Grant

My doctor set up a website log thing, which I haven't really tried except to look at it. I see where they put my ideal weight at 144 lbs!! Now in 1973 I was on the HCG shots program and got down to 167 and with a barrel chest and big bones at about 5'10", my wife said I was way to skinny. It wasn't a problem for long, of course. So I'm shooting for 190. Let the other 46 lbs go where they may. When I was too skinny I kept walking into people on the sidewalk. It seems that when I am larger, people tend to give me the right of way. Something I'd never thought about before. Maybe at the right weight I'll get the sense to pay attention to where I'm going!! LOL Happy Trails!!

Anne, I'm sorry you have had discomfort. The hunger is sometimes soothed by drinking Water more often. But soon you will be weaned to more variety. Is the doctor giving you meds for the pain and are you taking them as directed instead of waiting until it hurts? My wife likes to be a hero and wait until it really hurts. Then waiting for the meds to kick in seems like forever.

Hi Anne, You've got it right. I didn't bother to look up the weight, I just sent the nurse a letter that I thought 144 for me is very funny, and asked who's idea it was to put that up there. I figure they're pulling my leg. In any case the goal is to be comfortable and be healthy so pick the weight that fits you. I just noticed that you got banded this week. How are you doing?

Vera, Are you on Anderson. Back when I was closer to 29, we used to go Water skiing there all the time.

Me too Vera. I've got everything together so I will send my appeal in this week. So I "shelf paid" and didn't even know it. I never heard the expression before.

Vera, Do you get that back in pesos? And what is shelf paid??

Thanks for explaining the DH thing. My only question is to Vera. When did the reserviors in Morgan hill ever get to 32 degrees. Don't believe her folks. The Water in her lake probably never saw 55%!!!

My surgery was 11/24/03. So that is 2 1/2 months but seems longer. The band started to loosen up just before Christmas weekend. I talked to Dr. McKeen (who was also the surgeon) and he scheduled me in right after the New Year weekend. Consequently, by the end of the holidays I had reached the point where I was eating quite a lot of food. It was tough being able to eat during the holidays, but someone has to do it. I didn't want all those skinny people to get it all. But it did set me back and give me a very good understanding of how little the band really does when it is not filled. When Dr. McKeen did the surgery, he left the band fairly deflated because I had a lot of swelling under the band and Fluid did not pass through the stoma (opening). The swelling was caused by the removal of fat around the top of the stomach before the band was placed on. I used an IV for a few nights after I got home, until the swelling was gone and I could take in the desired 64 oz. of fluid without the IV. This was all visiting nurse stuff at home and I believe it was all covered by insurance. I don't know how often this problem comes up. It was a nuisance, but not life altering. I went in and got that first fill. Dr. McKeen was very helpful, there was no discomfort. He used a topical on the skin so I couldn't feel the procedure. He is able to do a fill without using an x-ray, so this was at his office. He removed the saline that is in the band and compared that to the amount that was put in at the time of the surgery. The difference is what has found its way around within the band that stays there permanently, much in the way there is still air in a tire after you deflate it. He then put in a measured fill and made sure that I could swallow fluids adequately. Other then answering lots of questions that my wife and I had and my answering lots of questions he had, that was it. As directed, I went on fluids for a few days and worked back to solid food. After I started eating normally again, I realized that I still could eat too much. This was Friday afternoon that first week. I called the Dr.'s office and he got right back to me. After discussing the situation he had me come in Monday for another fill. This one was with a greater amount of saline and has worked very effectively. It was interesting to see how Dr. McKeen handled this. Some doctors apparently prefer to time the fills at specific intervals, but Dr. McKeen does not. McKeen does not think that there is any point in going thru the surgery and then not have the band working. You start gaining weight because you are not full and more food goes down. The whole idea is as a tool to help you with portion control. If you're hungry, it is ineffective. At that point, if you, your friends and family or the doctor expect you to be loosing weight, the only tool you have going is the same old guilt trip. We all know how well that works and what destructive way that is to live. McKeen wants the band to be adjusted right and keep it that way. I say the more power to him! I am very glad that I could afford to have Dr. McKeen and his group work on me. Other issues have come up where my regular doctor referred me back to McKeen and he is very knowledgeable, very accessible and listens well. I have lost about 40 lbs to date. It takes work to eat the right foods all the time, but the band sure makes it easier. .

Thanks Traci, That was probably too obvious for me. I'll check it out. Grant

Hi, I just received my letters declining benefits for the band. I wondered if anyone has had any luck appealing to Blue Cross. Also is there any point in having an attorney handle the appeal. I contacted Obesitylaw.com which came highly recomended, but they will not work on cases after the surgery is done. Thanks for your ideas

Thanks for the advice. I already knew that they would decline it. I tried to get them to approve it before I had the surgery. Now it will be an interesting challenge to see if I can get them to see the error of their ways.

Thanks Marsha, I did check with the attorney you suggested but they are no longer working with post surgical claims

Hi Geezersue, BC said that the procedure is investigational or experimental. I requested the appeal form.

Hi, I heard about this site last night at a support meeting. I got a lap band on 11/24/03 at Good Sam Hospital in San Jose, CA. My doctor was McKeen and so far he seems great. I've lost about 30 lbs so far. Grant

Carol, My experience with the nutritionist was the same as yours and I came to the same conclusion. I think she needs to understand that we are not having any changes made to our digestive process. This is about portion control and gravity. Marti seems very smart though, the problem is a need to be educated. I think I will mention this to Bob McKeen. I hope that by now you are swallowing more easily. Take care,

My plumeting cardio numbers during my workout was the latest NSV I guess.

That is a terrific site. The adjustment article was like a needed slap in the attitude. Thank you very much.

Thanks Alexandra, That sounds like very sound advice. I'll give it some time and try to get more diligent on how and what I'm eating. I find that I really want to drink with my meals and I know that is the wrong approach. Thanks for your suggestions.

Hi Carol, This will be interesting since I never tried a forum before. See you soon.

Hi Vera, Thanks for telling me about this site. It was nice to meet you and Carol. See you next month. Grant

Thanks Alexandra. So far so good. The band was getting loose before the holidays and the good doctor had me wait until 1/5 before tightening it. So I fully enjoyed the holidays, but gained a few pounds. I think it is still a bit loose after the fill on Monday. Seems I can still eat way more than I should be able to. So I guess I will need to go get some more saline. Did it take you long to find the right snugness for the band? Grant