Boldcall

Hi Natalie... It's a strange thing about weight loss. Everything in "the system" sends negative messages to obese people. We are derided, discriminated against, and made the object of disdain. But the same entities that hack on us are the same ones that often do the least to help and even do the most to PREVENT our recovery. See: insurance companies, employers, family, and health professionals. A friend asked me last week about my band experience. He was sincerely interested and in serious need of weight loss help. But as he left, he said that his general physician was "dead against" banding. I replied, "He is 'dead against' YOU then. Get a new doctor, because this one's attitudes will kill you." How many times members of my own family have expressed their "concern" about my 40+ pound weight loss. Funny however, to note how they seemed willing however to tolerate it when I was gaining weight and moving into a state of morbid obesity. Where was the concern then? Bottom line: You have to think for yourself and advocate for yourself and be very tough-minded to resist the temptations and diversions you will encounter. That said, most people, in and out of my family, have come around when they learn of my results and are now supportive. My surgeon and his staff have done pretty well in follow-up. I am losing 2-5 pounds per week. This deal works!

I can drink at a higher than normal rate, and feel nothing in the pouch, nor any pain or other negative sensation. I might guess that it's a function of how tight your band is set. Mine is loose (until this Thursday).

I was told 3 weeks ago by a band surgeon I know that Blue Cross Blue Shield in Michigan has begun approving band surgeries WITHOUT ANY "hoop jumping."

I am also going tomorrow morning for 5:30 check in and 7:00 surge. I can't say that I'm very nervous, after all, what good would that do? My family is coming in tonight for support and errands this weekend. I need to make some major changes in my health maintenance, and this is a big first step. Good luck to you.

I band on Friday morning. Lost 25 pounds on the pre-surgery diet. Just got insurance approval TODAY. Lotsa drama, but everything got done in the TAH DAH nick of time. Good luck to all... Good luck to all of you!!!