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My surgeon put it this way to me. You never know where you are going to be in 10 years. he said let's face the facts. People get cancer, sick, pregnant all of the things that come up in life. So if you gastric and you have to go through chemo, or you get pregnant you can't reverse the surgery in order to get the nutrition you need. With the band you can adjust if these terrrible situations happen to help save your life. In my opinion it is the safest way to loose weight, I am waiting for my approval, but from reading the posts on here, to me it seems you will lose how much you want to lose, and depends on how bad you want it. I wish you the best of luck in whatever choice you make and this is your life changing experience to better your health. Do what is best for you and not what your coworkers think is best for you. Your true supporters will support you on whatever you choose.

I am sorry to hear that things are going as planned. I agree with you to go on with surgery! Your hubby may be feeling scared, stressed and maybe even mentally exhausted and worried on what his reponsibilites will be when you return home during your recovery. <en have different way of showing emotions. I know for me in the past have been upset at my husband, when he didn't really know how I felt, and i was being way to sensitive and looking way into the situation more than I needed. You will do great I am very excited for you. Good luck!

I have on told close friends and family. People don't understand unless they are in your shoes. i have had people tell "you don't need the surgery, you are not that over weight" I reply " Thanks for your compliment but I am 100lbs over weight" they reply " well you don't look at it" and then I change the subject. To me it is important that the people i am around everyday are supportive, not anybody else. So I live with my mother in law because my husband is in the Army, so what I am doing until I get my approval and actually have the surgery, I am educating them on what it will be like after I have the surgery, because I feel the more they know about it the more supportive they will be. I asked my surgeon about drinking, because I like to have a margarita at dinner or a beer when we have a BBQ whatever the case may be. The surgeon told me " you have to live a little" so he said occasionally it is okay as long as you wait the time period before and after you eat" also he stressed the importance of drinking empty calorie drinks. Good Luck we will do great!

~~Blonde~~ I completely understand, this is so emotional. I was waiting for my call from my surgeon to get he okay. So I called on Wed, because I couldn't wait until Friday to find out if the auth and gone through. The process was stopped because my doctor sent the referral to a different doctor, some guy I have briefly heard about, but only does bypass. So then my doctor would not fax the referral so that it could be approved. The nurse was yelling at me, I started bawling, After talking to the surgeon 3x, the insurance company2x and the dr. office 3x, i am still at no choice but to have another appointment with my doctor to get a referral to my surgeon. Here is the thing b/c they sent the referral to the wrong doctor and will not fax it in for me I have to pay out of my pocket the money for the consult. I am disgusted. I can't change doctors until I get the referral and the date set. So yeah I would be on my pre op diet and counting down the days... So I am glad I wasn't the only person bawling. About the food, yes..yes.. like I will cook dinner and tell myself this will be the last time I can ever eat this .... or I better buy this I might not be able to eat it again. I think I am a little worried b/c I work nights and so I have little Snacks to stay awake. ( I know that is pathetic). My biggest fear is everyone says you can have sugar free things. Well if I eat Nutrasweet or aspartame i get a terrible headache like almost instantly.. These two ingredients are in almost all sugar free options. I am thinking I will have to deal with the headaches. Another thing I am concerned about is cooking dinner for my kids. I am always tasting, will I be able to do that anymore? I am glad things are going your way, you will have a wonderful journey!

I think I would really do a lot of thinking 1.)if you are not going to get embarrassed 2.) Are prepared for what people may say (can handle all the compliments, some people don't like that) 3.) Go over fine details with your friend, so that person does not put information out there you are not aware of and/or not okay with. I think this is a life changing experience and I can't wait to get my approval! Although when I did speak to the psychologist about the most common problem he sees with post banders is that people are not use to receiving compliments on their body and their beauty, which made them very uncomfortable and had to seek additional help. I think the question is "can you mentally handle this challenge" Whatever you decide let me know and I will support you!

Yeah!1 I have Tricare too and I was told the same thing by my surgeon! Congrats!! I am waiting for the approval.. How long did it take for you to get yours?? Best of Luck, I am so excited for you!!

So I have decided I am going to start throwing in a shake here and there to get used to the idea of using it as a meal replacement. Has anyone ever tried Unjury? I have seen only good reviews and was wondering if anyone else has tried this brand and what were their results?

So I have decided I am going to start throwing in a shake here and there to get used to the idea of using it as a meal replacement. Has anyone ever tried Unjury? I have seen only good reviews and was wondering if anyone else has tried this brand and what were their results?

Thanks for the great information!! Good Luck to you as well!!

I am in the process of getting approved for the lap band... I am super excited and its the only thing on mind, but I am a little concerned about moving around... If there are are any Military spouses did you have a hard time finding a doctor who would do your fills? My surgeon said the surgery is more common in Europe and it wouldn't be a problem over there in the in the event we get stationed overseas.. But even if we are on state side, I don't want it to be an issue finding someone to do the fills.. I have my psyc evaluation on Thursday, already got the okay from PCP and surgeon, and am looking to have my surgery in the middle of June when my family and friends have left from visiting. I would appreciate any advice... Thanks

Congrats!! I have Tricare as well and my husband is also active duty.. When I went to my consult with the surgeon, they said all I needed was a psych evaluation. But I haven't got approved yet! I am under the assumption since our husbands are active duty it should pay at 100%. I haven't had to pay for a consult or the evaluation. The psychiatrist told me he gets monthly newsletters from insurances including Tricare and that Tricare is actually encouraging people to get it done... which makes since health problems come with being over weight. I am going to the seminar tomorrow night and was wondering if I can bring my kids as well, I assume they won't kick us out if we do bring them. LOL Good Luck!!

I went and had my psychiatric evaluation this week, which went really well! However, he did say a big problem he has seen with his clients is after the surgery they fall into a deep depression, b/c people relate eating to emotions, also people over eat and then gain instead of loose, because of the depression. Has anyone suffered from this and how did you handle the depression? I currently take meds for depression and am a little worried about this possible situation. Any comments greatly appreciated..

Good Luck!! I am waiting for my approval too, although I don't have the same insurance I am just as anxious!! We will get it is just is so hard to wait...

Girl you got this, you are going to do great when explaining this to you husband. My husband doesn't know that much about it so he has been watching shows on Hulu and I have sent him links so he can learn about the entire process and see the before and after pics... He has concerns, but his main concern is that I am happy, and has promised me if my boobs are saggy we will get them fixed!! LOL So I think you should set him so he can be educated about the process and explain to him this is what you want and your so excited to be a new and healthier you to improve your overall life with him. Just be positive and remember to bring it up at a good time... When he has your full attention, and once people see how great you look at social get togethers they will understand your new eating habits. Explain to your husband that his support means the world to you and you want him to be a big part of it, this will make him feel like he has a part in the decision. Good Luck!!

I have Tricare, my husband is active duty.... The surgeon told me all you to do is have the BMI requirements, and pass a psych evaluation... I have both of these and will hopefully find out next week if I am approved. Also the psychologist I saw today told me that Dr. offices get monthly news letters from Tricare and on one of the monthly issues it was saying Tricare encourages the surgery, that is why there is few requirements, this is my understanding. I hope everything works out for you okay, and good luck oh yeah for sure give them a call...