mylapspirit

:)Youngstown is pretty close to Erie, PA. There is a wonderful Dr. there named Dr. Ali. He is the nicest most caring doctor I have ever met. I think you could have fills done there. He is with the Hamot Bariatric Surgery Center. It is a Center of Excellence and the lapbanders there are having a lot of success. One man in our support group has lost 175 pounds with only 3 fills. If you want the phone number I can email it to you. Good Luck on your decision.

:DThanks to all whom replied. I forgot to explain that I currently wear a 101/2WWWW so my only hope is to get back to the 10 M I used to wear in college. Heck I would be happy with a 10W right now. But thanks again and have a great 4th of July. You guys are great!!!:whoo:

For those of you who lost 100 pounds or more or anybody did you lose weight in your feet? The reason I ask is that my feet are so big now and it takes me about 30 minutes to put my shoes and socks on and I have so many problems finding shoes that fit. Also, did anyone find that their balance improved with weight loss? :mad: I call my self a weeble(weebles wobble but they don't fall down) because I feel like my balance is all screwed up. Can't wait to be banded - looking forward to a better life. Thanks

This recipe sounds awesome. I will try it this weekend. Thanks for taking the time to send it!:hungry::mad:

:omg:You guys look awesome and how neat that you were banded at the same time. Way to go! It must have been so nice to have each other for support. Ya'll are an inspiration! Thanks for sharing your pics. Michelle:whoo:

Hi! The key here is Blue Cross/Blue Shield. They will do everything possible to not cover it but if it is not excluded on your policy they eventually WILL cover it - just don't give up. It took me 11 months to get approved. I just got approved last Friday. I started the process in August 2006. Jump thru all the hoops they ask of you. Don't give up, be persistant and patient. Work with the insurance coordinator at your surgeons office. Never give up! Michelle:ranger:

thanks hoosierpoms! sorry to hear about your accident take care

Well, we took the plunge tonight and bought a 2007 KIA Sportage. Already we love it but we are crossing our fingers and hoping it will be a good car for us. We just couldn't find anything that beat the price, the warranty, and the low financing rate. We bought the EX/L with 4 WD. It is so new to me because I have been driving an Acura Legend since 1988 but told DH that it was seeing its last days(especially the body) still purrs like a kitten and starts everytime but car doors froze open last winter and I wasn't able to drive it for about 2 months in January and February. Yes it is true what they say about those Lake Erie Winters. Ever hear about the Edmund Fitzgerald??? Anyway, getting back to the new car - they gave us free car inspections for all the years we own it, 10 year warranty/100,000 miles for the power trane, 5year warranty/50,000 miles for everything else. It has power windows, doors, air conditioning, leather interior, moon roof, cd player, sirius radio, mp3 player capabilities, tinted windows, front air bags, side curtain air bags, and seat air bags - well its just really cool. Alexandra - the KIA's are now being manufactured by the Hyundai Corporation and actually the Hyundai Tucson is on the same chassis as the KIA Sportage. Kelly Blue Book is giving the KIAs a 5 star safety rating now. You can write me anytime and I'll let you know how things are going with it. Thanks to everyone for your input--- This is why I love this website--- Michelle:car:

Hi sbee from Cleveland. I live outside Erie but will be banded at Hamot. With Cleveland Clinics outstanding reputation I don't see how you could go wrong!!! :confused: Good luck in your endeavors.

Hi! My DH and I are thinking of buying a new vehicle and last night we looked at a KIA Sportage. I would love to hear any feedback on this vehicle good or bad. Don't hold back - thanks!!! Michelle:D

Hi! I was just wondering if anyone knows how soon after your lap band surgery you are permitted to take a shower??? Thanks!:rain:

I am so sorry for you and know how betrayed you must feel right now. Keep the communication channels open with your husband and whatever you do don't let these feelings get in the way of your new goals and successes. Take care!

bump it up

:omg:Well, it took me 11 months but when I went out to the mailbox today there it was-----------------------------MY INSURANCE APPROVAL for my lap band. I jumped thru all the hoops and FINALLY BC/BS of Alabama agreed that I could try to be banded. They are only letting me have one weight loss surgery in my lifetime.(at least they are only paying for one):biggrin1: Is it "normal" to feel elated? And at the same time to feel a little trepidation? okay maybe alot? Is is "normal" to wish that I could have lost all the excess weight with Weight Watchers and maintain the loss? Right now I feel so many different emotions: happiness, fear, joy, hope, uncertainty, etc. Originally I thought I would be banded in March 2007. Now I need to prepare myself mentally again that it is going to happen and I hope soon. Any words of wisdom out there would be so appreciated at this time.:help: Thanks, michelle

If it is at all possible I would send her packing. It sounds like this "friend" could also put a strain on your marriage. You need supportive and caring people around you right now as you take on this new challenge. Best Wishes to you!

Try the public library for happy free reading!

If you like good suspense novels try Tami Hoag novels. They are awesome with a little bit of sensuality thrown in. I think "Cry Wolf" was my favorite so far. Happy Reading!

Thanks for letting us see what it looks like. Did you have a lot of pain? How is everything going?

:eek:Hi lauraend, yes, don't you just "love" backward compliments. yes, my mom couldn't wait until she told everyone that I was going to have the surgery. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, people who I haven't seen in years now know - it really pi---- me off that she felt like just everyone needs to know my medical business. I kindly told her to bugger off from this practice of telling everyone she knows my business. I think I am repeating myself. Take care and good luck. shelli

Good Luck Alexandra! You are such an inspiration! shelli

Jenn, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for posting this today not only for you to ask for support and help but to remind us that life is so precious and fragile. I hope that your grief will be overcome by memories of the friendship that you two shared. God Bless You!

I don't know anything about the gastric bypass sleeve but there was one man in our support group that has lost 170 pounds with the lap band. He exercies 5 or 6 times per week and follows all the bandster rules. May I ask how much you want to lose? I have two hundred pounds to lose and I am having the lap band done(if my insurance approves). I wish you the best of luck on your decision. I know it is a tough one. Shelli:girl_hug:

Where are you Jack. We need you!!! I love your posts and your wry sense of humor. Maybe you are on a nice beach in Hawaii????

Hi April, I hope they are helpful to you. You always have a friend at lapbandtalk.com or you can pm me. Take care. Michelle

You look Awesome. I hope my results are as good as yours. Have fun on your cruise.