Kat817

Appeal it on your own the first time I was told----send in any new info...including weight prior to 6 month program, and since it is going up, whatit is since the program ended. Include any and all paperwork from all Dr.s---if you ever use an ortho Dr. for your arthritis---get the paperwork from him, ask for a letter from him. Anything that way include it. My second appeal went in with 52 pieces of paper! They said then if it is denied a 2nd time, to go with an attorney. And if you have letters of reference from your Dr.'s I guess you ask for attorney fees.... I didn't know about the last of this, and got impatient, and went self pay after being denied. But I was told the turn over rate once you continue with the appeals is HIGH!!! It is almost like they say no just to see if you will go away and leave them alone, and when that doesn't happen, they actually sit down and have a look at it. Several people on here have kept copies of the letters they used for appeal. Put out a couple of threads, and see what kind of help they can give you. Other than that, many have used medical credit accounts to go self pay, others have refinanced their homes....there are several ways if you end up self paying...granted, none of them cheap! Best of Luck to you!!! Hope you get good response. If it is slow, be sure to bump up your thread at different times of the day to get it seen by members who are working, or different things at different times of the day! Kat

Hi rose, I am not in Albuquerque, I am in Farmington---but it is nice to have you here!!! I use a fill Dr. in Colorado--it would surebe more convenient to have one in ABQ---maybe we will soon, I have heard some advertisements on TV!! Welcome to LBT, and if you have any questions concerning your surgery, feel free to ask!!! Good Luck, and I am so glad you are here!!! Kat

I do believe our SO's will all be wondering what all the porn talk on LBT is about!!! Let 'em wonder---just keep 'em away from the baklava!!!! Kat

Hi everyone--so far I am staying on track, now that I am finally back to exercising. The cough will not go away, I sure do wish it would, I am very ready to breath normally again!!! Yesterday, we went out and cut 3 trees for the Christmas party at DH's work. We walked out in the hills for miles it seemed!!! But it was great fun, the weather was cool and clear, and we saw HUGE jackrabbits, and several deer, and a coyote. We found the trees we wanted, and then the work began!!! DH was insistant I would learn how to chop these trees!!! Let me add, the area we went to get the trees is on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and it was tagged. You could only cut tagged trees, because they were being thinned, and culled for burn protection. So if people didn't cut them for Christmas, they were going to be removed, and debranched in January/February. They remove all branches under 8" and leave the trunks in piles, for people to gather as fire wood. The branches are mulched back into the ground. So anyway we cut 3 trees, and it was WORK!!!! Then we had to carry them back to the truck. We had a wonderful time!! I had been worried about DH, we had been at odds, and I was worried he was dealing with some depression, but he was his old self yesterday---what a relief!!! We were gone all day, it literally took hours to get the trees carried back. We had stopped and got Subway (I know.....) to take out with us, and we had several jugs of water. He has a winter emergency kit in the truck, with canned goods, candles etc. I know I got my exercise in yesterday!! Today I will use my energy trying to remove the sap from my hands!!! Not really, but I bathed them in alcohol yesterday getting it off. Today he and the guys will get them in stands, and the party staff will take over. At first I was kinda irritated that he had to be the one to go out and get them. Seems like he always gets the extra things to do....but afterwards, I am VERY glad he did---it was a great day!!! Today I have been to Curves, and am heading out to buy 3 things...and then I am done. Well I have baking and junk to do, but that is it---Bring it on Christmas, I am ready!!! Hope everyone has a great day!!!! And if you stop in Heather (K@t) !!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Hope your day is special! Kat

