JulesfromE17

Good morning B-52 & lello-

This is a really great conversation and sincerely there is a lot of wisdom in what you've both said. I read your earlier post B-52, slightly embarrassed after just responding to a post with a lengthy reply about how helpful MyFitnessPal has been to me. Ideally, I hope to be where you both are at some point ... and don't get me wrong I know you aren't knocking what works successfully for others ... I'm just not there yet, but I know what you say is very true and quite simple ... eat less, eat well and eat right and be active ... all the things a body needs to be healthy and to thrive. On the flip side ... until achieving that discipline it's a tool that's helpful to getting to where you are

Congrats on your success ladies, and have a great weekend!

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So I am 5 days away from my 5 month surgiversary. I'm down 62lbs' date=' and feeling great! BUT, I am finding myself over eating, and KNOWING that I'm doing it. I have somehow quit paying attention to the amount of times I chew my food, the size of my bites, and I'm finding myself scarfing my food down. I need to break this cycle, and quick. Would love some pep talk from fellow banders![/quote']

Hi knmcd - Congratulations on your weight loss - that's terrific! Have you tried MyFitnessPal? It helps me with keeping myself accountable for everything I eat, you can actually scan your foods in so little typing required and it remembers your foods so very easy to maintain. It shows your progress in a variety of ways and you can add friends if you like. I'm under the same name on there and would be happy to be your pal on there if you'd like I find seeing my food consumption in black and white is helpful with staying where I need to be. I like that it shows me the effect the slightest amount of exercise has on my food intake as I don't LOVE exercising but will do it when I can see clearly how much even a little helps. You can write in comments too, like 'chewed lunch slowly' today to give yourself some kudos I'm only close to a month out from surgery and no where near as experienced but I find that this helps me right now. Best wishes to you fellow bandster!

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Last night I attended a mandatory information session at the local hospital where I plan to have my surgery. These are held only every two months (rural area) and I missed June' date=' so I've really been waiting for this first step. I turned in my forms and got a phone call today to meet with the Program Coordinator. That date is 8/21, so another little wait. I'm hoping things are going to go quickly as my insurance company has only one restriction: BMI must be 40 minimum. I just called once again to verify this. Co-morbidities such as high BP and sleep apnea, which I have, can sometimes qualify a lower BMI, but this can only be addressed through appeal. I don't want to take that chance, so I'm keeping chubby until that first weigh-in. The absurdity of this is not lost on me. I am plenty fat, believe me (5' 6" -- hovering in the 240's but must be right at 250 to qualify). So, 240 not fat enough for something -- can I hear a big guffaw, please? Next step is the Psych evaluation, then Dietician, then the Surgeon. Apparently there is a second meeting with the Dietician a few weeks prior to the surgery to address the pre-surgery diet. They use the HMR 800 liquid diet. I would prefer to do a juice fast as that's something I'm very familiar with (probably one of the ways I gave my body the message to store up for a famine). Anyway, I'm very excited to have some kind of course plotted at last. Can't wait to be on the other side, the banded one![/quote']

Hi Bandista, just wanted to say hello and wish you well as your start out on your Lapband journey I had a BMI of around 38 when I started consultations ... I was approved for a BMI of as low as 35 due to diabetes. I was banded on July 15th and it's great to be on the other side. Good luck to you I'd love to hear how how get on

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Sorry .. hit send before replying - just wanted to say well done as well, you're doing so very well, best of luck to you on your continued journey

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Although my insurance was the same a bmi of 40+ or 35+ with weight related issues' date=' I fell in the first one, having brought my bmi down from 66. However they went by what my starting bmi was when I first entered the program and it was 40.25 a year ago. I could not make up my mind at that time so I did not see the surgeon. I went to see her in June, my bmi was 37 had me worried because my weight loss of 176 pounds had taken care of all of my pre-morbid conditions. However she said it was based on my starting weight when I went through weight loss management clinic so I got my surgery date that day. You might ask if your insurance works the same as mine did. Just a thought.[/quote']

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I started the process on 12 June and I am getting banded on 12 August' date=' two months to the date. Hang in there, I don't work during the summer so I was able to get all of my appointments quickly and insurance only took 4 days to approve. I feel like I've been on a warp drive ride, can't wait until next Monday.[/quote']

Good luck for Monday, how exciting! I was banded on July 15 th- already the health benefits have been amazing, the difference in my skin from both weight loss and dietary changes is so very encouraging! Best wishes to you, come back and let us know how you're doing :-)

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Hi kjakaty, I'm really excited for you since you aren't going the insurance route, it should be fairly quick from consults to surgery. Since you can't make the group meetings in your area there are some fantastic groups on Facebook ... I'm a member of 'Lapband support' on FB and these are just ordinary people who are pre and post op who share their stories with each other. The support is amazing and there is always someone who can relate to where your are in your journey. It's a very active group and there is a wealth of knowledge among the 600+ members

The best of luck to you :-)

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I got denied as well, I have Cigna ... but they denied it for lack of adequate dietary information. They finally approved it and I've now been banded almost a month, but I devastated Don't give up .. keep trying. Dr's and their practices are usually really good about helping you work through denials. Their job is almost to find reasons *not* to pay. Good luck, keeping my fingers crossed for you.

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Congrats btw on giving up smoking, that's huge! !

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So my insurance has approved the surgery and I got the call yesterday aug 8th and my appointment is for next friday the 16th of august and I have to start my all liquid diet today... im gladd it got approved and schedule so quickly I was able to stop smokeing which even though I still think man I could use a cig every now and again... I have benifited greatly from quitting already also I have cut out soda I had my last goodbye with a 20 oz mt dew livewire last night and wont have any anymore... like im gonna cry over that though it had gotten to the point where soda didnt taste good after a bit I wanted something that tasted different but still soda... but then once I stop drinking so much now it just plain dosent taste as good as u used to think and my stomach and teeth have thanked me greatly already so now the only thing that has kinda upset me is this weekend is my uncles welcome home/birthday party/bbq and im not going because it will be day two without solid foods and... I don't want to tempt myself but all will be forgiven and forgotten im so excited to get this done and over with and get started on my new life which to me will be the begining of my life

That's great news! This is an emotional journey and we feel all sorts if things about foods we have to give up and life style changes we have to make. Its good to talk about them honestly because other people can relate and share with you about their challenges, and I find that that's been helpful to me. I've never been a huge soda drinker, but when I learned that this was something I had to cut out of my diet, the craving for it was incredible but we CAN do this I think it's fine to avoid social gatherings or situations sometimes, especially in those early pre-op days where pressure may be really great ... I think the key is to do what is right for you in that moment. This is a brand new life I was banded on July 15th ... it has been a rewarding journey so far ... keep coming here ... you can also join groups on Facebook. I find it so helpful talking to other people in like and different stages of the journey because they understand. Good luck :-)

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Hii' date=' I know in advanced the overwhelming response is going to be to check with my surgeon.. however, I just wanted to know if there is anyone on here who takes adderall and whether or not you were instructed to stop taking it the week leading up to surgery. I'm in school and need it - and forgot to ask my surgeon today during my final pre op meeting with him today. I know you're supposed to stop asprin and appetite suppressants and things of the liking.,.. but does anyone know about adderall? Thanks for your help in advanced! (ps. my surgeon is only in the office certain days of the week and i dont think he's back in before my tuesday surgery! ugh.)[/quote']

Hi, I don't take Adderall but even if your surgeon is out, his or her nursing staff should be very knowledgeable about this kind of thing and should be able to give you some guidance. Good luck, let us know what you find out.

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I made it through day one. 13 more days to go. I am hoping this was the hardest. But I truly doubt that. I just need to keep my eye on the bigger picture.

Hi, just want to add a little encouragement as well. The first couple of days are hard but I agree with Jim, keep focused on the bigger picture, this is one very necessary step in that direction. Keep a journal and write down how you really feel ... nothing fancy ... just a line here and a line there only when you've got something to say. I found that helped. Keep coming here, knowing you aren't alone and reading the stories of others on similar journeys really really helps. Good luck to you, you CAN do this, you really can!

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Glad to hear it, it will continue to get better :-)

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Hi- how did your surgery go? How are you feeling? :-)

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I was banded 2 weeks ago and I still have some discomfort in that area but it's getting better. Be sure you tell your doctor at your post op appointment though so he/she can make sure everything is ok.

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Good luck, I imagine the doctors office thought there was a good chance you would be approved when they submitted it. Let us know what happens, my fingers are crossed for you! :-)

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I feel great now, a little stronger everyday. I'm just so excited to be on the road to a much healthier me. Good luck for tomorrow!

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Click on the profile pic and there should be arrows and keep turning till you can rotate it coming from someone's pic is not upright lol

Thank you, I was able to rotate it but the photo isn't showing now, not sure why. Thanks for your help :-)

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Hi - nice to meet you :-) good luck to you for your July 30 surgery!

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I found it, now if i can just figure out how to rotate the photo :-)

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Hello, I've been trying to find where in settings i can add a photo to my profile but I can't find anything. Do you have to have a certain amount of posts before this feature is available? Thanks :-)

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Hi there, just wanted to give you a virtual*hug* and tell you that I'm rooting for you too. I agree with all the other friends here, if you need more time, then wait- this will likely not come as a surprise to your doctor. You will know when the time is right. Being mentally prepared is still a part of the journey, so you're still on the road to where you want to go, you just might need a little bit more time in this phase. Best of luck to you :-)

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Hi 40's group, my name is Juliette, I'm 46 and I was banded on July 15 th, almost 2 weeks ago. Really excited to be on this journey and wanted to say hi :-)

Congratulations, you look and must feel like a brand new person! :-)