Sojourner

As others have already posted, every insurance policy is different, so to be certain about what is covered it is best to contact the insurance company to determine ahead of time what is covered, what is excluded, and what portion of the cost if anything you will be responsible for. Usually there will be a difference in level of coverage depending if the hospital and medical group you choose is in the insurance company's network of preferred providers. I had to chose a "Center for Excellence" for maximum coverage. It is really better to go to that type of center anyway, IMHO, as the pre op education they require is most helpful to you the patient. I have experienced several complications, ranging from an additional surgery, a hospital admission for diagnostics, to several visits to the ER. All were covered by my insurance as they would any other medical need.

I do not recall reading of cases where "spasms" were diagnosed as the source of pain post op. It is best for you to contact your surgeon ASAP to let them know your situation. Usually post op pain is caused by incisions or the gas that remains. For that, it helps to do some walking. It is part of the "Patient's Bill of Rights" to have your pain managed appropriately. Best wishes...I hope you feel better fast.

Not only eating out, but also at home it is a true reality check when you begin to educate yourself by reading the nutrition labels of the items you have on your own shelves. I now read the labels of every "new to me" item before it comes home with me. Carbs are hidden everywhere...and some items have such few grams of Protein for the calories they contain. True empty calories...

Janet...you always share the most inspiring words...thank you for you!

Diane...literally it pours on us. I'm so sorry to read about you're brother's condition. Sounds like you have him at a place where they can do the proper diagnostics and treatment planning. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family...please keep us posted on your brother's progress and condition. Love and big hugs...

Dee...Ditto what Terri said. You can do this. Look how successful you have been wit your weight loss. You've proven that you can and will do whatever you are motivated to do. Keep us posted on your progress! Terri, good to know you enjoyed the holiday, and made it home safely. Would you believe it if I told you we have another 2" of rain in the rain gauge? The weather here is similar to Florida...very changeable, the only difference is that with the flat topography you could see the rain coming. Not so easy here. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Prior to my surgery, I had my PCP change all of my medication into either a liquid or chewable form, thick I took for about a month post op. some of the pills were too large, so I did I crush them for several weeks. After about 3 weeks or so, I was able to take the small ones whole, and cut the others. You need to discuss cutting pills with your surgeon or a qualified pharmacist. Any medication which is extended release or a capsule is not designed to be cut or crushed. Doing so may lead to an overdose of the medication. Be careful though...the first anything I ever "got stuck" was one of my pills, and it was a very unpleasant experience.

Happy 4th of July everyone... We've had 5" of rain in the past 24 hours...we can really hear the waterfalls from our house now. Rain forecast to stay around through the evening...I'll be going to the gym later. No fireworks this year...when we lived in Florida from the dock we could view the displays from 7 different smaller towns in Lake County. We still prefer the cool weather here though! Diane, so sorry to read that your veggie garden is taking such a hard hit. Glad SC came through for you, try to focus on the increase workload as temporary. Get those carbs out of the house! Dawn, safe travels to visit Brad...and enjoy your holiday! Dee, raining in PA also? I hope the weather will cooperate for you to enjoy some fireworks. When do you begin your studies? Terri...I hope your weather continues to be pleasant. We realize we have a lot to learn about the weather here, though everyone we speak with has told us what an unusual year it has been so far. Janet, hope you are enjoying your holiday safely... Making good progress with the boxes and painting. I finally found se rugs for one of the bathrooms.

Portion control, healthy food choices, proper hydration, and exercise are essential. Keep in good communication with your surgeon and medical team. I know that was more than one piece of advice, and it was for post op, essential none the less... Pre op...take a Chapstick with you to the hospital. Comply with your surgeon's pre op instructions, there is a valid reason for them. Best wishes for a successful journey...

Today was unpacking more boxes. Kind of sad for me, as I got to the boxes from my former office, which I was unable to return to after the car accident. All of my books, pictures and other items from my desk. Life sure comes at us fast... We have been getting a lot of rain also, but we still get over to the gym most evenings. I still cannot walk without pain, so I am just using the recumbent bike for now. Looks like we will have to travel to Charlotte to purchase our kitchen granite. Actually, we are most interested in a type of marble. We still need to discuss this, as the stone is not quite as strong as granite. We hope to get that done before the end of the month. I hope everyone has a good Wednesday...

Janet, So nice to read that you had a nice time...and you are correct. ThenAtlanta airport is still a zoo, even after all these years. I hope you got your feet in the sand...and congrats on officially being married, now that you two are grandparents. A happy anniversary for Maddy! You never forget milestones of that magnitude. Yes Dawn, safe travels over the holiday...enjoy every minute. Dee, I'm sort of like you...numbers just make my mind go blank. I am good with anything having to do with words and writing, no numbers! Good luck, you will do fine. Look into some tutoring to help with your challenges. Diane, good to know that you are coping. Make sure to take care of you as well as others. Terri...I hope you are having a better time on the coast with improved weather. Michelle...how are you feeling? I hope the pain is resolved now. Nicole...I hope all is well.

I have been using a salad plate and salad fork since returning to regular foods after having my band placed. I've gotten so accustomed to the smaller sizes, the regular dinner plate and forks seem huge to me.

What HAS HELPED is structuring my time in the evening. I make certain that I have nothing to eat for 2 hours before going to bed, and then wait an additional hour after taking my evening medications before I attempt to lay down and fall asleep. Since I began following this schedule, I have had no more nights of interrupted sleep. I think it's working for me, as it has been close to a month since any real episodes, with the exception of the night following my UGI study. I am still waiting on results of that study. If following this evening routine allows me to retain my band, then it is well worth it to me. I have had my band unfilled since May, and have been able to continue to lose weight. I hope that I will be able to complete my journey...but any way you look at it, I am healthier today than I was last year. It has all been worth it for me.

Well, I realize that this is quite an old thread...however the same problems seem to be recurrent. I also had issues with extremely bad reflux, vomiting repeated at night, and even stomach acid coming up through my nose while in a sitting position. I have a long history of reflux prior to my band being placed, but I am also certain that the stress of certain stressful life events occurring in rapid succession has been the major contributing factor. None of these reflux issues were present before the life events began to occur. A complete unfill of my band twice did not resolve the issues, and I continued to throw up repeatedly, and also have acid come up through my nose. That is a horrible sensation, the burning is intense, and there is no way to calm it.

Michelle...pain in the mouth is one of the worst to me. I certainly hope they dental specialists discover the origin of your pain fast. Could it be related to sinus issues?regardless, feel better... Dawn...always great to see you back! And great news to the possibility of being able to work remotely from home. I'm glad you will be relocated before the winter weather and ice return. Diane, glad that you are discovering better ways to cope with your stress...you will prevail through this. Keep the faith! Dee, how awesome that you are going forward with your GED...we are never too late or old to pursue learning! It reads to me that this is yet another goal you wanted to achieve for awhile and set aside. So good to read that your self confidence is at a level to ensure success! Keep us posted on your progress... Terri, has your weather improved yet? We've had 2" of rain in our rain gauge for the past 2 evenings. We've also been told by long time residents that the weather here is also unusual this year. Hope Nicole is doing well...has she voluntarily left our island? Janet, I hope you had a great time on your trip...the sand along the panhandle beaches is second to perhaps only the Bahamas. You have been missed! Back to boxes in my office today...I wonder what else I am missing that is soon to be discovered? The box the scale was in was marked for my office and labeled "books". Needless to say, Jack is not the best person for details. Never a dull moment...I hope everyone has a great day!

I would hope that we are all "informed consumers", adults, and have taken the time to research the risks and POSSIBLE complications from having a gastric band placed. Gotta love your "headline"...and the scare tactics attached to it. You are trying to compete with the sensationalist media perhaps? ALL surgical procedures have risks associated with them...we all know this. We risk our lives every day when we drive a car...but we usually arrive at our destination unscathed. Being morbidly obese also has very well studied and documented risks associated with it. Please get real, and STOP beating the proverbial dead horse which this topic is. For every story of complications, there are many more stories of success. It's partly playing the odds...and our odds are still overwhelmingly in our favor for successful and healthy weight loss. I am a strong proponent of self determination...those of us who chose WLS did so with the understanding that we either had or were projected to have significant and serious health issues without losing weight. We are doing our best to beat the odds in our favor and improve our health. So listen to the immortal Beatles, and "Let it be".

Hallelujah...Happiness is FINDING ONE'S LONG LOST SCALE....and still weighing in at under 170!

Back to the veterinary hospital this morning for Sushi to have a follow up. Her heart murmur has improved significantly, so she has responded well to the treatments to date. Even beyond what the vet hoped for. We are fortunate she is still with us. We went back to the gym last night for the first time I injured my foot, though all I did was use the recumbent bicycle. It was enough to add just over 4,000 steps to my day, did not reach 10,000 since injuring my foot. Still no scale...I'll have to wait until my appointment with the surgeon next week. Jack, my food police, who observes me daily (we are together for every meal since his retirement) tells me that I have not increased my portions, and am still eating proper foods. So we will see... Dee...you are such an amazing woman...your spirit and being down to earth. I admire you and the work that you do. Terri, what is the weather like on the coast today? Last night we had a major electrical storm here, almost had me believing we were back in Central Florida, the lightening capital of the world. Janet...I hope, like Dee mentioned that you were able to relax with your toes in that beautiful white sugar sand along the beaches. Michelle...hope you have a good week at work, and that the temperatures moderate for you. Diane, I sincerely hope you have a sane and good week. Try to do some deep breathing...it helps. No doubt you know this...sending you positive energy! Hugs to you all...

The key to success with weight loss, whether you have a tool like the band, or are going on without one is changing your relationship with food. Portion control and healthy food choices are essential, but even more important is your mind and the permission you give yourself to stray off track with your compliance.

57 degrees and not a cloud in the sky on Beech Mountain...we went out for Breakfast and sat outside. So nice to not have traffic and we have yet to have to wait for a table regardless of the restaurant we choose. This is easy to adjust to! So, I got a new pair of shoes...kind of a combination between a walking shoe and a sandal. No more sprained feet for me...they really don't sell anything like these in Florida. Or if they do, I never saw them. Not my type fashion statement, but another adjustment to an area where crushed granite and uneven walking surfaces are common. We received an email from Seth this morning at 3:52am, letting us know that he had arrived safely in Kuwait. It was 115 degrees. He is uncertain of how the rest of his journey will go..so far, so good... Terri, hope the weather gets better...Michelle, stay COOL!

Good to "hear" from you Dawn...and that all is well... I guess we are all really cheap dates now...when I want wine, I choose something Jack likes, so he usually has at least half do the glass. When he makes his spiked milkshakes, he still makes me a small glass. That/ one drink I used to never share. We discovered an exceptionally delicious cafe in Boone. They make an amazing Medeterrainian seasoned moist tilapia. Loved it all except for the olives. I don't do olives of any description. Well, typing invisible again... Guess that's my que to sign off for now...later...

Terri...how was I to know? The official footwear of Florida are flip flops... I just did not even think about what I was wearing when we went to look at granite slabs. We really need to choose the countertops...time is of the essence now if we hope to have the kitchen completed by the end of July. We discovered "Green Rainforest"... A rather wild quartzite/marble which also has petrified wood in it. I did want to being the outside inside, and this does that. Still debating if it is too busy, but all the colorations to coordinate with the interior colors are there. Decisions, decisions... Rediscovering many essential items now...still no scale. But we do have lightbulbs and my Vitamins again...life is good!

Oh, forgot amid all the angst over Seth's deployment today... Nothing broken in my left foot...just a nasty sprain with swelling and some bruising. The doctor complimented me on my impressive hardware (screws in my foot from surgery), and told me that my doctor had done an excellent job with my surgery. Note to self: Never wear platform sandals while walking on an uneven surface like crushed granite. The results will likely be painful and disabling. I hope to return to our evening walks in a week or so. All good things in time...

Diane...feel good about being a survivor. Many times over. Terri is correct. You are human, and like my mother always told me, "perfection exists as a word in the dictionary". Lose the guilt feelings, you did the best you could and beyond. Is there anything more you can realistically ask of yourself? Janet, hope you are enjoying the beach...and I especially hope you are having great weather! Dee, give that scum bag H#¥%! Do they have a "small claims court" system in PA? Look into that...it could help you recover your money. Terri, I hope you are using your sunscreen. Dawn, Cali girls Nicole and Michelle...I hope life and bands are treating you well...

Happy Friday... Thankfully I am feeling better today, and getting some quality sleep last night was a big contributor. When it rains, it pours...I hurt my foot yesterday afternoon while looking in the granite yards yesterday afternoon. I have not decided if I want to have an X-ray done just in case. So, I won't be able to continue with our walking for a bit... We saw a marble/quartzite called "Rainforest", which actually has petrified wood in it...it would really allow for my Quest to bring the outside inside. A bit on the wild side, but intriguing none the less. I would have to give up doing the chiseled edge...so we are still considering our options. Janet...have a wonderful trip! Send pictures...you too, Terri! Dee...it was good to see your post. Between you and Terri the Fitbit company will stay in business! Dawn and the CA girls, I hope all is well.