Dragonwillow

Yeah, and isn't it funny how we see things differently than other people. I didn't remember him as being fat. I remebmer he played the saxaphone, and that he always seemed to be smiling. Isn't it strange that he remembers himself as being the biggest kid and always unhappy? I've been packing for camping all day (we are going camping at stone mtn in the morning.) And I unearthed some old vhs tapes that were video of my child hood. The five year old wanted to watch them...so I put them in for her. Two things I noticed, I wasn't fat (though I was always on a diet) and that I have a very heavy southern accent. I sounded like a little hick. LOL The more I thought about how I was always on a diet during my teen years the madder I got. I finally had to go walk it off, blamming my mom for my insecurities is easy but useless. Gotta deal in the here and now....and I have numerous scales and tests that confirm it this time...hehehe I"m fat! LOL. Melissa

Hi everyone....it occurred to me that I haven't introduced myself either. I just posted on the NC forum looking for support groups . I'm 34, and have been married for 17 years...yep half my life LOL. I have two girls, ages 13 and 5. I'm a stay at home mom for now, but my 5 year old starts kindergarten this fall, not sure what I will do with myself then. I enjoy scrapbooking, exercising and crafty stuff. I have been overweight it seems forever. Went on my first diet at the age of 12 and have been on some sort of diet for 22 years. I've lost weight in the past...but its only been a tempory thing...and the weight always comes back, usually inviting more lbs to add to the party. As a result I have yo yo'd myself through dieting and pregnancies to 251 lbs. I'm 5'6, so this puts me at just over 100lbs overweight. The only medical conditions I currently have is hypothyroidism. Other than that I'm one healthy fat chick.... But I know that diabettes, high bloodpressure and heart disease are only around the corner for me. My family history is riddles with these. Its really funny that I originally heard about lapband from a friend who's wife had it done, but didn't loose weight. (she never went back for a fill or anything, I think part of it had to do with depression too) I started researching what he was talking about and thought...maybe this will work for me. That was about a year ago. Finally went to a seminar a couple months ago and have tried to get the ball rolling since then. I have my consultation with Dr. voellinger on July 14th. I hope to have all my pre op testing done and turned in by then. Melissa

I think the band might be like the secret plastic surgery the stars use. They can quietly go off and have it done, and we all know how well the scars can heal, so its not really noticable. Besides they have their pictures "touched" for magazine pictures. That clear flawless skin we see in magazines is the results of professional makeup and photo touch up. I watched the view, I was very disappointed with the segmant on the wls. They talked about the "emotional" issues mostly with wls. And the one lady that had the band talked about how everyone turned on her. To be honest looking at the before and after picture, and listening to her talk about likeing to go out and "socialize" I think she might have turned a bit "wild" compared to her old self. I personally don't think I'll go wild, but my husband has already comminented in a joking manner that I'm going to be dangerous. Before my last daughter was born I had lost down to around 210, my lowest adult weight. And I admit I was starting to feel a bit full of myself . My husband loved all the self confidence that was emerging..and loved the fact that I wanted to dress a bit more appealing. (rarely wearing the huge t-shirt collection I tend to prefer) And I joke with my 13 year old that I'll be stealing her clothes. (not likely since she likes those 'punk or goth" look stuff). I really wish they would give the coverage to the lapband that it deserves though. Any of you want to go on "i LOST it" when you are done? It seems like at least one of the two people featured on there everyday has had gastric bypass. (I actually saw a old highschool classmate on I lost it, if anyone watches the show he was the long blonde haired nudist LOL) Melissa

I'm pre band too. Doing all the pre tests now. My surgery consult appointment is in July. I am really hating all the waiting and patience I'm suppouse to be doing. (not real good at the whole patience thing) But the only thing I'm nervous about too is the surgery. I had my tonsils out when I was in 2nd grade, and since then, the only hospital visits have been for the birth of my two girls. I think its natural to be nervous. I just want to get started though . Melissa

I'll be using Dr. Voellinger as well. I'm doing all the pre testing right now. All I have left is the psychiatric evaul, and the egd both of which are scheduled, well at least initial appointments are. I was told that I might not have to do the exercise evaul because I turned in copies of my workouts for the last year and half with my initial paperwork...but i'm worried not going ahead and scheduling it might slow me down in getting my paperwork sent to the insurance. I may just go ahead a schedule it anyway. How lond did it take you to get surgery scheduled once you meet with him and had insurance approval? I have United Health Care too. I was told that it was good insurance and rarely has a promblem getting approved. I'm assuming insurance covers the fills as well? It one of my questions to ask at the appointmnet. If ya ever want to meet up just to get to know each other let me know. My kids love going to concord mills so we are up that way quite frequently. Melissa

I don't know...the schedule I picked up from Dr. V's office said that lap band support groups had been canceled due to lack of participation. It says we can go to the general meeting if we want though. I would really like to get a lap band group going again..even if its very informal type of meet up. The RNY patients and DS patients have so many different needs than lap band patients. I would think it would be kinda of discouraging to have us with them for us. They loose so much quicker. Kim how you feeling? you were banded recently right? I'm so excited and its funny how I look at everything I eat now pre band. Hubby and I went out to dinner for our anniversary tonight (17th anniversary) and I kept thinking about how I wouldn't be able to eat such and such this way...but might could have this or that after surgery. Did you have your lapband done with Dr. V? If so how quickly after insurance approval did you get in? The sheet i picked up says that the support group meetings are held every third Monday of the month ...and are open to any/all types of bariatric surgery patients. Pre op patients are also welcome to attend. Melissa

Yes Dr. V is at presby. My appointment isn't till July 14th. Just finished up blood work today and did my chest xrays, so only have the psych and the endo left I think. Hope to have all the result at the office before my appointment so they can do their insurance thing and get me scheduled. Really would like to have it before the end of summer. Melissa

I'm currently in the "get endless tests done" pre surgery phase. I am in Charlotte also. I noticed that Dr Voillingers lap band support group has disolved from lack of participation. Really want to get one going or join up an existing one in the area. So if anyone gets any information ...keep me posted as well . Melissa A, Charlotte NC age 34, 2 girls ages 5 and 13 254lbs, 40.4 bmi Dr Voillinger