MimIN

I too have BCBSM and I too am getting the run around where they are saying they do not have any record of it. My situation may be a little different as I am a band to bypass conversion due to complications. I was told I do need authorization. What day did your Dr office submit? Mine was on Thursday, I have heard it takes a few days to get into the system. My surgery date is tentatively scheduled for May 12th so I had hoped I would have received a fast response.

Karey: I am so sorry about your band again:( I had a minor slip last year and removing all my Fluid for 6 weeks fixed it! So don't give up hope! I now have much less than I had before, I am somewhere around 1.4cc where I had been up around 2.5 when I slipped. I have not had an ajustment since and although I could use a fill I just don't want to risk it so I fight the temptations instead and have to rely on myself more than the band. I too am terrified of gaining weight back so I would totally do the same thing and go for an alternative surgery if I had to. I hope the unfill does it for you, you have been through enough already! It was not until this last surgery that I realized how done I am. Recovery has been harder with this one that the rest it seems. I have had very little go wrong *knock on wood* but my goodness this round knocked me on my butt. This is my first week back to work and it has been a rough one.

Hey Karey!! I am doing great, how are you!? Just as I get in the running for the crown, I drop out! I am done, I have absolutly no regrets about anything but I have reached that time where I have to just accept me for me. Wedding plans are well... non existant.... I can't make up my mind on anything! Jamie is all on board for whatever I want and I just can't decide. So the date moved from 4/3/2010 to 10/2/2010 to give more time :tongue_smilie:

For myself all of my surgeries have been self-pay. My medial thigh lift by itself would have been 6500 but I also included brachioplasty taking it to 10200 with hospital stay. Doing them together saved about $2000.

I had a medial thighlift with inseam Feb 27th so I am about 3 weeks out. Even with the swelling and the drains I immediately saw a huge improvement over what they were before surgery. Now the swelling is starting to reduce and I am seeing where they are not as perfect as I would have liked (some cellulite still visible) but when compared with my before pictures, it is amazing. I think with a thighlift you have to have realistic expectations.My thighs before were very misshapen and loose. I advise not to expect to come out with thighs of a VS model (that is what I was hoping for! :tt2: and you should be happy with the results. my incisions are healing nicely and so far are still very thin. They extend a bit past my knee to address the "knee buldge" which is my favorite part! My least favorite part about the whole thing is the incisions up in my groin area, but they are still healing. I have a very talented surgeon that has done a remarkable job on all my procedures, all my scaring looks great and in a lot of places after healing are hardly noticable. Only 3 weeks out it is hard to say for sure what the end result will be but for now I am very pleased. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

I wanted to echo HoosierDoula and say Dr. Chris Jones is fabulous! He has performed all my plastics post lapband weight loss (Breast implants, LBL, Lipo and an upcoming brachioplasty and medialthigh lift). Not only is he an amazingly talented surgeon he is also a wonderful person. I can't being to explain how much he has impacted my life; I love him to bits. I had lost a tad over 100lbs when I went to him for the LBL and was very bottom heavy despite all the weight I had lost so I understand the frustrations of clothing not fitting properly and wanting the your lower body to fit the rest. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a talented Surgeon that is experienced with bariatric patients.

Hi All! I am sorry I've been out of the loop for so long! I have had a lot going on, both good and well, not so good. How is everyone? I am sad and ashamed to report that I have had a total unfill due to pouch dialation. I started having really bad acid reflux and was unable to eat anything with substance for a few days and instead of going in right away I put it off 'hoping' it would rectify itself. I had a really bad attack one evening, the next day I was unable to keep anything down so made an emergency appt and drove to Cincinnati. Although I did not slip, it was close and I am not out of the woods yet. Total unfill for the next 4 weeks and then back to see how it looks. I was over-filled and I knew it and then stress seems to affect my band and it tightened right up. I've been at this almost 2 years, one would think I knew better! So now onto battle keeping the weight off. I am down to 163lbs and if I never lose another pound I will be happy but I fear I will gain. I rely far to heavily on my band:( Onto brighter things, my fiance and I have made the offical decision to have a destination wedding and have told family and friends to back off. We have had good reactions from everyone and suprisingly every one seems to be suportive. We will be taking a cruise in December through the Caribbean; our excuse is Wedding planning

You ladies are right and we should do what we want but I still want everyone to be happy with our decision. I don't want a traditional wedding with 200 guests, I just want something small with my closest friends and family but as people find out we picked a date (4-3-10) they have a lot of input to share... We may just run away and elope and tell everyone after - it's easier! On a different note I am down to 167lbs as of this morning. I still have 'pockets' of swelling but for the most part it is gone and I am finally back to feeling normal. I have not yet had the guts to try spinning but I am back to riding my bike, walking and working back upto running.

Bjean: awww thanks you made me blush :cursing: I'm glad to see you are back in action! I need to check out the protien you are using since you say it is good. I have been using Isopure (only powder I can stand) for a really long time and recently it started upsetting my stomach and I can't deal with it anymore. Karey: I am soooo sorry you have been hit with those bills, it is not fair! I like jjsmiles am from Canada and although I have lived in the US for almost 10 years I can't get use to the health system. Everything is overcharged here from cotton swabs to OR time - it's sad that they capitolize on those in need. $6000 for ER when you never used the ER is unbelievable. *hugs* On the bright side, you are ok! We can't forget that! Wedding plans are slow, just when I think I'm getting somewhere someone comes along and takes the air out of my sails. I really want to do a destination wedding in Aruba and then when everyone whined about how expensive and far it was I decided Arizona and that was too expensive so I said FINE VEGAS and well that is too cheesy apparently.... I am trying to make everyone else happy and forgetting about us - I need to get over that.

Holy crap I have missed a lot! Karey first and foremost, happy belated birthday! I am soooo sorry to hear of your slippage but I am so glad you are ok! How are you feeling? I think reading through all the posts has really given me a reality check; I have been pretty dang tight since my last fill and I am FINALLY losing but its just not worth the risk. I've made an appt for an unfill. I apologize I've been MIA - I have been working crazy hours and it seems that when I'm at work my head is spinning in every direction I forget to do the things I enjoy, like talking to y'all!

FINALLY, this swelling is starting to give! I am obsessed with the scale and am on it every day and today it reads 175! A far cry from the 193 just 2 weeks ago. :party:

I have a deskjob (IT) and I took a Wed through Sunday off returning the following Monday without much issue.

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz (Obesity Control Center) in Tijuana 9/2006 and I loved them so much my fiance was banded by him May of this year. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Ortiz and would recommend them in a heartbeat!

I had totally missed your post about Bjean, Karey. Gosh I hope she's ok!

Karey: I need this thread too, when I stay active on the forum I keep on track. The support is what I need! Renewed: I use to do the same thing and would lift the flap and think "wow if only this were gone" and I never could totally envision what it would be like without it because I had it so many years. I had an LBL at the end of November and it's the most amazing thing to have no tummy! Now I just need to get rid of these "love handles"!

Renewedhope: My favorite is the Java Mocha and Vanilla Bean. The Hazelnut is good but I didn't try the Cappuccino. You probably could microwave them but they are meant to be drank chilled, much like the Stackbucks fraps. I bought mine at my dr's office where they sell them individually. He has an estore but they aren't on there yet; if you emailed them and asked they may sell them to you individually ($4 each from him). The Band Doctor I am really bad on liquid calories because I love things like fraps and high surgar crud so these are an awesome replacement for my beloved starbucks!

I'm back! Thank you Karey for the PM, it sent me an email and kick my butt back in here. This swelling has been a major pain in the arse. I have had to wear compression garments from toe to boobs, cut out as much sodium as possible and drink drink drink Water.... I hate water :cool: I have also been referred to a lymphadema center and will start treatments next week. I am very suprised at how sore I still am, granted it has only been 3 weeks. On the scale I am showing 183lbs, 10lbs down but it is just Fluid loss. I am walking the neighborhood but physical activity promotes swelling - UGH! I miss the gym and my spinning class but there is no way I can do that right now. I went with my fiance on Wednesday for his first fill and while I was there I decided to get a small adjustment. I was able to eat quite a bit of food so now I'm back down to 2/3s a cup at a meal. We rid our house of all the junk and both are back ontrack. Karey: WOW, 8lbs already!! Congrats! Once I'm functioning normally I think I'm going to give the diet a try. Has anyone tried the Achiev One coffee drinks? I am a big fan of the store bought stackbucks fraps that have no nutritional value at all but they're goooood.... My Dr's office sells them and I bought a few and OMG they are awesome. They are non-fat 120 cal, 5 carbs and 20 grams of protien. It's my new morning drink.

Oh my Karey, it's terrible. I am sooo swollen and I have cankles! It is very uncomfortable. I have tried just about everything. My Dr wont give me a diuretic and over the counter isn't doing a thing. I have steadily shown a 2lb gain each morning. I should stay off the scale but it just amazes me that I had approx 8lbs removed yet I am showing a 21lb gain from day of surgery. I am looking forward to learn more about the HCG diet, it sounds interesting. Is it spendy? Julie: welcome and thanks for joining us! I too have a very fickle band and have been for more fills/unfills than I can count. It is so frustrating!

HI all! Today is the day! I am still quite swollen after my last dance with my surgeon but I am here and ready to lose this last bit! Before my last surgery (June 20th) I weighed 172lbs, TODAY I weighed in at 193lbs so that is what I am starting with :smile2:

Karey I think that is a great idea, the more support the better! I too am very serious, I was at goal at one point but I've really fallen off the wagon and need to get back on track. I don't want to hit my 2 year mark and still be 20lbs over weight (especially after all this dang surgery!) I need a big ol' kick in the pants!

I did have tumescent lipo and I would be a liar if I said it didn't hurt. It hurt like h#!! Friday but the pain is decreasing as time goes by. I had a lot removed from my thighs and that is what hurts the most. I have drains in my thighs and that is adding to the irritation. I thought I could go back to work on Tuesday but right now I'm not so sure although I am moving a lot better today. I would really like to get married somewhere in the caribbean but when it was mentioned to family we got a lot of negative feedback. What we need to do is just plan it, tell everybody where it's at and be done with it but I have a hard time doing something I know is going to upset the masses so instead I do nothing. July 1st it is! Anyone else interested in joining in?

July 1st sounds good to me, I would also like to lose 20lbs or so. My backside turned out ok in the end; Gravity caught up and rounded it out, haha. I was very unhappy with my thighs and low back above my rear. So Friday I had lipo above my tush, hips and front/inner thighs. In 3 months or so I will go back again for a medial thigh lift. We really haven't started planning the wedding yet. All my family is in Canada and all of his is in North Dakota and then we live in Indiana. Deciding location that will keep everyone happy is causing stress so I put it off, haha. I think I just want to run away and elope!

Hey All! I thought I would check in and see how everyone is doing! I have some news to share; My fiancee Jamie joined the band. He was banded on May 29th and has already lost 30lbs. He's happy and inturn that makes me happy! Karey: I would love to start another challenge! I just had surgery yesterday but should be back to normal routine in a week. I have been horrible with my eating and exercise, I need to get back on track and the challenges have always helped me with that!

I have a friend who swears the swelling and bruising only lasts a few days and in a week it looks fabulous so I wouldn't worry too much about the bruising being there for the wedding. It's amazing stuff, she is 42 and really has never 'looked' her age but now that she regularly gets botox and juvaderm she looks younger than I do 12 years her junior. I really REALLY want it now that I am noticing my nasolabials deepening and seeing fine lines. I wont be growing old gracefully, that I can guarantee!

Thanks Karey! Oh my gosh, if there could be a show "engagement proposals gone wrong" we would be on it! I am going to cut and paste from my facebook "The Whole Psycho Story to my engagement" blog because I'm too lazy to type it all out again, haha. ************************************ To those that know me, this will not at all shock or surprise you. Saturday, March 22nd I am having my normal lazy Saturday, Jamie is at work and I am perusing around the Internet from bed. I logged into our bank just to see what was to be paid, and I notice right away that there is a lot of money missing - WHAT THE HELL. I call Jamie and ask where it went, he says he withdrew it to buy a car; The price he told me for the car and the money missing was a couple thousand different than the asking price of the car. I grilled him a bit but let it go for the moment because I wasn’t getting anywhere. That evening Jamie came home and met up with a guy and sold his car. He wants to go to dinner and tells me to pick something nice - I picked the Texas Roadhouse (not nice but it is what I thought I wanted). I bring up the money again, he then tells me it is in the Supra which is in Greenwood - What idiot leaves that kind of money in a car unattended? So I flip out again and want to go there right then and there to get the money. Jamie somehow talks me into dinner first, pick up car and money after. We arrive at the Texas Roadhouse, order and the evening is going ok. I tell him we have to go get his car and then take movies back. He then busts out with a confession "I have to tell you something and I don’t want you to get mad" I already know after that statement I was going to be mad... he follows with "I spent that money... but it was a good deal" That is what is said every time he buys a car without consulting me. I was so mad I could have spit fire! I told him we were over, grabbed my coat and purse and stormed out. I was going to leave him there but figured I’d have to go back for him anyway so I went back in and sat down. I demanded we leave, I was taking him home and I was done. I could not trust him, he lied to me, and the psycho rant goes on. The waiter brings dessert to the table and places it in between us and after he walks away I continue to rip Jamie a new ass. He pushes the dessert plate toward me and I pushed it back "I don’t want any f$#!* dessert" he then pushed it back and again I flung it away but wait a second... there is something on top of the brownie mess.... it sparkles... is that what I think it is? And from bitching in hyper speed I go silent. Oh damn I messed up. There it was the ring I had described many times in all it’s glory and Ive just dumped this man. I am the biggest jerk on earth. He is smiling, I am tearing and speechless; I am never speechless with him! He then tells me he is not getting on one knee in that shit hole I but does put the ring on my finger and asks "do you want to get married or whatever?" I say yes and then what I was not expecting: THE WHOLE RESTAURANT BREAKS INTO CHEER. Yes, we had witnesses to this whole psychotic breakdown of events. I am completely embarrassed at this point, can’t do anything except smile and try to hide the tears. I realized that night that there is no other man in this world that knows me better, has seen the best and the worst of me and still continues to love me with everything he is and has. He is an ass sometimes (as am I) and he is difficult from time to time but he does make me happy even if I don’t always realize it. Hell, he knows I’m psycho and still wants to marry me, he’s a keeper! ******************************************