kvr1977

Hello all! I am not banded yet but the only people I have told is my husband, my sister and my adult daughter. I dont feel that anyone at work needs to know, they are pretty good friends but like many of you, I don't want to feel like I'm being judged for my decision, I know they will tell me horror stories and try to talk me out of it. I have done too much preparation and soul searching to get to this point and I can't let anyone discourage me now. The ones I have told are very supportive and know this is a big step for me, they love me and want to see me healthy and happy. As others have said its a very personal decision and it's your business not anyone else's.

Not every insurance company is this picky, you guys might not have any problems at all. I don't want to scare you guys. I just wanted to share what happened to me. If you just meet all their requirements and communicate with the staff at your docs office everything should be fine. We pay our insurance companies a lot of money and sometimes we need to fight back. That's what I did

HA! Auto correct for 40 bmi is 40 BMW! I wish!

40 BMW... LOL... Yea that would be nice right!

My insurance is aetna, they cover lap band but you have to meet all the requirements which I did except that I gained weight. My weight fluctuates by 2 or 3 pounds every day. Not to mention it was that time of the month on my last weigh in. I have been eating good but not really losing..just maintaining. What I started doing is, I wear the same dress at every appt and I'm careful not to have anything salty the day before because it makes you retain Water, but they just see it as weight they don't care that its water weight from something you ate.

My weight on my first appt was 234 and by the 4th month it was 238. Insurance said I obviously did not comply with the weight loss program because I gained weight. If I would have gone below 233 I would have been below the required bmi to qualify and they would have denied me anyway. It's very frustrating, they find any loop hole to get out of paying for it.

Hi girls, my last appt is on Oct 10th. Then my paperwork will be submitted for the 2nd time. I had to do the 4 month nutrition all over again. It's been an agonizing 8 months just waiting. Arrrgg! Hopefully this time I'll get approved :/ we might all be having surgery at the same time.

Everything will be great! Prayers heading your way . -Kelly

I like this topic. I hadn't given it much thought until now. I decided I am going to get myself a whole complete set of facial cleansers and lotions along with a complete set of new makeup. I don't wear makeup too often because I guess my self esteem is completely gone. I look forward to feeling like a woman again.

Oh boy' date=' you guys mentioned most of mine. I especially love the "lady part" one!

Being healthy.

I would like to buy clothes from L.L.Bean, etc. Any catalog.

Look forward to not jiggling.

Walking down the aisle of an airplane without my hips hitting people upside the head.

Sitting in a booth at a restaurant

Making my Doctors happy.

Achieving an actual goal.

Buying concert tee's from a catalog.

Believe it or not, shopping at Goodwill, finding deals on clothes that fit.

Standing straight with my feet touching each other w/out falling over.

Fitting comfortably through public restroom stall doors.

Riding a bicycle.

Walking my dog, who at 25 lbs, walks me!

Not propping up, lifting and shifting in the shower

Having my nippies pointing out not down.

Weighing less than someone else for once.

Sitting in those folding camping chairs.

Not trampling people at shows to get to my row seat.

Fitting in that seat w/out my hips invading someone else's space.

Weighing less than my husband.

Gaining control of my Life.

Last, and most important...making my Mom (RIP) proud.[/quote']

I lost my Mom last year. That's a big one for me too :')

*lady parts thing.... Hee hee

Not having to go sideways through a turnstile

Wear shorts again

More energy

More self esteem

Cross my legs

Wear heels without looking like a top (the toy)

Less joint pain

Yay for you!!!! I have Aetna too. Hopefully I'll be next

I used to be thin about 15 years ago and my legs were still big. I always had trouble finding tall boots to fit comfortably. I found some that had leather in front and stretchy material in the back. Kinda like a spandex. They were awesome! I'm sure there are still boots like that out there somewhere. They were very comfy too

I'm so happy to have found this thread. I am so scared, I even canceled my last nutrition appt via email. Thankfully they didn't cancel it in hopes that I might change my mind. I have to stop reading horror stories and focus on why I am doing this. It helps to have encouragement and to read positive stories.

I've been looking for someone to talk to, I'm not banded yet but pretty nervous, have lots of questions and I have my last nutrition appt this Monday. I just think it would be good to talk to someone on the other side. Congrats my email is ekellyj@aol.com if you feel up for it. -Kelly

I wondered about the port as well, I've heard some people say they can't sleep on one side because of the port, and others say its always tender. I have had dreams that my port was protruding and everyone could see it. My Mom had chemo treatments and had a port, I hope it's not as big or bothersome as hers was. I guess it's something I can talk to my surgeon about.

I'm sorry to hear about your problems, I live in San Antonio and Mexican food is abundant as well as my favorite. I'm not a big bread eater though, I guess that's a good thing. I have been reading a lot about the band but books don't answer questions like this...hee hee. I thought it would be good to hear from someone who has one already. I really want to know what I'm getting into and want to be successful at this. Thank you for answering my questions -Kelly

OK this may sound really dumb but I have so many questions before I get banded next month.

1st question: after being banded can you feel it inside you? I know the port can be felt but besides that, do you walk around feeling this foreign object in your body?

2nd: how does it feel when you get stuck, and how do you fix it? liquids?

Thanks for listening

Hey there, I am supposed to have surgery with Dr. Wright also. I guess you are banded already? How are you doing? I have my last weight loss visit Monday 9/10/12.

I'm getting pretty nervous. I'd love to hear from someone who had surgery with my doctor. Thanks and take care -Kelly

Im getting banded in September as well' date=' but im worried about being able to stick to the preop diet, i kindof think if were able to be so disciplined in xalorie restriction, i wouldnt be overweight and needing the surgery. Anyone else jave these thoughts?[/quote']

I have these thoughts all the time. I always read people say how disciplined you have to be after being banded. I feel like if I had discipline I would be the size I am and wouldn't need the band. I've tried countless times to lose and failed each time. Hopefully I won't fail at this

I love this topic, I have my own bucket list as well. I will share some with you guys.

-Find knee high boots that actually fit around my legs.

- buy clothes because I like them not simply because they have my size.

- be comfortable in heels

- wear short shorts or tight jeans

- dress up for Halloween

- do my own pedicures

- have more energy

- fit through a turnstile

- bathe myself with ease

- more self esteem

I never realized how much I took these things for granted when I was younger and thinner.

-Kelly

Well said everyone ???Š many of us have lots of support and some of us have none, but there's one place we will always find support... Here!

It's very exciting to get past each phase of the process. I've been through the 4 month weight loss process twice! I'm going for my last nutrition appt on sept 10th. I am hoping for approval this time. I am at 40 BMI with no co-morbidities, so I'm borderline. Keeping my fingers crossed. Keep me posted and good luck to you! -Kelly

Harrier, I'm happy for you. I know the feeling. I always tell my hubby " I'm tired of being tired" it's our time to take care of ourselves and start enjoying life. We deserve it. I have my last appt on sept. 10th so I'm prob looking at surgery in October also. I was having doubts and nervous but I'm just ready to be rid of this weight. Take care and keep us posted.

Miriam, I would love if you would keep us updated. I'm sure your very excited let us know how it goes. -Kelly

Yay, I've been looking for a buddy to talk to cuz I'm super nervous as well. I got denied the first time by my insurance so I started the 4 month process all over again. Sept 10 will hopefully be my last appt before re-submitting to my insurance. As far as the Doctor goes, they assigned Dr. Wright to me, I didn't specifically ask for him. They should be able to switch docs if you really want to. Did they tell you that they accept Medicaid? If they did then it should just be a matter of meeting all the requirements that medicaid wants. If they told you they accept it then you shouldn't worry, they do all the insurance paperwork for you. They are great and they know what they're doing.