ReneBean

Hope you are feeling back to normal soon! I am a big baby, too, so I feel for you. :hurt I will probably be a big ol' whiner when my turn comes. Hugs, and feel better soon! :] :baby:

Rock On, Wendell!! You are an inspiration!

Hey Buck! I have been reading the same information as you - but I am not scared... Please remember - you always get an exaggerated amount of complication postings - because that is when people need the most support - when problems arise. The rest of the time, the folks without problems are just out living life - or lurking occassionally. I read TONS of abstracts on LapBand researching to battle the insurance companies. The research - both Pro-Band AND pro-ByPass - ALL agree that the complications with AGB are WAY less - and less severe - than with the other bariatric surgeries. I was desperate enough to consider the more drastic surgical options when I started, too. But, I discovered the Band and I am so glad I did. I have heard way too many scary stories about the other stuff. EVEN IF we get bands - and find that we are included in the few that erode or have other issues, we will still be down some pounds - and have other options in our future. Even the erosion stories have fairly happy endings. And our eroded friends can decide on other surgery options - or even get re-banded later, if they want. So far, all the stories have only made me re-think the concept that I can take ALL the time in the world. Now I know that it MAY not last - and I should work the Band for as long as I can. That's how I feel... but keep re-searching until YOU feel comfortable. Don't let anyone else make this decision for you. Only you can decide, because only you can make the band (or any other option) work for you. We'll be here to help, if you have questions or concerns. Hugs.

More good news... My Surgeon's office called ME today - to let me know they got an approval letter from the insurance company!! Totally Kickin! I have my pre-op consult on the 24th- after I get back from New York. YEE HAW!!! Thanks, you guys, for all the congrats and well wishes. I feel like a Rock Star! :] Of course, we still have to see what the change of my insurance plan has done to me. I might have to jump through yet more hoops before all this is done - but at least Blue Cross didn't take 3 weeks to get the letter out. That's really what I was expecting. Zan - how's your Mom? I hope she is feeling better. I will be staying at the Hilton Pearl River. Alas - this time I am sharing a car - so I won't be as mobile as I was last trip. Cindy - yep, that's me in the Santa Hat - glad somebody caught that. :] How are your eyes doing? Still itchy? I hate pink-eye. I can't stand it when I am not supposed to scratch an itch! Sherry-Baby - sorry you are down. I know that I always eat like a mad-woman when I am tired. I swear the body is compensating for exaustion by taking in more calories. Get some sleep and hopefully, it will start to get better, soon. *Do you have a long weekend coming up? I hope so. Betty - Any word on that new job? Keri - Glad to hear DH is not impaired. And surprises are always great for little girls. Enjoy that while it lasts. If you show up on her when she gets a little older - she will probably expire from embarrassment... lol! And WOW!! 16/18?!?! I haven't worn clothing that small since high school... and that was LONG ago. Congrats!! Patty - I am trying for a Feb 3rd date... But I will find out more when I meet with my doc. Congrats on the new job - and the new baby!! (And my secret thing to do if I ever get to goal is to learn Latin dancing - like the Tango). Lisa - Sorry you are having a hard time with the eating thing. I hate that hunger business. Big Hugs!! Anne - hope DD feels better soon. I know I used to get strep on a regular basis... it is NO FUN. Eileenie - if I win the lottery, I will hire you to be my personal assistant with a nice fat salary & benefits... you can schedule appointments for me. It will be mindless - and the travel will be good. (and of course, your boss will be the BEST!!) So sorry about the rough day. Some people really do suck. HUGS!! Well, My Darlings... I must away. I have a hot date with a treadmill... and I must continue my battle against the Evil Eliptical. I am back up to 17 minutes.... Only two minutes short of my record. And don't forget! I will be in my Orangeburg office next week. Saturday the 21st is Play Day. I will be done at the office on Friday evening - and my plane doesn't leave until Saturday afternoon at 3:54 - so I will be available for Fun after 9-ish and before 1:30. We can get together anywhere between Orangeburg and the Newark Airport. Can't wait!! Hugs all around! Irene

I'm thinking good thoughts... Good Luck!!

Bummer about the veggies... Sorry, I didn't catch that you are still on liquids/mushies. **I know that for some people, that no snacking business just doesn't work. Maybe try having four small meals a day? And the Protein shake idea is a good one. When you feel ravenous - or for your 4th meal - have a Protein Shake. Atkins or Carb solutions are good, if you are counting carbs. :]

Congrats!! Take your pain meds!! I hope you feel better, soon. :]

We're thinking good thoughts for an easy surgery and a quick recovery... Check in when you feel up to it. :]

They don't know what they're missing! But they will figure it out eventually... And call you! That "perfect" job will come along for you. Keep you chin up! Big Hugs!

