blackbarbie411

GIRL!!! GO FOR IT! It is so hard to get approved through your insurance for this surgery nowdays. I say go for it. I missed my chance for some sort of surgery once upon a time... it took 20 yrs to get approved again! And it wasn't something I could afford on my own. I hope you go for it! You should be glad your Dr. is willing to do it without doing the pre-op diet! It will be a struggle in some ways, but how bad do you want this????
HERE IN HOUSTON, CHEERING YOU ON!!! Let us know!

I remember when I was in my 20's stepping off of a bus, an elderly woman walked right up to me and said "drink warm Water first thing in the moring and put a fresh lemon in it every day"... I really had no clue what she was talking about, in fact I just chalked it up to another crazy lady, LOL.
Soooo, for the past 4 days I have been drining a lot of Lemon & Water. In the morning warm, and during the day ice cold. I really am enjoying the flavor in my plain water and the way its making me feel..
My research found 10 Reasons why we should drink Lemon & Water (in the morning): The water added to the lemon juice should be lukewarm, or hot lemon water:
1. Boosts your immune system: Lemons are high in Vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds. They’re high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium also helps control blood pressure.
2. Balances pH: Drink lemon water everyday and you’ll reduce your body’s overall acidity. Lemon is one of the most alkaline foods around. Yes, lemon has citric acid but it does not create acidity in the body once metabolized.
3. Helps with weight loss: Lemons are high in pectin Fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. It also has been shown that people who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster.
4. Aids digestion: Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials. It encourages the liver to produce bile which is an acid that required for digestion. Efficient digestion reduces heartburn and Constipation.< /span>
5. Is a diuretic: Lemons increase the rate of urination in the body, which helps purify it. Toxins are, therefore, released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy.
6. Clears skin: The Vitamin C component helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes. Lemon water purges toxins from the blood which helps keep skin clear as well. It can actually be applied directly to scars to help reduce their appearance.
7. Freshens breath: Not only this, but it can help relieve tooth pain and gingivitis. The citric acid can erode tooth enamel, so you should monitor this. I admit, I’m slightly worried about it.
8. Relieves respiratory problems: Warm lemon water helps get rid of chest infections and halt those pesky coughs. It’s thought to be helpful to people with asthma and allergies too.
9. Keeps you zen: Vitamin C is one of the first things depleted when you subject your mind and body to stress. As mentioned previously, lemons are chock full of Vitamin C.
10. Helps kick the coffee habit: After I have a glass of hot lemon water, I actually don’t crave coffee in the morning. This is weird, I can’t explain it, but I’ll take it.

My records are now at my surgeons office.
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My insurance was with Cigna as well and the only weight and BMI they considered was the one at my initial visit with the surgeron. He actually encouraged me to lose as much weight as possible during my 6 month documented weight lose visits. He stated it would only help me in the long run with having my surgery. I just did my weight lose supervised visits with my family doctor. Every cigna plan is a little different but I looked up on the internet about Cigna's weight lost surgery requirements, and the 6 month supervised period most likely will not be waived. (I tried to summit my paper work early and -yes, I was denied) However, after that time frame was fulfilled my surgeron was given approval within that week. He only did his lapbands every 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month, therefore, I had to wait for one of those times. Most people don't like to hear this, but that 6 months is a good time to read, read as much as possible about having a band and adjusting to the life style changes that you will have to make. I promise you there are a lot of them. Having a band is not an easy fix, but adjusting to a permant barrier to miminize your food intake.
Good luck!

Hey guys! I went to my first fill app yesterday. It went great! I've been kinda down lately about my weight loss slowing down. I'm still losing 1.5-2 lbs a week, which I know is good... I'm just greedy Well apparently according to my Dr., I am doing beyond amazing and I am doing just as good as a bypass patient!! <--- (This made me extremely happy) He seemed really surprised. I've lost 35 lbs since Aug 29th. He gave me 1 cc, and he doesn't think ill need much more at this point. This just gave me more encouragement to keep going! Only 1 more pound to Onderland...just wanted to share my news Have a great day everyone!!!

Yay!!!! I am so excited! My next appt is next thurs to get pulmonary clearance, and then abdominal ultrasound 10/23. So excited and ready to begin

Was so proud of myself tonight! I don't cook often, but I made the best pizza tonight.
One half of an Arnold's Flat Round multigrain bread
6 slices turkey pepperoni
1.5 TB Ragu pizza sauce
Pinch of garlic
Pinch of onion
Pinch of Mrs Dash Italian Seasoning
2 TB FF Crumbled Feta cheese
2 TB freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 TB shredded cheddar cheese (next time another LF or FF cheese)
Toast the flat bread first, then add pizza sauce, seasons, cheese and pepperoni. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. It is fabulous!
Next time I may add crumbled turkey sausage.
Each little pizza is 204 calories, 20 grams of Protein, 15 carbs, 11 grams of fat (could be less with different cheese).
I thought I wouldn't be eating pizza anymore. I know I will now! My husband actually enjoyed it too.

Just got my approval phone call..now my journey officially begins!!

I have had a rough time lately and have gone back to protien shakes. My tentative plan is to do that for 3 days then gradually introduce a meal. Wondering if others have done this, and how exactly they did it (how long did you stay on shakes et...) and if it worked to get back on track. Thanks!

[not so much a question as a vent]
I started my pre-surgery liquid diet today. While taking my daughter to school, I realized just how big of a change this is going to be to my way of thinking.
Every other billboard it seems was for fast food. Their marketing dollars were well spent, because as I saw them, I instinctively thought, "Ooh, a <insert name of burger, sandwich, chicken, etc.> sure would be good for lunch." And then I remembered I'm on liquids. And then I realized I need to be aware of these marketing messages and my conditioned responses. Only then am I going to be able to overcome the conditioning.