perryjoyce

CONGRATULATIONS!! I am still another two weeks away from my surgery but I keep coming back to the post-op boards just to hear stories like this! They keep me so motivated and encouraged. I think it'll really help me get through this "bandster hell" period I keep hearing about. So thank you for being a pioneer of success and good habits from our newbies! I hope to have a similar success and stick around so I can "pay it back" in the future! =)

Hahahaha...yes, I never thought I'd say it, but I too can't wait to be just obese and/or overweight!! =)

Congratulations! Insurance approval was the most stressful part so far for me as well! Everything else FLIES by after you get that letter in your hands! Glad it wasn't a painful process and good luck to you! :scared2:

The problem I had is that in my area (and maybe yours too) you can't walk two feet without running into a 1-800-GET-THIN billboard, bus stop, or other for of obnoxious advertisement. Even I thought the lap band was a gimmick!! When my doctor suggested I research it I was shocked. Then I did m homework and realized it's no gimmick, just a reliable tool with a promising success rate! So there is a stigma and family and friends who care about you are rightfully going to maybe raise an eyebrow. To those who have not done the research it really sounds like just another in a long line of shady fads. So I only tell those who I have the luxury of explaining what it is, why it's safe, and why I think it'll work for me. I usually end my little speech with "...and insurance will cover it, so clearly it's legit!" That usually puts people at ease. It's natural for our loved ones to be skeptical, they care! So we just have to educate and inform until they are as comfortable with it as we are.

I'm really glad someone prompted this! I just turned 28 last month and my surgery is in May. One of the reasons I decided to do this now is because I want to enjoy at least one year of my 20's thin! All of this insight is VERY encouraging! Just last night I went out with my best friend for a belated birthday celebration and we did the whole shebang - drinks, appetizers, dessert, coffee! I thought about the band the whole time and how it might affect my social life, which is largely centered around going out and enjoying friends and food and drinks. So I'm glad to hear that those who are young and have been banded have no noticeable change, just an increased urgency for moderation and awareness. Which I am honestly looking forward to!

Yay! Congrats!! I got approved recently and my surgery is 5/13! We're all in this together now! Go May Bandsters! Go ALL Bandsters!!! :thumbup:

Not only will you get there, but you will get there stronger because of this experience. I haven't hardcore dieted in a couple of years, and while the impatient side of me was relieved that I did not have to go through the supervised diet, now I am worried about getting banded and not being "ready" or forgetting how to eat within certain guidelines. I am going to have to relearn that discipline on the fly and I'm terrified it will impede my post-band progress, which will only deflate me mentally. You will hit the ground running when you do finally get there and I'm sure your progress will further motivate you! So as frustrated as you may be keep in mind that it will all be so very worth it!

I like the 80/20 rule a lot! It allows for that amazing sounding pie and Big M that Jachut was describing! Yum! A CSA is a great idea! I did that a while back and completely forgot about it. I loved how it made me cook creatively based on what I received that week. Thanks for the idea, Jen! And I'll definitely look into that book. I'm glad to hear that a lot of you are not having trouble getting your protein requirement in with beans and other grains. I started looking into those protein "shots" and they just reminded me of those 5 Hour Energy drinks that are so toxic. I know I'll have to do some shakes (and I'll definitely take a peek at that bariatriceating.com site) but only as a Plan B. Thanks again for your input everyone!

Thank you both for your replies, they are very helpful! BetsyB, I will definitely look into that lotion you mentioned! And thanks for the well wishes, Bella! 5/13 can't come fast enough! :smile: Just curious - have either of you had any issues with any particular grains? I know rice is sometimes not very well tolerated, but any experience with any of the other grains? Bulgur, spelt, farro, wheat berry? I am very fond of quinoa (technically a seed) as it is considered a "complete" Protein. I'm not opposed to protein supplements, I just don't want to rely on them too heavily. Thanks again, ladies!

I'm a big fan of eastern philosophies when it comes to food (consuming a predominantly regional, plant-based diet with an increased sense of awareness) particularly as described in Paul Pitchford's "Healing with Whole Foods" and T. Colin Campbell's "The China Study". I'm not convinced that a vegan, raw food, or macrobiotic lifestyle is entirely necessary, but I admire the teachings and the discipline. So my question is: has anyone ever attempted to lose their weight specifically combined with a whole food, perhaps eastern-based lifestyle? I mean, I know a minimally processed, nutrient dense diet is the *ideal* we strive for, but has anyone (either on these forums, an author, or on another website) ever lost all of their weight with this specific focus and documented some of the benefits? I'm looking for a good resource to help me out. I'm not a vegetarian, but I've never been a big fan of meat so I worry about getting enough Protein and I don't want to rely solely on Protein drinks. My hope is that by loading myself up with all these amazing powerhouse foods and antioxidants I will give my body every fighting change of bouncing back to optimal condition. I don't want to just lose weight, I want to be strong and vibrant and healthy from the inside out. Like we all do! Along these same lines, are there any supplements (Vitamin E, for example) that people take that are particularly good for maintaining skin composure/elasticity as we shrink? What about topical treatments, such as cocoa butter? I've spent a lot of time reading books on pre/post LAP-BAND® lifestyle and the do's and don'ts both in books and on this website. Now I wanna go a step or two deeper... :smile:

I'm on the other end of the spectrum. My insurance approval was insanely quick. Just a telephone conversation with a nutritional consultant and a psych evaluation. My surgeon's office is committed to giving me as much support as I need, but I do feel I kinda missed out on a good opportunity to really, really educate and prepare myself for the rest of my life. So while the impatient side of me is relieved, the worry-wart side of me is concerned.

Wow, this made me giddy!! I haven't worn shorts (comfortably) since middle school!!

I'm a May 13th Bandster!! I just made all my pre-op doctor appointments today. I'm stuck in tax season hell for 9 more days and then I can really focus on trying to adopt some early healthy habits! I had a surprisingly effortless insurance approval journey, but I still fear that final bill - hopefully no surprises. I'm on a HSA PPO that I've never really utilized before, so we'll see... I first started coming around here last month and I was so jealous of all the April Bandsters! Now it's our turn, we're up next!! :thumbdown:

I got my surgery date today too!! I gotta wait 'til after tax season unfortunately, but May 13th is my day!

I'm in a very similar boat. I'm waiting on insurance approval (which I expect to have this week) and then a surgery date either in mid April or mid May. I just barely squeaked by the BMI requirement (I had to slouch a bit) so I know I don't want to actively try to lose weight right now, but I'm also terrified of gaining. I feel like my body is at its bursting point and if I gain another pound I'll do an irreversible amount of damage (new stretch marks, etc.) At the same time, while I'm very much looking forward to working hard and conquering my bad habits (and there are many) with the help of this tool, in the interim I've found I've been splurging a bit more knowing my days of eating for pleasure and fun are just about over. Not to mention I'm an accountant and April is my biggest stress eating month of the year AND my birthday is in April so there will be lots of meals and drinking centered around that...I am definitely worried I'm setting myself up for disaster! I don't know if all this is "part of the process" but I definitely feel the same way you do and vulnerable is a great way to describe it! But you know what? We've made it this far. We're not going to crumble in the next few weeks/months. We just have to see through the end of this journey - the one where we're often left feeling controlled by food - and then we can start our new one! We can do it!

You sure do know a lot about bad surgeons! Know any good ones you can recommend? I realize this may come off as defensive, but that's not my intention. I have personal friends and family members who have been to Dr. Liu and have had nothing but wonderful things to say about him and his staff. However, that's no reason to ignore the bad. Would you be willing to cite the source of this information and perhaps a contact number? I would be most anxious to speak with your acquaintance.

I've always wondered about those! Great to know, I'm still in the "how am I gonna eat only liquids and mushy foods for three weeks" phase. I can't wrap my head around it just yet, but knowing there are solutions out there really helps! :thumbup:

My surgeon Dr. Carson Liu who will be performing the operation at Cedars. So far him and his team have been a dream to work with.

I'm in the same boat too, KarissaLyn - I was just too embarrassed to say it! I didn't even think the Lap Band was a legitimate system prior to last Wednesday! So to be told suddenly that I'm a good candidate and this could be the tool I need to finally concur my weight problems and then be told I have to wait wait wait is making me anxious to say the least. From insurance to trying to gauge my future success, I'm kind of a basket case. But I do know that reading all these lovely replies has helped calm me down a great deal and accept the long, rewarding journey ahead. I hope it's working for you too. :thumbup: Also, BetsyB, thank you for this: The "arbitrary no" is exactly what I've been the most anxious about. It's good to hear that if the requirements are met (whatever they may be) I cannot be denied. :smile:

I find this topic interesting because I have been struggling with it myself. I am only in the pre-insurance approval phase, but my brother and my boyfriend know. Some days I want to jump up and down and tell EVERYONE and some days I just want to keep it between the three of us. I've started up e-mails telling people about my decision only to delete them unsent. I think I will probably wait until I have some success to stand behind and then I won't be able to shut up about it! :smile: I work with a group of terminal dieters who also happen to be quite chatty/gossipy. If I do lose weight they will certainly ask "how I did it" and if one knows, they'll all know. So the work bridge will have to be crossed sloooooooooooooowly.

All of you Anthem BCBS peeps are making me SMILE UNCONTROLLABLY! I know my miles may vary but that's who I have and I JUST started the process. I know they cover the surgery but I don't know if they'll cover me and I am so worried they're going to drag this process out weeks, if not months, and just deny me in the end. At least if I'm denied tell me NOW so I can make other plans. I'll keep my fingers crossed I have a similar experience! :smile:

I just had my consultation yesterday as well! I am pretty decided in favor of the band (gastric bypass is not something I would consider) and am currently waiting to find out the insurance situation. I had previously believed that if insurance refused to cover it I would self-pay (with financing) but reading ForMyBoys' horror stories about complications not being covered, I will definitely reconsider the self-pay option!

Hi, I'm new here. Very new. Like, this is my first post! I'm in the insurance limbo phase myself (I know my insurance covers it, but I don't know what hoops they're making me jump through just yet...) and the anticipation is killing me! I'm just curious though: for those of you who had to do the six month monitored diet and exercise program, would you mind if I asked what insurance provider you have? I agree that regardless of our impatience to start our new life, it's gotta be a good thing overall, but yeah...if there's even the slightest chance I'm gonna need that I want to start making calls and appointments now! I am beyond anxious! Thanks in advance for your replies! :smile: