oyesican

This is all very distressing. I had hoped it would "pass" by now - I'm single and ready to start dating again but I almost don't dare because this is going to be so hard to hide if we go to dinner.

I've lost 30 lbs in 17 weeks - not as fast as I'd hoped but it is still progress so I'll take it. Fab by 50 - I feel the same way, some days I can hardly eat anything and other days I can eat a ton. Very weird. Exercising 3x a week - I'm hoping to bump up the intenstity over the next few weeks and see if I can lose another 10 lbs by August...

Hi - I was banded 3/9/09 and had lost 27 lbs up until last week, and this week I'm up 3 lbs. So 24# total so far. I have a fill scheduled this week, so maybe that will start it up again.

Doing ok, feel ok most of the time. I'm down about 18 lbs. I'm eating about 1000 calories a day and walking 30 minutes a day. I get hungry sometimes especially in the evening but when I eat I get gassy. So I'm trying to eat much slower.

Hello my fellow 3/9 ers; I've been feeling pretty good except I get tired easily. I can walk 20 minutes at a time but still working up to 30 minutes. Hunger is manageable but the head hunger is messing with me. Not hungry but would still like to eat just to eat. I have 2 more weeks of liquids. And... I'm down 15 lbs!!!

KMCD - My 2 cents worth...YES! I was denied 2x and I used www.obesitylaw.com (Kelly and Walter). They were able to get the denial reversed. It costs nothing to have them review your policy and stats, and if they don't think they can help, they will tell you. My appeal was paid for by Allergan, it cost me nothing although it does take a while. I, like you, am sick of losing this same 80 lbs. I was denied because I haven't been fat enough long enough - they had a 2 year restriction. It took a few months but I was banded 3/9/09. I was not so concerned about the initial self-pay as I was about any future complications. It's good peace of mind knowing that all future issues, if any, will be covered as well. Good luck to you!

Hi All...I'm 6 days post-op and the hunger is starting to set in. My doctor says water, broth, jello only for the first week and that's what I've been doing. I'm trying to learn when I'm "full". It feels like my pouch gets full after 4 - 6 oz of liquid, but there is still a "lower stomach" hunger. Has anyone else had this? It's very strange to feel like you can't drink anymore but yet deep in my stomach I feel a gnawing hunger. I wonder if this is just the way hunger feels now.

Thanks all for the replies. Cocobutta, it's nice to know that yours subsided after a week and a half. Hopefully mine will too. ShanyaB, You were banded 3 days after me and I remember feeling like that too. It seems like Days 6/7 really started to feel much better.Sipping a good soup broth made me feel more satisfied.

Hi DBurke; Yes, I've had that exact same thing. I think it's the loratab because I didn't take it last night and it seemes better now. It also gets aggravated when I take a hot shower. I've just been using anti itch cream on it and that helps. Hopefully I won't need the pain meds any more.

Man, that sounds like a great way to make a fortune. I would so seriously pay through the nose for some home-made clear broth I can eat this week!

Sore muscles, some gas pain, some port pain. The hardest part so far has been the headache and weakness. I think because of low blood sugar. Better today than yesterday though.

Home from the hospital... my date was 3/9/09. Some pain still from gas. I'm walking a lot and haven't really been hungry yet. Kind of puffed up like a balloon too. Thanks Texasgal, I'm in San Antonio. Congrats ait...we are on our way.

This is my biggest concern. I hope I am able to deal well witht he Head Hunger but i know I have some bad habits that I need to address. I may go to the psychologist my surgeon's office recommends so I can cope the best I can. Food has been my comfort and my friend but it is time for us to part ways.

I'm tommorrow as well. I'm a little apprehensive but mostly just want to get on the other side of the surgery. The clear liquids are going ok but I don't much care for the affects of the magnesium citrate I had to drink. Best of luck to all of us.

3/9/9 here also - It's been a long time in coming but I am READY. Good luck to all of us.

Thanks! It took a while - since August, and 2 appeals but my surgery date is now March 9th. I am soo looking forward to better health!

Amen, Sister. I feel all of that as well. My date is March 9th. I am READY. Let's get through this next month and we'll be feeling so much better by Easter!

WOOO HOOOOO I got the fax today - after an independent review decision, aetna is going to have to reverse their denial and approve my surgery! I hope to be scheduled in the next few weeks! Obesitylaw.com handled the appeal at no cost to me. It's going to be a fabulous 2009 after all! "Oh Yes I Can!"

No, two years ago I dieted down to a BMI of 31, so that is in my records and that is what they are using against me. I have been over 35 prior to the past 2 years but they are looking at the fact that I was at 31 within their 2 year time frame. As I understand it, the National Institute of Health sets the guidelines and has no time restriction - that is purely ins company *stuff*. Hopefully their review will remove this unneccesary restriction. I have appealed through obesitylaw.com and I am on my second appeal. I should know something in another 30 days on this appeal - I'll keep you posted. The thought of staying at this weight with these health issues any longer is really upsetting to me.

Hi Ada - That's interesting, I also have aetna, 35 BMI and 3 co-morbidities, BUT since I was a good dieter and lost weight I haven't had a BMI of 35+ for 2 years. I might have to spend another 18 mos at this weight, which I hate. diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension...I'm so ready NOW. Have you heard any more about your approval submission? I'm on my second appeal but so far no luck.

I've been denied and then the appeal was denied and now I'm on my second appeal. It's been 4 long months - this after the 6 month supervised, sleep study, yada yada yada. I'm really hoping I will win the second appeal. I meet all the criteria except I haven't had a high enough BMI consistently for 2 years. Shame on me for dieting and getting the BMI down with in the 2 year Aetna requirement :wink2: I have to keep trying though, I really feel like it's my last option.

Check the posts for Dr Kirschenbaum. He is in Colorado and his fee is only $9900.

You may want to try obesitylaw.com. They are legal advocates that will review your case and if it's possible they can help you, they will tell you. They are appealling Aetna for me. It will most likely take quite a while but it can't hurt to ask. Good Luck to you!

Yes, I have diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea and joint pain. I really think they just deny automatically hoping we'll give up.I'm going to keep appealing through all of my appeal options until they approve me.