Margie122

HOLY CRAP PEOPLE... :eek::scared: I just checked online at my health provider to see if they got the bill for when I saw the nurse and Dr. H, had the EKG and the bloodwork. In addition for forking over a non-refundable $500 for the program at BIDMC, I was billed $2,335 for that visit. Does that seem RATHER FREAKING HIGH to anyone??? :cry I pay the first $2,000 every year, it's my deductable. Then after that my insurance pays 80% and I pay 20% up to another max of $2,000 So basically the MOST I can pay in a year is $4,000 HOLY COW...I am going to get billed $1,425.51 - I had absolutely NO IDEA it would be that much so soon. PLEASE EVERYONE - PRAY that I get approved to have this surgery THIS YEAR so I don't have to pay another $4,000 next year. Sorry...I know it's not a lot to pay to get healthier, it just came as a bit of a shock. Thanks for letting me vent! Margie

As usual, the IRS is CRYSTAL clear in what can be deducted and what can't be....NOT! :faint: It sounds like (and I am by no means an expert) that if the weight reduction program was for the treatment of diagnosed OBESITY and not just 10-20 pounds to "look good" then it's deductable. I recommend asking your accountant anyway Luckily I have one in my family or else I would be L O S T !!! :ranger:

Congrat's on getting one step closer to the band!

Hi Katy, No special pre-op diet, they just told me to lose 10lbs. Thanks for the update and the info about the test. I'll make sure I try not to give her too much info! Margie

Hello, I have UHC as well. Of course my UHC policy is probably different than yours. I would call them up again and ask them to send you their criteria in writing. That way you can have it and make sure you fulfill the requirements. My UHC requirements were: BMI 40+ and a 5 year history of failed dieting. I am not expecting any issues with getting the surgery approved, but their an insurance company :girl_hug: I work for one, so I can tell you first hand that things don't always go as planned! Good luck with your process. Just an FYI and my .02 but I would keep a folder and put everything lap-band related into it. Also, whenever you talk to someone at the insurance company, write down their name & the date/time you called. You never know when that information may come in handy! Best of luck! Margie

Hello everyone Hope you are enjoying the nice weather we've been having. Today was my nutritionist visit. It went very well. I didn't realize that I would be weighed again today! :girl_hug: I was just at BIDMC on 8/4 for the nurse/doctor appt. I was at least glad the scale showed a loss, granted it was minimal...about 1.2 pounds....but I'll take it! They told me that I am deficient in B12 vitamin and needed to go to my PCP for a B12 shot. I brought my lab work to my PCP today and he said I didn't need B12 shots, that while it was a low reading, I was not deficient. Now I'm confused! I was also told to take 1/2 a pill a day of an iron supplement, vitamin D and a chewable multivitaman. I bought the Flintstones because I thought they would taste the best. I have just the psych visit left on 9/6. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that my insurance company doesn't give me any issues...I meet all of their requirements...but you just never know. Now comes the hard part...:omg: the pre-op diet. I will lose the requisite 10lbs by surgery date if it kills me. I know I can do it, I just need to get motivated. Hope all is well. Margie

Hi, I had my gallbladder surgery on a Thursday and was back to work the following Tuesday. I have a desk job. The only pain I had was from the air they pump into you during the surgery. It was painful to lay on my left side. Other than that it was a piece of cake, if surgery can be easy I have not had any other "issues" following the surgery and (unfortunately) my diet hasn't changed! (Not yet anyway). Good luck!

Hi, I am not banded, so I'm not sure what it could be. I know if I go too long without eating I get a real pain in my stomach and in my throat. It really hurts. The only way to make it go away is to eat something. Not sure if this helped! Margie

I had my appointments today with the nurse (Anne) and Dr. H. It went very well. I do not need any additional testing or appointments other than the nutrition visit and the psych eval. The only problem I had was with the bloodwork . He had to take it from my hand and it HURT. Now I have a sore spot on my hand the size of a quarter that is slowly turning an ugly shade of purply/blue. The nutrition visit is next week, but the psych eval isn't until 9/6. She must be on vacation the last two weeks of August. Things are looking good and I am hopeful to stay on track to schedule surgery for mid-october. Hope everyone is doing well. Margie

Hi, Sorry for your pain! It could be the sweetener in the crystal light. It can sometimes give me gas - but err....not usually the burpy kind! Hope it goes away soon! Margie

Hello everyone, I'm sitting here at BIDMC on the third floor....I got here way too early. I haven't had to drive into this area in so long in the morning, I had no idea what traffic would be like. It was a breeze! I alloted myself an hour and it took about 15 minutes. So needless to say, I have P-LENTY of time before my 10 o'clock appointment....try 1.5 hours! It was a good thing I'm sure, I accidentally left my paperwork at home and I will have to retake the "test" they sent me. Plus, as soon as someone shows up at the desk, I'll go over and check in and have my bloodwork drawn. My appt with the nurse is at 10 and the doctor is at 11. I'll let you know how it goes. Margie Oh...and as soon as I have that bloodwork drawn, I'm soooo getting a big glass of water...I am parched!

Quinn, Metalbands post reminded me..your surgery is scheduled for 7/30...best of luck! Margie

Soda is my downfall.... I guess I'll just give it up now...*SIGH*.... :faint: No seriously....I will do it, it's rotten for your stomach anyway.

Good god, I posted, made a spelling mistake and "tried" to fix it...remind me to NEVER do that again...I had to delete the whole darn post! Anyway here's the shortened version... Unjury powder - blech. Will take some getting used to...too sweet, and I'll have to drink it super cold through a straw. 8/6 - my doctor/nurse date will be here soon and I am excited. That was the Cribb note versionn of the earlier message I had to delete. Hope everyone had a happy & SAFE 4th of July. Margie

I am delighted to find that "sliming" is something involved upstairs and not downstairs!

Ok...I keep seeing the term "sliming"....what is this? Thanks! Margie

:ranger: Hello everyone, Is there a specific pre-surgery diet BIDMC requires? I was going to do liquids....I've done Optifast before and I had no problems doing it. I won't be doing Optifast specifically, probably something a little less $$$ I ordered a couple of individual packets of unjury to try them out. Rainbow - I know how hard it is to lose weight, so to add quitting smoking on top of that must be tough. I have never smoked, but my mom has for over 40 years. She just quit with the help of a prescription from her PCP - Chantix (sp?) I'm not sure if lap banders can take this RX (if it has any effects on the stomach, etc.) but I consider this a miracle drug for my mom. She tells me she has no desire to smoke. It's also not something she has to be on forever...she is weaning herself off under the direction of her PCP and she still has no desire to smoke. I know someone else at work who smoked like a fiend and who has also quit with this drug. Just a suggestion... Margie

Quinn, That is fantastic news you have your surgery date. I was unable to schedule my nurse & doctor visit until 8/6. I'm travelling on business until 7/30 and they had no appts the week of 7/4 (the only week I am in town) and they don't see patients on Fridays. I'm a little bummed out about it. Oh well, I have plenty of time to make sure my PCP sends in the referral to see the doctor. Today was just v. frustrating, playing tag with the hospital and then having to repeat my information several times to the intake person because her computer kept dying. That's all. I'm hot, I'm stuck in a hot airport (O'Hare) and my flight doesn't leave for another hour and half. I should be (and I am) happy that I've made it this far and that I have a confirmed appt for 8/6 - I didn't want the surgery untl the end of Sept/beginning of Oct anyway. Thanks for letting me gripe. Margie

That is so awesome! Congratulations!!! :clap2:

Hi, I purchased some soy Protein shakes from Revial Soy. I like the consistency and the taste.... They have two kinds that are sweetened. One is with fructose and the other is sucralose. Is one sweetener better than the other? Does banding effect how we process sweetener? Any help is appreciated! Thanks, Margie (P.S....they sell unsweetened, but I don't think I could drink those) :omg:

:faint:So I just looked up the calorie difference if I get the ones with fructose. They run about 100-115 calories more than if I got the unsweetened or the shakes sweetened with sucralose (Splenda).... The thought occurs to me....(a little slow on the uptake I am)....why can't I buy the unsweetened and just add sugar to taste? One teaspoon of sugar is only 16 calories. I can't imagine adding more than 1-2 teaspoons per shake....and that would only be an increase of 32 calories (assuming I use 2 tsp).... Do bandsters have to avoid table sugar? I haven't read anything (yet) that said we did. Margie (not yet banded! - Oct 2007 hopeful). THANKS IN ADVANCE for your input.

Hi wasabubblebut, I think Splenda is the brand name for sucralose. I know that one of the sweeteners can make me really gassy, I just can't remember which one. I would like to find the most natural artifical sweetener....I know that sounds weird! Margie

that is so awesome! Way to go! Margie

Hello, This isn't an exact answer to your question....but I noticed when I lost weight before that it took A LOT more weight to get out of the bigger sizes....I mean I'm being honest....I was SQUEEZING myself into size 20 when I really should have been a 22. It took a good 40 pounds before I went down a size. I think once you are into the smaller sizes....14, 12, 10 etc. that it may only take 10 lbs to go down a size. Of course, I am now 290 (ish)....and a size 22. They fit comfortably. I'm sure I won't see a size 20 until I'm about 250 and then size 18 around 220..... I too have clothes that run the gammit of sizes, but mostly 18 to 22. I will not get banded probably until Oct (personal choice)...and I am hoping to lose 20-25 pre-banding. I can tell you one thing....I will have no problems with spending the money on new clothes once I get down to my goal weight. As I go down in weight, I will have to buy new things - especially for work. I'm going to check out consignment (sp?) shops, etc. No need to spend a fortune for clothing I will hopefully shrink out of :biggrin1: Margie

Quinn, I brought my mom with me too. She wasn't 100% on board with my choice of lap-band. After meeting with the dietician and going to the seminar, she's good with it. I would have done it anyway, but I'm glad she's on board. She's the only family member that I've told. Only a few friends know. I will tell the rest of my family once I get a surgery date. I'm not sure if I talked to you at the parking machine...maybe I'll see you at one of the post surgical follow up seminars. Keep me updated on your progress, I'd like to know how things are going for you. I'm still waiting for the call...I'm sure it will be soon. Margie