Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Kat817

LAP-BAND Patients
  • Content Count

    14,538
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Kat817

  1. Kat817

    No Alcohol HAIR PRODUCTS?

    With all my surgeries, including another laproscopic procedure, I was instructed to have clean, DRY hair. No make up, at least one nail unpolished.....blah, blah, blah----but nothing about no alcohol hair products!!! How strange! Be cool to see if others have been told the same, or had bad experiences with it! Kat
  2. Kat817

    Newbie, Newbie, Newbie

    I have BCBS of TX, also through DH's work. 2 years ago, they (or possibly the employer) jad a 12 month medically supervised diet clause. I know it reduced to 6 months, and may not even be that anymore. Back when I was doing this, I was 10 1/2 months into it when I was in a car accident that put me in the hospital, and resulted in surgery on my knee----they were insistant (to the tune of 2 denials and appeals) that the 12 months had to be consecutive, and I had no choice but to start over. However the other tests I had already done, the sleep study, and psych evaluation etc. would not be covered again without cause for 2 years..... In the end in my case, I got a settlement from the accident, and I self paid. Now.....I have done fine, not a problem one---until last month, and I got a virus. I thought I was going to need an emergency unfill---and my surgeon I use for follow up care was out of town. So I called my insurance to see if I could get some direction to bariatric care----and found out, that BCBS of TX with our employer pays for anything associated with the band---including fills! In the end, I got through the virus without unfilling. I will be going for a total unfill on the 13th of this month in preparation for a Tummy Tuck on the 20th---also covered by BCBS of TX! And will be using that insurance to fill 'er back up afterwards!!! Lucky for me, I had only had 2 fills, so I did not lose lots of money!! Good Luck---and if you want to call them----do it, tell them you were hoping to get the ball rolling---what can they do besides tell you that you will have to wait for their call? I would do it!!! You can also call the insurance to get info on what all they will require you to have done, so that you might be able to get started on some of that. Welcome to LBT! Kat
  3. Kat817

    Self Pay Patients

    I was self pay, although my insurance covered lap banding, there were at the time some long lasting hoops to jump through. I tried, and 10 1/2 months into the 12 month medically supervised diet, I was in an accident, and they were going to make me start over, it had to be consecutive months---so I opted to self pay in Mexico. Recently I got sick, and was thinking I might have to unfill, I got very tight, due to nausea, and high fever with the virus I had. I called my insurance, and found I am covered with anything pertaining to my band, I just have to have an in network Dr. Well there are none in my area----in or out of network----so it will cost me a flat 20%----and my share could be as high as $7500.00 as opposed to the max out of pocket with an in network of $2500.00. But it is covered....and I had no idea! Same goes for my fills! But I have only had 2----the last one being 22 months ago! I am having a total unfill for my TT later this month, then will begin filling again---but it is good to know insurance will help! Insurance is also covering my TT. It did not change much my being self pay.....except my account balance!!! Problems can happen yes. We should ALL research thoroughly before making the choice to be banded. However, people change jobs, and with it insurance, many of us might find our circumstances changing. There is another post that could be made, with a long list of possiblities too. Remaining Obese increases health risks: The list of examples here could go on, and on, and on! Scare tactics are non productive----citing examples without us being able to read the story and judge the releativity to our own situation makes it difficult. While the situations you mention, are definitely possibilities---having some solid stats would help us to weigh the odds. Kat
  4. Kat817

    personal question

    I wasn't told I had to wait at all, just take care not to pull stitches in the incisions, and not to take all his weight on your abdominal area.....and if it hurts stop! I don't remember an exact count of days, but it wasn't long....I felt fine, so that wasn't an issue. Besides, it is good exercise!!! Kat
  5. Kat817

    Gruene Violets

    I could not agree more!!! Although I had to scroll back a couple of pages to find it!! You look Vonderful my dear!!! Kat
  6. Kat817

