sghatl

Steve, I began my journey with a seminar in July and was approved in September by BCBS Federal Employee program. Yes SOME BCBS plans approve the surgery. However, it all depends on the contract they have with your employer. Even in states where BCBS approves, some company plans do not and it is the companies that dictate and do the negotiating of their healthplans not BCBS. Hope this explains it. You can try and get your company to change their policy. Call your company insurance person and see what their policy is. It might be covered. If you are self-pay, the approval process is much easier and faster. The insurance companies require so much documentation and approval of various doctors like psychiatrists, pulmonogists, etc before they will approve you for surgery. Some even require 3 to 6 months of medically supervised dieting. Good luck. You BMI is perfect for surgery. I can't speak for pricing as it was not a concern to me. I knew up front that I would get approval if medically fit. Good luck in your journey and I hoped this helped.

KLPDBL, I don't see the chai tea at Walmart at all. I would be willing to mail you some to moultrie - that is if the post office will let me mail liquids. I could send UPS. Let me know.

Thanks 4Jin - love the dark hot chocolate. I will get some and can to my milk which I have to have 2 to 4 4oz servings daily according to the nutritionist's liquid meal plan for me.

I found both the SF liquid chai tea and SF apple cider at my local Kroger store. The apple cider was where the hot chocolate can be found. I have always bought the Oregon chai tea mixture to be mixed with milk. But it had way too many calories and carbs. I was so excited before surgery to find the SF version - no carbs and no calories. I just mix it with my milk and some LDS vanilla cinnamon protein powder. Yummy. And as I said I can drink it hot or cold. This morning I had it cold. It has been in the high 70's here the past 5 days. I am ready for winter. The chai tea is not with the teas and coffees but I found it in their area where the gourmet and organic foods are. The protein powders are there too and specialty waters, soups, etc. It's a large area in my Kroger store. They have about 6 or so versions of the Oregon chai teas.

The unflavored Unjury protein can be added easily to any food. Seven days post-op and I feel great. I even went mall shopping for 3 1/2 hours yesterday by myself. I called all the malls near me and found one that had valet parking. They got my scooter out of the trunk for me. I have arthritic knees and use a scooter for mall shopping and traveling through airports. Of course, it was like having my own pack mule - it carried my packages. I am not supposed to lift anything but that hasn't been defined. I have my post-op appointment tomorrow and hope to find out. I had a sizeable hiatal hernia repaired at the same time. I have had the easiest time. I do follow orders and drink, drink, drink that water and other acceptable juices and tea. I have had no problem with getting my protein. Using the Unjury products, I am getting 66 plus grams of protein daily. I usually mix it with milk or bouillon. Other than that I am only allowed SF jello and SF popsicles and clear juices. And I am NOT hungry. I have been pain free since 4 hours after surgery. The energy came back 4 days after surgery and I haven't napped the past two days. This has been a fantastic experience for me so far. I will be on liquids for 2 more weeks and then 3 weeks of mushies. The only thing that will get me is boredom with having the same things daily. I've tried mixing a SF liquid chai tea mixture with my milk and protein and I love it. I can drink it hot or cold. SF apple cider has been a nice treat too. Yesterday, I tried a very flat Sprite Free. My husband didn't finish his can and left it open on the counter overnight. I made sure the bubbles were completely gone and drank it. Loved it and I never was that fond of Sprite before. Just looking for new tastes right now. Thanks for asking but I guess I got carried away with the answer. I LOVE MY BAND.

good going 4Jin. Hope the insurance approval process goes by quickly.

constipation cure - water, water and water. It really does the trick. Seems like I am drinking all the time. My instructions say 6 to 8 ounces of liquid every 45 minutes to an hour. It has helped me not to be hungry at all also. Love the SF popsicles. Yesterday, I tried Sprite Zero. I am not usually a sprite love but it tasted really good. My husband didn't finish his and left it on the counter overnight. All of the carbonation was gone so I thought I would taste it. I ended up finishing it. I am so limited in what I can that I am looking for new tastes. Soups aren't on my menu until the mushie stage in two more weeks. Other than milk and protein drinks everything else is clear, SF and caffein-free beverages and jello. I am feeling so well that I am venturing out on my own today to Christmas shop at the mall. I found one that has valet parking and they will assemble my scooter for me. I have arthritic knees and use it when mall shopping or traveling. I am so excited to get out of the house. Glad to see everyone else is doing well. This has been so easy that I wish I had done it years ago. Good luck to those on the calendar today and tomorrow. I can't believe it will be a week tomorrow for me. My scales are going down daily but I am not publishing my loss until the official weigh-in at the doctor's on Friday.

Welcome and congrats on getting a date. Your emotions are both natural and expected. Hang in there. This has been a good experience. Surgery went well. Little pain, just soreness until today for me. Today is my fifth day and I woke up with so much energy. I am having cabin fever and will get out today somewhere. The itchies struck today at the incision sites. No hunger here so far but I am getting lots of protein and drinking lots of fluids.

Tracy:: vanessa Tia Maria Gus123 krisa cattles We will all be thinking about you today. Good luck.

Thanks for the heads up. I usually can't pass up SOME of their samples. I am picky.

<p>Great after pic. The difference is remarkable. Are you just busting at the seams and feeling different also? I have enjoyed cleaning out my closets for the last time. Keep up the good work.</p>

I didn't like the chicken soup at all but I did like the tomato soup. I added bouillon because my sodium level was low and spices like garlic powder, italian seasonings, etc. I was on optifast for 14 weeks.

Ok, here goes. I apologize if I missed someone. I went back to the beginning. MERRY LOSERS Dec 3 - CarolK1 parrot0927 antsmith101 Christasha Danna(sewenup1) Heavy Heartland Dec 4 - TXbandit kris102003 Sandy63 candy8360 inthecitygirl Rosie15 Dec 5 - mejr62 Chienne and her dad Brooke (medic26541) Babyblues425 Munchkin392 Buckeye jc goddezz Dec 6 – Sghatl newlife JEN_RN Lost in LS Twilight AudricIan gg88 NewMeFrisco ThunderWheels Dec 7 - Newblew jen hollers Meghan1983 jennypoo tomecia25 Jais Dec 8 Dec 9 Dec 10 - HeatherA (tentative) Michelle28 Fanny Adams <<< NEW DATE!! EEK! Dec 11 - ::Tracy:: vanessa Tia Maria Gus123 krisa cattles Dec 12 - Caramel Vicki J chatita mrskrzyz Sheila Dec 13 - jmschnapf Anyalee Mommathang Motogrossgirly MissyDFE missmonaaz Heatherz88 secretstolen Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 17 - 100lbsforsale MissSac gingimop Tishbite2 grannyk girlygirlz collet lachanga (tentative) Dec 18 - Mendypoo Livingthe Dream JET's MOM HHWALJ Kelly Mcgee AlysonRR Reillye HeatherA Just A Girl Frisky1 Ellisa Dec 19 - Cerrin Dandydeb Artsy cajuncutie Moosictchr Dec 20 - Jonesy mrsjiggles (tentative) nhlapband Sunshine Tx Dec 21 Dec 22 Dec 23 DEC 24 Dec 25 - MERRY CHRISTMAS Dec 26 - Miss Polly jenncore lachica39 Palarin Tcuts gayle21 Dec 27 - jasmona1214 glitzigirl thundandlight Jazzywoman jbaines Dec 28 - The Fox imsamiam J.Discount Cleo2354 Mellis Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 - Justin Chrisann

The problem Stevie is that some people don't start with the latest list. When I have time I will go back to the beginning and start a new list. However, the first one that comes along and picks up an old list drops people along the way.

Welcome aboard all you newbies. I was banded on the 6th and am doing really great. I am sore but pretty much pain free since about 4 hours after surgery which is when I had my last pain medicine. For some reason I have had no gas pain in my body like under the shoulders. I do have lots of abdominal gas which goes in both directions. I am using GAS-X multiple times a day. I was able to sleep in my bed and on my side on day 3. I can honestly say I am not hungry. I am constantly putting something in my mouth and drinking all day long. I only get milk with Protein for my 3 meals, some broth, SF Jello, popsicles and clear juices and I am quite satisfied. I am to drink 6 to 8 ounces of caffein-free non-carbonated liquids every hour. And I can't believe the pills I have to take - a multi-Vitamin, Calcium, pepcid AC twice a day, vitamin B complex, vitamin b-12 in addition to my regular meds. As I said I am constantly drinking or taking something. I am really enjoy the unjury chocolate and unflavored Protein drinks. They mix easily. I also am using whey Gourmet vanilla Cinnamon - good flavor. I have cheated on caffein-free and mix a SF liquid chai tea with my milk and vanilla cinnamon protein - yummmmo. I found it at Kroger about a month before surgery. I was told the reason for caffein-free was because it caused nausea, but because I mixed it with milk and protein it wouldn't bother me. I hope the rest of you fair as well.

MERRY LOSERS Dec 3 - CarolK1 parrot0927 antsmith101 Christasha Danna(sewenup1) Heavy Heartland Dec 4 - TXbandit kris102003 Sandy63 candy8360 inthecitygirl Rosie15 Dec 5 - mejr62 Chienne and her dad Brooke (medic26541) Babyblues425 Munchkin392 Dec 6 – Sghatl newlife JEN_RN Lost in LS Twilight AudricIan gg88 NewMeFrisco Dec 7 - Newblew jen hollers Meghan1983 jennypoo tomecia25 Jais Dec 8 Dec 9 Dec 10 - HeatherA (tentative) Michelle28 Fanny Adams <<< NEW DATE!! EEK! Dec 11 - ::Tracy:: LinzerPA vanessa Tia Maria Gus123 krisa Dec 12 - Caramel Vicki J chatita Dec 13 - jmschnapf Anyalee Mommathang Motogrossgirly MissyDFE missmonaaz Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 17 - 100lbsforsale MissSac gingimop Tishbite2 grannyk girlygirlz collet Dec 18 - Mendypoo Livingthe Dream JET's MOM HHWALJ Kelly Mcgee AlysonRR Reillye HeatherA Just A Girl Frisky1 Ellisa Dec 19 - Cerrin Dandydeb Artsy Dec 20 - Jonesy mrsjiggles (tentative) nhlapband Dec 21 Dec 22 Dec 23 DEC 24 Dec 25 - MERRY CHRISTMAS Dec 26 - Miss Polly jenncore lachica39 Palarin Tcuts gayle21 Dec 27 - jasmona1214 glitzigirl thundandlight Jazzywoman Dec 28 - The Fox imsamiam J.Discoun Cleo Mellis GOOD LUCK HEATHER, MICHELLE AND FANNY.

I read on another thread that drinking a little pineapple juice for some reason will unstick you and make food pass. I bought a 6 pack and will carry one with me at all times. Read it also helps when you start to slime as it will stop it.

Got home today - no pain, just some soreness at incision sights. I could even put on my shoes and socks. I came home and took a nap in my bed on my side - no problems whatsover. I got to the hospital at 6:00 for scheduled 8:00 surgery. Straight to pre-op room with my family. Wheeled to surgery around 7:15. Told everything was ready at 7:35 - just waiting for surgeon so they could knock me out. Dr. came in a 7:40, talked to me and said let's go. Woke up in recover at 9:35 with hiatal hernial repaired and 5 incisions. Not much pain at all. Got to my room at 10:50 and stayed awake all day. Only used morphine drip for first 3 hours and then not that often. Fell asleep around 10:30 last night but only really catnapped all night between bladder and their taking vitals. Got up to use the bathroom as soon as I got to room - again no problems. Was told I could be released at 10:00 this morning but asked if I could take a nap first. They had removed my boots so I was able to nap on my side and slept hard for 90 minutes. Got dressed and went home.

