KtKt

Don't have regrets... just get reading! I bet you'll even find another one in OHIO to chat with (HINT: Use the search feature on the tool bar above and type in Ohio - see what comes up for you!!!) All my best wishes! katie

Hi McBee... Over the past couple of years, I've had two different doctors ask me if I'd ever considered Lap Band Surgery... I answered a quick "no" to each of them... but as time has passed - I'm thinking that was a little seed (two little seeds) planted back then - and they're taken root, beginning to grow. At the time - I was not ready to talk about it, think about it... and I really didn't know what Lap Band was vs. "gastric bypass" until recently... Now I'm chomping at the bit to get it all in gear! Like you, I don't have many symptoms... just starting to feel the aches and pains of old age (I'm 55)... I've been VERY LUCKY! I've had loved ones close to me struggle with all sorts of health issues... and I don't want to join that club! Best wishes with your decision! katie

Hi Tommyboy... I'm new here too... the best thing you can do is read everything here you can! I've spents many, many hours reading here and feel like I really know how this surgery works and what to expect... I'm sure the professionals you'll be working with will have literature for you === and that they'll explain everything very clearly... but there is nothing like reading first-hand questions, concerns, comments, hints, tips and more... There is so much here, it's amazing! On top of these posts, you can also read journals, and do LIVE CHATS with others... just click around and be ready to READ!!! The band is a TOOL to help you lose weight... and I see this board as another VERY IMPORTANT tool! Best wishes... katie

I love this website... There is more here than imaginable - and I'm discovering new things each day! I am meeting with Theresa Lenghan (Dean Clinic's Weight Managment team) on Tuesday for my "in-take" appointment. I had to fill out a 17 page questionairre and take a quick survey to see where I sit "emotionally," I think... I'll know more on Tuesday! What made me decide this is the path for me? Well - a couple of things... mainly the scare I had mid-June with the pain down my right leg due to sciatic nerve problems... Dr. S gave me 4 prescriptions, advised bed rest and heat... and I feel better. As he said, "we've treated the symptoms, not the cause." I know what that means! Dick started off with this stupid leg pain back in 1998... look at him today! Two back surgeries, a hernia, a cervical spine surgery, foot reconstruction, and more... He's on over $25,000 worth of prescriptions a year (thank GOD for insurance)... and is in constant pain. He has been unable to work since 2002... and had to officially retire 9/1/06 with a medical disability. He's on medicare --- unable to exercise or move much... and is getting heavier all the time. I know he wants to lose weight... and I'm sure many of his health issues would ease up if he did... but right now, food is his only outlet - well, there is ME and the KIDS and the GRANDKIDS.... Anyway --- I'm sick and tired of being so fat! Tired of ALWAYS on a diet - yet gaining weight year after year.... so the journey begins... I've been reading TONS of posts here in LapBandTalk.com... so happy to have found this site! I feel like I have a very clear understanding of the surgery, the lifestyle changes to come and am excited to get on board!

I love this website... There is more here than imaginable - and I'm discovering new things each day! I am meeting with Theresa Lenghan (Dean Clinic's Weight Managment team) on Tuesday for my "in-take" appointment. I had to fill out a 17 page questionairre and take a quick survey to see where I sit "emotionally," I think... I'll know more on Tuesday! What made me decide this is the path for me? Well - a couple of things... mainly the scare I had mid-June with the pain down my right leg due to sciatic nerve problems... Dr. S gave me 4 prescriptions, advised bed rest and heat... and I feel better. As he said, "we've treated the symptoms, not the cause." I know what that means! Dick started off with this stupid leg pain back in 1998... look at him today! Two back surgeries, a hernia, a cervical spine surgery, foot reconstruction, and more... He's on over $25,000 worth of prescriptions a year (thank GOD for insurance)... and is in constant pain. He has been unable to work since 2002... and had to officially retire 9/1/06 with a medical disability. He's on medicare --- unable to exercise or move much... and is getting heavier all the time. I know he wants to lose weight... and I'm sure many of his health issues would ease up if he did... but right now, food is his only outlet - well, there is ME and the KIDS and the GRANDKIDS.... Anyway --- I'm sick and tired of being so fat! Tired of ALWAYS on a diet - yet gaining weight year after year.... so the journey begins... I've been reading TONS of posts here in LapBandTalk.com... so happy to have found this site! I feel like I have a very clear understanding of the surgery, the lifestyle changes to come and am excited to get on board!

Hi Lorien... I'm having some back problems too... My sciatic nerve flaired up the busiest week of the year at work! Extreme pain down my right leg. Scared me to pieces... I'm also having some knee pain. I know it'll all be better once I'm a loser... Katie

What was the "final straw" --- the thing that made you come to your decision that LB was for you???

That is so wonderful! I hope things go as smoothly for me... DH is willing to pay... but if insurance will kick in, why not! Everytime I eat now, I think how it is all going to change. It is kind of nice to have this "time" to think about it and get mentally ready... After Tuesday, I'll have a plan in action to start SOMETHING until surgery can be scheduled... If insurance is going to require me to have a proven history of "trying" (how stupid is that?), I didn't want to have lost pounds in vain (i.e. not recorded by my dr. office)... so I'm not doing anything special right now... Katie

argh! Sorry to post this here... There is so much to READ, I totally missed the existing thread... I'll use the search feature before starting anything new again! Sorry... and thanks for your comments... I think I'll just make decisions as I go.... HUGZ!!! kt

Hi Debi... we sound like a close match. I will be 56 in October... and am just starting out with my "in-take" appointment on Tuesday. Good luck with your other tests.... Sounds like you're in good hands, doing exactly what you need to do to get thru this HEALTHY! Keep posting about your progress... I'll be watching! katie

Are you all very OPEN with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers about your LB decision? Just curious... I'm afraid to say too much to anyone... what if (((I))) fail? Did you just wait until people started noticing your weight loss? Explain it when you have an office luncheon? Avoid social gnoshing with friends? I think that's what it boils down to... the fear of failing at this... After a lifetime of failing at one weight loss attempt after another... (I do have a positive attitude about this... but you all know that nagging voice... don't you?) katie:ranger:

Patti and Ellin - I was afraid of being rejected due to age! Guess I don't need to worry... 60 is the new 40, afterall! Goin' the speed limit at 55... katie

WEIGH to go Lori! How long did it take to get approval? Were you rejected at all??? I'm real curious to find out how our insurance will cover... I go in Tuesday for my "screening" and feel so prepared with questions and knowledge - thanks to LBT!!!

This is so neat --- joining forces around your banding dates to share problems, successes, questions! I can't wait to get a date so I can join in too... Meanwhile, I'm jumping thru hoops, reading all I can, practicing my chewing & watering... and thanks to you all, chasing my worries away! Katie in WI

My name is Katie - I live in Wisconsin and have my "in-take" appt. next week. I'm sure I'll impress the staff with the knowledge I've gained reading here ... You guys will have me so educated and prepared, I'll knock their socks off! I have spent hours and hours (and hours) reading through the postings here... getting to know some of you and learning so much about lap banding. One minute I'm ready to beat down some doors to get it scheduled... and then I read some things that make me stop and wonder if this is really the way to go... Insurance? not sure if it'll cover... but the "team" knows how to jump thru all the hoops, so I'm right there doing what I need to do to make it happen... and if it's an Insurance "NO," then the dh and I need to talk... I've copied and pasted important tips & tricks... some inspirations... some warnings ... and will print them out for my official Lap Band Journey-Journal ... THANK GOD for the internet where you truly can find out about anything and everything... There is nothing more useful to me now, making this decision than to hear the facts FIRST HAND from those who have been there ... THANK YOU for sharing your experiences and so much more... This is a giant decision... As you all have been there... you know the fear, excitement, anxiety, worry, and HOPE I'm feeling now. --KtKt ... who has already started practicing tiny bites and lots o'chewing! and who will get on the "Water Wagon" tomorrow!!!