Maybe180

Are you really thirsty?? Try to curb hunger pains with water if you've eaten recently. As a matter of fact, if you drink 20 ounces of plain water you could be full in minutes and you haven't eaten a single calorie. Hope it helps!

So glad I'm not the only person looking at my band surgery as a type of birthday. Aug 16th will stick with me FOREVER! Good luck and Gods blessings to you on the 24th.

Now I remember why I started this thread. Let's get back on task. The information is staggering but well presented. Youtube and hbo.com have it if you don't have itunes. I've watched it multiple times also. I never realized there was a name for the dark ring around my neck. Acanthosis! I remember being 9 years old and my father trying to scrub it off. He thought it was dirt. I just assumed that my dark underarms were a bad reaction to an antiperspirant. Acanthosis! I've had acanthosis for 30 years. I go to the doctor and dentist regularly. I have health insurance and a good job. I've had ekgs and a major surgery. I've even been to nursing school. Why did I find out from HBO!

They can direct you a local professional. The best part of the benefit is that your employer pays for a portion of the visit(s). $25/session for 3-5 sessions is what my EAP offers.

Thanks Dulci, I like that. I'm making good choices now every day at almost every meal. I'm eating like I'm banded already. It would be great just to keep doing what I'm doing and not have surgery. But I have to be realistic because I've had my eye on the ball before. Whenever I loose the fine point concentration...well...here's how that worked for me. The band can be the rumble strip that wakes me up and prevents me from a head on collision. Really digging the driving analogy!

Does you employer off any type of EAP (Employee Assistance Program)? Call me a nut but I have them on speed dial

Has anybody else seen it? My sister suggested I watch this documentary about the obesity problem. Its been soooo enlightening but now I'm a little torn. I'm still "pre-op" and praying for August to get here. But Yolanda in Part 2 said something that really spoke to me. She said "People want to hear that quick fix.People don't want to hear eat more fruits and vegetables, lean food and less fried food. Nobody wants to hear it. Its like a boring story, no action. Its not a thriller." I'm I expecting surgery to be my quick fix?

OMG! My mouth is watering reading this recipie!

I bought Geritol Tonic with iron about 2 weeks ago. Im pre-surgery but dont really like pills. It taste like concentrated orange juice and I take it after a meal.

My stores brand of frozen vegetables are usually 10 for $10. They fill me up completly and since Im pre-surgery, I'm having 4 daily (2 for lunch and 2 for dinner). Brussels sprouts, broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, spinach and greens really stretch a meals and are super soft on the budget. They have some nice blends too like California, Asian and Mexican that help me switch up the plate.

I dont mean to muddy the water but... Where did your doctor learn to do this proceedure? Who showed him? I hope you can soften your heart & open your mind to this "assistant" and I will pray that both of them have sharp eyes, nimble hands and quick minds.

I just hung up with Vanessa @ aetna. She said its covered. I will call again after lunch.

Im pre-surgery and tonight at support group I met a lady who has Aetna. She was told lapband was covered. Then, half way through the "pre-stuff" they said "Oops, someone gave you bad information. Weight loss proceedures are excluded. Sorry". I'm calling tomorrow morning, then again tomorrow afternoon and again right at 6pm when they close. If Im jumping through hoops for NOTHING I will EXPLODE!