yiya

Sorry for the nature of the question, but has anyone had problem with dark blood on their stool after band surgery (about 5 wks out).? It doesn't appear to be related to hemorrhoids. I've got a call into my surgeons office. Thanks.

Glad to hear all the "22nders" are doing good. My shoulder pain is finally gone and I'm on mushies. My weight hasn't budged in FOUR days which is very annoying, but I'll hang in there. What I wouldn't give for some taco chips and a loaded pizza. My first fill is 9/25...can't wait! Good luck to all! yiya (not greek grandma---just my childhood nickname)

I am 11 days post-op and still get severe left neck ("gas") pain at least once a day, usually in the evening. Within 30 minutes of taking 5mg of oxycodone/acetominophen liquid, the pain is completely relieved. How long should I expect to be having the neck (gas) pain? Otherwise, I'm doing great. Thanks for any insight you might have! yiya Surgery: 8/22/08 Dr Moeinolmolki Baltimore, MD 220/216/199/165 Highest weight/surgery/current/goal Height: 5'6"

I've had great success using guided imagery whenever I have to have some unpleasant procedure--dental stuff, or whatever. I imagine myself lying on the beach, wam sand, blue sky, puffy white clouds, waves lapping, sea gulls calling, children laughing, playing in the background, etc, etc. That, with deep slow breathing, and purposeful relaxation, has really helped with the anxiety that makes me tense up. Anxiety=tension=increased pain. It helps to break that cycle. In spite of all that, it sounds like the assistant was poking around way too much...I wouldn't like that either! Good luck...hang in there. I think the xanx is a good idea, too, to help. yiya Surgery: 8/22/08 Dr Moeinolmolki Baltimore, MD 220/216/199/165 Highest weight/surgery/current/goal Height: 5'6"

To all those banded on 8/22/08....how y'all doing? That was my day, too. I still have the left neck pain at times. It was severe first night after surgery. I still take the Lortab for it occasionally. I was supposed to be done outpatient but ended up with some bleeding, respiratory depression, and a uti, so spent 2 nights in the hospital. All is well now. I sure will be glad to get off full liquids---boring! Two more wks for me to go! How's everyone else doing? __________________:biggrin:

Great news today!!! I sent out an appeal letter today (which a LBT member graciously helped me compose), but then received a call from my doctor's office that I was just approved! I think it's because I called the ins company a couple of days ago and challenged them regarding the wording in my denial letter which contradicted itself. I insisted that they send me a copy of the policy, which before they have always refused to do. The lady I spoke with consulted with her supervisor and when she came back to the phone, she said they would mail it to me. Instead, I think they realized the contradiction, and approved me!! YAY!!! Thank-you all for your encouragement and support!!

Thank-you for the info! Do you know anything about 3rd party administrators? My policy has NCAS as the 3rd party administrator. My understanding is that they interpret and administer my employer's policy, they don't write it. Do you think that will make a difference one way or another? Should I speak to someone in my HR/benefit department? (although it's the most disorganized HR dept I've ever seen--you can never get a person when you call, and rarely get a call-back...but that's another story!) I am an RN with a large healthcare organization/hospital. Thanks again!!

Thanks, I appreciate your encouragement and will keep trying!!! :-)

Thank-you all for your suggestions and encouragement, which are greatly appreciated!!!! I will follow up and keep trying....thanks again!:biggrin:

I've been working on this since February, have had every test known to man (it feels like, anyway). I have a "low" bmi of 35, have sleep apnea, arthritis, gerd, insulin resistance, etc, but was denied because I'm not 100lbs overweight, even though my insurance reads that your bmi can be as low as 35 w/ co-morbities. Even my denial letter admits I meet the bmi w/ co-morbidities requirement. The insurance uses double-talk so they have a way out of paying. My Dr (Dr Moenolmolki) said, in so many words, don't bother to send an empathetic appeal letter to insurance---they could care less. He suggested hiring a lawyer to write a letter. I don't know if it's worth spending the $450. to do that. Anyone here know of anyone who's been approved on denial with a similar situation? Or should I look into Mexico self-pay? My only concern w/ that is, if I have complications down the road, will insurance cover it? I don't want to rack up $1,000s in medical bills after surgery. Help! :frown:Thanks for any encouragement/advise you can give.