Chuckles

Ok, I am not getting banded in February, and I don't know if it is too late to enter a new name in the poll to name the February bandsters, but I have another idea. My idea is what about the: Victorious Valentines ????? Ok, so I don't know if anyone else likes it, but hey, I threw it out here. ~M~

Oh my Goodness, I am so glad I found this Christian bandster group!!! I have only been on here a couple of weeks and was trying to find this!!! I am a Christian from Texas, originally from Illinois. I am a 28 year old newly married female, and although I am sure this is what is right for me, and I want this sooo much, I know only God can make a way for this procedure to happen. I have returned to college for my bachelors degree in Psychology/Social Work, so my husband is the only one working now. Needless to say we are on a tight budget, and due to our past credit history issues stemming from school loans, getting the Lap Band surgery financed really isn't an option. My husband's work doesn't offer insurance. All of our extra income goes toward my schooling, so there really isn't anything to save right now. As you can see, I am asking God to make a way, even though I don't see a way. So if everyone would please pray and believe with me, I know the Lord is bigger than everything, even this! I am asking for God's timing, as another Christian bandster suggested. I do believe if HE wants it to happen, then it definitely will. I ask in Jesus' name for a way for this surgery to happen. If I focus on God and his kingdom first, he will give/add all the desires of my heart! I am facing the same dilemma as you all have. I have only been looking into this for a few weeks, and have not said anything to my husband or best friends. My husband and I are very close and open to each other, however, I know he is just going to say that we can't afford it. And I know that, but my health is priceless. They are all slim and fit. They really do not understand what it is like to be fat and morbidly obese, not just a little overweight, or unhappy with myself. My husband thinks that if I just do what he does, then I will look like him. Which is not true. I was kind of thinking about it this way, maybe this can help some of you too. Ok, just as the Lord wants us to come to him, I see getting Lap band, as surrendering my self, not to food, but to the Lord, acknowledging that I am weak and cannot do it in my own self. I need more! (No diets work, I am sure you all have tried many different approaches to losing weight as well. ) I need help from the Lord. Something else that I read a few days ago in here is that just as a mechanic has tools, this Lap-Band should be seen as a tool. I thought that was a neat way to look at it. Maybe that can help. But another question I have been dealing with is, ok, does this mean I am doubting that GOd can help me lose weight without surgery? After thinking for quite some time about it, I no longer see it as doubting God's ability, for we all know he CANNOT fail, but WE do. I know see it as recognizing my limits, and my weight has limitations on me that I want to be free from!! I believe the Lord can free me from this as well, and I think the Lap band will be the instrument!!!! Am I posting in the right threads? So what do you guys think? ~M

Suzanne and Loseweightin08, Congrats on getting banded! thisledo, are you now banded? How did it go? Just curious, my thoughts are with you all. greeneyez, any better with the pain yet? ~M~ :smile:

Hey you early January bandsters, I just wanted to see if everyone could give the rest of us an update?

Ross07, Congrats, I am so excited for you!! I hope to be banded one day, but at this point, I have no idea how it's gonna happen. I am sure there are many people on here who would help. Although I am still relatively new, I would be glad to help in anyway I can. Good luck, and blessings on you!

Welcome everyone! I am still relatively new myself, been here for a couple of weeks. There are some really great, extremely compassionate people who really care to help. You can also join certain groups depending on your age or state. Good luck, don't be afraid to ask questions!

thistledo and saleel22, Good luck to you both on the 16th, there will be several people thinking of you guys! Wow, I am so excited for everyone, we have like 5-6 people (at last count) going to get banded on the 16th! You guys have your own cheering squad over here!! LOL. I I really am so thankful for this site, it really convinced me that this is what I need, and even though it sounds like it may be tough for a little while, I can't help but to think that it is just temporary. I mean many of us have struggled with this battle for years. Just think when we all start losing, how different we will feel. It is going to make such a difference in our lives. It will add years, and memories! I am so excited for you guys (if you can't tell)! LOL. I wish I knew about this years ago, so I could have already saved up the money since I am self-pay and now I could just go get it done!!! Blessings to all!!!! Can't wait to hear from everyone!

dlollie, My thoughts and prayers are with you! Your one step closer sweetie! You can do this!!!!

With HIS Help, Same goes to you too, as I told SMR100, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you on your big special day! (Sorry, if I missed anyone, still learning how to get through the threads! ) Also, this is off subject but could anyone add me to their buddy list on AIM, or even send me a private message and explain to me how to do the quote, min-quote, and quick reply thingy? I feel like there must be an easier way to make sure I am responding to the right person, but I can't figure it out exactly. LOL. So, to all of you 16th bandsters, good luck!!! ~M~

SMR100, My thoughts and prayers are with you on the 16th! Your one step closer!!! YAY. Let us know how it all went when you can, take care.

Greeneyz, Thanks for the info. What time is it there? I live in Texas, USA, and it is 1:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, Central time. I guess it is day over there huh? Aw, I am so sorry to hear that you are alone! You don't have anyone around to help? If I was close by, I would come and help! I believe everyone needs help some time. Well I send you warm wished and prayers up. Hopefully you will feel better tomorrow! Take care.

Hi ChrisAnn, Curious to see how the doc appt went, and if you are felling better, I pray for you a speedy recovery.

Hello Red, Just wondering how you have been doing? Are you still in your post-op diet phase? If you don't mind me asking questions that is.

Greeneyez, I forgot to ask, how much is 70 kg, and if you don't mind me asking, what pre-op diet did you have, and what kind of post-op are you on? Just curious, as I am still learning about Lap band.

Greeneyez, So glad to hear that your surgery went okay. I was thinking of you all, since I think there were a few also getting banded this week. I can't wait, I keep praying for a way for this to get done. I am so fearful that I am going to have to wait years since I am going to be a self-pay. Can't wait to hear specifics, when you feel like sharing! Good 4 u! I just know from reading others' comments that it will get better and better for you! Take care!

TamiSCool, If you don't mind me asking, what was the total cost for your procedure. I am a self-pay, and was looking into going down to Shreveport myself, if it might be a little less expensive than Doctor Heikyl and Doctor Keilin in Texarkana. So were you one of the first patients there to get Lapband? Thanks.

Green Eyez, Just curious to find out how you are and how your procedure went? I have been on here for just about a week or so now, and I can tell you are just super cool, and have a sense of class. I look forward to hearing from you. Good luck!

Hello DJArnold, I am considering having the band surgery with the doctors you had. I am new to all this as well, and will be waiting to hear how you are doing!

Hippmom, thanks so much for the info! So I guess this hubby and wife couple are experienced with the lap band procedure. That is good to know! I am thinking of calling up there. I wonder if they offer payment plans, or if I have to have the whole lump sum up front? How often do you get fills now, if you don't mind me asking?

Ok, thanks for the info. I will check that out. I appreciate you guys sharing.:eek:

Dee-Jay, Thanks for responding, I appreciate it. I will look into journeylite.com. Did you say your surgery was only $1500.00, or $15,000? I haven't seen anyone with that low of a price, and free fills for life? Hmmm, definitely worth checking into. Thanks for the info. If you don't mind me asking...How long ago were you banded and how has your post-op been?

Dawn, Thanks so much for your reply! Did you go to the seminar at Wadley hospital? If so, how did it go? I am thinking about going to the seminar myself there. SO you are almost to your band date huh? Wow, I am sure you are so excited, I know I would be! Definitely keep me posted, as the doc you suggested may be who I wind up going to. Talk to you soon! Thanks again Dawn!

Hi again. I know there are tons of people in here from Texas, and just wanted to hear anything from those in my state. I live in North East Texas- east of Dallas. It looks like I will be self-pay, and was wondering if any self- payers around my region was given a really great price, or wanted to share who their doctor was? Thank you.:welldoneclap: ~M

Hi everyone. I was just wondering if anyone can tell me the difference about the normal Lap Band surgery versus this new Realize band that I just recently started hearing about? Thanks. :welldoneclap:

Hi everyone, I just started this process also. I have just joined on here a few days ago and have started reading all the information, it really is alot to take in! I am 28 years old, 260 ish pounds, and 5'4'. This is the heaviest I have ever been, and I know I need a change! I think lapband is the right choice for me, but who knows how long it will take for me to save up the money since I am sure I will be a self-paying (cash) patient. I am asking for everyone who believes in prayer to pray with me for a way for this procedure to happen. Everyone seems very helpful on here, and I am looking for some great advice from people who have already been banded. Hopefully we can all go through this journey together!:smile: