cal

argue about. There is politics, wars, middle age, etc. etc. Argue, debate, offend other subjects. cal

i wound up calling my surgeon's office and talked to one of the nurses. She said to drink, drink, drink and eat pureed food in hopes it will slide down. If not they want to see me tomorrow in the office for an unfill. am believing it will go down as i don't want an unfill and the office is 3 hours away AND.....i am snowed in, with more predicted!!! Just feels like something is lodged there which it is. i even tried sniffing pepper to sneeze it out!!! LOL cal

Hi Banded Friends, i don't have the vigor or the time to get involved in this type of discussion but the "completed Jew" caught my eye!!!! i am a completed Jew---or should i say, Jewess? Many of us are also called, Messianic Jews. we are Jews who believe Yeshua, (Jesus) is our promised Messiah and we are not looking for another in the future. i have a personal relationship with my Jesus and i KNOW He is Who He says He is. He has healed me of cancer, back pain, smoking and is in the process of delivering me from overeating using the band. my past, present and future sins are forgiven because His word says they are ---when i confess them to Him. Many "moons" ago, i was on a search to find joy, peace and a future for my life. i tried hypnosis, drugs, sex, and finally started persuing (sp?) the occult. i read the satanic bible, used the ouiji board and tried to fill the void that only Jesus could fill. i didn't know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life until my sister told me i was going to hell because i didn't have a relationship with Jesus. WOW!!! Some sis, huh? i am blessed with my life.....and hope i haven't bored you with sharing portions of it. in the name of Yeshua, cal

Hi Lisa, i have a similar problem. Three hours to see my surgeon, lunch, and three hours back! i called another bariatric surgeon's office today and they said if i would transfer my records etc.that he would take me as a patient and give me my fills. This office is only 45 mins. away. i am going to pray about this, do some research and think!!!! Mostly pray! Hope this encourages you. cal

i was banded Nov. 14 and have only 1 cc fill. i have had a few episodes and i don't know what to call them or what they are. i get a slight pain in my chest and then keep swallowing hard like something needs to go down. Eventually it passes but it uncomfortable while happening. What is it and what do i do to stop it? (No sliming at the time) cal

i have been a silent Nov. bandster..was banded Nov. 14. Have lost about 19 lbs. so far. i hope they give me a good fill tomorrow as i am having a terrible time with eating too much......especially at night. No restriction with the band or myself! lol cal

i was banded in Nov. and am wondering about apples WITH the peel on! i have been peeling them but it's not the same. Is it a no-no to eat the whole thing? What about oranges etc.? Thanks, cal

i am in Pennsylvania......a state known for "hard to get coverage for surgeries". i have Medicaid and found a doc and hosp that accepts Medicaid. Medicaid denied lap band but said they would cover g. bypass which i didn't want. Because of my income, i was able to get a state pro bono lawyer....did lots of research....prayed a lot and Medicaid overturned my denial and i got coverage for lap band. It was a fight.....for more details, you can email me. Hope this encourages all who have this coverage. cal

Thanks to all of you. It makes more sense to me now. i drink mostly Water and iced tea. am sick of all the Nutrasweet drinks etc. Sometimes i drink a little skim milk or buttermilk---which i DO like!!! lol cal

Just wondering. i know Water is great for everyone and every diet and i am a water drinker but why is it so important to drink a lot of it...or fluids....with the lap band? cal

Can you please tell me the cpt code your insurance used to cover the fill? i understand the old one has been changed. my doc's insurance gal seems to think that since my insurance paid for the lap band that they will pay for fills. i WANT to believe that but i have Medicaid and had to hire a lawyer and fight to get the band surgery done. cal

Prior to surgery, i asked my doc what size she was going to put in. She said she wouldn't know until she went in. Got a 9.75cm with 4cc Fluid capability. cal

