Bikergirl

Jelustwu I'm still in Pre-Pre OP. I have my consultation on tomorrow. Then I would just need to get the insurance approval or the Plastic comes out, either way it's getting done. I just would prefer insurance to pay. I went to the Thread for the final "GOAL", but I think I should be rewarded for every 10 pounds I loose. I stopped getting my hair done - just pulling it in a ponytail. I stopped get my nails & toes done. I have only bought bigger clothes so I have tons of clothes the size that I was (and trying to get back to). So I figured clothes wouldn't be much of a reward. I'm going to change my signature to reflect my goals and updated information. I have time ALONE - no kids no husband - It's just me and the 3 four legged kids.

JPT I called dr. spivak, but later found out he was no longer in our network. I went to Dr. Speigel's office for the seminar and I thought the information was very informative. Based on the information I've read it may have to do with health. Again "I think" if you are fairly healthy, have had previous surgeries and recover easily and don't require a lot of after care (a side from your fills) then Dr. Speigel would probably be good. If you have had complications in the past, need extra attention to discuss different things, then Spivak would be a good Dr. My mother in law is looking into in and me personally I would refer her to Spivak. She is Morbidly Obese and she has had quite a few medical problems that have resulted in hospital stays. I think she would need some extre TLC. Me on the other had I'm only Severely Obese (ha ha). I need to loose about 80 pounds. I just need him to band and fill me when needed. I've gotten most of my do's and don'ts here and I work odd hours - I can log on type and have 20 post to my 1 question. I love this site - Good luck with your band - I go for my consultation on tomorrow (1/25)

That's funny - did you take before and after pictures?

You know in school you have your different teachers that teach you your different subjects. Well I feel like I have a lot of teachers all over again. I don't mind coming to my Lap Band class. I learn so much. I like the idea of the $5 per pound, but I think I'm going to make a modification. I will have DH deposit $1 per pound and then when I reach goal I will go shopping!!!:clap2: :clap2: I am making a chart with the goals along with the rewards so I can have a visual. I want them to be visual so I will always look at them and know what I'm working for. I think I will incorporate a dance night and bowling night as one of my excercise days. This would be great for DH and I (dancing) and bowling for the whole family. Those are great ways to excercise w/o feeling like you are excercising. The massage also sounds great. That would be great for a close to goal reward. I think I can add facial in there with that. Maybe go to one of those Spa places. Never really looked into the Spa thing - never felt "pretty" enough to go. But look out Spa's here I come!!! Thank you guys so much for your help and I will post a pic of the poster once I get it done. Thanks also for the thread with the additional info!! I'm off today 1/24 so I'll be in here all day!!!

Hello to all my Lower BMIers: I wanted to try something - I am still in the "pre-op" of banding. I have a consultaion on tomorrow and then I just have to wait for the insurance approval (or I'll self-pay). Anyway - I thought I would make a chart and for every 10 pounds I lose I would reward myself. I think this would be a mental thing for me so that I will not get discourage and I have something to work for. So I was wanting some ideas from you guys/gals. I'm making a list of things, so far I have Purse Walking Shoes get my nails & toes done new hair style new outfit weekend get-a-away I could use some help - I didn't want to do anything to expensive just something that would encourage me when I get on the scale and see that I am 1 pound away from that reward I would give myself that extra push!! Thanks everyone.

I hope you are ok Susan. I will remember this when I get banded - I'm sorry you had this bad experience, but glad you shared it with us. I have expereinced the "no time in the morning but need something in my stomach". I bought some Campbell soup "Soup at hand". I find them feeling yet quick - I grab it, pop the top, microwave 1:15 and I'm outta there. Maybe this is something you can grab to have on hand for those times - and you drink it like a soda - even my kids like them!!!

You are so right - because SUPPORT is so important to me - If we meet once a month I will put it on my calender and just try to either be off or trade with a coworker to work a day shift that day - If enough people get into it maybe we could have AM and PM support meetings. I hate the gym scene so I'm going to be a mall walker.....In more ways than one - Walk for health and I can't wait to SHOP TIL I DROP. I have window shopped for so long that the mall will become my friend...and so maybe some of us can meet in the AM and be mall walkers at Deerbrook. BTW - I'm not banded yet but of course if anyone want to join me once I am - I would love to.

I am not banded yet but I am in the process. I would love to meet with you guys and "shoot the breeze". I work nights though so Sunday is a great day - Afternoon/Evening...I go to church in the AM. Starbucks is a great spot - the only thing is there coffee/frappuccinos/etc. are so high in calories and I get weak when I see there SIGN that I would hope we didn't have it there all the time. I know there is a Subway, Pappasitos, and others around there that we could meet, but I'm good. Maybe I will use that day as my reward day and have a "low fat" drink or something.

:clap2: :clap2: Silry My husband and I were watching a "christian show" one day and the minister was talking about counseling a couple - he said the Wife wanted money to shop, the husband said he wanted more sex. He said this is easy, you give him sex and then you give her money, both of you will be happy..... I say that to say this - I reminded my husband of the show we were watching and based on what I've read on a couple of the threads our sex drive will go up (less weight/better movement):clap2: .... If my insurance company won't approve me, he is going to put it on his credit card also....I told him, if I lose some weight, I can give you what you want and I've got what I want....We both are happy:whoo: :whoo: . Needless to say he laughed a little chuckle like and said "Have you had your consultation yet?"

Have you tried looking @ the website for information on your plan. I thought the Dr. I am going to use wasn't in my network - but after checking the myuhc.com website I saw that he was and I am making an appointment for a consultation with him this week. Good Luck

Mindy - I'm not Audree either, but you are on the same "low BMI wagon" I am on along with so many more - I posted almost the same thing - I went to a seminar today (Dr. Speigel in Houston, TX). I am still in the process stage - He actually advised that no matter how many more diets we go on we are not going to be happy - We will continue to yo-yo and I truly feel that way - He said the more diets we do the more weight we gain...or lose then gain back. I can't speak for you, but for me I feel like it is the best thing for me. I am 5'1 and I am 187. For the past 8 years (after I had twins) I have been dieting, popping diet pills, ordering every gimmick off the TV, jumping on the next Atkins, South Beach, and Slim Fast diet you can do. But just like you said - we do it for so long and then we stop. I love to eat also - you that "eat so much that you have to unbutton your pants" eat:omg: . I say food is my FRIEND.....NOT. Food is the enemy right now. I know once I have my band food will be turned from the enemy to my friend because I will be able to eat and know when to stop. Dr. Speigel said that so many people have tried to "FOOL" the band and keep eating, but a fight between the band and you.... the band will win everytime, so just don't do it. I wish you luck with your surgery - Please keep us up dated on your progress. :clap2:

I went to the seminar today - 11am at the Houston Location w/ Dr. Spiegel. It was very informative and I felt very at ease with the information he gave. I didn't have a consultation with him due to time restriction. I really like the fact that this is all he does - no gastric bypasses at all. I so far feel really confident about him doing the surgery. The fact that his staff has had the surgery also really does help. I'm not one that has to talk to the one who performed the surgery at first hand. If the person that I speak with gives me a good reason, solution or answer I feel comfortable. As far as the "cattle call" I think it is misrepresented. There were quite a few people there and a lot was going on. They are aware that "we" have things that we need to, want to get done on Saturdays and they are trying to get you in and out as quickly as possible - those that needed extra time had it and those that have probably been researching it for awhile already know what they want and they are just going through procedure. All I need to do now is have my consultation - get my insurance to approve and BAND me baby!!! I'm hoping to strut my stuff one day on the beach this summer (a thinner me). BTW - If you were at the seminar Today (11am) at the W. Alabama office I would love to KIT and see how things go from here.

I sit and talk on the phone all day - I will sometimes drink a Campbell's Soup at Hand - It's the one that is in the stand up can that you microwave and drink. You don't need a spoon...you drink it. I really like the creamy chicken one - It's quick and at this time it holds me over until I can get to lunch. I'm hoping it starts to be my lunch.:hungry:

Q: Can you drink the Campbell's Soups at Hand

Hello Everyone: I called and enrolled in the next seminar for Dr. Spivak in Houston, TX. I've heard good things about him. I'm glad that I'm not banded right now with this weather we are having. My husband makes some great chili and I would have to be trying to puree it. But, by the time the winter rolls back around I will be skilled at eating. I want to post pictures but I'm scared to have some one take them. I have a self-timer camera but I don't know how to work it. I think I will do it one day when I'm all alone!! I can't wait to go to the seminar. I can finally stand up and say: My name is Veronica, and I'm a closet eater. I eat when everyone goes to bed, in the car before & after going to work, before we go out to eat, just anytime I'm alone. I cound never be balamic - I think that is a waste of food. But, if I could control my eating then I can lose weight. Audree: I'm sorry you were feeling bad....I've learned from your mistake those so I'm glad you shared it with us. My mother always said that I can't make all the mistakes in life so learn from those around me. I hope you take that in a positive way!! DH back - will chat later!!

Ive been struggling with my weight for the last 10 years - I'm only 31 and I'm having a hard time accepting my weight. I've always been active and when I got pregnant (1994) I was around 115 pounds. I thought I could eat anything and lose it later. So I gained 65 pounds with her. Needless to say I wasn't able to "bounce back". I made excuses for not working out and for my eating. Two years later, my husband and I decided to have another baby. Well we had twins (boy/girl). Once again, I was eating for 3, but this time it was healthy eating - I only gained 35 pounds with them. I'm currently weighing 195 pounds - I went from a size 5/6 to a size 18 in the past 10 years. I feel so guilty because I know I'm not as heavy as some and I've been told just workout and eat right - you can lose it - but in my world I can't just workout & eat right. I work 12-14 hour shifts, I have 3 kids and a husband. I try to bring my lunch - drink water - walk, etc. but the weight is not going anywhere. Food is my friend. I find myself stoping to feed me, then going home to cook for my family (and eating also) - I think I've stretched my stomach out so much that it is the size of a soccer ball. I'm unhappy with myself and I feel like if I don't do something I'm not going to be there for my kids. I just want the band to help me control my intake - I eat healthy a lot of the time but I over eat healthy (go figure). I don't want to be skinny like a runway model. I can't find any pictures or any stories about people that need help that are not 100 pounds or less. I need other opinions please let me know what you think. Thanks. Now I feel better.