ShellieBell

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:

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.

Has anyone used Dr Voellinger from Charlotte NC? I am attending a seminar with him on the 22nd of February. If you have seen him or used him for your lap band procedure...I would love to hear about your experience with him(good or bad) went. Did you get the lap band ap or did you get the realize band?....he offers both. Thanks for any info :scared2:

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:

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!

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.

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 sharing your story. the approval process for me is terrifying. I have been through it before and was denied several yrs ago. I am educating myself much more this time. My obesity has consumed most of my childhood and all of my adult life so making this decision for myself has not been half hearted. I congratulate you on your journey and wish you the best.

Thank so much for the reply. It's great to actually of found a place I can talk to other people that are going through the same kind of things as myself. It can be hard to the only "big girl" and I often have a hard time finding others who can relate. Thank you soooo much.

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.