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Hey gals...thanks for the info....I want to talk to Dr. Blackstone and then I'll make up my mind for sure....it is leaning to Realize.... When will I be banded...Let's sing it Like Linda Ronstadt's song (When will I be loved....I mean banded??).....hm la la la... As soon as I get the call from UHC...Also, I am planning summer so I have time to get the new routine down....I'm a teacher...... I'll Be SURE to let you all know...I'll be doing the Chacha...happy dance....

heartfire, Thanks for responding! Sounds like we have similar ideas...so, for your GFF...It can't hurt to look at the diet but I can understand not wanting to invest in it right now...Tell her you are saving for your Dr. bills but would love for her to share the ideas with you..... I know what you mean about getting teared up! I was at a famly reunion a few weeks ago. I wasn't going to mention the surgery because I wasn't ready and I am waiting for insurance approval still....then I found out my Mom had spilled the Beans...so slowly I began to talk about it one on one with my cousins. I would get all choked up as I discussed it. I am sure they all thought I was scared or something of that nature...but really it was the shame, frustration, and the like...of carrying that around since childhood...I was always called the "healthy" cousin...even when I wasn't overweight and on the Pom Line....Like just because I wasn't Twiggy or something...anyway, once I got it out...I felt so much better..and so did some of the emotional baggage!!! This is so much of a journey...not just the immediate but all the YEARS of shall we say Tears! But remember, we are...beautiful, loveable, wonderful...women and we deserve to be Healthy and Happy!

Harlito, it sounds like you need a "tude" adjustment....not trying to be mean just ....look you have lost 50 lbs!!!! Yeah!!!! Now, get back to it...Get some help if you need it or ask for it here! Good Luck...and hang in there!

Penelope...hang in there...get your head in the game!!! You can do it and we are cheering you on!

P3photogal...I am so happy for you and glad your DD is going to detox with you...I'll suggest that to my hubby when the time comes???? Keep it up...and remember...we are here for you!

Congrats to p3 and bthin4me...I'm waiting for approval...sigh.. Julie, I cut and pasted all your words of wisdom...thanks... I have been addicted to the computer lately too! My husband is like bothered that I am so busy reading and responding on line...However, this is a BIG DECISION and I need like minded support...he is gaining right now because I am loosing??? How have those of you handled the diet sabatogers in your world???

Good friends are hard to beat...The seminar was a feeling of releif for me...like I think I had made up my mind by that time...I met another girl later and she said she had gone 5 times to seminars but thinks she can diet and not go through surgery...I remember thinking....well yea! we all can diet it is the regaining thing...I hope with the band that I will be able to as they say...tame the gaining..... I even wonder if eating for me is really the hunger??? It will be interesting for me to see if I notice a difference... For instance, at the seminar they talked about how your body start making more brain hormones when it thinks you are dieting so you don't starve...this kicks in about 4-8 weeks in...well, I've been working hard to loose my pre op required weight and was doing great...even had a family reunion where food and drinks were plentiful (4 days of it!) and I lost 2 pounds that week! now this week I am starving all the time...and my willpower...my ability to say no is like at ZERO...so, let's just say, I got off track a bit....1 pound....and it is hard as h*ll to get back on... Hopefully, that is where the band will tame me?????

That is my thinking at this time...It is so strange to read the whole thread about that on here....if you'd like, you could email me about why you chose that rather than have it on here...Thanks again

Thanks for the tips....I bought my gas x strips the other day...I am ready!!!Good luck..keep us informed on your progress!

Yea for you! did you use Realize or Lap? I'm trying to decide...I go to Dr. Blackstone also!

Good to know...if coffee is off so would Iced tea??? I do not like crystal light and drink plenty of water but....a bit of either is still going to be in my plan until I am told differently!

Hi JennyLynn! I can't wait to get approval so I can attend the class . . . i'm not sure why it hasn't come through yet. Keep me posted on all your appt too! Take Care

LOL.....just say, "Thank you, I am eating less" (but more importantly) OR..."I'm eating healthier choices" That is no lie!!! The band, the ultimate tool, is only a thing...your brain and you are making the choice... When someone says...great hairdo...do we say, "Well, my shampoo is blah..blah...my chi hot Iron....my finishing spray....my blah...Get the point...How you are accomplishing weight loss is your GIG...Band or Not I hope this does not sound confrontational...I am not meaning that way...I guess what I am trying to say is.... TAKE THE CREDIT!! AND SAY THANKS

Hey JennyLynn...Congrats on your date...I am going to Dr. Blackstone too! I am waiting my insurance approval/????? Frustrating!!!! So, I don't know about the addiction thing except...what I have heard and read....I think it is great the insurance approved a year of therapy!!! How proactive is that??? What insurance do you have? Is this a standard thing??? Anyone else have this??? Good Luck and maybe I'll see you at a support class thing???

