JoannMarie

Welcome, Morph. It's a tough decision whether and whom to tell about this surgery. On one hand, it really isn't anyone else's business but yours. On the other, I know we all hope our friends will be supportive of our decisions. There is one thing I have learned from all the posters on LBTalk - this is not easy and it is not a quick fix. If you decide to tell others it is an opportunity to educate them about what lapbanding is really all about. I hope you receive the support and prayers you deserve from everyone you decide to tell. I know you will receive a lot of support from the others on this thread and other threads on this site. God bless you and guide you,

Phyl, I love your story. You are a rock star! God bless you and your husband both. I know from earlier stories you are celebrating 40+ years of marriage (was it 43?). I know it is slow for you, but you have your act together and you know that it's the long haul that's important. God bless,

Marilyn, you have been in my thoughts all day today. I hope you are doing okay. Has the PET scan been done? You are in my prayers.

Wow Ruby! A fashionista in our midst! Your insights are excellent, and you can be our official fashion guru. Of all the fashion choices out there, I think flattering dresses are the hardest to find. Even on my favorite show - What Not to Wear - I often do not like the dresses people choose. There's just something about the way the fabrics drape, the hemlines - many are just not flattering. I think the skirt/jacket combinations - both the business suits and the casual combos are usually more flattering. Maybe because there seem to be more options for the individual to combine and add their own special touches, color, etc. Hemlines are also very important - esp for those of us who are height challenged. Hems at knee length are usually best for us. I am looking forward to shopping in a few months. Not crazy about it right now - I feel like nothing is flattering to me at this point. That's okay, it is changing. I'll save my money for when it will make a difference. I'm retired - I can quilt in my jammies if I want to!

Janet - all of these outfits are adorable on you. If I had to choose from these it would be very hard. I do esp like all the outfits in the first two groupings. I am partial to the black pants/green top layered over white. The addition of color is good, and the layering with the white peeking out is a good look for you, accents your small waist. You look great...

That is sure a better day for me than the 4th Thursday - I have a standing meeting on that night and do not want to give up my quilting guild! I'll look into the Northland group - may see you there next Wednesday. Thanks!

Lisa, is this also a SMMC support group?

God's blessings, Marilyn. I agree not knowing is so hard - and so is waiting. It is so conducive to worry and fear. God has made you a strong woman, Marilyn, and you have a strong and supportive husband as a partner. My prayer for you is that you and your husband feel His healing hands and all His love.

Welcome Steve. I think we were kinda in the middle of a couple of thoughts on this thread and completely missed your first post! Very sorry about that - I don't think anyone would want to miss welcoming you. Congratulations on your banding - hope everything is going well for you. One month out - you must be close to real food after many weeks of liquids and soft stuff. I am waiting for banding - but I have my surgeon consultation this afternoon and will probably receive my date during that consultation. I am excited - talked to the coordinator this morning to get directions (how did I forget that???) and could hardly talk to her I was so excited... It has been a long process and I am so hopeful to be scheduled soon. In spite of every glitch that has happened (like happens to all of us), my Father has opened the way quickly. That is why I know this is the right solution for me. Good luck to you, Steve. Please let us know how you are doing.

Marilyn, my prayers are with you.

I hate to be a party poop, but I've been fighting a migraine all day - probably the weather changes. I don't think I feel well enough to attend the support group meeting tonight. I am disappointed, anxious to meet all of you. I will plan on September meeting and hope nothing will interfere. Have a great evening - and a great holiday weekend...

Welcome, Ms Rob. This is a great thread for love and support. I have not been banded yet, but I am full into LBTalk for the everyday information I've gained prior to the big event. I am impressed every day with how strong and supportive the people are on several of the threads. It is wonderful to see the person who needs the support of others today will be giving loving support to another tomorrow. Blessings,

Actually, Anne, you will have much better skin tone as you lose weight if you do work out - both cardio and weight training. May not totally eliminate the need for plastic surgery, but it will help. The additional benefit of weight training is that building muscle will improve your metabolism, burn more calories, and help you maintain your loss. It's a win-win! The kids among us may be able to maintain their skin tone somewhat better than us, but we can still help ours along. Good luck on your surgery. I am hoping for an October date, too. I should hear next week.

May I add my thanks and appreciation to both of your husbands and their service -- and to you who kept families going and sacrificed so much time together over the years. There are no words to express the gratitude of your nation. Just "thank you". May God bless you and keep you safe.

Circa, you are one of those my heart goes out to. I can survive arthritis. The second knee replacement will be a picnic compared to liver transplant. I am so happy for you and your ins change that will be covering your illness the way it should have been covered from the beginning. I know the LB surgery and subsequent weight loss will improve my situation enormously, allowing me to exercise again - which has been very difficult for me for the last year - and probably putting the Celebrex in the medicine cabinet for use on occasion instead of daily dosage. I hope you will be on the mend soon, and on your way to a healthy and active life again.

Right now I'm in a battle of my own - not as earth-shaking as many of the ins battles out there, but will be costly to DH and me... I've been on Celebrex for years for severe arthritis (everywhere). Nothing else even comes close to working, and Celebrex is the safest when considering the bleeding issues with NSAIDS over long period of time. PCP checks for cardiac issues regularly. Even with the Celebrex, I have many days of breakthrough pain that are debilitating. Since being on Medicare I have been paying Humana for my drug coverage - which has been a plus for them, since two of the three drugs I take are generic and not covered by them. Humana will not pay for Celebrex. After all the years of use of this drug (approx 10 years on the market?) it is not on the formulary. My doctor has put me on other drugs for several months as required by Humana to override their coverage refusal. Last week they denied me again. There's $110/mo out of pocket for the only drug that helps me. DH has the same problem with Lipitor - not on the formulary. (Now we're up to $200/mo for the 2 of us.) DH and I don't take many meds, thank goodness. My heart goes out to those who have to take many more. The problem with gov paid medical care is that they limit the newer - and most often the better - treatments that are available. Why should anyone research for better treatments when they won't be part of gov coverage? I am thankful MC covers WLS, but their coverage amount is so small it is harder and harder to find surgeons willing to accept MC payment. I know this is a political issue this year and I don't mean this in any political sense, so please don't misunderstand my concern. I think it is imperative that we think this issue through very carefully and consider the consequences of our actions. I worry that most people will receive seriously substandard care because the best is not on the formulary... I apologize if I have offended anyone's political views. My intention is just to voice a concern.

Wow, Lisa. It's awful close to football season to be wearing a Nebraska shirt in Kansas... You are a brave woman.

Red it is! I like the red and denim idea - the new business casual...

Can I choose red? My wardrobe is rather limited right now and I have 2 tops I feel presentable in! My favorite of the 2 is RED... I am open to options, though... like red. haha

Go with the above suggestions. DO NOT pay any money to the hospital - the bill did not come from them but it will if you start paying them anything. Consider an insurance attorney if you don't start getting answers fast. I believe the paper you signed is worthless to the hospital if there was negligence involved. If they are negligent they can be held responsible. It is to their advantage to get this straightened out. Your state has an office that monitors insurance issues, as well as a state's attorney office. They may be interested to hear what is happening to you. Most hospitals/insurance companies do not like hearing from those people. (kinda like the IRS) Don't panic. This will get worked out...

Interesting situation, isn't it? Wonder why Medicare started paying for WLS back in 2007? Because it has been proven to be safe and effective in the long-term health of patients and will very quickly be saving Medicare a lot of money (probably already is). But - the more insurance companies save, and don't have to pay out -- the more profit on the bottom line. They will hold out as long as they can. Sure, they make it available to employers, but at an expense level the employers are not willing to pay. They tell the HR folks the standard line - not safe - will never be covered - etc., etc. What employer will opt for that? Well, the more HR hears from all of us, the sooner it will be covered. Please find a way to let your HR people know the real story and the real statistics, as that's the only way it will happen. I've noticed over the years that once Medicare starts paying for a "new" procedure or treatment that saves the system money overall, the rest of the insurance world starts looking at it in a different light. My friend could not get her surgery covered - she was a self-pay and HAPPY she did it! There are several financing plans out there - just about the same as the new car! If there is any way - go for it! Good luck to all!

I am so excited to hear this from you! I had wondered, but "dare to dream" -- the possibility of skin issues that can be health threatening made me think Medicare might cover ps in this case. Not even banded yet, but I am making plans. It's not easy to save for special purposes when retired, but I'll do what I have to do... If medicare will help with this, it will be greatly appreciated. :biggrin2: BTW - congratulations on your weight loss! I, too, am 5'2", current weight is 242, and my true goal is 125. This goal seems impossible to me now, but seeing your success makes me feel as if it might actually be attainable. I asked the psychologist if that goal was reasonable given a timeframe of 2-3 years. He said - "of course it is." Right answer! You are living proof. Thanks so much for your post. You have made my day!

Thanks, Lisa. I don't know why I was suddenly thinking of tomorrow night. I'll wait and go next week when everyone else does. I hope you are feeling okay and getting some rest. I am looking forward to meeting you next week.

Hi All, I am confused about when the support group meeting is this month... I was under the impression the meeting was the 4th Thursday - 6:00-7:30pm. That would be next Thursday, Aug 28th. Is this correct? or is it tomorrow night? Thanks...

You and your family are in my prayers. You all have a lot going on - but God's hand is guiding you. He is always there. Be sure and post often to let us know how you are doing. This is such a supportive place to be, we are here to help each other...