lkgrubb

Updated 03-10-08 Dec 31- Chrisann (honorary member of the Jan 08 bandsters) Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right! Jan 2- phowell, Megmarie21, Gingerbug(Victoria), jengland, racetrackweary, rainbowme2(Bunny), RT, jojokitty, timeforme(JoAnn) Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare, nancy52,AnneElliot, ovahkummer, Meri, 010308 Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare, nancy52,AnneElliot, ovahkummer, Meri Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG, Songinmysoul, sleclerc (shirley), WendyRae, MamaJava Jan 5- texasbandster Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4, ch4251, ladyroz Jan 8- Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31, crackedpepper, flipbarnett, Joanna240, rustymarie, gingydilly, seajules, ttallman, iaasw Jan 9– Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505, Lillyanne_M, CJV,grandmom4x Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, Char1007, Pizzaman citygirl4616, FLMan Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123, Poopsie, Ready2JustDoIt, B-Man, ganigirl6, Ms.BearKat11, yelsnia(Angela), glorybee123 Jan 12- jen6740, Jan_08 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya, Jessthat, Deedle, thinner-or-bust, gilliebean, greeniiii, mitch, WestCoastFatGuy, maryt, CoreynVA, Jill Talbot Jan 15- Travelology, Dianegoe, poodlecamper, LKM, greeneyez, alfofohio , restrict2008, aprilbene, , jbentleyrn Jan 16- Kathy, Saleel, back2reality, Cherry_Blue, Dazzle, nadean, with his help, Laurinda; Pikedafoe, Ms.Toya, SMR100, thistledo, Lynnbg(Lynn) Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, tweenwaters, Laurieloo, kcintx,mia31771, Kalia Jade, bibalitsa, kristinern Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene Jan 19 utahband Jan 20 Jan 21- mo7293 (Maureen), graham, lee41, Chrisann, gdessus, Joaquin, Sandy Beach Jan 22- purplegoddess, DPJDMOM, bcgates, AmyMT, bcgates, BensonRN, Mistahbue, beth122, sef129, Nor Cal Girlie (Adri) Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose), WhirlWinds, awesomemom, Pam-TX, CW_Lady Jan 24- holleyhobby,jst4kel,kimmycrs, Somogyi1, rakes4321, RomeGA3, Road_King Jan 25- Noni(Mary), htay73il (Hope), Thor, rakes4321(Amy), khoffman (Karen), NYGMEN(Pete) Jan 26- Louise (London) Jan 27 Jan 28- kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml, blg200200, justtjohn, PeachesPJ, kpoincon, AnewDayForRose, joyross43 Jan 29- diane-south fla, Milton 5a (Lauren, UK, 21), michellepom(Michelle) Jan 30- PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber), Tamika(taismommy), jaycee, kat_in_GA, Yikes! Jan 31- SarahT1982, lkgrubb: Loss to date 22.5 lb doing great, sexymama, Queb, ugagirl, elle

Sharon, Will get on it this week! I have finally gotten OK to do some rehab and excercise so I am trying to get it set up today. But middle of the nights are great to work on that. I will see if I can get States / cities as well, but then maybe people can update us on those. Private messages would work for all who want to share: State/City or be on the List!

Hi Karen, I think my first call would be to the doc's office to find out specifically how this is going to affect you. You have already been banded - they need to tell you exactly what you can do from here. I have done this they say I am covered for their followup care till 4/30/08. But that Medicare does not cover fills Can you send their bills to Medicare and supplement? Medicare does not accept any bills except from provider and when a doc opts out they don't even look at the bills from doctor either. ie. from Medicare. Is it possible you can pay for f/u and fills up front and be reimbursed? Do you need to find another Medicare connected facility where you can have the necessary followup care and fills? This may be the only recourse for me, and I am looking into it. Since I am nervous about changing doctors this is a tough call. My guess is this is not an overnight decision on the doc's part, and it is not a very good business practice to leave patients in that situation without some assistance. We're caught in the middle here - Medicare keeps pulling back on what they will pay for our care, while expenses go up for the doctors. I wonder if this is the coming crisis if the country goes for a totally government sponsored health care plan. This is definitely a crisis facing all people on Medicare, since last summer several practices have closed doors and several doctors have refused to take any more Medicare patients even for routine care. My Primary doctor up and quit her practice because she could long afford to loose money to medicare payments. Your next call should be to Medicare to find out what your rights are and what your next step should be. Start asking lots of questions... Monday Morning will see me making that call! Thanks for your advise and response! Joann Karen

