Lydiafree

I hear ya about the cold feet! I'm a little nervous about that as well. I wonder though - are the posts about regretting surgery are coming soon after surgery? When one is sore, hungry and still recuperating? The way I look at it - just after surgery I will probably not be the nicest, happiest person in the world (already warned my support person about that). Things will be rough then, and then after healing, there's still more work to do! But, as long as the results occur, how could it be a wrong decision? I know that's easy to say while we're still on the pre- side of the operation, but I'm tired of my life the way it is. I'm sick of being like this. I know there will be problems, issues and emotions I can't prepare for -but whatever happens, it will be different than this. I wonder if the people questioning their decisions keep on questioning them?

I'm with you. I've only told my close family members and a few friends - partly because I didn't want to spread the word in case it wasn't going to happen, and partly because I didn't want to hear everyone's opinions or their "advice". I did tell my boyfriend when I started the program. He was less than supportive (to put it mildly). Despite the fact that we'd been together for three years at that point, and despite how much he'd seen me struggle with my weight, he just kept saying "just try dieting". Ugh. I've since broken up with him (for a myriad of reasons), but it made me realize that I took the right course for me. Telling only the people who would understand and be supportive - and keeping out the rest who really don't need to know my private business. I haven't decided if I'll tell people once I start losing weight, though. I know people will have questions . . . do I tell them? haven't decided. Because the opinions and "advice" will still come.

:smile: I had blood test done as part of my surgeon's bariatric program, and they found an H. Pylori infection that was treated with anti-biotics. had the subsequent EGD to check for ulcers, etc. with a biopsy of the stomach - all clear. Now, I've got my surgery date and just got the appointment for my final pre-op tests. Another EKG, a chest z-ray and MORE blood work? I hate needles. Very, very nervous about all the blood work. Is this normal? Did anyone else have to go through additional blood work as part of the final testing phase? What are they looking for? *nervous of needles*

June 29th for me! Dr. Hoffman, BGH, Buffalo, NY. Can't freakin' wait!!.

:smile: Hello all! I'm lydia. I joined a while back when I first began to consider getting banded. And now, my surgery is FINALLY scheduled! After a year of research, tests, waiting and starting a new diet, I've finally gotten my surgery date! Just have to get over the last few hurdles: final pre-op testing (why do I have to have MORE blood work done?), surgery clearance by my primary doc, then the final weigh in. Thank goodness for Dr. Hoffman! June 29th can't come fast enough!

My a-ha moment was just a week ago. Satruday the 15th I walked to the CVS right aruond the block from our apartment. Later that day, my knees started to hurt. The next day (and continuing on up to and including today) my knees have been shite. Painful, weak, wobbly and cracking. if walking just a couple hundred feet can do that to my 29-year-old knees, the future is not looking too good. I called the doc this past Monday. Been talking to the insurance co and they *should* cover it. *crosses fingers*

Hello! Here in Buffalo as well. Still awaiting my paperwork from Dr. Posner/Forbes/Hoffman's office. Very interested in hearing about the experiences with any of the doctors at BGH from other Buffalo bansters!! :thumbup:

That is nothing short of extraordinary! I have roughly 125 lbs to lose (assuming we get to "pick" our goal weight). Seeing your numbers gives me even more cause to hope. Thank you so much for sharing that.

Oh my goodness - that "maybe just one more diet" thing is EXACTLY what I'm doing right now. My best friend is also overweight and has recently started the Alli pills. I thought about trying them as well, until I read the side effects. But, I've totally tried a million other "diet pills" - metabolife (back when it still had ephedra), hydroxycut, xantax, dexatrim, trimspa- none of them worked. I'd lose some weight, and then it would come right back once I stopped taking them. Same story with Weight watchers, La weight loss and even exercise. In the summer of 2005 I walked 3 miles a day, five days a week for 6 mos and lost next to nothing. That was a deathblow to both my confidence and determination to lose weight. If even exercise didn't help, I must be screwed. I fully admit to feeling a bit hopeless as things are now. I think the LB (or some form of WLS) is my only option. But if insurance doesn't cover it, for whatever reason, I don't have the money to do it on my own. Or, if insurance doesn't cover any potential PS needs well post-WLS, I don't have that kind of money either. That's my main worry presently. Though that is putting the cart well before the horse, to be sure. :ohmy: The problem being that I'm also a thinker and a worrier (not to mention, also an atheist). In this tedious time while waiting for the paperwork, all there is to do is investigate and think. But, I'm very very glad there's a place like this for me to vent my rambly fears and worries because only people going through it can understand it. Try as they might, my well-meaning family and friends just don't know.

I think I'm feeling a little worried mainly because I've tried so. many. different. things. already and ALL have failed. This genuinely seems like the one thing that might work, but I'm afraid of getting my hopes up - in case insurance won't cover it, or something. Thank you all for the inspiring words. I feel like daring to hope!

I'm just beginning my lap-band journey - just phoned the surgeon's office and am waiting the initial paperwork. I've been reading and reading and reading threads on this site trying to absorb as much info as possible to be prepared. Some things sound sublime and wonderful, some things sound awful and very scary. I have only told my mother, my best friend and my bf about my considering this surgery. My mom and best friend are all for it. My bf, not so much. In the end, I will do what is best for me. but, I have one question to whomever will answer it - Weighing all factors (expense, time, results, pain, lifestyle changes, mental changes, physical changes, etc.) equally - is it worth it? Really worth it? Would anyone change anything? Does anyone regret anything? Okay, so that's four questions. :biggrin2: And they might sound like silly questions, but from my point of view, its a big scary heap of change, effort and plastic surgery (that never even occurred to me before!!!). I'm a little scared, but I'm more worried that this is just another one of THOSE excuses - you know, the ones we make up to have a reason note to change. Thanks to anyone who will share their thoughts!

Insurance, totally. I contacted my insurance first and found out that I'm pretty much their concept of the ideal candidate. Now, once I get the info packet from the surgeon, we'll see if that's the case. I'm excited. I feel like I waited to long to start. But, better later than never. thanks for the welcomes. You'll be seeing a lot of me round here.

I'm only just starting my journey, but, assuming I get accepted and have it done, there's no limit to what I want to do. I want to take dancing lessons. I want to travel. I want to buy clothes I actually like, in colors other than black, instead of just what hides me sufficiently. I want to wear a bathing suit in public - which I've never done. I want to turn heads. I want to go to my next hs reunion instead of skipping it again. I want to not be the "jolly fat girl' of the group anymore. I want to be one of the "pretty girls" instead of just the one with the "pretty face". I want to be healthier like my beloved grandfather (rip) wanted me to be. I want my parents and my granmother to not worry about my health anymore. The list just goes on.

Hello from Buffalo, NY. My name is Lydia. I've been thinking about weight loss surgery for a few months now. I took the first step today by calling the local surgeon's office for their information packet. I started thinking about having the surgery done after yet another diet attempt went south with no results. I've tried everything - weight watchers, la weight loss, various diet pills, even working out - nothing has worked. Obseity is in my father's familys' genes - virtually every one of them (esp the women) are overweight or morbidly obese. I feel like surgery is my only option to have any hope of losing weight before it becomes a health issue. I've noticed that my knees are getting bad - always sore, stiff and shaky. I slightly limp of late after slipping on some ice a few weeks back and I'm hobbling around like I'm 80+ years old. I'm 29, ffs. Anyway, I'm here to read and learn as much as possible. Esp about the approval process, since that's where I'm at right now. Hello to all!:wub: