Bkhuffman292

Visalus is an awesome product - its so low in sugar and carbs that its highly recommended for diabetics - I love it and really have no tolerance for "sweet". Right now I'm waiting on my order to ship and trying to get down Lean Shake/GNC and its just blah to me. I mix Vi with unsweet almond milk and some fresh fruit - berries usually - its AWESOME...

Try try Body By Vi - the shake flavor is "sweet cream" but its not very sweet at all. Very good tasting - I don't like them sweet either. You buy it online from a "promoter" - money back guarantee - I could give you my log-on and you'd order from my space. I mix mine with unsweet almond milk or skim milk and maybe some fruit for a "carb" intake. VERY VERY low in sugar, high in fiber, HIGH in PROTEIN and if you drink 2 shakes per day you're receiving your daily dose of vitamins. I've had so many kinds of protein shakes I can't even tell you and these are amazing. Very filling - but most important is if you purchase a 2 bag monthly supply for $99.00 - 2 meals per day - and you try it and hate it, ship it back and you get a full refund. 802-999-1008 or order at http://bkhuffman.bodybyvi.com/

Slipped band, bad patient b/c I haven't seen a bariatric doc in over 3 years. Won't convert, and will only take out slipped band if its emergent. I'm sad, mad and don't like the feeling I can't get the sleeve and I have a broken band. Crazy is - my current insurance didn't pay for this band, I was self pay on the other coast in 08.

Cigna OAP has denied me conversion from slipped lap band to sleeve because I haven't seen a bariatric doctor in 3 years. I moved away from my surgeon and just got insurance that has bariatric coverage. From Feb of this year to current I started gaining weight - in excess of 40lbs which lead me to believe something wasn't right. They won't even take out the band unless it is emergent surgery. I'm having problems, not life threatening, just uncomfortable, but I need help either getting a sleeve or revision for this band as my weight is climbing and the problems of reflux, gas, pulling in abdominal area, etc. are not easy to deal with regularly. The PA put me on a 100g Protein, 30g Carb diet and wants me to come back in 3 weeks. They are submitting one more time to see if the insurance MIGHT consider letting them fix this band. Thoughts - tired, frustrated and kinda PISSED off at this point.

Bad news all the way around. Cigna OAP denied Sleeve, denied removal unless emergent. Their reason's where I did not have bariatric doctor appointments for over 3 1/2 years. I moved away from my original surgeon the closest doctor was 1 1/2 hours from my house so I never went. Also didn't know if I had coverage then. I wasn't having any problems till about 6 months ago. So, now I'm on a liquid diet 100g protein, 30carbs and have to do it alone. The insurance coordinator said she'll submit for a repair to the band and see what they say. I'm not hopeful so I guess until I can't bear the reflux, gas, burping, abdominal pain and go for emergent surgery to have the broken band removed I'm on my own. Not very happy, but I guess its time to make some serious diet changes. PA stated I can live just fine with a slipped band if I eat small amounts and don't abuse it. Thoughts?

I don'tnow how/what the insurance is doing yet. I'm meeting with the PA and the insurance coordinator on Monday. I don't think with my first couple visit I conveyed how badly my belly felt. I also feel very bloated - and like the rest of my body is retaining fluid. I'm really just a big fat hot mess right now. I pray they'll get me done, approved quickly. In the mean time I'm starting a great "shake" diet - I can't eat it just hurts. I've been up since 3am from yesterday - sadly enough I had a great day - ate well, then I ate a cheeseburger and fries and paid for it all night. No restriction, no barriers the "fat" person in me comes out full throttle. I just can't thou. I have some gross GNC Lean Shakes to get me through a couple days and i'm ordering Vi shakes online - they're awesome tasting and low fat, high fiber, protein and 2 shakes equals vitamins for the day. GOD I pray this goes well. Sorry, I feel like I'm babbling again. Don't know if I want to cry or scream! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND POINTERS!!!

Is prolapsed "slipped" - I'm slipped and have all kinds of icky side effects - lots of indigestion, burping, pain in left shoulder/back area, pain in port/stomach like a sharp pulling. My new doctor confirmed the slip - took me 4 months to get the appointment/money copay for fluoro and now I'm told I may have the 6 month "hurdles" to jump before getting fixed. Or just take the band out and do the 6 criteria for the sleeve. Seems ridiculous if they are already inside and I'm okay to have it, why put a person in the hospital twice, twice to sleep, to be cut, so much more expensive - IF THE INSIDES are okay to take out the band and do the sleeve. I'm rambling - Frustrated, Fatter, in FL. Thanks for listening - Karen

ONLY 18lbs - girlie girl...gain 18lbs and see how you feel - I've put on weight over the last six months due to broken band and praying for the sleeve! Be happy that your loosing and if your working out 5 days a week let me assure you muscle weighs more than fat and your looking better, toning, - be proud of 18! I saw this on FB the other day and its me - "I wish I was as fat as I was when I thought I was getting fat" - That's me - I was teetering on the 200lb - got to 205, 212, 222, 227 - I'm 241 today - and it sucks the big fatty!

I am 2008 Slipped band hoping for conversion to sleeve. First my insurance coordinator said its be the 6 month saga, but I emailed her regarding pain, burping, left shoulder pain, etc. and now i'm seeing them on Monday. I wish for out with the old and do the new, but don't think insurance will pay for that one. Really if you think about the bigger bill of two surgeries, two anesthia, two hospital stays, so-on - its cheaper for insurance to approve out/in. But one never knows. My band slipped and I've gain 50lsb - went from 272 to 185, back to 200lb now 242 and growing daily because with this unfilled broken band I can eat a horse! advice???? pointers???? doc/ins appointment is Monday.

OMG - that's what I'm afraid will happen with mine...and I have a broken band right now - I want this done in 2013 so I know I'm in...Sorry for your changes - are you considering financing?

if you want a really great tasting, highly nutria-filled shake - look into "Body By Vi" - Visalus - It awesome and probably the best tasting I've every experienced. Its a debit by month program and if you get people to sign up for it - pyramid - you get yours free after 3 people. Great for weight loss, high in FIBER, VERY HIGH PROTEIN, 2 shakes are all your daily vitamins for the day. They promote - 2 shakes, 3 snacks, 1 meal. PERFECT for a sleever!

I am you. I had LB surgery Dec 08 and lost 80lbs. since I've gained back 40lb, maybe more now. I can eat OUT OF SIGHT and nothing stops me, i.e., slipped band. This "tool" I paid CASH for wasn't going to be a fix-all - it helped me, but then I lost my support tools, gym, groups, counseling/therapy, etc. I'm now trying to get converted to the sleeve and when I hear stories like yours it just scares the bee-jessus out of me. Just last week I consumed a large cheesesteak - wasn't even hungry. 1/2 the time I eat its because its "noon" or dinner time or my kids/husband are eating. I'm addicted to food and I need to be addicted to exercise and changing my bad habits. I don't even know if I need the LB removed and sleeve done b/c like I said - 1/2 the time I eat I'm not even hungry. If I made healthy choice, no cheesesteak or pizza or pasta...I'd probably be able to loose on my own. Its sad to hear how much mind struggle we have and the bigger question is how do we conquer it? Food is a drug to me...I'm going to see a new bariatric doctor in liue of removing the band and doing the sleeve with insurance this time. I paid 14k for my band in 08 and feel like a complete failure. I understand. what are you doing for support and guidance?

I am in the process of requesting approval from slipped lap band to sleeve on Cigna OAP & my insurance rep at the Doc seems to feel I should get approved quicker than later b/c of my "complications". I'm wondering if anyone has dealt with this particular insurance and if I should be concerned about denial. So far the doc has stated I need to do the 6month diet and monthly check-up, but that with the complications I should be able to get approved sooner. thoughts??? thanks for reading/sharing

I think if my insurance coverage changes - I'm submitting for conversion as well - my 08 band slipped and I'm having complication's I'd just try to finance it. But the "hospital" costs would probably be more than a luxury car b/c of overnight stay. I do like the suggestion of bumping your date as well. Good luck to you!

Hi all - I've been banded since 2009 and I lost close to 100lb, gained back almost 30. I've stopped exercising, I can eat anything, haven't seen a Doc in 3+ years because I moved away from my surgeon. I need to establish a new doc, cash patient I presume, with new insurance and all, I also need to find a support group and get back on track before I "hurt" myself with a slip or other issue. I CAN EAT ANYTHING...I choose bad things - cookies, ice cream, candy, etc. I COULD drink a protein shake, eat a healthy salad for lunch and another shake for dinner and feel full and satisfied, but I don't - I eat, eat, eat - out of boredom, stupidity and I've gotten very lazy - I don't exercise anymore. Zero support from home and just moved to new area so I haven't made friends yet. I'm searching out Dr. in my area - Daytona Beach, FL area and going to get myself on track - please feel free to offer advise and motivation - I love to hear from people that are doing well, or that have experienced the same. I feel "fat" again and I'm really beginning to dislike myself again. The "rolls" are re-appearing. I was a gym-junkie for a couple of years so I know that girl is inside somewhere, but she's hiding under a blanket eating a strip of frozen thin mints. HELP!