CaramelDiva1922

Oh I was banded in March 05. When we had wonderful United Health Insurance. Then it took me less than 2 weeks to get approved. All that I had to do then was be over 100lb overweight, have a bmi over 35, and have several co morbidities. I had high blood pressure, high chlesterol, asthmas, seizures, and sarcodosis to just name a few. At the time of surgery I had been taking predinisone for over 10 yrs, and now I no longer take any medication at all. Now that we have Humana they make you do a 6 months doctor guide diet, see a shrink, and other test that I didn't have to do.

That was an amazing story. It made my Fridau, it was so funny Ic oudl ahrdly stop laughing to read it.

Like all of you, I have dealt with the new body while trying to shed the thoughts of the old. At my highest 372. and when I was big in general my self esteem was through the roof. I was big, I knew that and anyone else who was looking knew it as well. But I was also smart, outgoing, assertive, and fun to be around as well. When I was big my thought was "I have everything that a skinny woman does just more, and better, and if you can't see that "Shame on you", NEXT!!!! " Now that I am among that "average", or "normal" size. I find that I am always looking again to try to hide, tuck, or camoflage this new body. I mostly think that it is the sagging skin that gets me down. I am a size 12 now, and I know that if I could afford to have plastic surgery that I would surely be a 7 or 8. Not that I am not happy with the size, but sometimes the way clothes fits, and mostly my boobs. That look like two hound dogs ears at a fight with no bra. Before I had big beautiful boobs, and they were my joy and biggest assest. I miss them terribly, never thought I would, but I do. Now I find myself wondering where all the men are. It seems harder to me now that I am thin to meet men than it was when I was bigger Then I could pick and choose, and now there is no choice. What's a girl to do.

I went to St. mary's/ Caritas, and I had Dr. Lusco he was great, and so where the nurses Lana, and Debbie. I got my band when the state had united insurance for teachers, you will have to wait 6 mos with HUmana, and then you will be able to ge tthe surgery from what I hear.

Anyone live or know someone who lives in the Ky/In area with HUmana healt insurance to have them pay for your surgery. I am a teacher in Ky, and have board health insurance which is unfortunately Humana. Want to get them to pay to get rid of this tire. It has been hot as hell here, and the tire has defintely been burning rubber, and sweating. Any information would help.

Yeah they have a web page just got to www.caritas.com, and they havve a oage for tha bariatric center on there. Lana or Debbie will be who you speak with. They are great. I went in last month for my bandiversary and Lusco told me that I was his star patient for the month, and asked for advice for other patients. Who'd a thunk that. They have great seminars, and theyare relly informative. I didn't do the rehab at Caritas, buthave lost 106lb to date, I haven't weighed myself in a month, so I don't know how much weigh now, but I know that it is less by my clothes. I don't have a exercise regimen, alhough I pay $40 a month for the gym that I never use. I have been doing a lot of digging, raking, hoeing in my garden the last 3 weeks, and I know that is helping the inches go away. I had a friend who went to georgetown, and she had a bypass, and is doing great.

I just want to give all of you encouragement. I was banded on March 3, 2005, and just had my baniversary. I havee lost 106lbs thus far, and am loving it. The jitter bugs are to be expected, but this has been the best thing that I have done for the rest of my life. It will be for you too. Good luck on your journey, and I hope all of you the best.

It has been a year, and I am at 100lbs gone forever. I am amazed at how my body looks. It is weird tolook in the mirror, and know that I am finally looking that way that I have imagined all these years. It's weird for people to tell me how good I look. Because to me I have always imagined myself looking this way. When I look at past pictures, and think about what I used to wear. My jaw drops, and I think why didn't anyone tell me that I was this big. Everyone says we say you everyday. You were who you were, but man I was big. I am loving my new body, and the clothes that I am able to wear. I never thought there would be atime when I would be upset because the clothes that I have are getting too big too fast. Ha Ha who'd a thunk it. Lap band is the best thing going since sliced bread, and boy did I love me some bread.

well at 11 months out i started at 315 da of surgery and now weight 242 i am down 73 lbs

Becca, Depends on what type of insurance you have. I work for the Jefferson Co school board, and they paid for all of mine. I had to pay a $450 deductible, but then got a check snet back saying that I had overpaid, and then was billed for $350 by the Dr. I just took that check and paid the bill with cash to spare. No hoops for me ith United Healthcare. Was approved in just under two weeks. Was expecting it to take 6 wks. once approved had a surgery date in 24 hrs. What Dr are you trying to go to. I suggest Lusco at Caritas Bariatrics awesome people.

Oh My have my boobs dropped. I was a 58 DDD before surgery. I went out this weekend, and had a padded strapless bra from lane bryant, you know the really good kind. That was a 44DD, and don't you know I had to stuff the damn thing with wash clothes to get it to look right. My friend died laughing. I had to use 6 wash clothes to get my boobs to fill out the space, and not buckle on the side. I tell you what I never imagined that I'd ever bee doing that. The thing is I love my girls. They loved to come out, and wave at all the people passing by. They were so full, and voluptuos. Now they have become a member of Dumbo's family. They flap around like flying ears. LIFT is not the word for what I need. I am happy with the wieght loss, and am not really worried about losing them all, because i plan to have those nice perky ones like the Baywatch girls had. You know the kind that don't bounce when you jump. HA HA HA. I haven't mourned anything since surgery, but I find myself mourning them.

Honey we all have our reasons to lose weight. i think that this is an excellent reason to have the surgery. How many times do you get a chance to get as big as we get during pregnancy with a guaranteed way to lose it afterwards. NEVER!!!!!! Until now. I have a daughter who is 3, and a best friend who is currently trying to lose weight to get pregnant. She lost 18 lbs before and became preganant very quickly, but then she had a miscarriage. She has gained back the weight loss, and then about another 40lbs, and it has made it even harder for her conceive. Her insurance will not pay for the band at all, so now she is doing the 6wk body makeover. Lusco is a doll. I love him, his bedside manner is excellent he makes me feel like I am the most important patient that he has when he sees me. I love them all Lana, Debbie too.

I am in Louisville, Ky. I went to Caritas medical center in louisville. The are the best. Dr. Lusco is my dr, and he is great. He is cute, funny, and has a great bedside manner.

I haven' been on here in a while, but I have lost 44lb since banding. I love it. I want to go up to every person that Isee stuggling with weight and hand out my Dr's cards.

I think that you both are right. The weird thing is this is the 1st man that I have allowed into my heart in 5 yrs, and maybe that's why it hurts so bad. I was in a domestic relationship with my daughters father, and that didn't pain me as much as this does. Because I didn't love him, and I never allowed him into my heart. The catcher is that my bf, his attitude, the things that he has said, and done. Are things that I did to other male companions before him, all those men that I dated, and never really let it in were treated the way that I feel treated now. Damn Karma. I decide that 2005 would be the year that I foucs on me. I have taken care of everyone in my family for so long, that I was neglecting myself. So this year I began to make some changes, and dig deep into my past, and how it relates to me now. I have dealt with some hard things, and challenges, and he has been supportive of my healing process. I have never put myself into any man for fear of being disappointed by them. I really regret treating those men this way, because I do not like it at all.