I've been spending a lot of time in Rants & Raves since I joined LBT, partly because it's fun, but also because for the most part it's very GLBT friendly. Unless I haven't looked in the right place, I don't think there's a support thread for us, so I decided to start one!

A little about me. I'm Eddie & I'm a 42-year-old Gay man. I have a partner of just over nine years (henceforth referred to as DH), a 17-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter. DH and I are stupid. Don't believe me, just ask our kids. DH has hypothyroidism and had not been able to lose any weight after his thyroid "went nuts" several years ago. I've just been overweight all my life. He was banded on 2/21/07 and I'm getting mine next Wednesday (5/16). I can't wait!

Anyway, I would love to hear from all the GLBT folks out there. Hopefully this can be a place for us to freely discuss our unique issues and get support we may not be able to get elsewhere.

Hey my people.

I just want to say, as of this morning I hit my half way to goal mark! I'm so excited and happy.

I had to be up at 5:30 this morning, which isn't fun for me, but when I saw the scale I didn't care about the time. You can't smack the smile off my face!

That's 90 lbs in 9 months... Woo Hoo.

I hope in 9 months I can say the same thing. All I can say right now is ouch, ouch and ouch. I had my gall bladder out in July and the pain was less than half of this pain. Lots of CO2 pain in my neck, a little nauseated and pain in my side. I am miserable but looking forward to feeling better.

Caresa!

:faint:

:whoo::whoo::whoo: Juli! I just joined curves today, hoping to catch up to you :rose:........................ they said the band was like a 3 leg stool. exercise is one of them and I was definately missing that. My job is fairly active and I argued that it was enough, but you know what? sometimes I'm wrong!

Dana and Caresa, happy to hear from you , you will both be great (and skinny!) in no time!!:clap2:

Hey Peeps~

Juli...that is amaz:Banane20::rose::Banane20::Banane20::Banane20::Banane20::Banane20::Banane20::Banane20::Banane20::Banane20::Banane20::Banane20:ing! You get the boobies for sure!!! The boobie bananas are what I award to success stories on the Shrinking Violets thread! I am proud of you!

Caresa and Dana~ Welcome to bandland! Take and enjoy your meds...they help w/ healing!

I am pooped out, but will try to post more tomorrow! Been so freakin busy, had a fill on Thursday! Trying to lose 3 pounds by Wed.

xoxoxo

Pamela

Thanks for all the boobies!!!!

We need to make a phone date and catch up! How's Wed or Thurs look for you super busy schedule?

:rose:

Juli~ boobies are always my pleasure:heh:. You've done an amazing job!

Thursday is better...I have study group Wed. I have Jazzercise @ 5-6:30...anytime after that. You call me or I call you?

You call me, you still have my number, right?

boobies are always my pleasure

EWW! There are boys here, remember??

Dana and Caresa, welcome to BandLand!! Caresa, I promise the CO2 pain will go away. I just can't promise when. Mine lasted about six weeks, but it did truly get better every day. It wasn't in my neck though, it felt like I had swallowed a brick. Sean's was in one shoulder. It's funny how differently it affects people.

I need to go to the grocery store in the morning to weigh (I use the same scale all the time and yeah, it's in the grocery store behind our house). I weighed tonight and was at the same place I was Tuesday morning. The thing is, I always weigh about 3 to 5 lbs heavier late in the day, so I think I've lost at least a couple of lbs this week. <fingers crossed> I do need to follow Jo's example and get back into the gym. God knows we're paying for it every month...

Oh My:p we girls do love boobies! I'm so bummed though cuz mine are shrinking faster than anything else:(. I'm sure you don't care Eddie, but ..............think the gym will help ?LOL I'll be hiking up my thighs to fill in the boobs ! actually, can they do that.....hum.....

Oh My:p we girls do love boobies! I'm so bummed though cuz mine are shrinking faster than anything else:(. I'm sure you don't care Eddie, but ..............think the gym will help ?LOL I'll be hiking up my thighs to fill in the boobs ! actually, can they do that.....hum.....

Hey, maybe they could take some of my tummy apron to give me an ass!

I want butt implants too!

A butt implant is someting I would never need.....baby has always had back

Maybe a butt lift would be in order.

Caresa

Have you seen before and after pics of women with 'back'? You can see such a difference, but they keep the cute roundness.

I on the other hand havenoassatall.

You'll be looking super fine shortly.

J

:faint:

Well, I have been denied by Cigna. My paperwork was submitted to them on September 20th and I got the letter dated September 28th this weekend. So needless to say, it was a crappy weekend. I was doing really good on my no-carb diet too and I totally fell off the wagon all day yesterday. I am back on today though. The letter basically regurgitated all of the requirements you have to pass for them to approve you. I am confused because as far as I know, I have met all of them. I spoke with the insurance coordinator who has been extremely helpful though this whole process. She said she also got the letter and doesn’t understand the reason for denial either. She said I have met all of their requirements. I really feel like calling Cigna some really bad names right now! I feel like I have jumped though a million f-ing hoops for them and then they have the nerve to send me some cryptic freakin letter. It really pisses me off! But I have confidence in Amanda (the insurance coordinator). She said that she is going to have Dr. Kim (the surgeon) do a peer-to-peer with the medical director (I think she meant Cigna) to find out what the problem is. Dr. Kim will be in surgery today and tomorrow so the earliest he can do it is Wednesday. I am tired of waiting but what is a few more days after I have been going through everything for months right? I am still confident that Cigna will approve me eventually. I have done all they asked and I am sure that they are just being nit-picky. Once Dr. Kim calls them, I don’t think they will be able to weasel out of approval. Pray that they approve me soon! I want to begin my new life! * Trisha *

I am so sorry this happened to you. You must feel so cheated and angry. If you're like me, I could never have done this without insurance coverage. Sometimes it takes an extra hoop to jump through. I was approved very quickly but DW was denied at first. Both met all requirements...same insurance company...and policy....she's on my insurance. Talk to your insurance coordinator again and see if maybe a big dramatic letter about wanting your life and health back for the sake of you family and to become a more productive member of society would help. That's what did it for DW. Good luck, keep your chin up....don't let the bastards get you down. I'll be thinking of you