do not fill bands aggressively are doing so to maximize their income, the reality is that the slower you fill your band, the more you minimize your chances to have complications from a band which is filled too tight. My surgeon requires an entire 6 weeks to elapse between fills, no exceptions. That experience made me more aware of how to work with my band, and not to have to have any emergency appointments to unfill my band. Just another example of how different surgeons approach their practice and treating their patients. For me, slower was better.

It's best to follow the post op instructions given to you by your medical team. If they advise to wait for 60 days post op to try certain foods, there is a medical rational behind their advice. If you are missing these foods and feel you cannot wait to resume eating them, ask your surgeon what their professional opinion is before you do.

Not much new to report...I have been visiting the gym most days of the week, and I can feel it. My muscles,are sore, and my troublesome knee feel it and get stiff if I sit still for so,long. Not allowing myself on the scale but once a week. Quite difficult for me, but better in the long run. I feel I must get motivated to the greatest degree possible and accomplish as much as I can before I encounter the possibility of losing my band. I am cautiously optimistic that I have to have it removed, as for now the acid reflux seems to be under control if I follow my self imposed,rules. So nice to be able,to,sleep through the night again! It's the small things which matter! Dee, we all loved the quilt, and had no doubt you would feel the same way about it! Terri is a very special and thoughtful woman. Terri, safe travels...let us know when you arrive home... Diane, I hope your day is a good one. Pace yourself,and take care,of you.

Dawn, you have to have the willpower if steel to not bend and give in to the temptations all around you. Yes, working from home does have additional benefits. Keep up the great job!

Dee, we had no doubt that you would love the quilt Terri had made...Diane and I can now reveal that Terri showed it to us when we all met in Asheville back in June! I am so happy to read of you enjoying your visit with Terri and Franc. Definitely a wonderful and thoughtful couple. Then again, there is no one on our thread that I have met that I did not like or feel that they were authentic and just plain good people. I feel the entire group is composed of caring, motivated, and genuine individuals. Terri...I loved the picture! All 3 of you looked great! Safe travels home when you begin to head that way!

Janet, I can't like your post, because I am distressed to read of your distressing day. I hope you make getting your rest a priority. And get restorative sleep tonight. Don't neglect your own health in the meantime. I hope you feel better fast!

There should be an insurance specialist as a member of the WLS practice office staff. It is their job to know and understand the insurance requirements for major insurance companies. The insurance specialist at my surgeon's office discovered a specific documentation deficiency in my paperwork before she submitted it. It required an additional letter to address that issue. The result was a first submital approval for me. Additional co morbidities which are usually accepted by insurance companies for WLS are arthritis, GERD, in addition to sleep apnea, hypertension, and Type II diabetes. The industry standard is either a BMI of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 with a significant history of 2 or more weight related co-morbidities. It seems to vary as to the length of time the co-morbidities need to be documented by insurance companies.

My fills were covered by my insurance through Aetna. The only out of pocket expense was the 15% copay until my annual deductible was met. Now all services are covered at 100%. If I were to have to pay for the fill myself, it would be $200.00.

Good Morning all... Janet, Jack was reading that there were rip current notifications for Madeira Beach this morning. We throught that was only an issue on the Atlantic coast. I guess not. Good to read that Delaney was not scared by her experience in the Water. Children growing up around that much water need to have a good relationship with it and know how to swim. Michelle, I can relate to your lack if recall...it no doubt is related to your warp speed and constant multitasking. At least with school, things do have an endpoint in sight. That should help and be something to look forward to. Looking forward to pictures from PA today. Dee and Terri, have a wonderful,visit and share pictures. Please give each other a hug from me hug for me as well. Laundry and boxes are calling to me. Hugs and deep appreciation for all of you. It enhances this journey so much for me, even with my challenges and complications. Tah for now...

