sistasassy

You have to remember that forum boards are just like real life. Many more negative people speak up than positive. You have to pick and choose what you want from it. I had a hysterectomy 8 years ago and read alot of negative at the hystersisters site. I had my hysterectomy and it was a breeze (as breezy as a hysterectomy can be anyway). Skip over the negative and concentrate on the positive. Ultimately, your surgery will be what you make of it. I have not had my banding yet but am greatly looking forward to it. Not exactly excited about the liquid diet but that comes with it so I will do it with grace and a smile (and an occasional tear or two). Be excited about the thinner and healthier you ahead. :confused_smile:

Dr. Albert Gilman in Decatur, Il accepts Medicaid if you have a BMI of 40 or above. That is where I am going.

I think one of the respondants earlier hit the nail on the head. There are a number of working families out there with no insurance and no way to pay medical. My husband and I have 5 children between the two of us. We are both working full-time and have no insurance EXCEPT Medicaid. Neither job offers insurance at all. Should I therefore be punished and unable to have my surgery? For many years I paid taxes and had insurance. Now I do not. I refuse to feel belittled and like poor white trash because we are only on Medicaid. The thing people forget is that Medicaid is for working families too. Not everyone is freeloading off the government. Not everyone is out to cheat the system. I have cheated nothing and still am able to have my surgery and will not let anyone take away my joy at the prospect of a future of feeling better, a future of seeing my children grow, a future of . . . life.

I have not had my band put in yet but I am well aquainted with panic and anxiety. Xanax is now my best friend (very very low dose does the trick for me). I find that when I have anxiety, I get in the tub and lay back to where all of my face is covered except the parts required to breathe. I lay there and float. Something about the pressure of the Water is supposed to be soothing. It is enough for me so that when I get out of the tub I have to have a nap. Walking off the anxiety works too in a quiet part of town. Perhaps the trick is to overcome the anxiety and not focus on the band so much. Like I said, I do not have my band yet so my time is coming but that is a tip or two for dealing with the stress you are feeling.

Howdy all. My name is Teri and I am new here. I have my first appointment with my doc on May 28 and they "say" I should have my surgery in June or July. Sigh. I am nervous about the lifestyle change but I am looking forward to a healthier me. Just wanted to greet everyone so no one wondered where the crazy lady came from as time moves on. :woot:

From Mattoon here. Have my first appointment on May 28. Very nervous but excited at the same time. Seeing Dr. Gilman in Decatur.

Dr. Albert Gilman in Decatur, IL. He accepts Medicaid. You must have a BMI of 40 or above though to see him. His number is 217.876.2750. He is the absolute only one I could find in Central Illinois. His address is 302 West Hay St. Suite 140.

Can Calcium pills be crushed? They are just over the counter type but are huge! I also take Tylenol PM at night and wonder about crushing them as well. I take Cymbalta and it is fairly large. It is a capsule and bet it cannot be crushed. Bet I need to talk to the doc about that one. Anyone know?