sherilynn

I called my neurologist to have hime write a note on my behalf to give to insurance. Every little bit helps. I see a neurologist since I was diagnosed with Pseudo Tumor Cerebri. One of the ways to remain in remissions is weight loss. He said he will not wriet a note and anything having to do with this I have to deal with my GP. Well, my GP (who I'm seeing at 6 for the first time about this surgery) I only go on occasion, mostly to get referrals to my specialists! I don't have a relatinoship with him, but going is a technicality for the Band. I told the neurologists office that I need to provide as much back up documentation as poissible for insurance pruposes and to help me get approved. Again they denied me. Advice would be great. Kind of crazy, since I really like this doctor - I even have my dad going to him! Perhaps he's agains the surgery. Who knows! But now how do I prove I was diagnosed and treated with this disease? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

:girl_hug: I understand that when I go on 'mushies and solids', I have to chew, to a liquified state for my food, in order to avoid problems. I realize that different foods will chew down faster; steak vs. banana, etc. Someone had mentioned 30 chews. So I've been paying attention to myself, preband, to see what my eating habits are. I can wolf down just about anything in 6 chews. But now that I'm aware, I am trying to go with the 30 chew rule. What it does is slow me down; and if you notice, how many thin people eat nice and slowly. I'm just trying to get into a habit before surgery, so its more 2nd nature to me. So my question is; do many of you count your chews? Or do you just wait for the liquid feeling? Now for the bites. I keep hearing that everything should be cut into pea sized bites. YIKES!!! What I have been doing to prepare for that (seems to be impossible for me! hehehe) is taking my bites with a shrimp fork. A cocktail fork. It works, prevents large humungeous bites! Have a good night. :eek:

I know the post you're talking about. But...the only way we had to see them is by clicking on the post; at least 'nude' is clearly posted! hehe :guess It's Sunday; so I would say 'give 'em a break'...maybe they're out enjoying this beautiful autumn weather! They'll be on line soon, for sure. It's funny how some things offend some people, yet not others. There were a few posts this week I was surprised by. Not offended by; just surprised. Usually these forums are super strict. But here; we're among 'friends' is what I've learned...anything (respectfully goes). Again, the titel of the post states what you'll see. Hopefully not too many people will open it and be offended in the meantime. Me, I personally think that Britney is gorgeous, and was curious! I guess you were too! I know that if something said 'nude', and I would be embarrassed or offended, I would not open it. Just my two cents! I'm sorry you were offended. I personally would never post something like that online; I'd be afraid. :biggrin1:

Hey Derbygirl. Congrats on your banding. I'm so excited to get a surgery date; won't be until approx January, but I'm here to gain as much knowledge as I can. So, if in the event I run into issues like you have - I'll be 'self educated' and not have to rely strictly on my nutritionist and doctors handouts! :eek: And remember, there is no blue ribbon in the end if you go with, or without pain meds! heheeeeeeee! I plan on taking as many as possible to get me through the first few day! I'm so glad to know you're so aware of all you're doing; and you're keeping yourself educated! Knowledge is power! Good luck! Sheri Lynn :girl_hug:

I was diagnosed 4 years ago after loosing my vision to a headache that was more painful than anhything i could imagine. I thankfully had full vision back after my lumbar puncture. My opening pressure was just 36, I've heard of much higher. Fortunately for me, I have remained in remission. I will however, be using this issue for insurance to get an easier approval. Its a horrible disease to have; headaches beyond your wildest imagination. True, with weight loss my chances of having this be gone for good will be greatly improved; as with any disease. Best of luck to all you PTCers. Sheri

Dear Coltonwade, That 'rash' under your breasts is something that I get also. It's called Intertrigo. It's a fungus of sorts. I even get it under my armpits. The best defense is keeping those areas dry, drying them COMPLETELY after showering; and I used Lotrimin powder spray EVERY day; instead of deordorant. I can no longer use regular deodorant; it somehow upsets the fungus. I am a very clean neat person; but this came years ago before I diagnosed myself, then doctors confirmed it for me. BOY can it be painful; makes me cry! And it's much worse in the summer. Visit it on the internet - it could be your issue as well. Here is a good start: http://www.embarrassingproblems.co.uk/breasts_f.htm

Hey all... I wrote a post last week "No support from friends". Just today, I was reading this forum. My boyfriend came over to me where I was sitting with my laptop. He said 'Wow, you're reading that forum alot'. I explained how I am getting so much great information from you all, and I want to be as educated as I can be. He asked "Are you sure you want to do this?" I said yes, explained that I'm tired of gaining and loosing - and I don't want to gain any co-morbidities. He then said "Ok, then I'm going to tell you this now, "I love you exactly the way you are now". THAT meant the world to me. Not b/c I didn't know that, but it just felt really good to hear it. So his support is coming around a little at a time. Then I questioned myself and will ask you the same question: "Is there a point when you asked yourself, 'Do you WANT to have the band, or do you HAVE to get the band?" Have a great evening. Sheri Lynn

The way that I see it, for 30 somthing years, I've not been able to control my weight myself. I'm now deciding to let someone control it for me.

What (other than health reasons) are you looking forward to the most after you jump on the "Band Wagon"? Me - I'm looking forward to wears boots up to my knees! I have a hard time know with my calves, and I can't wait to find any pair of boots I want and buy 'em, because I know they'll fit! :wow2:

Where in NJ are you? I'm in Byram.

Rita, I hope he'll change MY LIFE! Well, he and I will change my life together with the band!

Hi MyKids... The best part of this board is the incredible support I've received! Just knowing there IS someone else out there that is sporting those oh so tight boots...gives me a sigh of relief. And to know that this time next year - I'll be wearing them with NO WORRIES! ahhhhh! I wish you the best with your Band! Please keep me posted! Sheri Lynn PS: I'll get that thread started! I'm sure there are some GOODIES out there!

Hey again! Well…today was a HUGE 'step' for me. I was able to get scheduled for my offical consulation with Dr. Abkin in Florham Park, NJ. November 16th! By that time, I'll already have done my eval with my GP, my Nutritionist, and Psych! So on to meet up with Abkin, and then when 1/1/07 hits (and my new insurance), all I'll have to do is get final approval and a date. Whoa…this getting 'real'….and I am getting excited!! I should start a thread for the 'pre banders'….'What are you looking forward to post-band'?? Me…I want to go into a store and buy a pair of knee high boots - and not worry about the zipper not going all the way up. Can you believe that THIS is what I look forward to??? But of course, lower BP is a huge one!!! Just thought I'd report! Sheri Lynn

You guys are the best!!!! You're right; the breads are what got me here, so knowing I may not be able to 'tolerate' them - that's a good thing I suppose.

I am reading here that folks pre-band can eat fish, meat, chicken, cottage cheese. However, post-band they can no longer tolerate it. By tolerate, do you mean it won't 'go down', or they just can't eat it, b/c it makes them sick? Cause I'll tell you what - I hope that post-band I can't tolerate, Oreo's, snickers, Ben & Jerry's, cheese, etc. hehehe Seriously, I'm curious about this. I LOVE seafood; and to think that after surgery I won't be able to 'tolerate' it upsets me a little. BTW - I'm not a 'sweets' person for the most part, just 1 time a month. But cheese???? Fuhgedaboudit!

Hey All, Good Morning! Each week I buy my $1.49 copy of Womans World - it's a great magazine!! The center story was "I lost 111 pounds with Lab Band Surgery"! It was about a 13 year old girl who weighed 268 pounds, etc. who got into high school; had the band, and is so happy with herself. Of course I'm just paraphrasing here. But it's a fantastic story, gave me goosebumps! I'm doing all my presurgical stuff now, before I get 'my date'. I saw this article...now everyone is going to see how great the band can be, and jump on the (Get ready...) BAND WAGON! ahhahaha. Ok, it's early, and I'm still punchy. Forgive me! :notagree Have a happy thursday! Sheri Lynn

Hi Mojo, I'm very new to this forum; and it really is THE BEST for gaining information. I have to say that your best course of action is to read, read, read as much as possible!!!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I just think about this PB that you speak of; and I freak out! If I throw up, I cry - have since I was a little kid...OMG - I hate it. That's one thing that terrifies me about the Band, as I seem to get the picture that alot of that will be going on in the start, until I learn my band!! AHHHHHH!!!!:omg:

I know how many of you dislike the 'newbie' questions, but I've done a search, and want some more answers...so please forgive me for asking 'those' questions again!! How will I take my pills each day? Birth control, blood pressure, Vitamins (I take several supplements, not just a multi) Is there a lot of airway retriction from choking? I'm afraid I'll panic at some point! :help: Are there clothing swaps on the forum, I can't find them!

And hopefull they'll change mine!!!!! :help:

You've all been so great, thank you for the support; that I'm not getting at home!!!!

Hi Carol, It's not really the EATING part of 'going out to eat' that I'm worried about. I know that I'd never reverse it 'eat more' and just gain weight I've been running from for 10 years. It's the 'social' part. I am worried of feeling like an outcast. (Though I do worry I won't be able to eat sushi!)

Hi Everyone!!!!!! OMG - I am SO happy to see all of you! I'm in Byram, and I just met with Bertha/Abkin last week. I'm not sure which is which, as I met them at the hotel. Anyway, I want to go to St. Clares; we've gone to them for years, and always with good outcomes. I will be back later to read some more, and gain more knowledge from all of you!!

I'm not scheduled yet for suergery, and I was going to hold off on telling my boyfriend until that time. I was afraid of him giving me comments about the surgery (we have a friend who did bypass and he has comments about her all the time). But, being the HONEST girlfriend that I am, told him this weekend that I've started the process. Well - I should have waited. He did pass those comments, how I will just continue to eat the same foods (mind you, I do eat healthy for the most part...just too much!), just slower and won't loose weight with the band. His actual quote is "Everyone who has to loose weight - the answer is simple, DON'T EAT!" Mind you; he's holding onto 100lbs himself. He has done atkins, and has been very successful; but gains it back after time. He's saying this as I was online yesterday reading this forum, for about 5 hours. So, I was taking some of your 'come backs' and using them. Today I went about telling my best girlfriend by asking her if she ever heard of the Lap Band. She said "SHERI! You can loose weight without this crap! You've done it before on WW, you can do it again!" She is holding about 50 lbs or so. The only ones in TOTAL support of me are my parents. Theyv'e seen me do the Weight Watchers 100 times and loose weight to gain it back again. So now I'm thinking: "Can I do this without surgery"? I'm doing the yo yo back and forth in my mind. Sure, I can loose the weight, I KNOW how to eat, what to eat, how to 'get moving for excercise, etc. But I think it will be more of a struggle witout getting banded. I see how many of you loose a bunch of weight pre-surgery...and that would get me motivated. In the end, I think the band will be like a personal 'coach'...who doesn't let me get away with sneaking extra food, etc. Wow, I really feel horrible I even said anything to either of them. What scares me is that if I have such little support now...how bad will it be AFTER surgery? ....Just adding to my stress.

I went to my first seminar last week. The surgical team brought with them the head of their insurance department; who's been doing this for years. I told her that I currently have Aetna and she said they are THE worst when it comes to paying for Bariatric surgeries. My plan is to take on new insurance next month when my company comes up for renewal. I'm lucky to work for a major Pharma company that has GREAT insurance choices. Anyway, she told me to go with Blue Cross/Blue Shield or United Healthcare; as they are the best for approvals of the surgery, customer service, etc. What I am doing now is getting all my 'pre' work done with Aetna, then I'll switch 1/07 and have the surgery approved that way.