serenity55

Hey SunnyCoconut, it's my turn to say I know what you mean. My surgery is almost a week after yours and my mind is racing already! While you will have passed in to band land, I'll be slowly going insane! Hahaha! Let me know how everything goes, especially starting your pre op diet, if you have one. Good luck!

Hi Ashley, Congrats on your surgery date! Mine is the 10th, and I haven't done anything yet. My surgeon's office has a support group and next Wednesday we're having a Protein shake tasting, which will give me some ideas, I hope, about what to get for my two week pre op diet. I know there are lots of suggestions here about what to take to the hospital and I must have read them a dozen times, but I can't remember much now. Guess I'll have to check them out again!

Fabulous February friends? Thank you, Tam. And thank you, Sarah, for going to check out my thread, which is in the monthly forum, February, 2009 forum. Ivernous, my surgery date is also the 10th. I'm excited, and maybe just a little anxious.

The things that helped me make a decision to go for the lap band are, 1. It's minimally invasive. 2. there are fewer risks with lap band. 3. Though bypass patients do lose weight more quickly at the beginning, it all equals out to the same in the long run. 4. There can be malabsorption issues, as other side effects. 5. The band is simply placed around the top portion of the stomach and nothing else is rearranged. Of course, this is just my opinion, and there are lots of people who have success with bypass, so, as you say, you will have to do lots of research and decide what is right for you. But don't let anyone, doctor or layperson, try to sway you. Good luck.

I found the calendar. Thank you. I also read the stuff you can do, but I can't seem to save the stuff I put there. Oh well. I'll just add it to my signature the way a lot of people do. Thank you, Michelle. As for taking off work, I think I will take off a full week. The 10th is on a Tuesday, so I'll take that week of course, and the following one as well. I'm a switchboard operator, and I would imagine sitting might be uncomfortable after a while, and I can't really move around that much, because the board rings a lot. Maybe giving myself almost two weeks will allow me to go back to work and sit for longer periods. Thanks again, Michelle.

Help me out, February friends! I've started a thread titled, What should we call ourselves? I've had a couple of responses, and I'd love to have more! We need a name, don't we? Ok, maybe not, but humor me! :-)

Nooshie, I don't think there are many here who have Dr. Quilici as their surgeon, but there are some. He has support groups the first and third Wednesday of every month--well, I should say members of his staff facilitate them. I found them to be very nice, and maybe they will have some idea about what can be done. I hope everything goes well at your consultation, and maybe we'll meet at the support group meetings. Look forward to hearing how everything goes for you, and thank you for the good luck wish.

I wish I could have done it on my actual birthday, too, but the gift is getting the approval, so I'll take it! You're right, it is the bestest present ever!

Hi Nooshie, Welcome to lap band talk. I have been going through the motions with my HMO for the past nine months, and was finally approved a couple of days ago. I was involuntarily switched from one medical group to another, and that was a big part of the problem. It sounds like you're on the right track, though, if you got a referral to see Dr. Quilici; who, by the way, will be my surgeon. I'm sorry I don't have an answer about the changing of insurance companies, and I'm truly sorry to hear about your husband being laid off. I hope things work out all right, and someone more knowledgeable than I comes along with answers for you. Please keep us posted on how things are going.

Thank you, and congratulations to you for your band date! I hope we all have uneventful and speedy recoveries!

You are awesome, Michelle! thank you so much for those kind words! I have a couple of questions. Did you put my surgery date on your calendar on this web site? I'm having a hard time figuring out how to do that, but it could be something my computer isn't reading. (Don't you love how I blame the computer?!) And secondly, how much time did you take off work? thank you again.

Michelle, I think my computer has been the most expressive I've heard it since I've had it. Thank you so much! I remember when I tried to go to my first seminar and was given the wrong time. When I posted about how disappointed I was, yours was one of the responses that really made me feel better. So your post here means a lot to me. I thank you, and so does my computer! Hahahaha!

I got my approval letter yesterday, had my second cardiology exam today, and scheduled my surgery for February 10th. I never thought I'd be writing this, but I'm so happy!

February Flames? Fireballs? fun and free in February? Any suggestions??

Hi all! Yesterday I got approved for my lap band and today I got a surgery date of February 10th. Anyone else? It doesn't seem real, somehow, maybe because I've been jumping through hoops for so long!

Thank you all! Yes, Michelle, I think it's finally sinking in. I went to the cardiologist today and he gave me clearance for surgery. When I told him that I'd heard that the anesthesiologist didn't like the cardiology tests to be an older than six months, he said, "Well, that doesn't make any sense." So I didn't have to take the stress test or another ecocardiogram. My surgeon's office was in the same building, so I went up to make an appointment. My surgery is scheduled for February 10th! I'm gonna be a February bandster!!!

After having had two psychological evaluations, going for the second cardiology exam tomorrow, being denied each time I submitted letters and previous exams, I got a letter today saying I've been approved! I think I'm still in shock! But I'm excited, too! I am on my way to band land! Yay!!! Oh, yes, my birthday is this Sunday! Happy birthday to me!

You know what I tell myself? That I have a tool to help me be successful, something I didn't have before. And I have also read that a lot of times the insurance companies are just interested in seeing if we are willing to commit. That's more important than the actual weight loss. We can all do this. Good luck, and keep posting. You're not alone! Be gentle with yourself.

Christy, I just read another post in which you described all the things you've been going through. I'm glad you're doing better. You say they think you've developed MS? I'm truly sorry if that is the case, but you sound like someone who will come through whatever is dealt you with flying colors. I wish you nothing but the best.

I think we tend to be harder on ourselves than anyone else would. Your doctor may just be glad to see you, to know that you're coming in for a fill, and I know he/she will understand about the loss of a parent. I lost my mother when I was nine, to breast cancer which had spread. I was so young, but the pain is no less whatever your age. Be gentle with yourself and know that you are taking care of yourself for you, for those who love you, and in loving memory of your mother. Debbie

Hey Christy, congratulations! I'm still going through the process, but I love hearing about everyone who gets approved! And congratulations to your husband as well. Be sure to let us know when you get your surgery date. Good luck! I hope it's soon!

Congratulations on not eating those cookies! I've probably smelled them, but I can't remember anything specific at the moment. What I have done though ...? A friend and coworker brought me a huge box of Oreos from costco, the kind that has maybe ten "sleeves" with a million Cookies in each. He's done this before, and I used to eat most of them, taking some home to share with my roommate. The last time he brought them, I took them immediately to my department. There are lots of guys, young guys, who went through them like nobody's business, and I didn't have one!

Pianolover51, Do I know how you feel! I've jumped through so many hoops it isn't funny, and I've been going through this since April, when I saw my primary care physician. I've complained (vented) :-) about all the stuff I had to go through and have gotten a lot of support, but I really understand how frustrating it is. I went to a seminar in June, had a psychological evaluation in August, cardiology exam in June, and that was before I was involuntarily switched to another medical group. The first one wanted me to travel quite a distance, which is something I wasn't able, or willing to do. I've had another psychological evaluation, sent in the cardiology exam from June, (though I may have to take another one, because I've been told that the anesthesiologist doesn't want any tests older than six months.) I had my initial consultation too, and now I guess I just wait. My doctor couldn't find the cardiology exam so I went back and forth with them, finally just going directly to the cardiologist. So yes, it's frustrating, and sometimes I wonder if I'm ever going to get banded, or if it's worth all the trouble; then I tell myself that every day I have to wait is another day for me to get used to the lifestyle changes. When I joined LBT my weight was 331 pounds. That was in March. At my cardiology exam I was down to 318. I just learned this tonight when my roommate read the report to me. I guess the reason I'm saying all this is to remind myself that it will happen, and when it does, I want to be as prepared as I can be. One of the reasons I come to this site is to keep myself centered and focused. Good luck, and hang in there! You'll get there, even if you have to come here and voice (or write) your frustration.

"I'm about to lose control and I think I like it! Oh, yeah!" Congratulations on getting a date for your surgery! I'm hoping to become a bandster in 2009. Best wishes, keep us posted, and good luck to you! Debbie

Hi there! You've come to the right place for support and understanding. I haven't been banded yet, but I have had surgery and know the fear, and I also understand the fear of failure, because I think about that even though I don't have a date yet. But I know there are a lot of fantastic people here who will help you, and who will tell you that, the band is a tool, and it can and will help you on your weight loss journey. One thing I can't stress enough is the importance of talking to people who understand, and that's what this site is all about. The person you mentioned who eats four hot dogs and then goes to the bathroom is certainly no one you should listen to; you need people who will encourage you, and maybe even give you a little tough love if it's needed. That's what I tell myself. I'm sorry I can't offer much help, but I know someone will come along who can. Stick around, and welcome to LBT! Debbie