JoannMarie

Check out the poll - and vote for your favorite. I know we haven't covered every one suggested, but there are lots to choose from.

Thanks, Tamra, for posting the poll. Everyone will have a chance to pick what they like and we can get a concensus. (at least I hope so...) Thanks again!

I am so sorry to hear about these job difficulties. DH and I have finally retired - but DH went back to work almost a year ago just because we were so concerned about our money lasting as long as it will have to. We have been through job losses several times during our careers - each time with 3 kids at various stages of school, and in time of economic difficulties making houses hard to sell and jobs scarce. Sound familiar? It is terribly hard to go through all that. You have not only the worry about finances, but also the blow to one's confidence level and the upheaval of job searching and interviews. The only advice I have is to cherish each other and support each other without question. In 48 years of marriage to the same guy, I will say those hard times made our marriage stronger than ever because we learned to be strong together. We also learned that God has a plan for us and we have to have faith in that. Pete, Susan, and Tamra, you and your families are all in my prayers this day. Pete and Tamra, I am glad to hear you are going ahead with your plans. This means better health for you in the months ahead and that can only be a good thing! God bless,

It's great to have you with us, Marilyn! We seem to be a pretty supportive group - all looking forward to beginning our journey in just a few weeks! Welcome...

Sharmom, you are in my prayers. The psychologist I have been seeing for lapband said that many people go through a period of mourning over the loss of our ability to eat the foods we love, and that we also now have to learn to deal with our hurts upfront instead of "eating" them and stuffing them down. There are lots of adjustments to be made with this lifestyle change. I agree with Phyl and Marilyn, you will find support and prayers here - hopefully you have a prayer group or support group nearby. That doesn't always happen - but you can always come here. Marilyn, I am thrilled to hear of your December date! Consider joining our thread in the December 2008 forum (under monthly support groups) called "Do you have a December date?" There are several ages represented, most are 40's and up. I think we have 10-12 people posting there now and all the way up to 4 pages! I think it will be helpful to share experiences as we are banded and beginning this journey.

Welcome Mommy! My date is December 4th also - as is Nina's. We have 30 days to go! The countdown is on... Fran, about the flu shot - I am glad you had this when you did. I wonder if the reactions are due to the type of flu this shot is supposed to fight. If you and your son felt this bad with the shot, you might have been much sicker with the real thing. I will get mine this week, hoping not to have a reaction, but better that than the real thing 2 days before or after banding... yuck. Hope everyone is doing well.

Welcome Jecca and Auggies! and welcome back to all... I'm not feeling the nerves yet - pretty sure I will, though, as Dec 4th draws near. The day I went in for my consultation with the surgeon I was very surprised to find I was actually nervous. It seemed a little strange to finally be meeting with this person after all the preparation, testing, researching, etc., - and all of a sudden be nervous! I think it is just the realization that it's finally happening. 31 days for Nina and me! Note to all - check with your doctor's office about flu shot. I read in a post on another thread that one of the docs did not want his patient to have a flu shot within 2 weeks of surgery. I checked with my coordinator today, and she said that's what my doctor recommends, too. I am getting mine this week. I've never had a reaction to a flu shot, but there is always that chance and I don't want that to interfere with the great recovery I am planning. It sounds like Merry Minis is rising to the top of the list with several people. I like it, too. Any other thoughts? Keep good thoughts! We are all STARS!!!

Please keep in mind Peter from Florida is a member of our group. I don't know if names like snowbunnies or wisps will make him feel at home here. I also agree with Goose that not everyone celebrates the same winter holidays, so we need to keep that in mind. Names with winter, December, holiday, etc., might work best. Personally, I like December Stars or Holiday Stars because they reflect the season and the fact that we are all STARS as we reach our goals. Remember, there is no RULE here! We don't all have to adopt the same name - or any name! Nobody's going to be kicked out of anything! We are all on this journey together just by the fact that we are being banded in the same month and we would like to be part of a thread that shares our experiences as we go along. The poll is a good idea - if I knew how to do that I'd be happy to! Anybody out there want to take that on? Remember, though, even with a poll, no one has to use a name that makes them feel uncomfortable. Support is about each of us sharing and helping each other feel welcome.

Hi Marilyn, It's good to hear from you again - so sorry you were disappointed in Iowa! Speaking as a mom whose DD and DSIL (w/baby and another on the way) are currently posted in South Korea - I will be overjoyed to have them anywhere in the lower 48! the sooner the better! It sounds like your surgical future is coming along - December sounds pretty good. My date is Dec 4th. I've started a December thread under monthly support groups December 2008, and our posters are growing by the day. You are welcome to join us! God is taking care of you and opening the doors to your healthy new life. He'll be watching over you in all the testing and preparations coming up for you. and me, too! I am so grateful for His love. God bless,

It's good to have you back! It seems like everybody's lives are crazy right now - but some more than others. I hope yours settles a bit for you. It's good to hear your weight loss is coming along, even though it may have slowed down, you are headed in the right direction. Maybe your fill next week will help you some. Good luck,

WELCOME PETER!! Okay, gals, erase the Holiday Belles name from the list - we have a male in our midst and won't be choosing the chick name! Your date is just one day after Nina's and mine - you have 37 days to go! We are currently requesting votes for our LBTalk "name" for the December group. I listed the suggestions people have made a few posts back - feel free to vote on your favorite. We included the name "Holiday Hotties" because it was agreed that guys are hotties, too, and we didn't want to limit our group to just chicks. (come to think of it, Santa's Vixens might be out, too!) Our group is growing, and very supportive. We are glad to have you with us, Peter.

Gosh, Nina, you are getting all that labwork out of the way early! My pre-op appointment is Nov 26 - the day before T'giving. Appropriate that my "last meal" will be the Thanksgiving one! It will be abbreviated, however, and all leftovers will be out of the house by 8:00pm. If DH wants another piece of pie, he'll have to visit one of the kids to get it! Nov 28 I go on liquids w/limited mushies, as directed by my surgeon. I finally talked with my son about the surgery last week. We live 20 minutes apart, but don't get a chance to sit and talk very often without spouses, kids, and dogs around. He asked about my research and my doctor's recommendation, and was very positive about this process as I explained it. I know he's been worried about my situation since my knee went into crisis mode last year and my weight has remained an issue. I had already discussed everything with my daughters and both are supportive. In fact, the DD who is in Korea till next summer is counting the days and planning my menus for our trip there in April. So that's 3 for 3 - and DH is counting the days along with me (36 days, Nina!!!). I am just waiting and practicing my chewing!

Okay - we're getting a few votes in. The rest of you please chime in with your favorite(s). We need more input...

Hi All - hope everyone is having a good evening. It turned COLD here in Missouri today - and we'll have our first hard freeze tonight. I'm just trying to stay warm. Colder weather means DECEMBER is NEAR!! It's coming and we will soon be new bandsters going into a new year and a new life! We have had a lot of suggestions for names, and several have already put names on their signature blocks. I am going to list the suggestions that have been made and would like all of you to vote for your favorite. This does not mean that ALL of us have to go by the same name, but it's kinda fun if we do. Here we go... Winter Wonders Holiday Belles (that would be if it's chicks only) December Stars Holiday Hotties December Degrees December Losers Christmas Cougars Santa's Vixens Santa's Stars Any other suggestions are welcome..... My own personal feelings are that we should make sure our name presents a positive image to the banded world. I have put a name on my signature block, but can change it in just a few minutes if the group chooses a different name - no problem. I also want to make sure everyone is comfortable with the choice, so please express your preferences. If I forgot or missed any names suggested, please let me know. I apologize in advance!

I did see it, you little HOLIDAY HOTTIE, you!! You are technologically with it! Somehow I managed to change mine, too...

Come'on Carol! You are never too old to be a hottie! Use a little visualization here and see yourself next year at this time. You will have so much more energy, a lot more smiles and laughter in your life, a little bit of wiggle instead of jiggle in your walk! You don't have to be 25 to be a hottie - just the "fire" of a new, confident woman who knows how to reach one of the most important goals of her life. I don't feel much like a hottie right now either, but I know where I'm going, and you will be right there with me!

My friends on this thread are such a source of comfort to me. I thank all of you for that. Clempier, I am reading a book called "The Emotional First Aid Kit," recommended by the psychotherapist I'm seeing for my lapband experience. It is written by a woman who has worked with WLS patients for many years. She has a lot of advice about the "head" issues, preparing your home environment, your support system, emotional eating, self-talk, mental rehearsal - too many topics to list here. Her book is easy to read, and has a lot of good advice/suggestions. As most of us do, I find it helpful to tailor her ideas to my own Christian belief system - self talk that becomes a prayer, mental rehearsal that asks for God's help, etc. Long2BThin and Phyllser (and many others) are such good role models for us, because they are walking the walk, and is being successful. This book is helping me address a lot of issues right now, and I hope it will for you, too. My psych doc suggested I buy this book, as it is one I will want to read now, and refer to later as I face challenges. God bless all of you!

Hi to All, "Patience of a saint??" Rosey, you are a sweetie! I am just limpin' along here like everybody else! It's coming down to the wire, my December friends! Nina and I have 41 days (actually 40 'cause this day will be over soon)! I am receiving lab testing information from the hospital, calls scheduling the last consultation with the surgeon from their office, calls from the coordinator, etc., etc. It seems things are really rolling along now, and it's coming up fast. I don't know whether to be excited or scared. I think I will choose excited. I hope everybody else does, too - because it is what you CHOOSE to feel that will determine how well you do. I think I have to go along with Goose and pick Holiday Hotties as my favorite of the names suggested. I figure I don't have to explain to anyone what a "Hottie" is - and next holiday season we will all be SHOWING everyone what a "hottie" is! Welcome to December, everyone. All of us will be banded people in just a few short weeks!

Good luck to both of you. I don't know how you manage to raise your families on that amount of money. DH and I raised 3 kids with his income and I know how tough it can be, but there were 2 of us. You gals are seriously out-numbered! You have my admiration and my prayers.

Thanks Terilynn. I feel better every time I read of successful surgery with Medicare. I have not heard anything from an actual post-surgery patient that would lead me to believe there might be a problem with Medicare coverage. That's encouraging! Also good to hear they pay for fills - the one question I had forgotten to ask... duh. I love your picture - what a great little family. I bet they keep you just a little busy.

Nina, I think it's a good idea to talk to the psychologist. The one I've been working with wanted to have 3 more meetings with me. He feels everyone going through WLS can use the help in understanding the commitment it takes, as well as tips on how to handle emotional and stress eating. I am glad to be seeing him. Funny - 45 days does sound better than 6 1/2 weeks, doesn't it? I think the big calendar is a great idea - marked off with a big red crayon! I'm down to just an occasional soda - I started to give up that habit several years ago, so I don't see that as a problem. I have been practicing the small bites and chew, chew, chew. That's harder than I thought it would be. All of a sudden DH seems to eat faster than ever - I've always been slower than him. Now he is finished almost before I start! I'll have to retrain him I guess. As far as carbs are concerned, I LOVE THEM! But they have been my enemy for a long time and I will just have to turn my back on them. Fortunately, I love Protein and green and leafy vegies, too. I think I can do this. I'm afraid my issue is going to be exercise... I now have a recumbant bike here at home and will have to get it in gear. We also belong to a gym with a pool, so I'll have a few options, esp as I lose and my knee starts to feel better. It is a matter of DOING it! Good luck - time is flying by!

Hi Kharadriisa, I have a couple of questions for you. Are you on Medicare because of a disability - and if so, does that disability have anything to do with morbid obesity? (this might be the co-morbidity the surgeon's office says you need) However, the Medicare rules on the their own website state that if you have a BMI over 40 you are eligible. Under 40, you would have to have co-morbidities, such as high BP, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and I believe some others. If your BMI is 42, it sounds to me like you should be covered. Consider calling back and asking to speak with the supervisor about your specific case. My surgeon's office had me go through all the testing, paperwork, psych evaluation, nutritionist, sleep study (for over 65), etc., etc. The coordinator told me they follow every recommendation and guideline Medicare requires, then submit a letter on my behalf. I was unclear whether or not they actually receive an official "approval" from Medicare, but she said if they have followed all the guidelines Medicare will pay. I have had my consultation and been given a date for surgery, so apparently the word is go. I went out to the Medicare website and read what I could find. It seemed pretty cut and dried to me, but I know government-speak can have different interpretations depending on who is interpreting. (that's what worries me about gov-run healthcare!) Check out the MC website and "arm" yourself with whatever information you can get on your own, then talk to the supervisor. Good luck!

I hope everyone is doing okay and not getting too impatient (or nervous) as our date with surgery approaches. Nina - I believe we only have 45 days to go! (yes, I'm down to counting the days...) I have not received the diet plan/liquid diet instructions/etc., yet, but had a call from the surgeon's office last week and they were putting all that paperwork in the mail for me. My surgeon is about 80 miles away, but we keep the mail and the phone lines active. My appointment for the pre-op lab work is the day before Thanksgiving, so I am not sure what my TG meal will be this year. My surgeon told me in our first consultation I would probably have just a week of pre-op liquid diet. Maybe I can squeak by TG with some turkey and green Beans... and that's okay by me. Anybody for "Holiday Hotties?" I would not mind trying to add a name to my signature block. I think Goosefraba had a good idea, seeing as how that name is more gender neutral - "guys can be hotties, too!" Everybody have a good day...

Nina - you and I are TWINNERS! My date is Dec 4th too! I know it seems far away now, but I've had that date for over 2 weeks and I can't believe how fast the time has gone. Good luck!! :biggrin::thumbup:

Oh Phyl, I am not the least bit sad about Thanksgiving! My surgery date is a week later, and this will be a great opportunity to both enjoy the meal and look forward to the next day when I will start my pre-op diet! a funny situation... but a lot to be thankful for as always.