    NJ May 2008 Chat

    We get caught in a rainstorm at least once or twice a year!!! Once many years ago, I was riding behind DH---on our way to a rally, and it started to rain on us. It was big huge drops at first, the kind that really soak you----then it turned to little tiny fast rain, and felt like pin pricks on your face!!! Well (no one yell) I was wearing a bandana, without a helmet....and it eventually quit raining, about the time we hit the interstate. So imagine a frozen bandana plastered to your forehead!!! It was wet, then we picked up speed.....It all but stuck to my head. So the whole time this is going on---I am giggling hysterically---which shocked the hell outta DH!! But with my head butting him in the shoulder, all I can think about is the song......"The things we do for Love....through the rain and the snow, and there's nowhere to go, when your feelin' like a part of you is dyin....." Not exact on the words, but maybe you remember it, I don't remember who sang it even---but it reverberted in my head for miles in the rain!!! HOWEVER I was not just going because Rick wanted to---I love it too!!! He just got a chopper.....seriously. 9 foot---and old Honda CB750. Looks pretty cool, cannot see myself sitting on that little narrow seat.....guess I will have to suck it up and see about riding again myself......not too sure about that though! I agree Diane----it is never too late. I have not rode alone in 2 years now---but occasionally it still makes me wanna, so I am sure I will again. I have moved my bike around from the front to the back, and taken it down the road....but not RODE it to speak of. We usually ride with Becky and Gary----they have a big bike too--I'd show you ours but I cannot do pictures.....anyway, Beck is talking about learning to ride, so we'll see!!! Moronic cardiologists made Manda an appointment for her echocardiogram, and left her a message at home, as opposed to calling her cell or her at work---the appointment is for late July! She will have to call Monday and tell them Hell No! Anyway.....I ate too much dinner. Went to our favorite little home owned mexican food place, I always push it there!!! But it is SOOOOO good!!! I brought lots home, will have lunch for a couple days before I get scared and toss the rest! Will check in with you guys tomorrow. Mandy have fun, learn lots....and be safe!!! Huggles~ Kat
  7. I too wonder how it is going to be with no fill Jane. I don't have much restriction now. But what I am worried about, is that right now, I have no hunger. I simply never get hungry---I eat because I know I need to, or because I am bored and being a dummy----but not because of hunger. Am I ever going to get back that feeling? I seriously want to live this way forever!!!! Not starving! I can smell food, and think it smells good, or see it and think it sounds good, but it is not an "I HAVE to have it" thing. I do not want to rely on restriction, that is too hard!!!! LOL--I wanna be special!!! We went to dinner with son and DIL. I brought mine home, and have lunch for a couple days now. I love mexican food. Our favorite little home owned, restaurant, but recently they re-vamped things, and prices went up, food quantity went down. Little areas, the nice menu's were replaced by laminated cheapos. Food still tastes the same, and since I cannot eat much, it still works for me, other than the cost, but for the guys it is not so great. Plus my DIL does not particularly like it----so I doubt we will go so often. I looooove it though!!! Their chimichangas are wonderful!!! I get to sleep in tomorrow!!!! Yea!!!!! Going to go play some games, check in later! Kat
  8. They might squeak.......once! One of my DD's has a Pug, and my DH tells her it looks like he has been chasing parked cars... Peke's are snubby nosed like that too, aren't they? Kat
  9. I was banded by Aceves 2 years ago. Yes it is Almater hospital. I too stayed 2 nights following surgery. I did lots of walking. You will be given hospital gown...or 2 one to use as a robe if you want, or you can take whatever you choose to wear for comfort, just keep IV access in mind for the time you will have it. I flew home the day I got out of the hospital, the flight was easy. I kid you not the worst part was the ride from Mexicali to San Diego, not for driving reasons, but the van had leather seats, and I felt like I was holding on to keep from flying off!! I have to run....company showed up--I will pop back later and give you the tips I was given!!! Kat
  10. Kat817

    Dying for salt!

    I have no idea if it mean anything or not....but many years ago when I was pregnant with my oldest DD, I was doing my best to be "perfect". No caffeine, no salt, lotsa veggies.....you get the idea. Well I did fine with no caffeine, and with not much sugar....but about 6 months into the pregnancy I could have killed for salt!!! I would have loved to dive head first into a bag of chips!!! I caught myself savoring the dill pickle on a burger----not for the flavor of the pickle but the salty taste. Well I had a purpose--I was creating life, so I did not deviate from the plan. Ignored the salt. When DD was born, all was well, when she was about 2 she began getting leg cramps. Then her entire back would knot up into tense muscle ropes--we had her to the Dr. and ER many times. I mean you know how a charlie horse hurts, and her entire legs and back would do this! Lots of testing later, it was decided her body does not utilize the sodium it takes in. She actually has to increase her salt intake to avoid the problem, and takes medication for it! For awhile they thought it was a potassium defficiency, related to thyroid----but her body simply does not draw the necessary sodium from food and utilize it. I have always wondered if it was related to my intese cravings for it while she was in utero, or if I was reacting to the malformation of whatever was going on. Since then, I try to keep it in reason, but if I crave something of that nature, I try to appease it with a bit. I am not suggesting you do like I wanted and dive into the bag of chips......but possibly a saltine cracker with some soup..... Kat
  11. Kat817

    Dr.Aceves Or Dr.Huacuz?

    johnnyreno---did you have a bad experience with one of these Dr.'s? If so please let us know what and when, it is the best way to spread the word on these boards. I personally was banded 2 years ago by Dr. Aceves, with no problems at all, I had a great surgical experience, and have had wonderful results with my band. I am able to eat all foods, and am almost to my goal weight. I would do it again in a heartbeat! I am not now, nor have I ever been employed by, nor paid a solitary cent by Dr. Aceves or his staff, or the hospital he operates out of. I reccommend him strictly on the experience I had with him. My Sister In Law and I went to be banded together, and she has taken her 2 DD's...as well as 3 others locally who have been banded by him---which is where I became aware of him. It was not through the boards or a website, or a paid coordinator---it was satisfied word of mouth. Please let us know your experience. I do agree, that it is wonderful that now the surgery is available at an affordable cost in the US....I think it is ideal, it was not however available to me when I was banded, or at least I was not aware of it being available at a comparable amount. Kat
  12. Travel safe Judy!!!! We'll see ya when you get back! I need to go figure out dinner, I have been reading, and my head is swimming in too much info right now!!! Will check in later! Kat
  13. Well the 20th will be my first encounter with nipping and tucking anything---and I am so excited I can barely contain myself, to be rid of this belly is a dream coming true!!! Up until this point, not much needed lifted or tucked---it was pretty well inflated!!! As I have lost, I have definitely wrinkled some, but not drastically---or maybe I am body dysmorphic with that too!!! La, La, La.....wanna stay that way!!!! I have DD's aged 26 & 24----I could not ask for anyone to have been more supportive. My oldest is thrilled, it will put me much closer to her size!!! I think I ought to watch my new leather coat closely!!!! Youngest DD is much smaller---height wise and build wise. Just might be that she takes after her own birth Mom---she is technically my step daughter....but my DD just the same! I find in some things I am taking after my Mom, expressions more than actual looks, I take looks more after my Dad. I hope I can age as gracefully, and turn into the kind, loving, patient woman my Mom is. But I got more than Dads looks, I got his temper!!! I put make up on if I have time, or the inclination----I would probably do it more often, but removing it is annoying! Since DD told me to use baby wipes, I do seem to wear it more often! I feel "done" when I do take the time. If I am going somewhere with my DH or the kids, or something, I take time to look my best. But even then it is fairly minimal....For hanging around home----not something I do!!! Martini's are not my thing---used to enjoy a beer here and there! Usually it was Amaretto----oh yeah.....still is! I have it rarely enough, I usually have to run Water over the lid to open it, the sugary liquor makes it stick tight! I can only hope to inspire my kids, to take the best care possible of themselves, and have repeatedly mentioned how much I wish I had consistantly addressed the problem when it was 20 pounds instead of 120. So far neither has a weight issue. My DIL does, and is wanting to be banded. I would support her. If I can be a role model to my girls as you say your Mom is to you----I would feel a success at being a Mom. Mothers Day is coming up-----tell yours!! My Mom is a huge role model for me, as was my Grandma--she was born before her time. She worked as an electrician during the war, she was not afraid of anything except something happening to her loved ones. She used to crack me up, she would talk to the pictures of all of us sitting around....not like a crazy person, she would tell the ones not here she missed them, and the little ones how precious they were. As I dust now and move the picture of her and my Grandpa...I find myself talking to her...telling her I miss her! She was an amazing lady. You are right, if we look around us we find REAL role models----good point!!! Kat
  14. Kat817

    Surgery With Dr. Aceves

    I have nothing but good things to say of my experience with Dr. Aceves!!! Kat
  15. Among the many reasons I would not be a Dove commercial--right now I am soooooo pale, and I remember them all in white undies------I'd look nekkid-------Like a big white, wrinkly ghost, all blended together!!! LOL Kat
  16. Michelle, you saying you are getting another Terry original, made me think----you know those pictures you see of sports teams with all their hands joined......we need one of us all with our WWJD bracelets while we are there----so everyone remember to pack yours!!!! Kat
  17. Well sometimes those hellish life experiences allow us to see things in new ways.....ya gotta find your silver lining where you can!!! But thank you so much, you made my day girls!! Kat
  18. I eat it with no problems, as has been said-----chew like crazy, and I would reccoment waiting until you are well into solid foods for awhile, it is a hard food to digest, so no sense in overworking the stomach too early. I read about the price of corn going sky high due to the use of it in biofuel productions..........or as a result of researching fuel alternatives, they are able to get a better price for it than when we were just eating it!!! Kat
  19. Will do Tracy----hoping it is just a mistake of the US tech...... I have a cousin who called earlier, she had tried for years.....to have a baby, finally had a little girl, she is about Kinsey's age...cousin is late 30's now. She was diagnosed with MS not long after her DD was born. She has been trying for another baby---just miscarried for the 5th time! 3 before Quinn (her little girl), 2 after. I am afraid the pregnancy and advanced age during pregnancy would aggravate the MS---but it is not my choice so I just sympathized and listened. She lived with me when she was going to school here....it allowed us to become quite close, despite being several years apart. OMG my granddaughter is a Princess, tiara, high heels, tutu --everything. You'd think with all that frou-frou, someone would have brushed her wild hair!!!! Talk to ya later!!! Kat
  20. Uh oh......Jane and I both unfilled, and sharing a room? Can anyone say T*R*O*U*B*L*E???????? I fixed beef tips for dinner last night, made them like a stroganoff---was kind of bland, but my stomach needed bland! Rick took a bunch to work. They have a new guy who has no $$$, and was looking forward to his paycheck -- the first-- yesterday, and it did not come. Corporate takes those extra days sometimes, it happened to us with his disability. So he loaned the guy a little cash, and they sent Chana-the secretary to the store, with a collection of cash, and she bought some food for the family, and a fuel card. But Rick took all our leftovers, is going to offer them to everyone, but that way he knows Eddie will eat too. When our disability was delayed, we had some savings to fall on, but we are also twice this kids age! He has a wife and a 3 year old. I remember when I was a kid, my Dad went by one of his employees houses to do something, and found them eating spaghetti noodles with ketchup. He come home and could not eat dinner, for thinking about them. So he and Mom got together some groceries, and took over. It made an impression. For years there was a man who lived in a little apartment a couple of blocks away, who did without. My Mom was the director of the local Senior Citizens Center---and he would ask her help occasionally filling out a voucher to get help with his utilities. When she went through his papers to do that, she found he had a total of $28.00 left over each month to buy food and that was only if his heat bill was reasonable. So we started buying little things at the store for him. When they would have a Buy One Get One Free item, we would always put the free one aside for Ted. When he was gone down to the Senior Center each day for lunch---often the only time he ate....I would sneak over and put out the bag of food. The first time, he told my Mom, he had an angel, and described every single thing in the package! Then he found a dog---and was crying how he could never keep it, but what wondrous company it was. He finally decided to try to keep the dog, but the dog would not let me in the gate to drop off food. So Mom claimed it was left there at the center with his name on it. Other seniors got in on the act, and bags of dog food showed up and gift cards to eat out. Many days he was reduced to tears. But if ever you had something to do...move or whatever, Ted was there, sweeping up if nothing else, he was always willing to help. Such a nice guy. He was injured in Korea, and forced to take an early medical retirement from the service. The senior citizens van driver reported one morning he was not ready for pick up, so had a civil standby, and found him dead in his kitchen, with a slice of cheese half opened, so we figure whatever, it was fast, without warning. It felt so good to do something for someone without them knowing. I think I need to find someone to do that kind of thing for again--help with MY frame of mind. Might look into that....seriously. Kat
  21. Kat817

    vaccination side effects

    My granddaughters pediatrician was very supportive of my DD waiting to get DGD's chicken pox vaccination. She has had all of the others, on a schedule of weight, as opposed to age, and that was brought up, and scheduled with the pediatrician. My poor grandson, he had a cold when one of his sets of shots was due...so when she took him in for the next set, she explained they were moving, and she would need to transfer records. In my opinion they wanted the $$$ so rather than let him lag and catch up in 2 months, they poked him 5 times give him all the shots at one time! That is not child abuse? To hold a baby down and repeatedly stick needles in their little thighs??? And what if he had reacted----they would have not known which one he reacted to! My DD reacted to the MMR--14 days after receiving it. If she had been given 4 others---how would we have known? I think finding a Dr., who is open and willing to discuss, and not force their own agendas, is paramount! Not just for immunizations, but for your childs health in general. There are many things that come up, that being comfortable talking and sharing ideas, and being honest with the Dr. can make a huge difference. My DD had interviewed and chosen a pediatrician, then when her baby was born prematurely, the pediatrician on call was present. She herself is maybe 100 pounds soaking wet, looks like about a 7th grader!!! She never frets about my DGD being small---she understands you can eat and be healthy and small!! We feel so lucky that she was the one on call, she has become a wonderful addition to our lives, in the care she has provided for my granddaughter. The occasion she is forced to see another Dr, in the practice, if hers is unavailable just reinforces how happy we are with her. It is such a scary thing to question----I vaccinated all of my kids, and ran a daycare, that required them to be current. Yet when circumstances changed.....I can accept that there are other ways to do things. I feel for you young parents making these tough calls..... Kat
  22. My grandson is 2, he turned 2 in March---and he says basic words, but he responds to his Little Einsteins video----they are trying to get a rocket to launch, and they clap against their legs---he follows right along and says Blast Off! He watches and takes in EVERYTHING!!! He knows how to start the golf cart, the 4 wheelers--he could likely feed the cows if he physically could! He sees it all, and works out how to do it himself!!! He knows what you are talking about, and is shy about talking back to you about it. You ask him about his puppy, and his eyes light up, then he drops his chin, and gets shy.....just about the time he was going to open his mouth and talk!!! He will do it. I think maybe he spends too much time with his great grandma---no one gets a word in edgewise!!!! LOL He is boy through and through, and absolutely adorable, I will bring pictures!!! Kat
  23. Just lost my post---all my own doing too!!! DUH!!!! Buying tickets for a concert tomorrow myself. This is a wierd combo, but Rick likes them all, and the concert is the 1st of August, his birthday the 3rd. All on one ticket, we are seeing ZZ Top, Brooks and Dunn, and Rodney Atkins. I hope it warms up today!!! It has been sooooo cold! Keeping the snow from melting off so fast in the mountains though, we might avoid flooding. My grandson was playing with my exercise ball last night, he was soooooo cute!!! He would be running behind it, and it would grab him, and just roll him over the top--he never fussed, he is soooo good that way. He is not a cry baby that is for sure! He is beginning to talk finally---guess he waited til he had something good to say!! My MIL kept telling me she was so worried because he is so slow---pissed me off so bad!!! He is fine! WellI am off to find someting to call breakfast.....BBL~~ Kat
  24. Kat817

    Gruene Violets

    Sorry about your scheduling with school Pamela----want me to pretend to be a sick Aunt you must visit???? 2 weeks from now, I too will be in the air, and on my way!!!! Kat
  25. I am one of ones here that can honestly remember being both skinny at 5'9" 112 pounds---I was skin and bones, not much muscle---just skinny. It was not intentional---it is how I was. I ate everything in sight, and never gained an ounce. I fought like crazy to gain up to 123 pounds so my wedding gown fit! Then I had a baby---and for the first time ever I gained weight. I went home in jeans I wore before the baby. But it soon ended! When I stopped nursing, I was hospitalized for a mastitis infection that hit my blood stream and caused sepsis---I gained 80 pounds in 3 months time! Seriously! I was not eating different. It was extreme! From there I went through bad marriage, abuse, and more serious weight gain! Ironically---some of it totally intentional! (shaking head at self here!!!) Before long, the weight was totally out of control. I could lose pretty well, but it would not stay off. Then it got to where losing so much as a pound took weeks of HARD work---and even then any semblence of normalcy and it come back! I found myself facing very close to 300 pounds, and being morbidly obese. In the time since being banded, I have had to have most of my thyroid removed, and in the medical processes for that, I learned that the inability to gain when I was younger was my first sign of thyroid trouble----and the hormone change of pregnancy, and sudden cessation of nursing, flipped the switch he said from hypo- to hyper thyroidism. Not an excuse, but an explanation---it was pretty scary to be young and out of control like that. But with no insurance, I had no real options for figuring things out. Both extremes, as well as the years I spent in the middle, at a normal weight are both well in my mind, and I can say without a doubt....no questions ask--------morbid obesity brought with it much, much more personal heartache, peoples cruel comments, and open disgust from not only yourself, but even medical personel! I do remember being told I needed to gain a few pounds--by assorted relatives I seldom saw and a Dr. None of which saw me eat! More people by far were envious of how I could eat without consequences---and for the most part I ate healthy enough, just more than you would imagine for remaining so bony! My hip bones jutted out so far, I would have to sew the front pockets of my jeans closed, because the white pocket was forced out and showed! I could have ---not based on looks, but on build---beenon any magazine cover with todays stars....I was EXTREMELY thin---I referred to myself as skinny. The word did not bother me then, nor does it now. None of it compares to morbid obesity. I do not mean to be argumentive Jachut----but as I went up the scale--it got worse the higher I got. The heavier I got, the more invisible I got to parts of society, and the more others thought they could say hateful things without issue! Every single thing you have health wise, is an easy call for a Dr. It is all due to your weight! Until you have felt/heard others talk about you based on nothing but your weight...had a room fall silent when you walked in, simply because they were staring, then jerking their heads away---seen them share looks with who they were with--or been "mooed" at, (and these just a few among many, many ways people find to be cruel) morbid obesity has not touched your life. These did not all happen to me, but I have read about them right here at LBT. I have read the pain involved in each of the situations---and experienced similar things personally, or similar enough situations to know the shame, the hurt, and even the anger they invoked. Should I have gotten control much earlier, of course! I am willing to bet most of us by far wish we had found help before reaching the morbidly obese category. For many of us it didn't come until further down the path of obesity though. Depression, lack of funds, lack of availability all figure into the issue--but having seen and lived from one end of the spectrum to the other----I do believe that unless one has lived and experienced morbid obesity, it is hard to understand or explain. I also believe it is hard to explain to someone in that position (obesity in general) how much better life is, or how much better they will FEEL---at a normal healthy weight. I am quite sure it is difficult for both to see or understand the other --obese vs. thin- without ever walking in those shoes. I think we all want to be accepted where we are--not just at where we want to be. Whether we all strive to be a perfect BMI, or if we are happy elsewhere, if we are working hard where we are, or if we have arrived at goal, and are thrilled with the newfound freedoms of not trying to lose weight still, we all just want to be accepted and have our efforts recognized. Belittling one another, whichever direction it goes is really kind of sad, and usually indicates an unhappiness in ourselves. My experiences show that people usually tear others down in an effort to build themselves up. Maybe the next LBT banner needs to be our own Dove commercial---but without me!!!! LOL Kat

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

×