HeatherO

There are so many variations in plans based on so many factors, I am not sure that anyone here can really give you much advice on your particular BCBS of OK policy. The only way to know for sure and make sure you are covering your needs to avoid denial and get approval is to call them and ask or research their website for their specific requirements for the policy under which you are covered.

When I am at my sweet spot, I could care less about food 90% of the time. But when I am hungry, I am really hungry . . . but then quickly full and satisfied so it does help. It does nothing for the "I think maybe I could go for a little somethin' somethin' like _____, or _______" when you aren't really hungry but just want to eat. That is something you have to learn to overcome with time and practice. :0)

RN's can do fills and their time can be billed, but I am not sure about the exact requirements. I am usually filled by an RN at my band doctors office.

It is normal with a first fill. My first didn't hardly do doodly squat for me . . . but the second was a doozy and put me at my sweet spot for many, many months. They typically start you off slow to let you adjust. Also keep in mind, sometimes people get a slight delay in reaction to a fill and restriction can kick in a little more a few days later. If you can go in a little quicker for the next fill, that might help, although many doctors require anywhere between 2-8 weeks between fills. It never hurts to call and ask to see if you can get in a little quicker.

I agree about calling the doctor. It may not have anything to do with banding unless it is coughing with reflux in the middle of the night. There may be a simple explanation that might have an easy resolution.

Out with the old, in with the new . . . I feel a little Spring cleaning coming on, lol.

Hello everyone, I love the idea of redoing before pictures. I need to do one post pregnancy so I can jump back on the wagon. I wanna go awau for the weekend too. I really need a vacation, lol. I also think a fifth start for a good attitude or turning away from an unhealthy choice is an excellent idea.

I don't need it. I have a little loose skin on my upper thighs but it is not noticeable unless I am sitting and wearing something very short. My stomach has a little extra droopy skin at the bottom but that is always a covered area and it is not that bad. My breasts are the same. I don't have a bikini body, but I do have a body that I am happy with and doesn't really need any modifications. I have exercised faithfully and it has made a big difference.

I agree with ParrotheadCathy, go in to get another fill. Explain how you feel about the situation and see if they are just keeping your fill level low for now to heal sufficiently or if they are just not working with you. If they are not willing to work with you, it might be worthwhile to find another doctor.

I really don't think it would have any impact on the band whatsoever.

I would suggest researching online. Dr. Trace Curry does them for a reasonable price in Ohio. There are also lower cost options in Detroit, Michigan and Denver, Colorado that I have stumbled across in the past. If you were willing to go out of the country, you would have more than enough to cover it adequately with an experienced doctor.

That is an awesome reaction and you must feel great :0)

This is the hardest stage after being banded, but you can make it through this. We all struggled at this point being hungry on the liquid diet while being so new to the lifestyle and trying to survive without food being such a big part of our lives. I had to avoid going out for those few weeks because the few times I did, it was just too darn hard and I did feel like a freak. I also kept banding secret so it was even harder. I had to claim illness on quite a few occasions in the beginning. Afterwards, it becomes so much easier. You learn to adjust and food is still a part of your life. I go out regularly and have no problem eating. People just know I am dieting and trying to eat light, and they can see by the dramatic changes in my physique that it has been working. Life as you used to know it is not over, it is just changed. Most of us have had friends in the past who "eat like a bird" or are always going for salad or other low fat/cal options. You just become one of those people you used to wonder at in the past. :0)

I like the idea of conventions and it is good to get everyone together. I would be happy to attend a future conference. I think it would be good to be in contact with CoachCher and Alex as well.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. It was a two milkshake weekend for me . . . that is crazy and so unlike me. I feel like it will take me more than a week to make up from the indulgences from this past weekend. Fanny, I am definitely jealous as well. I hope you enjoy every relaxing moment of your trip :0) I think this is a shame that out-of-state students have to pay so much more for tuition. I can understand a small percentage but it more than doubles tuition in so many places. My DS, who will be a junior, recently mentioned that he would like to go abroad to study, perhaps Japan. Of course I want him to realize his dreams as well, but my funds are not unlimited. I have no idea what that would entail, and I am a little afraid to find out.

Hey All, I hope you had a lovely weekend. I have had an exhausting weekend. I had an event or dinner at someones house every day since Wednesday and I am beat. I don't mean just tired, I mean utterly and completely exhausted. I need to crank down my social calendar a few notches . . . it just doesn't work well with late pregnancy. I am excited today because I have a baby shower this afternoon. It will be a picnic in the park kind of deal so I am looking forward to it. If only i could find a way to fanagle a nap before I go, lol. :0) Yesterday was a two milkshake kinda day. Have I lost my mind???? I think so. I don't know why I seem to be trying so hard to make the work on weight loss harder on myself after the baby comes. I had corn on the cob yesterday, first time I have had it since last Summer. It was really good and I can no longer eat it banded when I am restricted. I can always eat a little corn with restriction but I get uncomfortable and am prone to pb'ing for a couple of days after. It is the only food that seems to give me delayed reaction misery when I am restricted (although it is fine with an empty band). Does anyone else get this? There was a derby this weekend, lol??? I know that one exists but had no idea when it occurs. I don't really watch TV anymore with work, graduate school and socializing and my friends must not be following it much either since it didn't come up in conversation. It must not be as popular up here in the Northeast urban setting, or I must be living under a rock, because I didn't have a clue.

Hunnh? I don't feel code level orange anxiety, especially when it comes to thoughts of making mistakes like driving with a child on my lap, or losing a child for an hour or two and then threatening to kill myself in front of children. Of course we all make mistakes, but there are difference in magnitude. I don't revel in other peoples mistakes.

It doesn't seem to me that the swine flu is as serious as all the constant attention it is getting. The media goes crazy sometimes.

I had my 34 week OB appointment yesterday. The next one is in two weeks and then it is weekly until the baby comes. I gained 6 pounds in two weeks . . . 6 POUNDS!!!!. Even in the best days of banding, it would be almost impossible for me to lose 6 pounds in two weeks unless I was starving or just had a serious fill. I hope it is just Water weight fluctuations more than fat accumulation, yikes. The baby is doing great, my blood pressure is low and the OB appointments are boring now. Boring is good because there are no complaints or issues other than the unpleasantry of stepping on the scales, lol. One thing I found that is really amazing, even though I am near the end and my belly is a lot bigger, I am not terribly uncomfortable. It is only occasional discomfort and most nights I am so tired I sleep through the night pretty well. I have a sporadic bad day . . . but most days are good days. I can live with that :0) I hope everyone else is doing great as well.

My gallbladder is OK for now, knock on wood. However, many of my friends and some family members have had theirs taken out. All of them had said that they felt 120% better after having it removed and the previous gallbladder attacks were miserable experiences.

The best food I had in the mushies stage was low-fat refried beans mixed with a little chicken broth to thin it out topped with a little shredded cheddar. That meal was heavenly after a lengthy liquid diet . . . probably the best food I had ever tasted, lol. However, I never ate it much before or after the mushies stage. It just really hit the spot at that time.

We eat a lot of raw food at home, not as a special diet but just because it is healthy and we like it, and it is not a big deal when my band is a little loose. When it is tight, things like carrots are just too darn hard to ingest comfortably . . . and no matter how much you chew it is still a little difficult.

If you went to a doctor for any reason whatsoever during these time frames, you can ask for their weight records on you. You have definitely been to the doctor in 2009 with tests or the medically supervised diet, right? Do you have a primary care physician that can write the letter for you?

It is affecting us in Ohio as well. There was a case in Elyria which is not far from here. My OB was just telling me at my appointment yesterday that they just cancelled a huge free medical services fair being held at fairgrounds where all the doctors volunteer for free and all supplies are donated to help those with needs that can afford them in the current economic climate. I am also now restricted from visiting my sister's new baby in the hospital because of swine flu precautions, only the mother and father are allowed in the special care nursery. While I am very happy they are trying to keep the most vulnerable safe and wouldn't have it any other way, I am sad not to be able to see him for a while. The bird flu scare never affected my life personally or hit close to home other than the constant media attention (I am a very regular NPR listener and it was a top headline). I do remember there was a case of bird flu in Turkey when I was there but it was in a far off city. However, the swine flu is actually preventing me from going to places I want to go. That makes it seem so much more real to me.

I agree with Brittu and Fanny Adams. Clothes that actually fit can make you look like you lost anywhere between and extra 20-40 pounds. I think a lot of us waited to buy new things because changes were occurring so rapidly, but old clothes kind of hid the loss. Even if you only pick up 1-2 things in a smaller size, it is worth it in that the evidence of loss is definitely more noticeable.