We have several bikes.... a 1981 yamaha Midnight Maxim 650 a 1981 Yamaha 1100 Special (these 2 were DH's original bikes) a 1985 Suzuki 250 -he uses this to teach the kids to ride a 1995 HD Heritage Softail Springer a 1998 Honda Shadow 1100 a 1999 Honda Goldwing 1500 and he is rebuilding/restoring an antique Triumph. These days we may ride differently. We had all but quit riding anything but the Wing, because with my size, it was best, on my back, and for us to have room. Now we may do a little differently. I have rode on my own, I have also laid down the 650....so am a little unsure of it now...and mostly ride b*#ch!!! It is the best form of stress releif ever. We will go for evening rides when the weather is good, and it is such an awesome feeling----it is like you can feel the stress blowing off! C'mon summer!!! Kat

I have to admit, I have never had rugalach....but baklava...oh my!!!! My Aunt married into a Greek family, and they make baklava for all occasions! If I lived next door to them I would have been twice the size I was when I had surgery!!! I saw that in Walmart---I made myself drive on by...now I want it again!!!! Tell me about the rugalach.....tempt me with more food porn!!! Kat

Yeah Chris, WTG---I am glad you got the good news and can now relax and enjoy---as well as avoid psycho neighbor! Beannie--let us know what the Dr. says---I feel good for a day---well passable, then I get down again, and cough my head off! Then the fever comes up, but mine is mild compared to yours! Glad you are seeing the doc. Let us know. So is there an option with the tumor in the heart? Do they think it is continuing to grow? I know when they fixed DH's valve, they decreased the size of the heart, and were all around inside of it, the way they showed me on the model...scary stuff. He as well as the rest of the family are on my prayer list! I have a good friend who finds out tomorrow if her lump is cancerous or not. she has a STRONG family history of breast cancer, and her Dr. is not holding much hope for a good biopsy. Sad. Eileen--is the boss gonna be here all week again? You know I was originally mad at DH, he made the issue over the bank statement, then he went quiet. I was originally angry back at him...it wasn't like I had spent any huge amount of money...but we had been since June for a normal check. Then his short term disability (STD) had been closed, on Friday, as he was returning to work on Monday, and had the GI bleed on Saturday. So....we ended up with no pay for about 6 weeks. Which left the account lower than we like, but between that and the fact that it IS Christmas, I thought we had done well, he didn't! BUT...now I am watching a little closer, with a more open mind (and heart) and I think he may be dealing with a bit of depresssion. The Dr.'s warned us that is was very common following the heart surgery. He had made several comments about being a sick old man (he too has had this cold crud). I think when he got sick again, he worried, that he will always be sick--then he saw the bank statement, and started in with the whole not even a good provider anymore junk. So....I am trying to treat him a little differently, force him into doing more, where I had been mothering/smothering him to make sure he didn't do too much. I need him to see himself as the man he was again. At least that is the conclusion that I reached after a long talk with my Dad, and his brother, both of whom have been through it. So DH and I are not really fighting---he is fighting with himself I believe. It scares me. He has always been the one I depend on...now he seems to be floundering....hope it settles down, I know I have exacerbated tehproblem, but at least now I am aware of it! Cindy-glad your concert went well, we loved TSO as well...will go again if the chance presents itself! OK, I need to hit the shower....DH and I went to a friends and took some pics tonight, I will try to post one on the pic thread in a day or so after he sends them to me, someone will have to resize it!!! Will catch up with everyone soon...Sherry I see you here, I bet I missed your post....hope all is well! Kat

Do a trial run before going with the group. Personally I have no problems with chinese food, including the rice. I too chew VERY well. With a trial you will know if the item you order will work or not. It would be easier to suffer through that at home, than out with friends/family. Good Luck---hope it slides down well!!! Kat

I'm like Eileen (NJchick) I can eat pretty much anything. After a meeting I tried a bite of DH's donut...nope! So far, that and really dry chicken breast is about all that is on my No No list. I had to push my luck, so tried a cake type donut later, and it was fine. it is the raised yeasty donuts I cannot do. The amount of anything I eat is diminished to fractions of what I used to eat, but I can still eat pretty much anything. Kat

Did the Dr. have anything to say regarding infection if it were allowed to just ooze? Also---who is paying for the monthly fills? That could get costly! Is the Dr. sure it is the port and not a tube leak? could it have been hit during a prior fill? And what is the Dr.'s reccomendation and why? I would ask lots of questions of the Dr. and then make a decision. Do you have coverage (insurabce) for a replacement? Keep us posted! Kat

Hi all, like Beannie, I am getting kicked in the butt by this bug again---still coughing my fool head off! Chris--get your test done---and find you another place quickly. BUT in the meantime, if he does anything that makes you uncomfortable, call the police, I don't care if it seems to piddly for that. The guy sounds like he has anger issues, so if he scares you or upsets you---have a report made. Beannie-Mary- let's all whine together!!! Dianne--you can whine with us if ya wanna!!! I am glad your meds seem to be helping...you'll get there girl! Cassie--gee I can't believe you don't wanna move because Chris is having problems with her neighbor---I thought we all looked out for one another around here!!!!! LMAO!!! I bet you did think you had a black out there!!! Betty--you made it!!!! The weekend is here!! ENJOY! Mandy-the tree looks really pretty! I will try to get one of mine---but someone will have to size the pic for me---me & my computer we is dummies!!! Jules---you will be off soon---hang in there!!! Cindy--you will have to find something new for Mandy to hunt pictures of now!!! Glad your party was fun! Well, I know I only got a few of you----but it has been a crummy day. DH and I are half way arguing over $$$$. But it is more like he is just pissy about it, and so giving me the silent treatment---which makes me want to silence him by choking!!!! Oh well, this too shall pass I guess. I HATE fighting with him---brings up every insecurity I have fought to overcome through the years. Wish me luck that this goes over soon. Kat

You are in the worst time of it all!!! Raring to go, and stalled in the starting gate!!! Just do what you have to to get through the next 10 days. Keep busy, buy up healthy options for snacking, so you won't be tempted to easily by other things. Keep your protein up, it helps in curbing hunger. Mainly right now, avoid as much of the sugar, and carbs as you can. The more of them you eat, the more you crave...and thus begins an evil circle! Walking is great right now, it does not exert any pressure or pull on the healing areas, and it keep the metabolism up. It help release any remaining gas in the abdominal cavity. It burns calories, and helps to maintain muscle. If you feel a binge coming on, walk around the block!!! Walking saved me from myself, while I waited for my first fill!!! With the first fill, I had some change, but not much. I was forced to eat slower, smaller bites, and it reduced how much I ate, but not a big change. I acheived restriction with my 2nd fill which was done 1 month later. I love the restriction, it feels good, knowing it is helping me to stop when I need too. But the biggest help is it eliminated my hunger....thank heavens!!!! Hang in there----it happens to everyone!! The fill will be here soon, and help will be on the way!!!! Welcome to bandland and to LBT---it is an awesome site!!!! Kat

Well if you had said something we disagreed with, or was wrong...we'd have chimed in!!!! Welcome Stephanee!!! I look forward to following your progress!!! It is going to be the start to a WHOLE new life for you it sounds like!! Congrats on the date for surgery, and also for your new business!!! Your weight will be dropping, and you will be full of energy by then!! Keep us posted....and we like listening to you talk to yourself...makes me feel normal!!!! Kat

They said I could leave all my polish on except for one finger and one toe---that they needed to be able to see the natural color of the nail bed, to watch for circulation issues. Well I thought that would look silly---so I took it all off. No make-up, hair spray, deodorant, they ask us to shower, and make sure our hair was dry, but to use no products. And yes ALL jewelry had to be off, my SIL tried to get to keep her upper earrings---nope, like lianna's thumb band, they too had to go!!! No contacts, no dentures, or removable partials--although they said you could keep them until they took you off to surgery. In the end it was not an issue!!! Kat

I must be lucky then, because I fully believe my band has made it MUCH easier to lose weight! Of course we still have to make good choices, but my band eliminating hunger goes a long way towards me making the right choice! I know there is no way in the world I would have lost this weight without it! I had tried many a time!!! Besides that, I agree fully---who we do or who we don't tell, or discuss the band with is a very personal decision. Kat

Made Curves again today, and also a walk, it was too cold, but we did it anyway, we walked down to a local Christmas Parade, and on to the park, then back home, I didn't do it all in one shot, so I don't know about time, but it was an additional 2 mile walk to my Curves time today. I have been coughing ever since I come back in the house into the warm air. I may have to rough it and sleep out there---yeah right!!!! I may make this challenge yet...we'll see!!! Kat

I used mostly the Unjury Unflavored, and then I flavored it with a variety of things. SF flavored syrups, SF pudding, peanut butter...since I wanted to use different flavors the unflavored worked best for me. It has 20 grams of protein per scoop. You can order it online, and you can also order sample packets, in choc. van. & straw. I liked the chocolate as well. www.unjury.com I also just got an email from them saying they now have Chicken Broth too. I would imagine it is high protein too...But you can use the unflavored in any broth as well. I have added it to all kinds of food...from my shakes to spaghetti sauce!!! Good Luck!!!! And Welcome to LBT! Kat

First of all I was not intending to sound like I was putting you or your Dr.'s way of doing things down. My point was made because I have read many, many posts from people who EAT on the way home from a fill, simply because it was done with fluoro, and they could see that it was not closed off too tight. That may appear that way when the barium flows through in the office, but swelling does occur. And there is no way to tell how much on each patient. There have been numerous threads regarding how much fill, and how they were done, and each persons body reacts differently, and often times they react differently each time you are adjusted...it is not an exact science. Some people swell instantly, others do not even feel the fill kick in for a week. Which is one of the reasons most Dr.'s mine included have a diet plan in place following all adjustments. While this may just seem like common sense to you, I was just making a "blanket statement" warning new bandsters. The more posts I read, the more concerned I get that many patients are not or do not have the opportunity to discuss ANYTHING with their Dr. Many do not know why they are on liquids following surgery. They ask weeks into being banded what a PB is! It is difficult to just take for granted that all of us bandsters have had any instruction what so ever! Like was pointed out earlier, most Dr.'s, they said, did not ask how they wanted the fill...the Dr. plans on doing it his usual way, it is something that needs to be discussed before time for the fill!!! YOU paid for the surgery...it is YOUR body.....YOU will be paying for the fill---get it the way YOU want it! This is a very important issue with the band, as well as an emotional issue, and, one that is very individual. If you will lie awake at night worrying over it, then by all means, have them done in a amanner so you can relax and not worry 24/7. No one should attempt to tell you how to have them done, it should be between you and your Dr. Kat

Same thing happening here!!! I also had an issue with panties being too big when wearing loose pants the other day---hope Santa is good to me!!!! WTG---sounds like you are doing a great job!!! Kat

Don't forget that even with fluoro, and seeing the amount of restriction, that the amount of restriction is very likely to change from what you see. Due to swelling following a fill, movement of the saline withinthe system etc. My SIL had her last fill with fluoro. It was her first refill following complete unfill, and she thought since she could see it, all was well, and ate too soon, she ended up making another trip (our fill Dr. is 6 hours away) and is once again unfilled. Even if you can "See" it, you need to take it easy on your stomach following any adjustment! Anything to avoid pain!!!! Kat

Both of my fills have been simply by feel, and done by a different Dr. than the original surgeon. It took several pokes both times. The second time, was better, he had an idea where exactly to go. What I don't get is the Dr. saying the port will wear out. Inamed states how many times it was tested and all that...but the point is...once the actual port is found and hit, it is not "poked" anymore times than if it had been a one shot fluoro fill. The multiple pokes are PRIOR to hitting, or finding the port. I understand the concern over the tubing...but not the worry of wearing out the port. Because my port has been poked twice---I have been poked well more than twice!!! But I have not had any fills or unfills done since July. Some people have 5 or 6 fills, a couple of unfills...and evenif they are all done under fluoroscopy...they have still been poked more often---is this really that bad? Any other Dr.s mention that? Just curious! Oh yeah has anyone else heard how the thread concerning re-using the Huber needle ended up? Kat

Genetics, multiple pregnancies, and eating too damn much got me here!!! I will need it, but Dr. said 6 months after reaching goal....so I see it in the distant future. Wishfully I am thinking, a year from now... Kat

It is PB'ing, it stands for productive Burping. When something is stuck,or is having problems passing, it causes pain, the usual way for it to unstick is for it to come back up. It is a form of vomiting, but there are no stomach acids or bile included, simply food and saliva/heavy mucus (referred to around here as slime). Heartburn there is not any set thing that happens. some people have it prior to surgery,and following it it goes away. Others have neverhad, it and after surgery develop it....is just something you never know. As for the liquid diet, begin your changes as soon as possible, and eliminate the carbs, and sugars, as they promote cravings for more of the same. Getting used to not having them, and carbonation, etc. will make the liquid phase easier. After you are back to a normal diet, you can add in sugars and carbsif you choose,they are not something you have to live forever without! It just simplifies the liquid phase to prepare in advance! Also begin taste testing some protein drinks, so you can have them on hand. Welcome to LBT, and hope your surgery goes well!!! Kat

I don't know of anyone personally who managed to keep this from a spouse, or even anyone who tried. Your life during pre-op and post op is a definite change, I cannot imagine it...but I wasn't in a position it was necessary either. That being said, if you really feel this is something you need to hide from your DH's, then maybe you need to talk to someone else, maybe during your psychological exam, and get a feel for how you will likely respond emotionally to their reactions to surgery, and how your life is bound to change following surgery..And i don't mean what foods you can't eat. I personally cannot eat dry chicken or yeasty donuts, everything else works fine. I was in a very abusive marriage for awhile, and I know men put you down, in an effort to build themselves up. If it is truly simple a lack of ability to verbalize their feelings, then they should be willing to attend a therapist with you, and help you along, or at least listen to your options, as opposed to putting down the idea with no thought involved. My ex saw me as fat, and ugly, and knew no one else would want me!! Ironically he saw me as that when I was only 180 pounds, and at 5'9" thay makes me fairly thin, in actuality---but he beat me down with words as well as fists. TRY talking to them, and I hope they shock you with their supportiveness, if they don't, you may have problems bigger than the band alone can help---and need to realize it can only do so much even with weight. Good Luck to you all, I hope these men just shock your socks off!!! And endup being wonderful support!! Kat

For thoseof you like us who use credit cards to benefit yourselves, and pay them in full monthly---we have found another use for them! Anytime we buy anything electronic, computer equipment, appliances, etc. , we charge it, then pay the bill in full. BUT...using the card (ours happens to be a MasterCard) adds an additional year to the warranty at no charge. Plus if there is a problem, and the store or company will notmake it right, the credit card company fights it for you. We bought our first flatscreen TV from Best Buy 3 years ago, and it woked for 3 months, and one morning we turned it on, and there was 1/2 the screen one color, 1/2 another color. No adjusting worked...the store said they only honor 90 days...it had been 92! We called the 800 number in our manual--and could notmake the person understand the problem...major language barrier. Then another person there, told us to repackageit in the original box and packing material and ship it back----overseas...mmmhmmm right!!! We called the credit card company, and 5 days later we had a new TV delivered, and a box with a label, and instructions for P/U. All at no additional cost to us! We like Wheetsin will use a card at Sears for instance, when they offer an additional 20% off if you use it, and then I go back to the counter and pay it off with a check before even leaving the store! Every little bit helps!!! Kat