chell1957

Hum...I am guessing that my insurance will cover this, I use the Veterans Hospital out of Philly Pa. I once had a Nuro Psy done to see if I had ADD or a learning disability. I disliked the attitude of the women who tested me. I was so nervous and when I am nervous I talk a lot, she seemed to think I had "isssues"...well considering I had 2 hour drive to go to a place I never was at before and arrived late (called her from the road)...any way I digress, LOL...it was an 8 hour test! Yuck!

Hi. I am not banded yet. I have lots of questions. I would like to know what kind of questions we are asked during the psycho evaluation test.

Ladies, my journey down this road was a bit different. I started at age 47! I am now 50. Anyway, I used the pill for a number of years for regulation (in my 30's at the time) and I started to have hot flashes on the pill! I noticed my period would last 1 maybe 2 days. Well a few painless blood test later and it was confirmed. I went off the pill. I did do an HRT for a while but then that study came out and I went off and toughed it out. I used a fan 24/7 since all I would is sweat, and when I sweat its not a nice picture! LOL. Just have to persevere. I also used herbal remedies for a while. The over the counter type. Estevan.

Hi. Not banded yet. In the research phase of it. I was wondering the same thing. I am pretty sure my insurance will cover the surgery but unsure of the PS after care. I have a c-section scar (old school type, runs like a zipper!) which really messed up my belly. I am worried it will be worse. I can deal with the wing spam arms (have them now) but would like to look better as well as be healthy. If my insurance will not pay the PS aftercare I am screwed since I am considered "poor" by any standard.

I am looking for anyone who had the surgery done by the Veterans Hospital Admin. I was told that some of the VA hospitals now do the surgery. I also know that TriCare (for the retired and family) will cover it.

Hi. I am wondering if there is anyone who has had the surgery done by the Veterans Administration Hospital system. In particular Pittisburg Pa. If so what was the experience like and what did they want you to do?

This is great news! I use the VA myself (Philly Pa) and am hoping to have it done at Pittisburg VA.

I was on this stuff in the late 1990s, around 1997 or so. I was tested several times but have had no problems sine that time.

Losing weight is very hard for me. I am on Thyroid meds for a slow thyroid. I keep trying to remember to eat slow, chew very well. I am trying to use portion control but then I am hungry again in a hour. I do mean hungry, as in growing stomach. I am also trying hard to drink more water. This is why I liked the Merridia so much, it took away the hunger for me, the rest was easier, I could concentrate on the nutrition part. Other then having a sweet tooth (really a nite time sugar addition) I eat healthy food. I love salads, veggie, sea food....I just seem to eat too much of it. I am also trying to have more veggies and less of the meat.

To GG88....is this a RX from your doctor? Is it his RX? I can't afford to buy them since I am on such a low income. Everything would have to be by RX.

Very good question. I have a fair amount of meds I take now which I am hoping will stop once my weight starts to come down. Not banded yet but am learning so much here.

I was on Merridia in the late 1990's. Never had any problems medically and I was THE best loser in my local study group.

So much of this sounds familiar to me. I can't remember a time when I was "thin". Save for my very early teen years (1st yr high school). By graduation I weighted 135 lbs. I am 5' 3" tall! I now weight 210. In Navy boot camp I lost weight and gained muscle. But all I did all day was calisthenic and walk/march every place. I love how my body looked. Well along came pregnancy and I gained weight again. Now I had my mother nagging at me. As the years went by my wright went up. Then came the Redux and Merridia pills. I was in the local trials for the Merridia. I lost 60 lbs!!! I did not feel hungry. I felt for the first time how it feels to feel "full" after eating a meal. It gave me so much control and self confidence. Then in 1999 along came my anxiety/depression and the medications to treat it did not agree with the Merridia so I had to come off. I gain the 60 lbs back and 20 more. Bringing me to my present weight. :cool: I can relate to a lot of what I read here. I too am fine all day but as the night creeps in I eat more. I get edgy and restless if I don't. Something I don't understand about myself. I also have a sugar addiction which I know is no good for me. I have tried to eat healthy food and fill up on veggies and fruits but I keep going until I have the candy and pastry. So my depression kicks in since I am now ticked with my self and my behavior. How dose one charge this behavior?

I am learning so much here. Thank you all for the information. I really want to change my eating habits now but I find it so hard to do. I have no support in the house. I have not yet been banded. I am in the research stage. I am going thu the Veterans Hospital for their Move program. If I am approved for the surgery I will have to travel from NJ to Pittisburg Pa. This is a 4-6 hour drive 1 way. Anyway I digress. The information is very helpful.

Got a question for you. Why a dr. superviser diet? Tell me about the diet please.

Hi everyone. I am new here and I have not been banded yet. I joined as part of my research into making the final decision. I trust that the information I will get here will be very good knowledge. I hope along the way I am able to make a few friends as well. I am married, 3 grown sons and 2 grandsons. I would very much like to be around when my grandsons graduate high school around the year 2020. I would be over 65 then. My family has a short life span (into our mid to late 70's) so I am very determined to keep healthy for this reason. Right now I am anything but. This is the main reason I am considering this surgery. Chell