pmcfarm

Hi everyone, hope everyone is having a blessed day! This morning I got my surgery date...Sept.30th with pre-op on Sept.25th. His nurse will call me back with the date to place the IVC filter (7-10 days before surg). Got lots of appts. in the next few weeks & when I begin to get anxious I have stop and verbally acknowledge that my Father is in control & I have nothing to fear. I feel that my Father gave me a special gift in providing this group. Please continue to hold me in prayer. MarilynC GB ultrasound 7/31 DONE CT Lungs-Abdo=Pelvis-Legs & Bone scan 8/14 Psych eval 8/18 Diet eval 8/19 Urologist for Renal clearance 8/21 Cardiologist for Cardic clearance 9/15 Labwork 8/11

Hi ...my approval from Tricare only took 6 days after my inital seminar & surgeon consult . Now, I have lots of pre-op appointments. My wt was over the 100# with co-morbidities of sleep apnea, hypertension, hypercholesterol, osteoarthritis, knee replacement with a pulmonary embolis after surgery, kidney cancer with a radical nephrectomy in 2003 (primary cause of renal cancer in women is obesity). Needless to say I am more then ready for surgery...any side effects of obesity as one ages only get worse without intervention. Yes I am nervous about any surgery & the risks, but I am more concerned about my obesity! MarilynC

Long2bThin ...congradulations !! you are doing great. Be excited and proud of what you have accomplished. Know in your heart that we will all be here for you. Try to remember, if you find yourself hitting little bumps, share them...the don't have to become mountains. Marilyn

Shauna80: I also am an RN and after years of dieting & losing & gaining. I had to write out a chart 1 side lapband risks & 1 side obesity risks and the obesity risks were far more concerning. For the first time in my life, I can feel that lifestyle changes, healthy food choices, portion control and excercise will work. You need to find what you can live with permanently. Even though lapbanding can be reversed, you need to enter into the process as being permanent, then this "tool" becomes your partner.MarilynC

Hi everyone. I'm new to this board but I just want to be a positive voice for Tricare Prime. My surgery was approved 6 days after my 1st consult. My surgery will probably be early October. All my pre-op required appts. are scheduled in August/Sept (8 in all). My surgeon is putting in a filter in to prevent clot transfer from legs to lungs (lung clot after knee replacement in January). My recommendation for all you younger people who have wt. issues uncontrolled by diet/excercise programs....look at your weight issues as very real and do something to avoid side effects of obesity. And while I'm on my rant...don't do it for spouse, kids, family...do it for you (they will reap the benefits) and the flip side of that coin do it for you regardless of the flack (its usually temporary). I agree with all who have talked about the support you receive here...it has been great. MarilynC.

ltqram4...that was very fast. I am still in processing. My approval for surgery was submitted on July 19th and approved on July 25th (6 days is remarkable for Tricare) I don't have a surgery date yet and on my consult meeting with my surgeon I was told he was booked up until the end of September. My pre-op schedule is moving right along: GB ultrasound 7/31 CT Lungs-Abdo=Pelvis-Legs & Bone scan 8/14 Psych eval 8/18 Diet eval (pending) Urologist for Renal clearance 8/21 Cardiologist for Cardic clearance (pending) Labwork 8/11 Has anyone had a filter placed for prevention of any possible clot movement? As this whole process is moving along, I see my Fathers' hand on my life and feel His peace. MarilynC.

I don't know if this is the right place to post this question but I need to know how you all found a nutritionist for your eval. I live in a rural No FL town and even our nearest community hospitals don't offer this and my surgeon wants my packet in 30 days. Thanks. MarilynC

What the the term " PB " mean? Thanks. MarilynC

laurasue I'm not Valerie, but as another "new" member I am certainly glad she set-up this site. It is such a safe place to discuss our feelings. Know that you're not alone in the conflict you are feeling. Early in the process I went through a lot of questioning about whether the decision to have surgery was somehow showing a lack of faith. From a lot of the posts I found I wasn't alone with those feelings. God has a plan for each of us and is for certain able to close any door that would block His plan...the enemy, however, delights in any mental confusion & pain he can cause. Welcome to the board and know that here you will receive support and prayers. MarilynC

Mary T and Summer08, and to all who are feeling undiciplined : try to remember, all of life is about making choices whether wise or unwise. My unwise food choices and excess amounts led to my obesity--my childhood obesity was not my choice, however, from age 18 I could have chosen to change and lose the 25-30# and continue to make healthy choices. But, I chose to use every "diet" failure as a reason to beat myself (does this sound familar??). Never until this year at age 63 could I admit that the root of the problem all these years has been rebellion (and not confined to weight issues). My Father gave me free will, but is ever ready to hear my whispered cry (or maybe more correctly stated "whimpy whining"). We can rest in His promises of good provisions and peace...even when we don't understand His ways or timing. Thankfully we have a haven of support in this message board. MarilynC

Hi, my name is Marilyn and I live in No rural FL. I have been "chubby" as a child (birth wt. 6#2oz not acceptable...lets feed her!), overweight as a teenager, and first termed "morbidly obese" after my 2nd pregnancy at age 23. Fast forward 25 years (and several doctors later), in 2003 I was diagnosed with kidney cancer and my kidney was removed, my very stern doctor said I needed to have WLS..."primary cause of kidney cancer in women is obesity". Insurance said no to lapband (bypass was considered to compromising to remaining kidney), I requested a medical exception and their answer was still no. Fast forward again 5 years in January 2008 I had a total knee replacement with some major complications.Again the suggestion of WLS was made. In February, my insurance company newsletter introduced lapband coverage. Last month, my PCM requested a referral for my surgeon, approved in less then 2 weeks, and my first consultation/class was this past Thursday. My insurance doesn't require the 6 mo diet supervision; and the insurance clerk said surgical approvals are only taking 2-4 weeks. Tomorrow I have to have my PCM request cardiologist & urologist consults. At first, I allowed fear to overwhelm me and I questioned whether considering this surgery was demonstrating a lack of faith that God is in control of my life and He could heal my food addiction in His time. God blessed me with a DH who consistantly reminded me to look at the circumstances that could only have come from my loving Father. Finding this website and reading Christian responses to my doubts/fears is just another blessing.