jenrobbar951

Yay! Congrats! I have to commend you on your patience and your drive to have this done. And of course, your husband's support, even if it didnt come immediately. Sounds like you are a short time away from starting a new life..... :mad:

I know what you mean Suzi....of course, I am more terrified of the band slipping, or not having enough help during the first week after surgery (I have an 8, 4, and 2 year old at home...), my husband not being supportive with the diet part, and of course, paying for the surgery. The last part being the most stressful. (I have a $3000 deductible and a $6000 out of pocket...which means I am basically paying in full, which is why my insurance didnt deny me....lol). I fear the eating part too, but I know that with time, I will be able to enjoy MOST of the foods I loved. Try to focus more on the positive and not so much the negative. Think about how great you will look and feel once the weight begins to melt away....and think about how happy that will make you in the long run and how much healthier too. BEST OF LUCK!!!:thumbup:

I just got my approval letter from the insurance company on Friday, Sept. 4th. I hope to talk to the surgeon's office on Tuesday in regards to a surgery date. I have a mandatory class that I must attend and after that class, they issue the surgery date. HOPEFULLY I will have a late Sept, early-mid October date!! CONGRATS to all of you Sept. bandees!:thumbup:

If you after surgery there are any problems that require a second surgery because of the lap band slipping or whatnot, are you forced to pay for the cost of a second surgery? Just curious.....

CONGRATS on your surgery date!! I cant imagine the excitement you feel as you are preparing to start on this road to a "new" you!!! Keep us all updated on how things are going/go. Hope to be able to join you on the other side some day!

CONGRATULATIONS on your surgery date!! That is just around the corner. YAY! I have yet to hear anything back from the insurance, so I am still pre-op, but I too gag at the thought of mushy food. Unless of course, it is something like mashed potatoes. If it is soggy bread......YUCK!!!!! Anyhoot, best of luck and keep us updated!! :frown:

First, I would like to tell everyone that responded, "THANK YOU" for taking the time to read each of our stories!! Cancer is a horrible disease and it devastates everyone in its path. Next, I wanted to send my thoughts and prayers out to all of you who responded with your own personal stories. My heart goes out to each of you and your family/loved ones!!! And lastly, I wanted to update the information on my own story. My Mom, over the weekend of August 21st, experienced numbness in her legs. By Monday, August 24th, an MRI had been done and it was discovered that the tumor on her spine was pinching a nerve and that she needed EMERGENCY surgery. Monday night she was admitted to the hospital and ready to have surgery the next day. Tuesday, she had a four hour surgery that removed the middle portion of her back and replaced it with titanium rods. The bone and tumor were sent to the lab for analysis to hopefully determine the location of the primary tumor. In the meantime, my Mom is doing well and is in the best of spirits that she can be in. She is being released from the hospital today and headed home with a full body brace and a walker. She has a LOONG road to recovery ahead of her, but I know she can do it. Just wanted to update for those of you who may be interested. Thank you everyone again for responding.....my prayers and thoughts are with YOU ALL!!!

Hi! I had my IUD inserted nearly two years ago. I have also steadily gained weight, but I cant really attribute that to the IUD. Oh, and I havent been banded either. I would definitely do more research, but if you feel that the IUD may prevent you from achieving your goal, then have it removed. You can always have another put in at a later time......it is more of a personal decision than anything. GOOD LUCK!!! :thumbup:

You are not alone. I havent had the surgery, but I know that there are people out there, who have had no real results with their lapband either. It is a "crap" gamble. But I am sure that the majority of the people out there probably are afraid to come forward and admit that it failed. It indirectly points the blame at the person, not so much the band. It is told to us pre-op patients, that if you do not do the diets, follow the exercise routine, that you are destined to fail......so, when there is no weightloss, I am sure that a person is quick to blame themself. It sounds like you did everything you could to make the lapband work for you. It was just not meant for you and this will be true to many people. I just hope that I am not one, but if I am, then I will know that I tried and it is time to move forward. Like I said, this is a "crap" gamble. No guarantee that it will work and that you will lose the amount of weight you desire to lose. BUT YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THIS GOING INTO THE SURGERY! I am sorry that it hasnt worked for you, but I am happy to see that you arent afraid to share your negative experience with us pre-op patients. I appreciate your honesty and thank you!

Hi! Nope, no date as of yet. Still impatiently awaiting that time. CONGRATS on your 112 pounds lost!! That is like a whole other person. :biggrin:

Thank you so much Melissa!! That means the world to me! :biggrin:

Hi everyone!!! My name is Jennifer and I currently live in HEMET, Ca. I was born in Whittier, Ca and moved to Oak View, Ca in 1985 when I was just one. I grew up in the Oak View, Ojai, Ventura, Oxnard area and went to school in Ventura. I am pre-op with Dr. Krahn in San Bernardino, Ca.

It has been a week since my Psych eval was faxed to my Surgeon's office. Instead of calling and asking about an update on my file and if it has been sent to the insurance company, I called to see if my PCP had faxed my clearance. Much to my surprise, the PCP hadnt faxed my clearance......ERRR! I wouldnt be so frustrated but I had gone to get clearance on July 16th. Just over a month ago!!!! I had called the twice previously to today's phone call, and they told me that they would fax it over. The woman told me that they had faxed it over, twice, but my Surgeon's office says it never received anything. Hmmmm..... So, all and all, my PCP clearance should be on its way to the Surgeon's office (or is there already...hopefully)....and my file is still waiting to be reviewed....a week later. I have no patience for this crap and get frustrated so easily. Luckily, the rest of the week I will be busy. My 8 year old daughter, my sister and myself are going to a Green Day Concert on Thursday at San Diego State University....and then on Friday, my family and I leave to go camping for the weekend. On Monday the 24th, my two daughters start school and the following week my little man (my son who is 2) starts preschool. HOPEFULLY things get settled as far as the surgeon goes and I hear something by the end of the month. I really would not like to have surgery in October or November if it can be prevented....:glare:

Mine arent necessarily in any particular order: *I want higher self esteem. To be able to look at myself in the mirror and actually LIKE the person who is looking back at me. *I would like to be able to shop in a lingerie store and buy some of the stuff that I know would really make my husband's heart skip a beat.....and look good in it! *I want to be able to go into ANY clothing store and be able to buy any article of clothing without any problem, and not have them be plus sized or from the maternity section. *I would like to go to the beach with my kids and not have to wear shorts that go below my knees and a tank top to cover myself up. I want to wear a bathing suit, and not necessarily a bikini.....although that would be nice!! *I want to help coach my daughter's softball team and get out and be physically a part of her team. *I would like to be able to walk into a restaurant, order a meal and not feel like the waiter, and every other person in the room is judging me for my meal choice, based solely on my weight. *I want to go back to Legoland and ride the rollercoaster that I was humiliated at, without incident. And all the other coasters my heart desires!!! *I want Shaelin, my daughter, to look at me and say, "Mommy, you are skinny now." She tells me that I am fat all the time... *I would like to be able to wear shorts that are above my knees without feeling self conscious. Same goes with dresses. I would like to wear them and a pair of heels without feeling uncomfortable. *I want to be one of the "skinny" girls when I go out with my friends or even my family.... Just some of the many things I would LOOOVE to accomplish with the help of the lapband surgery. I am still of course, waiting for insurance approval or denial...

No, no surgery date as of yet. There was a slight hold up on the Psychiatrist's part. She forgot to NOT clear me, or CLEAR me. She just did the eval and it took her office an additional week and a half to send in the FINAL eval. ERR! But what is one more week? Supposedly the final paperwork was sent in to the insurance company sometime this week. Should be hearing from them within the next couple of weeks...I hope!!! Thanks for asking!!! Keep up the positive attitude.....it is contagious!!!:sad:

LOL...I dont know why I didnt think of trying to return it either. It is a great idea of course. I too, must have been tired and my brain wasnt functioning very well....yet, here I am again. Sending a message at a quarter past midnite. Some people just dont learn....and I suppose I am one of them. Just wanted to say that I hope your incisions are just doing what is expected and no infections are present. They sound pretty nasty, but that is just my non-icky side coming out. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!

I too, am a soda addict and may end up trying your suggestion at some point. (I am still pre-op). I am not convinced that I will stop at an occassional soda, so I may not even attempt it. Who knows! HAHAHA! Thank you for the suggestion!!! And congrats on your surgery!

My Psychiatrist FINALLY was able to fax the final version of my Psych eval to the surgeon on this past Monday, the 10th. I was told that my file was ready to be turned into the insurance office sometime this past week......so......the "OFFICIAL" waiting game has begun. I am trying to not think about it. Infact, I have so many things occuring this upcoming week that I am sure I wont have time to really stop and think about being approved or denied. If I do get approved, then the worrying part begins. How am I going to pay for this? I have insurance and I am told that it is EXCELLENT coverage, but my deductible is $3000 per family member and $6000 out of pocket. And to be honest, I have no clue how much this surgery is going to cost. I have barely any money towards my deductible and near nothing towards the out of pocket. I am sure that I will be required to pay nearly the whole expense in full, myself. That scares me. With my daughter's past medical bills going into collection, I am hesitant to be selfish and follow through with the surgery. But on the otherhand, this is my health we are talking about. Debt is just a minor detail in the whole picture. In the meantime, tomorrow I am taking my eldest daughter to a children's salon called "Monkey Dooz." They specialize in children's hair and make-up. I want her to start school feeling good about herself. I have an appointment for Ky to have her hair cut, styled, make-up done and her nails. She should have a good time. It is in celebration of her 8th birthday, which is the following day. Monday, August 17th. Monday is also Clinic day. Kyleigh has to go monthly for labwork to monitor her progress and make sure that her leukemia hasnt reappeared. It is really too bad that she has to go and be poked on her birthday, but she is used to it by now. No plans for Tues or Weds, but on Thursday, my sister is coming down to see us. She has concert tickets to see Green Day in San Diego....and Kyleigh and I are going. Another surprise gift for Ky. She has no real clue. Should be fun! Friday-Sunday our family is going camping at a local campground in the mountains near us. (When I say mountains, I dont mean chilly weather...it is a regular 100 degrees every day here, if not hotter). First time the kids, my husband and I will be camping. Not sure how my 2 year old will enjoy it, but it will be good for us to get out and do something as a family unit. And then on Monday the 24th, my two girls start school. Kyleigh is going to be in 3rd grade and Shae is starting kindergarten. Gavin, my 2 year old, will be starting preschool the following Tuesday...... So we are busy for the next week. HOPEFULLY I will hear from the surgeon by the beginning of September with a surgery date for September. If not September, then it will screw with plans we have in October. I have a friend getting married the second weekend of October and my family and I are going to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times the first week of October. (Family camp for kids with cancer....). And of course, Halloween...my Mom's favorite holiday and the ONLY one she insist's we spend up at her house. Guess I will see.....

My Psychiatrist FINALLY was able to fax the final version of my Psych eval to the surgeon on this past Monday, the 10th. I was told that my file was ready to be turned into the insurance office sometime this past week......so......the "OFFICIAL" waiting game has begun. I am trying to not think about it. Infact, I have so many things occuring this upcoming week that I am sure I wont have time to really stop and think about being approved or denied. If I do get approved, then the worrying part begins. How am I going to pay for this? I have insurance and I am told that it is EXCELLENT coverage, but my deductible is $3000 per family member and $6000 out of pocket. And to be honest, I have no clue how much this surgery is going to cost. I have barely any money towards my deductible and near nothing towards the out of pocket. I am sure that I will be required to pay nearly the whole expense in full, myself. That scares me. With my daughter's past medical bills going into collection, I am hesitant to be selfish and follow through with the surgery. But on the otherhand, this is my health we are talking about. Debt is just a minor detail in the whole picture. In the meantime, tomorrow I am taking my eldest daughter to a children's salon called "Monkey Dooz." They specialize in children's hair and make-up. I want her to start school feeling good about herself. I have an appointment for Ky to have her hair cut, styled, make-up done and her nails. She should have a good time. It is in celebration of her 8th birthday, which is the following day. Monday, August 17th. Monday is also Clinic day. Kyleigh has to go monthly for labwork to monitor her progress and make sure that her leukemia hasnt reappeared. It is really too bad that she has to go and be poked on her birthday, but she is used to it by now. No plans for Tues or Weds, but on Thursday, my sister is coming down to see us. She has concert tickets to see Green Day in San Diego....and Kyleigh and I are going. Another surprise gift for Ky. She has no real clue. Should be fun! Friday-Sunday our family is going camping at a local campground in the mountains near us. (When I say mountains, I dont mean chilly weather...it is a regular 100 degrees every day here, if not hotter). First time the kids, my husband and I will be camping. Not sure how my 2 year old will enjoy it, but it will be good for us to get out and do something as a family unit. And then on Monday the 24th, my two girls start school. Kyleigh is going to be in 3rd grade and Shae is starting kindergarten. Gavin, my 2 year old, will be starting preschool the following Tuesday...... So we are busy for the next week. HOPEFULLY I will hear from the surgeon by the beginning of September with a surgery date for September. If not September, then it will screw with plans we have in October. I have a friend getting married the second weekend of October and my family and I are going to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times the first week of October. (Family camp for kids with cancer....). And of course, Halloween...my Mom's favorite holiday and the ONLY one she insist's we spend up at her house. Guess I will see.....

On March 20th, 2007, my Mother learned she needed brain surgery to remove 5 tumors on her brain. It was her 52nd birthday. Seventeen days later, on April 6th, 2007, my eldest daughter, Kyleigh, was admitted to Loma Linda University Children's Hospital for testing. The next day she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Over the past two and a half years, my family has had the blessing of no reoccurance of either the brain cancer or the leukemia. My Mom has continually undergone scans of all sorts to monitor any possible return of her cancer, and my daughter, well she just officially stopped her treatments on June 11th, 2009. No more chemotherapy, no more pills, no more lumbar punctures. Just regular, monthly labwork. Unfortunately, this streak came to an end on Thursday, August 13th (just one day shy of the 13th Anniversary of my Grandmother's death. she passed away from lung cancer in 1996), my Mom called with horrifying news. It wasnt brain cancer this time....it was BONE CANCER. The same type of cancer my Grandfather (my Mom's Dad) died of in 1998. All I could do was cry...... My family is horrified, but we remain hopeful. My Mom beat the odds with the brain cancer and we are sure she will do the same with the bone cancer. But this time, the regiment is different. With the brain cancer it was radiation treatments. With the bone cancer, it is radiation treatments AND chemotherapy. A double whammy. My Mom remains optimistic and asks us to not "bury her while she remains alive." In other words, be positive because she doesnt want to hear anything but positivity. I live three hours away from my Mom and really feel guilty that I am not able to be there to help her when she needs the help. But I have offered my support and the idea of help when she needs it the most. I asked my husband to be on "call." To be ready to take a week's vacation in the blink of an eye if my Mom asks for my help. It is the least I can do for the woman who brought me into this world and who continues to be my strength, day in and day out.......

My surgeon has never called me in to go over any of my results. Of course, I only have had an upper GI, a Psych eval, a Nutrition eval and an appointment to get medical release from my PCP. I am assuming that the surgeon will only go over your test results if something triggers concern....perhaps like the thyroid. There should really be no reason to delay any possible surgery, unless the surgeon discovers you do have a thyroid problem and wants you to have it under control on medication. There may be a bump in the road there, but I dont think it is anything but that. As for a time period....no clue. I have all of my requirements in a few weeks ago and the surgeon supposedly was set to send my file to the insurance company this past week. No news yet. I wasnt even issued a surgery date and wont be until I go to a require Nutrition seminar. At that seminar I will be given my surgery date. I suppose that each surgeon is different. If you have any questions, call the surgeon. They will be able to tell you if the paperwork has been submitted to the insurance and answer your concern about your thyroid. GOOD LUCK!!!! Let us know how it goes....

I have Blue Shield PPO in California, and I am clueless about a waiting period. I just got this insurance in May of 2009 and had my Surgery Consultation on June 24th. By July 16th, all of my appointments for the paperwork to be submitted to the insurance company, was done. HOPEFULLY my surgeon's office submitted the paperwork this past week. I would call the insurance company and ask them if there is a waiting period. In the meantime, starting required appointments may be an idea. Sometimes it takes MONTHS and MONTHS before you can get in for one or another......for example, if there is a required diet that is supervised by your PCP. Ask the insurance company any questions you have. They have the answers! Best of luck!!!!!!! Oh, and welcome to the site!:biggrin:

I agree...atleast try to return it. Couldnt hurt. Besides, you wouldnt end up lying to your Mom afterall about current weights and you wouldnt have to come up with the $50 too! A win ALL AROUND! :biggrin: I have some money put aside for my "incredible" inspiration. I really love that your cousin is soooo supportive!!!! That is sooo wonderful!

I have so many goals that I wish to achieve once I have surgery, but I will list a few for examples: *To be able to look in the mirror and not want to cry because I dont like what the person looking back at me looks like *To run around with my kids and play without being winded or having to sit out because my knees hurt and cant support my weight *To feel sexier and become more intimate with my husband *To be able to ride an amusement park ride with my kids, without the fear of being asked to exit the ride because the lap bar wont click x-amount of times (happened to me last month at Legoland.....) *Eat healthier and become a healthier, happier me! *Buy "CUTE" clothing in the women's department of stores and not in the "plus size" or "maternity" section *To learn to love to wear something other than jeans!!! Again, these are just to name a few.......I just want to be ME again and not be defined by my weight!! Best of luck to everyone on here!!!!!!!!!!:thumbup: