Kat817

Mandy, while it sounds like it might work---I found this site about 3 weeks before my banding, and I lived and breathed LBT for those last weeks!!! I had so many questions answered, and fears eased. I had people who KNEW all about it to talk to. I really hate to see the ones who are not doing it be deprived of interacting with us. Keep thinking girl---you are already doing more than I am, about solving it! Sharing ideas! Kat

Sshhhhhhhh....don't tell my husband!!!! Kat

Good idea Mandy---will start doing that! As for porn filters, many of the things that will trigger on a filter such as that come up in perfectly normal discussions in conjunction to our surgery, and resulting weight loss. There are threads going concerning peoples sex drive, and whether it was changed by the surgery. There are threads going about breast lifts. And even pictures detailing tummy tucks or breast lifts, that are quite graphic, although not pornographic. It would limit the things we can talk about. It is a drag that there are people out there trying to make life miserable by posting the crap they do....but I don't have a clue how to stop it! Kat

Many times health issues that we worry will cause the operation to be cancelled turn out to be something that weight loss will benefit, so they don't stop it at all. I hope this is the case for you. I don't in any way believe the band to be a scam. If it is, I was scammed out of 90 pounds....! My Dad used to have a saying that comes to mind...it was "some people would complain about being hung with a new rope". He always said this when one of us was complaining about things that we could change if we wanted to bad enough! Was usually just a moan and groan time, and he would say that! Anytime you feel like you need moral supporty, or someone to answer a question honestly---look me up. I won't lie to you and tell you the liquid diet is easy---it won't be, but it will get easier as the time goes on, and it will make the post op diet much simpler. You will get all the cravings out of your system, and it will get easier. It is good your DH is going to diet with you. Even if he doesn't make it, he will know how hard it is for you!!! That is awesome! Hang in there---log on and chat with us when the nerves go crazy!!! Kat

lapband4meNOW---what your Dr. has told you is true, the band is not designed to cause you to PB or slime in order to work. The band is not usually at fault in those circumstances---we are. WASaBubble Butt is having band issues of a different nature. She has followed her band rules, and is still having issues. Most slime episodes, leading to PB's are from us not following the rules, and eating to big of a bite, not chewing well, or simply eating too much. In my own case, I could have had a PB with no fill, if I had not paid attention to how I ate. Your Dr. can and should closely monitor your fill, and make sure you do not get too tight, but you have to do your part to not have those experiences. "Bubbles" (!) has been in constant contact with her Dr., and the staff--as well as other medical professionals. It isn't seeming to be lack of care on her part, nor lack of attempting to help on the Dr.'s part. It just doesn't look like a fill or unfill is going to take care of the problem, it appears to be a bigger something going on. I just didn't want you to get complacent with your eating habits, thinking the Dr. can keep you at a place that easily---because our bodies change on a daily basis, and what may have you loose as a goose one day, may find you tight the next....it is very fickle!!! I do think it is great that your Dr. is not pushing you to stay super tight, some do---my fill Dr. (not the same one who did my surgery) would prefer to keep me really tight, he recommends 3-6 bites and no more---if you can eat more, he will add fill for you. I do not want to be that tight---now or ever! Seems like that is asking for problems!! Plus one of the reasons I chose this is there was not an issue with malnourishment, but with each meal consisting of only 3-6 bites, you sure will be malnourished!! It sounds like your Dr is much more realistic! Kat

Hi April Crew!! Sounds as if you are all doing well!!! Some of you have come on over to bandland, and the rest of you are standing at the fence looking in---you'll be here soon!!! Back over a year ago, when it became clear to my DH that I was serious about this surgery, I told him I was having a hard time with his seeming indifference. He would just tell me "whatever you want to do, I'll be there for you". I wanted him to discuss the pros and cons with me, and tell me what a wonderful idea it was---but he wasn't. This is a man I can honestly say has seldom if ever truly let me down. I was feeling like he must not want me to have this done. Finally one night lying in bed discussing our day, as was usual for us, he ask what was wrong, and I told him. He then proceded to set me straight!!! He told me that he felt he was in a no win place. He did not know how to support me, without it possibly backfiring on him. He felt if he reacted in a positive highly supportive way I may perceive that as him being unhappy with me as I was, and if something happen and surgery fell through, I would think he was disappointed to be "stuck" with the fat me. But if he didn't act super supportive, I would think he was against me having the surgery, and trying to get healthy and happy with myself again. He told me to truly did not know how to support me. He told me he loved me the way I was and would love me if I lost or even gained a hundred pounds. As things fell into place, and surgery was deemed 'a go', he really got behind it, he flew to MX with me, and was there every step of the way. He is my biggest support---telling me every day when he hugs me, how much smaller I am. The point of this is----he was right, I, in my emotional state of wanting the surgery sooooo bad, could have read his actions in many different ways. There is not a great way for someone in his position to act, and it be ok. This changes everyones lives---not just ours....and they tend to be scared of changes. Most people are. Give them a chance---I hope they surprise you, and just knock your socks off. You deserve their support. Insecurity often leads to the actions you mention. Could he wonder if you being thin and attractive to everyone, may cause you to choose someone else? I have heard it more than once on this board, that a husband thinks as soon as we lose our weight, we are going to leave them. I guess they think our integrity is stored in our thighs, and our faithfullness in our butts!!!! Many of you have mentioned hopes of being as successful as us 06 bandsters were----you WILL be!!! We have done nothing out of the ordinary (ok some of them DID!!!), we had the same worries and hopes a year ago. You WILL do it....You WILL lose weight....You WILL gain confidence...You WILL maintain wonderful friendships here...You WILL learn good eating habits....You WILL share the knowledge you gain....You WILL be here for the April 08 banders...You WILL wonder why you waited so long! I am glad to see so many of you over on the exercise challenge board. Walking is all it takes, and walking is the best thing you can do as you prepare for surgery, and recover from surgery! Several 5 minute walks a day is all it takes, you will be surprised to see how your energy soars, and soon you will be walking for 30-45 minutes all in one shot. It really helps a lot with the weight loss too! Everyone hang in there----come here to your friends when the going gets tough, or the hunger gets severe. Tracy---I am going to be getting my summer clothes out soon---if you are interested in more let me know. Enjoy your evening all!!! Kat

I'd be just like WasaBubbleButt---I'd do anything and everything to try to keep my band! Hang in there---we are thinking good thoughts for you!! Kat

The way it was explained to me was not that the band itself was stitched, but the lower portion of the stomach was brought up, and stitched over the band. Then scar tissue will form, and hold the band in correct positioning. Which is why you are not allowed to eat for an extended period of time---it needs that time for healing, movement impedes the healing process, and digesting food causes movement. He showed me a mock up of a stomach, with a band and how they would stitch the stomach itself. He did say STITCH, because he referred to the moist environment, and how much longer it takes for those stitches to heal, than say on your hand---or the outside on your belly. Kept me drinking like I was told---that's for sure!!! Kat

