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Chilly and Lady...looks like you're both on your way to your new life. Congrats and wishing you luck!

IndioGirl, You really hit the nail on the head...we fat people understand each other. Every one of my friends are the skinny people (lovely but skinny). Each one of them has asked me...if I can lose the weight, why have the surgery. One even went so far as to add that it is mutilating my body. I feel that I mutilate my body every time I gain another pound! We are all blessed to have the opportunity to have the lap band and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to bounce things off of each of you. I have been lurking and looking at the "fifties" site for a couple of weeks now. I am happy I opened the door and sat down. Thank you for making me feel welcome here!

Thanks, Indiogirl. I know I can do this. I just don't know how to ask for help sometimes and that gets me in trouble. A person cannot be in this world and handle their troubles all alone. I am going to try and talk about my things a little more. I have noticed your posts and you are so much help to people and so positive. Thanks for your encouragement.

Thanks for the positive words, Marymc. I will try the daily thing. I really think what is getting to me is that I live in Minnesota...cannot get out and walk, etc. I do my treadmill but just not the same. I work out of the home so that adds to my cabin fever. I have all sorts of projects lined up to keep me busy up until the time this six months is over and done with. I feel better already...thanks

Mortitia...I order two books off of Amazon.com. There's some good recipes in each. I'm not banded yet but tried a few of them...there'es recipes for each stage. Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery

Get on the Z pack A.S.A.P., get your fluids, get some extra rest, don't kill the Damned Husband, and calm down. A couple of days can mean a lot of healing.

Hey 50's people. I need a little encouragement today. I am trying to be as patient as I can but waiting has been getting to me the last couple of days. I will have to say that my entire lap band process has been a positive one. I am just finishing up my 4th month of my 6 month pre-op insurance company required supervised diet. It's gone well; I've worked hard and lost about 40lbs. But, I am getting very discouraged this past week. I am having these feelings of not trying so hard for the rest of the trip. So afraid that my ins. company will not approve me anyway. I know these are silly thoughts but just hit this spot and having a hard time pulling myself out of it. My BMI going into this was at 40. I have some comorbilities (fatty liver, elevated blood pressure, extreme joint pain, family history, etc.). I went into this with a great attitude after researching the lap band for about 3 years. My surgeon turned all my paperwork into my company (BCBS) at the three month point. I was denied at that point based on that fact that they require a full 6 mo. I don't worry about the surgery. I don't worry about sticking to all the rules and diet after surgery....I just worry about the insurance approval. Is it because it is so close but yet so far away? I know I just need to calm down, keep doing the same program (cuz it's worked so far), and be patient for a couple more months. I guess what I am looking for from you guys is just a little bit of encouraging pick-me-up for today. Thanks...I am just happy to have this site to come to. I have a very supportive husband but his favorite saying is "Just forget about it. Everything will be fine". Ugh!

Hey Molly....what a happy day for you! Have had a couple of those moments and looking forward to a few more. Wishing you many more of those moments.

I am staying on plan today because I don't want to feel crappy when I go to sleep tonight or when I wake up tomorrow morning. I don't want to feel lethargic and I love that guilt-free feeling that comes with staying on task!

Hang in there Tamihott...just take it a step at a time and do as your doc.s request. Do it one step at a time so it doesn't seem so overwhelming. I know there are a number of us that are sitting here wondering if we will be accepted by our insurance companies. I am one of those people. I just take one day at a time. It's the same with my pre-op diet. I am starving most of the time and when I get discouraged, I just tell myself this is all worth it. Go through the process, Tami. You will have answers in the near future and then all this waiting will be behind you. Please don't be afraid of the surgery. The lap band surgery is pretty non-invasive. I have had many surgeries and this one does not worry me at all. To put your mind at ease, keep coming back to this forum ask the questions that you need to. It has helped me just to ask one of those questions that I thought was maybe "stupid". Good luck, keep your chin up.

Congrats Gina Sue, that's an awesome amount of weight loss. Happy for you that you are back in your job and that your surgery and recovery seem to be going so great. Best of luck and wishing you ease at fitting into your new lapband life.

Whoever you quoted "good things come to those who wait" was correct. You are very lucky if you are this far along in the process. Just be thankful that you don't have six more months in front of you on a pre-op diet and that you can at least see the light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck with your insurance approval, surgery and the journey to a new healthy you. We are all blessed to have this opportunity.

LJM...I love the fact that you are going to do the "pampering day" b/4 your surgery. Good for you!!!!!!!!! Just want to wish you good luck with your surgery. We all deserve to wake up in the body we thought we would have when we started this process. I, too, will some day need TT and who knows what else. I am yet to be banded, have lost 40lbs pre-op and can already see the hanging apron. Happy Anniversary and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers on surgery date. You will do just fine

Yep, I sit and read and have had so many questions answered without even having to ask it myself!

Congrats. Looks like you are on your way! Do what the doc says and follow the diet rules and you should be very successful.

Welcome Redberd, I am pre-band also. This site is the greatest for info...almost anything you have a question about can be answered by someone who has experienced it. You don't have to worry about being judged and that are no "stupid" questions. I wish you luck.

It's surprising what weight loss can do for the mind and spirit. Happy that you are smiling! I smiled this morning also. Had not weighed in for 2 weeks. My first weigh in under 200lbs. Started at 236 and not banded yet. Mr surgeon likes the weight loss first. Have a couple of months to go and really tired of being hungry. But, I smile each time I put on a t shirt that is 2 sizes smaller. Good luck to you and keep smiling

Hey,that's quick and just awesome. I had a Feb 19 surgery date but ins. company want 3 more months of the pre-op diet. I'm surviving and just waiting for this process to get on the road to surgery, recovery and maintenance. All the luck in the world, Pearlygirl!

Amen, Gem! Stay strong and include the rest of us in that prayer of yours!

Great news, Pearlygirl!!!! Hope things continue to fall into place for you. Cannot wait for that day of insurance approval. I wish you luck with your weight loss and also wish for you an uncomplicated road to your destination.

...just make sure you do not consume liquid 1 hr. to 45 min b/4 meals and 1 hr. to 45 min after meals. Other than that, don't think there are any rules. Lucky man in your life!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know of three people within 12 miles in our area that just produce calcium based stones....I would be one of them. The first one hit in September, 1994 and I have basically dealt with them at least every six weeks, if not once a month since that time. I have gotten to the point in the last seven years that I pass them all on my own (without pain medication) at my home and not in the hospital. I do have to be careful when they are moving through the left side. I have a double urator (sp?) so it does tend to get caught in the "v" and I have to go under to have it removed if it does not pass on it's own. I can not count the number of stones I have had in the last 13.5 years. I guess it's just my gift from God! Thanks, God

Every insurance company and every lap band dr. have different requirements. All I can tell you is what was required of me. I went to the initial seminar where my surgeon gave us general info about the lap band and then had an open question answer session. Received questionnaire the same night, filled it out and sent it back to surgeon's office. My six mo. supervised diet started with my first visit with the surgeon. Each mo. I visit my surgeon to go over any questions and he documents my weight loss. After I meet the 6 mo required time, my surgeon's office will turn in all my paperwork to my insurance company. The first two months into this process I met with the nutritionist, psych, had sleep apnea test and any other test that was required. Your doc might have different hoops for you to jump through and at different times throughout this process. I wish you luck. The six mo. seems endless at first...but not so bad. Gives you time to consider what you're getting yourself into.

Oh no...last year's thread? Bummer

Hey, anywhere there's not snow!!!!!!!!!!! Karen from Minnesota