ReJoyce

I didn't even realize the importance of all of this when I chose the group I am going to, but I am sure thankfull they are.

Here in North Carolina, I know of at least one office that does all types of surgeries and they are not (from what I can see) a center of excellence. I opted to go to another town to a team of Bariatric doctors that are a center of excellence. I have some friends that went to the other doctor and did not get NEAR the information I got. The team I am working with is just that, a team that works together and is keeping me informed of everything I need. They psych eval was awsome as well as the nutritionist. They gave me volumes of information where as my friends were told, "you will be able to eat anything you want, just less of it." Well, anyone who has done any research knows that is not true. I am thankful for the team I am going thru and the education they are giving me. They HIGHLY encourage support systems and even offer a once a month support group which I find very helpful. I am looking to be banded in October if my insurance gives me the thumbs up.

Thank you so much for sharing. You are right, it helps us newbies!!!!

ha ha, trust me, I understand. I was just confused because I thought you had completed the 90 days. I will have my last "diet and exercise" visit Sept. 12 and then I will fax those reports to my bariactric doctors office. Then I call and the lady that handles all that will get all my reports together and send them to BCBS-Fed. I must admit, I now understand why everyone is on pins and needles at this point. My bariatric doctors office have been amazing. They have guided me thru all the steps and they are used to the things the insurance ping people on, so they have tried to help me get all my ducks in a row. Still nervous though. I am so ready to get this all going. I am guessing I will probably be banded mid-october....just in time for my b-day. Good luck to you!!!!!

Why will it take 30 days for the info can be sent to the insurance?

What an awesome idea. On the Biggest Loser, they record the "old self" telling the new self to keep going and why. I might try that too...record myself telling myself how I feel and to keep up the work.

http://memoirsofaband-it.blogspot.com/ I am not banded yet (probably October), but decided to blog to try and help myself thru the entire process. I haven't blogged much, but it has helped. I LOVE reading other blogs and I get so much encouragement and knowledge from them. They have become my lifeline.

I understand. I have to do the 3 month thing too. I am at my second visit now and I am sure I haven't lost anything. I am just so hungry. I shoot for wise choices, but miss it just enough to not lose. I guess this is the whole point of lapband. To give me a fighting chance. I can't lose eating too much of the healthy stuff either. Right now I am so hungry and have to figure out what to do to keep from eating the grocery store when I leave.

Hi Jen, I too am in North Carolina and have just started my journey as well. I also love reading the forums and blogs and have started my own as well. I clicked to be a follower of yours. My link is here. Because of my insurance, it will probably be mid October before I am banded. I am so very excited. Looking forward to taking this journey with new friends. Good luck. Joyce

Thank you. It just annoyed me, but since I am not banded yet, I didn't feel like I could really say. I was just thinking, nutritionly it would be better if she had protein shakes instead of the carb and calorie laden milkshake. I am trying to educate myself as much as possible for when it is my turn. Thank you so much for the feedback.

Ok, I have another question. I am not banded yet, but I have friends who are. One can't hardly eat and resorts to mashed potatoes, chips and milkshakes. What I want to know, is if I get like that, can I at least resort to protein shakes so I am getting the protein in? I don't want all those calories and carbs.

Ahhhhhh, that makes sense. Thank you so much. I was viewing it differently and that scared me. I am so excited and ready to get everything going!!! The seminar got me going.

The reason I am nervous is that I am so excited at the moment that it gives me a drive. I just dont want it to appear I can do it because I loose some while on that. I know me and that will pass and I will be right back where I am. I just don't want anything to mess up this chance. My current bmi is 45.

The reason I am nervous is that I am so excited at the moment that it gives me a drive. I just dont want it to appear I can do it because I loose some while on that. I know me and that will pass and I will be right back where I am. I just don't want anything to mess up this chance. My current bmi is 45.

I went to the seminar today and I am so excited!!! I have to do 4 months doc supervised died. I am nervous about that. I go next Friday to launch that. Why does the insurance require it?

I understand. I am excited because I get the ball rolling today. I am going to the seminar this morning. I am so very ready for this. I have lived in this forum the past two weeks, soaking up all the pro's and con's and lessons learned. This forum is so awesome and I forsee getting my inspiration from here. Good luck to you.

I am amazed, excited and obsessed with your story. I saved it into a Word document so I can read and re-read it for inspiration. I go Thursday for the seminar. I live in these forums for information and that is why I love your story. Thank you for sharing your journey with us and helping those of us just starting.

I go for the seminar next Thursday. Excited and nervous.

WOW!!!! That is completely amazing. Yes, she is a true gift from God. I just made the call myself yesterday. I go next Thursday for the seminar and to get the ball rolling. I am excited and scared and everything else. I have lived in this forum this past week. There is so much inspiration and knowledge in here and I have been "eating' it all up. Good luck to you on your journey.

I am so glad you posted this. I just made the call today and scheduled an appointment, then got scared. ugh!!!

Awesome advice, thank you Vicky. I feel excited and I still haven't been to the seminar.

I totally understand. I just made the decision this past week to check into this and thru research I found this forum. I am becoming addicted to it. I am still waiting for the surgical center to call me so they can set up the seminar for me and I am very anxious. I have already had similar thoughts. Here is what I have learned this past week. First, this forum is a huge source of knowledge, encouragement and inspiration. I will keeping reading them and learning from others. Second, I have seen (personally) both sides. I have a friend who struggles and another who has done great. The one doing so well uses it as the tool it is meant to be. It is because of her that I have called the surgical center. Yes, it is up to us to make wise choices in what we eat, but for me I feel it will be a little easier if I am not about to eat the entire house. I am trying to educate myself on what foods are best and what shakes are best. One of my first purchases will be a Magic Bullet to chop up some Soups and other foods as needed. Good luck to you.

Awesome advice! Thank you. That is the whole reason I am here, to learn from everyone.

Yeah!!!

Do you just write out the different types of diets you have tried? Or did you have to give them something more formal, like something showing you were a member somewhere?