It's not NC- but it's probably on the way here!!!

Blue Cross To Stop Covering Gastric Bypass Surgery POSTED: 6:13 p.m. EST March 1, 2004 PANAMA CITY, Fla. -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida says it will stop covering gastric bypass surgery by the end of the year. The company cited safety concerns as the main reason it will no longer cover the surgical procedure that costs up to $30,000. A similar move has been announced by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska. Florida officials said about three of every 1,000 patients undergoing the operation die, while up to 20 percent of patients require a follow-up procedure. The recent high-profile operations involving celebrities like singer Carnie Wilson and NBC weatherman Al Roker have helped increase public interest in gastric bypass.

That is good information to know! It makes me even more thankful to God that I got my approval for march 23 2004! I will spread the word at work that if anyone is wanting it, they better get on the ball. We have B/C/B/S here at American Express as on insurance option! They may see a bee-line to the doctor's office! Sincerely, Bobbie Tate

Janet; That's one advantage to keeping mine short. The only time I notice it's falling out is when I get out of the shower and my feet look like Chewbacca because that's where it all landed. Blessings, Jennifer 253 / 178 / 137

Oh, Janet.. I am with you, sister! My hair has been falling out all over the place for the past 3 months(I am almost 6 months post-op). I talked with my doc who told me to increase my Zinc suppliment, and it has slowed down, but I feel like a Chinese crested dog..lol. My lab work all looks good, too... so I have no idea what is going on. I had long hair, I got it cut to shoulder length. It was thick, wavy and looked good, now it's just there... but better with the cut. Hope your losses stop soon. Jacki K from PA

I second that motion:haha: My hair is almost down to my butt and it's thinning but I am ok with that (my hair was REALLY thick pre-op)...thank goodness for me it has not been terrible. Funny story for the pet owners..... I have noticed my hair is all over the house on the floor, furniture, rugs, everywhere!!!! So, one day I let the dog outside to go potty and I asked my daughter to let my doggie back in. My daughter goes to let her in and she starts laughing like crazy...I came to the door and said "what is so funny?". Well she pointed to our dog who was was going #2 and there it was....a piece of her poop hanging from her butt on a long strand of my hair!!! My daughter said "I told you your hair was everywhere". We laughed so hard I thought I was going to die:haha:

I started losing my hair in clumps at 3 months out. Thankfully I have ALOT of hair so it wasn't really noticeable to others until about month 4. I got it cut and colored to make it look fuller and now, at 5.5 months out the loss seems to be nearly done (hope I didn't jinx myself) unless I miss protein then I'll find clumps again a day or so later. My Dr. told me to expect the hair loss from months 3-6 and so far, he's been right. I feel for you about it being all over everything...my bathroom seemed like it was never clean because the more hair I cleaned up, the more fell out as I did it! Good luck! Christine 257.5/195

OK...I'm gonna bite the bullet, so to speak! My sis is gonna give me a haircut tomorrow. Back to the high school days! A long 'shag'. It always looks good on me. Then I might dye it RED! Just for the he11uv it!

Wow, can I ever relate to this one!!!! I noticed my hair loss at 3 months out... obese hampster in the shower, clumps in my hands, hair all over my clothes, pillow, carpet, etc... but noone else seemed to notice. UNTIL NOW! At almost 5 months out, other people are noticing BIG TIME! My boss pointed a "bald spot" out to me last week (nice boss, eh?), and yesterday my brother said "Geez, Ange, you're getting a little thin up top". My loving and adoring boyfriend said to me on the way home "at least you're getting thin everywhere else. You're brother's only getting fatter" To try 'n help the situation, I got a trim yesterday, and had some layers thrown in... I just didn't have it in me to have my hair cut short, as I want to "hold on" to all I have left. My hair used to be so long, thick, wavy and beautiful. *sigh* I wouldn't trade the surgery for anything, but the consequences sure aren't fun to deal with!

Obese hampster???

Ive never worked it out, because when I was eating it I didnt care LOL It would be quite the task... Just add up all the calories/protein/fat/sugar whatever you want of the ingrediants as you make it- all on the backs of the cans.... Total them up. Once cooked (it makes a lot), you'd need to figure out how many servings in it and then divide the totals by that. Ie. If it has say 2000 calories in the whole thing, and it makes you twenty 3oz servings, then 2000/20= 100 calories a serving.