3loves

So glad to hear the good report....good as in no slippage. :nervous I am preband so I appreciate your post and will always remember NO HOT DOGS! Take care and get some rest. :notagree

Proud to say.....75% Dixie. Lived most of my life in Ohio, but both parents are 100% West Virginia hillbillies!! They say, tare instead of tire and tigers are tagers. What can I say? I'm proud of my southern blood.

Oh my.....I can't imagine how you find the energy to keep going. I guess it's what mom's do best, just keep going until all is well, then crash. I do hope & pray you don't come down with that nasty stuff. I had the flu with my boys earlier this year and I would have died if anyone would have seen my house at that time. Moms just can't afford to get sick. Take care and we'll keep praying for all of you!!

I was just thinking today that I should come up with a good joke on April 1st for my boys since they are old enough to understand. They are ages 5 yrs & 3.5 yrs. Any mommies out there have any good ideas? We love to joke and laugh together so I know they'll enjoy being tricked. :heh:

Congratulations!!! :clap2: May all you band dreams come true!!! :clap2:

So sorry to hear your band slipped. :phanvan I'm glad to hear you home and I will pray for a quick recovery. Take care and get some rest. :hug:

FYI....my surgeon, Dr. Evanson requires a 23 hr stay as well. This only makes me more confident in my choice, especially since they are a "Center of Excellence". Some docs are different and some people want to be home, but this is the best choice for me personally. You'll be glad you stayed if you have any problems like JanetC. I wish you the very best!! :clap2:

We have had "His" and "Hers" computers since we got married. I hate it when he touches my computer....unless I have a problem that needs fixed. If you can swing it, that is the way to go!! ~Good Luck~

I'm preband so I can't offer any advice on most of your issues, but I can talk to the period thing. Last year when my husband ended up staying in the hopital for 5 days after an outpatient surgery, I started my period when I shouldn't have. A few mos ago, I was under A LOT of stress and again, had an extra period. They lasted from 3-5 days and I still had my regular period. Our bodies do respond to stresses including weight loss and such. I hope this helps you in some way. Good luck!

Hi Mvpo ~ I know we've both been waiting , but to find out they didn't have your PreD?? Sounds like someone at UHC didn't have their morning coffee. Did your surgeon's office tell you the method of sending the info? I would try to find out and follow the trail with the new info to make sure it arrives safely. I have been documenting EVERY conversation with date, time, & person spoken to from the very beginning. Even if I have to leave a message, I would put LMOR (left message on recorder) with date & time. I have notes from Jan. The hardest part, the waiting, is almost over. Hang in there....it's getting closer....I can FEEL it!! :dance: I have one more support group to attend and I'm going to have to wait until the first week of April for a meeting. :cry Oh well, at least they haven't told me no.

Has anyone tried taking the Biotin b4 the band to prevent hair loss? I'm just wondering if I can get a jump on this b4 it becomes an issue. Also, I've been through 2 pregnancies and 3 surgeries and have never lost hair....is this a good sign? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Dana ~ I'm glad to hear your meeting wasn't all bad. :biggrin1: I attended my second meeting tonight and again, I was the only "band" person out of 30+ people. The second group kind and respectful as the first. Still I wish they would offer a lapband group like SherryW. I think I would be more inclined to attend on a regular basis. For now, I'm going to fulfill my insurance request for 3 sessions, then I'm sticking with my LBT family and saving my gas. I driven 7+ hrs within the last 2 days attending these meetings. NewSho ~ Funny you should bring up the hair thing b/c that did seem to be a big topic of discussion. The reasons sited were exactly what you stated within the 4 -6 mos time after surgery b/c of rapid weight loss. They also said some people react to the anesthesia. I'm going to start a thread about that...wait, I'll do a search first. :rolleyes

Had no idea that Clinton pardoned him. I knew he had some legal issues but didn't know it extended that far. No wonder I don't care for him. Something about him rubs me the wrong way. Didn't know that about Mark Martin. He's a great guy & driver and no wonder he has a super outlook on life after going through that. Was he on Nascar 360? I haven't watched it since last year b/c it was all reruns. Who knows, but I bet Jeff had a talk with him. He's getting scolded every week it seems like. If Tony was doing that, it would be called aggressive.

I attended my first support session tonight after being required to attend 3 by insurance per psychologist (started anther thread about that). I was brave enough to raise my hand and ask if anyone else had the band or was getting it. Anyway, I was the only "band" person there out of 35 to 40 people. There were really nice and respectful, but I didn't feel it was a benefit to me to discuss hair loss, smelly gas, and such. A lady that was pre-surgery asked me why I chose the band and I told her a few of my reasons and said gastric or band were personal decisions and I was doing what was right for me. I didn't get any flack and I didn't feel out of place. It was a nice group except for the fact they were all gastric. I was ready to load the guns and shoot, :heh: but I was pleasantly surprised after what you had experienced Dana.

Along the same lines.....what if your hubby changed jobs b4 your surgery date? Could you pay for COBRA and would the pre-approval still be valid?

I got a message this AM from my surgeon's office that ins needs more info, which they have available to send ASAP. Ins is also requesting I attend the 3 support groups requested by the psychologist. I thought those could have been pre & post band, but now ins is going along with what he dr says and they must be pre band. :mmph: They have to be groups offered by St Vincent's. The closest one is the 3rd Tues of every month so I'm going tonight. Since I am not going to wait 3 mos to get a surgery date, I am going to travel to Indy, South Bend or Kokomo to attend other groups. At first, I was really ticked, but realized hey, they are going to approve me if I do this. :dance: Am I wrong in my thinking? Surely they wouldn't ask me to do this only to come back and say no. I feel excited, empowered, and ready to put some miles on the van!! My wonderful DH is willing to take off work early to allow me to attend the required meetings. It's a team effort when you have kids. I'm so glad I married that man!! :love: LOOK OUT ~ I'M ALMOST FINISHED JUMPING HOOPS ~ :llama:

NewSho ~ I think your level of knowledge was simply misunderstood and when I was reading your posts, that same thought (did u work for them) crossed my mind as well, but not in a negative way. I read your blog and you do have quite a bit of insurance experience which explains how you can give such a detailed description. It's it nice to have someone like yourself on this site, but I don't think, and I could be mistaken, that the previous post was meant to an angry insult. Again, I could be wrong. You have been been down many roads that most of us won't even have to face. I appreciate your insight and IMO full of knowledge reagrding insurance and procedures. Be patient with those of us that aren't and we can learn from each other. :nervous

Emily has been lifted up in prayer....your family too!! I am the mother of 2 little ones and my heart hurts for you to have to watch your baby in pain like that. However, the Lord does answer prayers and I'm so glad to hear that she is responding to the meds. I have never walked in your shoes, but I know as a mother, you would take her place if you could. May God continue to carry you all through this trying time. It sounds like Emily is keeping everyone's spirits high. God bless her little heart. Sometimes kids don't know how sick they really are. Many prayers and wishes for her speedy recovery!! Hang in there, it will soon be a distant memory. :eek:

Hi Luci ~ I am preband as well and the mother of 2 boys, ages 5 yrs and 3 yrs. My boys are going to stay with my parents for a few days, which they live 3 hrs away, but it will be worth it. Your post made me wonder if your 2 yr old is potty trained? My 3 yr old isn't and we are having battles right now b/c he doesn't want to do his big business in the potty....hope to fix that b4 I have my surgery. I wish you the very best with your new band & your family!! It's a blessing (and a challenge) to be a parent, isn't it?

Done....will be watching for my catalog. Spoon....REALLY? Thank you so much!!

Boy, are we flying now!!! Thank you to the mystery person that fixed this problem. :biggrin1:

Hi Dana~ Were you "required" to attend a face-to-face support group? This is kind of scary and I'm wondering if you plan to go back? I know a team of wild horses wouldn't change my mind about getting the band, but I can't imagine actually going through what you experienced. She was so OUT OF LINE to say such things!! This is very interesting to me b/c my surgeon is requesting I attend 4 support group sessions. I requested via e-mail for him to consider this site as my group support. I truly believe that a support group is in my best interest which is why I joined LBT. I stated that I would be one of the few, if not only, lapband patient (I'm still preband as you are) and I felt this site suited my support needs more than a group of gastric patients would. You see, they have not offered lapband in the surrounding cities and I'm traveling 3 hrs to Indy. I have not had a response so I was planning on attending a session tomorrow, Tues. :phanvan I'm still debating b/c it's in a bad part of town (I guess they're trying to save $$) surrounded by pawn shops, closed businesses, and the parking lot shares a driveway with a dilapidated collection of trailer homes. I don't think of myself above anyone else, but I do try to be cautious and aware of my surroundings. You are doing the right thing by sharing this b/c members of your LBT family know the REAL truth about the band. So many people speak out of ignorance and do not know the real truth!! If you do ga back, encourage her to study her facts b4 she starts saying things that are untrue. Then again, people do "believe" different truths. I will be on my guard if I decide to attend the meeting. Thanks again for sharing! Any suggestions on getting my surgeon to consider this site as enough support would be GREATLY appreciated. :clap2:

I made a stationary last year for e-mail titled The Dream Song featuring the song of the same name by Colin Raye from his Counting Sheep album. I included pics of my boys sleeping and linked the song. My mother recently sent this back to me and I thought I would share a couple of verses b/c it made me think of this thread. We don't have to sleep to dream...LET'S make our dreams come true. The Dream Song Lay your head on your pillow now Close your eyes I'll tuck you in and I'll kiss you goodnight While you and your teddy bear are countin' sheep Next thing you know, you'll be fast asleep Sleep now my angel your long day is done The very best part of the night has begun Cause we get a present when we go to sleep We get to dream If you have a dream your dream can come true A whole world of wonder is waiting for you life's an adventure there's so much to do If you have a dream your dream can come true You can go walkin' on peppermint clouds And see yourself bein' a real circus clown Sail on a river of strawberry cream Be a star or an astronaut, follow your dream If you have a dream your dream can come true A whole world of wonder is waiting for you life's an adventure there's so much to do If you have a dream your dream can come true Dream on...dream my love A dream is a whisper from above If you have a dream your dream can come true A whole world of wonder is waiting for you life's an adventure there's so much to do If you have a dream If you have dream your dream can come true

Yeah....me too, I'm jealous!! You can tell you had an awesome and fantastic time you'll never forget!! BTW, you do look amazing!! :clap2: Such an inspiration to a prebander!! :clap2: Thanks for sharing the pics, they brought smiles and giggles. Did they introduce any new products for the new year? Just wondering. :cry :rolleyes

Yipeeeee Poodles!!! :dance: I needed to hear something positive today....I am very happy for you!!!:clap2: I wanted to call so bad today, but held off. I hope to post good news myself sometime this week. Excellent question about insurance. My husband works in automotive and with GM on shaky ground, it's hard to feel secure at a job these days. Let's hope any new insurance won't exclude WLS aftercare. Again....I am thrilled for you....party time!!! :confused: :laugh :thumb: :horn: :cheer2: :eek: