alabamagirl1975

Hi there and welcome! I am in Alabama too! Where do you live? I'm like you also, I am doing this for my health but I would love to wear jeans in the teens not twenties!

See? That's me. I love the grape Amp or the grape Monsters....I have already given up the cokes!

Does it really do that? The game tells you that you are "obese" ~ that's horrible! Could you imagine a little kid hearing that! My daughter would flip!

I have a scale, but it is not my friend! I am hoping that in the future it will be!! I think I am going to go with the Realize band ~ I really like the design and the support program it comes with.

Add me ! Add me!!! LOL

Hey Jason ~ do you have a big gym up there, like Golds Gym or Sports Plex? I know that they offer personal trainers. Hey~ I have a question ~ do any of you that are already banded drink energy drinks? Like Monster or Amp? I was wondering if I would be able to drink them after the surgery? Any idea?

You know what, I'm really lucky. No one has told me to start a pre-op diet. I feel for you guys. I told my husband I wanted a steak dinner for my "last meal" before my surgery on the 27th. Sounds funny huh?

Hi and welcome to LBT! My band date is October 27th and I am getting really excited. I didn't even know about weight loss surgery until 2 years ago and I made up my mind then, but at that time our insurance didn't cover it. SO ~ as of April of 2007 they started to cover gastric banding and here I am! I am looking forward to starting a new life! Good Luck on your journey!! :thumbup:

Hi Bradley18! It's nice to meet you! I have not heard of NASH before, and I'm sorry you have it. I bet once you have your surgery and loose the weight you will feel 100% better. My surgery date is October 27th and I am doing it because my PCP pushed me for it. I'm only 33 though, I bet you will feel like a kid again (no offense) :thumbup:

Oh i hate that! I get those types of comments when I have been on vacation and the first day back from work... Oh boy... just wait though! That monday back from my surgery ~ I should get some doozies!!!

Ok, I have a question. I am going for my class on 10/22 ~ so I was wondering do I need to take a notebook? Or do they provide handouts? I am getting really excited now! I am like you NMYDASH, I am looking forward to starting the new me. My girls are behind me and they told me last night that it's going to be different getting used to a "different looking mom". That made me kinda feel strange ~ I hope that is not a bad sign ~ they support me for the most part. It's good to have a good support system huh?

It's really nice to meet you! I am getting ready to have my surgery on October 27th and like you I'm at my highest - 250. I have been overweight my whole life and I'm ready to end it. I want to start feeling "normal" (whatever that means huh). I want to be able to go to Wal Mart and pick up jeans in the teen's not 20's! I think you will find this group - no matter what state you are in - will lift you up and encourage you. Remember you did this for yourself and no one else. You did this surgery to make yourself feel and look better ~ you will be fine! Keep you chin up and pray!! Good luck~~~ April~~~

That is great! All you guys sound like you are doing wonderful! Well, I have my nut. class on 10/22 and my pre-op visit on 10/22 as well. That way I can take the whole day off and not miss more work than need be. I am getting so excited! It's not that far from now. I'm with you guys about sweets, I crave chocolate sometimes and if I get just a little bit, i'm ok. I already eat small portions so I will be ok in that respect. The Protein shakes is what I am looking forward to!

You sound so dedicated, Di. That is awesome to be able to eat that little and be full for awhile. You know, to be as big as I am I don't eat much at all, but I think it's what I eat. I can't wait until I'm banded.

Thank you guys! I am excited. I scheduled my nutrition class for October 22nd ~ so I'm good to go on that. Just need to schedule my pre-op visit next! I am going to wait on Naomi to email me back first! Di ~ I think the rose would be kinda neat! LOL

I think I will go to that one too. My surgery has been scheduled for October 27th and I am so excited!

Hi guys! Sorry, I didn't realize that there was another girl there in a gray Alabama T-shirt until she stood up and asked a question! ~ but that wasn't me! I was with the girl that had the baby stoller and the 1 year old (this was at the seminar) and I stayed for the lap band support group. I had short hair, gray t-shirt with the elephant on the back! Oh how funny! Guess what? I got into work today and Naomi emailed me my surgery date! YEA!!! I go October 27th - so I guess I am officially a "Smashing Pumpkin!" And so close to Halloween.... I am getting SO excited! :rolleyes2:

I will be there for the seminar and the support group meeting. Sorry I didn't respond yesterday ~ I had to catch up on homework! I am bringing my best friend to the seminar so she can get started. If you look for me - I will be wearing a gray Alabama T-shirt. Sorry Di...ROLL TIDE!!! :thumbup:

Oh I bet! Kinda like when your pregnant...everyone wants to pat your tummy!

Same here. I found out a great deal of issues I was having was related to my weight. I was diagnosed with MVP years ago, so that was why I had to have a cardio eval. - I also had to have the psych eval due to some meds i'm taking. Don't worry, I'm not violent or anything! Di is right, it just all depends on what your are experiencing or have in the past.

I can't wait until I can show my scars! I bet you are proud huh? LOL...Great...I will see you guys tomorrow!!

Oh thank you Patty! That was really thoughtful! I haven't found out my surgery date yet, I emailed the office yesterday to see if they have received the October calender yet. I am getting excited! I know it will be in Oct. but I don't know the date. Thank you for the advice! It will for sure come in handy!! Good luck!! :thumbup:

I honestly don't know. I think the dr's office filed it againist my insurance just to see if they would pay for some of it ~ it worked! I was shocked!

April, You look like you have done great since your surgery. 11 lbs in about one week is AWESOME! I can't wait until Naomi gives me my surgery date. I have to call her back Friday (tomorrow). I will see you Saturday Jason!

Dr. Miller coded the visits to where BCBS paid for them, I only had to pay the co-payment. I paid around $153.00 for the initial consultation and in about 3 weeks I received a check from BCBS reimbursing me for that visit! But to be honest, Aprilapple is correct. DON'T LOOSE A POUND! What you have to do is prove to BCBS that you need this surgery ~ and the more paper work you give them, the better. What got me approved so quickly is that I had over 10 years worth of Dr. documentation showing my weight fluctuations over the years and all of the medical issues I have gone through due to my weight. I was approved in about 2 weeks. You let us know if you need anything ~ with all of us who have gone through the surgery and the approval process ~ you will have a WEALTH of information!! :crying: