Jamie057

I am not sure how much time I am going to take off after my surgery, it all depends on when I get to have it done. However, I do intend on using STD. My work is a little different from others though, I think. Mine pays the first 6 weeks 100%, after that it's like 60% or something. I am hoping to only take a week off but I have heard people taking 2. It is a medical procedure so you really should be able to use STD, not vacation time. Hope that helps.

Bre, Congrats on making the decision to get banded. I wish I had a tentative date! I just had my second visit last week. I just met with the dietitian. We went over the next 2 classes of nutrition... don't know if other's have to take these classes or not? Anyway, I too am now just waiting for all my various tests to happen. I go for my sleep study in two weeks! I am interested in what they have to say about my sleep patterns and such! I go back to the docs in early August... I meet to get all the results of the tests I have taken this month! Hope all goes well! Hope everyone's weekend was good?! I started Weight Watchers this morning... wish me luck on losing a few lbs. before surgery!

Hang in there about the weight loss... like you said... time of the month... who loses weight during that time! I went yesterday... lost 2.5 lbs but i was really surprised about that. The first month I was really just not motivated. I don't know why... I am very excited about the surgery! I have been getting my butt in gear this month so far though! Starting our own group is a great idea... but you are right, I don't know if there is one already or not. I will look into it! Hope all is well for everyone!

I don't have much insight on the matter but I know my dr. office does it... I saw a sign posted in the office regarding the subject. I guess it's just something you have to look into. Maybe your Dr. can help you and has relationships with someone in your state?! Just a thought!

hey mskutz, I am from Baltimore, MD too. Where are you having your surgery done? I am doing mine at GBMC with Dr. Liao. I have 5 more months to go and I am very excited about things! I can't wait to start a new life!

Does any one have any book suggestions for the Lap Band procedure? There are several available on Amazon and didn't know if one was better over another. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the encouragement... I am sure we can all definitely use it! One thing they told us to do is to just make small changes every month... work up to how life is going to be after the surgery :tongue2: Good luck to you too!

Tummy Tuck... how much does that cost? Did insurance cover it? Someone else who had the surgery was able to get her doc to say she needed a tuck for medical reasons and they did cover it! I wonder if I could get that lucky?

So I was hoping to get some insight from people already having had the surgery. What kind of psychological changes have you gone through? What should I expect? I have been a bigger girl my entire life. I don't know what it's like to be smaller. I have heard some bigger girls comment that after they have lost a large amount of weight, they still feel fat. Should I expect that? Any thoughts, comments?

We have to do a psych eval as well but I don't think ours is 3 hours. I think it's just like a normal visit of an hour. I am not too worried about that part at all. My husband and I go to a marriage counselor on a regular basis so talking to people doesn't scare me at all, hehe! I am so glad to have people going through the same things I am right now. I too have a bunch of tests schedule for the next couple of weeks! I feel like the 6 months is so far away... then again, it's already only 5 months now! My girlfriend has gone through this process and had the surgery about a year and a half ago. She said after the surgery you definitely go through some psychological changes... I guess it is going to be strange going from pleasantly plumo your entire life to healthy and skinny :tongue2:

My husband and I both have the sleep study as a requirement for our surgery. It's funny, I have an 11 month old as well and I am concerned about the same thing!!! This will be a first, the hubby alone all night with her! I am sure things will be fine. I am just worried I am not going to be able to fall asleep in a strange place! And how embarassing... what if you fart! haha

I too am on a six month plan and hoping to get the band early December! I do not have a percentage of weight to lose before my insurance will pay for my surgery but I do have to follow the plan for 6 straight months. My husband is also getting the band... his insurance allows him to do a 3 month plan! Lucky bum get's his first! Anyway, I am suppose to be following a diet such as weight watchers or South Beach but I just can't seem to get motivated! I know it's horrible, I need to get started or they may just say I am not motivated enough for the surgery :rolleyes2: Good luck with your 10%

Hey everyone, I just wanted to say hi to my fellow Marylander's... I am having my surgery at GBMC with Dr. Liao. My husband and I are both having our surgery through him... we really like him. My girlfriend had Dr. Mo and her surgery turned out great. She has lost 137 lbs and looks amazing. I would love to chat with other Maryland's to hear their experience!