lisacaron

I think there are many out there with the BMI of 30 that either have co-morbidity issues and/or have done it self pay. I think the standard these days for most insurance companies is a BMI of 38-40 lowest at 30 with more then one co-morbidity associated with weight. When it came to my surgery I did not let anyone control the information that was sent to the surgeon's office or the insurance company but me. When I took a test, be it pulmonary or cardiology or what ever it was that needed to be done. I had the results sent to me with CC's to the surgeon. If I did not get a copy of the reports at the visit I hounded them the next day for it. I put together my medical profile and kept copies which I sent over to the surgeon in it's completion so there was never a question of them not having something the day of surgery. Even on the day of surgery I had a copy of all tests and results in a folder just IN CASE they were missing something and needed it. I wasn't about to sit there waiting for them to look through files at the Dr's office while I was prepped and ready for surgery. I can't tell people often enough to be your own advocate! Trust in your doctors, listen to and follow their instructions but when you have a question or don't understand something speak up or have someone who will speak up for you present. You have a right to all your medical information including tests and clinical notes. Ask for copies and keep a file on yourself as up to date as possible. Ultimately these guys work for you! When you have your car worked on you keep the receipts from the repair shop right? You keep a log of when you need to change your oil or have your tires rotated and you should at the very least do the same for the vehicle you live your life in. In the end it helps to streamline the process so your not waiting on anyone to fax things to your insurance company or your surgeon. You have it in hand and can present it to them yourself. Getting down off the soap box now

I can so relate to that Jim! I had to run out of the office to see the Dr. today and for all of maybe 20 steps I was loving the sun and being outside that faded by the time I got to my car and I was asking myself why the heck I parked so far away from the door?! I like the walk most days but it was so darn windy this afternoon my nose was frozen by the time I reached the car. Bandista, I love your motivation, your's too Jim. I have my 25 year high school reunion coming up in April. Though I will never be as thin as I was in high school (I think I weighed all of 90 pounds then. Too skinny!) I'd like to at least be in Onederland and closer rather then further away from my goal. Maybe a new dress for me too, some heels a new handbag...definitely some jewelry...OK I know I'm getting carried away (shhh don't tell the hubby)

Good call my friend! You have to make the band work with you and for you not against you. There is no "right" way if it doesn't work for you then it's not right. Hope your feeling great again soon!!

If your a female, one who's had a baby....for me it felt like a horrible contraction in the middle of my chest right under my rib cage where the esophagus was trying to squeeze squeeze squeeze that bit of food through where it just didn't fit.

If I'm correct here and not please correct me I think this POSE is a reversible procedure much like the stomach plication. Area's are just being pinched in in and made smaller with sutures. Nothing is being permanently done to the tissue, cut or removed, so it should conceivably be reversible.

The hubby and I went through about 3 months of "last meal" thinking. We bickered often about not being able to eat certain foods. There is nothing we can't eat, we just eat much smaller amounts of it now. There are some foods I "can't" eat and more because I just don't want to. I used to love McDonalds Breakfast in the morning. Sausage Egg McMuffin, then they came out with that on biscuits oh boy loved it. Today...when asked if I want to go there or have that...my answer is simply No. I might be hungry want/need to eat but I just don't want or need to have that. I am happy with my Protein bar and coffee in the morning. Or simple scrambled egg. If I want to splurge I have bacon. Even when it comes to rice, it's not my first choice but if I want the taste of that spanish rice with my meal a fork full is usually enough for me. If you want to have something pre-op go for it. I would not gorge myself, but enjoy the food. Eat what you like enjoy the texture, aroma and flavor of it. You will be doing that lots after banding and the liquid diet is not forever. In a few weeks/months you will be able to eat those "favorites" again but you may find that you just don't want to.

The lapband does show in the full body scan at the airport. Just an FYI. I flew to Dallas with my husband and we went through the full body scanner and one of the agents just asked us how we were doing with it.....which was fine with both of us but if your one who does not want to share or are traveling with someone like a co-worker that you have not told about your surgery that could cause some odd looks and questions My husband and I have also not gotten a card from Allergan, though I never thought to ask the doctor if he had it.

Hi Liz I did see all the responses and I'm looking forward to a Spring meeting. When I am in the office tomorrow I will reach out to our NYC office and see if we can space.

This is why we took so many photos...I just found it comical when I actually went back through them. Only 1 out of 4-6 was a decent shot. Caught talking Good shot Caught napping? Oh darn they are closing gotta go:)

Thanks for posting these Liz! Glad we got a photo of Tracy in there! Love the idea of local chapters count is in.

I love it!!

These are my favorite duds. I get "dressed up" everyday for work. Today for a good friends baby shower and now home in my comfy clothes and slippers ready to relax!!!!

Love it Mamma!!! The two of you are beauties!!!!

Of course Liz post away!!! Sorry i didn't respond right away I was driving home still We stopped at Hooters for some dinner and then hit the road again. I had the pulled pork sandwich minus the bread and pretty much everything else.

It was awesome meeting you and Alex. Ken and I had a great time at the coffee bean!!! So happy they were open and right next door to the cafe. It all worked out:) Here are a couple of photos from the day!!

Not exactly a selfie...but still lots of fun

How about Bandanas? Sorry I had to...

Great photo's! You look amazing, and I love hearing that you feel amazing too!

Very powerful message CG. You look great, we are very proud of you!!!

Sounds like some great plans! I think everywhere has been colder then normal this winter. I have to say though I would take those 30's and 40's over some of the really cold days we have had here of 6 and 9 and defiantly over all the ice and snow we have been having. I really have cabin fever. I'm always inside something somewhere and the cold weather hurts to breathe sometimes. I was having a vision of your backyard oasis as I was reading your post, I can't wait for some lovely warm days where things want to grow!! I might even plant something and get my hands dirty!

Lately I have to be honest I am not dealing with stress very well. I seem to be a bogged down by it and that's not really like me. Having people to talk to and a place to share and vent my frustration helps. I will go for a walk, sit and meditate and focus on my breathing (ever notice it's harder to breath through gritted teeth?) I'll listen to some music and get up and dance around, or just sit and relax to some classical music. If it's late I'll put on a funny movie my husband and I can laugh together or I'll read a good book. When my mind is troubled by something I've been chewing on in my brain I will read a book that "teaches" me something so my thoughts shift away from the issue and refocus on the new topic that I am trying to understand and learn. Doing this often helps give me perspective on the issue and allows me to think about it from a new vantage point and usually that resolve it. Make no mistake stress is a killer! If your not dealing with it in a healthy way, and if your just not dealing with it and hoping it will go away.

It's not a bad thing to run to the doctor if you have concerns especially since you had not seen one in a while. Now that you know you don't have an issue, take a nice deep breath and get back on the bandwagon. By that I mean start eating band friendly foods, and following your doctors advice. Everyone is different, what your friend went through does not mean that will be your experience. If you need guidance on nutrition give your nut a call and schedule some time to sit down and discuss what your eating vs. what you should be eating. Don't eat to the max. capacity of your band or your stomach. Look for the soft stops and stop. After a while you will get used to it and you will find your not hungry. You can always eat more food later if you are hungry, think of it like that and when you hit a soft stop...stop eating and see how you feel in a bit. You may just find your good and you don't need to eat anymore. If your very stressed out, it never hurts to talk to reach out and talk to someone. I know when I am stressed I don't want to eat anything at all.

For me it's less about stress eating, as when I am stressed I don't want to eat anything. My band cinches and I couldn't eat anything even if I tried. My problem is the emotional salve that food used to bring me. My life is chaotic almost all the time, I have healthy boundaries to keep the chaos in check though they don't always stop the invaders I am always on the go helping this one and that one. I take in the stray's and rescue animals and do all that fun stuff. It's the disconnection that I am seeking...and that alone time. It's hard to come by, sometimes I have to hide the bathroom to read, and there is always someone banging on the door. I used to hide away and eat myself into feeling better. Since being banded I haven't felt the need to do that but once, and I learned that lesson fast enough that this will no longer work for me. So, now when I need to disconnect I still will lock myself away in my bedroom or my office. Sometimes I'll put on a favorite movie and watch that till I'm laughing, or I'll meditate and put on some relaxing music. When the frustration levels are equal to the need to disconnect from the world (and this where I would be driven to want to sugar and Snacks in the past) I'll head to my office where I keep all our exercise equipment and blast some tunes and do a longer work out. When the weather is nice I like to disappear to the ecology site near my house and walk the track a few times or to the beach even if it's a bit cold and walk till my spirit feels lighter. There is nothing like the vastness of the ocean to show me how small my issues really are in comparison. If I am stuck at work, and I'm having a rough day I will put some tunes on my computer sometimes soothing sometimes a bit more moving and yeah I'll sing and thank goodness my co-workers don't mind much I won't be on the Voice or American Idol in this life time I just can't wait till the weather here breaks....I think we are all getting cabin fever! There really is nothing like fresh air and warm breezes to make me feel great!