ShellieBell

Yay!!! I know you have to be soooo excited. Congrats on your 1/2 of a hundred lbs.

Good for you...sounds like you really needed to get that off of you. Hey....and I understand perfectly how a feel good rant can help. It might not exactly "fix" things but if you are anything like me...I love a good B*$@H fest every now and then. Best Wishes!!

Thank you soooo much for your wishes.....it feels great!!

35 days ago..... I had a sort of awakening. I had a very intense moment of realization...that if I didn't fight for me...who would? Today I was able to feel that incredible rush of emotion that consumed me during those first few minutes of deciding to change my life over a month ago....and it was great! I had the "talk" with my primary care physician about my desires for the LAP-BAND® procedure. I waited a month after deciding to pursue the LAP-BAND® because I wanted to be educated with as much knowledge my brain could hold. I wanted to know the risks; I wanted to know the benefits. I wanted to know the difference between the realize band and the LAP-BAND®. I wanted to know how other people felt after their surgery. Basically I wanted to be well armored with as much info as possible. It was as if I was preparing to fight and defend my feelings to the world why I deserve to have this procedure. And then it happened....as I was explaining to him my feelings(yeah....I had a whole speech prepared in my head of why I was a candidate for the band....and I wasn't afraid to use it!!! ) he just smiled at me....and said "lets do it"! he told me that he would support me 100% and that we would start the 1st month of a supervised diet today.....so that leaves me only 5 more months to go!! Yay me! I realized going into my doctor’s visit today that regardless if I did or didn’t have the support of my physician....I would be able to find support elsewhere. BUT... I really wanted him to embrace this idea for me like I embraced it for me. I needed that extra little bit of confidence from someone who knows my medical history...it just kind of validated my feelings. Trust me, there are not very many times I have left the doctors office with an extremely positive outlook about my weight....but today it was just the opposite. Today was just for me...and I have the feeling it’s just the first of many to come….and when I finally made it into the “safe haven” of my car I was able to give release the river of tears that have been levied back for way too long.

I am curious if anyone had to convince or prove their need for the lap band to their Doctor? My family Doc is great and I love the confort level I have with on most things. He has shown great care and has been as gentle and supportive as he can be with my weight. I am just a little nervous about talking to him about wanting to get a lap band. I guess my biggest fear is that I won't have his support on it. Did anyone else have this fear? Did anyone have to justify why "dieting" alone wasn't working for you and that you felt that this would benefit you more in the long run?

How stinking exciting!!!! You are an inspiration to me....It proves to me that the If I truly want this for the right reasons and allow myself to succeed..that I will. Thanks!!

Thanks so much....being full on less than a cup of food does sound "SWEET".

Hey...just wondering if someone could help me understand what a "sweet spot" is. I have been doing tons of reading on this site...so I think I have an idea of what it is but I was hoping someone with a little more knowledge could help explain it. I am doing research on the lap band and hope to be approved by sometime this year. Thanks for any help!

I am currently bandless( hoping to be approved sometimes this year) but...reading about everyones experiences has been so helpful. Thanks for warning about mother nature.....looks like I might be going a few rounds with her myself....heehee

Thank you for your story. I am in the begining stages of getting aproval for surgery so it is really great to read about other peoples experiences.

I am glad you found you incentive to keep going. I realize that the road ahead for me will also be bumpy. It is very helpful to hear about people persevering even when this path is ridden with potholes.

Thank you so much for your story. It definitely gives me something to think about and what to look forward to in the future.

Ok.....so, here is is my rant for the day. I am sure most of you can relate. I can remember for most of my life I was always told...."Don't be selfish"--- "the kind thing is to put others before yourself". I am starting to think my parents maybe went a little overboard. Cause I have gave, gave , gave so much of myself and locked all of my feelings inside and I used food as a deadbolt. Now I have people telling me to be selfish....put my needs first for a change and stop using food as a way to keep all of my feelings inside. I realize that there is a fine line between how we should be. Sometimes though...I just wish things could be simple. (By the way....I believe that at a certain point in your life as an adult, you are in control of you life, no matter how dysfuntionable your enviroment was as a child there comes a point that the responsibility of your life becomes your own) I know how to eat healthy. I know how to exercise. I also can realize at what point I have had way too much pizza...but I continue to eat because 'I just LOVE pizza'. In my quest to be approved for LAP-BAND® surgery....I am not only looking to be "approved" by my insurance. I am looking forward to this new life that being "selfish" at times is appropriate....... My inner child is gonna love this. :confused:

Ok.....so, here is is my rant for the day. I am sure most of you can relate. I can remember for most of my life I was always told...."Don't be selfish"--- "the kind thing is to put others before yourself". I am starting to think my parents maybe went a little overboard. Cause I have gave, gave , gave so much of myself and locked all of my feelings inside and I used food as a deadbolt. Now I have people telling me to be selfish....put my needs first for a change and stop using food as a way to keep all of my feelings inside. I realize that there is a fine line between how we should be. Sometimes though...I just wish things could be simple. (By the way....I believe that at a certain point in your life as an adult, you are in control of you life, no matter how dysfuntionable your enviroment was as a child there comes a point that the responsibility of your life becomes your own) I know how to eat healthy. I know how to exercise. I also can realize at what point I have had way too much pizza...but I continue to eat because 'I just LOVE pizza'. In my quest to be approved for LAP-BAND® surgery....I am not only looking to be "approved" by my insurance. I am looking forward to this new life that being "selfish" at times is appropriate....... My inner child is gonna love this. :frown:

Well..it's official. I signed up for my first seminar. I am really looking forward to hearing what the surgeon has to say. Of course this has caused my inner detective to come out. I have done more comparing and reading about lap bands in the last week that....maybe I can give the seminar myself..heehee :tongue_smilie:. Ok..OK...I still have lots to learn, but that's ok.....I am looking forward to it. I guess my biggest question is...What is actually the big difference between the LAP-BAND® brand and the realize brand? Does one cost more than the other? So...it looks like I better start writing these questions down so I don't forget them when I actually get to the seminar. I am also getting a head start on the 6 month medically supervised diet, my appointment is next month...yay me! :w00t:

It just happened only moments ago....I decided to let go. I decided that I am worth fighting for and that I will not allow anyone to make me doubt my self worth again. So at this moment...my journey begins. So if you are curious(even a little bit) I will start from the begining. Well..as I am sure most of you can relate...I have been overweight almost all of my life. I have "dieted" so much that I feel like I could be a licensed nutritionist. Further more, I could probably teach a class on exercising from your desk. I know the importance of 8-8oz glasses of water a day and how portion control is way out of control in our society. BUT.....as I write this, my weight is at the highest I can remember. My weight is my biggest battle in life. At times I forget about it, only to be reminded when it's time to walk up a flight of stairs or when I am out with friends and they insist on sitting at a booth. Don't even get me started about when I have to board an airplane. Six or seven yrs ago I was on an emotionally charged misson to get insurance approval for a R&Y gastric bypass. It was a terrible experience for me. Of course I was never approved, and due to my lack of information and support I never appealed the decision. My support team consisted of my mother who never had the same struggles with her weight. I know her intentions were only good but I can remember her diets consisting of not eating for a couple of days so she could keep her trim figure. So, I always felt she never really could understand my desire for the surgery. Today as I am sitting here at my desk writing this I have givin myself permission to move forward with another attempt at being approved through my insurance. The difference between then and now is that I am educating myself with as much knowledge as possible. I will reach out to others who are also struggling with the same weight issues and learn from their experiences. It feels good to be at place were I know that people understand that my struggle with my obesity is more than a quick fix...it's more than not eating for a couple of days.

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful and encouraging words. It means a lot to me. I am going a information seminar on the 22nd of Feb...:frown:

HI! I am attending a seminar with Dr Voellinger next on the 22nd of Feb. I am also looking for others who have seen or used him. I wish you all of the best with your journey.

Well..it's official. I signed up for my first seminar. I am really looking forward to hearing what the surgeon has to say. Of course this has caused my inner detective to come out. I have done more comparing and reading about lap bands in the last week that....maybe I can give the seminar myself..heehee :frown:. Ok..OK...I still have lots to learn, but that's ok.....I am looking forward to it. I guess my biggest question is...What is actually the big difference between the LAP-BAND® brand and the realize brand? Does one cost more than the other? So...it looks like I better start writing these questions down so I don't forget them when I actually get to the seminar. I am also getting a head start on the 6 month medically supervised diet, my appointment is next month...yay me!

Hello.... My name is Shellie and I am 34 yrs old. I am single and without any children. I have been struggling with my weight for my entire life...and what an exhausting battle it has been. I am very interested in getting a LAP-BAND®®. As a matter of fact, I have been researching it for several months now. Of course in between those months life just kind of takes over and as I have done most of my life...I put my needs on the back burner. I am looking for anyone who may have any advice on the insurance approval side and any advice in gereneral about the procedure. I would love to hear about the pros and cons people have experienced. Thank you so much for taking the time to help....it means more than I could ever express.

Hey Ayana I don't know if I have any advice for you to help ease your mind but what I can offer you is knowledge that you are not alone in you worries. I have not had the surgery and I find myself on the fence as well at times. Family and friends as much as they mean to us can "cloud our heads" when it comes to making this decision. They often only see the complications that could arise from the surgery....and some see the procedure as a "easy" way to become skinny. If you are like me... I have been overweight almost my whole life and I haven't been able to find one "easy" way to be skinny yet.... because if there was...I would of found it by now. What I have learned by doing research (tons of it) is regardless what kind of tool(the lap band is a tool ) you use to lose weight, your food must be restricted. A new lifestyle is a must. the lap band will only be a tool to help you learn to eat smaller bites, to chew slower and to feel fuller quicker. It is not an miracle cure to obesity but a awesome tool to help you along your journey to a healther lifestyle....plus, it is not a permantely altering surgery. I wish you the best in your endeavors.

I have cigna as well...and from what I have read through other peoples testimonies....it sounds like 6 months of a medically supervised diet is manditory. At this point in my life I would be willing to pay the extra money to do this. Thank you so much for your reply. I am wishing you well on your journey to your goal weight and to a lifetime of happiness.

Hey... I am currently researching the lap band procedure and I am looking for anyone who would like to share their experience with me. Why did you choose this procedure? How hard was it for you to get insurance approval? Any regrets? I am new to this online forum and would be very thankful for any advice.

It just happened only moments ago....I decided to let go. I decided that I am worth fighting for and that I will not allow anyone to make me doubt my self worth again. So at this moment...my journey begins. So if you are curious(even a little bit) I will start from the begining. Well..as I am sure most of you can relate...I have been overweight almost all of my life. I have "dieted" so much that I feel like I could be a licensed nutritionist. Further more, I could probably teach a class on exercising from your desk. I know the importance of 8-8oz glasses of water a day and how portion control is way out of control in our society. BUT.....as I write this, my weight is at the highest I can remember. My weight is my biggest battle in life. At times I forget about it, only to be reminded when it's time to walk up a flight of stairs or when I am out with friends and they insist on sitting at a booth. Don't even get me started about when I have to board an airplane. Six or seven yrs ago I was on an emotionally charged misson to get insurance approval for a R&Y gastric bypass. It was a terrible experience for me. Of course I was never approved, and due to my lack of information and support I never appealed the decision. My support team consisted of my mother who never had the same struggles with her weight. I know her intentions were only good but I can remember her diets consisting of not eating for a couple of days so she could keep her trim figure. So, I always felt she never really could understand my desire for the surgery. Today as I am sitting here at my desk writing this I have givin myself permission to move forward with another attempt at being approved through my insurance. The difference between then and now is that I am educating myself with as much knowledge as possible. I will reach out to others who are also struggling with the same weight issues and learn from their experiences. It feels good to be at place were I know that people understand that my struggle with my obesity is more than a quick fix...it's more than not eating for a couple of days.