Feel2Young2B40

Thanks Kathy! I'm getting a little nervous. Eating all my favorite foods (in moderation I must add) over the past few days. I'm going to go out with a bang at 11:59 PM on Thursday night! I'm psyched! Thanks again!

Hi! Can I join the April bandster list since I missed the March? I'm going in 3/25. I feel kinda left out having missed March!!! Laura

Hi Grammi! Isn't UHC great???? They approved mine in about 6 days even though they said they might need 30. Hopefully your fills will be covered as I've found out mine does. There are about 6-7 of us in our office (very large office of about 150 people) have had it done and the insurance has been great! Good luck and keep in touch! Laura

Hi Boxerluv! I just wanted to say HI and good luck! This is a great group of people so if you need anything, ASK! They are really helpful and have been very supportive I've found over the past few weeks. GGGOOOO BAND! Laura

Hi all! I have a question. I received a list of foods and the progression from the doctor on Thursday but what wasn't mentioned was the calories that should be consumed daily while healing. I'm not excited by the liquid stage and or the next stage before mushies (like everyone else!) but I went to Sam's this weekend to see what I could find. I picked up several bottles of juice (apple and a passion/apple/strawberry), chicken broth, Jello, carnation Breakfast drinks, Protein Drinks, etc. How many calories a day should I be consuming? My dr. said to only consume 2 oz. at a time and sip as much Water as possible. Does this mean every couple hours 2 oz to get as many calories to help the healing? Ok, I lied - 1 more question - I forgot to ask him when I can begin driving again. How many days post-op did everyone wait? I don't want to rush it but I want to be "mobile" as soon as possible. 4 more days.......

Happy early birthday Harley! I was kind of surprised by what he said on protein. He said to make sure I received 30 grams a day. I thought the number was more like 60 grams a day. Oh well....I'll see what happens. Thanks for the info! Laura

Hi Jaimie! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I hope for a speedy, healthy recovery for you. And just like DaisyDoodle said - TAKE IT EASY! Pamper yourself and PLEASE send daily updates for us "up and coming" bandsters this week! I know Princess is having her's the same day as mine on Friday 3/25. Good luck! Laura

Hi Kelly! I was told the longer the insurance company has the paperwork in review, the better the chance it will be approved. My doctor's office said most refusals come back very quickly so you should be well on your way! Good luck and keep your chin up! Take care! Laura

Congratulations! Good luck and a super speedy recovery!!! Laura

Hi everyone! I need some help covering all the questions I should ask during my pre-op appointment with the surgeon tomorrow. I have a couple already but I need some brain storming ideas with your help. I figure I'll get a bunch of info tomorrow as well as instructions after the surgery next week but I'm sure I'll be pretty groggy on Friday. I'm looking for things that you found during your experience that needed to be answered but not generally covered in the usual material. HELP! Thanks!!!

Hi Crystal! Congratulations!!! Speedy recovery to you and take care! Laura

Hi all! I have a question - My surgery is on 3/25 and I woke up Thursday morning not feeling well. It's gone down hill since then and now I've got a doosy of a cold. Coughing, stuffed head, etc. I see my surgeon on 3/17 and I'm wondering if he sees me ill if he'll want to postpone surgery. I'm drinking lots of liquids and resting (makes me nuts because I'd like to be out walking in all of the great weather we're having this weekend! 80 degrees today and sunny!). Of course I'm assuming I'll still be sick by Thursday but everyone I've known that's come down with this cold is sick for 10-14 days. Also, I've been taking echinachea(sp?) and I wonder if I should stop since I'm having my lab tests on 3/21. What do you think?

Hi Christina! Is your company self-insured? I know mine is and the process seemed to go rather quickly. I wonder if you are self-insured if going to the HR department would help and speaking to a manager. I've read many people have been successful in reversing the decision when this is the case. Just a thought.... Also, I'm in mourning about food. You touched a nerve when I read your post and I felt compelled to say I HEAR YA! You couldn't have said it better or closer to how I feel. It's funny how much of our life growing up revolved around food. I remember all family get togethers and food being the binding ingredient. You begin to associate love (for your family) with food. I gained all my weight back after moving down to Texas and I believe it's mostly because I miss my family in Illinois. Very few people in my family are overweight (and thank goodness my kids aren't!). My sister is a size 2 and a recovered bulimic and exercise fanatic. Funny how we are both so very different but suffer the same obstacle - FOOD. Bottom line, I love food, the taste, the smell, the time spent cooking and eating that I'm going to miss - to some extent. However, I know in the end all will be for the best - going ahead with the band. Of that I am sure. The other thing I am confident of is you. From what I've seen of your postings I know you will succeed in the approval process. You're name says it all! You are a confident, successful and motivated lady. Take care and the best to you. Laura

I just love the white chocolate mocha! I can taste is now!!

Hi! I sat in the sun all day yesterday and today soaking up all the Vitamin D I could. Took a short walk and feel better this evening. I thank everyone for your great advice and I'm sure everything will be fine. I haven't taken anymore echinechea(sp?) and popping the Halls Defense Vitamin C like candy. Unfortunately I don't think it's is self induced, as my husband came down with a wicked cold 2 days before me. I was teasing him that he got me sick on purpose! No, he's been great through this, very helpful and supportive. Thanks again! Laura

Hi all! Sorry, I know it should be y'all but I'm still a Yankee at heart! I'd definitely be interested in a get together up here in the Dallas area if possible. I'd love to meet you all!

Good luck Crystal! Take it easy and rest. I'm sure you'll have a speedy recovery!!

Is it usual to have family members concerned or should I say have negative feeling against LapBand? My mom (66) is concerned about my well-being and if this is the right decision for me. She's been overweight all her life and recently lost a great deal of weight again. For her it kind of happened by accident initially as she was taking care of her husband with terminal cancer. He passed away in August 04, and she then had time for herself after 6 long months of nursing him. She's doing South Beach and she doesn't understand why I am doing this. She thinks it's too drastic and the fact it's for the rest of my life. My mom is a very strong person in my life and I consider her opinions very carefully. So of course there are now doubts (not very strong) but I guess any life long decision would be the same. I don't think you look at things clearly unless you're willing to look at all angles. Also, my daughter who is 17 is very concerned. She's worried I'll die during this. So I explained to both of them, if they want me around for a while longer, I HAVE TO DO THIS. My cholesterol would shock you, the arthritis in my spine is a daily thing, I am constantly twisting my ankles, etc. Not to mention, I'm just SICK of being overweight. What can I do to make them understand this is my life, my health and my decision without alienating them? Thank goodness my husband is super supportive. He gets it and is doing all he can to help me through this. My son (12) is only concerned about if his eating habits will have to change. I told him everyone's is changing for the best. Less eating out and more at home cooking.

Hi Penny! How cute! I have 4 cats (a new one was added yesterday from the local shelter-I fell in love) and they love to sit by me while I'm on my laptop and chase the cursor! I love kitties....I have 2 blue point siamese, a snowshoe and a beautiful grey part Russian Blue. Oh, I shouldn't forget my 2 dogs also. Good thing we have a large house! One dog is 90 pounds (half lab half sheppard) and an American Eskimo. Everywhere you look there is love around here! Oh, can't forget my 2 kids either - 17 (Kaitlin) and 12 (Jared). Wow - that's alot of things to feed isn't it? LOL! Good thing I'm getting banded in a few weeks! hahahaha...

Hi! I am a newbie but I was wondering. Maybe this has been considered before, but could an area about clothes be added like the food category? Maybe a breakdown by size available for donation? That way anyone interested in donating clothes and those looking for smaller sizes can get together. Since I am new, I don't necessarily "know" many people and certainly don't know what size they are. I'm always so embarassed and self-conscious about my clothing size that I would never ask anyone their's! I'm just thinking that someone across the country could use what I don't need down the road. I bring this up because I unfortunately might be a clothes horse. Or so my husband says about my 3 full walk-in closets! I love to mix and match things so I have a hard time parting with items. Also, I hate the idea of just donating items that still have tags! I do donate ALOT to the local shelters, etc but those are usually well worn items that still have wear left but not brand new. Oh well, just an idea. Any thoughts?

Hi! Thanks for the words of encouragement! I know I'm doing the right thing for myself and everyone else, even if they don't know it right now. I'll be a much healthier and happier person in the end. It's great to hear that others have had the same issue. I guess it just shows how much we mean to the others in our life if they are so concerned. Again, thanks for all the great thoughts! Laura

I can't believe it! I posted my first message yesterday looking for information on Dr. Carter in Arlington, TX and was kind of nervous and depressed. I then happened to call the insurance company this evening thinking I'd get the same answer again "no, we haven't received the paperwork yet" and discovered I was approved by UHC within 5 work days! I had first sent in paperwork on Feb 10th and then did a followup call with the dr to find out the paperwork got lost. Resubmitted on the 18th and was officially approved the 24th! I even found out the tentative surgery date and will of course need to call tomorrow for the "firm" date. UHC tells me it looks like March 23, 24 or 25th. I'm soooo excited! I'm hoping for some words of wisdom and encouragement from all of you great people because I can't tell anyone at work. I'm nervous and want to wait until I've been banded and back to "normal". I have lots of lunches and dinners for work and don't want a lot of attention about it. Plus, I've worked for the same company for 14 years and lost probably 150 pounds (lost 80 then gained 90 and a son, then lost 60 and then gained nothing but weight back). I want to be successful this time and I have the desire. Not only for comfort (traveling for work, Six Flags - here I come!) but also for my health. I always promised myself when I turned 40 I would be at my goal weight. Let's see, that came and went about 9 months ago and I lost nothing except for time! Well, thanks and I'm excited!!! Laura

Hi all! Thanks for all the wonderful words of encouragement! My surgery is set for the 3/21 and I'll be banded before you know it! I feel like a "coke" head though. I've had absolutely NO diet coke since Sunday night. I just tastes SSSOOOO good! Oh well, I guess I'll start making use of the water we have delivered and learn to like tea alot! Thanks again and I'll keep you updated! Laura

Hi! I'm brand new and I'm seeing Dr. Carter in Arlington, Texas. I was wondering if anyone else has used him and what you thought. I've filled out my paperwork and it's currently being reviewed. I have UHC EPO and I know my plan does not have any exclusions so I feel pretty good about the outcome. I certainly qualify and I'm MO and have been since being a teenager. I've figured out in 25 years I've lost over 300 pounds with yo-yo dieting. I've been researching the band since November 04 and I made my final decision last month. However, I am a little un-nerved about having something foreign in my body and I was wondering if anyone else has felt like that in the beginning. That's about my only hang-up and having to give up my diet coke habit. Well, if anyone has any thoughts on the above, I'd appreciate it. I've never posted anything before so this too is new to me! Thank you! Laura