piercedqt78

Maybe the person that you are trying to PM has a full mailbox. That happens with some members, if you use PM a bunch it fills up quickly. ~Mandy

I actually had a note put in the computer system at my pharmacy that says no pills larger than an M&M. They actaully called me to tell me that the antibiotics were too big and they already had a call in to the doctors office requesting something different. ~Mandy

Anyone think that he commited suicide because she actually got away? Or do you think he let her go and then killed himself out of guilt? I think him being dead is better than having a long drawn out trial and then getting off on a tech. issue. Or claiming he is insane and only having to stay in an instuite for a few years and then being cleared to return to society. Any other thoughts? ~Mandy

I don't want to get into a political debate but would love to live in OZ. I think that experiencing a different people, differnt land, food, lifestyle, customs would be a wonderful learning experience. I am not about to abandon my country, my blood runs Red White and Blue. But to live in a more peaceful land would be great. We have guns in our home, we are gun club members, my husbands entire family hunts. I have several containers of deer in the freezer right now. That is one thing I would change about the good ole USA is the gun control. I also wish that violent crimes were more harshly punished. Ok, back to the political debate. ~Mandy

Actually you should always consult a pharmacist (sp?) before crushing any pill. I was told that the coating is there for a reason on some meds, even those not labeled time released. Not trying to be a smart ass but it is always best to ask. I was told not to crush my antibiotics, I had to have the doctor call in a liquid. Be safe and ask. ~Mandy

I was told that anything smaller than an M&M would be fine. For pain meds I have asked for liquid and Loritab comes in liquid form. I bought a pill crusher for my daughters meds and she takes them mixed in apple sauce. I have also crushed meds for myself. When were were out and I didn't have any liquid pain meds or my crusher I asked the waiter for 2 spoons and crushed the pills between the spoons, worked like a charm. Now I can just snap a tylenol in half and take it. I always make sure to drink at least 16 oz of something to wash out the pouch, can never be too careful. ~Mandy

Good for you, I am so glad that you are actually persuing what you really want in life. You have/had the hottie boss right? How did he take it? Did you have to give him an extended hug to make it all better????? ~Mandy

Some insurance companies deny the band as they list it as investigational. I fought and won with our bcbs company. Call and ask what is covered and what is not. You will need to billing codes that your doctor will use and also the diagnosis code. The billing depatment and sometimes even the front desk can give you these codes. Best of luck. ~Mandy

Lisa, her nails were not painted because we had only had her for a few days when that pic was taken. She had been at the shelter for over 6 months and her feet were not used to touching anything but stainless steel. The pads of her feet would bleed after going outside and walking on our patio. Going for a walk on the sidewalk was totally out of the question. She is still really sensitive about her feet being touched, not nippy but she cries about it. Please consider adoption, my bella was ready to be put down as unadoptable because she had been there so long. We took her in and worked on potty training and she has learned to sit, high five, and lay down in just under 3 months. We have also been accident free for over a month now. She is not at all food aggressive, I give her treats and then pet and play with her face to keep her food positive. She gets so muh joy out of a good belly rub and her rope. She is such a silly dog, I am just in love with her. It hurts me to think that she was days away from being put down, she is such a great dog. Find a good honest rescue, ask loads of questions and really give adoption some more thought. My bella and Abigale are best buddies, Bella wants to kiss Abi every chance she gets, she also loves to lick her legs after a bath. Oh, Bella loves to take a bath, whoever gave her up took good care of her. There are great dogs out there, one of them deserves to live in your doggie palace. You also deserve the perfect furbaby. (((hugs)))~Mandy

It is different, it's Inamed's site. ~Mandy

We got an American Staffordshire and love her to pieces. They are in the pit family but not used as often for fighting. Here is a pic of her , she is a shelter baby...Love Ya' Lisa, Mandy

Lisa, I am soooo sorry for your loss. I know that you hear is just breaking. Remember that VooDoo is probably giving the angels hell right now. Know that he will never hurt again, never be afraid again, because he can be at your side 24/7. (((hugs))) If you need to talk you have my number. ~Mandy

My husbands employer called and Highmark covered it. But the HR or Insurance dept must be the one to make the call. They will not overturn the expermental decision at all without that. The other option is to appeal, appeal appeal and then you have the right to an outside impartial board to review your records, I was told that if you meet the critera for the band it will be overturned by the outside review board. They make the decision based on the fact that you need the sugery and the fact that it IS FDA approved. The HR or insurance dept can overturn the decision with a single phone call, I know that is all it took for me. ~Mandy

Gina, contact the HR dept at your work and let them know that you don't have equal coverage fo equal insurance payments. I know that is what finally helped me get covered. We have the choice of highmark or United Healthcare and the UH covers the proceedure but the highmad did not. My husbands employer was not aware of the difference and they made highmark pay for the proceedure. There is a CD that you can get from Don Mills that has all the long term studies and the FDA trial results on it, just call Inamed and ask for him they will give you his voice mail and he will get back to you. He is great and was very helpful in my appeal process. It took me 6 months to finally get approved but it was worth the effort. I was denied 3 times and getting ready to go to an outside appeal company when I got my husbands employer involved. I was covered within 4 days after getting HR and the union involved. Feel free to contact me if you have anymore questions or if I can help in anyway. ~Mandy

BTW, I always tip extra when I order a kids meal or just an appetizer. I don't want my wait person to get jipped just because I eat less. It's still the same amount of work for them. ~Mandy

I had to stay the night as a precaution, but all was fine. I did my barium swallow and was on my way home. Bring a fluffy pillow to protect your incisions from the seat belt. I came home and got a good 24 hours of sleep, only getting up to potty and drink my propel. I was only in pain when climing the stairs and when my very overweight kitty hopped on my belly 3 days post-op. I did sleep in a recliner for a few nights because I am a stomach sleep and I was worried that I would roll over and it would be painful. I only took pain meds at betime. I had almost no pain, just tons of gas and my stomach made weird noises for about 4 days. I would do it again in a heart beat. ~Mandy

Penni, I am so sorry that your family is being challanged once again. I will keep your grandson in my prayers. If you want I will also add him to my mom's churchs prayer list. My band doc's son has leukemia and I know the heartbreak that they went through when he was first diagnosed. He is makeing progess, and he will attend regular school this year. He is getting stronger each day and the outlook is very good. Medical treatment for leukemia has come a long, tell you daughter to keep her chin up, with God all things are possible. 8 months ago we were told that Abigale most likely had a brain tumor and would need surgery, the MRI was clean. The afternoon before the MRI we took her to my moms church and she was anointed with oil and the deaconsall said a prayer over her. I believe in miracles. And I will pray for a miracle for your grandbaby. ~Mandy

I use lubriderm on all of my tattoos, nothing else. I wash them each day with liquid dial and then apply sensitive skin lubriderm several times each day. I let them breath as much as possible and never pick a tattoo. If it itches lightly tap it or scratch around it. Keep it out of the sun and make sure to use sunscreen anytime it will be exposed to direct sun. They heal on their own and really don't need antibiotic creams and such to heal. I know that most places used to recomend triple antibiotic ointment or neosporin, but most of the places around here no longer use any of those things. Most places are telling people that lubriderm or aveno sensitive skin lotions are best. Let me know if you have any other questions. ~Mandy

actually most stores have both. I like the turkey better but make sure it is the lean mostly white meat. The dark meat is just as high in fat as lean ground beef, so beware. The chicken is great if it has a sauce of some kind but it tends to be a bit dry. I make chili with a combo of beef, chicken and turkey. I just have to add extra tomato sauce to keep it from being to thick and dry. Also ground turkey makes the BEST spagetti sauce I have ever had. Just becareful if you make lasagna or manacotti use lots of sauce, the leaner meats tend to absorb the sauce and then the dish is left dry. The Turkey store website ( http://www.jennieoturkeystore.com/ ) has tons of recipies for ground turkey ~Mandy

We have recently switched to ground turkey and are loving it. We had turkey burgers for dinner tonight. I had 1/2 of one with a little bit of gravy on it and some broccoli. My family had them on a hamburger bun with cheese and stuff on them. I but the turkey store patties that are pre-seasoned and they taste really good. I do ok with red meat but prefer turkey. I do occasionally get a taste for a good steak and I will pick up some rib-eye and make it on the grill, med-well and I melt blue cheese on it and serve it with spicy A-1, hits the spot and it's tender without being chewy or stringy. ~Mandy

I know that many of us are used to turning to ginger ale for an upset stomach but I have found that a hard ginger candy works the same way, but is has to have real ginger in it. I have also discovered that the "BRAT" diet is a bandsters nightmare. My doctor reccomended B- bananas (can't eat them at all) R- Rice (nope, not gonna happen) mashed potatos were an acceptable alternative A- applesauce (hooray I can have that) T Toast (nope, not me, it will make the vomiting worse) I was told to stick with mashed potatos, broth and sugar free Jello and pudding. Hope this helps. Mandy

I know that this won't be much help but I'm gonna say it anyway. I know that in IL and IN lawyers have to take a completly different bar exam for copyright and patent laws. I would contact a patent lawyer and get professional advice. ~Mandy

I keep a prescription for Phenegran handy. It comes in liquid and a supository. I have both I also have zofran. They work wonders. I suffer from migraines and the only relief has always been to vomit, now when I feel the migraine coming on I take a dose of Phenegran and it really helps to stop that dry heaving from ever starting. ~Mandy

I was on liquids only for 10 days. I was allowed 2 protien shakes a day, 16 oz of broth (fat free and low sodium) and 1 8oz container of sugar free fat free yogurt. I lost 17 pounds in that 10 day time span. I made it, the first few days are the hardest but I think it helps to mentally prepare you for the after care. ~Mandy

I had meatloaf at 3 weeks out, I was allowed ground beef in the soft food stage. I still can't do tough steak but can eat filet and ribeye with no problem. I can also eat roast, prime rib with ease. It should be simple to call and ask the nurse or dietion if the surgeon means no red meat or no steak. I also made chili in the puree stage and put it in the blender, added some sour cream and had a field day eating my chili puree. No red meat for 6 months sounds a bit off, but every doctor is different. ~Mandy