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Thanks...these are the exact same reason I chose VS. Just want to make sure tha i's the right choice. UCLA 12/13/10! WOOHOO!

Hey BRAT ( lol) sorry had tooo thats to cute , anyhow I am right there with you and so very excited and scared nervous all of the above but am tooo feelin like its worth it to bail on new yrs this year cuz next year will be a blast for me and you!!! yay us ..... my email is noura_shuman@sbcglobal.net lets keep in touch I am getting banded on 01/07/2010 let me know what to expect my stats are i am 5' 6 and 252 my goalk is 180 by next summer hope I make it dont wanna be skinny just belly dancer chubby(lol) you know what I me i actually dont think i will ever be less than that anyway ... well congrats to u and good luck keep me posted lookin forward to hearing from you!!!

And I feel lika big, fat sausage. I have gained 10 lbs since my band unfill the first of march, and I am worried about what might happen before I get the surgery. The doc has to remove my band(maybe week after next) wait 1-2 months for my stomach to heal, then i will get sleeved. I dont want to put on another 10 or 20 lbs! Maybe I should get some appetite supressants or something. Blech, Lisa

Are you taking your vitamins and your 200mg coenzyme Q 10?

Agencies considering changing policy on payments Friday, November 5, 2004 Posted: 10:59 AM EST (1559 GMT) BALTIMORE, Maryland (Reuters) -- Obesity surgery has helped many patients lose weight and improve their health, a panel of experts told U.S. regulators Thursday, but they added there was not enough data on how well it has worked for elderly patients covered by Medicare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is considering whether the government's health insurance plan for the elderly and disabled should change its payment policy for the surgery, which shrinks the stomach by removing part of it or implanting a removable band. "I didn't see any data whatsoever that these very same results could be applied" to Medicare patients, said Barbara McNeil, panel vice chairwoman and head of health-care policy at Harvard Medical School. Regulations limit CMS coverage to defined diseases, but earlier this year the agency deleted language that said obesity was not a disease. The panelists' advice is not binding but will help CMS officials decide if changes are needed. The agency already covers weight loss surgery to alleviate serious obesity-related conditions like diabetes, but coverage varies among regions. Most Medicare patients who get coverage for the surgery are younger, disabled patients, according to the American Obesity Association. Private health insurers, which often eye Medicare coverage decisions when formulating their own, have been growing more skeptical of such surgeries, some experts have said. The panelists examined data on several types of surgeries, including gastric bypass, which removes part of the stomach and connects the remaining portion to the small intestine to bypass much of the digestive system. Another procedure, called gastric banding, uses a type a adjustable fluid-filled band to squeeze off a part of the stomach. A number of companies make devices or parts used in the surgery, including Inamed Corp., International Ltd. and Synovis Life Technologies Inc.. Johnson & Johnson also makes stomach bands used in Europe. Doctors and advocates called on the panel to recommend that CMS cover all obesity surgeries, including the adjustable band, as well as psychiatric and nutrition counseling. Picking a specific treatment "is a decision best left to the patient and to the surgeon," said Dr. Henry Buchwald, a non-voting panelist and surgery professor at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Some surgeons complained that Medicare denied coverage for some severe bypass cases and called on officials to establish a clearer policy. Weight problems are a growing health issue in the United States, where nearly two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, according to the National Institutes of Health. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) - a weight-for-height ratio - of more than 30. For an average woman, that usually means being 30 pounds overweight and, for an average man, 35 to 40 pounds.

I had 3 steroid injections over a few months last summer/fall--one in my S/I joint, one in my facet joints, and one epidural. I know a lot of people find relief with the injections, but they didn't make a difference with my pain. However, I think that my weight (and the fact that most of it it in my gut) has been causing most of my back issues--at over 40 lbs down now, my back is not bothering me nearly as much. The injections themselves are not a big deal. My doc did put me under to do them, but they only take about 10 minutes each. I couldn't drive the rest of that day, and slept most of it anyway. I did end up taking the following day off as well, because often you have increased pain for a few days immediately after the injection.

