dreamhappy07

HI ALL, I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE KNEW WHEN THE OPRAH SHOW ON OCC AND CASSIE WILL BE AIRING? I WENT TO OPRAH'S WEBSITE AND TRIED TO FIND OUT NEXT WEEK'S SHOW AND IT JUST GAVE A FEW SNEAK PEAKS. I COPIED AND PASTED THE SNEAK PEAK THAT I THOUGHT MIGHT BE IT, BUT NOT SURE... Then, tune in on Monday How far would you go to help your child lose weight? Our cameras follow a 340-pound high school senior into surgery. MAYBE? MAYBE NOT. HMMM. I TRIED ANYWAYS. TAKE CARE ALL, PEACE, JUDY p.s. yes, I know I really need to update my avatar...lol I look so much better now.

Hi, I was told by Dr. Miranda to only have a lean cuisine for lunch and a protein shake for breakfast and dinner. I could have as much veggies as I wanted though. Also, if you drink soda...STOP! I found out that once I decided to totally stop drinking soda, the weight seemed to fall off faster. Weird, but true. I haven't had even a sip of soda since the night before banding...yes, I had a diet coke at a TJ restaurant with my last meal the evening before my surgery. Only drank about half the glass though. Probably will never touch the stuff again since I want to continue losing weight and also to protect my band. Really don't miss it either...only dream about it...LOL I was supposed to lose as close to 36lbs. as possible before my surgery date. I lost 23 and Dr. Miranda was really happy about that because she says that most people struggle and don't lose what she wants them to lose. It is really hard, but all you can do is make the best effort possible. Good luck. Peace, Judy

I was wondering if I could hurt my band since I have started taking 500mg amoxicillin capsules for a sinus infection? I have to take them 3 times a day and take each one with milk to prevent stomach upset. So far, all is well, but every once in a while I get a touch of heartburn, but not severe enough to take a tums or anything. I have no problems taking any pills at all right now since I have only had one fill and can eat pretty much anything most of the time. Yes, I need another fill, but won't get one until I am done with these antibiotics. Thanks for any replies. Peace, Judy

Hi all, I just had to ask this question because I have only had one fill since surgery last year and need another, but it seems yogurt is the ONLY food that seems to go down so slowly. There is no way I can eat it fast or choke for sure...lol Is it because of it being a thicker kind of liquid? I can eat pudding with no problems. I mean I hold each of those foods in my mouth for a several seconds before swallowing, but I just think it's really a strange deal going on. Hmmm. Any input would be great! Thanks! Peace, Judy

Wow! Angelav, what a difference! You look awesome! Great pics and big congrats! How many fills have you had? I have only had one and am stuck and needing a second fill badly. Enjoy the new you and again way to go! Judy

Well, I was just gonna post about the same thing. I have read so many posts in the past about how often some get fills, then unfills, etc. I have only had one fill during my weight loss banded journey. I really need another fill, but just when I think about getting one, I feel more restriction. Maybe a little fill would be good? Not sure anymore. Haven't dropped any more weight than what is in my signature. I gained about 5 or 6 lbs. over the holidays and after knee surgery, but lost it again which makes me feel good. So, I guess if I want to get back on track and continue onto my ultimate weight loss goal, I better get that fill. Wish it could be in TJ, but someday...I WILL BE BACK!! Peace and hugs, Judy p.s. I never want to have an unfill, but know when it is necessary. Especially when really sick. Of course, I said I never want to PB either, but did...my own fault and my band letting me know that I still have it and also have restriction...lol Good band, good.

Well, I shouldn't really say this, but...when I got absolutely desperate to chew on something, I took a bite of something like a piece of meat or whatever(mainly something that cannot be chewed down too fast), and stood over the garbage can and chewed like crazy and kinda leaning over and spit it out into the garbage. The first thing I did it with was some really moist chicken. Then another time was a small piece of hamburger. It was a lifesaver for me when I was so desperate to chew. I was very satisfied by having something in my mouth to chew, but I knew I better lean over the garbage so I remember to spit it out. There could have been bad consequences if I forgot to do that and swallowed. Of course the second week I accidentally swallowed my gum and was almost faint when thinking about it getting stuck, so I was soo much more careful. That's another thing too, if you trust yourself is chew gum. Alot of people do not like this idea, but it helped me and several others I know that did it. Good luck. It will get better soon. Peace, Judy

Oh yes she does! Way to go Clynn! You look mahvelous!

