Deactivated

:w00t: Oh, that's just wrong! You could have been banded 3 months ago! I too am playing the waiting game. I called today about the status of my appeal and was told that a decision hasn't been made.

Mine is going to be named Ringo. It will be my Starr.

We have a $200 program fee. I think it's ridiculous, but they say it covers the cost of the "free" seminar, "free" support group meetings, "free" informational packet that we get. But $4,000!!:tongue2: I'm thinking $200 is a real bargain. You would think that the entire cost to the surgeon's office could be built into their charges, because it's all a part of the care/success of the patient. But then I know that federal rules can regulate what costs that can be allowed to be built into their charges. I think I would look around for another doctor, or negotiate a price with them based on your ability to pay. I would think they would rather keep you as a patient and get payment from your insurance company, instead of losing you as a patient altogether. Worth a shot. All they can do is say no.

I have quite a sense of humor.....sometimes a "sick" sense of humor. Nothing like a good laugh to make it through the day!

Your sister has most likely heard many, many comments from others about your weight loss and how nice you look. This must be really hard for her to hear. She may have had others ask her why she doesn't have the surgery. Stating that you are cheating is a defense mechanism. Your nephew is also using that as an excuse for his mother. At family gatherings, she has to see that you are eating healthy. The band doesn't make you eat healthy; it just helps you not eat in excess. Maybe if you explain to her in a nice way about how hard it is at times because of head hunger and cravings that the band doesn't cure. Even though I haven't yet had the surgery, my friends and family ask a lot of questions and one of the main points of what I tell them is how it is just a tool and that the hard work will be up to me. I have to admit that I too thought that WLS was the easy way out until I started researching and educating myself about WLS, including RNY and VSG, so I understand why people think this way. If having the surgery is cheating, then I'm also cheating by wearing eyeglasses; they a tool to help me see better. I could choose not to use them, but why would I when I can see so much better with them? Same thought process for WLS. BTW. Congratulations on your weight loss! Wanda

I would write a letter to the hospital administration. That's just inapprpriate and unprofessional.

Sugar daddy Ken is kind of hot. LOL

someone e-mailed it to me. Love it!

It has happened to be best of us. Barbie is joining us in our battle. Her WLS choice is the "plastic" lap band. After she loses all her weight, she'll have plastic surgery!

Congratulations on being banded. I can't wait!

Thanks. I love a good laugh.

I work four our county public health and we gave about 600 vaccinations last week. We live in a very small county (pop. 5,000). Since I am in administration and not a hands-on medical person, I don't qualify in any of the high risk groups, but as soon as it is available, I will get it. Every Wed. we sit in on a teleconference with the Iowa State Dept. of Health in regard to H1N1. We learned last week that this vaccine went through more testing than the seasonal flu vaccine does annually. The seasonal flu vaccine isn't the same every year; it's made based on what flu the "experts" think will be going around. My grandson got the vaccination and his dad (my son) got H1N1, but thankfully Jarod didn't catch it, because he's got asthma. I'm sure the vaccination kept him from catching it from his dad. My personal opinion is that in this "sue happy" world, the manufacturers wouldn't put it out there if they didn't feel it is safe. As with seasonal influenza, Guillain-Barre syndrome is very rare, but possible. It's a personal choice, though and I can understand why some people are reluctant to get it.