Hi All, i haven't posted much but will today! i was banded Nov. 14 and won't have a fill until Jan.8. i overate yesterday quite a bit.....not all at once....but almost like grazing. When i came home, my chest felt tight and i felt like vomiting, but prayed i wouldn't.....and i didn't! :-) Today i still feel full but my biggest problem and question is......did i stretch my pouch by my overeating......and what do i do if i did? How can i tell? etc. Are we supposed to feel/have any restriction before getting a first fill? Thanks for any help. cal aka female

i loved the first year of this show too, and admire this family........but....... this year, i've noticed the kids, especially the twin little person (forget his name) has gotten smart mouthy with his folks, seems ungrateful and i don't care much for him! Sorry folks! i have also noticed that Amy doesn't support Matt a lot and is disrespectful to him in her words and attitude. i still watch but am sad to see these negative changes. cal

i would recommend this unflavored Protein powder also......but i would suggest you find it online rather than GNC. The price at GNC was almost double from what i paid online. Google online for Optimum nutrition for price comparisons...i found a few. It can be mixed with cold foods and also be cooked. Comes with a little recipe/suggestion booklet. cal

Hi Gang, i was banded almost 3 weeks ago and am enjoying my mushies!!! i was looking forward to reading the single bandsters discussion but am looking more for recipes and food ideas than for a man right now!!! .......and i do want one! Would anyone be interested in startin a discussion for single recipes? (i don't know how) i have been used to making larger pots of Soups, casseroles etc. and eatin them for a couple of days...but now that i'm banded i don't know where to start in cooking for a meal or two!! lol cal

i went to Shadyside in Pitts as that's where my surgeon operates from (Dr. Courcoulas) She also operates from Magee. cal

Hi again, Can you tell us what changed in the Bible and what was deleted? Mormons and Jehovah Witness and some other groups have changed the bible to fit their doctrine. God is a big enuff God to speak to His people thru His original Word....bible says Jesus is the word...and He arose and is alive. Christianity is not a religion. Religion is people trying to be "good enuff" to please the Lord. Christians have a relationship with Jesus by repenting of their sins and asking Him to be the Lord of their life. Religion and relationship are two different things. i never believed the bible until years ago i started reading it but had a hard time understanding it. The Holy Spirit has to enlighten a person's spirit first to understand the truth. Hope i'm not offending anyone...i don't mean to. cal

i was surprised to see this whole discussion here. we will probably never agree. Unless a person has a personal encounter and relationship with Jesus as Lord, they will not believe the Bible. i know i didn't. i thought those men could have written down anything they wanted but did not know that the bible says it was written by men who were moved and inspired by the Holy Spirit--Who is God. i am against homosexual marriages becuz God is. He loves the people but not their livestyle of sin. Sincerely, cal

Hello All, i haven't posted much but i wanted to post this good news---to share---and to encourage anyone who has Medicaid. They turned me down at first which was expected so i went to Legal Services (for low income) and filed an appeal. Did much research and sent info to lawyer. Appeal was set up with Judge, Medicaid Doc, lawyer and myself in a four way phone appeal. i am a Christian and was praying that they would even overturn the denial on the phone---rather than much time and more paperwork. my lawyer said that wouldn't happen and they didn't do that. Guess what!!!! They approved me and my surgery is on Nov. 7. i am doing the HAPPY DANCE!!!! Just have to see surgeon again, PCP again and xrays. i started in March with this. Thanks for listening!! cal aka female

Hi Thin, Call all the hospitals near you and all the WLS and find one who will take Medicaid. That's the first step. Start a 6 month accountability weigh in with your PCP. Nothing can be done surgery wise until that is recorded. Medicaid denied my first request for the Lap Band. i hired a lawyer from Legal Services to help with the appeal. i still did most of the work as far as my past surgeries, all the states that Medicaid does cover etc. Do a lot of research while you are waiting to find a doc. i will pray that the Lord will make a way for you if it's His will. Keep looking up!! cal

Hi Paula, Thanks for rejoicing with me. i am in Pa. and i was told by my PCP that because Pa. is so strict and "in need" that my appeal would be denied. God fooled everyone 'cept me!! lol cal

i know there are quite a few posts about Medicaid and i am in Pa. and appealing the deniel from them. i have discovered that many doctors and hospitals will accept Medicaid for Lap Band surgery but it's Medicaid that denies. Medicaid approved me for gastric bypass but i will not have that. If anyone from another state has have lap band surgery with Medicaid and that could help me with proof of this, please let me know. my lawyer says if i can find this out it would help my appeal when it occurs. Thanks for any help! cal <female>

Hi All, Just had my first consultation ont the 27th in Pittsburgh. Have to get some tests done etc.etc.etc. :-) am wondering if anyone has been approved using Medicaid? Office says maybe.....maybe have to be denied and resubmit? Sincerely, cal aka female!