jenrobbar951

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

I am sure that no one will debate me on this one. Most people know SOMEONE who has had cancer, has cancer or has passed away from cancer. Or perhaps, someone on here has had a battle with cancer or a cancer scare. I just wanted to say how much cancer sucks!!! My Mother was diagnosed with brain cancer on her 52nd birthday (March 2007). She had brain surgery to have 5-7 tumors removed. And then, just a few weeks later, my daughter (5 years at the time) was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. She entered Loma Linda Children's Hospital on April 6th, 2007 and was sent home on April 13th. Just one week later. It has been a LOOONG bumpy road for both my Mom and my daughter. Kyleigh, my daughter, has been in remission since her release from the hospital in 2007. Luckily, she has only had one blood transfusion and only one platelet transfusion. She hasnt had to be re-hospitalized in those two year and on June 11th, 2009, she was officially declared "Done" with her treatments. No more lumbar punctures, no more pills. Just monthly labwork to monitor her progress. We have been lucky and blessed that she has responded this well. She enters 3rd grade on Monday. As for my Mom, she had no signs of cancer for nearly those two and a half years. She continued to battle with the side effects of the radiation she endured, for the first year, but after that year, she was well on her road to recovery. It hasnt been easy for her. She found out that her husband of 34 years was cheating on her during the first year of her recovery process. She was supposed to have died, my Dad thought.....but she didnt. She beat the odds and beat brain cancer. On August 13th, 2009 (just a day shy of my Grandmother's death anniversary-She passed away in 1996 from lung cancer), my Mom was told she had bone cancer.......and again, our world fell apart. My Mom is a strong person. She wants to beat this. She wants to live. She is optimistic and shuns away from anyone who isnt. She starts chemo on August 25th and hopefully, if not sooner, radiation. It will be a long battle again, but this time, my Dad is along for the ride. Whole spirited! I hate cancer. I hate that it is sooo common. I hate that there really isnt much that we can do to prevent it. Sure, eating specific foods, and staying away from specific habits will help PREVENT it, but it doesnt guarantee you will never develop it. Especially if it is in your genes. Just had to vent about my hatred........ERRRR! :biggrin: Thanks for reading!:w00t:

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....:thumbup::glare:

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.......

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:

That is AWESOME!! What a great idea! I think I may have to borrow your "inspiration" idea.....sorry, guess I am too lame to think of one on my own. HAHAHAHA! No really, I think I may dig out a cute shirt that is a few sizes smaller as inspiration. Or perhaps, I will buy something inexpensive, but really, really cute. Something that I normally wouldnt think twice about buying because I was "too fat" and hang it up in my room as a reminder of the cause. I really like that idea! Of course.....I still gotta wait until I am approved by the insurance company before I do anything. :thumbup: Hope you have a great Saturday!!!

You pretty much described me to a "T"......only, I tend to over eat, have no self control, and cant cook very well. HAHA! I am not looking at LapBand as a quick fix. I know that it takes work and time, but I see it as a push in the right direction. It forces you to change the amount of food you eat and the type of foods you eat. If you dont follow the regimen, you will pay for it in pain....or atleast that is what I have been told. I am not banded yet, but hope to hear from the insurance company by the end of the month! BEST OF LUCK WITH EVERYTHING!!!!!!! Hang in there and congrats for starting on the journey to the "NEW" you!:thumbup:

That is great about the jeans!!! I, like a closet case hoarder, have kept all of my "skinny" jeans that I wore nearly 10 years ago. LOL. Can you believe that? I cry when I look at them, so they are put away in a box in my closet....somewhere amongst the "I wish I could wear these" clothes. I bet it is a great feeling to put those jeans on!! I cant wait to be able to slide into a "normal" size of jeans and not these size 24 "stretchy" Walmart jeans. And besides, what your Mom doesnt know (in this case....), wont hurt her. :thumbup:

I am not about to judge your marriage, but I would definitely tell your husband. And if need be, tell him the day before the surgery. It is already going to happen, so he can either jump on board and be supportive, or he can choose to be selfish and not support your decision. Mine doesnt like the idea of the surgery, infact, he uses the "you are perfect the way you are" excuse, but that simply doesnt cut it for ME. People have to understand that you want this to be a happier, healthier you. If they cant understand it, or choose to be ignorant, then they arent worth having around. I have told most of my friends, my husband, my sister and my Mom. My Mom was supportive at first, but changed her mind quickly when she read something somewhere about some program that could speed up my metabolism. Everyone else has been supportive. They just want me to be ME again. I havent told my Dad because in the past few years he has started to really judge me because of my weight gain. He categorizes me as "lazy" and "weak." Perhaps I am those, perhaps he is mistaken. I just dont want to surround myself with people who are going to put me down and not be supportive. I think you should tell your husband because he is your husband, and in case something happens (NOT THAT IT IS GOING TO). You need all the support you can get. And if he doesnt want to give it, sorry, but to hell with him! If he does, then that is fantastic!! BEST OF LUCK and let us know how things go!

I had the same problem with our scale at home. It is a square glass one and from time to time, it messes up too. Infact, one time I got on it and it said I weight like 164 pounds......I just about died.......but then I realized, there was no possible way that I went from 260+ pounds to 164 overnight. HAHA! That is a horrible feeling to look at it and have it lie to you! ERR! Sounds like you may need to invest in a new scale (may be one that is the same model so that your parents dont realize it broke?).......or try it again another time and perhaps it will "magically" work......or, take it as a sign that you just werent meant to be getting on a scale at this point in time, although people like to monitor their progress. It is only natural. Good luck with the scale!!!:thumbup:

WOW!! Congrats on the early approval! I would have loved to have had my file sent in without my knowledge and get a call. That way I wasnt playing the "waiting" game like I am now. To be honest, I dont even know if they sent in my file. They were supposed to do it last week. Best of luck on your journey to the "new" you!!!! Keep us updated on your progress!!:thumbup:

Welcome Monica!! I love the way you think! I am sure that you will be very successful with your band. And congrats on your REBIRTH! I cant wait to join those of you who have begun the journey to the "new" you!!!! :thumbup:

I too was worried about my psych evaluation....mainly because I admitted myself to a Mental Hospital a year after my first daughter was born. (Severe postpartum depression). But unlike most people on here, my Psychiatrist didnt ask me to fill out any questionnaire. She just asked about my family history. If there was any drug abuse/alcohol abuse, obesity, mental disorders. Then she asked why I wanted the surgery and how much I was REALISTICALLY looking to lose. I guess I got an easy Psychiatrist who didnt really do these types of evaluations too often. (And that showed later when they faxed the eval the first time to the surgeon and forgot to put my last name on it.....and then it took them a month to fax the FINAL eval because the Psychiatrist didnt release me and did not NOT release me). So far, I seem to be the only one who didnt endure any lengthy visit. Mine was like 20 mins tops. I spent more time in the waiting room than I did in with the Psychiatrist. What I am trying to say is, dont freak out. Just be honest and dont forget to stop and breathe in between parts of the eval. Good luck and hang in there!! Let us know how it goes...:thumbup: