paula

LOL - Friday the 13th, eh? I find the date a little amusing... Just remember - that day is just like any other day. Ive personally never had anything bad happen on any F/13th, and cant recall anyone that HAS. Hang in there - and be JOYFUL that you have a date!!! btw: CONGRAT'S!

Im in LC Louisiana - and you are So right. Vidor, Tx (about 20 minutes W) is home of the KKK. Racism is a very sad but real form of hatred in our society. I think that there are changes being made in areas, communities. But generally speaking, racism is just as BIG as ever. Looking at the inside and NOT the outside is something that we -as overweight folks- have learned to do many years ago. So I would assume that this particular forum would be more inclined to anti-racial/anti-prejudicism remarks before anywhere else. btw: I have many black friends that I would claim as family BEFORE claiming my own relatives.

This is an old one.. SO old that I cant remember the answer.

Garland Mom, Your story is VERY valuable here. Thanks a ton for sharing it..

Imagine, please make sure you are getting enough nourshiment (i.e. protien shakes) and taking a multi-vit - regularly!

awe Kel - you look GREAT, and SOO happy! Thanks for posting these pics.. we were waiting on em! :confused:

Happy Birthday to you! Hope you are having an awesome day!

Unfortunately I had a recent birthday - that required a re-newed drivers license. I thought the old/new version of me was worth sharing... old was in 2002, I had wls in 2004, new is 2006

Lets see... my kids are 10, 6 and 3. When the older ones have asked questions about my eating habits... my answer is/was: Mom has this plastic thing inside my tummy to help me lost weight! Its short sweet and to the point! If they want more details, we talk more about it!

Hi Sherilynn - and WELCOME! Yes, the seminar's are a general way of getting the ball rolling. My suggestion is to contact your insurance company and ask THEM if they pay for weightloss surgery - and in particular, the Lap Band procedure. Its usually a yes or no answer. If its a YES answer, then the next question to your insurance should be, HOW DO I GET APPROVED? Different comp's require different 'qualifications' for approval. My insurance gave me a list of about 5 things to gain this approval, for instance: MD documented attempts of failed diets (diet pills/programs) for at least 6 months, physc. eval OR nutrictional consultation, a letter of recommendation from at least 1 MD. Having health conditions will certainly help gaining approval, like, having HBP, diabetes, sleep apnea. I suggest keeping close contact with your insurance AND surgeons office just to make sure everyone is on the same page Good luck and let us know if there's anything else.

Hello Nancy M. WLCOME to LBT. Im not canadian - but I would love to still offer you some support for your journey. Good luck!

Happy Birthday to you!!

Will you be hungry after the surgery? lots of us think that our appetite is going to vanish once we awaken from the never-never land... WRONG! My tummy was growlilng as soon as I woke up - and didnt stop til I got my first fill... that was a LONG 4 weeks post op!

Hi Anne! Welcome to LBT. Lots of awesome reading material here... much more stuff then you'll get form a surgeons office! got a question.. you only weight 104 pounds????

TOM - I swear.. EVERYTIME I read your post I feel like I know you. Are you sure you arent from Lake Charles and have a daughter named Paula? you remind me so much of my dad. :girl_hug:

Im impressed. Kellymoos - have you heard if Spiegel has any erosion cases?

Jo Ann, know whats sad? His office was the very same way back in 04. I even complained to him about his staff's horrible disorganizied riga-ma-row! nothing seems to have changed. (BIG SIGH)

Absolutely! But my answer was addressing the thread question regarding band vs bypass (or any other WLS).

Barb, do they file your insurance?? or is $125 cash price only - no exceptions?

Barb, please give us more info on Surgicenter. Fill cost, location and phone # if possible. thanks!

Since I had a history of stomach ulcers, I wanted something reversible. Plus, I had 3 small kids at home and the problems for band vs bypass ratio was lower... or so I thought. Great post Sue! I agree with her, and want to add that even though we hear that the surgery complication rate is low - its the problems that occur AFTER banding that could cause major trouble for us.

Hey Barkley... you still have a gall-bladder?? Id call the MD and get some type of evaluation. Keep us informed, k?

I used Spiegel back in 04. Yes, it is a cattle call for him. But he is an excellent surgeon. I *think* his site says that he's performed more band surgeries then any other lap-band surgeon in the US. Experienced - Yes Personality - No I met him for my very first office visit/consultation then didnt lay eyes in him again until the morning AFTER my surgery. That was a little different for me to settle on :/ considering the money he makes off of us.

Hey Diane - SO glad to hear fom you! ok, just so I get this straight - you are home now? awe, and the link for your scars... i cant get the picture to show up! Darn. Thanks for checking in - God bless you...

Leatha, Youre story gave me chills the entire time I read it. You are blessed Momma L... and God blesses me everytime I read your post. ((hugs))