Rugrat682

Hello All, I also have Blue Cross HMO of MA. When I originally called they told me I would have a $500 co-pay for the surgery. However, my employer changed the policy between my call and surgery and I am now paying $1000. So this is why I am trying to keep the other bills down if possible. I was told today that within the 90 days after surgery I will not be billed anything but will after the 90 days. So I will be happy if I am at a good point fill wise in this time. I have my second fill in 4 weeks which is within this time. Thanks for the info everyone. So my first fill was not as bad as I thought! :tongue2: Liz, good to see you last night. I ran the ladies room after the class and you were gone. I was hoping to chat. I am sure I will see you again at the next one. Hope all is well. KIM

Hi Liz! Thanks for getting back to me. I am sure I am fine. I just got all heated. I am glad you will be there. See you tonight. KIM

Hi - I am seeing Corrine but I have seen Pam as well. They are both great! Good Luck and thanks for the info. KIM Reminder - "I can eat that?" tonight at 6:30 Lahey 6 Central

Hi Liz, Kim from Lahey how are you. I have my first fill tomorrow and tried to call my ins., the weight loss clinic, and the billing office to see how the fills are covered. I am hoping as a pre-op apt. but no one seemed to know the answer??? I ended up getting in a fight with the billing dept because the guy I was talking to after giving me the run around decided to throw the fact that I opted to get the procedure and should have know what it might entail financially and I got realllllly Mad!!!! All I could picture was a tall skinny many giving me crap about trying to be a healthier person. Anyway, if you or anyone else knows the answer please let me know. By chance will you be attending..."I can eat that? tonight?" If so I will see you there. Thanks KIM :behindsofa:

Does that mean you are the one he spent the day with and would like to see you and only you????? :behindsofa:

Sue, Thank you very much for the info! I will follow your plan. KIM

Lahey Clinic Members??? I have my first fill at Lahey on Wed and I can not find for the life of me the info they gave me for the first fill. What are the dietary rules before and after a fill????? If anyone has a chance please let me know. I will greatly appreciate it. Thanks KIM

Hello - Banded 5/5. The first week I lost 9lbs!! It has been really slow since. About a lb a week. Can't complain with 14lbs total but I am in the same boat. First fill next week. I think I personally am not eating enough cals, I am trying to eat more without eating too much. Hang in there. I am hoping now that I am on real foods it will start up again. Hopefully yours too! Did you dr. have any input for you when you got your fill?

I am in the same boat where you were. I am consuming about 600 calories a day and the lbs are not moving. I am having trouble eating 1000 calories a day. How do you fit it in? I have an egg and cheese for breakfast, protein and veggies for lunch and dinner. Is it the fruit carbs that help you get there???? Please let me know if you get a moment. Thanks KIM

Hello, I felt the same way. I am now on week 5 and I can FINALLY eat real food. I am finally feeling like myself again. For me getting to the point where you could eat really helped me to feel better. I am sure that will happen for you also. I too have not lost much in the past few weeks. 13 down since surgery so I can't complain but I am hoping that I will lose more that I am eating real food and am able to be more active. Good Luck! Hope this is helpful.

Hi - don't give up on your coffee completely if you love it. I tried coffee twice during the first month and it really upset my stomach too. However, I am now a month out and tried coffee again yesterday and it was just fine! I had it again today. My dr. allowed me one cup a day and I am very happy to be able to have it again. As long as you use skim milk and splenda! :thumbup: Good Luck.

My Doctor said not for 3 weeks due to infection as well. Be careful and have fun. KIM

Hello Liz, It was great to meet you too. I also really enjoyed the meeting last night. It is rare to find such a nice group of people who genuinely want to help. I got a lot of my questions answered and it is always nice to know that people are going through what your going through or have been already and are willing to share some advice. I will def continue to go an I can't wait for the seminar in June. Hope I see you and Barbara there again. Let me know how your apt goes next week. KIM

I have been wondering the same thing. I am now 4 weeks out and used lotion for the first time this weekend. I used my organic arbonne serum and lotion that is great for healing but am not sure if it is ok? I have the glue rather then steri strips????? Neosporin seems like a good idea.... KIM

Hello Crispy, and other single bandsters. My name is Kim and I was banded 5/5. I live north of boston and am currently single. I have taken myself off the dating scene for a while. I had gotten so big that I no longer felt comfortable dating. As I am losing I am feeling better about myself but have not gotten back out there...yet. Hopefully I will soon. Nice to know there are others out there in the same boat. Good Luck to you all. Thanks KIM

Hello May Bandsters, My name is Kim and I was Banded May 5th at Lahey in Burlington, MA. Nice to meet everyone. I had a slow recovery but am feeling better each day. Hope everyone is doing well and keep us all posted. Thanks KIM

Thanks Liz, I am def going to go next week. Thanks for all the info - I miss placed mine. The I can eat that night sounds really good. I want to go to that one also. I only went to one support group prior to surgery which I found helpful and if possible I would like to continue going. If you do go we will have to meet. Thanks again for the info. KIM

Hello. Also a Lahey Bander. Do you know what time the Support Group is on the last Tuesday? 3 Weeks out and would like to go. Thanks! :crying: KIM

I planned on two weeks but ended up taking one extra day. I also fell asleep at work my first day back which was Tuesday. If you can take the time take it. If not, I have been back for 3 days now and am feeling much better. Just taking it easy when I get home. Still feeling gassy but it gets better each day. The sitting thing has gotten much better too. Good Luck with everything.

Oh ya I like that idea! Kill her with kindness to her face and report her behind her back! YES! PS- Good for you for standing up for yourself. Keep it going!

Oh My Goodness~ Yes report her. She is not only mean but not even in a position to speak to anyone that way! Go strait to your HR department if you have one. ASAP! Before she goes to them. She is not professional and aids in making your work environment along with everyone else an unpleasant place to be. (Throw in what effects the workflow!) GOOD LUCK and keep us posted.

OMG! Good Luck. Just go and have fun and be yourself. Your secret is out so it should make it that much easier! :rolleyes2:

Good Luck! I am sure you will be fine as long as you meet the requirements. I have a different ins which I was told was good at approving as well. I stressed out soo much but got approved. I am sure you will be fine. Keep us posted.

I also use the Carnation Instant Breakfast sugar free. I love the chocolate flavor. I mix it with 1 cup simply smart skim milk. It has more Protein then regular skim milk. In total it has 16 grams of protein! :rolleyes2: 3x a day The first week I did the Protein shakes. GNC 100% whey vanilla. They were really good and had 20 grams of protein. However, after a week 3x a day I honestly do not want to ever see a protein shake again. I had to force myself to drink as much of it as I could. So the Carnation Sugar free is another great option. Hope this is helpful. KIM

Too Funny! I was just telling my friend how my stomach is still huge! I was banded 5/5. Even though I have lost 9 lbs my stomach is still very big! I am glad to know I am not the only one. Does anyone know how long this will last?