BetterMeCourtney

Way to go on the loss so far! Whats helped me with the drinking with meals, is I bring no drink to the table, and if I get soooo thirsty that I feel like I HAVE to take a drink, I just stop eating and set my timer right then for 30 min. Doing this has dramatically helped me to cut my portions, also. (I'm also pre-op) =) Good luck with everything!

Thanks! I'll probably take advantage of this!

Oh man, I completely understand where you are coming from. I am on day 3. Day 1: My in-laws made a surprise visit. My surgeon is allowing 2 Protein shakes and a light dinner consisting of 4 oz of lean protein, a cup of veggies and a cup of fruit. My in-laws insisted on taking us out to dinner (they're not aware of my surgery) and it was really hard to find something on the menu I could eat... but I managed. After dinner my MIL stopped and picked up a small cake to Celebrate my son's birthday that is this week. AHHH.... so I made myself busy and drank a hot tea to keep myself occupied while everyone chowed down. Day 2: everyone had danishes for Breakfast, and mcdonalds for lunch (birthday boy got to choose). I had hubby swing me through smoothie King and picked up a Gladiator to "eat" while they chowed down on their bigmacs and happy meals. LOL. I didn't realize how much it really bothered me not being able to eat what others were eating until this. Our family REALLY uses food to celebrate. I think I'm lucky that my in-laws are so obsessed with my children because they really didn't notice what I was/wasn't eating. Family gatherings with my family will prove to be a lot harder, I'm sure. Oh, and what KILLED me was re-watching Lost with my husband last night. We always pop in a season to re-watch at night after the kids go to bed and we snack on random stuff. He naturally got out his normal snack stuff (keep in mind he is military and fit) and I of course couldn't tell him not to do that around me.. so I sat there and suffered/ate my chewable vitamens and pretended they were something awesome. haha. Anyway, sorry to write the book but I agree that this is helping to break the mental habits we've created for ourselves. I didn't realize how much snacking at night was such a major part of our evening routine until I was forbid to do so. Good luck! We can struggle together... haha.

Thanks everyone! No surgery date yet.. I'll be right here announcing when I finally get it, I'm sure! :cursing: Catherine, I will! Thanks for the advice!

I am approved! I've been waiting a LONG time for this (well, okay.. a few months)! Happy Dance!

YAY! I can't wait for that either! I have a few pairs of wide shaft boots that fit (that were specially ordered off of the internet!)... but I've never been able to walk into a shoe store and zip up a normal boot. That is great!

Hi! I was wondering who you guys used for your psych eval if you needed one. Thanks! By the way, I am in League City.

Thanks for sharing! That sounds reallly yummy!

Yay!:thumbup:

You now have size 14s and I now have size 14 envy! :thumbup: Way to go!!!

aaaargh! So I talked to the true results advocate this morning, and she said that they always do the three months appointments because she's never seen a fep plan approve without it. She would not listen to anything I said. I'm very discouraged and a little bit pissed that she just disregarded everything I said.

so to enjoy a vacation you'd say a minimum of 4/5 weeks?

How long after your surgery would you have felt comfortable taking a trip/vacation? Thanks!

Diana, I agree. I will try and call tomorrow (not sure how much luck I'll have since it will be the weekend), and hopefully I'll get someone other than who I spoke to today. I also called the True Results center today but only got an answering machine. The sheet they gave me at my first appointment listed the requirements I would need to fulfill before my surgery, but I'm wondering if it was based upon my estimated BMI I gave them when making the appointment. I thought I would be at 38. :blushing: I'll keep you updated on what I find out. I'm sure they shouldn't be making me do the 3 months... The more I read the benefits, the more I believe this is true. Someone.. somewhere along the way is confused, lol and they're trying to take me with them. :laugh:

Diana, thanks for the info. I am actually right at 40 bmi. I'm 40.3 to be exact, which makes this situation rather frustrating since if I dip below 40, I won't be covered- I do not have any other issues. I even dressed rather heavily at my first appointment, heavy jeans and two sweaters, LOL, to make it above that.. The nurse even told me that even though they have to do the formality of the appointments, I really don't need to diet or try to lose during this time. I'm a little freaked out that I'm having to keep a food journal, yet if I lose ANYTHING I won't be covered. lol. :closedeyes: Although I must admit that for the first time in my life I'm not watching what I'm eating, and the fact that I have been told NOT to lose is a little bit liberating. LOL. I can't remember the last time I wasn't ransacked with guilt for eating something like a PB&J. Oh the carbs! :w00t: I was told the copay for an outpatient surgery such as this is $100 for each qualified surgeon in the room. I am assuming I will just have one. That should be it. The only stipulation is the surgeon has to be within the basic network. No issue there. Thanks again for responding. I'm glad to have found this resource to help guide me along the way.

an update on my end- I just spoke with a really nice rep from BCBS. I told her about the discrepancies between what the clinic was telling me vs what other FEP patients were experiencing. She stated that they do require 3 months of medically supervised weight consultations in the last 2 years. So, in my case, since I have not had anything like that in the last 2 years, I am being required to wait the three months and go to their appointments. However, if you had 3 months of supervised care in the last 2 years then that qualification should already be met. oh, and we're on the basic plan.. not sure if that matters.

Yay! I look forward to seeing your progress and more updates!

Wow.. interesting. We're covered by BCBS Fed. I was also told I needed the 3 months of supervised weight loss. I would much rather not do that if I don't have to.

I am new to this community. I am 26 and live in the Houston area. I just had my first appointment at a lapband facility. If everything goes as planned then I should be looking at getting the band in Jan. I hope to learn a lot from this forum! Thanks!