I forgot to mention that the surgeon was not able to repair my abdominal hernia - it was too big and will require mesh to fix it. Couldn't do it at the same time. At least now when I have abdominalplasty in a year or year and a half, they can repair it then and insurance will cover the surgery for both. If he had fixed it now, it would have to be redone then anyway. He did say he found a large hiatal hernial and repaired it though. I have had it since my pregnancy with my daughter 42 years ago.

I'm home. I got here around lunchtime and had 1/2 cup milk mixed with protein powder. I, too, can start the protein powder the day I got home and will be on restricted liquids the next three weeks. It's three weeks of mushies after that. I can't believe how good I feel. I am totally pain free. I have some discomfort at the incision sights but no pain. I can even bend over and put on my socks and shoes. I only used the morpine drip the first three hours. For some reason the gas pain has illuded me. I have had laproscopic surgery before and really experienced the gas pain under the shoulder blades for over a week. Not this time. Doctor said if I don't have it yet, I probably won't get it. He told me he got all the gas out. I think he was kidding. He was fantastic though. I couldn't sleep in the hospital - just catnapped during the night. I even stayed awake all day long. The first thing I did after lunch was crawl into bed. I can even lay on my side which is my normal sleeping position. I couldn't do that in the hospital because if I tried I unplugged the boots they had on my fee for compression. My legs were too big for the stockings. I wish everyone well the rest of the month. I can't wait to hear from the others and those having it today. I hope all went well.

USA Twilight - Montana DonHoll1 - Indiana Christasha - Chula Vista Ellisa - Ohio sfeiner - Baraboo Wi tomecia25 - Dallas Texas thundandlight - Massachusetts sghatl - Georgia CANADA AUSTRALIA Sewenup1 - Sydney

MERRY LOSERS Dec 1 - blooh Dec 3 - CarolK1 parrot0927 antsmith101 Christasha Danna(sewenup1) Heavy Heartland Dec 4 - TXbandit kris102003 Sandy63 candy8360 inthecitygirl Rosie15 Dec 5 - mejr62 Chienne and her dad Brooke (medic26541) Babyblues425 Munchkin392 Dec 6 – Sghatl newlife JEN_RN Lost in LS Twilight AudricIan gg88 NewMeFrisco ThunderWheelsDec 7 - Newblew jen hollers Meghan1983 jennypoo tomecia25 Dec 8 Dec 9 Dec 10 - HeatherA (tentative) Michelle28 Dec 11 - ::Tracy:: LinzerPA vanessa Tia Maria Gus123 krisa Dec 12 - Caramel Vicki J chatita Fanny Adams Dec 13 - jmschnapf Anyalee Mommathang Motogrossgirly MissyDFE Heatherz88 Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 17 - 100lbsforsale MissSac gingimop Tishbite2 grannyk girlygirlz collet jewelee Dec 18 - Mendypoo Livingthe Dream JET's MOM HHWALJ Kelly Mcgee AlysonRR Reillye missmonaaz HeatherA Just A Girl Ellisa Dec 19 - Cerrin Dandydeb Artsy Dec 20 - Jonesy mrsjiggles (tentative) nhlapband Sunshine_Tx Dec 21 Dec 22 Dec 23 DEC 24 Dec 25 - MERRY CHRISTMAS Dec 26 - Miss Polly jenncore lachica39 Palarin Tcuts gayle21 Dec 27 - jasmona1214 glitzigirl thundandlight Jazzywoman Dec 28 - The Fox imsamiam J.Discount Cleo Mellis