I just have to post and say that I am feeling a bit anxious today! I called the Insurance Co yesterday tosee where we were at and they said that things were moving right along... :rolleyes2:the Surgeon that I have chosen has been approved, (on 10/26) and they had a Reference number for the Hospital. Now it is thier partners job to approve the hospital and that shouldn't take to long. Just knowing that I am have way to being approved is making butterflies :thumbup: in my stomach!!! I just know that I will be getting banded in January and I can't wait. I realize that January is still 2 months away but wow... It's ONLY 2 months!!!:crying:

Yesterday I had to have all of my fluid removed due to dehydration complications. I had a fill on 8-6 and it was really really tight, much tighter than ever before and I kind of suspected it was too much for me, but I had been plateaued for over a month and was impatient and restless to get back to losing, so even though drinking water in the dr.s office didn't go down as easily as I said to him it did, I felt like I could use the extra restriction. And the weight melted off quickly, 10 lbs in a week and I was thrilled. Sure I wasn't able to keep hardly anything down, but fluids went down fine and I ignored my body freaking out. I ignored my near constant dizziness and the fact that it is unsafe to live on 200-400 calories per day. Told myself I was fine and did not incerase my fluid intake or take my vitamins. Saturday we went hiking and it was a tough hike, Dh kept pressing me to drink more water and I ignored him, I didn't feel thirsty. Sunday I was wiped out and told myself it was just from the hike and rested most of the day, Monday I could not keep anything down, not even fluids. I'd sip and PB, water, juice, everyhing came back up- and I started to be a little concerned. SO Tuesday I took it easy and PB'd a little when I ate solids, but kept fluids down mostly- told myself I was good to go. Wednesday I could not keep fluids down again and admitted to myself that I was probably overfilled but rested Thursday and kept fluids down fine. I did not drink more than I normally would or attempt to really re-hydrate myself. Yesterday was Friday and I realized I was in trouble. I had dropped 15 lbs in less than 2 weeks and my lips were cracking and dry, my head throbbing and I realized I had no kept down a bit of solid food in about a solid week. I sipped water, it came up, I sipped warm juice, it came up, even my saliva was coming up. I called fillcenters that morning and asked to schedule the unfill, told them I was kind of in trouble. My dr was off yesterday and they had trouble scheduling to get me in. By 4pm I was throwing up saliva every 10 minutes and realized if I didn't get an unfill I was going to be in the hospital by the end of the weekend. So I called the dr's office directly and my dr found out the shape I was in and told me to get to his office immediately for an unfill and he came in just for me (nicest guy, I tell you) He advised a complete unfill for the next 2 weeks. I about started to cry but I knew I needed a break and to slow down. We talked about symptoms of dehydration, what I need to do differently and about the negatives of losing the weight too fast. He said for where i am at (close to goal) if I lose more than 3 1/2 lbs a week, I am losing too fast and need to change my eating or get some unfill. He said my body was spazming due to the severe dehydration and we removed all 2.5ccs of my fluid. So here I am, I have a game plan to maintain and stay on track during the next few weeks, going to work at not allowing all those carbs to get me addicted in the next few weeks and after I am hydrated, I have a weight loss goal of 2 lbs to lose on my own without the band. But it's kind of scary to fly solo right now. My body does need a break, but ugh-- if I had taken care of myself and not been so stubborn and high on the rapid loss, I would still have my trusty filled band right now for weak moments. SO DRINK YOUR FLUIDS, FOLKS!!!

Let your doctor know that you will change it to the 22nd and after that will not be changing it again. Your time is valuable too. Doctors like to get their way and they are used to patients doing what they want them to, but ultimately they are regular people to. Explain to them that you have now changed the date twice and will not be changing it again. Leave it there. If they try to change it again let them know that you will be consulting another surgeon and will review the current practice appropriately online. I can appreciate that it is annoying to have the surgery pushed to the 22- I would be mad too. Think though...the surgeon is cutting your stomach out and he wants someone special there to assist him. My question would be...why? Why is my case different, why do you need someone to help you, why are you not comfortable doing this on your own, why is this special helper so important that you need to derail 10 days of my time? I would probably even ask him those questions, but in the end I would rather he have his special helper with him than he kill me because he doesn't feel confident doing the surgery alone. 10 days is not asking a lot if the exchange is a successful surgery.

