Victoriana

I find that warm to hot liquids are the best at relaxing the stoma and letting the nutrition go by, The cold yogurts and proteins are OK for me if I let the chill go off, but to be honest there is nothing like homemade chicken soup that I make in the pressure cooker with the whole chicken to get the bone flavoring. I use carrots, celery and onion, salt and a little pepper. I do not eat the veggies at first just the broth. If the broth goes well then I try some carrots and onions, not the celery strings. I know they suggest eating proteins first but the chicken sometimes gives people trouble. The pressure cooker really leaches the nutrition from all ingredients so the broth is really good for you. Best wishes!

I am going to start an appeal asap. I Prepaid My Dr knowing that I had a preapproval letter in my hand. Then after the surgery the insurance company denied my Dr and Anesthesiologist claiming they never got the bill, 4 times!!! we have records of electronic filing also. Then after much phone work by me, my Dr insurance person and My human resource people they agreed they needed to pay. Then guess what, Because my Dr is not part of plan, my coverage drops from 100% to 80% coverage. Not to bad right. The customary charge that they allow for lap band surgery is only a little less than $2000.. I get 80% of $2000. Get real, who can schedule surgery for less than that? I cant believe this, they usually pay so well on anything else. Ive lost the need for blood pressure meds, antidepressants and 4 other drugs. I'm saving them money in the long run. Does this make any sense to anyone? O BTW. If I had bypass I would have had 100% coverage on everything, but I would have probably had other health issues stemming from that. Does anyone know how to prescribe schizo drugs to a company?

This surgery not just routine, but none of them really are. All surgery has a margin for successes an failures. Over the long term though, being overweight carries more complications than the surgery, according to my studies. I would rather circumvent future serious issues and have the surgery. I sure do understand your fears though. I know some people think I am a fanatic, but here goes. Psalm 139 says all of are days are numbered before anyone of them ever happen. We never know in advance but one thing is for sure, (I had a heart attack). When I was critical and not expected to be around by the morning and had a second surgery in the same nite, second one being exploratory due to internal bleeding that was never figured out, I awakened against overwhelming odds, Thank God. If it was not my turn to go, i just didn't go. Both surgeons were surprised I made it. That made me feel really strange. but that was three years ago and now because of the band, I have lost 50 lbs, Today my cardiologist took me off 3 more prescriptions and now I have only 1 I must take because of the heart stent. 3 years ago I had 13 or 14 different very expensive prescriptions. He was so happy to see me today and had lots of questions about how the band was going for me. He wants to share my successful health changes with other Dr.s and I gave him permission. I cant tell you how amazed I am, and grateful. Please don't let fear keep you from whats best for you. But please listen to all of your Dr.s and let knowledge guide the way.

OH OUCH!! I was told that insoluable fiber is a real nasty thing for diverticulitis, I had IBS so I had to eat only fiber that is soluable. The soluable fiber absorbs water and the insoluable fiber never softens and scratches the insides of our colons. I wonder what they will have you do to help yourself. Don't you have a very bloated feeling that goes with this? Man o man I hope you get relief soon!

Right on BiggestLoser! God is on Dody's side and so are we! Dody, Ill be praying for that knee, and you take it easy on yourself. no one is going to stop you from the band, its just a little delay really, it actually will help your knees in the future. the timing thing stinks tough. take care!

oh I forgot to mention, you need to click on the watch part then on the flash player part. bye

Well Ms. Diva, You know Ill bet God isn't surprised to find out about your need, He knows our thoughts from afar, I know he is even jealous for your heart! I am praying that they find the reason for your bleeding and fix it asap! Do you remember the story of the woman who bled for 12 years and she said that even if I touch the hem of his garment...when she touched Him, he FELT the power go from Him and asked, Who touched Me? She fell before Him and confessed it was herself, when He said woman your faith has healed you, He meant that because you know Who I AM and you know what I can do, she was healed. It wasn't her power, it was her belief in his power. Pretty awesome eh? You can find these references in Mat 9:21 and Luke 8. Oh about the jealous for your heart, its true, His thoughts for us are as numerous as the sands on the sea. I really like that part. I think you would like to visit www.fathersloveletter.com . get some tissues, it touches a pretty deep part in me, and I love it, I watch it over and over sometimes. Keep us posted OK? Take care. Love, Victoriana

I would IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THAT DR. and get a real weight loss surgeon. If you could loose the weight who would ever PAY him for help? I think he is off his bean, You need to protect yourself, and getting help to loose weight will definitely help your over all health. I'm sorry you had to PAY him to hear him say that. I'm sorry if he even said it for FREE.

I grew up in Phoenix, had serious sunburns almost every year. and I did get tans until about 25 yrs old. Then the worst thing happened, a bunch of tiny crows feet started showing. Thats when I gave up the sun and smoking. Then about a year later I found spots that looked kind of weird. The Dr. removed then and thankfully they weren't cancerous. I started finding out just how bad the sun is on the skin then and now I stay away completely. I would rather have nice skin on my face when I turn 60, than to have a tan now. I am so white I'm almost transparent. You can read my veins on my tummy and legs like a road map. I just don't let the "glowing" bother me.

I think that Kellybelly is right, you need to let your tummy settle down and I would even go total liquids for a full day plus before going to mushies again. Can you tell when you are truly hungry? like tummy growling and gurgling? This is when I would drink very warm to possibly hot peppermint tea and let it go in slowly. Use a little honey to give you a little energy but definitely get your tummy to settle down. You are worth taking care of and the band is a fickle thing. You need to learn how to read it for your own sake and everyone is a little different. Thats not bad, just different. BTW, 34 lbs is pretty nice don't you think? You are definitely on your way!

Dear Vines, If you don't post for a while we know its because of your sweet service to others. Please know that your in my prayers often, and so is your family, spud kins and all, (I know you call him spudboy, I call my boys punkins and they hate it) but you have more than enough to handle. I'm glad that you are able to check in once in a while. I feel so bad for your mum, I hope she isn't afraid. Boy stress alone causes cortisol, so even if there wasn't the adrenal thing going on your levels could be hi. I hope you can start to get some good rest and sleep. I'm happy the job horizon is bright for you. Thank you for letting us know how your doing, you matter to me. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help OK?

To all my dear sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus, I thank you God for all the agreement in prayer as we know it is powerful for the pulling down of strongholds. We bind the spirit of infirmity in the name of Jesus. We loose our loved ones from the bondage of addictions, and we loose upon them the the promises held in Scriptures that we and our entire household will be saved in the name of Jesus. We ask for the powerful protection promised in Psalm 91. God we love you for your infinite mercy and you have abundant love that gives us more than we can ever ask or imagine. How great is your love. Father I ask now that as we pray for others that your great healing power touch our own lives and bring healing in the areas that you alone know of. We need the touch from your mighty hand. I thank you for my family of believing brothers an sisters and their love for you. Please bless them and their families and their extended families. I ask for a baptism of peace to be upon them and grace that carries them through the valleys. May You be glorified in the answers to our prayers. We want to honor you in our lives and in our choices. We know your return is soon and we also know that your word says the it is your will that none shall perish. Father we are in agreement with you as you are our great intercessor that never sleeps nor slumbers. We want to hear your song in the night as you sing over us. Awaken each of us to your mercies that are new every morning. We choose to be a forgiving people so that the door to the tormentor will be closed forever. I am so grateful to each one who reads these prayers and agrees in their spirit to the swift answers that are already on the way. God bless those of us that need your courage to confront the evil in our own families to have the victory over darkness. It is not by might, nor by power but by your spirit that we are victorious. Praise be unto you forever. I am so happy that you are the Sovereign. I am so happy that I can witness the miracles that we ask for today. We love you Lord. Come quickly! In Jesus name! So be it! I love you all. Thank you for love.

Dear Boo!, I have a very deep faith in Jesus Christ, I have found a relationship that carried me through some very painful times. Without Him, I would not be here for sure. There is a verse from Philippians 4:13, Is says I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. I believe this with all my heart. He (Jesus) has given me value. I have great purpose to my life, to be the best that I can be, and the healthiest that I can be as I believe that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I want my body to reflect the peace he has and continues to give me. I am so far from perfect, yet He still loves me. How can this be? Its beyond my understanding, but I do believe it still. Please PM me if you have anything you want to say to me, I truly only want to inspire you, no judgment towards you in any way, I just wanted to share with you my strength!! In and of myself, I have none. Thats why I needed help with the band. I'm blessed to have the opportunity to restore myself. Please take care and thanks for listening!

Stretching your pouch would be so painfully you would have choose to repeat over and over again the practice of eating too much and then holding it without pbing or sliming or throwing up, all of witch you could know you had because of such a restricted feeling. I think you need to talk to your DR. and get his opinion. That is what he is for!!!

Dearest, Please talk to you DR. let him know of your discomfort. But please drink water and drink some more when you are done with that. This will pass and soon the soft foods will be started, my favorite was graham crackers and milk. Please know this will pass. You have taken a great and very big step, I didn't think I could make it through but I did make it and you can too!!

Sorry bout that! That wasn't very nice was it. I think he really says it supports inactivity, well so does a lot of other things and the boards are only a small percentage, and I bet it is really a very small percentage at that.

What a funny man!! If you use his logic then all the obese people all over the world must be vegging infront of a computer! I wonder if the TV has lost its place as the obese maker in his mind. The phone is really what started it all in the 50's you know, all those mommies drinking Folgers and Maxwell house and gossiping about each other! TSK TSK I guess food never had anything to do with my getting fat, and to think Ive been silly enough to get a band when all I needed to do was to turn off my computer!!!

Ill be praying and I hope you report is something nonthreatening! Take care!

Dear Vines, You may think your going but you wont be gone and guess what, this is a season. Seasons change over and over but they are cyclical. No one can truly feel just like you but we do want to empathize, and hopefully support you. Even if you don't read and post here, lets keep in touch and pm. I'm sure you have noticed that thousands of people read this forum, and only a percentage post. I cant help but feel that our hard experiences can teach others, and If you help others, you redeem the pain of your experience. I used to believe that I lived my life unto myself. Not so. I'm not an earth mover or shaker, but I know that my relationships effect me greatly. I cant help but believe that they effect others too. You can be loved without ever having to do anything for anyone, but I just cant see you totally isolated. Its too painful in its own right. I'm just asking you to not disappear. I hope you take time out for yourself, and keep us all in the back of your mind. Perhaps your natural curiosity will soon return you and your unique perspectives to our boards. Even if its only to report to us some of your amazing dreams!!! You are a color in my box of crayons that has no label telling my what color you are. But your are one of my favorite colors, my box would be incomplete without having known you!!

If I do drink anything at mealtime, its just a couple of slow sips of hot tea. Cold drinks cause a strange reaction, and tightness and I have to stop eating too soon. Its better for me to not drink at all and I find my hunger, head and otherwise stay away longer!

Dear Bobby H I am so proud of you for researching your ooptions. I also was afraid of surgery due to the complcations. While every surgery has its risk, the overall benifits plus the fact that banding is completly reversable if needed for any reason. It really leaves you in complete controll. Taking controll of my health was the best thing that ever happened to me! Best wishes!!

Dear BacoGal, These things are only funny to us because they really aren't deal breakers, they are just things you notice with a kind of a joy. The trade offs for feeling good and watching your body change waayy outweigh these things. Don't let us make you nervous, after banding come back to these and see how much you'll laugh too! If you wished that your prescriptions had nutrition labels on them you might be a banster.

I'm so proud of all you mommies!!! and your lil ones too! I wonder if Proctor and Gamble, (toothpaste makers) and General Mills,(cheerios) and all the underwear makers realized that they had a gold mine if they just "re purposed" these products into a potty training package!! I love the growing each time you pooped, and the puppy demo, and the tree watering. I think we have a lap-band training book on the make here and another book on another thread that says ......then you might be a banster!. Gotta love it!!

If fashions comming out of your closet for the first time in two years excites you, you might be a banster.

If brushing your teeth is your tastebuds highlight of the day, you might be a banster. If flossing your teeth with berry flavored floss is a close second, you might be a banster. If your stomach growels loud enough for the kids in the back of your van can hear it and your not experiencing hunger, you might be a banster.