I agree, but learning to love chicken broth is kinda pushing it...lol I don't want to see chicken broth except in something thicker. Yeah, you are not hungry for at least the first week, but it gets tougher and I was also worried about the sugar levels dropping(which is actually your metabolism dropping), and tiredness and weakness setting in, but you should be ok since you can drink your chicken or beef broth and popsicles, etc. Worked for me. And, after 6 or 8 days you can add protein shakes...yeah a lifesaver and a more full feeling for sure. I remember getting depressed and wanting to cry because I wanted to eat, but to protect my band and keeping in touch with this board was a lifesaver! It's all good! Peace, Judy

Hi Donna, Congrats on your recent banding! The only thing I can suggest is remember what it feels like to PB and tell yourself you absolutely hate and don't want that feeling ever anymore. Don't wait until you are so hungry that you will eat too fast and swallow food too fast. That has happened to me, but I always have tried to take my time(except that one time with a sandwich no less), to eat small bites and chew and chew to mush or goo. I am usually really good at it, but I think that one time it was because I was semi lying down and that was a really big no-no. Like I said I have no problems eating bread, etc., but I have only had the one fill and soon will have another...then the eating challenge is on again! LOL If I have rice, which is rare anymore, I usually try to make it watery or mushy, but if it isn't, I chew and chew and take small bites. I can usually eat a good size plate of food now, but even though I don't think I am full, I leave a portion of my plate and push it away. Don't want to overdo and usually my hunger gets satisfied once the food I ate gets to my pouch(little stomach), and I feel good enough. A bad habit I have gotten into which needs to STOP NOW, is eating cookies and little bad snacks, but I am getting control over them since the holidays are over. Take care and good luck on your weight loss journey. Peace, Judy

Hello all fellow and future bandsters! I haven't been on in a really long time. Been reading some of the posts and alot of them bring back memories of before I was banded and was still in the researching and nervousness mode. It is so exciting to me when I see people posting about their upcoming surgeries and what I felt during that time. It was so exciting and such a great experience! Well, I meant to post alot sooner, but didn't and probably should have to warn others about one of the causes of PB'ing that I didn't even realize. I have only had one fill and meant to have another before the holidays, but financially wasn't able to. I was at a plateau, but it didn't bother me too much. Yes, I ate more than I should, plus since Halloween, became weakened towards junk food. I did get control over that mostly though. Didn't gain....until I had knee surgery on 12/13/07. Couldn't do much of anything, so whatever I ate didn't get exercised out. Only gained a total of 6 lbs though, so that is good I guess. So now on the PB episode. I swore to myself that I would never or have or ever wanted to PB EVER! Didn't think I would until one day I decided to lay partly sitting up in my bed to elevate and ice my knee and watch tv. Didn't have much of an appetite and didn't eat much that day either. But while laying there I got really hungry and asked my brother to make me a pb&j sandwich. Yes, I have always been able to eat bread. I know, not a good thing, but usually it is whole wheat and toasted. Well, we all know what happens when we are very hungry and eat fast and don't chew very well. I thought I was chewing enough, but eating and swallowing too fast or I had alot of restriction semi-sitting up. My mouth started to water and I didn't think much about it, but then things were starting to move really slow and feeling like they(bites) were getting stuck. The watering in my mouth was intensifying and then I knew what was happening. I was PBing bad. So, I threw the sandwich aside and sat up as fast as I could. I went into the kitchen and walked around and flapped my arms and did whatever weird things I could, in between spitting into the garbage, to make it stop. I never threw up, so I was so relieved about that. whew! That was a big time scare for me. I never want that to happen ever again. I am almost afraid of getting another fill, but I know it's a must if I want to continue to lose weight. I have a long way to go yet. Happy New Year everyone! Peace, Judy

Hi K and Kimberly, Did you both have your surgeries with Dr. Ortiz? If so, then on the 6th ot 7th day, you are allowed protein shakes and creamy soups, but mainly full liquids type foods. You are supposed to crush your meds to prevent any problems with taking anything too rough for your new little stomach. I got a pill crusher and mixed it with some apple juice or some other kinds of juices. Sometimes you can taste the bitterness more with certain juices, but as long as you get them down, it's a good thing. I stopped taking my stomach capsule pills all together as well as another anti-inflammatory med and have never needed them since. So happy about that. The protein shakes will definitely help you with the extra hunger and gives you alot of nutrients your body needs until you get to solid foods. Hope this helps. Good luck on your banded weight loss journeys. Peace, Judy

Hi Minnie, Didn't you have an exclusion too? I did and it was for anything and everything related to weight loss. I just don't know what to do now. I was told flat out, that they will not cover anything at all. They said in February they told me to get my doc to call the pre-authorization number at the insurance company, but I didn't because I felt I would still have to go through all the step by step appts. before getting banded and then what happens if they deny me then. I would be stuck with a huge bill. So, I got the same detailed surgical bill from OCC like you did and sent it to my insurance. They totally refused to pay up. Judy

Hi Suzie, Since my surgery and losing about 75lbs since April, I am no longer in diabetic range, but my doc told me to continue the Metformin I was on to keep my insulin levels steady and stable. That may change in a few months when I have more bloodwork done and hopefully have reached my 100lb. second goal. ; ) I was never insulin dependent, so not sure where you are at and if someone else can help answer your questions. I only have taken one tablet a day for about a year or so. Peace, Judy

Way to go Minnie! Congrats! How did you do that? I thought you had exclusions in your insurance benefits too?! Let me know k? Thanks! Judy

WELL THAT'S IT THEN. MY INSURANCE ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT COVER ANY BARIATRIC SURGERY BECAUSE THEY ARE BOUNDBY MY BENEFITS CONTRACT THAT THE EXLUSION IS AND EXCLUSION AND THAT' S IT. I HAVE BEEN EMAILING BACK AND FORTH WITH THEM AND THEY WILL NOT BUDGE. NO MATTER WHAT I SAY AND HOW BENEFICIAL TO MY HEALTH THIS HAS BEEN, FORGET ABOUT IT! PERIOD. ONLY THING NOW IS I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO CLAIM IT ON MY TAXES. ANY SUGGESTIONS OR HELPFUL ADVICE THERE? IF YOU CAN AND SO ON? JUDY

I am so upset right now. My insurance denied my claim. I am SOOOOOOOOOO going to appeal about this because I saved them thousands of dollars and should have been reimbursed for a good part of what I paid out of pocket. I understand there are exclusions about anything relating to weight loss and therefore appealing better work.y Wish me luck! Judy

I sooo feel for you all. But, if I can make it, like Lauren said, anyone can! Especially if waiting to catch the plane home and right next to our gate was a Starbucks and Pizza Hut next to each other and being able to talk myself out of a frappacino(liquid), then anyone can survive it. I adore Starbucks! It was so hard. I WILL say this though...I got to a point about the second week where I was so starved and having a full blown pity party, that I saw something so good(can't remember what it was), that I chewed it while leaning over the garbage can and spit it out. Not everyone likes that idea, but it helped more than once. ; ) I did not make a habit of doing that. Only when I was so hungry I couldn't stand it. Once, I almost passed out when I accidentally swallowed some really moist chicken. I was so freaked out that I started shaking and was so scared I was going to PB or throw up or something. Nothing happened, but that fear was enough to stop taking chances and behave and take care and listen to my band. I have never PB'd or vomited yet, and don't plan to. I feel very in tune with my band. Right now I am in serious need of another fill. It's that time of year where weakness to certain foods is getting too easy to eat....if ya know what i mean. LOL Take care and take care of your band. Peace, Judy

Awesome Kim! What insurance do you have? How much did they reimburse if I may ask? I want to be able to yell it out too soon about reimbursement! LOL Peace, Judy

Hi Katie, Congrats on some reimbursement from BC/BS! Are you going to appeal for more? I would. I know $800 is alot, but not enough compared to what you actually pay out for the whole process. ; ) Just had a question about which BC/BS you have? I have Regence BC/BS PPO. There is an exclusion in my benenfits for anything related to obesity or weight loss, but still holding onto hope and alot of prayer. I will surely appeal if all goes sour. Peace, Judy

Hmmm...I wonder if you got the same thing I did, but mine was faxed to my work and also the second round was mailed, which pretty much contained the same except for my EKG and some of the other stuff you got as well. I got a surgical report which went into detail of how the surgery was done and the findings, etc., and also the receipt with each doctor involved and the cost for each service. Is that what you got? I am so hoping my insurance gets really generous and will give me some reimbursement before the holidays. ; ) OK EVERYONE!! NEEDING LOTS OF PRAYERS HERE PLEASE AND PRETTY PLEASE! NOT ONLY AM I PRAYING FOR ALL OF YOU, I COULD USE SOME PRAYER POWER AS WELL. ) I am not asking for prayer for money for Christmas. It will help with that, but also my family is in big financial binds lately and I want to help out my mom and brothers as well as pay some bills of my own and fix my car. Plus maybe have enough to put aside for a fill trip to TJ! Peace and many THANK YOU'S! Judy

PLEASE! I HOPE SOMEONE THAT HAS BEEN REIMBURSED CAN HELP ANSWER MY QUESTION. I HAVE BEEN EMAILING BACK AND FORTH WITH RENE AT OCC AND HE HAS BEEN SO PATIENT AND UNDERSTANDING. I WROTE EARLIER THAT MY INSURANCE FINALLY GOT BACK TO ME ABOUT MY CLAIM AND WANTED A DETAILED ITEMIZED BILLING STATEMENT FROM OCC FOR ALL SERVICES AND DATES(OF COURSE THERE IS ONLY ONE DATE), AND HE FAXED ME WHAT I ALREADY RECEIVED BEFORE PLUS A BLOODWORK AND EKG COPY. DID I ASK FOR THE WRONG THING? WHAT EXACTLY WAS THE ITEMIZED DETAILED REPORT THAT YOU ALL GOT? ALL HE SENT(TWICE NOW) IS THE DATE OF SERVICE AND THE AMOUNTS FOR EACH DOCTOR TO THE TOTAL I PAID FOR EVERYTHING. I AM SO CONFUSED AND DON'T WANT TO BOTHER POOR RENE ANYMORE. MAYBE I SHOULD ASK FOR HIM TO FAX ME EVERYTHING HE HAS, BUT I THINK HE ALREADY DID. HELP PLEASE WOULD BE SO APPRECIATED. THANK YOU! JUDY

I agree. He is very nice in his emails to me and very professional. I am sure he was kidding around. He is a very busy guy too. He tries very hard to help everyone that needs certain papers and forms. The last time I wrote him, he was on vacation and I wrote him again and told him I hoped he had a great vacation and when he wrote back, he said thank you, it was great! He must have really needed it. Peace, Judy

Hi Kari, Congrats on your success with being reimbursed from your insurance and your weight loss! That is so awesome! If you read my posts Insurance...Thank OCC!, I have a feeling I might not be getting or asking for the right forms/papers from Rene for my insurance. They want dates and amounts for each service and when I sent the first papers, they showed all services were on the same date and how much each one cost. I read that there is another report that is more detailed and probably in spanish and that is the one I asked for from Rene and he said when he came back from vacation, they were sent last monday. I have not received anything yet and was sure he was going to mail them to me. I am or he is confused about whether or not they were mailed or emailed. Maybe read my last post from that message and see where I might have asked for the wrong report or what? Thanks and way to go again on your success! Peace, Judy

OK...Finally heard back from insurance and they need dates and amounts for services. Was that what you got Kristy and Angela from OCC when you asked for the itemized billing report that was mailed to you? I am still waiting for that and Rene told me it was mailed last Monday the 24th. Still haven't got it yet. Carolyn got really upset with me when Rene was on vacation and tried to reply from an email I sent Rene about that report. She sent me the one through email that I already had and we wrote back and forth trying to figure it out. I could tell she was really miffed with me or bothered by the fact that all Rene's emails was being forwarded to her. I hope I get it soon, I need to get this ball rolling and hopefully have some extra money for Christmas. ; ) Please let me know if that is what you all got too. Thanks! Judy