**My story so far with getting the Lapband**

(By no way am I trying to make any one feel sorry for me with telling my story but this is just a way to let out some of my feelings and possibly help someone else going through this journey:smile2:)

I have Tricare Prime with Triwest and this is my process so far...

I went in to my primary care giver and asked him about getting the lapband surgery in mid January 09, he told me to wait 3-4 months and exercise 5 days a week and eat lower calories. Which being overweight my whole life I would think he would understand I’ve tried everything and the reason I was asking him for this is because I have tried all of those things and this was my last resort but I walked out feeling embarrassed for even asking and went home and was thinking I would never go back and ask about the lapband again! :huh2:

About a month later my husband and I decided after 5 years together that it would be a nice time to try for a baby. We both always wanted to have kids so I agreed and I came off the Birth Control pill. After 4-5 months with no periods and no ovulation I went in to talk with my OB-GYN and told her I had no periods and I would like to know if she could help me regain my periods so I can try to conceive. I also thought that I could have PCOS. Most of you know if you have no periods you’re not ovulating and ultimately can’t get pregnant. Well she told me that I would have to lose weight before she would help me try for a baby and that if I don’t lose at least 100lbs that there was no hope of her sending me to a fertility doctor to help me get pregnant or find out if I had PCOS. She had read my chart from the previous doctor visit with my primary care giver about me asking about lap band and she advised me to get the surgery, lose weight and come back to see her. I was devastated! I still till this day feel disgusted with myself. I feel so at fault for not being able to conceive. I thought having a baby would kind of take my mind off of the first visit with my primary care giver and make me feel better about myself, cause I thought having a baby is at least something I can do right, but obviously obese women are off limits to having babies, according to my OBGYN.:sad:

So on July 1st, 2009 on my birthday (that was the only day they had available at the time) I went to talk with NEW primary care giver and he told me that I've done my time with waiting and was completely upset and disgusted about what my OBGYN told me so he personally walked me down to the referral desk and gave me the ok to go to the surgeon. I know a lot of people ask why am I getting the surgery and not fighting back with my OBGYN. Well I’ve told myself, I’m not doing this for her, I’m doing it for myself. I’ve struggled with weight all my life and I don’t want my weight to be a discrimtory thing I’ll have to deal again and later on in my life.

Well on to what I’ve done so far, on July 1st my new primary care giver wrote the referral to see the surgeon and I checked online with triwest that night and I found out I was approved for my first consult. :lol:I couldn’t have been happier because it was my birthday and that was the best birthday gift anyone could have given me. On July 8th I went to see the nutritionist, physical therapist (he told me how to exercise) and I saw the psychiatrist. On July 14th I go to see the lapbanding surgeon for my first consult and after that I have to wait to see if Tricare approves me then I’ll be able to schedule my appt for the surgery. I’m hoping for a beginning of August date.

Well there is my long story, I hope this helps someone else that is going through some tough times with lapband and life. Thanks for reading....I’ll keep yall updated on my progress, wish me luck!!

Edited July 13, 200917 yr by chrystinaw

Ok so I'm not going to lie this liquid diet is kicking my butt, lol...I want fooood , lol. BUT, Every time I think about my goal I snap myself back in place and just don't think about food as much. But I had two funny things to share that happened to me today as far as food goes. I go and check the mail, just trying to do anything to keep my mind off of food, which by the way I didn't realize how much I thought about food until I wasn't allowed to have any, lol. Anyways, there is an ad in the mail box for Papa John’s, everything looked so darn good, lol I was walking back to the house and was thinking oh I guess I'll order pizza and wings tonight instead of cooking dinner, then I walked in and saw my protein drink on the coffee table and remembered, Oh yeah I can't eat regular food!, lol, I thought it was funny because I totally forgot I was on the liquid diet. The other funny thing is I was watching TV today and I saw a commercial for KFC. I'm not a big fan of KFC but today it looked like heaven, lol...I guess food does have a big impact on my mind and I just don't realize it because I always have it when I want it, need it, etc. Anyways I thought I’d share my stories, I wonder if anyone else has gone through this. I just thought it was weird that I totally forgot I was on the liquid diet and was so planning on picking up the phone to call Papa John’s when I walked in the house :tt2:. It’s ok though, I'll get through it. Honestly, it’s not as hard as I really thought it would be, its hard but not impossible (I hope that makes sense). I think I'm not really "hungry" I think I just miss the fact of chewing food. I made protein jello shots and protein pudding and I have those for snacks, I really look forward to snack time:tt2:. Ok I'm done rambbling. If anyone has some stories to tell about their liquid diet, please feel free, I love a funny story. Talk to you guys later.

Christna, how are you? If you think this is hard, there was one thing I forgot to mention before. After you get banded you will see food porn for weeks!:huh2: I literally had a hard time watching anything other than the food network!:juggle:

Then when I would watch something else it would have food in it. You start to realize how many food ads are in TV. So hon be prepared!

