Sooverit!

You girls R O C K!! What great stats! You've all made my day. I just can't hear enough of these stories from ya all ...It's just really great to hear about people being brave, taking the bull by the horns, doing something about a problem and not only turning around your life but saving it too! I am thinking positive now and hoping to post mine by December 07 ...I will be banded and down 50 lbs! Best to everyone!

this is too cute pat

Hey Josie: Howz Texas treating ya? We are lifetime NYers but almost had to move to TX for my husb's business. I thought it was a fun place except for the heat, but I bet with the weight off it's much more tolerable. Thanks so much for the great info regarding Dr. Ren! It really makes me feel confident she is the right choice. They charge alot out of pocket though - 26,000 now. I don't have the co-morbidities my insurance company wants...yet, so I don't know if I can afford this proceedure. It's killing me because the "food demons" as you so rightly called them are winning finally....they've been tormenting me my entire life ....not they are in charge! :-(

Congratulations Jeannie...how great to hear your progress...I love hearing how happy you are with your 14 lb. weight loss! I read some posts and people complain because they've only lost 50 lbs. in a year! What the? us unbanded say to ourselves. I'm sitting here just happy I didn't gain weight today which I probably did and living in the grey area where I am not covered by insurance but surely can't affort 26,000 my doc charges and thinking if I could lose 14 lbs I'd feel like amillion bucks too!@ way to go!! ! good for you!

Thanks for the great thread recommendation CAthy~! Awesome...beach you've given me new hope and Jack...well jack yur too funny and I mean that in the "you made me laugh this morning way and thank you!" ;=0 You men you get all the breaks..

Hi Maria: Best to you at the next two steps of your journey. Please keep us posted. I'm making my appt. today for phych eval. I thought the seminar was very informative and actually shocking at times when they showed on the screen the country chart and the increase in obesity in each state in the last 25 years!! It's amazing, and I felt completely sure that I want this after going. I clearly understood the dozens of reason why we all became obese...it was really fasinating actually. Thank goodness for this technology!!

I can hear Marge Simpson saying....Jack's back woowee.... A quick question for anyone please.... Is it true that when the proper restriction is met you will not feel hungry. The surgeon tonight compared it to a permanently implanted Phen/Fen...but healthier ofcourse...

I am a 36/37 BMI not banded yet still hoping to get covered by CIGNA. I am also 48 yrs old....hope I lose some lbs. through all this! ...heck even if I just gain health benefits that woud be a positive thing!

After attending the introductory seminar at the hospital where I plan/hope to get my lap band the surgeon said just one thing that put a damper on my spirits. She said that the only group that doesn't lose weight or not too much but have health benefits are post menopausal woman. Of course..... I am 48 but still pre menopausal. Anyone out there over age 45 that can proudly boast a good loss and put these statistics to bed?? Anyone...:help:

Thank you DL that is a great idea about giving her an allowance. A walk is a great idea at night! My husband and I obesess over health and healthy foods and talk to her about it often. She just eats alot and always wants something sweet. She's picky too and won't eat protein b fast etc. It's hard esp. when I can't control my own eating. I wish she didn't have this problem more than I do my own but we all do it really is genetic

Hi Susan: Yes, my daughter is taller than the other girls also. I am glad to hear your daughter handled it so well and is getting in shape this summer. Wow what's your secret now that mine is getting older I see that she can sit at a computer for hours and likes to cozy up and read. She is in a few camps but doesn't get too much exercise in the summer. I think I can also tell my daughter about my fears related to her aunt. Thank you for the reply!

Hi Maria & Linn: I am a few steps behind you Marie I have an appt. this Thursday for an introductory seminar. It's good to have a referral of a good doc like Dr. Fielding thank you girls! I live a bit closer to the city so I think I will drive in :)/ I just wanted to use that smily! This should be interesting. Did the NYU staff referr you to a nutritionist as well? I heard CIGNA needed you to see one as well as psych evaluation. Do they help you with all the step? I'm hoping. thanks Joan

Sorry I think I wasn't writing too clearly this morning~ I said that this was my 100th attempt in the past 10 yrs. to lose the 80 lbs. I gained with my last preganancy. Too many #s! :-):nervous

What do you tell your kids?? I feel right now that I don't want to tell her but she will know especially when I'm in the liquid stage. My sweet daughter is slightly overweight and bigger than the other girls but deals with it and is a very happy well adjusted kid. We try to restrict her junk food eating and encourage exercise. She knows I am unhappy being overweight but always feels she needs to tell me I'm perfect just the way I am and I am not fat! I am very worried about the message I am giving her when I get this procedure done and when I complain as well. She is vulnerable now to the "girls have to be skinny" syndrome..it starts as early as 3rd grade and sooner. ..should I wait till she's older? Do I have the time? I am fearful for my life here as my sister my same age died from sleep apnea and heart problem due to obesity last year. I am only a 36 BMI and at the age of 48 I know the scale is only headed upward no matter what I do on my own..

When I was flat on my back for 3 days from back pain because I overdid it again with exercise trying this time to lose this weight forever....one more time. When I falled this last attempt (#100) at weight loss with Atkins diet. Since I've gained 80 lbs. with my last preganacy I've tried for 10 yrs. to take the weight off. I am tired of the same cycle...lose 15 gain 20 ....you all know the deal. I find myself hiding in shame lately and worrying about my health too much.

This sounds scary, I am cranky enough going through menopause. I am glad I read this though so I can plan to be under low stress for that month! I don't want to tell my 10 yr old daughter I am having this procedure, she is slightly overweight and I'm not sure what this message will send her...that she's no good at that weight? I am doing this for health reasons but how do I explain to her. I worry she will know because of this. Darn don't want to be cranky to her either.

Hello everyone, I am a 48 year old female, 5' 8", 238 lbs. and am about 80 lbs over ideal weight. I have not been banded but just had to say that this is an amazing site and I am very greatful for all the generously helpful people here. I probably wouldn't have the courage to get this operation if it weren't for all the help and encouragement given here. After reading the health risks from being overweight I feel 100 percent on the positive side about this procedure. I have learned that is not a magic bullet and it will still take effort on my part to lose the weight but this I am hoping will be a powerful tool in helping to stop re-gaining the weight that we work so hard to take off! I like going to the gym but I don't like being the only fat person that's been a member for almost a decade. I have an appointment with the NYU Medical Center in Manhattan. CIGNA pays 100% when you have it done there. (Would love to chat with someone who has gone here or plans to!) I am thinking positive thoughts that they will pay up. I am a grey area BMI though at 37/38 but I do have recent back problems and high cholesterol. I am only nervous about them not paying. Don't want to go into debt again. Was wondering which was worse being in debt for a decade or 80lbs overweight? I've come to the conclusion that risking a shortened life is worse especially when you still have young kids. I am excited about the health benefits of this procedure and of course the perks of fitting into clothes better. I know this has got to be healthier than using diet pills and over exercsing! Thank you all once again for your support! Joan NY

Hi everyone, I hope you don't mind me sneaking in. Sorry I am not participating and haven't been banded yet but I have a question. I am a coffee attict and drink my "Starbucks" at least 4 cups every morning and have no negative side effects. Is coffee restricted after being banded and/or does it cause reflux?

:clap2::glasses this is great to hear...good for you ...you sound so positive I truly am so happy for you. It must be exciting to get up in the morning and have a healthier body every day! Best to you, Marg

Dear Mich: Just checking in...it's been almost a month since you wrote in and was wondering if you have a sugery date yet or have you already had the procedure? I'm thinking positive! All the best, Marg

Dear Bfyne: Wish I knew your real name :-). Thank you so very much for writing us such a detailed and informative letter on your experience with Cigna so far. Congratulations!! I would love to know how you are progressing post-op? How are you feeling? Hope you are as positive as ever? I was so excited when I saw your BMI. I too have CIGNA and my BMI is 36/37 with no comorbities, only high cholesterol and a recent back problem that the Chiropractor said was due to weight gain. I know these aren't on the "list" but I am praying that they will be taken into consideration. My PCP said he would be willing to recommend surgery only problem is the local surgeon said I wouldn't qualify! At least that's what the office staff said when I called to make an appt. (Dr. Geiss in LI, NY) ...they said my BMI was too low and that I needed a 38 BMI with high blood pressure or diabetes or 40 with no co-morbities. Typical American Doctor who only wants to treat the sick and forget preventative medicine! I know I will find a doctor who would do it but it makes me nervous that CIGNA would pay for it now. I do have 6 months doc supervised doc. under my belt. No proof of weight watchers but have been on every diet know to man with no major weight loss except for ATKINS and that was 13 lbs. ...amazing you lost 88!! I have been overweight for the past 10 years since my last pregnancy. I am miserable at this size please send a prayer. thanks for everything.

I've been watching videos on ITUBE of Docs who say the lap band is bad but without much substance to back up their claims really ...their only gripe is that after 10 years in Europe they are seeing that I think it's 40% of the patients are experiencing problems with the bad such as it's not working any longer and that's after 10 years. ASk anyone here and a decade free of weight issues is worth it's weight in gold. Of course the doc was thin and prob never had a weight issue!

I have to tell you my regular doctor is the single best supporter of the lap band I've met thus far and he makes me (besides this web site) the most relaxed about this. His feelings are, why not have it if it's available and it's going to make you healthier and happier in the long run why not? He is a very cautious doc too about many other things such as meds etc. WE are starting the 6 month doc. supervised diet. He says try Weight watchers and just see what happens if you don't lose weight then.....The catch her is the surgeon who I wanted to do the surgery is the stickler...I think he is very loaded down with patients and is only taking the high risk cases. I'm borderline with a 37 BMI no co morbidities......? but I have family history that will work in lab band favor.

Dear Mic and Violet: Why wouldn't Cigna pay? ...looks like Violet you had the BMI for it? Micalyee what your numbers? I thank you both in advance I have Cigna and I'm starting a doc supervised and don't want to end this is yet another disappointment. Thanks Marg

I just saw the light today when I thought that I could probably use my primary doctor for the PhCD since I've been there in the past year for weight complaints already. My only problem is my BMI is 37 I have heard of docs pushing up the weight a bit and lowering your height an inch or two. Not sure if he's the type to do that but it's worth a shot. I'm only gaining here anyway no matter what I eat or how hard I exercise! I worked so hard at the gym for so long to not get too heavy and this is my reward...I truly feel like I've finallly lost the battle.