I didn't know how to pick a goal weight either. I started at 248 with a BMI of 42. I am 5"4' and what they call a medium frame. I have quite a bit of loose skin too, which no one takes into consideration either. Today it shows my MBI at 26.5. I am shooting to loose 100 pounds which would but me on the top end of the scale for my body height and build. I still have about 12 pounds to go. But today I made it to the 150's which is kind of a big deal to me. Terri Branham 10/31/06 Dr. Tull 248.5 pre op 159.5 today down 89

I am on day one, I have done pretty well, I am not hungry at all, I never usually am. So I have about 32 oz of Water down, a shake and a half, the champion shake gave me a stomach ache. So for dinner not wanting to take in the Protein shake of any sort, I had some egg drop Soup (1 cup) and now about an hour and a half later i am having some chicken broth since I haven't consumed near enough calories today OR protein. So now my options are: To get the protein in - have a nectar Drink (23g protein) but not enough calories have a nectar shake (23g protein) and have a slim fast shake 190 calories and 10 grams protein to get the calories in the ball park of 800 for the day, but would overdo the protein....my nut doesn't want me going over 70-75 and that would make 83 for the day. What do i choose?!

I am the same way. I prefer water to anything else. So far, I have not found one that is flavorless that doesn't add some weird texture to the water. The closest I can find is the nectar lemonade... and CytoSport, which is more like gatorade. I tried adding the "supposed" flavorless Protein powders to food (mashed potatoes, oatmeal, etc) but the texture was HORRIBLE to me. I could still tell it was there. So, I just try to eat 10-20 grams of protein each meal (which is easy to do)... and then supplement with a Protein Drink. If your goal is only 60 grams per day, you should be able to reach that with just food.

I try to "eat" at least 10-20 grams of Protein each meal... and then drink one or two protein drinks to reach my goal of 100 grams per day. Personally, I do not like the "milky" type Protein shakes... I have always been more of a gatorade type girl. I tried a lot of protein drinks before I had my surgery so I would know what I liked and didn't like. You can buy samples of protein drinks at Vitalady.com - Protein supplements, Vitamins & Minerals, and Safe Snacks!. I think she has a few hundred different types. I paid $1.50 for each sample (which was one serving... 34.5g of protein). The "Nectar" lemonade flavor is really good She also sells this really cool battery operated mixing/drinking cup. I bought one... just to try... then went back and bought FOUR more! I absolutely L-O-V-E "CytoSport" Protein drinks (the tangerine tastes just like Sunny-D). This brand also has the highest amount of potassium that I have found. 40g of protein per bottle, zero carbs, 160 calories (I think). You can buy them at the VitaminShoppe, GNC, etc. The "ProteinSLAMs" are also pretty good. I like the peach flavored one. Sometimes they seem a bit too syrupy though and I have to dilute them. I also make popsicles out of these protein drinks for when I am feeling "snacky". I have discovered that diluting them with a little with Water before pouring them into the popsicle molds prevents them from melting too fast.

Hey are located in Santa clarita California when I started with them around 6 months ago I was 236lbs 36% body fat 12cc in my band first day I ran a mile in 12 minutes did 15 pushups 10 situps 10 box dips 10cirls with15lbs weights and was completly exhausted now I am 207lbs 18% body fat 5cc yes I took the Fluid out run a mile in 8 minutes do 68 pushups per minute 55 situps 50+ box dips and I curl both arms 50+ with 15lbs weights last week I climbed my Whitney from portal to submit and back down in the same day at this point I have control of my health and my weight I can not be stopped

@@Oregondaisy I have had a lot of experience in this area. I had spondylothesis in my lower lumbar. My disc was almost completely worn away and my L5 had actually fallen creating an unstable lumbar. The nerve was actually trapped caused severe nerve pain. In 2001 I had a lumbar fusion of my l5/S1. Lumbar is a huge surgery and takes a very long time to recover. I was left with nerve damage that ran down my right leg. It almost ended my career because we could not get the pain under control. Many many epidural injections, physical therapy and narcotics and I was still in severe pain but my spine was stable. I wanted a non narcotic solution and finally learned about an internal neuro stimulator. We tested it externally and immediately when we turned it on the pain down my leg improved so significantly I began to cry. Two weeks later I had it installed surgically. That Neurostimulatoe gave me my life back! That was in 2005. I went so many years in severe pain before I found a solution. I have recently had a 3 level spinal fusion in my cervical spine. This too was a huge surgery. Because of the years of recovery needed for lumbar fusion I was terrified to have another fusion and waited until the problem became required due to cord compression. Cervical fusion although painful is definately not as bad as lumbar fusion. Before I had my lumbar fusion a neurosurgeon told me that if I was his wife, mother or daughter he would recommend that I wait until it was absolutely required to survive before having lumbar fusion. One fusion can change everything about how your spine operates causing more damage down the road. He warned me that this is such a long recovery and if you think you know pain now, you definately will after. I really wish I would have listened to him because he was right. I would try every single alternative more than once before moving forward. I wish I had know about the neurostimulator first, it would have made my pain so much more comfortable that I would have been able to live with it without lumbar fusion. I ended up having that lumbar fusion and then a revision before I found a tolerable solution. I have done a ton of research on this subject. I truly believe that my whole spine has been effected by my decision to move forward with lumbar fusion. I now have severe arthritis in my T vertebraes as well as the deterioration of my cervical spine. I still have lower lumbar pain every day but that neurostimulator finally broke through that nerve pain in my leg. Lastly I would say, epidural injections are definately worth it as long as you get results. I used them for 12 years to control my cervical spine pain and when the wear got too bad they stopped working, that is when I knew it was time to think about fusion in my neck. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. Just make sure you manage your expectations. Just because they are doing surgery, does not mean that nerve pain will go away. You may have to find other solutions. I choose not to live on narcotics and have learned there are many more options out there to deal with my pain. I was living on narcotics for over 10 years and honestly they didn't even really help. I know I will live with back pain for the rest of my life, I also know that the more I exercise the better I feel. I no longer let it rule me. I definately did at one point in my life. I will say a prayer that everything works out great for you in whatever you decide. My post is not meant to scare you, but More to make sure you research like crazy before deciding, Best of luck and feel free to reach out directly with questions.

10 days Clear liquids (broth, tea, Water, etc) 10 days full liquids (above, plus Soups mostly) 10 days (I think) soft foods (above plus: mashed potatoes [bad idea], thicker soups, puree'd items and smoothies) After the last ten days I worked my way up to "normal" foods, though it took time to make it to some things. I am also a vegetarian, so you will have more options than I did (i.e. tuna during soft stage, etc). Go check out the Mexico Surgery forum. The first topic is Dr. Aceves info. It should contain a lot of the diet information he advises. Each doctor is different, but, after doing a lot of reading in the primary literature (stuff actual doctors write in peer reviewed journals), I would not recommend following a diet suggested by a doctor which has you eating any soft (or even full/normal foods) earlier than 14 days for soft and 20 for others. Basically, you start clear and work your way up from there. If you have trouble with a particular stage or type of food, go back a step for a day or two and start again with something after that with something else. For example, I tried scrambled eggs early in the soft food section. That didn't sit well. I did not throw up, but I definitely did not have a happy tummy. So, the rest of that day I just had fluids to give my system time to recover. Next day, I had some instant oatmeal and that went down fine. If I had tried the oatmeal later that day, it probably would not have settled well. I hope that helps. Keep em coming.

