peacequeen

Thanks everyone. I think I want to wait and talk to the surgeon himself before I make any decisions. I would also like to make him aware of what happened to me in the office. The surgeon I picked is with a center of excellence hospital. He's done thousands of these procedures with no mishaps and he is supposedly the best in our state so I think HIS abilities are fine. I think it's just a few of his staff that need to regroup and get their act together. On that note, I posted when it was still fresh and I was angry and frustrated so I'll cool off and talk to him and hopefully get better answers than I did at the office. Thanks again for yall letting me vent.

I was told at the seminar that the surgeon would be at this consultation..he said it himself. He would be there to "go over all the steps of the surgery of your choice and answer any questions". He used to be a general surgeon but now only does WLS so not sure if he had an emergency being reason for his absence. The doctor's office specifically..3 times..stated the diet was my insurance companys' requirement. I don't mind the 6 month diet but was just misinformed by someone and it's frustrating. 2 different people from their office told me "not to lose too much weight". When I told the nutritionist that someone in their office told me not to lose too much weight,,that is when she told me to let everything she told me about the diet to fly over my head..etc. My insurance does pay for the sleeve but I just don't think I could have half my stomach removed..it's just too invasive for me. I had my mind set on the band..I'm just questioning everything now and i hate that because I was so sure, so positive. But if my health keeps me from the having the surgery anyway,,guess it won't matter. I hope I haven't just paid hundreds of dollars for them to tell me I can do nothing. Of course I'm depressed and anxious. I'm carrying 135 extra pounds, I'm sick and this process is just so overwhelming. I didn't have this much trouble getting approved for disability. Thanks, Honk for listening to my venting.

I go to my pre op appt tomorrow. During this visit, I will see the nutritionist for the first time. When they mailed me a packet to fill out for this appt, included was a form for the nutritionist. I'm supposed to list everything I had to eat in the past 24 hours. My question is, will it hurt the decision of my surgery if I have bad things on this list that I ate? I mean, I'm overweight for a reason and I'm not currently "dieting". But I'm hating to write down what I'm eating today, knowing that she/he will see what I'm eating and think, no wonder you're fat. I don't want them to think I'm not trying either so I don't know what to do. I don't want to lie either. I'm an experienced (unsuccessful) dieter, I know what I should and shouldn't have but I am kinda out of control on what I eat..the reason I'm getting the band. Any suggestions?

I thought I was an emotional eater but now I don't know. I've heard so many on here say they think they have a bottomless pit for a stomach and I kinda feel that way too. I've heard people on here say that if you are an emotional eater, the band may not work for you. That has me thinking, should I even bother? It's also making me question,,am I an emotional eater..really..or am I just fat person with a big appetite...or maybe I'm both? I'm trying to find reasons to not be an emotional eater so that I can be happy with my decision to get the band. Does anyone have any views on this? I am a big over thinker, I really analyze things (I just realized the word "anal" is in that word)

Zandile, that is so good to hear! I can't wait now. I think that is the exact thing I need to help me quit eating..as you put it..mindlessly. I never think before I eat anymore. When I did weight watchers, atkins or any other diet, I had to constantly remind myself as I was eating that I couldn't have certain foods or so much of it. And when I ended up eating it anyway to comfort me, I would feel guilty. But guilt is eventually repressed. If I would've had actual pain from eating that cupcake, I would've either thought long and hard on it or not given it a thought. The "tool" is starting to make much more sense to me. Thank you!

I called my insurance company today to ask a few questions about my benefits. When all was done, the respresentive said, I hope you don't mind me saying but my husband had lapband and to reassure you, he is doing fantastic. As long as you follow the rules, she told me I would do great. I thought that was really nice that she would share that. Anytime I've ever spoken with a rep on the phone with any company, I have never gotten such a personable response. I thought this was so encouraging and just wanted to share.

I wish I knew the whole diet process from beginning to end. I want to know what to expect as I'm starting to get really psyched about having the surgery. I'm having alot of preop diets stuff to go through so I'm sure it will be a while but I'd like to know what I'm headed for. I'd love it if an experienced bander could tell me how they have dieted as they decided to get the band (preop), when they got the band and now that things have settled in. Maybe some samples of what you've had to eat and how it was to be prepared. Thanks!

Oh wow..that's not right. They should've disclosed any out of pocket fees way in advanced. I was informed at the seminar of a program fee of 500.00, split into 2 payments..1 due at the consultation and the other before my surgery date (I don't have a date yet). I was told there would be out of pocket amounts due the day of my consultation that the insurance wouldn't cover. My consult will include labs, psych eval, nutritionist and surgeon..along with any questions for the insurance coordinator. Back in Feb. they mailed me a packet of info that included what I would need to pay before my surgery. I have to pay about 400.00 at my consult. I have a deductible I have to meet, co insurance amt and annual out of pocket that will be billed after the surgery. I would want specifics on what that "after care" includes. It might be for services you don't really need..(say if you have an emergency in the middle of the night, I would probably head to a nearest ER instead of calling my lapband surgeon). I'd ask if any of these fees are optional. You shouldn't have to pay any extra for the regular care that was to be included in the cost of the surgery. Good luck! I hope it all works out..sorry to ramble on but I absolutely hate surprises when it comes to money.lol With the economy the way it is..you have to plan.. You have 2 days, well I think that is insane!

I'm so sorry, just realized I had gotten a response to this. Thank you very much, that was very good info. I'm not really looking forward to mushies and such..I hope I can tolerate the textures. I have a hard time with that..but I'll adapt, I'm sure : )

I have friends that would fear this surgery would change me. That maybe I wouldn't be "one of them" anymore once I lost all the weight. You might reassure them,,in some way, that you will still be the same person when your thin as when you were overweight. You might also ask them what risks do they know that you don't know about? I'd try educating them. Sometimes when you include a person in your journey, they may just need that attention of being part of it. This is just what I would do to ease my friends' minds. But in the end, I have to do what's best for me, regardless. Good luck to you!

Thanks, everyone. Cheri, I agree and I am currently in therapy for various reasons so it's encouraging to hear that it helped you. Congrats on your awesome success! I will also be seeing a psychiatrist on the 10th, the day of my consult. She/he will be doing my pre surgery eval, hopefully they can give some insight along with the nutritionist to help with my eating habits..eating just because it's so good.

As I am one that is anxiously waiting for the whole process to take place..OMG..please don't cancel!!! When you regret it, it's not going to be easy to reschedule as you may have figured out if you read around this site. As everyone has already stated,,even some that have already had the surgery..it's ok to be scared. That is very normal. I think what made me finally decide I'm going to pursue this with a "no fear" attitude was when I went to the park last week and tried to walk. I have a form of muscular dystrophy on top of my weight plus alot of other health problems but as I walked at a snails pace around the circle, stopping often to rest, I heard snickers from teenagers as I would walk by. Then a skinny little thing ran past me..twice before I made it 1/4 of the way around. Then to top that off, an elderly couple briskly passed me and I heard the wife telling another passer by that her husband was doing so great. It was his 4th time around the trail and he had just had surgery and only had 1 lung. Then and there made me realize, I have got to do this. I cried my way back to my car feeling weak and tired, huffing a puffing. I hated myself and what I had become. I know it isn't going to cure every disease I have but it sure is going to make my quality of life so much better and I will be able to tolerate so much more than I can now..like enjoying activities with my children. Something as simple as climbing bleachers,,it's very embarrassing to be the one stuck in the "special section" during assemblies that involve my kids or grandkids. People don't know that I'm sick, they look past that and see a fat person first. I have so many reasons to do this and so few to not. Set yourself down and make a list of why you shouldn't and why you should have the surgery and this will probably help you get over some of the pre surgery jitters. Good luck and God bless!

I'm like Rainy, I want to hear about it all. I think if I know what's going on, chances are it can be taken care of promptly than to not know and alot of time go by before the problem is found out then it might be too late. With the list of my medical problems, I'll take the bad with the band over what I have going on anyday. I'm one of those that has high hopes that the band will not only help me look better but help improve some of my health problems. I am also glad to hear everyone remind us that the bad is probably bad but could be worse..but the good is oh so good and will only get better

I definitely think I'm an emotional eater, a binge eater (I don't make myself throw up) but I do overwhelm myself with loads of guilt. I also just love love love food and it is a friend to me for whatever reason. I guess because I can count on it. Maybe it's for life's disappointments, tragedies, mid-life..who knows? Each of you make very good points and will help me ponder WHY am I eating? I have a journal that I was writing in but I never have taken the time or even thought to write about my relationship with food. It's so odd to think that I have a relationship with something like food..for crying out loud! Why can't I be in love with an eliptical machine or treadmill?lol I was a little bummed that I may have to go through a 6 month pre op diet (I will find out on the 10th what will be expected of me) but maybe I need a little extra time to get these thoughts sorted and get on track about my future with food. Thanks, everyone! Because of this site, I'm learning so much and I've even become a little more patient.

It's in the top right corner.

You don't have to respond.lol But I thought it was really awesome how you responded to each post individually. I've never seen anyone do that and I thought it was really nice

I'm so happy for you, Shirley. I'm sure you were stressed to the max and you must be one tough cookie to keep it from beating you down. Here are links for a tutorial on setting up the ticker and the site where you get one,,they have quite a few to choose from. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/124594-ticker-tutorial-for-vst-lbt-with-pictures/page__p__1573140__hl__tutorial__fromsearch__1#entry1573140 http://www.tickerfactory.com/ezticker/ticker_designer.php?type=3 Good luck and look forward to seeing how things progress for you!

Good information! Glad you're ok, Acadia! Congrats on your success with the band. You're doing fantastic

By the way, I think what minimeme was referring to was,,,did you really see Shirley posting?

Shirley, please quit giving these crack pots the satisfaction of trying to make you look stupid. I do not care about your grammar. I think many feel the same way. I think it's perfectly appropriate to post in caps when you are upset. You owe them no explanation. I'll apologize now for any spelling or punctuation errors, your highness, doctor of the universe. Oh, should I have capitalized any of that? Yeah, I'm a smart a.. but I have no respect for people who don't give respect.

generally

I've been so busy focusing on my past, it's been hard to see my future. I've posted this before but I haven't gotten alot of responses to several of my posts,,maybe I bore people or I'm too sad? I lost my parents in an auto accident and a 24 mth old nephew to drowning. I've developed a bunch of health problems and gained over 100 pounds in the process. I've been so down and out and depressed. All of these things have been stirring in my mind along with alot of personal issues from my childhood. I have had a constant fear of failure because of my eating disorder being due to the fact I am an emotional eater also. It's all been getting in my way of living. I've been self doubting and having the pity party of my life. This post has been exactly what I've needed to hear so thanks to all who have commented. I'm so sorry it's at the expense of Myzz Courtney's post about her brother passing. I'm so very sorry. But your post was here for a reason..funny that the responses YOU received have really touched me. Trish's post has really made me put some things into perspective. I will wake up tomorrow making some changes. I've been waiting for this moment. Courtney, try to stay focused and know that your brother would want you to live a healthy life. Do this in honor of him! Good luck sweetie, hopefully we can all stick together on here that have emotional problems and issues in our lives.. I know I could use the support. Feel free to contact me anytime if you want to talk. I think you're doing great really, considering what you've just went through a couple months ago. Sounds to me like you are an amazing person.

I took metformin for steroid induced diabetes..was on prednisone for an autoimmune condition. Metformin didn't help me much and certainly didn't help me lose weight. I think prediabetes is one of the co morbidities included to get approval for lapband so I would think surgery would only help you.

Thank you all for the honest replies. 7 years ago I had gotten myself down to a very healthy person. Running and excercising were part of my everyday life. I wasn't on a diet but I watched what I ate. I was 157 pounds wearing size 10/12. It seems like a lifetime and over 100 pounds ago. I think that makes me feel like I have failed and what if I fail again? I have alot going on in my life which could be some of the cause for me sounding like an out of control and desperate person. Reaching my mid 40's has brought up some things from my past and my childhood that I'm having a hard time coping with and it couldn't have come at a worse time because it is impacting everything. I lost my parents in an auto accident in '99, I have a child with special needs. I am disabled now due to an autoimmune condition along with some other health issues. My husband went to 3rd shift to help me when I got sick. He's stuck there for a while so I rarely see him and I'm lonely alot. My oldest son is going off to college in the fall and though I am so proud of his achievements, I'm already mourning his absence. I am currently seeing a therapist, hoping he can help me with some of my emotional problems. I do want to go into this with the mindset I should have. I've been educating myself for months here at this site and other sites, I've talked to people who have had the procedure and I have attended the seminar. I've watched videos of the actual procedure. I seem to get really excited about the life change I will have. I know the sacrifices to be made with the band and the outcome it can bring. I just don't want to be a failure again.