Musicmom

Thanks for the support. It's been a long road, especially with my former administrator giving bad references to everyone. To hear him say it, I'm the worst thing that ever walked the earth, even though I have a dozen letters to the contrary. Oh well.

I used to be a teacher. I taught music for 15 years and loved it. Unfortunately, a parent started a rumor about me and a student claimed I called him a name (and got a couple friends to go along with him) , administration decided to belive them and I got fired. Now, no school will touch me. I guess the Lord is taking me in a new direction. I just wish I knew where that was. Teaching is the toughest profession you'll ever love. You work your tail off and most of the time no one appreciates it. However, every so often, you get a student that grows and appreciates what you have done for them and they make every resistant student and yelling parent worth every second.

My doctor understands that weight problems killed my mom and I don't want to go there. She knows how many avenues I've tried and not been successful. She is willing to write a letter for me, but she was straight forward and said that she will not lie and say that my health is in immediate danger if I don't have the surgery right away. I will have to do a weight loss program for 6-12 months, get my blood pressure to a point where I do not need a diuretic medication to control it (just a regular BP med) and have my reflux under control. At this point, she feels that any elective surgery is not safe for me until the rest is under control. Knowing my mom's history, I can't disagree with her. My PCP has worked with my family for nearly 30 years and knows what she's talking about. She also has had many patients have all forms of bariatric surgery and fully supports my having the band. She said she would have disagreed had I chosen any other form.

Did you even notice that KK's never seem to go stale? Go to any other donut shop and they are like little bricks in 2 days. KK's are still soft and chewy 5 days later! After I noticed that, I have never had another one.

Good news! :clap2: My insurance company will cover my surgery. Bad News!! :angry I have to do Weight Watchers for 6 months and demonstrate an ability and committment to weight loss. The problem is, if I do Weight Watchers like I should (and can) my BMI will drop below what they will cover (even with the added issues of hypertension, reflux and joint pain) and I can't get the surgery covered, but if I don't make an effort, they won't pay, either! GGGRRR!!! I am so frustrated I could scream!! Anyone else dealing iwth this?

Yep, sounds like a family to me. You can always tell when a group has been together for a long timeon the web: they have these huge fights over everything any of them has ever said, several say they are leaving but actually lurk so they at least know what's going on, then everyone returns and all is forgiven in a few weeks. I've seen this same thing on several other forums. I know someone will get angry with me, but trust me, it is a good sign. It means that this is a healthy forum. I'm glad I found it.

Yep, sounds like a family to me. You can always tell when a group has been together for a long timeon the web: they have these huge fights over everything any of them has ever said, several say they are leaving but actually lurk so they at least know what's going on, then everyone returns and all is forgiven in a few weeks. I've seen this same thing on several other forums. I know someone will get angry with me, but trust me, it is a good sign. It means that this is a healthy forum. I'm glad I found it.

I can't even go to my first seminar until July 12, then, by the time I get through all of the testing and counselling school will be back in session and I won't be able to do it. I don't want to deal with getting adjusted to the band, bouncing between teaching at an elementary school and a high school and starting grad school all at the same time. That just seems like a recipe for disaster. I figure I'll do Weight Watcher for a year, then get it done next summer. I'd rather take the time and get it right. It's frustrating to wait, but at least I'll be moving toward my goal in the mean time.

Hey Daydreamer! It looks like we are going to the same place if you are talking about the Cori Center in Warren. I go to the seminar on July 12. I would have loved to go sooner, but I have commitments that I can't get out of on the earlier dates. I should find out later this week if my insurance will cover the surgery. Even if my insurance doesn't require it, I figure there is no harm in joining Weight Watchers, so I plan to do that this week as well. I know 4 people who had everything but the band at Cori. I could go to Port Huron, but I think I'll stick with Cori.

I watched last night, just to see how much spinning the judges would have to do to keep interest. Elliot was lame, Taylor was good (if annoying to watch) and Kat did one good song. Someone must have given Simon "happy juice" because he was actually complimentary! Gotta keep those ratings!

I've been reading, researching and asking questions for about a year now and I've pretty much come to the same conclusions you have as the reason I want to have the band versus another form of surgery. I figure that God put the parts in me that he wanted me to have, so I'd rather not mess with them. The band just may be the tool I need to finally get the weight off without messing with my head, too.