FinallyFree

I had the surgery on Friday and went back to work on Monday.

I found this board before my surgery and discovered I was interested in the areas that applied to me at that time. At first I read everybody's introductions, then on to the insurance part, post-ops, what to eat during recovery, etc. Now I just cruise through, but find something helpful and supportive every day. Starting wgt. 225 1-07 Current wgt. 148 1-08

PT, I don't know how the physc. eval. works with the Rocky Mt. assoc. phys. as I told you in my pm to you. Checking with them before you go would probably be a good idea! FinallyFree

Hey Chell, I don't know if my friend claimed the surgery on her income tax or not. Yes, I mean vigorusly rubbing the flappy underside part of your arm with you knuckles for 1-2 minutes once or several times a day. I've tried it and it's quite a work out. Hang in there with you 6 mo. supervised program. I had to do it too. Ask the nut. if she's referred people for the lap band before, and if she has, ask her what she needed from the pt. to ensure you get accepted for the band. FF

K. The oil is FAT! You could add a tsp. of butter/margerine to you oatmeal, or vegtables. Don't get carried away though, I don't use it everyday. Please don't take my word over your nutritionist. I found the tsp. worked for me. I need the tsp. but not more than that. I like the idea of Biotion, I'm going to check it out.

Pashmina, I had hair loss too, but remembered having to add 1tsp. of oil (cooking, butter) a day when I was on the Diet Center diet to prevent hair loss. I added the 1 tsp. of oil a day and that helped. The hair loss should stop around the 5th month.:biggrin: Starting wgt. 225 1-07 Current wgt. 149 2-08

ronwifey and all the rest of you....I'm so glad that you are finally doing something about your wgt. that is going to permantely work, especially at your age!! I was 54 when I had my surgery,,,,been over wgt for 44 years. How sad is that! My dr. told me people are having the surgery done at earlier ages than they were 10 years ago. Fantastic!! With your wgt controlled your quality of life will be so much better! How can anybody not support that?? You all rock !! Starting wgt. 225 1-07 Current wgt. 149 1-08

Jeni!! Welcome to the other side!! Are sugar free/ or regular popsicles allowed? Applesausce? pudding? Protein drinks? Remember, your stomach is healing and needs to be treated gently to allow the swelling to go down. I promise it will be worth it, in the long run. starting wgt. 225 1-07 current wgt. 149 1-08

My sister in law called me a cheater too, when I told her I had the lap band done. Now let's be realistic here....I've been on every diet pill known to man since my parents put me on them at age 12. :biggrin: You know, the pills that people took and died from taking, the pills the company made that people are sueing because of physical damages caused by the pills? And the list goes on and on.... The band is teaching me how to eat like a "normal" person should eat. I'm learning I perfer quality foods rather than quanity. How can this be cheating???? I get very angry when I see this type of attitude. starting wgt. 225 1-07 current wgt. 149 1-08

Hi Chell, Unfortunately my friend wasn't able to get to get reimbursed by the the insurance company. I don't think my inurance will pay for any type of plastic surgery. My arms are flapping as I type, but somebody (GHOST?? maybe) took a picture of her arms several months ago. She rubbed one arm using her knuckles for a minute or two several times a day, but left the other. The one she rubbed firmed up quite a bit!! I've been trying to rub mine before my shower each day, so hopefully they'll start to show improvement before summer.

A friend of mine had gastric by pass, lost her wgt, and decided to go in for a tummy tuck (self pay) After her surgery the dr told her he had to repair a hernia he found while operating and her insurance would've covered the price of the tummy tuck. So there's something to keep in mind! Research the hernia option first!

CHELL!! DON'T GET NERVOUS! OK, get nervous, but don't talk:eek: lolol. I'm just kidding. I discovered at my appt. that the physc. really didn't care-- she was just going through the motions. I started talking about my past history, wgt. gain, emotional issues---She brushed me off and gave me a list of books to read. She did get excited when I told her I can talk to spirits though. When I wouldn't go into it, she called me defensive and said I would have problems with the limitation of the lap band. OK. So then I pulled the trump card--age. I've been trying to be happy as a fat person all my life, since she was younger than I all she had to do is pass the info on to the insurance company. Later that day I talked with the sec. and she told me everyone has problems with that physc. She thinks all people who are over wgt are negative. Long story short, I have the the band.

Jewelee, 2 cookies!! That's great! That is what a "normal" person would eat. Congratulations! Now if you can just stop at the two and not treat yourself for another week you'll be doing great! Learning how to eat less, and be satisified with what I've eaten is the hardest for me. starting wgt. 225 1-07 current wgt. 150 1-08

Chell, I had a standardized phyc. eval., 500 questions, fill in the circle. She gave me a list of books to read to "help" me over come my problems with over eating. I had to pay $175.00 that day (which I hadn't been told about) and then had to get in touch with her again to have the results forwarded to my insurance company. That was it.

Good for you to stop at the first signs, Frisky!! This is very hard for me to do....and I'm not very successful at it. I just have to put that one more bite, and then another in ..... One of my goals is to go a month without being stuck, but so far I have managed to get stuck at least once every month! Starting wgt. 225 1-07 current wgt. 150 1-08

HI PT. I attended a seminar and found out Dr. Simper, Dr. Smith and Dr. McKinley belong to the Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians. This is an exclusive group of surgeons; one has to be "invited" to become a member and the invite only goes out when one of the members retires. The association is over 25 years old and highly reputable. Dr. Simper was the surgeon who performed gastric by pass on a friend of mine who recommended him. I found him to be very professional, he'll take the time to explain everything you want to know about the proceedure, referr you to additional support groups, and his staff, especially Betty and Paula (insurance) are very friendly and proficient at helping you get your claim through. The environment when you walk into the office is low keyed and friendly. Have you made an appt. to attend a seminar yet? Finally Free

Andi, You've talked to the director of the wls program about the dr. attitud, I'm sure she'll talk to him. You don't have to love the guy and bond with him, he's just a tool to help you with the start of your wgt. loss. If it's not convenient/possible for you to change dr. because of your insurance or whatever, go with this dr. But change your attitude. YOU become the professional one. Have another appt. with him and let him know what you expect. If you're not comfortable with talking to him about it, then don't talk to him, but do act professional at the next appt. I thought my dr. and I were going to bond, but it's turned out to be a working relationship that's all. I thought I was supposed to go in a see him every month, but he doesn't care. So be it. This is my fight and my journey. I'm sure you have plenty of support from other areas of your life, right? Finally Free

The same happened to me. I ate a piece of pork chop the first night without any problem, but the second night became stuck. (maybe the meat from the first night hadn't digested enough?) I drank pickle juice, with the papaya enzymes, that seemed to help a little, and used a heating pad on my stomach and back. Walking helped. But it took 3 days to pass. And then I did it again a month later (this month) when I ate chicken! How are you doing now? Finally Free Starting wgt. 225 1-07 current wgt. 150 1-08

I have mixed emotions about this. I'm proud of myself for losing the weight, but a lot of people are now commenting on my weight loss (75 lbs). I want to ask, "Why are you complimenting me on looking like what a normal person should look?" But I just thank them and try and change the subject. Finally Free Starting wgt. 225 1-07 current wgt. 149 1-08

PT, my insurance is Great West, I'm a Wyoming state employee. I would like to suggest calling your insurance and asking them what the requirements are for lap band surgery. I called and they were most helpful. They are required to provide you with the information, and are not judgemental. The requirements are: A BMI above 36, there had to be a minimum of 4 co-morbidities, a 6 mo. physician supervised wgt loss plan, and proof of being over wgt for 5 years or more. I attended a seminar in Oct. 06, chose a dr., and started the supervised dr. appts. I started out at 116 lbs, but jumped up to 225 over the holidays, got myself in check in Jan. 07 and lost 22 lbs on my own before having surgery June 07. This board has provided me with the best support. I find something each day to help me with questions, suggestions, etc. Which insurance company do you use? Lynne (Finally Free)

HI Everyone, I've just joined the board, was banded 6-07. It's good to see the support offered here. I look forward to a new life! Starting wgt. 225 1-07 current wgt. 150 1-08 5 more to go!:clap2:

PT, I used Dr. Simper, had my surgery in June 07. He is wonderful!! The staff is professional, caring and throuogh. St. Mark's was a pleasant experience for me. FinallyFree Starting Wgt. 225 2/07 149 1/2 1-08