Susan, Best of Luck! You will be so glad you started this journey. I have had a steady loss since banding on 1/31/08 and after the intitial slump after banding, i.e. gas, some discomfort and a little depression. I am back to feeling like a very real person with a very real purpose: ME! I had some difficulties taking pills immediately after banding but now there is no problem at all. I also find that gradually my feet have stopped hurting so much, my breathing has become less stressed, I am definitely not hungry and do not crave foods. My only "problem" is getting in the 64 ounces of water. It has been so worth it. You will do great and I will keep you in my prayer the day of surgery and after. I live in Az and love the sun shine and wonderful weather. I am in the mountains so we do have 4 seasons just less bad weather then where I moved from on the east coast. :smile2: Karen

I had Medicare approve and will hopefully pay for my lapband. (I am sure they have not reviewed bills of yet) I went to a COE in Phoenix. My doctor accepted Medicare, but I was told that the fills where not covered? DOes anyone know this for fact. Last week 3/3/08 received a letter from the doctor's practice I had used that they were "opting out" of Medicare on 4/1/08 and would no longer bill medicare. Now my question is this: Does anyone understand the difference between a DOCTOR "opting out" or just not accepting "assignment " of medicare funds. Without Medicare being billed I understand that the supplimental Insurances will not pay. It is all so confusing and I would love it if some really had the real information on this.

My doctor scheduled me for the Psyc. eval. it took one hour and he said I was a canidate for gastric or lap band. That was it he recommended me to Doctor who did surgery, and in January I had lapband. I will note that he did not bill insurance as I thought he did so am now just getting them to send bill in to see if it is covered.

Sorry Remeber to click on Patient reviews.

Both Dr. in practice are being recommended by Scottsdale Bariatric Center for patients who need Medicare coverage. Since SBC will no longer accept Medicare Patients except on Cash Only Basis! There office is considered busy and should read the following page of comments: Bariatric Surgeon Profile - Hilario Juarez M.D.

Are there any Bandsters in the Prescott Area? I was banded 1/31/08 and would really like to create or join a support group in this area. So far I am doing well, but have my first fill on Thursday and am a bit nervous.

I have not seen a real difference in my diabetic medicine but to date I have not really lost much. Immediately after surgery I had a very stable sugar at 115 or so and as I started to eat more ( types ) of food I saw it go up slightly, but maintain my pills the same. I go for my first fill on Thursday 3/6 and am excited, although I have had only one episode of "hunger" to date since 1/31. Did receive notice that my doctor and the center I go to will not take Medicare Patients unless on a cash basis after 4/1/08. So now I will have to decide what to do about the remainder of fills. All in all I am recovering nicely from my lapband, pacemaker revision and too long on taking it easy. Thanks for you caring and take care of yourself!

My doctor in Scottsdale just informed us they will no longer do Medicare patients except on Cash Only Basis. Is there a doctor in the northern AZ area who does fills as well as Medicare?

Hi everyone, I am now recovering from a pacemaker revision, asserious as lapband and on same side as port just at shoulder, so still having some pain on left side. I have made trip to Doctor for discharge lost 1 lb 14 days after surgery , not too discouraged since I never was a huge eater, but grazer, so now I am on 30 20 30 and no snacks just 3 meals a day! I am on bed rest till 2/29, so am really bored and have eith read every book, magazine and newspaper in house, Can not shower till 2/29 so sponge bathing is the way to go, UGH! Protein intake is good, Soft proteins are not so bad and I try for 15 proteins grams per meal. Also have found the vitamins and calcium citrate chews on my program seem to satisfy my sweet tooth. My dear husband has been a doll and yesterday looked at me and said I can see you are loosing weight, Made my day! Although I can't see it.

Thanks Phyl, will do. Have a great week end!

:tt1:I thankfully have not had actualy hunger just mental hunger or brain hunger when I am bored. I am now eating just fine still going for 60 grams of protein per day and eat cottage cheese, low fat cheese, vegetables cooked chew like crazy! yoplait light yogurt, scrambled eggs with some ketchup, once in a while protein drink (27 g) with a 1/2 banana blended in to make like a milk shake. Seems high protein food agrees with me so I mentally feel good. Still do not have my walking up where it shoud be, that is my next goal. My sugar and BP are stable and coming down. What ever I eat I chew really good and do not eat more then 20 minutes per meal and no fluids with meals! Hang in in there all of you and keep us all updated.

Hello to every one, just an update it is 2 weeks today since my banding. Still no hunger and am managing to consume at least 45 grams of protein a day + 48 ounces of water. Went to my Primary care today and was weighed for first time have lost 17.5 since surgery,but that is because I gained in surgery. But PC was very happy since she has several patients who had LB and those patients seem to regain the lasticity in skin when they do not loose more then 2-3 pounds per week. My sugar is dooing well and so is blood pressure, so I am happy. Hope all are doing well let us hear from you with updates. I get my discharge from surgeon tomorrow, wonder what their scale will say.:thumbup::crying:

You are not a failure you just made bad choices. A fill would give you more restriction, this should give you some bad results if you are not allowing the program to work. Remeber this is just a tool. Use the 30 20 30 rule and you should get back on track. Make sure you are getting at least 60 grams of protein a day and only eat at your 3 meals a day. Remember that Protein first then cooked vegetables & Fruit. Make GOOD Choices and you will be back on track. Fromwhat I have read on this forum most need a fill at about 6 weeks to continue loss at the intial speed.

What do they say "beauty in the eyes of the beholder" Must be the same for skinny. One week out I returned to hospital for a class and my nurse came up and gave me a big hug and said " you look great no more chipmunk cheeks" That truly made my day. I have not weighed myself yet but return on 2/15 for doctor discharge and will be weighed then andam hoping to ave lost at least some. Hunger is non existing, just never feel hungry it is like some one disconnected the mesage going to the brain. I have decided I will be eating appetizers for the rest of my life. I have managed to get my protein up to 50 grams / day and am still aiming for 60 grams. :thumbup:

Thanks for the reminder, I have been using the S and it does help. I am feeling so good, High Protein does that for me, so this is the perfect "diet" to follow, and it great not being hungry. I also find that I want to do things I haven't thought about in a long time, since I now have not only physical energy but mental energy too. Hope you are all doing well as am I. :biggrin:

Thanks Joyce Yes it does feel good, but am amazed at the fact " I am not hungry at all" Was it always just "head Hunger" I am just finding all this time I use to spend on FOOD!

Gas Spasm I am 4 days Post- Op, feeling pretty good, still have some gas but just keep burping. Ate my first soft foods today, no problem except not hungry, No pain medicine after 2nd day and sleeping well. Will continue to walk around house but am not up to a long walk just yet due to knees, & weight of course. Gained 13 pounds in surgery, but assume when I weight at one week I willhave lost that! Thanks for all the support.

I am 4 days Post- Op, feeling pretty good, still have some gas but just keep burping. Ate my first soft foods today, no problem except not hungry, No pain medicine after 2nd day and sleeping well. Will continue to walk around house but am not up to a long walk just yet due to knees, & weight of course. Gained 13 pounds in surgery, but assume when I weight at one week I willhave lost that! Thanks for all the support.

Again I am feeling good just weak. I have developed a cough guess it is my lungs just trying to clear. I started soft protein this morning and all is well, will take it slow and thank you all for your support.

All went well, I was in surgery for a 30 minute period, then to recovery for 6 hours. The pacemaker needed checked and they had to find a bed. I felt really good, could have been pain meds! Friday they told me I could go home early afternoon, of course I hit the wall about 1 PM and suffered some nausa, after taking some Pills, We started home a 90 minute drive, I got 10 miles from home and we had to stop car, motion sickness fromcar and high winds. Slept good last night, some discomfort from gas pain but it is moving and becoming less and less. Still afraid to try diabetes meds but so far it has stayed down. Only eating water, herbal tea and sugar free jello, start soft protein tomorrow, but so far not hungry, I haven't had really food for 4 days and so far feel fine. Abdomin feels tight from swelling! So far glad I started down this road. Needless to say DH isvery supportive and my three sons have been great in the understanding department! Love, To all K :eek:

:tongue: WE can do this! DEEGEE Best of luck to you and all of us who will be having our world changed on 1/31/2008 __________________

recipes are good and variety is there for all stages. I am trying to do as much before surgery next week so that I can really feel the best I can! :redface: