brehere

Hello All :wave: I got my family (parents, sisters, son's & wife'e) together the other night to talk to them about me having LBSurgery. Everyone was against it except my husband. I want to tell you some of the reasons and get your opinions if I could PLEASE! I am currently on several meds: Blood Pressure meds Synthroid (for thyroid) Mobic (antinflamatory for my back & neck) Lexapro (for depression) Xanax (for occational panic attacks) Norco (my pain meds) The pain meds Ive been taking for years and I have been under the supervision of my pain managment doctors for many years. I never take more than is perscribed but I do take the max amount (6 pills in 24 hours) every day and have been for a long time. I have told the drs many times over the last few years that I felt like I was addicted to the pain meds and they always tell me that it's ok as long as I don't take more than is perscribed which I don't. I wish I didn't have to take any pills. I am so sick of it. :crySo my family thinks that they won't let me have the surgery because I am taking all these medications. My mother said that since I have been taking pain meds for years that they won't even concider my surgery. My sisters (all younger) said that since I am on Lexapro for mild depression that they will say no. There is a few other reasons they gave me but to dumb to even mention. Funny how they think they know all about this surgery when this is the 1st time it's ever been mentioned. :phanvan :help: Does anyone know anything about what effects my medications will have on me trying to get lapband surgery? If I were to be lucky enough to get aproved and have the surgery what will happen in regards to my taking all my meds that I already take? Thank you so very much for any help. Take care. Hugs , Brenda in Michigan

:think I am usually not an emotional person but I have tears of happiness after reading your messages. I am so thankful to have found this group. So much caring and helpfulness. I will call our insurance co in the morning and take faith's suggestion to see what they say. Great idea faith. Thank you so much. I already have my siminar class (with Dr Doel at Baumont Hospital) set up. I called them last week and they said the next available siminar is July 10th @ 7PM. I can hardly wait. Gayle! You are an inspiration to me. And even though I don't know you I am so very proud of you and what you have accomplished. I can't thank you all enough for the great advice/info/help/caring/etc. You are all in my heart now and I look forward to watching everyone's progress as I am making my own journey to Bandland. Sorry for getting mushy. LOL Usually not like that but you all are bring the best out of me I guess. Thanks again. Take care. Hugs, Brenda in Pontiac, Michigan

:clap2: Wow Karen! Your on your way. That is awsome. Thank you very much for the info. I am seeing my pcp next week. Hope all goes smooth and I don't run into any delays. I have read that some people have waited over a year or more from the time they started the process to the actual surgery day. Sure hope it won't take that long for me. Oh, I was wondering if your insurance oks the surgery does that include the visits to the nutritionist, the psychologist, etc.? Thanks again for your help and I wish you a speedy and smooth LB journey.Take care. Hugs , Brenda in Pontiac, MI

Hi April & James, Thank you so much for the replies. It is a very big help to me knowing how you feel about Dr Doel. I'm 99% sure I will be using her if I can get our insurance to pay for the surgery. I had already called last week and made a reservation to go to her seninar. They told me that the next one was July 10th at 7PM. Wonder if they were already filled up for the earlier ones. Wow April! 60 lbs gone. That is so awsome. Way 2 go! James, That's really great that you have been approved and already have a surgery date. I was wondering if it isn't to much trouble could you keep me posted on how it's going? Guess what I really should do is get that appointment made to see Dr Doel so I will know what I need to do. Right now I'm not sure what else I should be doing other than go to the siminar. Wish there was a list in order that I could follow. Does Dr Doel have such a list? Anyway, thank you for the great info. I look forward to hearing how you and everyone else is doing with there LB journey. Good Luck to you. Take care. Hugs, Brenda in MI

Hi All :wave: 1st post here. I've been thinking about having LB surgery for about two years now so with all my health problems piling up I thought it was time to get serious. I've read so much but not sure where or who to go to. I live near St. Joseph Hospital in Pontiac where DR Pleatman works out of but I've read some very good things about DR Doel. I think I would be more comfortable with a woman doctor but I would use who ever is the best for me in the long run. About myself: I live in Pontiac, Michigan. 53 yrs old, 262 lb., 5' 6" with several health problems: severe sleep apnea high blood pressure back pain all the time (had 3 back surgeries already) am supposed to have neck surgery due to bad discs but would rather try and get the weight off and see if that helps the pain High cholesterol short of breath doing anything etc., etc., etc. I have 2 grand children (3 yrs old grandson and 3 weeks old granddaughter) whom I cherish and want to spend most of my time with since I am unable to work due to my bad back, but am unable to now due to so much aches and pains and tired all the time from sleep apnea (unable to use cpap much). My husband who I know loves me doesn't know how to help or support me. He is a shy/hate hospitals kind of guy so he wouldn't be a good supporter for me even though I love him to death. And everyone else I've talked to works a lot. So that could be a problem. Don't you have to have a supporter before you can see the DR? OK sorry for rambling and winning. Let me just end by saying I've read many messages here and you all sound like a great group of people. Thank you for your caring and great information. HUGS , Brenda

Thank you so much for the information. I did forget to mention in my 1st post that I called Dr Doel's office last week and made a reservation to go to a seminar. The lady I talked to told me that the next availible would be Thursday, July 10th @ 7PM. And she said to go to Beaumont Hospital classroom #5. I was hoping to get onto a seminar sooner but I will take what ever is open. I wonder if I should try to get into one with Dr Pleatman if it would be sooner than July 10th. Babygrl1234: I'm so proud of you for your weight loss. I am always proud of anyone that can loose weight because I know how hard it can be. I've lived with being over weight most of my life. You Go Girl! FxyLdy: Very happy to hear that you are taking that first step. I wish you all the luck, love and happiness. You Go Girl Too! I will keep reading to get all the info I can and I did just talk to hubby a short time ago and let him know how I feel and about this great group here on Lapbandtalk. He said if it will help me get well he will be my supporter. I cried of course because if you knew my husband he isn't one for doing anything like this and not because he doesn't love me. Well, guess I better get reading about insurance. That's one thing I haven't even read about yet. I have bcbs PPO through my husband's work. Hope it won't be a struggle to get approved. Is anyone on here familiar with this insurance? I do hope that I can get an approval without a big fight. Hugs, Brenda

Hi All :wave: 1st post here. I've been thinking about having LB surgery for about two years now but with all my health problems piling up I thought it was time to get serious. I've read so much but not sure where or who to go to. I live near St. Joseph Hospital in Pontiac where DR Pleatman works out of but I've read some very good things about DR Doel. I think I would be more comfortable with a woman DR but I would use who ever is the best for me in the long run. About myself: I live in Pontiac, Michigan. 53 yrs old, 262 lb., 5' 6" with several health problems: severe sleep apnea high blood pressure back pain all the time (had 3 back surgeries already) am supposed to have neck surgery due to bad discs but would rather try and get the weight off and see if that helps the pain High cholesterol short of breath doing anything etc., etc., etc. I have 2 grand children (3 yrs old grandson and 3 weeks old granddaughter) whom I cherish and want to spend most of my time with since I am unable to work due to my bad back, but am unable to now due to so much aches and pains and tired all the time from sleep apnea (unable to use cpap much). My husband who I know loves me doesn't know how to help or support me. He is a shy/hate hospitals kind of guy so he wouldn't be a good supporter for me even though I love him to death. And everyone else I've talked to works a lot. So that could be a problem. Don't you have to have a supporter before you can see the DR? OK sorry for rambling and winning. Let me just end by saying I've read many messages here and you all sound like a great group of people. Thank you for your caring and great information. HUGS , Brenda