Cherylita

Right Tina! That's exactly how I felt! I am crossing my fingers on your final approval. I am sending good wishes your way! Let us know what happens. To Be Free- you said it! I totally agree!

Hey y'all, I just got my blood work back yesterday and it appears I have slight anemia and an ulcer :confused_smile: . So I am not sure if I will still be able to have the Lap Band. I read somewhere that an ulcer was a contra-indication and it couldn't be done. Does anyone know anything about this? oh my Dr prescribed me a prevpac which is supposed to treat it and I don't have the surgery scheduled yet. Just thought I'd ask... Cheryl

Heya Tina, This is what my PCP told me when I brought up the EXACT same points you made. She said, "Cheryl, if you could do that yourself, would you be this size?" ...'nuff said! She kinda hit me with reality. If I COULD do it, I would be doing it, not thinking about it. Here I was going back and forth because I was scared and trying to rationalize me not getting the surgery. But eventually I had to stop and think about it..My answer to her question...Heck no I wouldn't be this size!! but that's just me. I am looking forward to the band helping me do something I couldn't on my own...live life healthier. Hope this helps a little. Cheryl

Hiya Debbie! Pacificare..hmmm, I haven't heard much in the line of their covering LapBand so I am not sure. There is an insurance forum here that may offer some info. I thought about self pay too. It is expensive but their are some places that offer a credit card type of assistance to cover the procedure I think it is carecredit.com or something like that. My credit...ahhh not so great so I am depending on my insurance lol. Girl good luck with the cookies because they do call out! lol! I can't believe I haven't had an Oreo in forever!! mmmm Oreos...ok back to the subject! haha... Do you have to stick with the group you are talking to now for the surgery? Maybe you can call your insurance and ask them for a list of Bariatric Surgeons or see if they have anything in their website...?? I'll see if I can find anything about Pacificare for ya. I love to surf the net for stuff! I have to have 5yrs of history, but have never heard of 20yrs! I am sure something will work out!! Cheryl

Your welcome Debbie. Glad we are able to help. I have found alot of support here in these forums. Today why don't you try to start cutting something down to "practice" for the band. When I went for my consult, the Nurse Practitioner told me I couldn't have soda-diet or not! I laughed and said..."uh yeah give up soda? not me!" But the next day I told myself if I am going to do this, I need to do it right. That was May 20. As of today, I have not had one soda! I drink green tea, white tea, water and flavored water. So think of something you foresee yourself having a hard time giving up. Now try to decrease your intake of that for a week and see how it goes. Mine was sodas and I tried for a week and I was okay so I went for the next and the next..etc...lol! As far as insurance, I am going through United Healthcare. Who are you going through? But don't give up girl! Thats the easy part of making any decision-giving up! You can do it!! Cheryl

:thumbup:Thanks Ladies! I appreciate your comments. Congrats Diva!! I bet you are nervous and excited!! I hope to be approved soon.

I am in the process of getting all my tests done and getting the info submitted to the insurance co. I have read several posts and it seems that alot of people are going through their dr or a specific surgeon. Has anyone gone through TR? I am in Bastrop/Austin but any info/opinions on TR would be interesting.

Hi Serenity, I have had similar thoughts too. I wondered what's the point, what if I die, what if I give up like I always do and this is just a waste of time....I talked to my PCP about my health in general. I talked to my OB/GYN about my conception problems. I talked to my husband about ways to make us healthier. I talked to my mom about this surgery and the good and bad points...Do you see where I am going with this? You ultimately will make this decision for yourself, but discussing this with friends and family may help encourage you. But first I had to get my mindset right. I had to give up the negative thinking and think positively. It took a while, but I had to think...This will make my life better. I will be able to go running. I will be able to do more things with my husband. I will be able to go swimming and not worry who is watching me. But most of all I will be able to look at that woman in the mirror and know that "she" is there because I cared enough about myself to make a change. Again, this is all up to you and you may decide that you don't want either type of WLS but whatever you do. Make sure it is the best decision for you. Hope this made some sort of sense. Cheryl

OMG! I thought I was going to die!!:cool: They started by taking my blood pressure then hooking up the electrodes. The nurse asked me to get on the treadmill and told me that every 3 minutes the speed would increase and the incline would raise. The first 3mins were good. I was walking and breathing. Then the first incline change and speed increase I was doing ok, no chest pains or anything..just muscles that hadn't been used in a while getting all heated up. I was okay. My target heartrate was 158. I would walk and glance at the heart rate monitor. I was struggling and asked to rest. The nurse told me if I stop thats the end of the test. I looked at the monitor and it said 130. I told her-breathing or panting heavily- No don't wanna stop...at this point it was will and the thought of my family and healthier me pushing me to finish!! Then came the last round...Increase the incline and speed up to practically running...I tried as hard as I could but couldn't do it. I had to ask to stop..so we cooled down and stopped. I stepped off the treadmill and sat down. Disappointed, I asked what my final # was...the nurse answered 165. 165?! I did it!! I passed their target goal!!! I felt so good about this and pushing myself not to stop at 130 like I wanted. Now I just have to see if the Dr clears me. I felt okay but who knows what the ECG showed. So now it's just a waiting game. I still have the sleep study and nutrition and psych eval but they are scheduled for July 2.

OMG! I thought I was going to die!!:biggrin: They started by taking my blood pressure then hooking up the electrodes. The nurse asked me to get on the treadmill and told me that every 3 minutes the speed would increase and the incline would raise. The first 3mins were good. I was walking and breathing. Then the first incline change and speed increase I was doing ok, no chest pains or anything..just muscles that hadn't been used in a while getting all heated up. I was okay. My target heartrate was 158. I would walk and glance at the heart rate monitor. I was struggling and asked to rest. The nurse told me if I stop thats the end of the test. I looked at the monitor and it said 130. I told her-breathing or panting heavily- No don't wanna stop...at this point it was will and the thought of my family and healthier me pushing me to finish!! Then came the last round...Increase the incline and speed up to practically running...I tried as hard as I could but couldn't do it. I had to ask to stop..so we cooled down and stopped. I stepped off the treadmill and sat down. Disappointed, I asked what my final # was...the nurse answered 165. 165?! I did it!! I passed their target goal!!! I felt so good about this and pushing myself not to stop at 130 like I wanted. Now I just have to see if the Dr clears me. I felt okay but who knows what the ECG showed. So now it's just a waiting game. I still have the sleep study and nutrition and psych eval but they are scheduled for July 2.

Hi Jennifer, I just wanted to offer an example of a friend of mine who had RNY. She had it about 3yrs ago. I hadn't seen her in a while and met up with her this past Feb. She had lost close to 150lbs. I was excited for her but I was quickly corrected. She was very disappointed with her experience. She told me about her dumping syndrome and how she feels she was much happier being overweight than she is now. I have been looking into RNY and LapBand for quite a while now-I have about 200 to lose. The nurse practitioner told me that if I want to work for the weightloss, the band was an excellent choice for me but if I wanted quick weightloss go with RNY. So I started researching. I have found this...LapBand has PBing, sliming and slippage(these are the complaints I have seen most often). There is also the possibility of erosion. With RNY you get..malabsorption, lifetime of taking vitamins, iron and other nutritional supplements, dumping syndrome (chills, cold sweat, nausea, vomiting etc), weight regain (because once you stretch your pouch-the stomach is elastic-there isn't much you can do to get it to where it was. True, there is RNY Revision but that should only be done as a major necessity. If you really want to see some of the effects of RNY just go to youtube.com and put gastric bypass in the search box. There are alot of RNY pts that have documented their process. Sure most of them say they would "do it again an a heartbeat" but to hear some of the stuff they are going through..my thought is "Why?" One lady I read about even bragged about her RNY but then blogged about all the times she has gone to the ER and how sick she has been and how she is actually down to 97lbs (no lie) because she can't keep anything down! Mind you I have also read that some folks with the Lapband have it removed because of slippage or it was too tight. One person even complained of too much restriction because they couldn't go out to dinner and eat like they used to..what's that about? I know this is long winded but these are things other's have said. I am still going through the getting approved phase so all I have to offer is my opinions and things other folks have said. Keep us posted C

Hiya Lady Zique! from what I hear you don't always "drop" the weight right away. they say that it takes some time but glad to hear you are out and about and not at home worrying. Definitely stay positive! Alot of folks talk about a phase right after the surgery where you wonder what you are doing wrong or why you did this but it passes. Again, since I am still getting approvals I am just going by differet things I have read. I think you are doing GREAT!!! Stay focused and positive and it will work itself out Girl!!

Heya Charlie Welcome! I wish my BMI was 38! mine is almost double what yours is. I am in the process of getting my evaluations/tests out of the way, But if you have questions we can try to answer them. Holly has a good head on her shoulders and she has alot of info and thoughts! My suggestion is make sure you understand the lapband and the change you will have to make to make the band work for you. I waited for years before deciding to go through with it...fear, uncertainty, fear, confusion..did I mention..FEAR!! lol.. But I had a heart to heart talk with my Drs and alot of stuff I am going through now is because of my weight. I even had a Gyno who told me SHE WOULD NOT help us conceive until I lost alot of weight!! Hello! that was a wake up call!! If you think this is what you want to do then check with your insurance. Just call the customer service number on the back and ask if it's a covered benefit. Then find a Bariatric Surgeon and meet for a consultation....Thats a good starting point..right Holly? So Charlie, what do ya think so far? Keep us updated and lets see what we can do!!

awww thanks...I'm glad I am making some sense. LOL! But I can definitely relate to being more nervous about being cut open. I rationalized it like this....At 34 I have had 2 tattoos, 6 body piercings and all without anesthesia! I have been bruised from falling and had a sprained ankle a couple of times. All these things were painful as heck at the time. But days later, the pain was less if not totally gone. so the pain from the incision will be gone soon too. As far as doing the right thing... If you have honestly done all you can to lose weight and understand that this is not the easy way out and ready to make an real change then I say go for it!! I say you are learning now by controlling what you eat and I can see your mind already working on how to make positive changes by your thoughts about the water and the coffee. My hubby used to work security so I know whatcha mean! But it sounds like you are headed in the right direction! Now just so you know...If down the line you feel that you want to try dieting one more time before going through with the band, then I am behind ya in that too!! As long as its what YOU WANT then it will be good!

Congrats KIM!!! I am just starting on the process and seeing stories like yours and others is so reassuring and positive! I have been over 3 for my adult life and heck I'd be happy getting to "twoterville" LOL!! Back to you...CONGRATS!!!

:biggrin2:Thank you for all of your information I will check the forums and chats that y'all suggested. I really appreciate your experiences! I had my ECG Treadmill test and they set a goal of 158 and I passed it with a 165 so I hope that is good nought for the Dr to release my cardiac clearance. He already examined me and said I was cleared but he wanted to do the ECG Treadmill test to push my limits. woooooo I could just see myself swooooooshhhhh off that treadmill and into the cabinets behind me! LOL! but I was ok. Just a little breathless and sore in my legs from being out of shape! ....I'll keep ya posted!

I hear you girl! Its in my genes too but I have really let that thought control my actions for way too long. I think you are awesome for taking action!! Great that you are watching what you eat and cutting out carbs. The other thing I did was cut out sugars and sodas. I have been on no sodas for about a month. it's not easy because all my family and friends have more sodas and juices than anything else. So when we go over...ice and water for me. I don't work out even though I know I should. But that's something I am working on. My mom in law gave us a treadmill and healthrider this past weekend. I got to a point where I am embarrased to go walking because people always stare and kids are the worst! But thats why I am doing this because, I am tired of hiding. It's a big decision and everyone's needs/opinions are different. You will hear good and bad stories but you have to keep positive and use it correctly. I look forward to hearing about your progress! Ur friend, Cheryl

I am so glad I read this thread! I went to the band complications and life after the band forum and got a little depressed. I read about everyone's problems which unfortunately made me a wee bit uncomfortable. I am still going through with the band, but I just needed some good stories! thanks again for the positive posts!! Cheryl

Read the info on the forums for band complications and life after band removal. I am seriously in need of some regulation and weightloss so I am going for the band. But I finished reading some posts in those forums and it is really depressing! There are stories of not breathing, constant frustration, constant vomiting, unhappiness and a constant state of regret. Can I hear some good stories please? I have tried dieting, exercise, good grief I have a BMI of 65! I can't afford to do this and then want it out 2 mos or more later! I want to know what you did to make it work and how this has helped your life not hindered it. I am not saying I want my eyes closed through the process but I am saying that there has to be someone out there who being banded has really helped and who would do it again if the had the choice. Gastric? not really interested in rewiring and malabsorption for the rest of my life. What I hope to get from the band is a healther life, a chance to clear up my PCOS and hopefully conceive, a chance to do more physically than I can now and a future. Yeah that evens mean walking around the mall without finding the closest bench! I am trying to prepare myself as much as is posible right now. good and bad, but I have read alot of bad...anyone got any good to share??:rolleyes2:

:biggrin2:Lady Zique! WOOHOO!! for getting approved!! I am going through UHC Choice Plus too but in Austin. I hope that I get approved! I am hoping that I can get my records from the last 5 yrs. Last year, I am coverd and 06 too. But before that...not sure, I didn't go to Drs too much and when I did..hello! the scale doesn't go up that high! but back to the real lucky one, you! Congrats!! :rolleyes2:

WOOOHOOO!!MNM! So glad to hear you were approved! How exciting!!

Hiya! I have UHC too but not sure I will be covered because all my bloodwork is fine. I have low blood sugar, low cholesterol pretty much low normal on everything! My BMI is @ 65 though. I would hope that counts for something. Also, I don't know if they Drs will have accessible records from 5yrs ago. So Im a little worried. I read these folks problems and now am a little more worried. I am glad things went well for you and thanks for the positive thoughts! I am crossing my fingers that they will go just as well for me:) Thanks again!

YEA!! for getting the consult moved up! Thanks for the comment on my blog. I just wanted something I can reference down the road. I know it's scary girl because you are ready but at the same time, you don't know about this big change that's coming. Believe me I was doing the same thing just last month. My BFF and I went to True Results for the consult and she is out of network so opted not to do it and luckily they are in my network. :cool: Before I left there I scheduled my appts. The next week I called to cancel them! I was too scared. yes I wanted this but I got scared. Girl my brother, my family, my Drs, a couple of my coworkers, my BFF was all telling me...DO IT!!! but I didn't want to hear it! Then I prayed on it and low and behold every Drs appt I went to after that asked me...have you ever considered lapband? or they would say my blood work is fine and inside I am healthy it's just this weight..well, I finally decided that I want to live! Do more than just get by but really live! so that's what I am doing!! you will find the further into this you get, the more it makes sense. But no matter what, do this for you when you are ready. Heck I went back and forth with this for years. But Now I am ready. Good Luck! ps Sorry to hear about your sister. I am glad to hear she was able to get pregnant though. I hope that things get better for her and she lives happy and healthy soon.

Before you read this I don't mean to offend anyone:redface:. This is kind of a reference point for me because there will be many times during my process where I start to doubt why I did this:confused:. I want to be able to read this and go..."oh yeah dork thats why! Now get back to the bandster way of life:scared2:!!" Right now I am in the beginning stages. I don't have a surgery date yet and the information that follows is based on observation and personal opinion (notice I didn't say experience lol)....here goes...... So I have been gathering information from several different sites lately. I read blogs and comments and information from different folks. Everyone sounds so positive but as you read into their journey, they start to get negative. Whether they are at the start of the journey or a bandster. What I can't figure out is where the courage went. Each of us has made a very important decision. Whether it is paid for out of pocket or by insurance, we still made the decision. You evaluated your life and determined that you are worth more than a piece of cake or pizza. You are worth more than the doubt that you are starting to feel. Remember how courageous you were when you started this? Remember that feeling of elation when you woke up knowing that you are in control of yourself? I wake up everyday thanking God for blessing me and my family/friends with another day on this earth. I now have added thank you for the courage to go through with this change in my life. COURAGE COURAGE COURAGE I read about folks who are sabbotaging themselves subconsciously. I say that because they say..."I know I am doing wrong, I know I shouldn't eat this"...but they eat it anyway. I read in another forum where someone was a few wks out and was eating buttered toast and macaroni salad and ate all day long. They also found a way to cheat around the "no carbonation" thing...just let the soda get flat. In my opinion if I go through all the crap of getting approved-the numerous Drs appointments, the xrays, the EKGs, the bloodwork, the sleep study/s. If I go through all that then am I am going to be harder on myself than I need to?? Damn right!! I am lazy and I don't wanna do all this, but I am making myself because laziness got me here! Laziness is a lover that catered to my every whim, did whatever I wanted and accepted me unconditionally! Laziness is a lover I need to let go! I weigh 361lbs right now! I don't go swimming, I won't dance when we go out (even though I love dancing), I now have anxiety, my vision has changed, my knees hurt, we are having a hard time conceiving..endless list. So am I going to eat macaroni or soda or butter laden noodles? I certainly hope not! I am not going to test my limits to see what I can get away with eating before I vomit:eek:! Gross why would I want to do that?! I have started to work on my future life style so I can get used to it(in a sense). I cut out sodas, I cut out sugars from sweets, I am working on cutting out sugars from breads and pastas. I cut out cooking with oils and have started to chew my food to a mush (my tongue and jaws are sore lol) But I have to make an honest effort! I have to lose this weight or I lose everything. You can't have life if you are dead. Cold hard fact. Remain fat and die fat. Geesh! I even get emabarrased thinking..if I died right now God help the pall bearers!!...funny but heartbreaking because even in death I fight the fat. One day, Cherylita, you will look back on this and say...really? that was me? Thats how I used to think? I hope this didn't offend anyone...if anyone actually reads my ramblings but I need this out there because I know I will need a good kick in the butt at one point! Thanks for letting me ramble. Cherylita:w00t:

