Blund

My nutritionist said I might have to chew on a piece of steak to get the flavor, then spit it out! (I like steak RARE!) I guess it beats throwing it up later!

I agree. But there are SO MANY variables. I've been trying to think of a situation where your MN law would not work, and I can't think of one. (Although I have not personally read the law. I might even surf for it!) I think in the end, if a decision HAS to be made, the scale should slip slightly toward the woman for that.

HI My surgeon thinks I may have a hiatal hernia. I'm getting the scope down my throat this Wed so he wont have a surprise during band surgery. He said it would be an easy fix if I have one and would do it during the LBS. Has anyone had this? Is it really a no-brainer to fix? Was everything fine after recovery? Thanks

I agree. They haven't been alive long enought to try everything like all of us have! I'm sure they'll think again after they've seen you 6 months post-op! good luck

I've heard about the automatic turn down too. And it doesn't sound like its hard to get approved on appeal. I'm crossin' my fingers!

This for me didn't even come up until the surgeon questioned me on acid reflux, etc. I do get heartburn once or twice a week which just started a couple of years ago. I was describing to him that I lost weight while pregnant and always had a "full feeling" or indigestion. I get that on occasion now....in fact it started last night and is still bothering me. It is not very painful, more like uncomfortable....feels like a rock is stuck in my stomach, right below my sternum. No food in particular seems to cause it. Since I was never diagnosed or scoped earlier, does that sound like symptoms anyone had? Glad about sleeping through the scope.

Sounds like you have enough comorbidities. My insurance only wants 2 (BC) My DH is supportive, but never had a weight problem. So I'm not always comfortable talking about it with him. I guess having LBS will get me over that too!

Thanks Sue. Oooops! I just posted the hiatal hernia question as a new thread. Oh well. Do you mean put out as in "asleep?"

I'm not banded yet, but close to your BMI. Keep reading this forum and researching it. At the LB seminar I attended, the nurse said that once your BMI gets into the 30's it is MUCH harder to lose the weight than lower BMI's. Which from my experience seems to be true! I'm going for it. I started looking into the procedure last summer and went to the seminar in August. I am going through the Dr appts now to get insurance approval. On that subject, have you checked to see if your insurance covers the procedure? Learn as much as you can, make the decision for yourself, and you can always change your mind.

Yikes! I have thin hair to begin with, I hope I dont have hair loss. I can deal with it though. Does anyone know why it doesn't seem to start falling out until several months after surgery? I think I'll start on the folic acid now!

I'm not banded yet, and the nutritionist gave me lots of information to try to prepare ahead of time....like start paying more attention to the types of food, and maybe eliminating some. I also eat pretty healthy, just too much! I wonder about "missing" food too. Has anyone tried sugar free suckers? Just to put something in your mouth? My computer is a long way from my kitchen so if anything, it causes me NOT to eat! But don't worry, I make up for it! My hope for the band is like Pavlov's Dogs, I'll learn that overeating will cause discomfort and/or pain. Not that I'm sadistic, but I've tried soooo long. Does that sound nuts?

Hopefully the law protects adoptive families. I just HATE hearing about a birth parent showing up down the road wanting to be involved or take back the kid! I would think that possiblity makes people afraid to adopt, at least here in the US.

I hear ya, nathenag!

And maybe a letter on a lawyers letterhead to the surgeon would be encouraging to him? You should get more than those fills for free with all you've had to go through. I don't mean to screw over the surgeon, but maybe a year's free fills or something.??? sheeesh! I feel bad for you.

Sorry Ceradad, I was on a different page when I posted my reply, so it really wasn't directed toward you. But I did just read your post, and I have never heard of the MN law (I'm in MI) but it sounds interesting. And it sounds like it solves several potential problems with lawsuits, abortion, adoption, custody, etc. Any idea how well its been working?

Wow, this is funny. I've also lost and gained several persons worth of weight over my life. I'm not banded yet either, and what I remember as a personal "milestone" was buying smaller underwear and finally at my goal, being able to see daylight between my thighs while standing with my feet together!!!!

....and what about when the rapist wants VISITATION of his child??!!!!!! Can you imagine! Crazier things have happened I'm sure! Tanderson nailed it. What if the "anti-choice" (which is what I prefer to call them, instead of "pro-life". I love all kinds of life, but want my own choice) people would help pay for/raise the crack babies born and left behind and/or abused? And why are we on this. It will get very heated. If this is about the election, I don't base my vote for president on a single issue, even this one.

Thank you all for your input. Its been helpful seeing everyone's point of view and I hope others are getting help from this thread too Bonniep, I would probably do the same in your situation. My only extended family that is near me are my in-laws and I'm not sure what kind of reaction they would have. I have to get a scope this week to see if I have a hiatal hernia so the surgeon isn't surprised by it if I get the band. I have told my kids about that (5yrs,7yrs,9yrs) so I have already "planted the seed" that mommy has a problem with her stomach. My extended family is spread out and we all pretty much keep our personal (medical) issues to ourselves. At this point, I'm not even approved yet, so there is nothing to discuss. I'm just going to discuss it with the shrink, see how it goes and feel out the "vibes" of everyone.

My Dr. says I'll have to stay overnight, and I guess I'd want to anyway. When I had my first kid, I went home early Second kid, I stayed overnight. By the third kid, I was like "what the hell was I thinking?!!" and I stayed as LONG as the insurance would pay for it!!!! DH doen't get enough "daddy time" with them anyways!

demsvmejm, 53 lbs in less than a year since surgery is great! I think our bodies naturally make us want to eat more in the winter, and its a hard thing to fight. Especially when its been so _____ cold lately! Also, you have less fat on your body now so you might feel colder. I'd like to lose around 80 lbs if I get the band. I'm saw Dr. Nizzy. He thinks I might have a hiatal hernia, so I have to go in this Wed to have a scope put down my throat. (ug) He said I'd be "sedated" ...hopefully enough! If I do have this, he can fix it while he's in doing the band, he just didn't want to be surprised by it. I hope it doesn't take long for those results. I see the shrink this Fri in Old Town. Did their office seem pretty organized and fast with sending in all your stuff to the insurance? Do you know if they FAX it or mail it?

Cool !! Looks like you've lost a lot already by your ticker!

Well mica, I am not banded yet. I've done all my pre-op testing and appts except for my psych appt which is next friday. Then my surgeon's office sends it all to BCBS for approval. I saw my surgeon a few days ago and my weight & BMI went down!!! It was at 35.6 or something! Seems so weird trying to keep my weigh "up" for the paperwork! I am tall - 5'8" -so I "carry it well" as they say. I do have sleep apnea, depression (medicated now), slightly high blood sugar and joint pain. The Bariatric Coordinator said approval looked promising for me. I live and am having it done in Northern Michigan. My DH is very supportive and I have one friend who knows and is uneasy about the whole thing. I have 3 kids..5,7, and 9 yrs and haven't told them anything. No use in telling anyone else until I know I'm approved, but I'm not sure I WILL tell anyone else. My 7 and 9 yr olds are girls, and I don't want to 'damage' them with my food issues, so I'm not sure. I'm going to ask the shrink what he thinks about it all.

RE: BC CA appeals.... I'm pretty sure there is an 800 # on the back of my BC of CA card for appeals, or you could call the 800 # for pre service reviews. Otherwise go to their web site. There is also information on the home forum page here regarding appeals processes in different states.....the 2nd or 3rd topic?? On the bright side, I've heard several stories of people getting denied, then getting quickly approved on appeal. I hope NOT to have to be in that boat. I still have to wait and see if I'm approved. good luck

Hi All. I don't have approval yet. After the shrink evaluation, they'll send everything in to BC. From what I've read here about the shrink appointments and questionnaire, I'm looking forward to a good laugh! Then I get to wait... But the coordinator said everything looked favorable for ins. approval. And yes, I've learned a ton of information from this site. I've found forums in general, the most helpful in other areas of interest as well.

Had my 1st appt at Grand Traverse Surgery and saw the nutritionist the other day. Nurse MK said my info looks good for approval. I have BCBS and that seemed to make her confident about it. I'm excited and nervous. My BMI is right on the edge of approval and my co-morbidities are not huge. Crossing my fingers! Oh, and I see the shrink next friday.....heard he was good looking! A real "GQ" guy! I'm so glad this forum is here. Its hard to be so excited with no one to talk to in person! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! (sorry)