barbara465

Just a word .... I got verbal approval and a fax was to be sent to the doctor immediately. It was another 3 weeks and my constant calling to the doctor's office for an update. It won't change that its approved, it might just mean you have to wait just a little longer. Just don't want you to think it will happen immediately. It might, but it didn't in my case. Just knowing that it was approved was great, but it was made real yesterday when I scheduled the surgery date.

Texas bash sounds great. Not sure about holding it in the summer. It gets so hot here. I vote for a rental in Galveston and do beach, moody gardens, etc. in the area. NASA is more for family and not as much fun for a "gal" get away in MHO. Kemah could be fun and easy to get to from Galveston. Anyway, count me in.

OK so I will give you just a brief overview of my experience. There are hundreds of them. When I was little I had premotions, saw things, had feelings, etc. It was a little overwhelming to me. When I was 16 after a most intense experience, I prayed that these visions would only happen in my dreams. I thought I could handle them better that way, rather than living them in real time. My prayers were answered. Sometimes its hard to interupt my dreams, but most of them I can. Sometimes a real vision or feeling still comes through. 8/13/96 I was cooking eggs for dinner. As I was scrambling the eggs I watched my father die, try to be revived by paramedics. I knew he was dead and the vision left. I decided not to call my sister (he was visiting her at the time) because I knew she was dealing with it. My sister called 90 minutes later to let me know my father died. I told her I knew and told her how. I was exactly right, down to the time of death. I had dreamed of his death 10 days before and was prepared. Not sure why me, but I accept it.

What happened to the Jeff Foxworthy like bandster sayings? I can't find it and wanted to show it to someone. I've tried searching, but it seems to be gone. It was good stuff.

Yes its a prescription. It is good for arthritis, fibromalgia, and general pain. I used it when I had dental surgery as the pills they gave me didn't work. I have been using it for about 2 years. It is friendly on the stomach, which keeps me from taking most arthritis drugs.

I have UHC and was approved. My plan is under a PPO, so I don't know if that makes a difference. UHC is band friendly so it has to be your particular plan that is the problem. Sometimes employers chose to exclude certain procedures. Dig a little deeper and see what the real issue is. Hope this helps.

Time for Kelli to go. She really didn't do well at all. I didn't like Ace or Elliott's performance either. The show itself was the best this season. I loved most of the performances, except for Kelli's. Ace and Elliott were just OK.

I have it. I fight through it until bedtime. At bedtime I take Ultraset. It is a pain killer that helps me relax, eases my arthritis pain, and my legs. It is also kind to the stomach. I have fibromalgia so restless legs is just another issue for me. It happens to me in the early evening while watching TV.

Oh what an inspiration you are. You should be so proud of yourself. I like the suggestions for the tags for your car. It is beautiful. Many happy miles to you .

I have been married just 20 months. I was divorced for 25 years, raised our son alone, got my education, BS and MBA, got our son educated, etc. etc. Never really thought of getting married until about 5 years ago. Decided it was time to start looking. Turned to the internet, which was natural for someone who has made technology their career. Met those most wonderful man, after my share of kissing a few frogs. :confused: We often wonder what our life would have been like if we had met earlier. I feel that we had to wait to come to this place in our life before we were ready. He is trully the best thing that has happened to me. With him I started a new chapter in my life. With the surgery just the sequel. I can't wait.

A Newbie area would be great. From that organized by pre-op, post op, aches/pains, dos/don'ts. It could be not a place to "discuss", but one place to find all of the common information. For instance, there is a good post op supply list, foods to stock, etc. If that were there then people could post lists to commonly asked questions and not take up space on the discussion boards. There is such good information here.

Yoda, you will know who to tell and who not to tell. Tell only those that are supportivie, really care what you are doing. Any of those that would cast negative thoughts or try to sabotage you should not be told. I have only told 2 others besides my husband. I am going to keep it that way for a while. After surgery when the pounds come off I'll be honest to those that ask. I'm not going to volunteer, but I don't want to lie. I'll just see how it goes. I am so excited and not the least embarrassed by my decision. I just know how people can be, so for now just my inner circle. Good luck to you. I just can't wait to get started.

I am now approved. I had to shake up UNC and Dr.'s office. I was approved, but insurance was waiting for office notes from Doctor. Made them talk and viola, got approved. I am so excited.

I too have been given drugs in the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and the year 2002 I fell for it again. I don't think they are the answer. It didn't help me learn new eating habits, deal with issues, or learn from bad choices. It definitely was a crutch. Along the way I too have had my trusted doctors arrested, found guilty, and serving time in jail. If you can, go with the band and learn somehow to control the hunger. Try exercising or some activity other than food to see if the hunger will go away. Just my 2cents from someone who has tried them all.

Oh I'm so glad I found this thread. I wear pads every day because I have leakage. Not so much when I sneeze, laugh, etc. but a few seconds after I get up from going. It just dribbles out. I get so mad and upset over this. I was wondering, and hoping, that once banded and lose some weight that this will go away. Looks like there is a good chance that it will. I can't wait to join bandland!

When Chris joined the group of Kelli and Taylor last night, Chris shook Kelli's hand. It was very formal. He also stood apart from the group and then acknowledged Taylor because Taylor was trying to grab him. I think Chris is staying as far away from Kelli as he can. Sounds like he's been warned by his DW!

It still amazes me when people say things like that. My DH and I were having a conversation the other night. He has been nothing but supportive of this decision and others that I have made. However, he says to me, "since you've decided to do this why don't you just start on a modified diet now and maybe you won't need the surgery. You may be able to lose it by dieting." I lost it. I told him that was the most ludicrous thing I have heard him say. It was if I had smacked him. He was hurt. So, that's not the way to go. I had to educate him on morbid obseity and what dieting for 40 years does to ones body. If you have the time, try to educate her. If not, just let it go. People will hold onto their stereotypes for ever.

I have auto immune deficiency. Although there are many theories that the band can cause your body to reject it, your symptoms don't sound like an immune problem. When you have an immune problem you also have memory loss, confusion, staggered walking, extreme tiredness, lack of refreshing sleep, etc. In my opinion you have a infection that you haven't been able to fight off. I wouldn't get a fill on Friday. In fact, most of the posts on this board lead me to believe in cases of sickness some get them unfilled to allow for increased protein, etc so they can fight the infection. I would try to build up your system and a few days of doing nothing will help. If you can, take some time off of work at get some rest, take vitamins, increase your protein, and eat yogurt. Yogurt puts some of the good bacteria back in your system. That's my 2cents. Hope it helps.

Just got the official word today. I'm approved. I am so excited. I won't have the surgery until June, but now I can really start planning.

I'm sure there is a group closer to you. Most of that information can be found in Yahoo Groups, Health and Fitness, Houston Bandsters. Look at prior posts in this forum for exact address. Support groups seem to be all over the city.

I am with UHC PPO. I called and they said I was covered. However, I noticed that the consultation fee for Dr.Spiegel is being held for more information. It has now been 3 weeks and no letter or payment processing. I think they are just dragging their feet because my policy does cover it. I think for me its time to be more aggressive.

The most important person in all of this is you. You must take care of yourself first. Once you take care of you, then the rest becomes easier. We can still be fat and have self esteem. That is, we can believe we are worthy individuals no matter what we look like. Your husband's problem is his problem. Don't make it yours. Fat or thin, you will still be the same person. That is why so many of us fail at losing weight. We are still the same so we can't adjust to the "skinny" us and still feel that we are unworthy. Only you can answer whether you are in this relationship for the long haul. You are in control of your own self - not your husband. Good luck to you with whatever decision (s) you make.

Gosh I must be missing something. Where are the threads about sex? I've seen from time to time someone asking an honest question about sex and the band. I think that is legimate and I was curious about that as well. Don't want to give everything up! I think most can decide whether they want to read a thread or not. For instance, I know when I go into the American Idol thread I'm not going to read about the band. If you get started on this then we won't have someone sharing their surgery photos with us. I personally was so intrigued by that thread and the person posting warned upfront that the photos were graphic. I vote for self censorship.

I just did a search and the first site that came up was this one. The link took me to the home page, and not my individual posts. The other two hits from the initial search were not me. Umm, I think I'm in disguise without even trying!

Glad you made your own decisions and was not deterred by this man. It would have been better to say you needed surgery and leave it at that. They (men) would have assumed it was female related and not said anymore.:confused: Remember, you could not eat anything all day and the minute you put something in your mouth, someone is looking saying or thinking, "there she goes again, eating." There is so much prejudice in the world, and this is just another example. Don't stress, get the surgery, and get on with your life. The best way to get even with others that have "wronged" us is for us to be happy. Get's them everytime!