kathystrick

Statistics please. Everything I have read (and believe me, that is a LOT. My doctor said I am one of the most informed patients he has ever had) completely contradicts that. That is not denial speaking, as I am not yet even approved for banding.

I am doing well, thanks. Still waiting on approval (or denial?) from insurance. Glad the liquid diet is getting easier. How many more days do you have on straight liquids?

Wow! That does sound easy! I hope it works out that smoothly for you. When are you going to make your first appointment? Good luck!!

Ok, I've got another one... BACK FAT!!!! Ugh! :cry_smile: Thought of that one last night as I was trying to get dressed to go to a shower.:crying:

Aw Mary! I'm sorry you got denied. Any chance of appeal? I'll cross all of mine for you too.:crying: Good luck! I haven't been notified about what my insurance said yet. So still waiting by the phone!:cry_smile: It has only been a week though, so I guess I really don't have any right to be impatient yet. But I just can't help it!!:biggrin:

I am going to stay on plan today because I have lost 1.5 pounds so far this week and I don't want to gain it back!

Have you tried using the blender and maybe adding in a little ice to give it more of a milkshake consistency?

Hi Tanya and welcome tp LBT! Sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble getting surgery. Good luck!

Hi, Maria! Welcome to LBT!! Congratulations on your date and the weightloss. Great job!! Good luck to you!

Hi and welcome to LBT! There is a lot of information and support here, so dive in. I'm sure you will find the answers to the majority of your questions. As far as a time frame, it really all depends on your circumstances and insurance requirements. Some here are self pay and managed to have surgery in a matter of weeks. Others have had to meet the requirements of their insurance companies, including 6 months of a doctor supervised diet. Some insurance companies are just S-L-O-W. Generally speaking, I don't think it has taken anyone who didn't have problems with insurance a year to get approval. Several months would be a more common time frame I think. Good luck to you!!

Hi Colleen and welcome to LBT! Congratulations on your band. Glad you are feeling well and wanted to wish you luck.

This 5 days will pass before you know it! Then, you can move on to the post-op board and leave all of us still here waiting on a date in your dust. Good luck!

Once you go to the seminar, then make that first appointment, things seem to move along pretty quickly. Good luck!

I'm not from Myrtle Beach, but thought I would say Hi and welcome you anyway.:thumbup: Are you banded yet? Tell us your story!! I used to live not far from MB, but in NC, right after i got married. Do you know where Tabor City is?

Thank you all for being so insistent about answers!! As someone who is pre-band (the supposed "target audience") I have been following this thread since it began yesterday. The most disturbing thing to me about it? The lack of information. Headhunter is professing to want to educate us about the possible dangers, but is really just teasing us with bits and pieces of information. It's like at the end of a tv show when they show you "scenes from next week". They give you just enough to be sure you tune in next time. I believe there is probably some degree of truth to his story, but have not heard nearly enough to influence my decision one way or the other.

Hi Francine and welcome to LBT! The liquid diet is to shrink your liver prior to surgery and make placement of the band easier for the surgeon. You still have Protein shakes to keep your nutrition up so your Vitamin levels will be good enough for surgery. Good luck!! If you can't find all the answers you need, ask away!

Hi Linda! Welcome to LBT!! I think the key to success with the band is realizing that it is only a tool. You cannot continue eating the way you always have or you will not be successful. For most of us, deciding to get banded includes the decision to make total life changes about our attitudes regarding food and exercise. For those who don't make the decision to make the necessary lifestyle changes, any success with the band is likely to be short-lived. You have to make the decision everyday to stay on plan and know that you are not perfect and sometimes will "slip". That's ok. Tomorrow is another day and 1 day of failure does not mean a lifetime of being fat. You just pick yourself up and move on. Good luck to you!!

Hi Suzy and welcome to LBT! Good luck to you!!

There is really no set time frame. Self pay people tend to get done sooner than insurance people, I would assume because they don't have to wait for approval. It also depends on the requirements of your surgeon and insurance company as far as testing, diet, etc. Like someone else said, if you've been fat ____ years, what is a few more weeks? Good luck!

Hi Joanna! I think most of us go through some amount of indecision at some point. I know for me, I had to do LOADS of research before I finally made a definite decision and then I was afraid to tell anyone for the longest time (including DH!). This is a major decision and it's only atural to second guess yourself along the way. This site is a great place for information and support, so please utilize those resources as you try to make a decision. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

I am staying on plan today because that is the only way I will ever know success!!

Glad you are feeling better Nicole. Good luck to you!!

Honestly Nicole, from what I have read (and that is a LOT), I don't think you have as much to worry about as this poster seems to want us to believe. Is there risk of complications with this surgery? Yes, just like there is with any other surgical procedure. I don't think there is a single one of us going into this who doesn't know that. My doctor and his staff have repeatedly told me that and I would think others do as well. If it would make you feel better, call your doctor. Ask them what sort of complications their patients have experienced. My surgeon's office was very upfront with that information. If you trust your surgeon and believe the surgery would be the best thing for your health, then go for it! I can't see where the surgery would be any more risky than continuing to be obese and to gain more weight. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Hi Deann! Check these threads for possible answers to your question: Doctors and Hospitals - Lap Band Talk Forum - The largest forum for Lap Band Surgery Discussion and Lap Band Surgery Support and Alabama Lap Band Support - Lap Band Talk Forum - The largest forum for Lap Band Surgery Discussion and Lap Band Surgery Support . Hope you find what you are looking for and good luck!

Hi and welcome to LBT! Congratulations on your surgery date. It won't be long now! Good luck!!