Thanks gone4ever, I'm doing well, I started to not watch TV as much and that really really helps. I've been glued to my Korean Soaps so that has been keeping me busy and not thinking about food, lol. I'm half Korean that’s why I'm watching Korean soaps, if you were wondering, lol. I really haven't been "Hungry", the Muscle Milk protein shakes and cream of wheat really have been keeping me full, it’s just the mental game of “I want to chew something” or when I see an ad or TV offer, that’s when it just kills me, lol, but I know my goal so it’s been snapping me back in place if I think about it. thanks for your advise! :juggle:

Your welcome. I am excited for you. I think you will do great.

Hey hope2bthinr, Sorry you have to go through all of this I know it must be annoying beyond belief! Just hang in there it will all be wroth the wait in the end!! I hope things go faster for you!!! Keep me updated on your progress! Hugs :laugh:

Thanks for the encouragement!! At least this is the last test I need, unless something comes up but I'm pretty healthy, so it's unlikely. Turns out I'm scheduled now :tt2: for the EGD procedure on Tuesday so just a few more days!! Then waiting for results from the echo and EGD to get to the surgeons office so they can submit to insurance....so I'm very hopeful I'll be an August bandster. :smile2: OMG!! I can't believe I'm this close....it seemed like forever...

I can just imagine what I'm going to be writing when I'm on that darn liquid diet!! LOL! Stay tuned..... I may end up repeating your words!! HA HA HA :wink2: Really, I feel for ya. But it is all going to be worth it, very soon, if we all just hang in there. Right? It is going to feel so good to not carry around these extra pounds.

Good for you. I've been approved. I have the chest xray,bloodwork and the upper GI test to do on 8/4. I hope i get scheduled as quick as yours. Good luck.

Hey jeanbeanie & hope2bthinr, I am so incredibly happy for you guys. Only a few more testing’s and you'll be on your way to getting the surgery. I hope we can be August Bandsters together. Believe me all this waiting and testing’s will all be worth it in the end :laugh:!!! Much bandster dust to you guys and all who need it!!! ~Hugs~:tt2:

Edited July 31, 200917 yr by chrystinaw

I have 9 more days till surgery!!! It still seems unreal to me!

Oh, I've lost 10lbs since my consult with the surgeon, that's unbelievable to me, I'm happy with that and I'm sure the surgeon will be happy as well.

Edited August 1, 200917 yr by chrystinaw

I have 9 more days till surgery!!! It still seems unreal to me!

How exciting!

Oh, I've lost 10lbs since my consult with the surgeon, that's unbelievable to me, I'm happy with that and I'm sure the surgeon will be happy as well.

That's great!

Well, my last test is done!!! YYEAAAYY!!! Now just waiting on the paperwork to be submitted to insurance for authorization. tick tock! Keep all fingers and toes crossed!! I may be an August bandster!! Woohoo!

congrats on getting approval.

Edited August 5, 200917 yr by tamioutoftime
didn't see recent posts.

Hey hope2bthinr, I hope you get your approval soon!!! I'm wishing you luck!!!

Hey tamioutoftime, thanks for the congrats!!! Are you going through the process of getting the Lap Band?

I'm waiting, trying to be patient, but am not really. I've already been checking the Tricare website....I know, nuts!! But I am so anxious!! I just want to see that authorization and know I can move on with this new beginning.

I have a long story so I'm gonna try to sum this up as much as possible. I recently left an abusive relationship after 18 years. I Literally WOKE up one day (after having a beatdown) and said to myself I WASN'T going to TAKE IT anymore.... Little did I know, this was only the beggining of my Journey. I've been dependent on this physcially, verbally abusive Man since I was only 15.. I knew nothing else.. but him and what he wanted...About a couple years back I inquired with my doctor about this procedure.. and I was told I was a perfect canidate.. but... because of living in "darkness" My husband at the time thought it would be UNECESSARY to do this type of procedure... I HAVE NO IDEA why I listend to him then... Maybe fear of getting my jaw cracked for even speakin my mind? whatever it was.. My life didn't belong to me then.. and yeah... THAT WAS THEN.

I'm here now. Away from him, Safe with my kids.. I'm LITERALLY starting my life over.. and ITS WONDERFUL. I think whats even more wonderful...is that I've just been recently approved by my doctor to have this surgery done.. and let me say.. I'M SOO EXCITED!! i've never weighed less than 150lbs in my WHOLE adulthood life.. so losing the Abusive husband and this other "DEAD Weight" is SUCH A Beautiful adventure for me. My Pre-requisite class is next week (8/14/09)!!! :sneaky::w00t: Whats I guess diffrent about me is that.. I'm honestly happy with myself Fat or Skinny.. I guess its because I live in Peace now... and ANYTHING was better than living in that type of life style... I just see this as an upgrade for myself..no more diabetes, no more thigh burn rubs... . lol...which.. I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT!!

so in a nut shell this is my story.. of course there is more.. but.. Again.. I'm just happy because..I'M STARTING MY NEW LIFE!!!

Hey hope2bthinr, I know how you feel....its not "nuts", lol, I did the same thing! I think all will go well...Hoping for the best for you!!!:sneaky:

Hey LaChica707, thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad you are embarking on this journey with all of the bandsters here, lol. I hope all goes well with your surgery and life, and keep me & everyone updated on your status!!! :sneaky:

Edited August 7, 200917 yr by chrystinaw