Kinda new here

Amy, I really like the addition of the quote of the day. I'm sure this will take some adjusting but once all gets use to it, it will be a better site. We as leaders will do our best. Hope to hear you Thursday night and to meet you in Pittsburg. See you lighter. Joanne

Amy, Thank you for the link for the new OH site. I have been wondering how to get to it after reading about it in the magazine. I will share it with the 350 members of the WLS Veterans support group in my weekly e mail newsletter. I am planning to be at the Chapter leaders meeting on Thursday. Paula

hi everyone i am new to this webiste but loving it so far! i am about to finnish up my 6 months diet program. i actually stared it jan 2005 but was denied in august. we submitted it all in may and it too****il aug for them to tell me no! my doc turned in my paper work 14 days shy of a complete 6 months! so in nov of 2005 i started another 6 months. we will submit again in may and see what happens. i have bc/bs of alabama. i am so ready for this to happen for me. i did talk with my surgeons office today and she told me when i get it all turned in bc/bs says to allow 4-6 weeks for an answer. good luck to you all. misty

Sorry about the wait to reply to your earlier question on the 12 month waitng period, (computer problems). Blue Cross Blue Shield TRS (Texas) has instituted a 12 month doctor supervised diet program. I am not sure when they did this, as I know teachers who had theirs 3 years ago with no waiting. I have heard, however, that they are gracious about appeals after at least 5 months. I hope they are consistant with this, as I have had little success, tho much effort, with diets. I hope your process is going well! Ann

yes protein drinks aren't cheap, but if you factor in that they will replace other foods that you are probably eating, then the drinks kind of equal out. I drink AdvantEdge carb control by EAS. I get them at Walmart. They end up being a little over a $1.00 a piece. They have 15 g protein and 2 carbs (total). I drink 4-6 of those a day. I put them in the freezer and then drink them when they are slightly slushie. Yum! So, if I didnt' drink those, then I'd probably eat other things that would cost more then the drinks. So, weigh your options. The big thing is to find a drink you like and sticking with it. Increase your protein intake...that will help. Hence the reason to supplement with protein. Also, make sure you are getting in real water and exercising 4-5 times a week. If you follow those tried and true WLS rules, you'll drop the weight and maintain. Keep us posted on things. hang in there! christy

Monica, Your meeting will be great. Let us know how it goes. See you lighter. Joanne

Oh my dear...sorry you are going through this. It sounds like something is not working right. At first it sounded like serious depression, but as I read on...I think Joyce is right....something is not working. I take easy iron which is way easier to absorb. I have had serious anemia before WLS and it is very hard to function. My count got down to 6 and my doctor went nuts. We discovered that too had an auto-immune problem which was part of the problem. Then I got a complete hysterectomy and it saved me. My iron levels went back up and the treatment for psoriatic arthritis and fibromalygia was much more effective. Please take the previous advice and push the docs. You are your best advocate and unfortunately we have to become pushy. You are feeling bad and it makes you vulnerable and yet you're suppose to fight for care. I'm sure you and your husband could sit down and write down the questions or responses that the docs need to get to the bottom of things. That way you're not trying to remember things at the time of your appointment. I've made a list of questions and had a doc roll his eyes when I pulled it out. I asked him "So, is my questions a problem for you?" He realized that he acted inappropriately and apologized. I went on and asked questions and he said that by doing that I came with good information for him to work with. Don't be afraid of their responses, they are there to serve you. Christy

Maureen, Newbie questions are always welcome. Most of us are still Newbies and still learning from each other. Never worry about being a pain. We are all pains here together. LOL!!! We love hearing questions !!! Please feel free to post anytime. The more you post the more you will get out of this board. We are all here together doing the same thing. Trying to be the best leaders we can be. See you lighter. Joanne

First of all, that is what friends are for so whine away! Second of all, sounds to me like you really need to have a heart to heart with your doctor and tell him what is going on with you. You really need some medical help. You are in trouble and you need for your doctor to get to the bottom of the problem.. All the vitamins and supplements are not going to help you if you can't identify the underlying problem. Keep the faith and say a prayer for yourself and I will keep you in my prayers. Donna