marcyinak

As for Dr. K not accepting insurance....there's nothing in the rule book that says that you cannot, by yourself, obtain pre-authorization...heck, you can write the letter of necessity yourself and have the doc sign it! Then, pay for it yourself (with a mileage credit card - MY way of doing things) and get reimbursement from the insurance company. It's a longer and more tedious process, but doesn't going through all that compound the fact that you're serious about this?

Thanks for all the support! I'm looking forward to just GETTING to Denver! I'm in Fairbanks now with my sister, we leave here tomorrow night. Man, I LOVE fast internet! Reading these pages takes mere minutes now! Ahhhh, technology! Gotta love it!

Thanks, Lynette, I feel loved again.....the in-laws are killin' me! The house is a disaster and no one will leave me alone long enough to clean it up. Now I have a bunch of men over - lots of law enforcement and hunting stories goin' on....LOL!

Haha! So much for growing your own food! Yep, they've turned into a lot more work than anticipated. Especially since I had to euthanize 4 of them today (they were doing VERY bad and couldn't get to food or water). That just sucked! I'll be back out later with my syringe of liver! YUM!

Hey, I was just thinking. There's been some comments on this being the "easy way out". I actually think of this as the most selfish thing I will ever do. Sure, I can see how the surgery will benefit others too, but THIS has been the big hurdle for me. I don't care if people think it's the easy way out...sometimes I even have that thought. SO WHAT?! It's a way out, and isn't that what we all want? We don't want to be obese, sick, tired, depressed, embarrassed, etc. anymore and if this is the way we choose to do it, then ROCK ON SISTERS (and BROTHERS)! It's taking OUR lives in our own hands and trying to make something better of it. If we end up at our goal weights does it really matter how we get there? Just a little philosophy for the day....I need to go pack now!

Sorry, computer issues.... Mal - I'm with you on the "eating too much?" thing. I figure if I'm eating protein and veggies with my meals, isn't that enough? I shouldn't have to suplement...especially with liquid that will go down easy. I mean to talk to Paula again after I begin my recovery. Have you talked to her again?

Cherea - Thanks, I figured that, but I think that's for high doses. I specifically asked about Ibuprophin and he said that there wouldn't be a problem with that at all. I guess it all depends of the patient and what they need pain/anti-inflamitories for too. It's good to have it on the bracelet anyway for extra precautions. Ahhhhh, it's quiet! Husband took his parents AND the kids out! YEAH! But I only have a half hour left and I'm supposed to be packed when they get back! Hahaha!

I'm with you

Funny - I've delt with Mary on the phone and she seemed pretty snooty...I called to ask a question about NSAIDS (on another thread folks are saying that they are a no-no after banding so I called to confirm this) and she seemed like she didn't have a lot of time for me and switched me over to Marilyn (funny, I THOUGHT I was already talking to Marilyn and she was having a bad day...didn't know there was a Mary too). Things went much smoother then. BTW, Dr. K said NSAIDS were ok...don't know where the negative info came from. How do you all feel about medic alert bracelets announcing that you have a band. Several folks have gotten these that say things like "gastric band", "no blind NG tube", etc. Sad news, my baby chicks are having a bad go of it. Immagine...they got OVERHEATED in NOME! The heat caused them to freak out a little (something called "splayed leg" - descriptive) and now they have a Riboflavin deficiency. So, imagine this woman, sitting on the ground, surrounded by chicken poo, hand feeding over 20 chicks Pedialyte and then liver all mushed up! I'd say I beat the visual of Mal PBing all over the place! NOTE: Hand feeding/forcing chicks is not easy....this was supposed to be a summer fun thing! LOL! That'll teach me! I'm leaving tomorrow to go hook up with my sister and head to Denver on Sunday. I hope all goes well and I can meet some of you Thursday!

