ReJoyce

That was the first thing my husband asked me, was who will I tell. I told him for now, him and our teenagers. He knows I have some very judgemental family and I don't want to hear it. I am an adult and doing all this research.

Yeah!!!! Thanks for the helpful hints! Good luck to you.

Yeah!!!! Thanks for the helpful hints! Good luck to you.

Jonathan, while I know I am super new to all of this, I can tell you from past experience that when the body wasn't getting enough calories, it kind of shocks the body into thinking it has to protect itself. Not sure if that was ever brought up as a possible occurence in the beginning. I just remember at Weight Watchers, I saw evidence of this in people that didn't eat enough and either stayed the same or gained weight. I was always taught there is still a certain amount you need. Again, not sure how much that applies to all of this since I am new and learning. Good luck!

I actually had a ultra sound on my gall bladder this year and they looked around while they were there. So I am sure that will help. I did find on that surgical centers web page of some of the things they plan to test. Thank you for all the info.

When I called, their computer system was down, so they have to call me back when all is up and running. I am so anxious to attend the seminar. I have learned volumes on this forum, wow, what a great source of information. Thank you so much and good luck to you.

I love reading all of these....what a great idea to change your perspective and look at other things you enjoy in life. I am in the early, early stages (I just called about a seminar this week), but I am getting so excited reading all of these post. Keep up the great work and looking forward to sharing my own journey with you all one day.

Wow, that is fantastic. Good luck. This is so exciting. I love and am becoming obsessed with these forums. There is so much great information here. Keep us posted.

Thank you so much for the info. Hopefully I get a call this week. Seems like I saw that they do their seminar the 3rd Tues or Thursday of the month. I would love to go this week.

Ahhhh, got it. Thank you for the info. Thankfully I actually like drinking water.

I am looking at Greenville. I live about 45 mins from there. Southern Surgical I think.

I am curious about the coffee. Why is it bad? I love my coffee. I have two cups with splenda and sugar free creamer. I know when the time comes, I will not want as much. But can I have like half a cup?

I have a lot of the same questions. I am in NC as well and have Federal BCBS. I read some info in mine a few minutes ago about 3 months, but nothing about 6 mths. I haven't gone to the seminar yet. Actually, I just called the surgical center this past Wednesday.

I have a bunch of questions. I just called the surgical center 2 days ago and am waiting for a call back. I know I will have to get approval and go thru a lot of pre op stuff. What all do I go thru? How long will it be before I will have the surgury? I see folks talk about a 6 month pre-op diet, what is that about? My BMI is 45. I am sure it hasn't fallen below 40 over the past 5 years. What if, during the pre op diet it gets to 39? Will I still be approved? I have BCBS insurance. I am so anxious now and I want to know everything.

Thank you so much! Wow, they are serious about making sure this is the right thing for us. How is it going for you so far?

Enjoying the uppdates. I just made the decision this week, so I have a long way to go. I am in North Carolina and someone told me it would take 6 mths for everything. That part bites because I now totally "get it" and am anxious to get started. Good luck to you and keep the updates coming.

I have done weight watchers, numerous time. I think it is a good program, but when I get home from work and am hungry, it goes out the window. I feel like this will help me. What kind of proof will I need?

I have only called Southern Surgicals office, but she couldn't get anything scheduled because the computer was down. I just see folks posting about 6mths and all, so I am curious how long the process is before the surgery.

I called Southern Surgical the other day and am waiting for a call back (there computers were down). I am excited and scared. I have a BMI of 45 and am sure my BMI hasn't fallen below 40 over the past 5 years. How long is the process from when you first called them...until the surgury that is. What all pre-ops stuff did you have to do for Southern Surgical. I am so very ready to get all of this rolling.

I already told my husband he won't be able to tickle me for a while once I get it done! (I am using that as long as I can)

Thank you so much for sharing. I put a post just yesterday titled "I made the call..". I had an epiphany 3 days ago and your forum is the very thing I learned. I was turned off to the lap band be cause of 3 ppl. But now I see the problem is there approach. I meant another who has lost an ennormous amount of weight and when her and I were talking, she said, "8 knew what I needed to do to lose weight, but I needed this TOOL to help me" WOW! TOOL! It all hit me. So I made the phone call. My BMI is 45 and I am sure was never below 40 in the past 5 years. I have BCBS, so I feel like they will approve me. I am anxious and excited. I am glad it all worked for you and thank you again for sharing this info. You have saved many os us from some heart ache and frustration.

I made the phone call yesterday. May not seem like a big deal, but it is. Several years ago, my doctor informed me that I was a prime candidate for the Lap Band. I still remember looking at him and saying, "Even with that, I have to change my eating and lifestyle, correct?" He said yes and I said, "Then why don't I just change my eating and lifestyle?!" He didn't mention it again. Oh how naïve I was! I had this chip and said I can do it when I am ready. Well, I have been ready, countless times.....and failed each time. My initial experience with anyone with Lap Band was not good. I knew of a few people that had it done and were having a difficult time. That turned me off even more......until two days ago. I was conversing with a co-worker who I knew had it done and has lost an enormous amount of weight and had done very well with it. What clicked was a statement she made. She said, "I knew what I needed to do, but I needed this TOOL to help me with it." TOOL! I never looked at it that way. I never gave it a thought. Yesterday while walking up the sidewalk to my building it all hit me. (I have since learned the reason those others were having such a difficult time was they were still looking for an easy out and not utilizing it as a way to help them) I struggle because I want to eat all the time. Regardless of what diet I chose, I failed because I wanted to keep eating even though I was not hungry and introducing this tool can help me. Wow! What an epiphany! So I came in and conversed further with my coworker and started reading all the forums and was amazed. So I called the surgical center yesterday to start the process. I am excited, yet scared. I woke this morning with the excitement of a school girl going on a field trip. (I always found those exciting) I talked to my husband last night and he said that he would stand by me regardless of what I do. He loves me dearly and no matter my weight and I am thankful for that. I am on blood pressure meds and I am sure that is because of my weight. I am tired of feeling tired and uncomfortable in my own skin. Wish me luck and I do for each of you.