Before you read this I don't mean to offend anyone:redface:. This is kind of a reference point for me because there will be many times during my process where I start to doubt why I did this:confused:. I want to be able to read this and go..."oh yeah dork thats why! Now get back to the bandster way of life:scared2:!!" Right now I am in the beginning stages. I don't have a surgery date yet and the information that follows is based on observation and personal opinion (notice I didn't say experience lol)....here goes...... So I have been gathering information from several different sites lately. I read blogs and comments and information from different folks. Everyone sounds so positive but as you read into their journey, they start to get negative. Whether they are at the start of the journey or a bandster. What I can't figure out is where the courage went. Each of us has made a very important decision. Whether it is paid for out of pocket or by insurance, we still made the decision. You evaluated your life and determined that you are worth more than a piece of cake or pizza. You are worth more than the doubt that you are starting to feel. Remember how courageous you were when you started this? Remember that feeling of elation when you woke up knowing that you are in control of yourself? I wake up everyday thanking God for blessing me and my family/friends with another day on this earth. I now have added thank you for the courage to go through with this change in my life. COURAGE COURAGE COURAGE I read about folks who are sabbotaging themselves subconsciously. I say that because they say..."I know I am doing wrong, I know I shouldn't eat this"...but they eat it anyway. I read in another forum where someone was a few wks out and was eating buttered toast and macaroni salad and ate all day long. They also found a way to cheat around the "no carbonation" thing...just let the soda get flat. In my opinion if I go through all the crap of getting approved-the numerous Drs appointments, the xrays, the EKGs, the bloodwork, the sleep study/s. If I go through all that then am I am going to be harder on myself than I need to?? Damn right!! I am lazy and I don't wanna do all this, but I am making myself because laziness got me here! Laziness is a lover that catered to my every whim, did whatever I wanted and accepted me unconditionally! Laziness is a lover I need to let go! I weigh 361lbs right now! I don't go swimming, I won't dance when we go out (even though I love dancing), I now have anxiety, my vision has changed, my knees hurt, we are having a hard time conceiving..endless list. So am I going to eat macaroni or soda or butter laden noodles? I certainly hope not! I am not going to test my limits to see what I can get away with eating before I vomit:eek:! Gross why would I want to do that?! I have started to work on my future life style so I can get used to it(in a sense). I cut out sodas, I cut out sugars from sweets, I am working on cutting out sugars from breads and pastas. I cut out cooking with oils and have started to chew my food to a mush (my tongue and jaws are sore lol) But I have to make an honest effort! I have to lose this weight or I lose everything. You can't have life if you are dead. Cold hard fact. Remain fat and die fat. Geesh! I even get emabarrased thinking..if I died right now God help the pall bearers!!...funny but heartbreaking because even in death I fight the fat. One day, Cherylita, you will look back on this and say...really? that was me? Thats how I used to think? I hope this didn't offend anyone...if anyone actually reads my ramblings but I need this out there because I know I will need a good kick in the butt at one point! Thanks for letting me ramble. Cherylita:w00t: