I'llsucceed

Very pretty color on that blouse Alex- its very flattering on you & the girls- I love the smiles! I have a brother just like yours. If i were to lose(which I will) 80 pds or even more, He would say-"good-you look nice" & that would be it :0)

A new home!! That is so great Kelly!! You will love having that extra spcae to fill things up with:) Do you have a yard? I hope so Its my biggest enjoyment at my home - but also the most work;0( Thats when I really wish I had a man in my life, you know to do all the xtra stuff I don't like doing as much. Its so exciting having a new place & starting new memories! I am very happy for you both! How about a photo?

La LA la la La LA!!! - LOL just kiding -only when I have too much wine or am in the car:0) Professional wannabe here Mark! It seems to be such a individual thing about how you may be after surgery. Chances are that you will feel great. However, depending if you only have to sing for a hour or two you may be fine- NO LIFTING or set up/break down at all! I personally wouldn't risk the surgery so soon after for one gig. I would get a sub if it was me. Best of luck in your upcoming surgery & heal well!! The jobs will be there but truely this is a time to heal for you after the surgery & you need to be good to yourself:0)

Dear Dell- I have Blue Care Network & am in the appeal process now. The denial letter can take up to a few weeks to recieve. In the mean time find out EXACTLY what the exclusion was like Alex has advised already. One thing I did find out from the insurance carrier I have is that its better to have the DOctor write the rebuttal in somecases because it may be reveiwed faster. I also found out depending on how busy the Doc is you may have more time & can just ask what should be said in the letter. From there they usually have 30 days to tell you they have recieved it & they will respond back. I wish you so much luck- I feel that this is the worst part of the whole process!! I have already been trying to find ways to self-pay these past months just in case. Patience is a Virtue. But it soooooo hard. Best of luck to you!

WHHHOOOOO To all the new bandsters- Please let us know how you are. I sure hope to be there with you soon in losingland:0)

LOL- Leave it to you two to think of something else besides fruits & veggies!!! LOL LOL But truely its a good rule to live by for sure. And yes Cocco is natural and in limited quanities good for us. So are pure grains & fruits- Its just the preparation that can turn something good into something not so good(but taste better). If I could learn to do this I would be quite thin- but I am a lazy girl & addicted to whats fast & quick.

I bet you'll be sleeping better knowing your band is in place & working. Sorry to hear of your problems & happy to hear your DOC is on top of things. I bet you will feel better in a few more days. I certainly hope so. The only thing I know about ulcers is that they can tend to re-appear if you do not take precausions. So ask you Doc what is best to avoid in the future;) I have only had stomach ulcers- but never vomited from them. Good Luck

Congrats on geting your date- Ask lots of ??s so your more than prepared before hand. Best Of Luck!

YEAH!!!! Kathy has returned safely & banded! Its a beautiful thing! Congrats & take it easy for awhile- Spoil yourself;0)

Brenda- Sounds like a great experience- Heal up fast & enjoy the ride. Congrats!!!

6 degrees of seperation --- working at its best on LBT :0) Thats great!

Yes-DEB :0) - I am very surprized your surgeon didn't say anything. Some Doctors will have you do 2 wks others 1 week & some even just a day or two. I don't see how you can shrink the fat around the liver in just a day- but than again I am no Doctor. It not only helps shrink the liver(or fat around it) but it also helps prepare you for the road ahead. Its not easy. I did it for 1 week just to test the waters & lost 8 pds. I was shakey sometimes, but actually felt more energtic than I had the wk before & really after day 3 wasn't that hungry. P.S. Might I add that I think its so cool your from Saudi Arabia!!! You do mean the country right?? There isn't some small town in Florida called Saudi Arabia is there?? LOL LOL

Becki- What a lovely & inspiring post. I love the part about "duties as a bandster". So true, we all have an obligation to ourselves to properly use our tool & practice safety tips always.(chew chew chew) Of course I am sure I will forget has soon as I get mine:0) Talk is cheap & I hope everything I learn stays in the forefront of my mind when my turn comes.

To all the recent posters!! You ladies look truely FANTASTIC!! Its so awe inspiring to see these photos. I try looking at them at least a few times a week & imagine myself getting smaller. Its so hard to imagine sometimes but I know its possible because of all of you! You each look so much more happy & healthier. The smiles say it all!!!

THis is the very best Birthday Gift Ever!!! Your gonna be just fine & your less than a week away! Good For you- Happy Surgery & happy healthy healing!!

Thanks Pat- I was wondering about all of that.

Have you ever heard of the saying: " Too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the stew?" Support is good - yes - but it seems to me that your are being smoothered with it? Your over 18 right? Judging by the surgeries you've had of course you are. I personally would have only 1 or maybe 2 people if you must the day of surgery. Come out & tell EVERYONE that knows about it That this is what your phys. or Doc & you want if that helps(if they won't just listen to u). Tell all of them that it is really difficult that they ask you questions everyday or even everyother day or once a week EVEN. Ok now with some of that pressure to succeed off your back hopefully you can FOCUS on your goal. Remember that this isn't just about looking like a plain jane. Its about feeling wonderful & being even more healthy than you are now. Its about enjoying your family & being more active. Write sticky notes everywhere- do a journal at nite. If you need to get drastic than buy a mini fridge & but it in your room-You can return it when your done after a few week & I am sure if there is no damage you'll have no problems. Fill it with all you need too & the other fridg. is completely OFF Limits. YOU CAN & WILL DO THIS!! Don't focus on what you shouldn't have done(sandwich) focus on that that will NOT happen again. Its only 2 weeks right? Thats what our Doc says- maybe your is a week-even better. Remember its IMPORTANT to do this for surgical reasons. The liquid phase is not there to see if you have control its there to make sure your LIVER shrinks enough so that the surgeon can get under it more easily & place you band. You'll do it you just need less pressure & more self-motivation! You will be fine- I believe in you .

BY the time I was done writting my personal history I had over 22 diet attempts. It was cruical to have supporting documents like Doctors notes/receipts & results listed with each one. Even now I am still fighting to be approved. You will have to think back over your whole lifetime of dieting. If this is your only attempt ever in the last 6 mnths. I really think you may have better options. Best of Luck !

EXTREMELY CLEVER!!! I will try this out one day. Just wondering why a regular blender isn't functional enough & why everyone wants this "bullet"? Is it just the clean up?

Thank You Lord for blessing Estela's son with a strong & healthy heart! May he grow to be a happy healthy man. Amen.

DO DO Doodoo dod dodo do do dodo-ahhhhhh Do the hustle....Do the hustle(lower regeister) do doo ddooo --aaahhhhhhh Cause shes a Brick.... Haus!! Shes mighty mighty just let'n all hang out! Thats my theme song! & my poker name:0) Hijack-sorry

Where is the poll? I do not see it- is it because I have to vote first? If so thats a bummer because I can't really be honest until I get banded. Anyone have any suggestions? Can everyone else see the poll at the top with all the results?

Thats GREAT!!!!!!!!! Hope you are taking it easy & that your healing time is a breeze!!!

Unfortunatley this is THE BEST ADVISE. I am having that has one of my problems has well- Even though I have YEARS of previous Doc followed diets. I was without insurance this past year & they said I must have Documents from 2004. Go Figure-all the other 15 years don't count as much:0)I sure hope you can find someone else who saw you & documented something. If Not I hope you get an appt right away & that times Flies By for you!--Best of Luck!

Best Lesson I ever heard & have never mastered: "If it grows out of the ground or falls off a tree, than its OK to but into your body." Ya Gotta Love Mother Nature!