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I had a difficult time w/BCBSTX for both husband and self - We got annoyed when in month 4 they deviated from the initial requirements (I was never going to be approved: BMI 37, no Comorbids, but DH had a Great Chance: BMI 43 + 3 Comorbidities...he was eventually denied, but we had already gone thru w/the surgery). The minute I called our surgeons office and said we would be Self Pay, we had a date for surgery 2wks later. My Opinion, the office stepped up Fast & was extremely accomodating in order to get a $30k Check in hand. Love my Dr, but I think they might just speed things up a bit more for Self Pays - again that's my experience only. Good Luck to Ya~

Good Luck - Dr Felts is my Doc as well,

I'm still on the fence. No matter who wins for the Dems: Clinton/Obama , I'd like to see John Edwards as the VP candidate. BJean, your right - the commercials in TX are a bit annoying, specifically Obama..and that has turned me off him some. "If" I had to a pick a Rep - it would have been Romney. McCain, too old to suit my generation / needs & Huckabee - WAY TOO "out" there.

Very Sorry ~ Hope you find comfort knowing your a real inspiration here, good thoughts going your way:)

I did it - Wk6!! Got the giggles, was w/DH @the gym and he was more impressed than I was. On top of that realized 2 things today...Size 10's are getting Big & I'm halfway to Goal. Not a good band person - but I am going to have a glass of wine or 2 tonite to celebrate!!!

After 5 fills, I have 7.4cc's & decent restriction. I don't believe I'm yet at my "sweet spot", as I do control myself by Diet & Exercise - not just the band. My Dr told me early on that I would more than likely need to be over 8cc's to get the restriction needed & I'm inclined to believe that after having fill #5 last wk - and only notice a "slight" difference .... I can eat faster than I should & can gulp my water/drinks - and in watching my husband (also banded) he easily takes another 20mins after me to complete his meal & sip his drinks (he's @ 6.5cc). Breads/Crackers - I can't do, that's the only difference from fill no 4 to fill no 5 - qty of food remains the same.

7.4cc in 10cc Band (5fills) - decent restriction & Have never PB'd. I can eat everything but Breads/Crackers - especially Melba Toast. This last fill has been a "kicker".

Congrats BigBaby on completing Wk1!!! Hope your feeling better TXG, DH and I were talking last night how lucky we've been dodging the Flu Bug (Knock Wood), we're chalking it up to be A whole lot healthy this Season. So - I'm going for wk 6 today (That is a whole LOT of running), I tested how long I can run non stop yesterday and got to 17mins .. so I think I can handle this.... On a side note: Took a class Sat (Combo Step / Weights / Abs / etc.) w/my BF and we about DIED. She actually counted that we did 125 lunges on EACH leg and 150 squats. My legs are still wobbly, and trying to go to the Loo yesterday took so much Ab strength, I think it was better than doing a million crunches...Anyway - Have a good wk all!!!

With good restriction my daily food looks like: Breakfast - 4oz LF yogurt with a 1/4c of granola & berries lunch - 4oz of Protein such as Tuna / chicken / Egg salad / Fish / Sushi & 1/2c of Veggies or Salad dinner - Same as lunch *If I go out to eat I choose a lean option and only eat half...sometimes less* Snack - *if I need one* I'll have a handful of nuts or a EAS Carb Control 110calorie protein shake My Dr also does not prefer Protein Shakes as meals.....

My arms were the indication that I needed to deal w/my weight. I always carried the LBS in my hips/thighs/butt - and when I noticed my arms huge in a Picture I had to do something. Start 15.5 inches, now 11.9 - loosing in the upper part faster than the bottom:)

I LOVE Dunkin Donuts brand...Having some now w/FF vanilla Creamer. I could never give up my coffee, it was actually on my list of liquids in the early post op stages.....Diet Coke - had to give that up, don't miss it really~

Totally agree, I had been weight training after my run or other cardio - and been taking a yoga/pilates class once a wk. I think I burnt myself out some and have been easy going these past 10days...My scale was not moving, so I had been in the gym more than home - DH says. HA!,,Did work some losing a lot of inches - but my scale still has issues. Doing wk5 today - then only abs. Fingers crossed my knees make it....Thanks Mindy!

Hun, maybe that's why my knees went bum?? I had been doing the bike or elliptical at least inbetween the 3 to 4 days of running averaging 5 days of cardio...Whoysa that wrong? Well crap, :thumbup:...

Absolutely~ Congrats!!

Good for you Wombat!! So, I'll probably PM you later..but I went to my Dr and the MRI shows a version of RA called: Ankylosing Spondylitis. I can't pronouce it, I can't spell it - but it's a version of arthritis located in the spine. Guess I got to google and get caught up. Good news - exercise is the best thing for it / Bad news - finding a drug I can take. Again we can chat, not to bottle this thread up with. Have been working out still - bike / walking / upper body...Punched DH last night and was told I hit like a guy, so that parts working:wink_smile: Happy VD Day All~~

An idea - Why don't you request a copy of your policy via fax or email. Have it in front of you, so you know exactly what that policy says vs. what someone may relay to you on the phone?? Just a thought, BCBS was extremely frustrating to deal with - I gave up before my denial (which I did get), and decided to go self pay. Wasn't easy *we were paying for 2* hubby and I..So I think you've come to the right place to get advise. I didn't find this site till after I was banded..utilize as best you can & keep us posted. All the best,

Every 2 - 4 wks & approx .5cc per fill. Just had #5 yesterday bringing me to 7.4cc in a 10cc band.

Good for you Dressagerider!!! DH and I "had" BCBS, and after them too changing their requirements midstream - we quit and worked out a plan to self pay for the both of us...I never thought of contacting the Banking / Ins Org - brilliant idea. Hope others going through the same thing see this. Tracey - I'd contact your insurance directly and ask what the parameters are specifically as it applies to you for WLS..Good luck!

Exactly!!!..:cursing: Travel Girl - DH gave up beer and hasn't missed it at all!! I think he actually lost the taste of it. He caved and had one recently and only took 2 sips, I stared at him waiting for him to PB, he just set it aside and said he's done..Who would have thought!!

That's a tough one. I had a diner party 2wks after being banded that my husband (also banded) declined going. It was going to be impossible to be surrounded by our friends *all drinking wine, good food, etc* - not to be noticed that we were visibly not "partaking in the festivities". A month later my Inlaws were in town, and rather than "look" obvious to them I made meals that were "Soft & Soup" natured. Was kinda odd, because I'm a big cook who always made a BIG meal...but it turned out great and nobody noticed. My mom and younger brother are the only ones that know DH and I were banded, and I just told them recently....so, Not sure I actually gave you advise :cursing:, you could just send your gift ahead or just pop in - not stay long enough to be noticed..Good Luck!!

I think there is something to the Atkins. DH has been on it since last Mon & when we went for fills yesterday he'd dropped 9lbs since then. GOSH, men have it so much easier :cursing:. I'm doing a "South Beachy" version and it's working decently, yet I've grown a taste for dairy that I've never had: milk/yogurt/cheese..sorta craving those lately...Anyway just popped in, hope all is well!~

I know most do, including me :smile: I cut 14inches off to a chin length bob, and love every minute of it. I had a LOT of hair tho, and when I started working out it felt heavy/sweaty and I seemed to have it up all the time. There was no thinning - I used my hair to hide my weight, and when my cheek bones came in and I lost the double chin...I wanted to cut it all off..

***Sorry, fat'fingered*** 25,000 in Foster Care , TX (still Too Many).

Ah, I see this discussion dies down - then picks up steam every so often. Ceradad, not sure if you've read through the entire thread...There is a LOT to digest - but if you did you'll notice that my story started w/an abortion, followed by infertility (and failed IVF attempts), to now looking towards adoption. I see this only as a matter of Law, and for the Right to Remain for a Woman To Choose to Abort or Not to Abort. For as much as I am active in keeping this right in place - there is a huge problem with Adoption policies in this country. I can easily go overseas and get a child (baby) in a 1/4 of the time than here on US soil. The state I'm in, TX has over 250,000 children in Foster Care. If it were not for the pain experienced by a family member who tried to adopt her Foster Daughter (after 4+yrs of raising her - only to be turned back over to her crack head parents) my husband and I would go that route. I'd much prefer a kid here - Already in need of a loving home... Your passion on the subject comes through in your writing, and your story is as compelling as the countless others that have posted here. A sensitive subject, your understanding of the problems of fertility and adoption - I'm sure make you a compassionate father.