Wheetsin

A co-worker just emailed me a recipe for "Mashed Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes". Think I may have to stop by the store on the way home and pick up the ingredients because that sounds downright YUM. I can add it to my list of things I can have one bite of.

I think you're remembering The Cay by Theodore Taylor. Phillip, Timothy, and Stew Cat. :eek:

I feel obligated to gripe at least once between November and March about the differentiated tax brackets. (I was once anti flat tax out of obligation, because my livelihood depended indirectly on the tax business, but I no longer have that obligation!) I hate the fact that tax rates are increased as your taxable income increases. I have no problems paying more taxes than someone else, but I mind having to pay a higher percentage than someone else. I feel better now. Should higher incomes have to pay higher percentages of their income, or is it enough that they pay more money?

A lot of people go through a "What the fook did I just do to myself?" stage. Especially if they didn't take a lot of preparation time. It's completely natural. I'm not going to try and talk you out of the band removal. If you really want it out, then have it out. But at least make sure you've considered your motives, and more importantly, considered how you're going to reflect upon your decision a year or two from now.

Atkins advocates are familiar with, "Induction Flu" - a series of symptoms related to the body using the last of its glycogen stores. If what you're having isn't the break of a caffeine addiction, this is another option. It's extremely common anyone begins a low carb (e.g. sugar free) diet. It's usually short lived, a few days, but I've known people to have it for a month or longer... very uncommon though. Once the misery is over, people usually experience a LOT of energy and "clear headedness". I never had the "flu", and never had the energy burst, but it seemed like I was the only one.

Juliegeraci - whomever "they" is, take it with a grain of salt. I'm nearly 9 months out and have no more appetite now than I did the day of surgery. My appetite dropped the 2nd day (of a 2 day regime) of liquids, and never came back. At first I didn't mind because while I heard from others banded at the same time as me that they were having to fight hunger, I was able to just not eat, plain and simple. The downside to this is that it is a struggle, and one that I don't always win, to eat enough. Unless I have a high calorie food, I probably average about 400 - 500 calories per day. The alternative is to eat when I'm not hungry, which I don't want to do because it makes me feel blah.

I have a burning in my throat down into my stomach area is this normal it is quite painful at times. My guess also is intubation, but if your'e concerned calling your surgeon or nurse to double check doesn't hurt anything. I also have middle back pain that will not go away. Didn't have this either, but could be gas, or could be because you're having to sleep differently (I assume) and your msucles aren't used to it. have a large bruise around the port area did any else have this. I didn't, but I wouldn't think it's anything to worry about. Some bruise so much it looks like they've been beaten, and some - like in my case - not one single bruise. Look at the picture threads, particularly the scar stages one, and you'll probably feel a lot better about your bruising. And I also feel pain in my chest area maybe gas that I can't release just yet. I don't even want to guess on this one because chest pain is never something to take lightly. At the very least, please call your surgeon or nurse about this one.

I haven't done real exercise (e.g. specific effort) in... way too long. *sigh* I haven't gone to the gym since probably... July. I manage a lot better when school is out, but when it's in, and after school is done I'm looking at 2 hours of free time a day, I'm just not completely willing to give that time over to exercise. Especially since I truly hate exercise... it's just not a fun thing for me, it's something I have to make myself do. Bad me, I know. But I do unofficial exercise (I like that term), such as walking my dog, cleaning house, always taking the stairs and parking in the farthest row, etc. Now when school is not in session, I'm pretty good about my workouts and will generally stick to a routine of 45 mins cardio + 20 mins weights 4x a week.

Turkey isn't turkey unless it's fried. :hungry: Ok so did I read wrong, or did someone up above me say they cook dry meats in the crockpot, as in no liquid added? I never thought of doing that. It works? What's the difference between that and oven baking? I never cooked turkey in my life, other than to make a melt out of some deli slices, and I think once I grilled some legs. :paranoid

The first Protein I tried right after post-op was something like Isopure ZeroCarb or Perfect Carb, about $70 at the local GNC. I was mixing it with Water and it was nasty. It got to where I couldn't even stand the smell. So I mixed it with low carb, FF milk and it became tolerable. After lots of other protein mixes I've settled on Six Star advanced whey protein. No aftertaste (to me), good protein counts, low on carbs. I usually mix it with Carb Countdown 2% milk + some things for flavor, or I'll mix the vanilla with low cal OJ and a packet of splenda. Never tried Slim Fast. A co-worker drank those for a while and had the WORST gas. And I don't just mean in terms of frequency, if you know what I mean.

Losing weight while not hungry will come with your restriction. Until then, chances are (unfortunately) that you're going to be hungry. And you should eat as you're still healing and not really to the point of "weightloss" with the band. I totally lucked out and never regained my appetite, which now almost 9 months after the fact isn't as great as it may sound. When you do eat focus on solid Proteins (when you can), and foods with Fiber or mass (e.g. mashed potatoes vs. Jello, cottage cheese vs. soup). They help you feel full longer.

I researched on OH by state. I know you asked for non-internet ways, but that was a very valuable resource to me. If you really want to avoid the internet you could call Inamed and ask one of their customer service reps for surgeons in your area, and then meet with each and ask them about their rates of complications, longest term success, etc. Maybe call one of those 1800doctor places? I've never used it so I can't say whether it's worth the effort of dialing or not, but aren't they supposed to be able to recommend doctors based on criteria? (Dunno)

I don't have any prescription meds, so that makes my life a little easier. For pain I take liquid tylenol. For sinus pain I take liquid tylenol with a sidekick of liquid benadryll. I did get a preventative liquid anti-nausea from my PCP to keep on hand, just in case. Before I found the liquid tylenol I tried mashing them into appleasuce. Uh-uh. No way, no how. Nastyyy. I tried to get the liquid out of a stool softener capsule once, and mix it into apple juice. After about 4 hours when my mouth and throat quit burning, it was another 2 or 3 before feeling came back. So I learned that t'was not one of my better ideas. Oh yeah - the chewable Tylenol, assuming that's the "On the Go" or whatever it's called, that's supposed to be a mint flavored big huge mother of a pill. Tried those last week while on vacation. Probably the 4th or 5th grossest thing I've ever "eaten". The first few chews are ok because it's kind of a weird subtle mint. Every chew after that sucks money butts because it's this nasty bitter poo that someone tried to make taste like mint. From now on I'll just make the extra baggage room for my trusty bottle of liquid tylenol. Cherry is the better of the two flavors, IMO. The vanilla tastes more like -- not vanilla.

Catch is that you can't validate a medical reason above and beyond your doctor, so my personal advice is still that if you need the time, tell the truth. It probably wouldn't be the first time someone tried to do something similar. The good thing about lap-band, but bad for what you're wanting, is that it medically doesn't really require an overnight stay. Some docs require it, some don't, I'm sure there are also some that make it an option. Maybe just ask him/her how it's done? Maybe it's their standard to do overnight, in which case you have nothing to worry about.

UHC offers 9 different plans just where I work, and the one I have is specific to where I live, so I don't even want to try and guess how many are available on an inter/national basis! Here's a list of what my surgery cost, formatted as "total charge"/"patient responsibility". (Note that total charge is the original charge, not the tiny amount that is actually paid once network rates are applied) $1347.98/$0 $35.00/$0 $4000/$0 $2023.99/$0 $18/$0 $42/$0 $29,076.25/$0 $165.00/$0 $165.00/$20 (copay to psych) $330.00/$20 (copay to psych) $200/$20 (copay to psych) $116/$20 (copay to the hospital) $228/$20 (copay to the surgeon) So total billed for my surgery was just under $40,000 Total out of my pocket was $100 (including a few other copays to PCP for physical, etc.) Kicker is that total my insurance company paid out is something like $1800, once their negotiated rates were applied.

Teresita - most of it is for work. I'm a virtual employee, kind of - so I work here in Missouri, but my team is based in Illinois. Let me say how incredibly awesome it is not to have a boss in the building, let alone in the same state. LOL There are two others in the same situation as me, in Florida. I love the arrangement, but the downside is that it requires a substantial amount of travel... seems like every month or two I have to go to either IL or FL, and for a while this year it was every other week. I don't go all the time, but frequently enough that the hotel staff in both places know me by name. And occasionally somewhere else for a conference, or training, or what have you. The few trips that are left over are ones for me & hubby.

PBs can really agitate our little areas. Try very, very small sips of warm/hot liquids, like hot tea or cocoa. General guideline is 24 hours of warm liquids or very soft mushies after a PB.

Unfortunately no, it's not up to the person. The airline can pull you aside and require that you purchase a second seat before they allow you to board. If the flight is full, they keep the second fare. If the flight has open seats, they will refund the amount you had to pay for your additional seat.

I can't relate, but I know that what you're going through can't be easy. Any bandster will tell you that the band does not fix your head. Along with getting banded comes a required responsibility for your actions that someone your daughter's age probably doesn't have. Even at 16, 17, it's heavily debated whether or not the patient has the degree of behavioral maturity required to understand the implications and consequences, and adhere accordingly. In short, the band doesn't fix the problem. There are reasons for your daughter's sneaking and binging. Going to a therapist can help her with those, but it has to be a good therapist. Just like there are good physicians and bad, good mechanics and bad, there are good therapists and bad. What weightloss efforts have you already tried? Is she active in sports? Etc.

I fly all the time, most recently was Saturday. I have no idea what you weigh, your height, or general body make-up but I can tell you that at my highest (382) I was never asked to buy a second seat. I'm between 5'10 and 5'11, so for me 328 was size 32 or 34. In all the flights I've taken, I've seen one POS (person of size, that's their terminology for us) held back and I've heard of it happening to one other, an old co-worker of mine.

This hits home with me a bit. My father wanted to go to college, but didn't qualify for grants or scholarships, didn't want the debt of a student loan, and couldn't really afford the fairly steep monthly tuition payments. His income was just high enough to kick him out of qualification for most of the assistance programs, but not high enough to comfortably allow for the additional payment. At the same time, a college degree was required for the next level of promotion where he works... so he was kind of forced into a static pool. While, at the same time, he had to watch his inmates getting free education, and watched my cousin (who is on welfare) get not only her tuition paid, but greatly reduced child care and reimbursement for her mileage to and from school. Of course, she was only going to school because between the reduced daycare and mileage payouts, she was actually making money. She dropped out as soon as she had enough money for a new stereo she had been wanting. I know this is focusing more on education that healthcare, but it's the same principle as the "stuck" middle class, who can't really afford, but "on paper" can. (BTW, after he retired from the military his GI Bill helped, he got the degree, and the promotions, and now could afford the tuition, but there's no way he could have then). Like I said, I'm a flat tax proponent (now that I no longer work for a tax company!) Hehe. I'm fine with paying more money than someone else, I'm just not fine with paying a higher percentage. If my 10% is more than their 10%, great! But no 20% for me while it's 10% for someone else.

My original question was about US of A. But it's a bit naive to expect a message board thread to actually focus on the original topic for very long. So I draw a parallel to the tax situation where my husband comes from, which is probably as related as whether or not christians can be weathy.

Nope. Just psych clearance, EKG, bloodwork, chest xray, and other various things required by my surgeon.

It may be someday, but actually as of about 3 months ago it is not. Technically it's an epidemic that contributes significantly to diseases, e.g. heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It can also be a symptom of some disease, e.g. metabolic diseases. It's fine to believe it is, there are strong arguments for and against, but stating facts deserves caution. (don't think the insurance companies have any small role in the "against" argument, tho!)

Maybe your company does things a little differently, but in most cases STD can only be used once a significant part of your PTO (including sick time) has been exhausted. The nice companies let you keep some PTO before STD kicks in, but many do not. E.g. if you have 5 weeks of PTO, and your company lets you keep a week, then before your STD kicks in you have to be on PTO for 4 weeks. I could be completely wrong, but I don't believe outpatient vs. inpatient has any impact on STD benefits. Probably am completely wrong, because it may vary by employer or by state. Some surgeons simply don't do the procedure inpatient. Some only do it inpatient. If you're determined to do it inpatient then just tell the surgeon the truth about why.