lose2regainme

I don't think supporting this kind of person who takes advantage of the system is what President Roosevelt intended. Kudos to you for NOT taking the "EASY WAY" and staying on the assistance.:thumbup:

Bravo!!! Exactly right!!!!! Some people have that feeling of entitlement, and that leads to doing what ever they want without regard to "can I afford it"? I would love to know what percentage of those on welfare COULD work to support themselves, but choose to be on welfare to be a stay home mom, or so they can remain living in a certain area, or just because they are lazy? What percent, because they are uneducated or live in an area where rent/real estate prices are high could work but would not earn as much as they do on welfare, choose to be on welfare and raise a family anyway. Our neighborhood is near a government subsidized apartment complex, and most of the cars that are parked in their lots are nicer than my old 99' mini-van!!!!:thumbup:

Did anyone see the story just now on Fox News? The mom of the octuplets is now on permanent disability because of her injuries from the mental hospital uprising. She worked there at the time and was injured. Wow? As physically stressing as pregnancy is, let alone carrying 8, how does someone so disabled they cannot work get through that? Or how does someone so disabled be considered for invitro? My sister-in-law was put through a bunch of medical tests and screening to be sure it was an appropriate option for her, healthwise. I just don't understand how this can happen in this day and age.

6 month with PCP. All the letter said was "not specific enough". I called and asked what more they needed, she just repeated that. My doctor has left her practice, so I then ask ins. if I would have to just start over? She said yes. I told her I would call & talk to surgeons office about what to do. They told me, no, what you have should be fine, and sent my case to advocates. Thats where I am now, in a dark, abismal place called "Insurance Pergatory"!!!:crying: P.S. The file the surgeon sent to ins. co. is 65 pages long!!!!!!!!

Best of luck to you all with BCBS-IL. I am having a nightmare with them right now. I qualify in every way they require, but they declined me because my dr's notes on the 6 month thing weren't "specific" enough. My Lap Band surgeon has referred my case to an obesity law and advocacy attorney. Now I am waiting on that and really starting to get deeply depressed. My doctor has left her practice so if they deny again, I START OVER!!!!!!!:smile:

Has anyone else had issues with ins. not wanting to cover when you clearly qualify? My case is now with the advocates. I was wondering if anyone could share their experience with them so I might know what to expect.:thumbup:

Oh Wow! This makes me hungry. 1. Dr. Pepper (really gonna miss you, old friend!) 2. steak 3. the chinese buffet down the street 4. Pasta 5. hot yeast rolls with butter 6. kettle cooked potato chips 7. loaded baked potato casserole 8. pepperoni pizza with extra cheese and bread sticks 9. banana split 10. jelly belly jelly Beans And a biggie: feasting on the local fare when we travel!

My doctor first suggested WLS about 5 years ago. I felt insulted and humiliated and hated my doctor and considered changing doctors. For about half a day. Then I took a good long look at reality. Made a couple more attempts at doing it "myself", and with help from RX diet pills. At one time, in 2005, I lost 42 pounds. Then I had to have a fourth (long story) huge wrist surgery. Was in a long arm cast for two months, major pain meds, months of rehab/physical therapy, lots of comfort eating. Lots of meals made by my mom and mother-in-law and husband. By the time it was all over, once again I had regained all that I had lost , and then some. I felt sorry for myself for awhile and made a few more half-hearted attempts at weight loss, then in early 2008, suffered a back injury that I am still dealing with and always will be. Dislocated L5 vertebra. Even with cortisone injections every few months, exercise and my "normal life" is very difficult and some days nearly impossible. So, in March 08 in an attempt to regain my health I told my doctor I was ready to do it. I take 5 different Rx's for health issues and deal with the back problem. I saw the Lap Band surgeon in June 08, and since then have completed the required 6 month doctor supervised diet and exercise program, the dietician and psych evaluations and now I am just waiting for my insurance approval. I have done countless hours of research, attend the support group meetings at my surgeons office and have been reading these and other forums for months. So. The short answer would be 5 years. A LOOOONG 5 years. :thumbdown:

I am still awaiting insurance approval, but I think I am finally accepting that this IS the right thing for me to do. How much will I miss Dr Pepper? The Chinese buffet down the street? How much will I miss the high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, arthritis, feeling exhausted all the time and the condescending looks from rude people? How much will I enjoy FINALLY being able to keep the weight off that I lose? How much will I enjoy NOT feeling humiliated and embarassed when we run into one of my husbands co-workers in public? When I was a 120 pound newlywed, my husbands coworkers would tease him and ask him "How did YOU get HER?". I know that made him so proud. We've been married for 22 years now, and it's been 15 years since that has happened. I've lost 10-45 pounds nearly a dozen times, only to have them creep back on with a few extra. I want my husband and our children to be proud of me. I want to be healthy again. I want to live. Yes, I am ready for this.

I just turned 40 in Nov 08. I am waiting on my insurance approval. Hoping to get the old me back for my 40's. I feel like I missed my 30's. I would love to hear about how everyone's health issues cleared up.

Hello fellow Hoosiers!!!! Is anyone else seeing surgeon Dr. James Bradley Ray for their Lap Band in Bloomington/Monroe County area? I am still in Insurance Pergatory at the Pre-Op stage right now. Made the decision (or rather finally agreed with my PCP that this was necessary) and got the referral in March 08. Saw Dr. Ray for first consultation in June 08. Six month PCP monitored diet, Psyc and nutritionist evaluation done. Insurance declined due to "PCP notes not specific enough". Can you believe that??!! It's almost as if the insurance company is waiting for my deductible to expire! Dr. Ray's staff is awesome. Very supportive. I love the support group. Can't wait to get this ball rolling already!!!!! Anyone else out there with Dr. Ray farther along than me? Would love to hear about your experience.:thumbup:

Thank you!! I will keep the taste thing in mind and not go crazy on the "stocking up". Also, thank you for the lip balm tip. It will be in my purse from now on, so I won't forget it!

I am waiting for my insurance company to OK my surgery, so I do not yet have a lap-band date. Right now I am attending support group at my surgeons office, and taste-testing protein powders to get ready. What I would like to know from you more experienced banders is "What item were you so glad to have during your recovery?" AND "What was your favorite liquid or soft food item?" ALSO: Any advice for me on what to acquire before the surgery, to do before surgery, or anything else? Looking forward to hearing from you all!!!