Constance

DO NOT send him one more email or text or tiniest bit of contact. Seriously, you tried and once or twice is enough. I second the book recc. It is tough to read at times but overall very liberating. Don't spend even a moment questioning whether you somehow trigerred his distance. It may have nothing to do with you. Or perhaps it does -- but who cares! He isn't worth the worry. You deserve someone who WANTS to have contact! The intellectual stimulation, etc, etc, is worthless when he doesn't have the repect for you to make contact or return your messages.

Oh that sucks! I'm sorry. The 10th is just around the corner, maybe that will work?

Fakey von Fakerson. Why would you come on here and post that and NOT mention the surgeon?

OK, so I am NO medical professional -- but if it were some type of internal bleeding the blood would be very dark. Bright colored blood would be more typical of having your period. Again, I'm in no way schooled in medicine. But I personally have had all kinds of odd consitency and quantity from my period and would suspect that over any internal gastro issue.

Yeah, not be totally contrarian here, but what is the point of being exessively strict? We have hundreds of bandsters here who had the standard 4 week transition; clear, full, mushy, and then real food. I think we can safely say the overwhelming majority of those bandsters have had no problems. Is the strict clear liquid diet just to speed weight loss? It seems like it negates the whole point of having safe,slow weight loss with the band. Not to mention making you INSANE with thoughts of food! Ok, end of rant. Carry on.

Brandi, there are no clear rasons form erosion. Some say it is the band being an improper fit. Some say it is certain conditions that exist in the body. The risk is very low - but do your homework. If you are considering a doctor in Mexico, I suggest joining the yahoo group "Mexcian Bandsters" and searching for the doctors of interest to you.

baby jessica today http://people.aol.com/people/article/0,26334,1154151,00.html

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/img/222_fig3.gif

Brandi, Rodriguez in Monterrey? Or Jose Rodriguez in Acuna?

Yoga to battle stuckness? Brilliant!

We call this 'caca caliente' in my house. Totally hit the milk, sour cream, or dairy based product after the offending item. You'll be right (and cool)as rain. You can also take a charcoal pill if you are too late to follow the spicy food with dairy. I think wipes were INVENTED for caca caliente. So cooling and refreshing.

That is really rough. I'm sorry. Hang in there, the band could be the thing you've been waiting for.

I was talking with a rep from his office. He seems like a very qualified doctor with a competitive surgery package. Check out his website http://www.thebariatric.com/index.html One of the things that makes him more appealing is that they offer the surgery at both a new very nice hospital and an older more basic hospital. This allows them to charge a little less if you aren't picky about the surgery "venue".

Don't worry, I'm not asking for a diagnosis -- just your thoughts. I had a few really bad multi-day headaches in the past month. I totally am not a 'headache person'. Stress gets me in the stomach typically. These headaches don't seem to respond to advil/tylenol. For example, today I've taken 6 tylenol, 2 of which had a decongestant for any possible sinus issues. Nothing, no relief. The pain is mostly on one side but can shift the front or back - still favoring one side. It starts behind one eye socket and goes to the top of my head, with a spiltting feeling. (wow, a splitting headache, I get it.) Then it moves around to the back of my head. Sound and moving around seems to make it worse. I'm not sick to my stomch or anything. Just in pain. Migraine or no?

I'm going to call tomorrow (too late now) and ask specifically what needs to be documented or discussed in the 6-month supervision that I did not do. If my doctor can clarigy and re-submit, then great. If not, I am off to self-pay land. It really chaps my buns that they so easily give you a denial and make it so vague!

The latest inews is my doctor called for the peer-to-peer. They wouldn't let her talk to a the medical director because she is a PA...not an MD! Well, why is she listed in Cigna's provider directory?! I've been seeing her 3 years and I consider her my doctor. Anyway, they are not accepting my 6 months supervision. They DID get the paperwork but found it to be "inadeqaute". So I will go weigh in one more time next week and write a super pathetic letter. That is all I can do at this point.

I think it may not be one thing - but several things - that take the place of comfort eating. I've thought a lot about that myself. Any kind of crafting is good. I knit and sew and do all kinds of stuff with my hands. I like to garden. I like to build stuff. I think mousecrazy is SO right about finding something not so self-centered. I know back when I was on a hardcore diet before my wedding I would use Crest Whitestrips when I was climbing the walls for a snack. That only works for about 2 weeks though, unless you want crazy gameshow white teeth.

Oh no, girl, no! Ok, first off, do you have a VG band? I have read some stuff about the VG band taking some time to "prime" and some of the fill lingering in the segments. (The VG band is segemented and the others are smooth.) Don't panic! You have lost a bunch of weight already and that totally rocks! But I know, you want to keep losing and all. I would totally get the flouro ASAP. Also, they can fill the band with a fluid that shows up under flouro (not saline) and can see exactly where a leak is, if there is one. That totally sucks about the 3 months being up -- but don't you think Dr. K will help you out with the flouro?

Hey, check out the "2 week wait begins" thread. I have Cigna and I too was just denied becuse of the 6 mo. supervised weight loss attempt. The thing is, i DID the 6 months! But for whatever reason it isn't being accepted. I was told to have my doctor call and see if she could provide any information in the appeal. Girl I know how lame this is. I am so mad I have taken so much time to jump through all these hoops and they just deny you over something so stupid. Obviously when you are morbidly obese this surgery is such a tremendous help. For Cigna to insist on these arbitrary requirements is so insulting. I think thet seriously are just looking to weed people out and make it harder to stick it out and get approval. Don't give up yet, ok? Self-pay is a bunch of dough - even in Mexico. Hang in there! I will say, if you have seen your doctor or surgeon for the last few months, that can count towards the 6 months. They just need to make some notes about their reccomendations and record your weight and what type of diet you follow. I say this as I've just been denied! So maybe I'm not the best to give advice on specifics. But hang in there, ok.

Aw thanks! I hope it is a simple issue, too. I asked my doctor to call in for a peer-to-peer review with the medical director at Cigna. I hope hope she does it TODAY! Thanks for the support!

msbrookins I am SO excited for you!! Please share everything with us as soon as you're up to it.

I totally feel for you and I'm in the same boat. I'm starting an appeal and I'm hoping for the best. Insurance companies are thieves and jerks! (um, yes, I have strong feelings about this)

I got a denial letter today. Reason being: "Complete documentation of supervised 6 month weight loss program has not been received" Okaaay? As is not received at all? Or not "adequate"? I called Cigna. This just in, they are total douchebags and could scarcely pull up today's date. They will mail me all of the info my surgeon sent them. Couldn't they just tell me what specifically was wrong with the 6 months I submitted? Nope. So now I wait some more. I wish I had a big ol' chunk a change and I could just say eff it and do self-pay. I will if I have to, I just want to give the insurance a try. **sigh**

prayers and hugs! hang in there - we are here for you!

I'm with DonnaB, the convenience/novelty is not worth the melted plastic in my food. (insert *wonh WONH* the debbie downer trombone). Although using a non-stick pan isn't much better. And how about some deadly margarine? haha - seriously, skip the baggies, peeps. I want all you lovely ladies to be around a long time.