I have spent the entire day trying to read all the posts that I've missed in a day and a half....YIKES! Of course the internet went down this afternoon too! Dini - So you're so upset you weren't mentioned in 3 pages...I haven't been mentioned in over 10! Where's the love, huh?:think Jeanie - You, apparently, have WAY too much time on your hands....and very speedy internet!:eek: Laurend - glad to hear you're home! About all the sleepiness and dizziness...ask your doc for a different med....there are so many out there and you shouldn't be afraid to switch to something that will help you block pain AND be coherent!:rolleyes Frustrated - even if you stay over-night, insurance (and the hospital) still consider it out-patient if you are there less than 23hrs. You shouldn't have a problem with insurance about that (and if you do I'd love to help you fight it...it's what I do best!) WHY no NSAIDS? I called my surgeon on this and he had never heard of that being an issue....what did your docs say? It's been TERRIFIC weather for Nome! I have a sunburn on top of a sunburn! Yeah! We have a little "parade" for the 4th and then "street games" (bike, running, and three-legged races down the street). My little girl came in FIRST for the "under 2" race! Haha!:clap2: My in-laws are in town and I haven't had a moment's peace! It's making that last "fat encounter" with my husband pretty difficult to accomplish...but I'm persistent! Their visit HAS, however, not given me time to get spastic about the impending surgery. I leave tomorrow to go hook up with my sister and then we'll go to Denver together on Sunday. I'm not expecting to be on line everyday while I'm gone so I'll probably have 100 pages to read next time I'm on! Please PM me with personal messages, that way I'll actually get to read them. I'm excited that we have so many folks joining us and already a handful banded. I am so grateful to Dini, Lynette, and Laurend who have shared some info with us/me about what I will need for a good recovery!:whoo:

WOW! Is it usual for him to be so backed-up? And what's with all those family people? Like I want everyone to see my stretch marks!

Lynette - I'm so glad things are starting out so well for you! Good luck with your first night banded. Felicia - Maybe all this talk about menstruation will help others too? Haha!

WARNING: If you have children...do not allow Moon Sand into your house!

Thanks Mal! And for all of you out there with children....NEVER allow Moon Sand into your house!

Praise the Lord! Miracles DO happen! All this talk about periods, flowers, Aunt Flo, "being in the womanly way", etc. has brought on my period a week early! You know what this means???? It means I'll be done before my surgery next week WWWAAAAAHHHHHOOOO!!!!! :clap2::whoo::clap2::whoo::clap2::whoo::clap2::whoo::clap2::whoo::clap2::whoo::clap2::whoo: I DO believe in miracles and I also believe that HE deserves the credit for this one! Rock on, God! Now, for more serious matters....I had to explain Carbs to my sons the other day (Connor is 7, Owen is 4) and did a little "well if you eat 10 carbs and only burn 5 then the other 5 turns to fat....I'm trying to trick my body into burning fat since I'm not eating carbs". A resounding "Ohhhh, I see" comes from the back seat, then my little Owen says, "I'm not eating carbs ever again!" I had to explain that popsicles, ice cream, Peanut Butter sandwiches, and milk all had carbs in it...we just have to eat them in moderation and make sure we burn them. I swear the kids have been more active since I explained this! It's funny....after they eat they run outside to "burn carbs" too funny! At least the weather is cooperating today!:eek:

So...what time are we meeting at Red Robin next Thursday? Still don't know if I'll be up to it and I'll just have to wait until that day. Mal was kind enough to give me very specific directions from my friends' house and I figure we can stop by on our way to the airport...I leave at 10pm.

:omg:Oh my gosh! Can you believe it? It's here, it's here! Now instead of talking about MONTHS for a wait...we're all talking about DAYS and HOURS! I'm VERY excited today....but that could be the drugs! (Since having a 12 1/2 lb. baby I have been *blessed* with sciatca...a literal pain in the butt! having a bad day with it, but with drugs, I'm happier!) Good luck Lynette, BeefyIrish & bfyneNtyme ! Keep us posted on your surgery survival! :clap2::whoo::clap2::whoo::clap2::whoo::clap2::whoo: It takes quite some time to review all the posts, and I do this at least once a day! I'm worried about when I leave home to start my traveling journey to the surgeon! I won't be on-line that often! Haha! I guess we'll just see what happens. Huggs and Eskimo Kisses from Alaska!

Man, I love that the group is so big, but it takes FOREVER to read everything that I've "missed" in just a day! Welcome to all the new folks...my sincerity is equal to the others, I just don't have the patience/time to write everyone's names and dates down...thanks Lynett, Dini, and Chimboree! You three are like our cheerleading captains! Someone wrote recently that they never felt as big as they really are. I've had the same problem. I call it Reverse Body Dismorphic Disorder! (My own coined prase mind you). I swear I'll put something on and even look in the mirror and think I look good...or even HOT...and then see a picture of me and I feel disgusted! It wasn't until last month (May) that I was sitting on my bed, putting socks on in my underwear, when I looked into the LARGE MIRRORED DOORS of my closet (new house, haven't changed that unseamly decorating error yet) and noticed that I actually DID look 260 lbs! I was sad, angry, irritated, frustrated...and felt this way for a couple of days until I looked at my husband and said, "it's time for me to have the surgery"....he, as he should, said, "I support you in any decision you need to make to make you happy and healthy." So here I am....10 days to go! YIKES! Fortunately, I have in-laws coming to visit so I have something to take my mind off the diet and the surgery...now I just need to ACT NICE for a few days! I'm looking forward to 4th of July in Nome, I hear it's quite the occasion ...they close down Front Street (where the Iditarod starts and ends - depending on the year) and have a "parade" and activities for the family...I just hope it's good weather, really though I don't care...I've got a good rain jacket! Wow, that was long...I'll stop. I'm doing well on my pre-op diet...lost 9 lbs. in 5 days, not bad...I have to admit that I'd really like some starch though! We went to the beach tonight and had a cook-out. I was able to have a hot dog, but no chips, no marshmallows...dang! I was cookin' em for the kids though and that was fun! My poor daughter was COVERED in sand!

Mal - it's actually NOT my sister's place...it's her friends' place (ok, my friends too, but more HER friends than mine). They are in zip code 80016 if that's helpful. I appreciate all the "local" support! I'm doing well on my pre-op diet...lost 9 lbs. in 5 days, not bad...I have to admit that I'd really like some starch though! We went to the beach tonight and had a cook-out. I was able to have a hot dog, but no chips, no marshmallows...dang! I was cookin' em for the kids though and that was fun! My poor daughter was COVERED in sand!

Good luck Lynette!!!

YEAH Sunny!

I'm sooo blessed to NOT have all this pre-op testing...I swear there's been more blood shed by this group of folks than at Normandy! And most of us haven't even had surgery yet! What's with this pre-op blood bath! GOOD NEWS! After suffering all week, I weighed myself this morning and found I am NINE pounds down! I was weighing my self everyday for the first 2 days and was discouraged so I took a couple of days off and low and behold....WEIGHT LOSS! This Adkins think seems to work! Although I am SICK of meat! I paid for my surgery this morning...I'm ready to go! WAHOO! Caolin - My husband went to KayHi...big 'ol wrestling champ and class President (he's so cool!). Graduated in '94. Anyhoo...his brother married into the Thomas family (Cedars, Silver King, and now Clover Pass Resort)...it's good to have those family ties! And, incidentally, I've been to Ketchikan SEVERAL times and it only rained once!

Michelle - I'll be on South Jericho Way in Aurora, at a friend's house. My sister is my chauffer! Thanks!

My Dear Lynette - You already CAN have a bra that doesn't twist, ride up, or dig in....it'll cost you though. Last year I went to Nordstroms in Anchorage and got a "fitting"...thought I was due. The scrawny cute thing put me into a WACOAL bra. It was $60, but I LOVE them, yep, them, I bought THREE! (NO, we do not make THAT much money here! Just a little indulgence.) This was the first time since kids that I've been able to wear an underwire. The girls are where they belong and I NEVER have shoulder pain. I cannot recommend enought getting a good fitting - it's free so there's no excuse for ANY of the ladies here on Lucky #7s to be riding low. For the men that join us...don't be dismayed, now we'll all look sweeter for you!