3loves

Oh, I looove to look at pics and as any proud mom would do, here's my little guys in their costumes: This one is a favorite of mine at my son's 3rd bday party....everyone says we look so much alike, but he definitely gets his stink from his daddy : Here's all the kids in our family. The two standing are mine, my princess niece in the middle runs the show and the other three are my beautiful nephews and niece that were adopted from Kazakhstan: O.K. This is it, I will stop now:

God Bless you for being so sweet!! Here's a gold star for you... Those little lives needed you and they knew where they could find love. I hope you do find good homes for them or end up keeping them....either way, you did a good thing. We have had animals all my life and cannot imagine a home without a pet. Keep us posted.

Hi Kim, I have never been to a psychiatrist and the only psycholgist I have seen was a couple of weeks ago for my psy eval, but my first thought when I read your thread was that perhaps Dr. Phil's book, Ultimate Weight Solution, may offer some help. I have the book and still have not read it. Maybe I'm afraid to face the reasons I eat emotionally. :rolleyes Check it out if your a reader. I do have experience with Effexor XR for depression and with my level of knowledge, which is small, that most antidepressants need to build up and stay in your system to be effective. The Effexor doesn't and hasn't had any effect on my eating habits. I just had a discussion about 10 min ago with my husband about birth control b/c I am about to start and a bit crabby. I was on Seasonale for about 2 years and recently went back to monthly birth control. With the Seasonale you only have your period ONCE every three mos. which makes life much better for all of us. I think I will go back on it since I am getting the band and won't be having more children anytime soon. I highly recommend it if it's something your OB would approve. Best of luck in finding your solution!!

Good for you!! There's nothing better than a good "BM" when you haven't had one in awhile. So glad to hear you doing better and I'm thankful for your thread b/c I hope to be ahead of the game when I get my band. This was very helpful info!! Stay well!!

Thanks Indababy!! Feel free to use any or all of the letter. I pulled from many sources and found this format which seemed to suit my needs. Oooppss.....I wished I had found that misspelling of "roll" b4 it went to NGS. I can't tell you how many times I read over the letter and didn't even catch it. That's why I like for other eyes to check out my writing. The letter was not my idea....it was suggested by a previous lapband patient with my surgeon (I guess she also comes to this site). I called my insurance to get some info and I ended up talking to someone that had the surgery with the same surgeon. How bizarre?? It was meant for me to make contact with her. The insurance coordinator at my surgeon's office said she wished more patients would include letters like this b/c it can only help. Best of luck to you as well and keep in touch!! :clap2:

Hi Sunta....I can relate to where your coming from. Like others have said, this is a normal reaction b/c of what your about to do....change your life forever and for the GOOD. :clap2: I just made a visit last week to my doc b/c I thought my blood pressure was up. My heart was thumping out of my chest and she thinks it could be from decongestants and a little of anxiety. I told her that I couldn't be happier with my decision of going for the lapband, but she thinks it may have a bigger impact on me than I realized. For the first time, I let myself feel the impact of such a huge decision. I am still full-speed ahead and want my band yesterday!! This is a big step, but you will be fine. Aren't you thankful to have this site to share all these thoughts & emotions? What a great place to get support. :clap2: Let us know how things go and I'll probably be writing the same thread b4 my surgery.....I'll be looking for your words of wisdom. :biggrin1:

OK...I've been reading some of the threads & find some only lead to bickering. I didn't even have time to post b/c I was too busy reading, but I had to stop b/c it's obvious that some people love the challenge of an arugment. They have needs that are only filled by challenging others and will argue a point whether they are right or wrong. I know this b/c I grew up with a brother like this. They love to start a fight then sit back and watch....they live for it. Personally, I've stopped reading any threads that I find from those people b/c I know the thread will end up. I come here for support and to get to know people.....ALL kinds of people. Some threads I pass over and others I just love. PLEASE DeLara......don't go anywhere. :omg: I love your threads even though I don't always agree 100%, but that's OK. I learn so much from you and I appreciate the fact that you call a spade a spade. I also want to state that I LOVE the Lord, but I don't judge other people for their choices. DeLarla, please understand (which I think you already do) that not ALL Bible-believing people "hide" behind the Word of God. The Lord made each of us unique and we ALL have something to offer. Since this is the first time I've ever participated in a group like this, I don't know the in's & out's, but it does seem to me that a moderator should step in a some point to keep this site where it was when I joined in Jan. I would hate to see seasoned members leave b/c they have so much knowledge to offer. In addition, "newbies" such as myself have some things to offer as well. It takes all kinds of people and I think the "tone" of this board needs to change and be more accepting of ALL opinions without so much offensive bickering.

Sounds like fun!! I'll send my addy.

Welcome Deedee....you have found a great community!! I am new also and still going through the process for insurance approval and I can't wait to get my band. You can do some searches for ideas on dealing with your hunger and anything else you experience. There is always someone willing to lend an ear and a word of advice. Best of luck on your new life with the band!! :welcome:

Next time keep the $200 and give yourself a day at the spa!! On second thought, ask him for the money back and make an appt. That is such a terrible thing for a husband to do and there's no excuse for it.....even if he had a bad day at work, he could still communicate that to you. On a more rational note, I have had disappointing times, including Valentine's Day, during our marriage and come to find out, my husband didn't realize how important those "little things" were to me. He was doing what guys do best....NOTHING. I finally convinced him that doing dishes and giving the kids a bath is sexy. Things couldn't be better, but "communcation" is the key!! Take care and maybe after letting go of a few tears, try talking to him like PhotoNut said.

I'm a country girl for the most part. I enjoy the classic country music and some of the new. Trace Adkins makes me weak in the knees! :dance: I also enjoy some of the older rock stuff that I grew up on like the Eagles, Heart, & Van Halen. Isn't it funny how you can go back in time just listening to music? Shows what a huge influence it has on our lives even though we don't realize it at the time.

Great advice...I agree...I will make those changes b4 it goes out tomorrow. Thanks a bunch!!!

Robin....welcome to your new home at LBT!! This is a great place. :clap2: I guess I'm impatient b/c I only decided on the lapband this Jan and can't wait to schedule my surgery. So glad to hear you have approval and a date! I am a former Buckeye and have lived in OH all my life with the exception of living here in IN the past 1.5 yrs. I have fallen in love with IN, but do miss OH at times. We are huge dog lovers and have a chocolate lab named Malley. Does Malley's Chocolates ring a bell? They are located in Cleveland. I wish you all the success in the world and welcome to LBT!!

O.K. I decided to go ahead a write a letter since I don't have any co-morbidities and perhaps it will let them know I'm not willing to take "no" for an answer. Here is the letter I wrote and I would appreciate any feedback since I will be sending this to my surgeon tomorrow.

I haven't been banded yet, but I do know that my surgeon's office has a 24 hr number to call for emergencies. Instead of suffering all night, I would call the office to get the emergency number and at least talk to someone. I know I would feel much better at least hearing their opinion of what your experiencing....it sounds very painful. Also, I do know that some pain meds tend to constipate me. Perhaps that would be an issue to discuss with your surgeon. Good luck to you and I will pray that you find a quick resolution! :Banane40:

Beautiful snow pics...can't wait to see the mountains!! I absolutely LOVE snow and since we moved to NE IN from central OH, the last 2 winters have been mild. I thought we were living in Seattle for a while with all the rain we had. :rain: I'll take snow any day of the week.

Hi meme49...I've done the same thing only I did it b4 my consultation. I know I gained a few lbs just enjoying all those silly foods that are in my head. Then I found this site and learned so much. :clap2: Tonight I found myself craving salad of all things. I read about how well everyone is doing with their band and I want to be there too. My surgery is not scheduled yet either b/c my info is going to insurance for approval next week. I will probably start using my excess Optifast shakes to take off some extra weight since I've learned how it helps with surgery. Julie*....what type of "liquids" are you using for your diet? I would be interested to know what is available and what other people like.

~Thanks~ Lisa. I did confirm with my surgeon that they are using the new lapband code. Maybe I should just let it ride the way it is since I know that I've met all the requirements they requested when I called the make sure they do pay for the lapband. My insurance is NGS-American. Do you know of anyone that has had any experiences with them....good or bad? Also, our company is self-insured so does that mean if they deny me that I can go to somone in the company to get that decision over-ridden (is that a real word)??

I believe the name of the drug your talking about is called Acomplia a.k.a. Rimonabant. It is supposed to stop cravings through chemical changes in the brain and is also known to help smokers according to what I've read. You can do a web search or here's a quick link: www.drugdevelopment-technology.com/projects/rimonabant . My PCP recently told me about this as well b/c he knows I'm going for the lapband (which he still supports). I am starting to get the impression that this drug mfgr is putting a lot into marketing of this drug with PCP's to get the word out that it's coming this summer. I am still more convinced then ever, that the band is the way for me. This drug does seem to have some good advantages however, we have seem so many of these "miracle" drugs come & go. Who knows, maybe this would be a good tool to use to stop smoking b4 having the lapband surgery.

Thank U....I'll check out that site. I tried a search on this site and couldn't find what I was looking for. Any suggestions on searching this site for such a letter?

I could use some help writing my own so-called "Letter of Necessity" to include in my packet that goes to my insurance to get initial approval. I understand the offical L of N will come from my surgeon, but I rec'vd some good advice today that it would benefit me to write a letter myself stating my personal reasons I feel the surgery is necessary. Even though I have many years of admin in my background, I am drawing a blank on verbage. Does anyone have any suggestions or places to find sample letters? I just want to cross all my t's and dot my i's to avoid the appeal process and get approval the first time around. Thanks a million!!

Boy, everyday I am reminded why I love to run to my computer to pull up LBT every chance I get. It is so nice to know that others share my feelings & fears about the band and eating. I am pre-band, but this thread is part of a real fear for me b/c I ask myself how I'm going to change those bad habits. As recent as last year, I learned that bad habits are never broken, they are just replaced with new ones. I practiced this concept for a period of time and then fell back into my old ways. The band is not going to change my bad habits.....I have to do that. I know that I can, but it won't happen overnight. I am convinced that it is a process that is very unique for each individual. That is why opinions vary so greatly on such topics and that is a GREAT thing. We can all learn from listening and really hearing what someone else is saying. We don't have to agree, but there is something to be learned. For example, I know that I will have chocolate after the band. I am a person that will REBEL if someone tells me that I can't have something (within reason of course). Now what does that mean to me personally? I have found that sucking a ONE hersey kiss a week will satisfy my need for chocolate. I know I can live with that. For some people, that is a deal breaker and puts them over the edge. We are each very unique and we should always embrace that....which I think that is something that makes this a great site. You find all types of people from all walks of life brought together by a beautiful thing called a "lapband". :clap2: Now.....if I can just put some of these things into action, I'll be set to be a happy healthy mommy in a size 10!! :nervous

Hi Diane....I am new here too as I just joined last month. Luckily, my husband and I are both going for the band together. We have 2 toddlers so we have to do it in shifts to keep things up & running. I am also a stay-at-home-mom however, I am very strong-willed and feel the same anger as DeLara when I read about the challenges you face. You have come to the right place for support. My husband of 6.5 yrs made a couple of "fat" comments to me during our engagement (of course, my overweight family laughed and thought it was funny), but later I told him straight up that it hurt my feelings and I would not tolerate that from him. There have been times in our marriage that he didn't get the message...regardless of the topic....for whatever reason. The best way I discovered to resolve the situation, was to change what I was doing and not try to change him. For me, that meant helping him understand my position by feeling it first hand. I'm not suggesting that you throw put-downs at your family. Perhaps you can have a heart-to heart and let them know it's not funny anymore and never was. Let them know you will not tolerate it any longer. From what you have described, you have a beautiful, successful family and you are a HUGE reason it is that way!!! Don't ever sell yourself short b/c you kids would not be who they are today without you...plain and simple!!! It's easy to "say what should be done and how, but it's another thing to be walking in those shoes. I can understand that you need to take little steps to reach your goal, but one thing I'm sure of is that your husband and children do love you and will support you if you make it important to them. Kind of like the way mom & dad go to the kids' ball games & such. Your family will feel so proud of you, so take the bull by the horns!! You can do this and this is the perfect place to start your journey. I wish you all the best and hope you continue to find strength and comfort here.....GOD BLESS!!

I have only been to one consultation. My GP suggested 3 clinics and then I did my best to research surgeons online b4 making a decision. I even searched outside those 3 clinics, but chose my surgeon based on feedback and info on him. After going to my consult with him, I was very satisfied and more excited than ever that this was a good choice. I drive 3 hrs one way to see this guy, so I do hope and pray that I made a good decision. Also, I still have to confirm with my insurance, but he should be covered at In-Network b/c we have a clause (don't know if that's the official term or not) in our policy that will allow benefits to be paid In-Network if our GP refers us for a procedure that is not offered within a 20 mile radius of our home address. We'll see how that turns out, but I will stick with this surgeon regardless.

That is SUPER DUPER news!! :whoo: I am very happy for you and can't wait to join you as I don't have a date yet....maybe I'll be a March bander too. Wishing you the very BEST!! :gluck: