Sooverit!

I do like Wendell's explaination of lap band with the loaf of bread ...very simple, smart and honest. I am tempted to do as I have a 10 year old daughter who is very inquisitive and doesn't miss a thing. We are very close. She hears me unfortunately complain about my weight and always tells me I'm not fat. In her eyes I'm not. I wish I never complained in front of her but it just comes out of my mouth before I can stop it. If I tell her I am getting the surgery she will be very worried and probably confused for a while and afraid she will have to do this when she is older as she is somewhat overweight now. But she will notice if I eat differently and if I am feeling sick...which I pray I won't be but as someone here said what if she sees you slime~! Ehh gads I don't know now which is worse hating being overweight or going through all this. I am leaning toward not telling her as I have read that kids should never have to be put in a position of worring about adult problems ...they should just be kids having fun and learning. BUT then again I just remembered that she sees me on this web site all the time and already knows I'm intersted in it. I think I'm tired of of all this thinking about the lap band. :faint:

Yes it could be because of Time of Month that you are feeling more restricted! ...I've read in many books and many posts where people say that due to swelling during menstrual cycle you will have more restriction. Hopefully you will feel better in a few days. Keep us posted.

Way to go Shelby ...you did it!! Congratulations...please keep us posted!! :whoo: I've been on that roller coaster ride too and some days I just want to get off...I'm spending so much time & money on tests and now my PCP Primary Care Physician is being weird about the 6 month progress reports ...I think I have to start all over again because he wasn't marking them correctly :guess I wish I had the money to self pay ..>I'm almost thinking of financing instead of being heartbroken at the end of 6 months. I think CIGNA is afraid of going out of business if they pay for all the Lap band surgeries that will be come pouring in if they start being compliant. If you have a BMI over 40 ...find out what you have to do from your surgeon and do it by the book and you should be covered! I'm in a grey area which is maddening:faint:

NYU ...I've done extensive research and they are the tops Fielding and Ren in NY.

The extensive info I had on the new AP band was snipped. If you want to see it I can e-mail it to you.

Dear Lighter: I am so sorry you are still not feeling well. Try to remember this is temporary and it will pass soon. We will all send prayers your way for a quick recovery. Do you know if you were given the new AP band? I think there is more restriction with that band right off the bat but I'm sure others here will be able to tell you more. Hang in there. <FONT size=4>PS Are you walking around? I read on many posts that walking helps. Here's some info I have on the AP band. <SPAN class=postbody>AP lap bands

I have always thought this would be a great question to ask and I'm glad you posted it Terry! I am prebanded so I can't reply but sure like hearing all your sweet stories! OncewasaBUBBLEBUTT==I have to say I AM impressed! You are so close to goal!! It must feel pretty good. I started snooping around on this site in March and I remember your earlier beginner posts and you weren't a happy camper and if I remember correctly...(I may be wrong) But I thought you were going to lose the band, but NOW ...you are almost to goal dispite you! LOL...way to go! How was the (quick & steady) journey for you? ...it really is amazing to see this! Everyone keep up the great work!

Thank you so much Soupgirl, your warm words meant so much to me. Your support and caring kindess is special! thanks...mj

Congratulation.....well done LIGHTER IN NY!!!! :girl_hug: :clap2: Way to go! You're my hero...so happy for you it's all over. I know the journey too well now and you deserve your rest. Take good care of you and keep us posted! :girl_hug:

Dear Renee: Thank you so much.. You guys really are what these support boards were invented for....I think this site is the gold standard. I've been on other boards for Atkins etc. and I can't get over the difference here ....so much kinder and no leaders taking over. Thanks for making it such a great place to go for support and just enjoyment~ Thanks for you kind words Renee you are right!

Thanks for your wisdom Tracy! You gave me alot to think about and by the way you look marvelous! I live in $$New York$$ and I think the price for out of pocket is the same as in...it's terrible. My docs are supposedly two of the best in the world...pioneers actually and I had adhesions from a ruptured appendix years ago so I'm afraid to go to less experienced docs and I'd be afraid to fly back or drive too far as I'd be going alone most likely if I left the state. Oh brother.......it shouldn't be this difficult ....thanks again.....

Thank you Momlambert for sharing your story! It really helps to know I'm not alone! We even have similar starting BMIs which doesn't make it a clear and easy decision either. I just happen to turn on OPRAH before and Dr. OZ was on again and this time I paid attention. I really have gotten into bad habits again since I was in the "last meal" mentality for a few months. I think I've decided that for the next six months I'm going to forget about weight and only think of healthy eating (of course easier said than done!) and 30 mins walking a day (not killing myself for 6 weeks till I get hurt - which I usually do) and maybe changing gyms and getting a weight trainer and also alergies they said can cause trouble so I'm getting rid of the rug in our bedroom and getting wood laminet - my dh will not like this but tough. It's a start. The most heart breaking thing about it all is when we fall off the wagon....maybe before I fall off I'll get that lap band put on. I know I can't lose too much weight on my own but I can get healthy while I'm waiting. Thanks for listening and keep up the good work MOM - your doing great!

I was hoping to get some help if I could here...just some opinions would be really valued. I thought my PCP might have been marking my weight for the past year when we talked about my weight problem and he would sign the 6 month letters needed for Cigna to cover the Lap Band surgery. I should have known though he is a nerdy cautious type and said it would be illegal for him to do it. I now have to wait another 6 months and go to see him 6 times before I can even find out if CIGNA will cover me. I am in a grey area with only a 36/37 BMI with high cholesterol rising blood pressure and family history to make me somewhat a candidate for coverage. My heath keeps getting worse and I am losing out on life each month a bit. If I pay out of pocket it will cost me $24,000. I will be in debt for decades and I just climbed out debt not too long ago, but I can afford it. What would you do....wait and see or pay out of pocket?

Wow with all the business they are getting daily..they are going to wipe out Obesity in the state single handedly. I bet in a year or so we will see stats xbeing reported on the news that "OBESTITY IS DECLINING IN THE US>>>ESP NY AREA>> there will be all sort of diets that claim to be responsible.! I can't wait for LIghter in NY to come back and report to us :clap2:

Dear Serena: I think I may have figured out the problem about being "univerally ignored" :girl_hug: Geez I feel that way sometimes in real life! When I originally responded to your post I went directly to your hyperlinked name to respond to your private e-mail...being that the post was a topic on the private side. When I clicked on your name you did not have an e-mail addressed linked to it. Do you need help in setting this up? ...I can help you with this if you want. I think people saw you had no e-mail link and possibly didn't think you wanted responses just to post? Just a thought. Your posts are way too good to be ignored ...I found yours to be one of the most insightly and helpful to me I've ever read. Keep posting great posts ....it will come back to you....Your a gift to all! :girl_hug:MJ PS Love your name - I almost named my daughter Serena Grace!

Thanks for the good words Kelly. I was shocked when I viewed the movie during the intro seminar and Dr. Ren said not only was he this morbidly obese kid in the pictures, he is a lap band surgeon, Lap-Band user & he is my husband! Good team they are..I can't wait to meet them hopefully soon. I have my nutritional meeting on the 30th.

Thanks Mbeckett and to all those people who make judgements about us getting the lap band ..tell them to open their eyes ...take a trip to Europe and find out how many people have it there. In Europe it's 100 percent paid for and the BMI requirements are much lower. Some actually get it to maintain a healthy weight...they don't even wait to get obese..especially if it already runs in their families. In the book YOU on a DIET ...Dr. Oz even starts a paragraph by saying ....Banding in the future may be required for all Americans....if food portions continue the way they are going...and obesity continues to run rampit here!

Welcome back Light! It's finally over and you've done it!! Yeah..:clap2: Congratulations! How did it go? I hope you are enjoying your stay at the hospital ...let them wait on you and pamper you for a change. We are all here for you....complain or gloat as much as you like! take good care and rest up for the beach next summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:girl_hug:thanks for the positive vibes...I feel em

Food's ho ...too funny ..yes that is me. Thanks for all the good advice everyone!

Kacee great read It was good for me to read your post. Wonderful results you are getting as well. It was good to actually see in writing what I am actually afraid I am going to miss. You are right I am afraid I will miss stuffing food into my face ...crazy thanks for the reality check! Best to you, MJ

OMG tomorrow Lighter! I can't believe I thought about you today when I got on and you are going in tomoroowwwww.... I am excited for you. How long will your your drive be in the morning? You should be fine if you are on the road before 6:00 a.m. roads are nice and open! Are you staying over night at the hospital? I was thinking I wanted to stay at a really nice hotel in the city the night of if they do not keep me since I'm saving thousands having it done at NYU instead of here on the Island. How do you feel now? Keeping calm I hope? I had a delay, but don't really mind, when I couldn't get a nutritionist appt. date until the 30th of this month. I had all the tests, visited with the Phych. Paperwork in order, but I am waiting to see if my PCP is going to cooperate with the 6 month progress report letters he needs to sign. I typed them up for him as well as the referral letter. Hope he doens't think I'm too pushy. I just wanted to give him an example and I know how busy he is! Best to you you'll do great and look gorgous and thin and be healthy very soon.... :confused::girl_hug::girl_hug::girl_hug:

Lighter in NYC, I can't remember if you e-mailed me about how it went with Dr. Ren. When is your surgery date? Or has it passed and you really are lighter in NYC!??!

:clap2::whoo::clap2:That's great news Pam! Way to go..just in time before school starts! You'll do fine! Please keep us posted! BTW, you are not using insurance to cover the op are you and if you are which company covered you. Thanks!

MBeckett1 I am sitting here stunned after reading about when you got your surgery! I too have a twin sister who died early in her sleep (from sleep apnea) She died in April of 06. I will keep that date in mind as I am still far from surgery as I have not gotten my insurance approval and I am in the gray area with under 40 BMI and still waiting to see if my PCP will cooperate with all the paperwork. You gave ME support actually as I have none either except for one cousin. You mentioned having only soup at the restaurant - or someone else - I can't help worrying that I will miss eating like I do now and feel deprived, frustrated and nervous at not having the life long comfort of food....as much as want to eat of it food!

Hi Veronica: You are not alone as you can see from the thousands that are on here. This is such a huge decision and life altering proceedure. I don't blame you for feeling the way you do. It's tough to go it alone but it is difficult for others in our lives to understand what we're going through if they know so little about it. I think that it wouldn't be a terrible idea if you maybe postponed the surgery? Then you could give yourself say 6 weeks to go on this site and or others like this daily, attend support groups and build your own little support team or at least feel more strong about doing. When I was 22 I know I couldn't do something like this unless I had huge support. I am almost 50 and it's amazing how much more independent you can get and don't need support as much but for now try to set up a support group for yourself...you can do it and you are worth it. Take it one step at a time....you are so young and have time to take it slow and do it right! best to you MJ