Good Evening all, Another adventure today as we drove to Johnson City TN, and discovered their restored downtown area. We were on a mission of sorts. I have a graduation to attend a week from Saturday (Jodi's Master's degree), and I have nothing to wear. Much to my amazement the size 12 fit. I thought I picked up a 14(I'm the queen of hips). This dress is the same label I used to wear while I was in my 40's, and the same size. What a validation of my progress to date. I am very happy! Jack insisted on going out today, as "cabin fever" had set in. Of course, he drove. I guess that means he is feeling better. I still have to remind him he has a 5 pound weight limit for lifting. Dawn, you really need to "get out of dodge" to a safer place. So happy that is already in the plans for you. Your dog is cute...how sad to consider the abuse he must have been subjected to. And now he has a safe place to be happy in. Kudos to you for seeing the possibilities in him. Hi Janet! To Terri and Dee, have a happy day tomorrow with your long anticipated visit! Diane, kvetch all you want about Starbucks not getting your order right. Their reason for having a job is to get orders right. I hope the rest of the day went well. Hi Michelle... I've really gotten to know my way around some of the roads up here now. And I've been driving myself to the gym since the weekend. Jack asked me if I needed him to drive me to exercise. No way...I've got my wheels back! I'm off to the gym now. I'll be looking for the pictures tomorrow! I hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

Good Afternoon... Busy morning. We had to get Sushi back to the vet today to have more bloodwork. Sad news, she now has to be treated for kidney failure in addition to heart failure. She seems to have energy,interacts well with the other dogs, and has good quality in her life and ours. So we will continue to do what we can...now she needs a low Protein diet. We have a recipe from the vet, so in addition to waiting on Jack and ferrying Sushi around, I will be cooking dinner for her as well as us later. Janet, so nice to "see" you here again. We were concerned. I hope the physicians are able to figure out what is going on. It is amazing how inexact a science medicine can be sometimes. Yes, in my experience, breaking into the 150's is extremely difficult. I'm doing my best to get to the rec center every evening, at least 6 times a week. I'm walking the track for1-1.5 miles, and then my knee begins to be painful. Then I go inside to the recumbent bike for 40 minutes. The scale is being very stubborn. Without any Fluid in my band, my hunger is getting a bit more difficult to manage, but I still comply with the portions. And increased my Water. I certainly hope I can get some answers from my doctors next week. We hope that Jack's surgeon will not object to the road trip next Monday. We will know more on Friday. I hope everyone is well...Tah for now!

Another 10,000+ step day for me. I don't know who is more demanding...the dogs or Jack... Off to the shower...catch up tomorrow... But...happy Erica was not more seriously hurt. Diane...how low can others go? I had a neighbor years ago who was a kleptomaniac. She stole one of my expensive bracelets and rings off of the dining room table. The house was unlocked, and I had gone over to another neighbors house for a few minutes. The kids were with friends, Jack was at work. When I reported the theft to the local sherif office to file a homeowner loss, he asked me to describe my neighbor who I suspected had taken my jewelry. He then told me her name without me telling him. Turns out she had a record as long as she was tall for shoplifting. He called her at work(the deputy actually had her work #). He called her and told her she had until 4 that afternoon to return my property otherwise he was going to press felony theft charges because of the worth of what she stole. The story doesn't end there...reason I remembered was that she was also stealing money from her coworkers. She was from a wealthy family, and had a nice home and children. I hope you never have to go through that again. Shower time...good night all.

It's important to get the medical opinion of your physician about reflux and night time coughing. In addition to the possible band complications, there are cases of aspiration pneumonia associated with this group of symptoms. I currently have my band totally unfilled as I began to experience these same symptoms. The only way I have been able to get these symptoms along with vomiting manageable is to be certain that I have nothing to eat for 2-3 hours before going to sleep, and to restrict the amount of fluids I have with my evening medications. I had a significant history of treatment for GERD pre band placement. However my current symptoms presented with my stress level going off the top of the charts with a number of major life events coming in quick succession. I have been advised that I should never have another fill. My surgeon in NC has advised and offered to remove my band, however I prefer to consult with my surgeon in Florida who placed the band before I plan what action to take. That appointment is scheduled for the first week in August. In the meantime, I follow my schedule to avoid the reflux and coughing. For now, I have it managed well. I just don't know if long term I am also risking significant additional band related complications.

Good Sunday Morniing all, I was up at 6 am to ferry the dogs outside, including carrying Sushi outside and around to the side of the house where there fewer steps.mthen I went back to bed and slept another 2 hours. Between meals for them, fighting Sushi to get her meds in her, and trying to take care of Jack and me,,the steps added up. I am now up to walking a mile most days of the week, and another 30-40 minutes on the recumbent bike. That seems to be the limit for my right knee, which I ice down after every time exercising. It is painful and swollen. So far so good. I'm trying not to get too close to my scale these days, just trying to do the right things and stay active to the best of my abilities. Diane, I hope you are also focused on the endpoint in all of the current turmoil in your life. It helps to sustain you. Perhaps Medicaid will be able to help with the costs involved to get your mother the level,of care she now needs. You know so much about how the system works,,if anyone can be successful it will be you! Dee, I know you will enjoy your time with Terri. I hope your weather is cooler! Well,even if that was a picture of your sister on FB, you are sisters and twins. No wonder I had a difficult time telling the two of you apart! Dawn, looks like youmenjoyedma good weekend! Please tell more about the dog event. What a cute picture of the dog looking at themselves in the mirror. Yes, inquiring minds want to know when moving day is... Terri, thanks for the update on Janet. I hope her mother is better now. I was beginning to believe she had decided to abandon this thread, even with her role in creating it. Yes Janet, you have definitely been missed. Looking forward to catching up with you when you are able. Michelle, yes, sons in sports can easily become another full time job, at least until he is old enough to drive! These were the best years of our lives as parents. I hope you enjoy them also. Just trying to keep up with the house today...and the dogs as well. I plan on getting back to the rec center this evening. Life is starting to have some predictable structure for me again. Finally...it is what I need to thrive. All good things in time! I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!

Well, having to be primary caregiver to the pooches has it's dividends. Almost 11,897 steps today... Silver lining to everything...

Terri, I saw the heat index reported from DC yesterday at 110 degrees! I hope you were enjoying some air conditioning along with the sights. Has anyone heard from Janet? I sent her a message...and heard nothing back. Dee, what a beautiful picture of you on FB...you look wonderful! You can see how happy you are now. You so deserve it! Diane, sending you positive thoughts and energy to cope with whatever comes your way. Michelle. Hope you will have a relaxing weekend...enjoy!

Jack is one of the worst patients...and he has created "little monsters" with catering to the dogs. Sushi needs to be carried outside and,cannot navigate stairs. So the morning consists of giving Sushi her medications and discovering what food she wil eat. It changes from day to day. Going to be a long day... Dawn, I've lost track. What did your surgeon say about your reflux? Did you get a fill? Typing invisibly...#%}# iPad...

What a long day...we are home, the surgery went well, and as per usual I am having to police Jack to restrict his activities. He was already on the step ladder to retrieve something off a top shelf in the kitchen. We remembered this morning on the way to the hospital that it was 2 years ago today that I had my colon surgery. Amazing changes for us as a couple in the past 2 years... I hope all is well with you all. I'm too tired to think straight...sleep deprived, eating schedule off, tomorrow will be a better day.

Diane...huge cyber hugs to you...and I'll hold your other hand cyber like for support. I have been down this road with Jack and his mom. Try to keep in mind that all you do is motivated by your love for your mom, and concerns for her safety and well being. There is no greater gift for you to give her...

My dose of Synthroid has not changed in the 20+ years I have had it prescribed for me. The dose has not varied even as my weight has. Definitely a good question to ask your physician. Best wishes...

The information was given to me pre op by my surgeon and medical staff. I don't tend to question the medical opinion given to me by my doctors. Perhaps your physician has a different opinion. That's not unusual on this forum.