Veggestyle

Hello BlondeB-I am 23 and am just beginning the process of being banded. Check out my journal, I am using it to document my journey and am detailing it so others can see what I have been going through so far...I think that the procedure is amazing and so life changing, especially with everything that i have seen on this board. I know it will be challenging, but I am really looking forward to being banded and being more healthy...not i just have to quite smoking...:straight

I am glad to see those poll results. The day of me getting banded is coming nearer and nearer. There is not a surgery date set yet, but I have already jumped through a lot of the "necessary" hoops! Good luck to all!

That is awesome! I am also a vegetarian! How did you like the profession???

Great idea! I was thinking about taking the before photos and obvioulsy the number that is on the scale is looming over me, but I never would have thought to take my measurements! Genious!

Hello! I am looking to begin Massage Therapy classes at a local community college. I am really excited about getting a certificate in massage therapy, I just had a few questions about the field if anyone would like to share! Have a great day!

Well, I am going to see my PCP today... I was not told specifically why she wants to see me so I am a bit nervous about that, but I hope it is a meaningful appt. since I have to drive over an hour to get there. I am going to bring the info. with me that I have on the lapband surgery. Wish me luck and thanx for your support!

Hello All! I live about 1 1/2 hours west of Chicago near NIU campus (just moved here a few months ago and loving it). I am currently working with the bariatric team at Kishwaukee Hospital and am on my journey to be banded, unless I .......back out. my thoughts on having the surgery go up and down every day basically. Have a great day!

Congratulations!!! How has your life changed due to the band?

I am still wondering why the doctor requested to see me...maybe she has to give me a physical, I just hope that she is not hoping to talk me out of it...I know that my PCP knows rather little of this surgery... I am also questioning her wanting to see me, b/c it is about 1 1/2 hours drive for me to the office...

Carol--even though your PCP did not support your decision, was he still willing to send in the needed paperwork to your lapband doctor??

http://www.myspace.com/slaytera28 Here is my link! Check it out!

I love myspace. If anyone needs any help with it just let me know, I am pretty knowledgable about it, especially with "pimpin" your page! :Banane56: My link is attached to my signature everytime I post here. Nana, I belly dance too! You look beautiful in your pictures! Bensmum, I Love fairies and especially Amy Brown, also check out Nene Thomas, beautiful fairy art as well! thinking about getting a tattoo from each artists' work!

Hello! I am curious about others' experiences in regards to what role your general doctor played in you getting banded and the whole insurance struggle. In my case, my insurance company and the bariatric program at the hospital need about 5-10 years of medical records showing my weight struggles, which i doubt is uncommon. I called up my doctor and explained to her about the surgery, and then talked to their medical records person about sending the needed info. to the insurance company. They called the insurance for me and found out the specific info. they needed. I told the medical records lady all the personal info. she needed to send off to the insurance company and all seemed to be going smoothly. Then a few hours later, i got a call back from the doctor's office saying that my doctor needed to speak to me before she could write the letter to the insurance company, they did not specify exactly why..... Well, with that all being explained I am wondering what you all think of this, and what was your general doctor's role in your band journey???? Thank you!!!! :Banane56:

The surgeon does not require an overnight stay. They check for certain things, such as your ability to walk and go to the bathroom, once you are able to do that you can leave. So really it depends on your body after the surgery.

I really appreciate this thread. It is interesting to see how everyone is so different with the band.

I spoke with my insurance company again yesterday...I have a feeling I will be talking with them quite a lot! I was told that whether or not the hospital is "in-network" if the procedure is considering "out-patient" it will be covered 100%!!! The difference lies in if for some reason I have to say at the hospital at soon the "out-patient" procedures becomes an "in-patient" procedures, my insurance will only cover 65% as opposed to 80% if it were in network. At this point, my hospital considers the lapband to be an "out-patient." I guess I just better make sure I get to go home!

Perhaps, I am misunderstanding something, but I think that I need my general doctor to send documents to the insurance company showing that I have been overweight for a extended amount of time. In my position, it seems to me that she is just a "paper-link" to the insurance company. I suppose that I did not have to actually call her and speak to her about it, but I did want to see what she thought. She wasn't unsupportive, per se, I think that she was ignorant to the lapband surgery.

Wow! Thank you for all of the comments! I was feeling discouraged after speaking with her and you all have lifted my spirits so much...Thank you! :hippie:

Thank you for all of your suggestions and advice! I am also curious about how the pre-op diet goes while at work as well. I know that every pre-op diet differs amongst doctors, but it seems that for most it is strictly liquids for at least 10 tens. How did that work out for all of you? :tea:

Thank you for the advice! I appreciate it!

Hello Arcael! Congratulations on your lapband surgery!!! I am just in the beginning stages of preparing for the surgery. What made you decide to do it? :tea:

:help: Hello All! I need your advice and opinions!!!:jaw: I just called my regular doctor yesterday to talk with her about me considering having the lapband surgery done. I trust her professional advice and opinions...however I do feel that she lacks experience with the band, considering the fact that she told me she NEVER has had a patient go through the procedure. She told me that she feels that the RISKS of the surgery outweigh *no pun intended* the LONG-TERM weightloss experience from this surgery. She said that more than likely the stomach will just stretch to compensate and you will be right were you where before... She also said that she would hate to see "someone so young" *I am 23* to go through this "drastic" procedure in order to try and lose weight... What do you all think of that? Are there any LONG-TERM bandsters that can give me some inspiration??

I think it would be interesting to add to the weight loss numbers, the day of their surgery so we could see those statistics as well. Awesome job everyone!!! :clap2: Also...what does it mean for a post to be a sticky?

Quick question...I just found out that the hospital I am planning to have my surgery is "not in my network." What does that mean for me?

Do the doctors suggest that you chew everything 30 times before swallowing? If you dont mind me asking, do you use baby utensils, as I have heard suggested...?