Congrats! I hope the gas goes away...I've read to use a heating pad and take the gas x thin strips??? I'm not banded yet so...only advice I can give...keep on walking too! Take Care

Shirley Bee..call your doc...needless worry is not good but answers have options...meaning ...play it safe

Hey AZ Bandsters...I am not official yet...Dr. Blackstone is my Doc and I'm waiting for insurance approval...I live in the East Valley...I'm hoping to be banded in June??? Anyone else new to this? How are all u AZ Bandsters progressing? Take Care

Boo Boo KItty...Wow! Great Job!! you are my idol

Jtorie...we all wish you well! I hope your Dad pulls through for you...you are in may prayers and keep us informed.

Thank you for posting this...I started thinking about bariatric surgery in 2000. I am finally in the process...the reason I did not elec to go for it then was: I was a single Mom...needed to finish raising my DD...totally get the d's on that one :thumbup:...anyway the other thing I did was talk to my PCP. He said, "Well, you are a healthy large person...and so much is being learned about all these surgeries... etc . . .so keep trying (I had lost @ 80 on ATKINS then) and give it time..." That was good advice... then......my daughter graduated from HS...I got remarried...and gained and lost 100 plus pounds...and then...Type 2 Diabetes started, I guess apnea too, sore joints, cholesteral, tri - g's, higher blood pres. etc...YOU KNOW...COMORBIDIITIES!!! HEALTHY????? Yet, I know that I needed this time because... #1. Would I have qualified back then? #2 The lapband wasn't an option, #3 AGB just became avaliable on my insurance as of 03/01/08, #4 I have a DH to help support me through this... and LASTLY...I'm doing it for the right reasons..saving my health!!! So, I pray they approve me soon...and that I don't have to play the denial game...and I say.... Go for it for everyone in your life, especially for yourself because this obesity thing is a REAL DISEASE...and we have struggled long enough without compassion or help... A tool for better health...not a magic cure...we deserve this...and LASTLY....there is risk everytime we go out the door, in a car, at the store, mall etc... Thanks for listening :blushing:

Yea, ditto to that..I am trying to not drink while eating now but it is so opposite from normal diet behavior...so I am trying but not banded yet...also, since I am supposed to loose before and have doing well with the 6 small meal model...2 being Protein @15 grams and under 10 carbs...I am worried about just 3 meals a day??? Congrats on the 65 pounds...keep it up!

Well said Tropicana..good luck to you...are you banded?

I am so glad to find this thread....My doctor is the only one in AZ that comes up on the Realize site as...?....certified surgeon??? I noticed that she is not on the lapband site but uses both...up to patient. I was told that there is a slight difference in putting it on...they have to test it in water first etc... and the ports attach easier...So, I am thinking since she is the Realize guru to go with that one... I'm sure you can't be on both sites????? anyway, I am in the research phase so if anyone has specific comments about why they did or did not choose the Realize band...do tell :thumbup: Thanks

The nutritionist told me that they say no coffee because now that we have designer coffee...such as carmal mocha machiattos sp? and frappacinos...the word coffee is too polluted with bad calories and fat. So, she tells everyone none...but...she told me a normal cup is fine...'course I haven't been banded yet...the tune may change :thumbup:

OK...this is TMI...but I can tell you Jtori that there is no need to feel embarrased...nurses and docs have seen it all and it is part of "nature". That being said, I was thinking it sounded like PCOS which I have / had? I even asked a doc the other day...I had a hysterectomy last June and have no parts left...since I do not have ovaries do I still have polysistic ovarian syndrome???She said, "Good question"...anyway, I feel your pain...I bled 20 to 24 days a month for 1 year! then I had an ablation and it reduced it to @10 days! NOw, it is heaven...by the way...I'm still anemic...and it has almost been a year??? But I am finally losing weight....Good Luck! Hang tough!