ShiraSimcha

Amen Sister!

Awww BG! I think those stories are hilarious. And why is it that our oops live on in infamy but things like those filled eclairs are soon forgotten??? Shame on all of them :cool: PS. Don't take a baked good :tongue2:

Today I went out to lunch with my two best friends...I had said something to the one a few weeks ago along the lines of "what do you think about WLS?" And she ripped into it...didn't approve unless you were pretty much on life support, etc. So I dropped it. Today at lunch she said "You're not thinking about WLS are you?" And of course I lied..."oh NO! I was talking about my Dad!!!" Then I started to wonder if I CAN keep this a secret. If we go out to eat, will I be able to keep my secret????

Today I went out to lunch with my two best friends...I had said something to the one a few weeks ago along the lines of "what do you think about WLS?" And she ripped into it...didn't approve unless you were pretty much on life support, etc. So I dropped it. Today at lunch she said "You're not thinking about WLS are you?" And of course I lied..."oh NO! I was talking about my Dad!!!" Then I started to wonder if I CAN keep this a secret. If we go out to eat, will I be able to keep my secret????

Yep, I sure do. There are times when I can really put it away without a thought. I am looking forward to eating more normally and not feeling so gross afterwards!

That is awesome. I have Highmark BCBS PPO and am in desperate need of a panniculectomy even BEFORE lap band surgery so that's definitely encouraging!

That is SO awesome Ronda!!! Good for you!

After hearing BG's excellent research about the bariatric scene in Pittsburgh, I called the Westmoreland Excela Bariatric program and made an appointment to go to the seminar on December 9. I REALLY like their approach and lifetime commitment to you both before and after surgery. It's right down the hall from my PCP and I am thinking it is super close (and small - they have only done 100) for fills or any issues. I am not liking that they're small but I figure I'll go have a listen. It gets me started much later than I wanted but I am still talking to my doctor on the 25th and maybe, even before the seminar, we can get the ball rolling. I think Magee has better care for the surgery but I am just not so sure anymore about what happens after. :cool:

After hearing BG's excellent research about the bariatric scene in Pittsburgh, I called the Westmoreland Excela Bariatric program and made an appointment to go to the seminar on December 9. I REALLY like their approach and lifetime commitment to you both before and after surgery. It's right down the hall from my PCP and I am thinking it is super close (and small - they have only done 100) for fills or any issues. I am not liking that they're small but I figure I'll go have a listen. It gets me started much later than I wanted but I am still talking to my doctor on the 25th and maybe, even before the seminar, we can get the ball rolling. I think Magee has better care for the surgery but I am just not so sure anymore about what happens after.

Now I am starting to have second thoughts about Magee's program. Especially the part about fills. Excela's program seems ideal for me but the whole hospital scares the crap out of me and I am hesitant to let them cut me after the bad experiences we have had. Still, their aftercare is by far the best. Now I am just confused. AGH is a little far for me to do on a regular basis so Magee worked the best for me. ARGH! :tongue2:

BG I am so happy for you!!! It sounds like the AG seminar kicked the Magee seminar's butt. I thought they'd have insurance folk there too but they didn't. I am glad you scored the details for me girl!!!! And woohoo! You are ON your way - I couldn't be more delighted!!!!!

Not so sure I am down with "seeing" it. That kind of grosses me out right now. :tongue2:

Despite the best wishes of BG, still no word from Magee. I am also down with an upper respiratory infection although I did break down yesterday and get the antibiotics. The PA told me not to get them until the weekend but my cough was...wicked. Fortunately this is keeping everyone at work at bay and since I have a paper due that I haven't even attempted to start and it's due Sunday...a Friday with nothing to do but that will be nice. Tonight we have services for new members at our synagogue. It's supposed to be raining so that will suck but I do so love our rabbi I will be there will bells on. Anyway...I am sipping diet lemonade to stay hydrated and thinking about macroeconomics. I have GOT to get that paper done and Magee has GOT to call!!!!!

Despite the best wishes of BG, still no word from Magee. I am also down with an upper respiratory infection although I did break down yesterday and get the antibiotics. The PA told me not to get them until the weekend but my cough was...wicked. Fortunately this is keeping everyone at work at bay and since I have a paper due that I haven't even attempted to start and it's due Sunday...a Friday with nothing to do but that will be nice. Tonight we have services for new members at our synagogue. It's supposed to be raining so that will suck but I do so love our rabbi I will be there will bells on. Anyway...I am sipping diet lemonade to stay hydrated and thinking about macroeconomics. I have GOT to get that paper done and Magee has GOT to call!!!!!

OMG!!! When I was 7 I had the German measles and all my mother fed me was cream of mushroom soup. Even saying it gags me!!! LOL I went to a luncheon a few weeks ago and had "gourmet" cream of mushroom soup...very tasty but too chunky for the band I'd imagine (I am not banded now.) Anyway, a question about soups. What about cheese soups like Max and Erma's tortilla or very spicy soups like hot and sour???

That is so awesome Carly! Good for you!!!!

LOVED that blog post and then started my own :thumbup: Not as witty nor fraught with disaster but a start :thumbup: I called Magee this morning and they said we should hear today or tomorrow. I told them my height is NOT 5'4" - it is 5'3" and that makes me 37.5 BMI, not 35.7. In MY mind it made a difference. The last time I saw my PCP I asked for xenical because alli HAD worked well for me too. Problem was the xenical worked TOO well and the alli would be like 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. I am, like you, very tired of the yo yo effect. I just want to get the weight off and then keep it off. I want to be able to RUN without my panniculus (google THAT!) slapping my thighs. The fact that I even have a panniculus is killing me since I am nowhere near my max weight now and my max weight was only 214. But whatever. It was that KID! :thumbup:

Thanks to Band Groupie, I am realizing I have a blog here that I can write on which is good. I have my own blog but I am not telling anyone about my lap aspirations so I really cannot talk about it there. I am so glad to have this space here!!!!! I just called Magee this morning. I went to the seminar last Wednesday (the 5th - anyone else go to that one?) and have been waiting for them to get back to me about my eligibility. I already know what Highmark will do...35BMI and comorbidities and its a go. With asthma, high cholestoral, high triglycerides and a PVC (extra heart beat) I think at 37.5 BMI I should be a go. But I haven't heard and I have been nervous about it. I have an appointment with my PCP on Tuesday the 25th. I am hoping they'll use the weight I had yesterday as my start point (since I had to go in because I have the suds - any Sponge Bob fans out there?). I am still not sure what to say to him although Band Groupie (my lapband BFF) gave me some awesome suggestions. And so...we wait. :cool:

Thanks to Band Groupie, I am realizing I have a blog here that I can write on which is good. I have my own blog but I am not telling anyone about my lap aspirations so I really cannot talk about it there. I am so glad to have this space here!!!!! I just called Magee this morning. I went to the seminar last Wednesday (the 5th - anyone else go to that one?) and have been waiting for them to get back to me about my eligibility. I already know what Highmark will do...35BMI and comorbidities and its a go. With asthma, high cholestoral, high triglycerides and a PVC (extra heart beat) I think at 37.5 BMI I should be a go. But I haven't heard and I have been nervous about it. I have an appointment with my PCP on Tuesday the 25th. I am hoping they'll use the weight I had yesterday as my start point (since I had to go in because I have the suds - any Sponge Bob fans out there?). I am still not sure what to say to him although Band Groupie (my lapband BFF) gave me some awesome suggestions. And so...we wait.

Oh BG! I laughed so hard I had an asthma attack! You are such a character. But good for you! You evil genius you!!!!!!!!!!

Hi BG!!!! I have to go find that post! I am a little nervous but today when I was weighed and measured I was 63" and 208. I didn't realize Excela had a bariatric center although I'd still prefer Magee. Although...Excela offers LIFETIME aftercare. That's a pretty big plus. It also sounds as if you go through their program from day one with the six month pre-surgical. BUT they are not a center of excellence and that right there is the kicker. Anyway, I guess I just worry that my doctor and everyone else will say "Just diet" - what do you say to that? I mean it's well known you HAVE to diet to be banded. It's a strict lifestyle. It doesn't make sense to me to go in and say I can't diet and that's why I want this. I guess I just haven't found the words.

Cleo's mom - who was your surgeon? I have looked into getting this done at Magee and I was visiting my PCP today and saw the bariatric clinic at Excela. I was weighed and measured too so I know my BMI is now 37.5 - I did think I was taller so I thought I may have issues. I am a little worried about approaching my PCP. Any suggestions?

No, I haven't heard from them yet but they did say probably the start of this week so I am hoping today or tomorrow. :thumbup:

Groupie...go to the Highmark website. Dont sign in! Scroll to the bottom and on the very far right side there is a link that says "Medical Policies". Follow this and you'll come to a library of their medical policies. Put in "obesity" to search when you get to this library and you'll get the policy on banding. That will tell you EXACTLY what they require from you. That was where the very kind woman I spoke with sent me. I ALSO found out that I will possibly be able to have my "fat apron" or panniculus removed at some point and let me tell you...over the moon on that one!!!! I don't remember exactly if we discussed comorbidities or not. I did hear Dr. Eid was the best and I did request him :rolleyes2: While Dr. McCloskey didn't specifically mention asthma as one of the comorbidities, I think it is one as well as degenerative arthritis which I have in my spine. I also have heart issues which I forgot to put down on the checklist they gave me. I have an irregular heartbeat and my mom died at 40 of a massive heart attack. I would hope this would get me in. Good luck to you!!!! Shira

I also have a low BMI - 35.2 - although I admit, I gained some weight to get my BMI up past 35. I really want to have this done...it's very important to me and I feel it's a solution for me to stop the spiral of yo yo dieting. I also live near Pgh. I live in Jeannette so I am east. I went to Magees seminar on the 5th. I do have comorbidities - high cholestoral/trglycerides, asthma and arthritis so I think I probably will be approved. I called BCBS (same ins as you actually) and they said BMI over 35 and you're a go. I hope you'll stay in touch!