I did not need this surgery at 20---if I could have had it the second I did need it---I would have. If that had been at 20---you betcha I would have done it! I have daughters 25 & 24, and I would not hesitate to suggest it to either of them, if it were something they needed. They like their Mama, are still tall and thin---but my 30's were killer!!!! It is never to early to get healthy. If you are confident you cannot do it "on your own" (oh how it pained me to type that!!!) then using the band to help you get healthy is not a mistake! The longer you wait, and punish your body under the excess weight, the longer your organs suffer---the higher your blood pressure will go, as well as your blood sugars---obesity is not something to take lightly---and it sounds to me like you have researched it, and want the band to help you out of the body you are in---and it will! Would I have done it at 20? YES!!! I wish I had been able to do it 15-20 years ago! It would have changed many things, not just for me, but for family vacations, and how much I interacted on behalf of my kids. Yep---do it while you are young, and can enjoy the life ahead of you!!! Mama's are very cautious with our kids, and in your Moms case, with her career being in health, I imagine she thinks the obesity you suffer with is simply a choice. Someone who has not been here, has no idea. Let her see how you succeed, and get healthy---we will be here for support! You guys make me feel like Annie Oakley or something!!! I am so far from that! My inlaws had serious doubts about me and the farming/ranching thing from the begining---I am pretty prissy myself!!! I have my nails done weekly, and my toes every 2 weeks in the summer, and monthly in the winter! My hair is usually done---and I do not leave home often without make-up. They laugh because I co-ordinate everything! My shoes must match---even my boots----I am either in brown mode or black mode out there---and I even have a pair of teal ropers! When I leave home to go out there, if my clothes need black accesories for instance, my boots will be black, my purse will be black....as will my sunglasses! Even the ponytail holder will match! Either the black, or the color of my shirt---something---it HAS to match! Rick and I do not wear matching shirts or anything like that!!! BUT---if he is wearing blue for instance, I will coordinate to him!!! Pathetic yes..... My jewelry is minimal---but whether I am shopping, or herding, I will have diamond studs in my ears, and a diamond necklace on. They are not big---just very special to me---and worn most all the time! I get laughed at over it....they think it is hilarious! I think it is me! I am ok with it, and Rick loves me---they can laugh if they want!!! My FIL is always shaking his head and saying "well I never" he laughs when I check to see if I broke a nail---but he knows there isn't anyone of them who can catch a cow in the chute better than I can---so he lets me priss all I want. Besides when I am up on that horse---I am not stepping in what that animal or any other has dropped!!! Well I can't scroll back to see who ask---but our place in TX is on Hwy 36, just outside of Comanche. Near Brownwood---SE of Abilene. I need to fix my signature, I finished yesterday, and have already completed today. Yesterday I raked the rose garden, and pruned---and eliminated elm trees!!! They are a PITA!!! It looks so much better, and will be nice when they begin to bloom. I got the honeysuckle cleaned up...the entire south side of my house is ready! This morning, I hit Curves, and spent an hour on the swings with the granddaughter. Glad to see everyone is doing well---even if nerves are getting to a few of you!!! It is normal, you might be worried if you didn't get a little scared heading into surgery! Everyone take care!!! Kat

The band helps us not to eat past feeling full without painful reminders. It also curbs the appetite to the point of that not being a real issue. Like Jack said, it frees your mind from the eating aspect, and lets you concentrate on other things. Pre surgery I ate lots of savory comfort style foods---salty crispy snacks. Sweets were ok, but they weren't MY issue. Now I still eat all of those things, but in much smaller, more realistic portions. I have lost almost 90 pounds in just under a year---I feel it is wildly successful. I did it without feeling deprived. Without starving! Without counting every bite that went into my mouth for points or calories or anything! The only thing I really wish for, is that I hadn't waited so long---I love having my life back---I wish I had done it years ago! Enjoy your seminar, mine was eye opening!!! Welcome to LBT---feel free to ask all the questions running through your mind, it is the best way to get the answers!!! We look forward to getting to know you! Kat

I don't live in TX full time, but we have a place not too far from you Lisa, in a little place called Comanche. We are there several times a year. Hoping to meet up with some of my Texan buddies later this Spring! Welcome!!!! Kat

Ellen, you make me laugh---thanking us for letting you join us??? We all NEED the added motivation of everyone!!! We are GLAD to have you! Welcome to LBT, and our little corner! I will be hoping for all to go smoothly and quickly for your surgery and your recovery. Betty it isn't a big fancy ranch. I refer to it as the farm! We run some cattle, and grow alfalfa. We grow to feed, and also to sell. We plant about 15 acres, and graze about twice that. We have had such a draught, that we have seriously cut the number of cows we run, and also the amount of alfalfa we grow. We run a bigger herd on the place in TX. We graze about 160 acres there. In both places, we raise the calves, and then sell them when the new calves are due. As the cows age, or if they are problems in birth etc, we will sell them off, and raise up a heifer to replace her. We will sell half of the bulls born in the next year, and the other half we will band (castrate) and sell as steers next year. Sometimes that is a good thing financially, and others it is a money pit---just depends on the price of beef. We don't raise to butcher---other than personal use. We do our own branding, banding, immunizing, and general doctoring. We use a squeeze chute, and a heated branding Iron. In New Mexico we brand that way, in TX it is not required, most of them are ear tagged. My inlaws, and our son live on the place here, and an Aunt, and a cousin and her family live on site in TX. We plan to eventually build out at the place here---but have it figured to do so in about 5 years. I have always been around horses. I gave up riding for several years, figured they would call up PETA---if I tried to mount up!! Now I am loving it---again! We have 13 acres of river frontage, so I have lots of places to ride, and explore, as well as land abutting BLM land, so most of it can be ridden as well. My FIL is just like your family Molly---he is not thrilled with my running horses out there, but....it isn't hurting anything---and I do use them for exactly what we did---cutting herds, I walk fences, etc. He would prefer to use his 4 wheeler! My MIL gets around the farm with a golf cart---we truly do look like silly old dirt farmers when we all get going!!! She is blocking an entrance with her golf cart, Dad is chasing them on 4 wheels, and a big ol fat gal on a horse!!! DH is the only normal looking one of us!!! But we get the job done!!! Y'all come on down---I can put you to work without a problem! It is branding time, so they can go to the Sale Barn---to be auctioned off! We have another new calf today, a little bull. Our herd here is mostly hereford, in TX we run Brangus (Brahma Angus cross). This is a little white faced red bodied bull---he looks good. Left to their own accord, most of the cows deliver without issue, but if my FIL is around, he always thinks it is problematic, and insists we pull the calf. So we try to keep him VERY busy during this time!!! Well I need to make some tea---I am ready to go to bed, and need to drink through my food!!! Talk to you guys tomorrow! Kat

My insurance covered it IF you made it through the hoops! I too have BCBS of TX. Which is a pain, because I do not live in TX!!! So many local Dr.s are out of network---a royal PITA! Anyway, they did cover the banding with certain guidelines. I met the required BMI. I had the required co morbidities, I had the 5 years worth of medical records showing my weight in the obese range for the 5 years. What I didn't have, was 12 consecutive months of medically supervised weight loss, with a bi monthly meeting with a licensed nutritionist. I live in a rural area, there are no licensed nutritionists---not in network, nor even out of network. Once they argued that point for 3 months, they agreed to let my PCP counsel me in nutrition, which meant I was to see him every 2 weeks---once as a Dr, and once as a nutritional consult. I paid my co-pay each visit. I did this for 10 1/2 months. Then I was in a car accident (not my fault), and I was injured. I ended up having surgery to repair my knee following the accident. During the time I was in the hospital, I missed my Dr. appointment. I called and changed it. They knew---my DD is the nurse---but I rescheduled the appointment. Went to it, then to my next nutrition consult, and the office manager called me in, and told me I was going to have to get the nutrition consult approved again, that by missing the scheduled appointment, I was being found to be non compliant in the 12 months issue. It has to be 12 consecutive months, without a lapse. I appealled it, and was told I would be covered IF I complied. They denied it twice....I had no choice I thought except to start over. And then I was going to have to pay some of the other things (sleep test etc.) out of pocket, because they would not cover them again, and the results would be too old the following year! When I ended up getting a cash settlement due to my injury----I ran to Mexico it felt like to do is self pay! In reality I researched non stop for 2 months, then scheduled it, and had it done within the month. All my tests were done---they did the required EKG, chest X ray and blood work---but the rest they accepted. It was so worth going self pay! However you can work it---it not only saves your life in the long run, it gives you back your life in the process!!! Kat

Have you discussed your personal situation with your surgeon? He should be the best one to know what the surgery will allow for pain medication, and what precautions to take. For instance, when I have to have pain meds, I am usually given Demerol, due to multiple drug allergies, but when I was banded they gave me Mepergan Fortes (sp?), saying it was the Demerol, with a stomach calming agent as well, that it would be easier on my stomach. I never took any---didn't need it, but I don't have the chronic pain issues you do. My thoughts would be to get a list of approved pain meds from the band Dr., to take to the primary Dr. Maybe as your weight goes down you will need less!!! What wonderful incentive!!! Kat

My issue with drinking as I eat is different. I was told not to because it washed the food through too quickly and you got no benefit from the restrictive aspects of the band. I have to remove the drink from the table, or I would grab it out of habit---and it did not wash my food through---it seemed like it caused it to float right up into my esophagus, and it hurt, and made it feel like a PB was on its way. I was able to spit & slime it away---but it is not a pleasant thing---so I don't drink!! My restriction is less than it was, but I have opted not to try it! Call me chicken!!! Kat

Hey Darcy--I will do real good getting the alerts, then for some reason nothing. Who knows---glad you managed to pop in for a little bit anyway!!! Before I forget, my March total was 35 miles. I hope to up it, with warmer weather coming!!! Eileenie---I'm so sorry that yesterday was hard on you. We all have those days, and they might get easier as the years pass, but they never go away. Rick knows my bad day, and he does his level best to keep me occupied. Dianne--if I had tried the I'm pregnant routine....think it would be considered just cause if he killed me???? I laughed at that one!! I didn't really pull much in the way of April Fools jokes yesterday---what about you guys? what did you do? Cindy--occasionally Rick cooks, not often, if he opts to do dinner--we usually go out! Which is frequent enough, I don't feel too bad about it. He works a lot of hours each week, I don't, but besides that he cooks very SPICY food when he cooks---my tummy only takes so much of it! My DD used to cook a lot when she was at home. And when she lived here last time (while she was remodeling, following the divorce) she either cooked or cleaned everynight, even with her job. I wish I had someone to clean up after me!!! I don't mind cooking, but cleaning sucks!!! Beannie----hola, ?como esta usted? ummmmmm ?Como se llama (sp?) usted? Mi llama Kat. ok, now we are down to....burrito, taco, pollo loco, enchilada, chimichanga, sopapilla.....oh yeah por favor, gracias, de nada. Now I can honestly say, I understand a lot more than I speak, and I got called upon all the time for my pronunciation, which is great----I can roll my r's, and get the "th" sound in place of the "d". Unfortunately----what really interested me in my Spanish class, was Bryan! He is now owner of a a Zip & Ship, and I am very relieved my tastes changed!!!! When my DD was taking her foreign language credits for high school, Spanish was filled, and she ended up in French (which is of little use to us where we live!), I could not pronounce her stuff at all---and she sounded so good!!! Sherry---sorry your "client" was a no show---but you will be better prepared for the next one, and the next one after that! Each time you will learn! Her loss! Chris---glad tattoo boy is trying to get on, after his loss. It has to be hard on men in my opinion. They were done such a disservice in being taught not to show emotion. Where as women we can hug and hold onto one another to cry---they feel they must internalize it. Not that he should have shut you out, or been so distant, just in general---how much harder life would be, if I had to internalize so much emotion. My DH has a buddy who has never been married--and he is always telling Rick he got soft when we got married. I know better, but I hope in ways he did, that he feels he can react around me, and not be so stoic all the time. Betty--we took a good ride yesterday, he wind was up for awhile which wasn't great fun, but the sky was blue, the weather warm, and the bikes were out in swarms!!! We have friends who own a local ice cream parlor, and she opens for the season each year on April 1st. So we rode over, and had some ice cream (caramel shake for me...mmmmmmm). We rode to the lake, and cruised around watching the boats, and rode some back roads, and just enjoyed ourselves. We spent the morning culling the calves, on horseback, and believe me the Iron horse was much more relaxing. I did however feel I had exercised for my ice cream!!! Pat---do you still have the DIL from hell? LOL, I just wondered! Can you tell I am a little irritated with my own DIL??? Mandy---how goes the back to school thing? When do you meet with them? Let us know if there is anything we can do to help. Mary, Deb, hope everyones kiddos are well. My granddaughter is limping around, she stepped on a broken bottle and it cut through her Water walkers and into her foot while at the beach this weekend at Lake Powell. She is turning into quite the drama queen!!! Everyone take care---I'll check in with you later!!! Kat

Welcome back Julie---I am so glad you are on the other side of that goal!! As healthy as you went into it, I bet your recovery will amaze your Dad and his staff!!! You will impress them, just as you have us! I look forward to you being back with us---I missed you! When Rick was in the hospital, in the comatose state, he had tubes, and IV's everywhere---so I would sqeeze his foot, in a hug----consider your foot sqeezed!!! We got the calves separated, and actually took a break, and watched a new one be born....it is always emotional, whether it is human or animal!! Rick said he would remind me how cute I thought this one was when I am cussing it, trying to separate it next time!!! Spoil sport that he is!!! I spent around 4 hours riding, so met my exercise challenge without a problem. This is not a leisurely walk, down a trail....it is much more demanding! Cutting calves from their mama's, and culling a herd, is fast high movement riding. It works your core, and your obliques like nothing else I have found....oh yeah, don't think my thighs will forget the work out they got either!!! Today we take Rick to see the new Dr. the one who is going to try to get his esophagus issues taken care of. It is actually the Dr. they called in during the GI bleed, who literally saved his life. They also called him a couple of weeks ago when he choked on that chicken. We have got the ok from insurance to swap Rick to him as his PCP, becuase of the health history. Won't be as convenient, without our DD as the nurse---but we feel it is necessary for his health. We took the motorcycle for a late afternoon ride yesterday---there were bikes everywhere!!! Our best friends just bought one, and we all went for a cruise, then back to their place to grill some steak. I am slowly converting everyone---in the past, we would have baked potatoes with the steak, and maybe grilled some corn on the cob with it, and of course rolls. Now, they know I don't eat so much, and Rick is watching his intake as well, so we had a big salad and steak---and we all had plenty! I'm gonna get this crew trained yet!!! I did 20 minutes on the eliptical this morning, will get another 20 minutes or so in later today, in one way or another!!! Everyone take care----those of you pre-op dieting----drink up! This will all be behind you soon!!! Those of you post op dieting, take very good care of yourselves as you heal. And those having surgery today---my prayers for a quick, uneventful surgery and recovery go with you! Kat

The issue is with anything of solid form in the stomach, that needs to be digested. They do not want your stomach working to digest, and pass food. They pulled the lower part of your stomach up, and stitched it over the band, to hold the band in place. As it heals, scar tissue forms, and sets the band in properly. If your eat, and make your stomach move, which it does to digest food, it disrupts this process. Inside you, it is a moist, environment, and it takes a couple of weeks for those stitches to be healed to a point of eating fuller liquids, and possibly some mushies. The risk you take is popping the stitches---or allowing the band to move, then be scarred in, in an improper postition. I agree, talking to your Dr., would be the best way to guage if you acted too early. The Dr. may tell you not to worry---or he may urge you to follow the plan, and explain why. As hard as it is, and as monotonous as the broth... jello...broth ....jello cycle gets---it really is just a few short weeks out of the rest of your life!!! We have all dieted before, and we are here, if it gets too hard to resist. Take a walk, or give yourself a manicure---anything to get your mind off of the food situation for a few minutes, and the cravings tend to pass. We are always here to offer moral support. No one here is perfect----I am not belittling you for eating early!!! Just urging you to be careful---your health and the health of your band is at risk. Some Dr.'s have much stricter eating plans than others---so check with yours, he may advance you to a mushie diet now---then you can eat without the added stress of worry! Kat

Welcome! Both you and your wife are welcome here!!! Most of us are of course lap band patients, or wannabes...but we try to pride ourselves on acceptance! We all make what we think to be the best decision for ourselves at the time we make them---and one surgical solution does not fit for everyone! It sounds like you are well on your way, and will be banded very soon! You are right when you say you will be changing your relationship with food. Personally I went through some sadness, and some anger as I went through the liquid phases, and through the early months. I had always had a love/hate relationship with food...and thanks to banding, I now just have a comfortable, loving relationship with it!!! Pre banding I loved to eat, in huge amounts. Fat laden comfort foods were my weakness!!! I would gorge on them, loving each bite...then I would hate myself for being weak and eating that much when I knew how fat I already was! I hated my being too weak to diet and maintain weight loss. Now with the help of my band, I still love food, and eat the same foods as before for the most part---but I eat them in small amounts, I enjoy the taste and texture, because I am eating slow enough to savor these things---not swallowing it whole! When I eat my fill, which happens quickly, I do not feel guilt over eating too much---I feel pride in the fact that I ate enough to nourish my body without harming it. It truly has led me to a new level with food! and not constantly beating myself up over it is such a relief! Hang out, ask any questions, share any tips you come across---this is a great site!!! Once again---welcome! Kat

Glad to see you back, and that you are so upbeat. It is time for a whole new begining! The accident will be behind you soon too. If there is a suit, you will get through it, same as everything else. Let the insurance help you. As for a new name....it needs to be something focusing on you and your new start. I'll think on it!!! We will find you something fitting! Tell us all about your apartment! I have to go for now, we are headed to dinner----some of those plans you try every thing you can think of to get out of, and it happens anyway!!!! Kat

Everyone loses at a different rate, and often the more you have to lose, the faster it goes at first. Think about it this way---since you are going to have to work a little harder at it---you will learn good eating habits---and they will stick with you---you will always have them to fall back on for maintenance as well. I have been banded for a year almost, and still have over 35 pounds to lose---but it will happen---not tomorrow or next week----but it WILL happen! Meanwhile---I feel great!!! I am succeeding! And you are too! You are LOSING weight, not gaining---we are heading in the right direction!!! Kat

Yep, the antibiotics may have got you! I have a very sensitive balance in my system, and if I take a single dose of antibiotics, I better be prepared!!! I take acidopholus any time I am on an antibiotic. You can try an OTC yeast infection treatment, but if you do not get results VERY quickly, I'd get in touch with my Dr. this is not the time to let any infection go untreated. sorry you had to get such a yucky welcome home from your banding!!!! Kat

Before you know it, you will be welcoming the 2008 April banders!!! I know! It seems as though the last year has flown by!!! A year ago---I was the nervous wreck! Now I am here telling you---it isn't that bad of a surgery---and so totally worth it!!!! I would do it again in a split second! Welcome to LBT---and you are almost on your way! Kat

Hi---welcome to LBT! I do have BCBS---it is BCBS of TX. And yes they made my life miserable!!! BUT---there are many, many different coverages of BCBS, and a lot of it depends on what exclusions your employer placed. It is impossible to advise you---the best thing you can do is call them. Take meticulous notes---when you called, who you talked to, what they say....and put on your tenny shoes, and get ready to jump through some hoops!!! The good news is...it is SOOOOO worth jumping through them!!!! Each plan has different requirements. Mine consisted of 5 years of documented obesity, a BMI of 40 or 35 with 2 co-morbidities, and 12 consecutive months of a medically supervised weight loss program, with bi monthly nutritionist consults. My problems come in with the 12 consecutive months thing. I had done 10 1/2 months consecutively, and then was in a car accident, and required surgery. Due to that I missed my appointment in the 11th month, and rescheduled it for when I got out of the hospital...but it was over 30 days since the prior appointment, and they decided I had been non compliant. So they denied me...twice. It was a mess---I likely could have sued and won....I gave up, and self paid---with my settlement from the accident! But my SIL has BCBS, and she had no problems whatsoever! So it is a guessing game as to what your plan requires, and what clauses your employer added. Make that call, and get the ball rolling---it is a great thing this band!!! Good Luck!! Hang out with us---lots of people working to get approval---this site is perfect for support! Kat

We too have a place in TX. And it does have an underground cement cellar, separate from the house. It is not a new addition, my DH's grandparents put it in. This is in central Texas. It would take seeing the tornado staring me in the face to get me in that shelter---I have been told by everyone who has been in it, that there are snakes who love it! My FIL said that last time he was in there, he saw 2 snakes curled up in old Mason jars......that was enough for me!!! The subject come up, because I ask my DH if we should check it out, and see if it needed stocked....my in laws laughed at me. Said it had been there for 50+ years, and was used to store food items when his grandparents were alive, but never used in the event of a storm. I'd still like to find a way to keep the snakes out, and safe stuff in!!! Kat