MERRY LOSERS Dec 1 - blooh Dec 3 - CarolK1 parrot0927 antsmith101 Christasha Danna(sewenup1) Heavy Heartland Dec 4 - TXbandit kris102003 Sandy63 candy8360 inthecitygirl Rosie15 Dec 5 - mejr62 Chienne and her dad Brooke (medic26541) Babyblues425 Munchkin392 Dec 6 – Sghatl newlife JEN_RN Lost in LS Twilight AudricIan gg88 NewMeFrisco ThunderWheelsDec 7 - Newblew jen hollers Meghan1983 jennypoo tomecia25 Dec 8 Dec 9 Dec 10 - HeatherA (tentative) Michelle28 Dec 11 - ::Tracy:: LinzerPA vanessa Tia Maria Gus123 krisa Dec 12 - Caramel Vicki J chatita Fanny Adams Dec 13 - jmschnapf Anyalee Mommathang Motogrossgirly MissyDFE Heatherz88 Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 17 - 100lbsforsale MissSac gingimop Tishbite2 grannyk girlygirlz collet jewelee Dec 18 - Mendypoo Livingthe Dream JET's MOM HHWALJ Kelly Mcgee AlysonRR Reillye missmonaaz HeatherA Just A Girl Dec 19 - Cerrin Dandydeb Artsy Dec 20 - Jonesy mrsjiggles (tentative) nhlapband Sunshine_Tx Dec 21 Dec 22 Dec 23 DEC 24 Dec 25 - MERRY CHRISTMAS Dec 26 - Miss Polly jenncore lachica39 Palarin Tcuts gayle21 Dec 27 - jasmona1214 glitzigirl thundandlight Jazzywoman Dec 28 - The Fox imsamiam J.Discount Cleo Mellis You copy the above list from this page and then do a reply and paste it in. You then add what you want and hit submit. Voila, it shows up here.

Don't panic yet. The day is not over. You just cut and paste and add on. Dec 1 - blooh Dec 3 - CarolK1 parrot0927 antsmith101 Christasha Danna(sewenup1) Heavy Heartland Dec 4 - TXbandit kris102003 Sandy63 candy8360 inthecitygirl Rosie15 Dec 5 - mejr62 Chienne and her dad Brooke (medic26541) Babyblues425 Munchkin392 Dec 6 – Sghatl newlife JEN_RN Lost in LS Twilight AudricIan gg88 NewMeFrisco ThunderWheelsDec 7 - Newblew jen hollers Meghan1983 jennypoo tomecia25 Dec 8 Dec 9 Dec 10 - HeatherA (tentative) Michelle28 Dec 11 - ::Tracy:: LinzerPA vanessa Tia Maria Gus123 krisa Dec 12 - Caramel Vicki J chatita Fanny Adams Dec 13 - jmschnapf Anyalee Mommathang Motogrossgirly MissyDFE Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 17 - 100lbsforsale MissSac gingimop Tishbite2 grannyk girlygirlz collet jewelee Dec 18 - Mendypoo Livingthe Dream JET's MOM HHWALJ Kelly Mcgee AlysonRR Reillye missmonaaz HeatherA Just A Girl Dec 19 - Cerrin Dandydeb Artsy Dec 20 - Jonesy mrsjiggles (tentative) nhlapband Sunshine_Tx Dec 21 Dec 22 Dec 23 DEC 24 Dec 25 - MERRY CHRISTMAS Dec 26 - Miss Polly jenncore lachica39 Palarin Tcuts gayle21 Dec 27 - jasmona1214 glitzigirl thundandlight Jazzywoman Dec 28 - The Fox imsamiam J.Discoun Cleo Mellis

Good luck tomorrow to mejr62 Chienne and her dad Brooke (medic26541) Babyblues425 Munchkin392. My day of clear liquids has not been as bad as I expected. I guess my 14 weeks of living on 800 calories of liquid has readied my body for starvation. Hope tomorrow goes as quickly as today. I am so ready for Thursday.