piercedqt78

Fight that, call inamed and get the packet from them. They have a packet just for the denial. I talked to Don Mills and he sent it right out to me. That is a beatable denial, it was FDA approved in 2001. ~Mandy

entubate is when they have to put in a tube to make you brethe, I was told that was fine. The blind NG is a naso gastric tube, that's how they pumy uoir stomach. If they try to force an NG tube it can rip open your stomach, that is what doing it blind is dangerous, they need to use one with a camera on it, so they can see the band. The adjust gastric band with abdominal port lets them know what you have inside of you, and it tells them what the lump on your side (the port)The band shows up in x-ray so you want doctors to know in an emergency what they are looking at. It also lets them know in emergency surgery to be careful cutting so they don't damage the tube, port or band. My surgeon says while not nessary an ID is a good idea. ~Mandy

I am still feeling pretty good today, sore but no real pain. My toes are hurting, they had to spread them way apart to shave the neuroma off the bone. (he may have had to remove some bone too) I'll know more when I talk to him monday, I was too tired to ask yesterday. I put a pot roast out to go in the crock for dinner tonight. We had cereal for breakfast, and they are having grilled cheese for lunch, I'm having lunch meat and cheese. I'll be back later. ~Mandy

Dianne, will the other kids be any help at all? I hope so. Maybe you guys can get some relief and a daily break, you need it. (((hugs))) Mary, my DH mailed that package to you on thursday, so you should get it monday. I'm just resting, I had a weight watcher meal for dinner, it was really good, grilled chicken and veggies in a lemon sauce. I am going to try several of them over the next few days, they were on sale at my local grocery store and I bought 4 or 5 different kinds. I'll post on how they are. I see the doctor again next week, I think on thursday. He called to check on me today, I think that was really nice that HE called not the nurse. I guess it's the little things that still make some doctors great. ~Mandy

On a serious note, send the ebay and paypal ones to spoof@ebay.com and spoof@paypal.com They will investigate and try to stop them. It also helps to protect your account. I get very little spam, on yahoo, my husband is also on yahoo and he had 206 spam messages in 4 days. Not sure what the diff is, other than he does some craigslist stuff, but you don't publish your email account on there. Who knows? I get penis enlargement stuff he gets ads trying to sell him home loans and crap. ~Mandy

My niece and hubby are both here to take care of me. I will be on and off all day. I just took some loritab, I am getting hungry. DH is going to pick up some lunch for me and then I will probably take a nap. ~Mandy

Patty, I am sure you will find a way to make it happen. You seem determined to have this and i am sure that you will. (((hugs)))~Mandy

Hi all I'm home from surgery. The proceedure went smoothly and I am feeling pretty good. I woke up quickly and am not groggy or anything. I am home, sitting with my foot propped up. I will check in later. ~Mandy

What I was trying to say was in the begining it wasn't even an option for companies to purchase WLS coverage. Now I believe they allow it as an option. I was told that I was the first ever to be covered for the band by Highmark. They didn't even have a negoitated amount in the system. Also fills have to be done under flouro for them to pay, in office fills are not covered at all. ~Mandy

My sister is dating a paramedic and I took his advice. ~Mandy

Call and ask for something for the nausea. They can give you something that comes in liquid form or there is also something that dissolves under your tongue. I'm glad that it went well. I would try some warm tea, an icee, Popsicles. Walk, that helps more than anything. Hope you feel better soon, Mandy

cute ~Mandy

Ok, so I guess I am the resident Disney nut. (wheetsin and Kat817 were both waiting for me to say something.) I'm totally ok with that. Disney has always been "pooh sized" friendly as far as ride seats, seat belts and harnesses are concerned. They are to be PC about it "size aware". But I am able to go on the rides at six flags without a problem now too. ~Mandy

I also go to WDW several times a year, I went 9 weeks after being banded and had a blast. I ride everything, no problems. I eat smaller portions and most places will let you order kids portions of adult meals. The buffets will let you pay kids prices and you can share meals without penalty there. I LOVE Disney. I am actually planning my 4 trip since being banded and can't wait to get back. I also did some kickboxing in the first year after surgery, I have a foot problem so I had to give it up for now. The band only changes your life for the better, it will not hinder your motion, activity level or range of motion. ~Mandy

my insurance also excluded the band. It was listed as experimental and I was told by the ins rep that a snow ball had a better chance in hell then I did for coverage. I fought it, it took 3 appeals, and I was getting ready to go to a state appeal (an outside review board looks over the appeal) and I was approved. Several people have since been approved with the same company. I called Walter Lindstrom (www.obesitylaw.com) and they didn't even want to touch my case, I as told that my ins company was very difficult and I would probably not win. When I got approved I called them back and they were amazed. If it's possible try to submit for preapproval and see what happens, a good surgeon will have an insurance person to help you appeal. It doesn't cost anything to submit and appeal. It just might be worth the effort, I know my battle was worth every tear, sleepless night that I spent trying to get approved. ~Mandy

I bought mine on ebay and added my own chain to make a bracelet.It says "adjust. gastric band w/ abdominal port no blind NG" It also has my allergy information on it. It cost less than $25 and it makes me feel better, especially when traveling alone. ~Mandy

I am on the schedual for 8:00 they have a car service to pick me up. They will be here at 5. It's downtown and with rush hour the traffic is horrible. Even though I am only 20 or so miles from the cite, traffic can make that a 2 or 3 hour commute. Since they are picking me up so early, we will beat most traffic. Just 3 miles from my house they are adding a new expressway, and the construction from that has been horrible. I gave the driver an alternate route to get to my house, I hope he follows it, if not we will be late. I am picking up my niece today, she is going to help with Abi and with cooking and stuff. This is the same niece that just graduated from high school and this summer is off to join the Navy. As for the dog, he is being crate trained. The shelter/foster family told me and hubby that he was cage aggressive, he's not at all. When we brought in the crate he ran in and got comfy. He goes into the crate when he is tired and he actually wants to sleep in there at night. I'm starting to wonder if we adopted a different dog than was described to us. We were told he was fearful of men, housebroken, cage aggressive, and a very picky eater. He eats anything we put in front of him, he loves my hubby and his cage and was peeing all over my house. I think with some work the crate training will work out. I am determined to make this work, my DH loves this dog and he's not really an animal person. I am going to get Abi ready for school and then I am off to the groomer for the pup's nails to be trimed, pick up the niece and return an outfit that I bought for Abi that is too short, I guess she has hit a growth spurt. Be back later, Mandy

Sherry, try doing push-ups on the ball.Lay on your stomach and put your legs (almost at the ankle) on the ball. Then push your body up into the air with your arms. It takes the stress off your knees and back. Also do crunches on the ball. No more lower back pain. I LOVE my pilates ball. I am assuming you have the same type of thing, but I don't have handles on mine. ~Mandy

leatha, I am going to book mark that page for future reference. It's a great way to curb the appetite. ~Mandy

I am doing ok guys, just a ton of stuff going on around here trying to get ready to be off my feet for several days. I did the grocery shopping last night and I am running a few errands today. I'll check in tonight. ~Mandy

Yes, they will re-puncture the skin with the needle, not a muscle and a layer of fat. The vein is just under the surface of the skin, not nearly as deep as the port. I totally agree about drawing from the saline bottle, yuck. ~Mandy

The needle also get dull after repeated use. I do body piercing for a living and I don't reuse needles more than once ever, even if I am doing a pair of ear lobes, each lobe gets a new needle. I am doing what I was taught in an OSHA class for blood born pathogens. ~Mandy

I know they have changed the policy in the last 18 months. (that's when I was banded) I know that they claimed they never covered it back then. Now it may be up to the individual policy. ~Mandy

I think the problem is the bacteria that grows in the tissue that is in/on the needle. Using a needle over again during the same treatment is fine, but using it and then waiting weeks or even months before using it again seems unsafe/unhealthy to me. ~Mandy

I think it's more him being politically young. He needs more experience in my opinion. ~Mandy