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OMG!! I received approval from my insurance today!! I am sooo happy. I was in such a slump...this has been such a roller coaster so far. After being denied by BCBS of IL a few weeks ago (said I needed more documentation for my two co morbidities) I went back to my primary MD, had more labs done and resubmitted. I called the insurance yesterday and was told it was denied again because there wasn't anything new submitted. I very nicely started to ask questions about the new info we had sent...hight cholesteral, started on new med, etc. She had not seen that and started to look thru my submission again. She agreed to send an email to the doctor that decides. Today I received a call from her and the new information was enough to get it approved for the vertical sleeve. I am so happy. This just goes to prove what everyone else has said...keep trying. Surgery date won't be till around 1/13.

Ask if you can bring something for everyone, Then you will know that there will be something that you can eat.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is so inspiring to look forward to. I love hearing great stories. Keep up the wonderful work.

I am not a black woman, but I believe what you are saying transends the color barrier. You are right on all your points and I am sure you are an amazing speaker- would love to hear you. Your view reminded me of a lot of things that I had forgotten or just overlooked for a while. I was lucky, my parents were wondeful and raised me well. But once I started school I was picked on horribly for not having fancy clothes, for not being as thin as others, then for being all out fat and then for glasses, then for being smart- the list goes on. I was an adult before I started to gain self esteem and it was because I over heard someone describe me. The person speaking was a former teacher of mine, he said that girl is as weak as a kitten so timid and shy, yet her dad is one of the most well spoken, repected and like law enforment officers in the county. I was shocked, that was what people thought of me. I made of my mind right then that this kitten was going to grow up into a lioness- and I have and still am. Keep speaking, keep preaching- all of us no matter our race, age, sex we need to hear these things you are saying. You are Awesome and I appreciate this post greatly.

I spoke with her today she now wants to go to the Outback for dinner. I think I'm will be eating mash potatoes or something. This will be my first time out. My husband and kids are very supportive of my decision but other family members do not understand

My mother-in-law is making me her potato soup for Christmas, since I'm getting sleeved on 12/19. I hope that's far enough out for me to be able to have a bite or 2

Thanksgiving day will be my 5 month band anniversary. As of today I have lost 43 lbs. I feel good and feel that I have been pretty successful. This hasn't been the easiest journey, but hasn't been as difficult as I once imagined. I struggle with hunger at times and am in an ever evolving mode of searching for new healthy food options. I love finding tasty new ideas that are healthy. I have found a tasty stir-fry that both the hubs and I love that uses chicken breast, onions, 2 cloves of garlic and a bag of bird eye steam fresh asian medley veggies- so yummy with just a touch of low sodium soy sauce, a sprinkle of ginger, and a dash of red pepper flakes for heat. Breakfast has become a struggle since I don't do mornings and can't drink protein shakes (makes me sick- I am odd I know). Some bandsters on here said to try a boiled egg or oatmeal- which I will be trying over the next couple of days. Gotta come up with something that will feel me up and not let me get so hungry before lunch. Each time I go in for a feel and as I lose more weight things change and evolve regarding what works and doesn't work. At the start bread was no issue for me, however now, bread gets stuck, I guess that is because of the band being tighter. Whole wheat thin toast works ok. All meat use to be ok, but now if it is the slightest bit tough and I mean slightest I can't do it- just as well spit it out (I know gross). I have had to learn to brush a touch of olive oil over my chicken breast prior to baking so they are tender and juicy and that works great. I am learning not to be so picky. As time goes on, I can eat so little at one time that I have gotten over being picky about what I have for a meal. If I have some left over veggies and can sprinkle some WW cheese on it heat them up and call it a meal. Before I would have had to have a full course. I suppose everything is an evolution, I evolved into a fat person over years of over eating, not I am going the other way. I guess a slow steady evololution is the best way to go, which is what the band is helping with. As this journey continues, I wonder what else will change? I wonder what I will learn to eat and what I will learn I don't want any part of?

I just recently started doing 5k's not boring ones only fun ones that have a theme so it destracts me....first one my only goal was to finish and not be last place...I did both I was second from last in my age group and 7th from last finisher...the next one is a color run where they throw color at you...its kinda fun and upbeat!

I purchased the unjury soup but it said to use warm water not hot. I just can't stand warm soup, it has to be hot. All the packets have a certain temp to keep it at. Not sure I like this