NicoleW8ing

I have BCBS of NC (and I'm 24 also) :thumbup:, take a deep breath. If you can provide 5 years of medical history, they don't have to be consecutive years, this will be fine and plenty. I provided records from 1998 when I was still very much a minor and scattered them through... definitely not 5 consecutive years, but as such, that was plenty to get approved. They are LOOKING for AT LEAST 5 years of morbid obesity.

So proud of you! Take it easy... relax... get well soon!

I am May 8th. No pre-op diet for me. To be honest, I've been on the Last Supper Tour a lil too much ;( I'm trying though, starting all Slim Fast and fruit tomorrow morning to try to slim down a lil before the big day.

I've been scheduled for May 9th for weeks. The surgical coordinator called me today and said that my Doctor is receiving some stupid award in California on the 9th and can't do it then. Now, I'll either be the 8th or the 16th. I'll know whenever she calls me back. He doesn't usually do lap bands on Thursdays (the 8th) but she is going to ask him. This all ticks me off because my fiance, mom and dad have all already arranged to have work off on the 9th. So irritating. I'll let the boards know when I find out my new date.

Not a flame. I totally agree with you. Not following the rules can cause major health problems or just a total lack of success. However, at this stage in the game, Yolanda, you should probably know that the lap band is a TOOL... kinda like a lil midget guy following you around the house 24/7 saying, "You're not hungry." and "Don't eat that!" Heh, not really, but it is a tool that must be utilized by you for success. A lot of people have the impression that it does ALL the work for them... and it doesn't. Some places I started researching this: www.lapbandtalk.com Adjustable gastric band - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Gastric Banding and Lap Band Surgery for Weight Loss LAP-BAND: Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery | FAQs Home I hope these get you off to the right start! Find a surgeon... Their seminars are usually SUPER informative as well. Good luck!

Thanks for your kind words!!! :crying: I'm good with it now, it just had me in a tizzy that day to make sure all of my people can get off work. Now it's just back to insane nervousness about the actual surgery

Also, check with your insurance company for coverage information. Finances do play into it a lil bit, more than I'd like to see. EVERYONE STRUGGLES. From reading this site for more than a year, everyone has lil issues here or there (PBing, Sliming, Tightness, etc.), but it seems most of the problems are while you are learning how to eat again after the surgery (caused by eating too quickly or not chewing enough). IT IS A MOUNTABLE STRUGGLE. Unlike struggling through 6 months of Atkins where you're just gonna gain the weight back, this is a VERY surmountable struggle in the beginning that leads to a life long change. I kind of view it like getting a tattoo. I spent 7.5 hours in EXCRUCIATING and CONSTANT pain to get something that was/is gonna last the rest of my life. Kind of weak comparison, considering the benefits of a tattoo versus lap band, which just proves my point. The little bit of struggle is legitimized by the life of good health. This is my opinion from reading this site. I spent two years deciding on this surgery. Aside from the risks the previous poster talked about, you should know that while you're getting used to the band, life sucks. They call it bandster hell around here... day by day it gets easier. I will be banded in 14 days.

My BMI is really high and I am not on any pre-operative diet. I think it REALLY depends on the surgeon and their preferences. They ran your bloodword, your tests, they know what your body needs.

If you're coordinator is positive then let go of those frustrations :thumbup: In any case, if memory serves me correctly, you'll know by Friday according to the SC, right? Please be sure to update us

I know... I feel bad now. I remember what hell it was when I was waiting for approval and it's stupid of me to complain over such things. Surgeon moved me to May the 8th now... A day sooner. It's just a pain because my mom, dad, and fiance had all scheduled off the 9th. My fiance JUST started a new job last week and he had to request off the 9th during his interview... lol... ah well, I'm sure they'll understand. Sorry for ranting... I think the most apalling thing is that I could simply not wait another week :Dancing_biggrin:

Hey All... I called into a local radio show (food, weight and diet. I have some curiosity about protein-supplement alternatives that might be suitable for me once I am banded. I asked him his thoughts on Protein supplements (powders) and what he thinks are the best protein rich foods. As soon as I got the question out of mouth and explained that I will be getting the lap band surgery, he said, "You need to think about this surgery. If you had read my book, you would know it's the wrong way. Surgery is the lazy and unhealthy way out." Absolutely apalled at this point, I stayed silent, as I couldn't think of an appropriate comeback for public radio. The guy proceeded to tell me how such and such chapter in his book would have told me how to avoid surgery and if I would just try to change my eating habits, I could lose hundreds of pounds. As soon as I mentioned protein supplements, he said, "Because she even mentioned supplements, we can tell just how inexperienced she is! Protein supplements are a novice's mistake!" HELLO! My Doctor has told me to take protein supplements post-op. I explained to him I have exercised and changed life style eating, but for me, I see no progress, which is why I have elected to have the surgery. He continued to belittle my choice some more, saying that I have no tried enough, I need to read his book, and I need to delay my surgery as I haven't really thought about it. OH, and the best part... when I called, I introduced myself and mentioned lap band. I said, "Are you familiar with this procedure?" He replied, "I'm a DOCTOR!" It took everything in me not LOL at his haughtiness on the air. As some of you may know, this surgery took many years of internal debate by me, as I am sure is the case for most of you. Most of us have struggled with weight and tried MANY different solutions to correct the problem before deciding on surgery. Needless to say, this guy never answered my question. Oh, and I got a free copy of his book, which I'll be chucking as soon as it gets here. I got that free copy for answering a nutritional question correctly, so much for naivete and inexperience? Ah well... What are y'all's thoughts on the health ramifications of protein supplements versus actual protein? Thanks all! :tongue_smilie:

Video games, reading, writing, PC Games Try Call of Duty 4, World of Warcraft, battlefield 2142, Battlefield Vietnam, Star Wars Empire at War :rolleyes2:

Rofl, shortgal, everytime I read this you have me rolling.

I think it really depends on how large-chested you are. My friends can buy them from KMart and get the support they need. I am DD and I cannot do Kmart. The cheap sports bras still have me flopping around like a banshee. I got fitted for proper ones and they're expensive, but they keep me strapped in and supported

I do not know what I am asking for here... I read a thread.... and now I am completely, totally, and utterly panicked about my surgery. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f18/hi-everyone-i-think-i-ll-contrarian-voice-here-58983/#post804331 Please tell me, does anyone know the hard statistics of something really bad happening? Not the things that can be fixed through removal or adjustment, but the death percentages and messing up your organs stuff? I'm sorry, it's just... I'm not really brave about medical stuff. I'm shaking here... surgery is on the horizon (May 9th), and I am inches away from cancelling it because I can barely breathe from the fear. I need this surgery to save my life. But fat is a slow death, my insides getting all twisted up has got to be pretty imminent and painful.

Ugh... so not protein.... Find any other possibilities? Now this is something I'm concerned about...

That's a Protein definiciency hun! I spoke with my dietician just the other day, she said to be wary of hair loss, as it is a symptom of preotein definiciency.

I have BCBS of NC. Be careful with BCBS... They denied me because my BMI was over 50 at one point. Such a hassle. Can't stand them.

I can't sleep in strange places... really anal like that. I dunno how anyone is able to sleep hooked up to monitors and such... I really sympathize with you on this one. I didn't have to do a sleep study... Dunno why.

5 months and 7 days. No pre-op diet whatsoever.

ROFL! I actually did laugh at my desk when I read this. My boss gave me a raised eyebrow.

To HeadHunter, The Marketing Genius:

Oh, very cool! Love my heels !

How amazing! I am elated to hear of your success and improved health! Welcome to the boards :thumbup: :smile2:

I sent her a PM to say the same thing... she's amazing! AWESOME JOB! :thumbup: oh and /vote for lock.