Aquarius12459

Laurie, if you mixing your own protein shakes and are using water, try adding either a 1/2 cup of the cottage cheese or a 6 oz of either vanilla or plain to the chocolate shake in the blender. It will help make it a little thicker and you really don't taste it. A fruit flavored yogurt would do well in a vanilla flavored protein shake or you could take a RTD one and put it in the blender and add it.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)-Symptoms

Congratulations! May I ask which diabetic meds you were on and what the dosage was? I'm currently on 1500 mgs of metformin a day - 500 in the AM and 1000 at night. Also take a 10 mg lisinopril for blood pressure.

That is terrible. :smile: I've been doing research and that is why I am here and still do not have any affirmative plans to get banded. Still doing research and trying to lose on my own. I am finding that the more Protein you get, the fuller you feel and that helps a lot but still have to eat some food and not just all Protein shakes. This gives me more determination to work harder at losing it without surgery.

Is there anyway that her surgeon can resubmit it to the insurance company and write a letter to her employer? Was thinking that maybe on a case by case basis they could adjust it if it was deamed "medically necessary" as opposed to just wanting the surgery and having co-morbidities? My half sister went though heck and high Water with their insurance company before she finally got the OK for the RNY surgery. She was nearly 500 lbs (long story - 2 knee surgeries that we not successful and then she ended up not being able to hardly walk, let alone exercise) and lost about 50 pre-surgery. She had to submit the paperwork 3 or 4 times because they kept saying that it was "cosmetic and elective" surgery and not medically necessary. This was several years ago. She now is down to around 240-260 range but has probably 30-40 lbs of sagging skin that the insurance company will not approve the surgery to remove the excess skin from her stomach and arms and legs. It is sooooo frustrating because it really should be a package deal if they approve the weightloss surgery.

Does she have any comorbidities or other issues that would otherwise get her approved if it weren't for the clause and is her BMI 40+?

Glad your surgery went well. Good luck to you on the next leg of your journey to a healthy new you!

This thread got me thinking about how much I like the Coffee Coolattas at Dunkin Donuts so I am inspired to come up with my own recipe for one using cold coffee, protein powder, ice cubes and perhaps either some lowfat milk or powdered coffee creamer. Anyone know where you can buy the no sugar liquid flavorings for coffee? I love toasted coconut and almond flavorings.

I hear you! I don't think I could do it at all but it was just a thought and since the weather is getting warmer, I guess hot chocolate seems a little out of season. Good luck tomorrow! I wish you all the best on your endeavor. PS....you might want to post it on Craigs List and maybe let your doctors office know and maybe they can pass the word to some new patients.

Are you able to use any of it post op for the first 4 weeks with more liquid and soft mushies? (rather than waste if, of course)

Good luck to all you tomorrow! :laugh:

BritBrit....are you losing your insurance because you will no longer be covered under your parents policy as a FT student? It sounds like you have other issues that would get you approved for the surgery as long as the insurance covers it. I would suggest that you talk to your primary care dr and get a referral to a couple of different surgeons in your area and then call their clinics and find out if they do in person or webinar information seminars and register to attend with your mother (for support) so that you get all the details from that end. If you would need to be on a 6 mo pre-op dr supervised diet to get approved, it would be best to start that as soon as possible. Get all the details on the insurance that your work offers - the plans, the company and compare it to what you currently have and if your potential surgeon/dr accepts both insurances if they are different companies. He may be able to offer some insite into which would be easier to get approved under. You may only be able to get covered when they have open enrollment periods which are usually in the fall and are effective as of Jan 1 of the next year. Some allow "life changing events" to add or delete a person that is covered. Married, divorced, death are a few. I would think turning 23 and no longer being a student would be one also so that is why I am thinking that you should look into getting your own insurance through work when they have open enrollment as that would take effect 2-3 months prior to you not being covered and you could possibly have the surgery in Jan 2011 right after the holidays. (just a thought and forever thinking outside the box) Continue your Water exercise and try to lose some additional weight. If you are going it on your own, keep reading this forum for ideas and recipes. Try to do a 2 wk liquid Protein pre-op diet on your own to see if you have the willpower and help you jump start your weight loss. (not advocating you continue liquids only but after 2 weeks, maybe use it as a tool a couple days a week alternating with a good lowcal balanced diet in-between).

Can your doctor give you a referral or a list of doctors within a 100 mi radius that performs the lap band surgery so that you could either check them out online or call their clinic to find out? Also, I'm not familiar with medicaid procedures......do you get an option of being on some sort of HMO like the Seniors that are on medicare do?