I just read a great article about Easter; it can be found here: http://www.dailybreeze.com/opinion/articles/6877872.html?page=1&c=y Here's a cut and paste: Evidence of faith, cause for hope Here are ten reasons why the resurrection of Jesus Christ remains the most important occurrence in history. By Paul Viggiano Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church Charles Hodge, the renowned 19th century Princeton theologian, penned these words concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ: "It may be safely asserted that the resurrection of Christ is at once the most important, and the best authenticated, fact in the history of the world." Hodge buttressed this assertion with 10 arguments. Nine of these arguments would pass muster vis-à-vis any other notable historical event. The 10th is undeniable: 1. It was predicted in the Old Testament. The Christian faith began at the dawn of man with God making a promise to redeem mankind through the death and resurrection of the Christ. The Old Testament was a widespread and well-known document. 2. It was foretold by Christ himself. People have twisted the Scriptures from the very beginning. For those who doubted the promise of the Messiah, or were inclined to bend the Scriptures to their own agenda, Jesus re-announced that he would die and rise again. 3. It was an easily verified event. The Resurrection wasn't a matter of secret knowledge. It was a physical resurrection. There was no faith required to observe the risen Christ. 4. It was substantiated by abundant, suitable and frequently repeated evidence. Jesus was a threat to the religion of the Jews and the authority of Rome. They wanted Christianity to end. All they had to do to achieve this was produce the dead body of Jesus. This would never happen. 5. There were numerous, competent witnesses of the event.The Resurrection didn't happen in a vacuum where only the devout or those skilled in piety could observe. Jesus was a public figure followed by hundreds and seen by thousands for 40 days after his resurrection and before his ascension. 6. The conviction of the witnesses was testified by their willingness to suffer even to the point of death. The Christian faith grew dramatically after the ascension of Jesus, due to the spirit-inspired testimony of the apostles who all (but one) were put to death for their faith. It can be argued that people have been known to die for a lie, but it is a much harder argument to make that people will die for something they know to be a lie. 7. God confirmed the testimony of those who witnessed the Resurrection by signs and wonders seen by entire communities. Jesus conferred the power to perform signs and wonder to his apostles; this continued for years. The authorities certainly had the time and occasion to expose these apostles if they weren't genuine. 8. The fact of the Resurrection has been commemorated by a religious observance of the first day of the week from the time it happened until this present time. The regularity of millions (now billions) of people meeting on a weekly basis for thousands of years speaks toward the reliability of the data. 9. The effects produced by the Gospel admit of no other rational solution than the truth of Christ's death and subsequent resurrection. The Christian church is his monument. All believers are his witnesses. The tome of literary, archeological and historical evidence of the Resurrection is simply unmatched. Unbiased observers have taken historical events as fact with much less evidence. The truth of the Gospel, the Resurrection, in fact all of Scripture can, and always has, passed every legitimate method of scrutiny. The real question is, "How legitimate are the methods?" Using man-made disciplines and evidences to determine the authenticity of Scripture would be like using my Casio to determine the accuracy of the atomic clock. Add this to the fact that man has a propensity to interpret facts through his own grid. For example, if someone's grid doesn't allow for miracles, he won't believe the event was a miracle no matter how much evidence he is given; he'll just wait for some new explanation. Besides, it would be foolish to think that God has left us at the mercy of our own ability to do research in order to know the truth, let alone be saved. This brings us to Hodge's last point. 10. Simply put, we know the Resurrection truly took place. Jesus said that his words are sufficient to judge us -- words which we still have in the Bible. The testimony of God's word is self-evident and undeniable. When people deny the Scriptures, they are denying something they know to be true in the depth of their heart. Man's accountability to God is not capricious; it is based in something men know. And what a glorious thing God has revealed to us -- that there is hope beyond the grave. Jesus is called the first fruits of the Resurrection because those who trust in him will be resurrected as well -- this is what the Bible calls the good news. He is risen indeed!

Hi Mellygirl! I'm from Mt. Washington so we're really close! I am getting banded on 10-30-08 but having to go to MX to get it done...no ins coverage but am super excited (and nervous)about the trip. I've done a lot of research and am confident in my decision. Maybe we can keep in touch since we are so close!

I have BCBS also, and you have to read the requirements very carefully. They basically require 6 months of monitored weight loss plan, documented every month by the PCP. Failure to be able to lose 10% of body weight, in spite of the supervised program is qualifying for surgery. When I first read the requirements, I thought it said I had to LOSE 10% to qualify - to demonstrate compliance with the program, but that;s not what it really says. I think I stayed about the same weight. I was tipping the 40 BMI, but what really helped me was getting a sleep apnea diagnosis, which lowered the qualifying BMI. BCBS is tricky. Just read those requirements over and over until you understand them thoroughly. As long as your PCP also documents all your weight loss attempts very thoroughly, you should not have a problem. My PCP did an amazing job. She knew how to "play the game" and told me she had never had any of her patients denied WLS.

Hootiebelle, I did have the band removed and converted to an MGB. I've had a great experience with the MGB and I have also had great success. I've gone from a size 20 to a size 8 in 10 months. I am very happy with my decision to convert.