amsderb

Thanks Kat...I have to admit...I am a bit scared....but that is normal for any surgery....

Allison - I have taught for 24 years and I don't know that I could do it again....My friend is an art teacher...she is worried that she will get cut this year from her job because our district is in a declining era....So, preschool???? If I were to give you advice I'd say, if you are planning on working with kids...then get the degree but not so narrow....be able to teach a classroom not just one subject. If you get a Junior college degree you will never have the earning potential as a 4 yr degree in teaching....If you stick with it, you can make a decent living.... Good Luck

Hi to all May Bandsters!!! I just got scheduled this week for May 28, 2008!!!! I am a teacher and waiting to get out of school. YEA!!! I love the idea of May because then it will also be Summer freedom for me..... Did you decide a name of not???.. Anyone else on the 28th? I have my "class" on Wednesday 7:45 - 2:00 ...I should get the full scoop as they say

Cheers to You! Don't feel bad about not knowing the lingo...we all started that way! Maybe you'll be a May Bandster llike me!

Wow celticdreamer...you have been through it with THE TEST!!! I'm glad you made it...I've done atkins etc... but that was insane...as everyone so politely pointed out...The biggest part was the fact they were messing with your head...I find it infantile of them... Good Luck with your approval...at least the worst is over

I sure don't knowthe answer from a medical standpoint but...they usually just say to fast and clean out...I'm sure walking is great for you. Good Luck and keep us posted...I have a friend who has your signature as a last name....

Good luck to you Katandcharlie with your weight loss journey...band or not...we all stick together!

OK...this is a fun thread because it is all about shopping!!! Ok...watch out for the transfer addictions...LOL...I can hear it now, "Hello, my name is amserb and I am an addict and even a clepto at times because I just love to buy plastic portion cups, or take them from salad bars, and I just can't help from bidding on any small midget container made...I need help!" I hope you all are laughing because I was just being silly... Thanks AZNikki for the geat ideas...I'm going to hunt them down and get some!!!! TTFN (TaTa For Now)

Thanks...I don't know about the diet yet...I go Wednesday for a "class" all day and I guess learn all that...I've heard no...but maybe I will do a modified one just so my liver is good etc....?? Good Luck with your 6 week post op!!!

OK I am not a claims person so this is just from my experience... The 5 year morbid obesity documentation for me was getting clinical notes from Dr...(I used my OBGYN since I was there at least 1 to 2 times a year) Unfortunately, 2 of my doctors had retired and the notes were put in wharehouse storage,,,even though I had signed for them to be sent to my "new" docs... At any rate....I got copies of my files from prior docs...Urgent Care...Primary....Physical therapy...anywhere that I had a recorded weight. I was fortunate to go back the 5 or so years by getting all this. Think hard of any dr. that you might have seen where your weight was recorded....Like I said...it wasn't easy for me because in 2005 several of mine retired..... I know I hated being weighed at those visits but it sure paid off! Good Luck

OK...that was all very interesting...and there is a group who go to lunch together? I am local also! I wonder who is on from my dr office???

Good Point...plus it will hold you more accounatable as in any weightloss program...I always do better when the scale is watching from some place other than my home!

Bandofhope...you put a tear in my eye...I know your pain...as most of us do...I too felt like there was light at the end of a very long tunnel...I also know it won't be easy...but I will have a friend and tool in the band...it is a friend becasue it will call me on things if I do not do the right thing...as in making me physically feel bad....I know I will fight to do the right thing and even then...I may not always feel good BUT ultimately my health and sense of well being will improve... Let's pray for all of us and our success!

Hi...well first of all the lap band was just added to my policy effective 3/01/08! So, we waited to submit until 02/28/08...it got held up a bit due to the new language but was in review last week and I was notified 3/25.....the rep told me it would have been faster but she was trying to watch it so it didn't get denied due to the new language...she said she may have slowed it down a bit...but all in all about 22 days??? Good Luck!

Sorry about the difficulties...my Mom is also my target at times about my weight...I am adopted and she is TINY...I could wear her shoes for dress up in 3rd grade! However, my Dad has even had some great comments in the past...He was a college football player!! (you know goes for the tiny cheerleader type) Anyway, I know they love me and want my heath and happiness and are extremely supportive about this surgery.....they finally realize that it isn't just about my eating habits and exercise/lifestyle...in fact they recognize I have always tried...it just doesn't stay off... So enough on that...I am responsible for me now and this is what I am doing about it!!! YEA!!!! Enjoy your Spring Break!!! Mine was last week and by the way I am a librarian too LOL....

Thank you...how is it going for you SElaine? We will be about a year apart!

Wow Nana...that was interesting and I love your emoticons too! I know it will be hard to not comfort myself or my family with food outings...I mean...I know I will still be able to go out but one can only stir the food for so long on the plate..... Eating is such a social thing for all of us...UGH...it is hard!

Ok...should I ask Blund...do you blame your Mom for the weight...her B-day and all? Or did I miss something??? VERY POSSIBLE of me to miss it...LOL Good Luck...I feel like it will be forever until May 28th...I bet you feel the same too!

Wow we will be a week apart...so as your gas pains are gone mine will start right???Good Luck

Well then Danni, you'll have to keep us informed of any needed info please!!! Good luck to you too...Thanks

I have never heard this...other than wanting you to loose weight before....my doc has not said no meat....now a few days prior to surgery you will have to go on a "clean" out type diet, I am learning soon about all that. I do not have a lot of meat at all because I use Protein shakes....that is just what I have done to loose weight for many attemps. I can't say I crave meat when I don't eat it because of the protein supplements I have....and believe me I LOVED being on ATKINS diet at one time and lost a bunch....only to gain it back...what I am saying is I loved meat then...I don't seem to miss it... Maybe someone else can comment on the no meat issue (pre-op)

Well. I sure won't mind loosing some...but I will be at my knees I'm sure....I guess this is the road to several other surgeries huh?

I just got mine today...I am excited...and scared....It will be worth it!

From the support groups I've attended and reading here I see that some people can eat meat...it just depends....Also, remember that your taste buds and cravings will change some eventually...so what seem like very important now...may not later...you know the slogan "Nothing tastes as good as slim feels"....it is a sacrafice...but so is living fat and unhealthy....I'm ready...even if I can't eat some foods later because they don't agree with me.....Making me unhealthy is a different kind of not agreeing with me.... Good Luck and keep reading because you'll learn so much!!!

I bet you'll drop below 300 before that first fill or soon after??? Good Luck