Hi all,

Thought I would introduce my self. My name is Heather and I live in Connecticut. I am a pediatric homecare nurse. I have been exploring the options for WLS for a few years now and in November of 2007 I went to my first WLS seminar. I have now completed five out of the six required nutrition and exercise meetings. I have finished my two visits with psych AND DRUM ROLL PLEASE….. It has been two and a half weeks since I had a cigarette! I have my first meeting with the nutritionist tomorrow. I will have to do a 5 day diet that my doctor calls an atkins diet from hell and then come back in to see if I am

in ketoacidosis (even my doctor thinks this is dumb, but it is a hoop that one of the older docs insists upon. I will jump through any hoops that will get me to my goal.) After I complete this they will submit my paper work for insurance approval. I have no idea how long approval will take. Then I have to do pre-op testing. I am hoping to have my surgery by the end of summer. (If I am honest I hope to have it by the middle of July) Does anyone know the dx code and procedure

code for a fill so I can find out my insurances policy on them (I have highmarks BC/BS.) I have started working on bandster habits. I have been measuring my food and while a lot of the time I find the right portion satisfying, the hunger comes back usually within 2-3hrs. I can't wait to have a band help me with that. I know that the band won't help me with the boredom or emotional eating but if I am not physically hungry a lot of the time I am hoping it will be easier to deal with the head hunger. I have also been working on not drinking during meals and slowing down and chew chew chewing my food. The slowing down has been the hardest for me; I have trained myself over the years to gobble down my food so that I have time for a cigarette during my break. I have decided to not worry about the soda and I will let that resolve itself with the surgery. I anticipate that it will be like most of you say after not drinking it for awhile I just won't want it. I have a long list of the reasons I want to do this and my goals for weight loss. The last five months

have flown by. I am really hoping that the next few do too.

Now onto the questions and comments lol:

1) I am 34 years old and have one 13yo dtr we would like to have more children but my weight has made this more difficult. Has anyone heard of anyone conceiving after the lap band? Was there any increased risk? How did it impact their weight loss post baby?

2) You guys are an amazing group of people the way you support each other. I am really glad that I found this group. I can tell that it will be a resource that I will use frequently. You all are an

amazing fount of information.

3) Right now I am so overweight and out of shape that I am finding it really hard to do any exercise. I am thinking that after I have lost some weight I will be able to exercise better. Has anyone found this to be true?

4) How long are most of you in the hospital? I was under the impression that I would be in for a max of one day, barring any unexpected complications.

5) Is anybody from Connecticut in here?

Hi Heather and welcome to LBT!

Now onto the questions and comments lol:

1) I am 34 years old and have one 13yo dtr we would like to have more children but my weight has made this more difficult. Has anyone heard of anyone conceiving after the lap band? Was there any increased risk? How did it impact their weight loss post baby? My doctor has had several (I think about a dozen) patients that have concieved and now have children post-banding.

2) You guys are an amazing group of people the way you support each other. I am really glad that I found this group. I can tell that it will be a resource that I will use frequently. You all are an amazing fount of information. Girl this is a great place to come. The support here is wonderful and there is so much information available.

3) Right now I am so overweight and out of shape that I am finding it really hard to do any exercise. I am thinking that after I have lost some weight I will be able to exercise better. Has anyone found this to be true? I had problems even getting out of my car pre-surgery. I still can't run a flight of stairs, but have started exercising. I walk 2-3 miles a day (3-4 days a week), play racquetball and swim when I don't walk. My energy level has trippled. It has become a lot easier to exercising because I don't have the weight (even after 30 pounds lost) on my knees and joints.

4) How long are most of you in the hospital? I was under the impression that I would be in for a max of one day, barring any unexpected complications. I went for my surgery at 7:00 a.m. and was home by 1:00 the same afternoon. Some insurance carriers will have you stay overnight. I think it depends on your doctor and policy.

5) Is anybody from Connecticut in here?

Sorry, can't help there - I'm in Georgia. I think there may be a Connecticut Forum group. Just browse around...you are more than likely to find someone.

Good luck with everything. You can always PM me if you have any questions.

Hi Welcome! I am also from Connecticut (gales ferry) and getting banded on june 20th. Good luck!

hi my name is sil, i,m from ct, waterbury not band as of yet anyway welcome.i have to do the 6 dietian classes for insurane ,, maybe banded around oct, nov this year i also started practiceing all the things the nut, told me to i have a while to go,they have all kinds of topics on everything i come visit the site everyday, wish you luck.

Hi my name is Heather also just registered tonight. I just started my Journey through Midstate in Meriden. I start my weight loss classes next wed and go for my sleep apnia test at the time also.I have AETNA Health Insurance and so foar so good !! The oly thing thatmakes me angry:cursing: is the fact that my insurance doesn't cover counsling with Diatician... Are u kiddin me...we want to see that u can loose weith but we won't help u.

What Hopsital are you going through?

Allie morris where are you having your surgery? Any suggestions on shedding the pre-op weight I have done tons of reading and I know lots have done Atkins.

Hi All,

It is nice to see so many people from CT here. Even though I live n Wethersfield, I am having my surgery done at St. Rapheal's in New Haven by Dr. Steven Yood. I have known him for years and I would not go to anyone else. I was supposed to have my meeting with the nutritionist last week on the 13th but she called me that day and needed to reschedule. My appt. is now next thur the 26th. I was so bummed when she called because that just delays everything. I know it is only 2 weeks but being so close to the finish line I really was upset. I am so ready for everything to be done.

Allie you arealmost there!! How are you doing? Please keep us posted. I would love to talk to you after surgery to see how you are doing.

Hi Heather Vasquez.. I am getting banded at St. Vincents in Bridgeport tomorrow the 20th!!! Woo hoo.. I have lost 22 pounds since I started pre op diet.. which was optifast for 2 weeks.. now I am on the 2 day clear liquid diet. Do you have a date scheduled for surgery?? You can email me at 1morrisfamily@comcast.net if you have any other questions.. I will let you know how the banding goes tomorrow..

Good for you :crying: I'm still on my journey I have my sleep Apnea test wed & my 1st Nutrition class the same night also. My Ins gave a green light in the beggining as long as this process takes 6 mos. I'm trying things to adjust my weight ahead of time like reducing carbs, eliminating soda & Not drinking during meals. It was suggested by the Dr. I loose 26 lbs before surgery. :ohmy: :confused:I'm concerned on how I'm going to do it since 10 has always been the max!!!. I'm so excited an ready for this change in my life there are so many things i want to do with my girls!!! please keep me posted and am willing to take tips from someone who has been through this recently. Good luck on the Liquid I heard it can be difficult but there is that liht at the end of the tunnel to keep you on track!! my personal email address is heather.vasquez@yahoo.com