Sharon1964

I feel like I just need to whine to people who will understand. I usually do a good job of keeping my "Teflon shields" up, to deflect verbal crap that has no effect on me. If a patient at work is being difficult, I remind myself that they are upset and in pain, and it really has nothing to do with me personally. Until yesterday. I was caught off-guard with my Teflon down. One of my staff pointed out a review on vitals.com of our office. The word that was used to describe me was "behemoth." Behemoth. A large horrendous monster. Ouch.

Here's an article mentioning the material they use: http://www.bariatricnews.net/?q=news/111562/study-supports-staple-line-reinforcement-lsg Bougies are sized in "french", like 32 french or 34 french. A unit of 1 french is 1/3 of a millimeter. A 32 fr is a little over 10 1/2 mm, or a little over 1 centimeter.

My surgeon says no rice, pasta, bread, crackers for at least 6 months post op, as they form a gummy ball in your sleeve and he doesn't want to have to go in surgically and retrieve it.

I think that sentence pretty much sums it up.

Sounds like you're doing great. I do think you're right, that you will have more energy as you advance through the phases. I hope your work will understand if you have to stop and take more frequent breaks. You don't want to make yourself so tired that you cannot work the next day.

For about a week I would run out of gas around 3 or 4 pm, so I would go home. After that, I was fine. Awesome new pic by the way.

I was allowed to drive home from the hospital (I didn't do it), because I had not had painkillers in over 4 hours. I was okay to drive within another day or so after leaving the hospital.

Procedure code 64999 is for "unlisted procedure, nervous system", which means there is no code that adequately describes the procedure. I can't think of what they would do that would be an unlisted procedure. Pain pumps are implanted, so it's not that (and that has a code anyway). Your surgeon's office might have either made a mistake, or tried to unbundle a procedure. Procedures include certain items and you cannot unbundle them to get higher reimbursement by billing them separately.

If someone thinks your leftovers are a waste, just offer it to them. I think they'll probably shut up about it. Here's how that goes down in my head: Them: It's such a waste to order Soup and not eat the good stuff. Me: Here, do you want it? Them: No thanks. Me: Oh, but you said it was a waste. Obviously that's important to you. Here, you eat it. Them: No. Me: (pushing it towards them) Are you sure? Eat it! Them: No! Me: Eat it! Them: How 'bout them dodgers? Me: That's what I thought.

You would get a blank stare from me too. It would be easier and more understandable to say "very small portions" than the vague "utilize a tool".

I aim to please. And I have great aim!

I have a desk job. Sleeved on a Saturday, home from hospital on Monday (nausea issues kept me an extra night), back at work that same week on Thursday. I worked a few hours (payroll for staff was due), then went in every day after that, leaving an hour or so early for about a week. I would have gone nuts if I took 4 weeks off.

That is awesome! You can do this!

Okay dude, that's what, two or three times in one thread? That was happening on the "punish me" thread. I see a theme.

Oh geez. I thought you were declaring that Dub gets PMS, not PMs. I was thinking, "Duuuuuude! My crush is crumbling away! Say it isn't so!"

I ponder the possibilities of how much more effective my weight loss coaching sessions with my NUT & Psyche could have gone.......... I think you've stumbled onto something that is pure genius! So WLS can really mean, "we love sadism"! LOL!

Just checking back in to see how you're doing. You can do this!

Someone shoot me a message when we get back to the whips and leather outfits. Or when someone posts a pic. Cuz you know this thread is nothing without pics. Just sayin'.

I need to get in on this somehow or I risk losing my membership in the meanies clique... You... you... hmmm... wait! I got it! You should demand a full refund immediately and tell your surgeon to put you back the way you were! That will show them!

IRS Publication 502 covers acceptable and unacceptable medical expenses. Click here. The only thing I saw about overseas was regarding medications imported and medications consumed in a foreign country. Airfare and lodging are allowable medical expenses too (up to a certain amount). *************************************************************************************************** Medicines and Drugs From Other CountriesIn general, you cannot include in your medical expenses the cost of a prescribed drug brought in (or ordered shipped) from another country. You can only include the cost of a drug that was imported legally. For example, you can include the cost of a prescribed drug the food and Drug Administration announces can be legally imported by individuals. You can include the cost of a prescribed drug you purchase and consume in another country if the drug is legal in both the other country and the United States. *********************************************************************************************** I would speak to an accountant who is knowledgeable in medical tax matters.

If it relieves the pain, yes. Appendix pain would start on the right. Eventually it mirrors itself to the left. Did it go away? Did you call your doctor?

You could check to see if it's a hernia. If your toilet is in a small room, that's a good spot to try. Sit on the toilet, reach up over your head, bend to the right and slightly to the back, and use the wall to help you (walk your hands along it). Bend as far as you can - really stretch. If that relieves the pain, it's a hiatal hernia. Not a doctor, yada yada yada.

Trust me, it's totally up to the surgeon. My surgeon says, if you can lose weight on your own you wouldn't need me. That means no requirement to lose weight before surgery. My insurance had a 6-month supervised diet required, but no requirement to lose weight. I was on a full liquid diet the day before surgery. That's it, one day.

Mine's actually a v-pap, or variable pressure. Supposed to adjust automatically. Still have dry mouth.