Hello Girls and Boys... Has ANYONE ever been approved by BC/BS of CA for this procedure?? I kinda figured with a BMI of 59.7 I would be a no-brainer - however, I received a denial for my pre-approval with this text: "There is insufficient medical literature to determine the safety, superiority or equivalency and long term efficacy of this procedure in comparative trials with gastric bypass or duodenal switch. For these reasons it is considered investigational. The Blue Cross of California Medical Policy for Surgery for Clinically Severe Obesity, which is based on published peer reviewed evidence based medical literature, was used in making this determination." So, what gives? What does "Investigational" mean? Any help would be appreciated. Obviously, I will appeal since I consider this to be the highest for of the brown stuff from a male cow. Any contributions from the wise and experienced would be appreciated.

Oooo Skinny Fingers!! Keep up the good work!! Someday maybe I will get to wear the ring I was actually married in, again. I love my 10 yr anniversary ring - but gee, the first band has serious sentimental value. Congrats!!

Yes, it was bullcrap - and the State of CA agreed... Hey Guys. I fought my own battle - did my own research, wrote my own letters, and after a second denial of coverage by Blue Cross, I submitted my own package to the State of CA for Independent Medical Review. I got a verbal today from the State - they have overturned the denial and my procedure is considered 'Medically Necessary' - the magic words that insure coverage. Now, I just have to get past the fact that they have changed my insurance plan at Blue Cross - I surely do hope that I don't have to re-submit!!! But, if you want to see the letters I sent - feel free to PM me. I will be happy to forward them to you to review. Please don't give up, just because insurance denies you - It really is worth the fight. Good Luck!! Irene

Hugs, Lisa!! Just stock up on raw veggies until that fill comes around. Sorry you are suffering! If it makes you feel any better, you can point and laugh when I come back to whine a month after my surgery, OK? :]

Lisa-Love You are a goddess at any weight - and don't you forget it!! You look wonderful!! I know you can keep on doing it - I know you can... Positive thoughts worked for me - and they can work for you, too! HUGE HUGS!!!

Thanks, guys! You are the Best!!

Well - medically accepted, or accepted by your insurance company? 1st, your doc has to state that you are physically able to withstand the rigors of surgery. 2nd, your insurance company has to determine that the procedure is medically necessary - unless you happen to have 10-15 thousand dollars sitting around to pay with. Why do you think you might not be accepted? If you have a BMI of 40 or higher, and you have a history of obesity and attempts to correct the problem without surgery - you meet the basic criteria of most insurance companies. Please let us know a little bit more about you, so we can advise properly. And welcome to LBT! :]

You just go right ahead and Hog it up, Miss Margo. We LOVE to see NSV's!! Congrats!

Yep - Know what you mean... It's like doing contortions to get into a small one... Step in, straddle the bowl, lean way back and suck it in to get the stall door closed. Handicapped is much easier - and no one on our floor uses a wheelchair or anything - so I use it too. Congrats!!

Yep - Doc Fox all the way. Wheeeeeeeee!

Wowieeeeeee!~! 49 lbs!!! I swear, at that rate, you will reach goal in like, 12 minutes. GO! GO! GOOOOOOO! Congrats!

A job AND smaller clothes! That totally rocks!! Congrats!! (hopefully the car isn't damaged, much!) Woo hoo!!

I'd give you some sage advice - but I don't have any. This is one you are just going to have to work through on your own. I will be standing by to hold your hand, kick your butt, or listen to you rant - whatever you need. Hugs!!

Hey Buck! Welcome to LBT! This is the sort of thing that you should start your own, new thread for... Go to the forum page that you want: support or general, I would think Once you get to that forum page, there should be a "Start New Thread" button at the top left of your screen. Click that and you are on your way! (or you can read some old threads of a similar nature. There are always several of the "which surgery to choose" type of threads. **Hint** around these parts, folks almost always say that the Band Rocks!! Good Luck!

I have to think that maybe if you WERE completely honest with your surgeon, he might be able to help... It sounds like an Endoscopy might be in order - the combination of lack of restriction and reflux/PB issues might indicate a larger problem. I'm not going to beat up on you - it seems you are doing plenty of that, for yourself. Call your psychologist - talk to your surgeon - and come here, more. Nobody says you have to do this alone. IF you can, find another Bandster close enough to you to visit with or to call regularly. Talking to people who have been there and done that is probably the best medicine. HUGS

Wow!! Sounds like someone has been a very good girl... Your Karma must be paying off, BIG!! :]