justmel1957

I do that when I'm stressed. My face and neck light up light a bright red bulb. It passes as soon as the stress goes away.

I have Federal BCBS. It did NOT require a 6 mo diet. Once my paperowrk was submitted I was approved in about 21 days. (My company has 31 days to give an approval or denial once they receive the submission)

My cost would have been the same regardless if I went home or stayed overnight. I only had an out-patient surgery (23 hours or less)co-pay of $40. I did stay the night, but only because of an early morning swallowing eval. I could have made it fine not spending the night, though.

I eat steak but am careful about choosing a tender cut of meat.

I had no problem sleeping in my own bed.

Yes, you hurt her feelings. Especially if you worded it to her, like you said it here: "I have seen here at 18 when she had an AMAZING BODY :biggrin: but at age 25 when we had our first child she started to pack on the pounds." Losing weight is a very personal decision. And women are very, very sensitive about it. 200 lbs at 5'9" would not qualify for banding. I'm sure as you go down your band journey she will be watching and learning and will most likely want to lose too. But, its her decision to make. And possibily the more you mention it to her, the more defensive she will be about it. Just play it cool, and she will probably join you in your journey soon. Good luck........... and yes, flowers or jewelry will definately help get you out of the dog house! LOL

Also, be sure and read your surgical consent form carefully b4 you sign. Make sure the correct surgery is listed on the consent. And yes, I would write on your stomach if it makes you feel more secure. And as they wheel you back, double check verbally with the nurse b4 they put you under.

I took 4 days, but I have a desk job.

Great news! Can't beleive I didn't know this! Thanks for the heads up!

I do a few tiny tiny sips of H2O w/ my meal, but when I'm at home I eat a couple of bites of applesauce to moisten my mouth and feel "finished". I do understand the poster who has to choose between eating and having great iced tea. I LOVE the iced tea at McAlister's Deli, so I go ahead and order it in a "to go" cup and take it with me. I enjoy later when allowed.

You go girl..............don't let the negativity get to you. You'll do just fine and most of us understand your situation. You've discussed it with your physician, you've got your support system in place and thats all that really matters. Please let us know how it goes. We really do want you to succeed!

Yes, my doctor requires a personal letter which documents your attempts at weight loss, your family history, and so on. I really was descriptive with everything. Ended up with a 7 page letter to send in. I started with a lower BMI so wanted to say everything I needed to say in order to get qualified. It worked. Approved within 30 days

My doctor does all of his bands as a 23 hour outpatient overnight. He does a swallowing eval early the next AM and wants to make sure you can tolerate clear liquids/pain control before dismissal.

Mom's are great, aren't they! Kudos to your mom for helping you make a success of the day! With your DH and mom at your side, you are sure to succeed! just try to relax and enjoy the day. It's all about being together and being thankful for our blessings. Do let us know how it all turns out.............we'll all be wondering (and rooting for you)!!

jello salad and Soup...................2 more excellent suggestions. You can do this...............we're rooting for you!

Here's what I would do.............fill your plate with the things you CAN eat (mashed potatoes, a very loose, moist stuffing, and a blended sweet potatoe casserole (take off the topping). Put a few tabelspoons of non allowed food on your plate just to make it look full. eat what you can of the mushy items. Busy yourself with refilling everyones drinking glass, removing plates, serving dessert, etc.............(enjoy the creamy part of the pumpkin pie, or serve a pudding truffle). No one will notice and you'll be so stressed you wont have much of an appetite anyway. Here's what I did last year just due to my schedule for cooking the turkey. I cooked it the night before. Cut it all up, and put it in a large pot. Cover the meat with canned broth and diluted turkey gravy. Put it in the frig overnight. The next morning, i heated it slightly in the over, then put the sliced meat in my crock pot for serving. Everyone thot it was the most moist turky they had ever had and all wanted the recipe. Enjoy!! The decision to tell or not tell is totally yours...........do what you think is right for you.

Still have the carb cravings, and can do pasta, but not bread. I do limit the carbs, but the cravings are there. LOL

Shopping and BUYING clothes in the regular misses section.............I forgot how much fun clothes shopping can be.

I knew for years I had a very large HH. Terrible, awful reflux at night. Sometimes aspirating the fluid and acquiring pnemonias from it. Having the HH repaired was wonderful! What a joy to lay down at night and not worry that this will be another night of waking up gasping for air due to inhaling the acid. I'm so thrilled with the repair and was so glad my doc repaired it while he was in there.

I am easily freaked out and get obsessed by the numbers, so I choose at this point anyway to only weigh at my monthly Dr's visits. Then, its always a pleasant surprize! I've been banded 4 months. Once I get to goal, I plan to weigh weekly.

I want to have a big family portrait taken (with the grandkids and in laws).................one I will be proud to display

You might also re-check your actual height. I found I was an inch shorter now than I thot I was. I guess I hadn't been measured since high-school (33 years ago-ugh) and was going by what I thot my height was. When the doctor measured me, I was actually 1 inch shorter.

I guess I'm just the opposite..............I LUV purging the closet, bagging things up and moving them out. I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I'm done. One of those NSV's for sure. I've been buying cheaper "transition" clothes from places like Cato's and have even found some designer pieces at our local Goodwill to get me thru the falling sizes.

I don't have a scale either. I prefer to weigh only at my monthly office visits. I find it much less frustrating and accurate.

I'm sure it also depends on your starting weight/BMI. If you have 70-80 lbs to lose, I'm sure your loss would be slower than those who have 200 or more to lose. Metabolism and age also play a factor as well as how much you exercise and calorie count. Good luck!