ElfiePoo

I actually had 2 psych consults. After I did the first, which my insurance paid for, I found out this woman takes 3 weeks plus to get the report to the clinic. Since I'm really under a deadline here since I'm supposed to be travelling to Bulgaria in January, I made an appt with another psych and paid cash. In both cases, there was this long form to fill out, asking the usual...do you ever feel like killing someone, etc. Of course, I answered 'no' even though that morning my 17 year old son came dangerously close.:wink2: Then we 'chatted' for about an hour. Now, if they're as good as I am :redface:, they were able to discover quite a bit about me just by chatting. We talked about what I do for a living, about my kids and husband, about what I expected to get out of this surgery. Basically, all they're trying to ascertain is whether or not you are going to be able to handle the massive changes that come with losing your weight. Both put me at ease right in the beginning by telling me they were not there to keep me from having surgery. They were there to make sure it was a positive experience. No need to dread it. .

In my seminar, one of the women asked if we'd be required to go on any special diets pre-op and we were told no. Just the usual pre-surgery no eating after a specific time. If you go on a liquid diet fast for 1-2 weeks (and I have), the first thing you notice is the incredible sag you get within days. I might only have lost 2-3 pounds in that time, but my body looked and felt like I'd lost 10-15 lbs. Perhaps this liquid phase helps with the poofiness on the inside as well, making it easier for them to install the lap band. All I know is, if they tell me liquids pre-op, then liquids it will be...even if I have to sew my lips shut. :wink2: .

Thanks! I'll check it out. .

Where do you get Isopure and are certain flavors better than others. Also...does it contain soy? .

I don't know but it sounds almost as unattractive as watching someone chew their meat and then spit it in a napkin because it's too difficult to swallow. It's why I chose not to go the bypass route...but I see a number of people here who have the lap band and do the same. I'd never heard of 'sliming' or 'productive burping' until I came to this board and am having to rethink the whole lap band thing if this is what I have to look forward to the rest of my life. .

I haven't known insurance companies to show too much common sense in that regard. Let's face it, if they truly cared about the cost ratio, wouldn't they stop fighting so hard to pay for the surgery at all? I don't hold all the statistics, but logically it seems that $20k (roughly) is a lot less money than the alternative of 20-60 years of obesity related medical conditions just for one individual. Then again, perhaps they're playing russian roullette and hoping the person loses their coverage through loss of employment or something else and they won't have to pay either. Actually, I didn't just ask to advance the debate. I was curious (maybe part of my profession) how people prioritized the use of pot in relation to the band.

The low carb slimfast doesn't have the sugar, but only has 10gm of Protein. I wouldn't mind a better alternative, but it seems like everything contains soy.

The fact remains that the part of the brain that deals with judgment and decision making is not fully developed until the early 20's. This was not a derogatory comment, but one based on science. Am I being derogatory if I say that a person with only one leg has only one leg? Same thing. I absolutely agree with you that marijuana is illegal for recreational use because of politics...but that doesn't change the fact that right now it is still illegal. Here's a question for those of you who do smoke marijuana. If your insurance company required that you take regular drug tests both pre and post op for an indefinite time...would you refrain from using?

I read an article that reported the results of a survey that asked 'would you rather lose a limb or be fat' and the answer was ' lose a limb'. One of the fears I've had about losing this weight is that I will become a mean, self-righteous, vain person who will forget that beauty comes from within...not the digital readout on the bathroom scale. If the choice is between being a nasty, self-righteous vain person and fat...I'll take fat because there are worse things than being fat. .

What does this have to do with the conversation at hand? Now I have to ask myself why someone who supposedly lost 139 lbs is resorting to bullying behavior and attacking someone else about their weight? You know what you just did is a defense mechanism for an insecure personality? Goodbye Flyguys...life is too short to waste on nasty people. .

Last time I checked, the guards weren't bringing the marijuana in to the facility in their lungs or bladders and then exhaling or peeing on the prisoners. Therefore, it stands to reason that 'carrying' the marijuana in would not compromise their drug testing. I'm beginning to think you're either operating under the influence (judgment impaired by marijuana) or I'm dealing with a youngster (judgment impaired by brain not being fully developed yet). In either case, I need to move on to more important matters. .

I don't know of any...that still have their jobs that is. Mandatory drug testing sort of weeds (pun intended) them out. .

I don't mind at all. I am a psychiatrist and work as an adjunct with law enforcement at a maximum security prison. I have not *done* any studies, but have read the work of other experts who have done research. There is no correlation between 'popularity' and safe use. :thumbup: Again, let me reiterate that I don't have a prejudice against marijuana. My belief is that we either make it legal...or make cigarettes and alcohol illegal. Let's at least be consistent. In any case, it torques me that it is taking so long to get marijuana approved nationwide for medical purposes. The research is there to back up its efficacy for a number of medical problems...not the least being pain relief and without the addictive qualities of so many other pain relievers.

I don't know of any state where marijuana is legal for recreational use? Do you? Yes. There are many 'natural' plants that are toxic. Just because it's natural, it doesn't mean it's good for you. However, I'm not making the claim that marijuana is toxic. I'm merely stating that it is illegal. And some states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes. What most are talking about here is the illegal recreational use.

Keep telling yourself that. A few states—including Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Texas—do, in fact, allow judges to impose a life sentence even for a first pot offense. Many states have minimum sentences of 3 months to 1 year for simple possession. New York slaps you on the wrist for possession of less than 1 oz on the first two offenses. On the third offense you get 5 days and a fine. Give a friend one of your tokes and you'll get 3 months. Sell it to them and you'll get a year. Getting caught with drug paraphernalia containing traces of pot will get you a year. Other states have similar laws. Bottom line...you are breaking the law and there is always a very real possibility of jail time. Only a fool would believe otherwise. Everything we do carries a consequence. If you think that getting arrested, being fined and/or going to jail and having a record for drug possession is an acceptable consequence if you get caught, then I certainly can understand your reasoning. If you are still lucky enough to work in a job that doesn't require random drug screening, and termination of employment should you ever show up positive, then I can certainly understand your reasoning. .

I'm not a smoker of any variety. I believe if pot is illegal, then cigarettes and alcohol should be as well. They're far more destructive and addictive than pot as proven to be. I know many people on a personal level who use pot and are extremely high functioning intelligent people who are quite successful at the careers they've chosen. All that said, pot is illegal and it amazes me that the owners of this site have no problem with promoting illegal behavior. As for those who choose to break the law so publicly...at least when you get caught (post banded), you'll have the consolation that you'll look so much better in those prison jump suits than you did pre-banding. .

Sure you did...food...and it seems you recognize that you're trading off food for either pot or drinking or both.

ROFLMAO. I think I'd like your mom. Birthday cakes are dumped into the trash after the party right along with the paper cups and plates cuz if it's there, I'll eat it even with the best of intentions. .

As everyone else said...it's up to you and what you can deal with. Personally, I don't intend to hide it and I intend to 'promote' it. Remember, depression and diabetes used to be 'shameful' diseases that people hid. They didn't talk about it because the world saw it as a character defect. We've come a long way and, as a result of the openness about both of these diseases, people are getting treated. So I intend to be one of those who promotes the Lap Band and maybe some time in the future, people won't feel they have to hide it and/or won't choose not to get it done because they think it's a sign of failure. I'd tell family members that while they don't have to understand or agree with your decision, you hope they will be supportive. If they aren't, it's their problem and when they bring up negative discussions, just put a stop to them and tell them that if they don't have anything encouraging or positive to contribute, please keep it to themselves. .

After dealing with insurance companies for 30 years, I'll make a bet that it's #1. I looked into lap band surgery about a year after I lost 70 pounds on my own...documented in my doc's records on my weigh-ins but I still weighed 260 and had diabetes, gastric reflux, etc. The insurance company wouldn't tell me ahead of time whether or not they'd approve the surgery. They said to 'get it done' and when the paperwork came through they'd approve it or not. Right. Fortunately, they've now come to their senses and realized that it's cheaper to pay $20k for the surgery than 40+ years worth of obesity related medical issues. They can be taught. As for a commitment to the process...isn't that a bit like telling a diabetic to control their own blood sugars and if, after 6 successful months, they'll now pay for the tools (e.g. insulin) to help them? I think the problem is that the insurance companies (and even many overweight people) still look at this as a self-control/character issue rather than what it is...a disease. .

Hi Neesh, I go on week long liquid fasts every so often when my body just feels blah from too many carbs. My experience...the first day or two is the roughest. After that it gets easier. I drink the low carb Slim Fast shakes in the can and I actually like them. Many times they're my Breakfast of choice even when I'm not dieting. During the liquid fasts, I drink 6 of them a day because I'm limiting my intake to under 1200 calories. Carbs are about 12gm for the day which does wonders for my blood sugar levels. Headaches are usually nothing more than your body complaining about the change. They usually go away in a day or two and aspirin works well in the meantime. Watch your activity level. When I do the week long liquid fast, I notch my activity level down a bit. I try to remember to just move a bit slower...no sudden moves. Stick to it. You will be amazed at how good you actually feel after a few days. Little 'cheats' will delay your body's ability to adapt meaning the headaches, tiredness, etc. will continue for the entire time period. Hang in there! .

It's always frustrating when life doesn't go exactly the way we wanted or expected it to, but as so many have already said, just remind yourself why you chose to have this done. My doctor told me what 'usually' happens but also said that there is a small risk (with any surgery) that something will not go as planned and you may wake up and find they had to go a non-laparoscopic route. Rarely happens, but it does happen. I usually try to find the amusing side of life. Helps me deal with the stressful times. I don't mean to offend, but I can imagine looking down at my own stomach and fretting over a horrible looking incision...but then if I think about it long enough will fast forward to dozens of pounds lost and a sagging belly. The incision will be the least of my 'ugly' worries. :smile:

I see quite a few people are required by their doctors to go on a 3-6 month medically supervised diet program in order to qualify for the surgery. Here's my stupid question...if one could be successful on a medically supervised diet program, *why* bother with the lap band? I mean seriously...about 6 years ago I lost 70 lbs on Atkins and I've never put it back but I can't seem to stick to a diet now because I always feel 'not full' and want to keep eating until I do. If I could find the motivation to last 3-6 months on a diet, I wouldn't be bothering with the lap band. What am I missing? .

I love my husband dearly, but it wouldn't matter whether or not he was against the surgery. I'm not doing this for him. I'm doing it for me. I came home after I made my decision and just told him I was doing this and handed him all of the brochures and info I was given. After 20 years of marriage he still doesn't understand why I can't just practice 'all things in moderation', particularly since I did lose 70 lbs...and kept it off...on my own, but he understands how important this is to me and is supportive for that reason. .

Water off a duck's back. I have a friend who weighed 500 pounds. She went on some diet that involves injecting herself with urine (?) and eating about 500 calories a day. Now, granted she's now down to 399 pounds after a year, but she's arguing with me that the lap band is an extreme fad? ROFL. We decided to agree to disagree. Fortunately, my own family is extremely supportive, but even if they weren't, that's their problem.