Margie122

Hi, I noticed there was a thread for shorter bandsters, but I couldn't find one specifically for taller bandsters. I'm 5'11" and right now at 282 I am a size 24. I wear a size 11 wide shoe. I have some questions for people who have already started this journey...do you go down in shoe size too? I would really love that. I would love to find out from people closer to goal - what size are you? Is it realistic for me to think I could be a size 12, 10, 8? Thanks in advance! :ranger:

Ask if you can be put on a cancellation list...most doctors have them Best of luck...

Metalband - congrats! I am hoping to hit that 50 pound mark with you sometime soon

I overuse "no worries"....and I do have a cussing problem! There is a woman in my office who CONSTANTLY uses "irregardless"...and it grates :help: on my nerves. Another woman is kind of loud and says "ABSOLUTELY!" with gusto :whoo:at least 3-4 times per day. Margie

Hello everyone, Today was my pre-surgery testing. I didn't realize they would be taking blood again today and they had to take 6 vials from my left hand :cool:. Other than that it went great. I'm just sitting out here :ranger: doing the pre-op diet for BIDMC, eating SF popsicles and trying not to go nuts while I wait for my insurance company to approve my surgery which is scheduled for 10/31. It's United Healthcare...I know I've been driving Dr. Schneider's surgery scheduler crazy - well maybe not totally crazy....but I've called her twice to see if they've approved me. She said she'd call me back one way or the other....so I'll just be patient. It's hard! I'm concerned they'll do something (UHC) to mess up my 10/31 date and I've been waiting so long for this..... That's all....hope everyone is doing well. Margie

1) One physical (other than weight) thing about yourself, what would it be? I would love to have beautiful wavy/curly long hair like the models/actresses do. 2) One non-physical thing about yourself (mental, situation, etc.), what would it be? I would like to be able to afford to buy a condo closer to my family. Right now I'm about an hour away. Margie

:ranger: Alright, So I started the 2 week pre-op 1,000 calorie diet prior to my surgery. Today is day one. :tired I have to admit, I'm dying here. I would like to eat something with SUBSTANCE. I hope this gets easier! Margie

It was too hard to keep it a secret, since my family tends to let secrets out...I've just decided to tell everyone, that way I don't have to keep track of who knows and who doesn't. I've already heard from my mom that one of my aunt's thinks this is the "easy way out"....If that's how she feels, fine. I'm not going to change her mind, and I don't give a (*$%!# There are always going to be people who don't agree with me, or talk about me behind my back etc....I need to choose not to let their comments bother me or have power over me ~ and so far so good!

Hello, My nutritionist suggested a book called "Eating on The Run" by Evelyn Tribble. I am going to buy it, based on her suggestion (and looking through the book online at Amazon.com. :ranger: The book looks pretty good, with lists of stuff to stock up on for busy days. Margie

Hello everyone, I found out today my surgery date is HALLOWEEN, 10/31/07. I'll be banded at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston AKA BIDMC. My surgeon is Dr. Schneider. I meet all of my insurance criteria so I am not putting out any negative vibes...I will be approved! Margie

I got my surgery date! 10/31/07 w/Dr. Schneider. Everyone was so great. I just hope my health insurance carrier approves it...they should, I meet ALL of the criteria! I'm so excited...:clap2: Margie

:whoo:HALLOWEEN! (If I accidentally posted two messages, sorry! My computer is acting up). My surgery with Dr. Schneider is set for 10/31/07. I am so excited. Everyone at the BIDMC has been great and I can't say enough great things about them. Dr. Schneider was very nice and answered all of my questions. I can hardly wait! Margie

Hi, I thiink 40 pounds in 14 weeks is an amazing result! You should be proud. Why can you only keep down salads and soft foods? Is your fill too tight? Maybe you are craving sugar because you are not getting enough calories and/or Protein? I'm not banded yet, but hope to be soon. I would call your surgeon's office. Best of luck to you! Margie

Luv2laugh - today is your surgery! I hope it went well :clap2::clap2: Hello to all of the other posters, Lunie sorry to hear your reunion got called short but glad your husband is ok. Suemagoo - how is life being banded two months out? Hope all are well... I see the surgeon tomorrow and should have a surgery date in the next 3-6 weeks! :bounce: Margie

Anyalee, I too am worried my insurance may stall me until next year, as I have already paid my $2,000 deductible for this year. I still have a $2,000 "coinsurance" left for the year and I"m sure I'll end up paying that as well, but I really don't want to pay another $4,000 next year too. Yes...it's less than a self-pay, but I could really use that money for other stuff. Can you appeal the denial? It's worth a shot..... Best of luck to you, Margie

Darn. I had an entire message written and it' sgone! I had to post, your message made me crack up! Can't say anything about the noises, I'm not banded...but trust me the air they pumped into you will work itself out. I had gallbladder surgery and they pumped me full of air too. I have no idea how it does it, but it does eventually make it's way out - I was gassy for a few days !

Hollandsmom, I don't know your doctor or the program at St. E's, but it's an excellent hospital. It's where my PCP is affiliated with. I had a surgery there and they took good care of me Jdot - unsure about your vaca 12 days after surgery. I haven't had my lap band sx yet, but I have had gallbladder surgery and I'm guessing that the recovery period is about the same. You should be ok, but it really depends on how you come out of the anesthesia. The surgery itself didn't bother me, it was recovering from anesthesia. Good luck to both of you. Margie :ranger:

DId she appeal the denial? Sometimes that's all it takes...worth looking into. Margie

Teacherchick, :whoo:Congrats on your surgery date! Follow your surgeon's orders and come back here for inspiration and help and you'll be fine. Best of luck! Margie

Hi, I'm not banded yet, but I thought I would respond. Are you eating because you are bored/sad/tired etc? Were you really hungry when you had the first 4 oz of roast? Why did you eat with your husband? Did you do it to be social or were you really hungry? I would not beat yourself up over it, but try to move on from it and remember just how uncomfortable you are feeling right now. The purposely PB'ing is a concern. Is this something you do a lot? I never considered myself "bulimic" but a few times, maybe 3-4 times over my adult life I ate SO SO much that I had to force myself to throw up. Are you telling yourself it's ok to eat so much because you can just PB it back up??? Also, are you getting enough fluids in between each meal? Sorry I can't be of much help, but please know that you are not alone, and others have done it too. At least you recognize what it is your doing, even if it is after the fact. Hopefully you can try to stop yourself next time. Best of luck, Margie

P.S. There's "ALWAYS" something going on, whatever the time of year. You can always find an excuse to put something off. The first of the year is a "busy" time for a lot of people at work, then it's tax time and who has time to have surgery the? Then it's Spring and who wants to have surgery when the weather is getting warmer, then it's summer and barbecues and vacations, then it's Fall and back to school and holidays! I'm done with excuses...I would have the surgery done sooner, but I want to schedule 2 weeks vacation and I can't do that until Nov Best of luck... Margie

Hello, Thought I would chime in on this one. I am hoping to be banded in November for two reaons, 1 - I have a "deductible" on my health insurance that I've already met and I don't want to pay an add'l $2,000 in 08 for the surgery and 2 - I don't care if it's the holidays, I just really want to lose weight! I'm hoping to be at least 75 pounds lighter by next summer and I'll need those two months to do it! Why wait? Your surgeon may require you to do a pre-op diet, and I know I couldn't do it over the holidays! Best of luck... Margie

Hello all, I just got the call from BIDMC and I am seeing Dr. Schneider on 9/27. :whoo: I could have gotten in to see him on 9/20, but I have an all day class that day. I'm very excited! I'm this much closer to a surgery date. Margie

Hello Jowjow, I started this process in July. At my hospital, you had to see the nurse and the doctor that runs the program on one day and have an EKG and bloodwork done. Then they would find out if you needed any add'l testing. I did not. I had to wait a month for my appt because I was travelling for work. Then I had the nutritionist visit and the psych visit. I am hoping tomorrow to get my date to see the surgeon. Once I see the surgeon, I will get a surgery date and they will submit my info to the insurance company. Have you contacted your insurance company yet? I'm hoping for a Nov surgery date. Good luck with the process! Margie

Ahh..that's what I get for trying to type too fast. TICKERFACTORY . COM