CarmenPonce

Sugar alcohols are used in place of regular sugars and can be tolerated by diabetics. It is in most sweets that have “No Sugar”. Sugar alcohols are not associated with alcohol sprits (lol, restlessmonkey). Sugar alcohols are usually incompletely absorbed into the blood stream from the small intestines which generally results in a smaller change in blood glucose than "regular" sugar (sucrose). This property makes them popular sweeteners among diabetics and people on low-carbohydrate diets. However, as for many other incompletely digestible substances (such as dietary fiber), overconsumption of sugar alcohols can lead to bloating, diarrhea and flatulence because they are not absorbed in the small intestine. Some individuals experience such symptoms even in a single-serving quantity. With continued use, most people develop a degree of tolerance to sugar alcohols and no longer experience these symptoms. As an exception, erythritol is actually absorbed in the small intestine and excreted unchanged through urine, so it has no side effects at typical levels of consumption.

I am also in Insurance (I am a health insurance agent) and at this point no insurance carrier is covering cosmetic surgeries post weight loss. Now panniculectomy is the removal of excess skin which may be medically necessary in some cases, such as in the case of the excess skin causing infections or ulcers. So, in this case the panniculectomy would be covered if you doctor recommends and insurance approves. An abdominoplasty is not only the removal of excess skin but also tighten of the abdominal muscles and lipo sculpture. This procedure is considered purely cosmetic and not covered by insurance. I hope this answers some of you questions.

I think you just ate too much. I know it doesn’t seem like it should be so, but what you are explaining is how I feel if I eat too much. You see the food we eat takes a much longer time to pass through the band, so when you drank later after eating it is likely all of your food had not passed through yet so the liquids you drank just filled you back up. Try to eat smaller portions and slower as this will allow you brain to register when you are full.

Yes it is normal. After a fill you will be a little swollen. The gurgling sound is the water passing through and the pain is likely to be from the swelling. No need to fret You should follow you dr.'s post fill procedure, my told me liquids for 1 1/2 days after fill.

I was told also no white pasta or easer yet (lol) no white four products at all for a while. Well last week i went to lunch with my boss and had a burrito ate about half went down fine but about 15 min.'s later OH MY GOD the pain. I guess the torttilla swelled up and OUCH. So i've learned my lession. Others will say "check with your doc" this is good sound advise. I've also read where others have no problem with breads and pastas. If you want to be a hard head (lol) like me (I'm always testing my limits) you could try but its not advisable.

Surgery on Friday back to work on Tuesday, I have a desk job.

I am here in Garden Grove, i was banded 4 weeks ago. Would love to meet up with some of you from the OC and have coffee or somthing. Send me a PM

Banded 03/13/09 doing good, pretty easy recovery. Surgery Friday back to work the following Tuesday. Have lost 22lbs so far. Am getting my 1st fill tomarrow.

I can relate with your issues as I have also had to deal with anxiety for which I take medication. I have been hospitalized a few times for anxiety. I have also been heavy for quite a while. One thing my Doc told me (and it makes sense) is when you start to lose the weigh (in a healthy manor) your mental health will also improve. You see, because of the weight I have developed a hormone imbalance and by losing the excess weight I can help to regulate my hormones. Hormones can do craze things to us and make us do crazy things, you should have your hormones checked! I can tell you I have lost 22lbs since 03/13/09 and am starting to feel better, my doc has even started to lower my anxiety med dosage. BTW… my doc was not concerned with letting me have surgery while taking my anxiety meds.

I'm in, I live in Garden Grove. Just tell me when and where and i'll be there with bells on.

A "pb" is a productive Burp. It's kind of like throwing up but does not come from your stomach more like your new pouch. My Daughter calls it baby barfing, lol. It happens when you get something stuck and it won’t go down, it has to come back up. Believe me you will know what it is when it happens. It has happened to me 3 times since my surgery date on 03/13/09.

UHC does not typically require the 6 month medically supervised diet which other Insurance Carriers require. UHC is usually one of the easer health insurance carriers to get approval from. I know this because I am not only a UHC member but also a health insurance broker. Here are a few thing you can do to help you better understand you health benefits. 1) Log on to https://www.myuhc.com and setup an account for your self. This account will be linked to your UHC Health Insurance and should give you some specifics regarding your benefits. 2) Call UHC and get an “EOB” Explanation of Benefits, This is a full explanation of your benefits (not just a summary) which will explain what is required for you to have Bariatric Surgery. Also ask UHC for “EOC” Evidence of Coverage. This will good to have on hand. 3) You should have received an approval letter from UHC stating what (if any) are your bariatric surgery requirements (your doctor should have submitted paperwork to UHC to get approval, you can not do this your self). If the Doctor is saying “you need a six month diet” ask where did you get this info from? Have you received a requirement letter or approval letter from the carrier? BTW… UHC will also send you these letters, so if you have not received them nether has your doctor’s office.

I'm also in So Cal, Garden Grove. I was banded 03/13/09 at the OBand Center and have lost 17lbs so far. I'm sure you will do great :cursing: if you need a buddy. i'm here for you! Send me a message if you need to chat.

I will be getting banded at a surgery center on the 13th of March (woot). :thumbup:Where were you banded? What are the differences? Pro's & Con's any insight you would have would be helpful. I have had surgeries in the past but always at a hospital. Ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) are also known as outpatient surgery centers or same day surgery centers verses a traditional Inpatient Hospital where you may need to stay over night.

I will be following right behind both of you. My surgery date is this comming Friday.

I too was told "No Gum". I think it has do to with what could happen if you swallow it.

I will be getting banded at a surgery center on the 13th of March (woot). Where were you banded? What are the differences? Pro's & Con's any insight you would have would be helpful. I have had surgeries in thepast but always at a hospital.

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) are also known as outpatient surgery centers or same day surgery centers verses a traditional Inpatient Hospital where you may need to stay over night.

Thank you for your response. Just knowing i'm not alone in this is great.

Hi all, My name is Carmen and will be having my surgery on March 13th. Yes, I know it is Friday the 13th:crying: (lol!!!), but I think this will be one of my most luckest days. I do have two questions although. 1) Do you have any tips on what I should stock up at home for post op? Things you have found helpful. 2) Because of my weight I developed a hormone imbalance and due to the imbalance I strated to have some facial hair. I'm so embarassed about it, as i now have to shave it. Like a man. Its not a full beard or anything. The question is has anyone else had this problem and did it go away with weight loss?

I will be getting banded on Friday the 13th and an determined not to fail. So i would like a buddy to talk with durring this long process. Some one to guid me and support me. I hope i'm not asking to much:unsure:.

Thanks for the support on my up and comming banding. Do you know of any local support groups???

laurentayler, I am in Garden Grove not too far from you and will be getting banded on the 13th. I also have UHC/PacifiCare but I have a PPO. I did not have to get a referral from my PCP. As far as PacifiCare I have been told by my doc that this is one of the easiest carriers to get approval from here in Ca. I would like to keep in touch as we live so close to each other. :confused: