PrettyThick1

If you don't want to wait, go to Walgreens or WalMart, Walgreens has the $9.99 (Blue e-cig - at the register)single as well as the starter pack for $59.99.

I've tried chantix, hypnosis, gum, Patches and cold turkey. Right now, it's the e-cigs that help more than anything I've tried before. Even with 0% nicotene, I've been very successful.

Here goes...I might be having second thoughts about getting my band. Whereas I once obsessed over the length of time it would take to get the surgery, I now look at it as a blessing because of the different emotions you experience leading up to the big day. I'm probably rewriting many people's story here, but this is my version and I think feedback from some of the Evangelists and Aspiring Evangelists might help me through this phase. Everyone I tell has the same response - You don't need that, you aren't very overweight. The truth of the matter is that I'm what my elders would refer to as "solid". I weigh much more than my appearance says I do - most of that has to do with the way I choose or sew my clothing. What's more is that I was recently diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, I snore like a bear and my upper body is out of proportion to my lower body. I've lost weight before, but never enough to get rid of my upper body problems. I'm starting to think about trying diet and exercise - again, but deep down I know what I need to do. I'm so worried about giving up some of the things I love - right now, it's the occasional coca-cola, fried catfish, fajitas and flour tortillas. I know that I shouldn't ever have these things anyway, but I am worried about the cravings I'll have for them and feel very sad thinking that I can't even splurge on them sometimes. Any advice is welcomed.

Hey now! Somebody is almost in Onederland!!!!

The insurance review team will take all of that into consideration. If you are rejected, gain 10lbs and try again through a different surgical group in 6 months. Is there a True Results in your area? They do all the hard work for you, even after rejection they can get you approved.

Try not to worry, but it wouldn't hurt if your BMI was over 40 - you're just under 39. That's BCBS's "magic" number. Anything 40 and over is automatically approved, without co-morbids. I hate to say gain 10 lbs and try again...but...

Wow!!! What a big difference!!! Keep up the good work!

They are asking you to jump through a lot of hoops! The timeline they have given you regarding the insurance approval is about right - I have BCBS and I was told they could approve me in as little as 48 hours, it depends on the number of cases they have to review. Mine was just submitted yesterday, so I hope to hear something next week - I've already started a pre-pre-op diet in my own, just to start getting ready for the changes I'll need to make for this to be successful. Muscle Milk is my absolute favorite Protein shake, it contains no milk or lactose. I've noticed that if I have at least 25g shake within the first 20 minutes of me waking up, I am not hungry for at least 3 hours. If I double scoop (50g) I could go 5 -6 hours and not feel hunger - we know that's not good though. But, do try Muscle Milk. I've found that when I start feeling hungry and i'm out and about, just stopping at a convenience store and picking up a bottle for $3.00 is much less than the value meal I would have had instead - and I've done a good thing! Good luck, you're in good company. I've gotten answers to questions I didn't even have yet. I've also been able to mentally prepare for what is to come based on other members experiences.

Awwww, Brittany that was terrible! I'm so sorry you've had such a difficult experience with your band. My heart breaks for you, all of the money you've spent only to find out you've been on your own the whole time. The only way to look at this is like when you were learning to ride a bike and you thought someone was holding on to your seat after they took off the training wheels. Only for you to look back and see that they'd already let you go and you were riding on your own. You can (we can) do this! I'm sending you a hug long distance...did you get it?

Great wake-up call. Thanks for posting!

I haven't been banded yet...what was it about the sausage that made you sick? What kind was it? How long have you had your band? Your post is appreciated!

Welcome Jen, you're in good company!

Yes...you've lost 50 on your own, I've lost 60 on my own two years ago but the moment I stopped doing what it took to lose it (phentermine, Water, water, water, exercise, more pills) I started to gain it back. Here I am two years later and I've found 52 of those pounds back. Go through with the surgery, if you could manage long term weight loss on your own you would have done that by now. Don't worry about it, you have made the right decision.

Random rant: Well...I think I've brought this on myself. I've always been the type of person who makes up their mind about something (after mulling it over forever) and then I want it done, immediately! Well, my journey just started on April 11th and I've obsessed over timelines since then. After reading many of your posts, I see where people are meeting with their surgeons and having regular interactions with their WL centers. I'm going through True Results and while I got all of my requirements out of the way in just 2 short days (is that a record?), I think I expected the rest of the process to go just as quickly and as smoothly. Again...it hasn't even been a month yet, but I feel like I am turning into a psycho. I called last week and they gave me a tentative date of May 17th - cool, I've scheduled my vacation from work (I can always change it) and prepared my loved ones for the big day. Well, after speaking with TR I found out my file is being sent to their corporate office today and from there it will go to BCBS for the final approval. When I asked if my tentative date was still good...my counselor said "not likely". Bummer! Anyway, I've decided to stop obsessing and to just continue to enjoy the foods and eating the way I want to until I'm told to start my preop diet. I should be happy to have a couple more weeks of pigging out, but just the opposite is true. I really want to get the surgery out of the way, so my healing time doesn't interfere with my fun time with my daughter and her buddies. We love Schlitterbahn Water Park and have our season tickets, I just hope my recovery doesn't take away too much of our play time.

You were very pretty before, but you are gorgeous now! When you get to your goal weight, you'll be stunning. Keep up the good work, you are an inspiration!!

Congrats Melly, Deca and Tawnya!!! You guys will be in my prayers...all will go very well!

I have BCBS-TX PPO and they automatically approve you if your BMI is over 40. I hope that helps! Give them a call and they can give you more information on your plan.

Thank you very much for this useful information...it is the beginning of my barriatric bible! Where are you Bayougirl? I'm in Houston...Bayou City!

Don't be too hard on yourself; we are imperfect creatures. All you can do is try your best - and find a good support group to join. Good luck to you!!!

I want to know why a site like LBT would accept banner advertising from a company like Grub Hub with a bubble stating "you look hungry..." with a huge carb and fat loaded sandwich prominently featured. This is in very poor taste and does not take into consideration that many of us have a daily battle with making proper food choices. Love this site, but poor judgement on advertising spots!!

I'm in the same boat as you are. My first doctors appt. was April 11, 2013 - BCBS required a psych evaluation, which I completed on April 13. After speaking with BCBS, I was told that it only takes about 48 hours to get an answer once the file has been received by their reviewers. To date, that has not happened yet. I am working with True Results and according to them, my file is currently "in review". I have a tentative surgery date of May 17, 2013. All insurance companies are required to tell you that it could take up to 45 days to receive an answer, but rarely does it take more than a couple of weeks. Good luck!

Don't be so glum chum, we are not perfect creatures! You have done very well thus far and considering what the day marked I think you've done well - at least you worked out to make up for your poor eating choices. I'm so very sorry to hear of your BIL's passing, it sounds like you were very close to him. I am approaching the 4 year mark of my father's passing (May 5), what gives me comfort is knowing that my weight loss journey would have made him very proud. Your BIL would feel the same way about yours. No more tears or heartache -you've done what you needed to do.

I have BCBS- TX and I was told that a BMI of 40 or greater was automatically approved. I am waiting for True Results to send my file over to them so they can start the process. My first doctor's visit was on April 11, 2013, BCBS only required a psych evaluation, which I completed on April 13, 2013. I was told that once that was complete it would go into review and be processed. According to BCBS their reviewers take anywhere from 48-hours to 14 days to make a decision. It could take up to 45 days, but that is extremely rare. My surgery is tentatively scheduled for May 17, 2013. Let me know if you have any other questions! GG

I think the band will help you in that when you are not hungry, your body is burning fat. Hunger pangs make the body hold on to whatever it has and then it starts taking what it needs from your muscles - not existing fat cells. Jump start your metabolism by drinking a Protein Shake not more than 20 minutes after you get up in the morning - I do 2 scoops (52g) and I don't need to eat anymore for several hours. I don't like eating very much either, which is really how I got in this mess to begin with. I'd rather not eat or have junk food, but when I'm full of protein, I'm giving my body what it needs and I'm not hungry for junk. You'll do fine! Try muscle milk...its almost like drinking chocolate or banana (my favorite) milk, but without the dairy! It's a bit pricey in ready to serve bottles, but if that's a meal for you then it's actually less than you would spend eating out and you're just as full. It also helps you to feel stronger almost immediately. I've been doing this for just 1 week and I've already lost 2 lbs and I haven't "starved" yet. Just pay attention to what your body is telling you and try not to feel hunger pangs - when you do, your body is essentially turning to your muscles for sustainence - not your fat cells.

I told my 14 year old, mainly because you just never know what could happen. She's pretty good about keeping our secrets, but I'm not keeping it a secret from anyone. I've told my family, friends and coworkers - I thought I'd get a lot of negative feedback, but that didn't deter me. To my surprise, I have more support than I need. My lifelong friend in Indiana and my brother in MIchigan both want to be here for my surgery - even though I told them it's an outpatient procedure. I have to be honest with you when I say telling everyone was very liberating and it felt like a 10lb. weight had been lifted off of my shoulders when I did. A great feeling indeed. As a result, I have 3 friends who have decided to pursue the lapband and others who are just curious about the procedure. Tell your children and let them know that this is a family secret, but they should know. I grew up seeing the world through rose colored glasses - my parents shielded us from more than I think they should have. I know it made me a better person, but there were so many things I wasn't prepared for in life as a result.