Linda13

James, do you know anything about Dr. Clifton Thomas out of Nacogdoches (he also does some surgeries in Houston) ?

Anything new on Dr. Clifton Thomas or Obesity Surgery Specialists (OSS) ?

Thank you for your words of encouragement, Alice. Cathy and Long2bThin hope you are feeling good today.

Congratulations, Long2bThin!

I am so bummed out... I went to my seminar today. it was two hours away, but I was almost an hour early. The seminar itself went great. I really liked the doctor very much -- he was informative and very thorough. There were also patients of his who spoke about their experience with the band, and lots of before and after pictures. I figured the worst case scenario would be the six month supervised diet, although two of my DH's coworkers (same insurance) said they did not have to do it. Still, I was prepared to hear that. Everyything was great until I handed in my paperwork, with no personal physician info. I told them that I could give them a doctor's name that I had seen, but it had been a long time since I'd been there. It was then that I was told that I would need proof of a doctor's having seen and weighed me at least once a year for the last five years! I have not done anything medical for the last five years besides a flu shot! When I explained this, they just kept saying to "think back". I have not forgotten -- I have not been to the doctor! I did fill out a detailed diet history. What in the world am I going to do now? When I asked them this, they just said I could "self-pay". This is simply not an option for me. I'm sorry this is so long winded, but I would very much appreciate any ideas. Thanks! And congratulations, Cathy!

Interesting thread...I had my gallbladder removed years ago after some success losing weight with Nutrisystem. My doctor said he was getting lots of patients who had used this diet and lost a lot of weight. he told me the reason was that in cutting out almost all fat, the body begins to compensate on its own and my cholesterol was through the roof! As for the pain, I too thought i was having a heart attack. Drove myself to the ER and was admitted after a sonogram. One other note -- I was told I would be able to eat anything afterwards, but have had trouble with fried food ever since.

Awww, Leslie! Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm sure it will be fine. Just get right back to doing what you're supposed to. One slip isn't that bad, and now you know more about what you can and cannot do. You are not a failure...you're human!

Janet, you are amazing! I want to be like you when I grow up! Jill, thanks for asking the sliming question -- I've been on every board trying to find the answer to that one.

Hi, Sarah! I'm new too...going to seminar with Dr. Collier next Saturday. I'm probably not as knowlegable as most on this forum -- it's astounding the amount of information and support one can get here! -- but I'm a good listener, so lean and vent away! I'm working on the eating slower and chewing more thing too. When I was growing up, my mother always said to chew every bite twenty times. All through my teens and young adult life, I was always the last one to finish eating. When I mentioned how hard this was to do now, my teen aged daughter said I had just uncovered the reason for childhood obesity! Hmmm...

Great idea, Froggi!

Janet, all very good advice. It's good you are here for everyone. This site is full of good information and you are so caring and generous. This will be my transfer addiction as well, because it keeps me focused on my goals and lets me know I am far from alone in my journey to a smaller, healthier, happier me. Thanks!

Megan, Good for you! I've added your list of preparations to my getting ready list. Won't have my initial seminar/consultation till next Saturday, but gathering advice and supplies gives me something to hang on to. All the best to you!

agm1, have you tried the Protein powder by Special K? It comes in a box of individual servings that can be added to water. I like the strawberry kiwi one. I use them sometimes when i don't have time to eat and they seem to curb my appetite.

Good advice from everyone. I've decided to use this time constructively. Yesterday I started practising the tiny bites and chewing until food was liquified. Interestingly, it's not as easy as it sounds, so it will be good to work on that. Because of that, I couldn't finish my dinner, although it was small. Normally, I would think this was a good thing but I dare not lose a pund until my initial consultation. How strange! I'm also going to use this time to gather my supplies, since I most likely won't feel like it post op, and DH is like a visitor from another planet in a store! Started working with small weights for my arms...shouldn't make me lose weight and may make for less baggy arm skin. I heard today that a guy who works with DH and had the full Gastric bypass did not have to do the supervised diet. That would sure be a blessing. But either way, I'm moving forward!

Hi, everyone! I'm glad to hear all of the positive feedback for Dr. Collier. I have an an appointment for the seminar on June 7. Of course, I wish it was my surgery date, but at least I've taken the first step. This forum is a lifesaver, so informative and friendly. Congratulations to you all!

Thanks, Kathy and Angel. I will hope for the best. I am not nervous about surgery, just all this red tape. Thanks for your patience.

Hi, everyone! Please forgive me if this question has been answered, but I've been reading posts all morning and haven't found but a couple of posts relating to my question. What does the pre-op diet that is required by insurance do to your approval when they also require a 40 BMI ? I'm sure most of us have lost weight over a 4-6 month period before, but keeping it off and still losing is a quite different story. I have my seminar/consultation scheduled for Jun 7 and have been told i will "most likely" have to put in 6 months with a dietician and supervised diet before insurance will approve surgery. What does everyone do about this? Thanks so much!

Omigosh, Ready! I was so depressed over all my bad news yesterday, but now I'm holding my sides laughing! I loved your post! I am 5'2" tall and have longed to be 5'5" all my adult life. You are a talented comedian and have brought joy to my day. I hope your struggles will become easier, but I also hope you will keep writing. BTW, I used to be like your workmate -- 100 lbs and couldn't gain a pound if it chased me around the room -- and could never fully understand the plight of my friends who just could not seem to lose weight. Now I understand -- boy do I ever understand!

Hi, everyone! What a great place you have here! I am totally new -- still haggling with insurance, and scheduled for initial appointment on June 7. I am learning so much from all of you. Thanks!

Kathy, thanks so much for your encouraging words. I'm still very sad about the long wait -- I've known in the back of my mind I wanted to do this for well over a year and wish I had just jumped in and made the arrangements WHILE doing research and making up my mind. But I will spend this time learning and preparing, trying new healthier recipes, etc. I do have one other worry though -- if one's BMI is 40 and that is what is required by insurance, what happens when they put you on a diet for six months before approval? As most of you here probably have also, I've been on tons of diets and DO lose weight for a time -- oddly enough, for about 4-6 months, before leveling off to an almost immeasurable weight loss. Then, inevitably, gain it all back plus more. I'm worried that I'll lose just enough to disqualify me, then be back where I started. Thoughts, anyone? Thanks!

Thanks to everyone for all the great support. I know the replies were meant for "ready" but they were just what I needed to hear also. I've spent hours and hours online, then on the phone with insurance (*&!@) -- no doctors I had found were "in-network" and they had no way of giving me names of doctors who were. I finally found a doctor who is two hours away, and then at the tail end of my appointment call learned of the dietician/supervised diet thing. I just about burst into tears! I too have been on every diet known to man (or woman) and while I knew I wouldn't necessarily lose the weight fast, I never expected the pre-op process to be so maddening. The two rays of hope today were the extremely patient and helpful woman at the second doctor's office... and you guys. I have an appointment for the seminar/consultation on June 7th. Although I'm extremely depressed at the thought of waiting another 3-6 months before the surgery, there is nothing to be done but deal with it. Thanks again for listening...

Thank you, Brandy. I appreciate your reply. Have been googling everyone. Spivak is apparently the best, but out of my network. Another name came up, but he is my former dermatologist, so I don't think I would trust that.

I'm sorry...I guess I should have been more specific. Isn't Dr. Lomonoco a plastic surgeon? I am still trying to find a surgeon for the lap band procedure itself. Thanks so much for your reply. I have an appt. with Dr. Spivak, but he is out of network for my insurance. I've been on the phone with them all morning, but apparently I'm just supposed to call random dr's out of the phonebook, then call to see if they do the procedure, then call insurance to see if they are in the network! How does one get one of these jobs where someone else does all the leg work anyway? Sorry...venting. Anyway, I need to find a good Dr. who is in the Houston/Galveston, Texas area to do the lap band procedure. Please forgive me if I am on the wrong message board. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, Everyone! I'm worse than a newbie -- I've been reading for days, but still havent't located a doctor. I'm in the Clear Lake/Galveston, Texas area and of course would like to have my procedure as soon as possible. Any and all help will be sincerely appreciated.