jbflorida

OK--I've been to 7 weight loss seminars (I could probably give one myself!) I have narrowed it down to 2 doctors. I would like YOUR advice as to what personality is best: Doc # 1 has a fun, witty personality--but I know that he will be STRICT with me--pre-op 2 weeks Optifast, Post Op-2 weeks clear liq., 2 weeks full liq. He will be kind--but demanding of me to succeed, and succeed well! He has done many bands. Doc#2 is laid back and easy going. Pre op--10 days of any liq (even pudding, etc.) Post op-1 week liq, 1 week soft. He has done 250 bands. Advice? (one of the docs is $2100 more than the other...trying not to let that make a difference for this self-pay future bander )

I imagine that a lot of the fear right before the surgery is really GRIEF. We are saying good-bye to our dear, reliable friend--not just food, but the kind of food we ate and the way we ate it. It may have been the one thing in life that we could depend on being there. But it's kind of like when an abused child wants to return to the abuser. It's what we KNOW. But I am a grown woman and food no longer serves me. As much as I do enjoy it, the way I eat is making me unhappy, matronly, shameful, and yes, it is killing me. My mantra is--WHO AM I KIDDING? Could I have a stroke? absolutely. Could I gain another 100 lbs? Probably. Could I die from this way before my time? I'm already on that road. I've had enough. I am ready to live a different way. I want to. I deserve it! I've been healthy (thinner) and I've been obese. I choose health now. I'm tired of having my weight "color" every aspect of my life, every thought. This just doesn't serve me! And so, I am making plans for my life change. First, I will grieve and mourn the loss of the fat me and the way I ate....and ate and ate. I will cry and wonder and write in my journal and read LBT and learn from my new "family" here. And then I will begin my next chapter. When I feel a temptation, I will be ready with the thoughts of, "I used to be like that. Not anymore." I also know that I am human, but I am going to try my best...when my mind is made up, I plan on being successful! So there! Who's with me?

I have been working on the small bite and the chewing. The first time--I got BORED with eating! (a new experience) I can hear it now, "How did you lose the weight?" " I got bored with eating."

And i don't mean sipping---I mean drinking it all down at once!

Sometimes you just want a nice tall glass of cold water! (not with a meal) Is it possible to do that? (this message board is a Blessing!!)

These posts have me worried. I have not been banded yet. If I could be successful weighing and measuring and using willpower and changing my lifestyle, then I would go to Weight Watchers for a lot less money! The question is-- The band is a TOOL. If I eat right and exercise, I will lose weight. Weight Watchers is a TOOL. If I eat right and exercise, I will lose weight. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

I will need to do 2 weeks of Optifast when my time comes. My doc said he did it himself to see what his patients go through---I was impressed with that!

When I was in my mid-40's, divorced and weighing about 160, my father said to me, "If I saw you in a bar, I would walk past you." I replied, "One, you won't see me in a bar and Two, I'd be happy that you would walk past me because that would help me to separate a real man from an asshole." Story 2--at a family event last year, my mother wanted to take pictures of the family (father is deceased now). I whined about hating to take pictures (I now weigh 200) and she said, "When you lose weight and look at the pictures, you can say, 'Ooh, look how fat I was!'" Discrimination instead of unconditional love. I pray for them anyway. The band is going to be for ME and MY HEALTH! No other reason!

Is it possible to find out a particular doctor here? How do I go about doing that?

Hmm...thought I'd do the cash thing, but now, may put it on a credit card--get 1% cash back--that will be $155--and pay off the credit card that month!

About the gal at the top of the page...maybe someone else walked into the room with an American Flag and she just tried to pledge as quickly as possible.... I would love to see before/after pictures! My next vote is for the cute dog pictures to be there.... And while I am here and feeling silly-- is anyone ELSE addicted to this website? I'm going to start LBTA. (who can I blame for this?)

So sorry your feelings were hurt. And no, they don't understand. Unless they have walked in our shoes (size 8W), they won't get it. And when I am told, "I don't understand," I reply that I am glad for them that they didn't experience the pain and shame and countless efforts and strong desire to be healthy. I tell them that I hope they never have to experience it, but if they love me, they'll put their feelings and judgments aside, and support me...just because it's me. And then I think, screw 'em.

I went to a seminar tonight and was told that if there were insurance exclusions and NO mention of medically necessary--to call Human Resources at my employers' and ask why they exclude this. THEN ask if they would allow YOU to purchase a rider on the insurance that would permit weight loss surgery. It's worth a try. I will not be using that surgeon/practice that I visited today. Sometimes you just get a bad feeling. The patient coordinator seemed put out that I was asking questions; she seemed impatient. So....bye! I have learned so much from all of you and can speak "intelligently" about the band. It was amazing to me how many people were at the seminar and knew nothing! One lady declared that she wants to look "gooooood" and she doesn't care about the rest of it. Then she asked when it is taken out. I think she is in for a surprise!

Sorry to hear that you are not doing so well right now. Hope it all gets cleared up soon! As someone who had done this awhile back, what are your thoughts? (I am researching this for myself!) Do you think the weight came back because you weren't able to get fills--or what? I hope you get the answers that you need about the barium.

Think of how much we have learned because of Yaz's experience! Yaz, I am sorry that you experienced what was a hard situation, but you have done such a service to those of us learning about this. You taught me what I may experience and now, I know that "buyer's remorse" or depression is normal and that this, too shall pass. I also know exactly where to come for help and support! So, I feel compassion for Yaz's emotional roller-coaster--and I THANK HER for sharing and teaching me so much. jb

Is there an APPEAL FORM or do we write our own letter to appeal? Should I include the doctor's letter with mine, or do it separately?

I see that ice cream, chocolate, milkshakes go down easily and will put the weight back on....but those Snacks are not a problem for me. I am a chip eater--potato chips, Doritoes, pretzels--give me something that crunches! Question--how does the band take to those? (I am hoping you tell me either that chips will make me sick, or that I can have 5 and that's all the band will allow....) not banded yet.....still asking questions....jb

I have a question-- How do you take your medications? I take a few a day, some in capsule form. (hope to decrease that!) I am so grateful for this board and all of you!

lattidah--another cute story.... I was once speaking my 6th graders and mentioned something about me being fat. One boy yelled out, "You're not fat; you're just short, so you LOOK fat." The rest of the class was horrified. I was hysterical! Sooo funny!

Kat817 Thanks! I think we are the same person!!! I don't get hungry because I am always eating! (not really, but it seems that way according to my clothes and breathing and health and appearance.) I plan to make a list of THINGS I DON'T HAVE TO PUT UP WITH ANYMORE when and if I join the Band. Maybe we can all add our 2 cents in this list! Let me start: 1. Size 20 2. sleep Apnea 3. Chapped thighs 4. Bad knees 5. Arms that swing in the breeze 6. Being the fattest one 7. Wide sized shoes 8. HATING to have my picture taken what else? (I once made a list like this when I broke up with a guy--things I wouldn't have to put with anymore----the list helped!!!

Please explain "head hunger." thx.

You are all so brave and honest in your writings! The support is amazing. I have not yet made the decision to join The Band. I am learning all I can. But I know that if that day comes, it will be easier because of the knowledge and encouragement of all of you. I know you'll be there--you understand all of the pain that we have experienced with the pounds. My goal is to have ONE day in the future that I do not think at all about weight. Possible?

Counting the days--congrats! I have an exclusion. How can I find out what I am really entitled to? How do you do an appeal? Please share the steps you took. I would be sooo grateful. And tell me about the doc in Bradenton....(I am about 30 minutes north....)

Has anyone heard of a group called Journey Lite? Lapbands are all they do. I would be using the group out of Tampa and the physician is Dr. Renke. Any thoughts are welcomed!

So---if I have UHC, but there is an exclusion for WLS, is it possible to fight it?