allykat

Very cool, Mia! I've been dieting since January myself and I know how awesome it is when clothes get looser and tight clothes fit again. I can't wait to get into some clothes I've had for 8 years that I can no longer fit into! They are probably so out of style, but I don't care - I am wearing them this summer!

I hope you feel better Pamela. Do you have a walk-in clinic near you? If it gets really painful over the weekend, I wouldn't wait until Monday.

I'm also getting banded this month! Can't wait for Wednesday!

My insurance didn't cover it either. I'm like you and decided it was worth it to have a healthier me. Good luck on your surgery!

Does that mean you'll only celebrate your bandaversary every 4 years? Sorry, couldn't resist! Good luck to you!

I've only told a few people outside of family. Two actually. And I'm keeping it that way as long as I can. I know that this is a tool and that it won't make me loose weight. I'll still have to work at it. And I don't want people watching me all the time expecting me to suddenly be half my size. I don't want people to think I took the easy way out because this is far from easy. I may change my mind later, but here is where I'm at now.

I'm right there with you with 2 knee surgeries! I'm hoping that my knees (and my back and my feet...lol) will thank me when this is all over. Good luck to you!

Not in NY, but we are being banded within days of each other! Good luck with your surgery!

I won't go into all the weight loss attempts I've had, but you asked if anyone had successfully lost weight without surgery. I think there are many of us who had successful attempts, only to regain it again. Otherwise, I doubt we'd be on this board. I myself lost about 70 lbs. on low carb. Worked out all the time, had a knee injury that required me to stop exercise for 8 weeks, got lazy, fell out of the habit of eating right and back into my bad habits and all that weight came back adn brought friends. I can tell you that I was where you are a year ago. I seriously considered the lap band, but just couldn't make the step to go to a seminar. I'd read how normal weight loss on the band was 1-2 lbs. per week and think that I could do that if I only got myself together. I spent the last year gaining and loosing the same 25 lbs over and over. In January of this year, I was right back where I was (heavier actually since I'd hit my heighest weight ever) and knew it was time. From there, I researched, researched, researched. I know I am doing the right thing and although I am scared to death (of surgery, of failing yet again on another weight loss attempt), I'm all set to go next week. Good luck in your decision. It is never easy and it is personal for all of us. Just make sure you make the right choice for you.

I'm glad it all went well. The hard part is now over!

I think everyone has covered it...just read all you can and don't be afraid to ask questions. This site has been wonderful for me as I made my decision to move forward.

Well from everything I've read, the hardest part is behind you. I'm sure it will be a lifelong struggle for all of us, but you sound like you are doing great and have the right attitude.

Wow, you've done awesome! Quite an inspiration to those of us getting started!

Welcome! It is very exciting and scary, but I know you'll find all the answers to your questions here. It has been awesome for me.

Sounds very promising! Awesome news! I hope you have a quick surgery date.

Didn't even think of that! I HATE going braless! Here's another question...what about nail polish? Do I need to remove that from my fingers and toes? I know some places have you do that and some don't. I figured I'd definitely need to wear my glasses instead of my contacts.

Nice pep talk, Mia...thanks. I'm actually doing pretty good today. My DH called to take me out to lunch and we went to a Mexican place. All I know if my liver better be thanking me for sitting there with those chips in front of me and I didn't cheat! LOL! Now answer the big questions....do we have to weigh-in the day of surgery? Georgia girl, not experience with the gall bladder thing, but I agree...call your PCP. Can't hurt to check it out and make sure all is well.

Brina, they didn't mention anything to me at all about loosing weight before surgery, just that the diet was to shrink your liver. Did they tell you weight loss was necessary? Like I said up there, I have been doing low carb for 2 months now, and I guess I just took a little break from it that went longer than I intended. I'm back in control now and will remain on the straight and narrow until surgery (and after!). Here is a question - do we have to weigh in again the day of our surgery? I'm just curious. I've read where some doctors do this and some do not.

Thanks Terri and Mia. Yes, I know why I need to be sticking to the diet....and I was doing just fine since beginning low carb in January. But I think it got into my head that it was okay to just have one more taste of this or that...rolling eyes.... I'm getting back on track. But with everything else going through my head about having surgery (Will it go okay? Will I finally be successful?), I also started getting really worried that maybe I'd messed myself up for the surgery date. I honestly have not done that badly, but I've also not been 100% on track with how I need to be. Thanks again!

I have a question about the Sugar Busters diet....did everyone stick to it picture perfect? I've been doing low carb since January and have done okay on it, but for the last week, I've not stuck to the diet like I should. I guess it has been one "last meal" after another. Today is a new day and I'm going to stick to it for the week leading up to surgery, but I'm just wondering how much trouble I could be in for not sticking to the preop diet the last week?

I initially started checking into surgery using my insurance. It ended up being an excluded procedure, but the time involved to go that route would have been about 6 weeks. The surgeon who was included in my network required nutritionist visits and a psych eval, and that was where the time came in, actually getting in for those visits and giving the surgeon time to get the reports back. Then of course you had to factor in the time that your insurance company would have in reviewing your case. Although my insurance wouldn't necessarily require the psych and nutritionist visits (long story but I was at first told yes it was covered only to learn later it was excluded), this particular surgeon required them anyway. After deciding self-pay was my only option, I contacted the surgeon's office I initially wanted to use. From there, it was mainly a few emails with the staff to find out the process and make my appointment. From appointment to surgery date is two weeks. Once I had my financing in place, I had my first appointment two days later. Funnily enough, we actually scheduled my surgery date first and then worked back two weeks for my initial appointment. I went to that appointment and did all the preop stuff at the hospital that same day. While it has certainly moved quicker being self-pay, I would have waited it out to have insurance cover it. The only thing that might sway me would be that I do get to use the surgeon I want (and he is more experienced) than if I'd had to use my insurance. Since it was excluded, it was a mute point anyway.

We'll be having our surgery within days of each other. It will be great to check in and see how you are and know what I'm in store for a few days later! I'm also going through the phase right now where I can't believe I am doing this. I am actually second-guessing my decision today, although I know I won't back out and I know it will be okay. I think you have to be a little scared when you decide something like this!

I'm right behind you....can't wait! Good luck!

Our surgeries are about a week apart, so it will be fun to follow you and see what I have to look forward to!

Hi everyone, I am going for my consult tomorrow with Dr. Bagnato and if everything goes okay, I'll be having my surgery on 2/27! I'm a little scared but very excited. I've had to do this self pay and I'll admit, the idea of this much debt really bothers me, but I figured I'm 37 years old and every year I think THIS is the year I'll finally get my weight in gear and so far, it never seems to happen. I manage to loose only to gain it back and I'm so sick of the cycle. Anyway, just thought I'd say "hello!"