christellini

I'm wonering if anyone on here has tried this meal replacement shake. It sounds like a good one, but I'm always weary so I thought I'd ask. I'm not banded yet, still fighting with insurance, but I like to have shakes for breakfast when I'm in a hurry.

I spent an hour with the psychologist and then brought home a sheet of about 300 questions. It was pretty painless. She asked questions about my family and what kind of realtionship I have with them. General questions about the surgery like what do I know about it and why did I decide on wls. What kind of support system did I have. The questionare had some ridiculous questions and some questions were repeated 2 or 3 times in different sections. She did warn me about that and told me just to answer them without thinking too much.

I think the 15-20% rule applies as with hair salon services. I always give $3-$4 on a $20 pedicure. I mean if you feel she really did a great job, then tip what you feel is fair. That was really cool of you.

We don't know each other but I just had to tell you that NO ONE should have to go through this. By what you said about having no money and who would want someone your age it sounds like your self esteem has been affected. Let me just say 42 is NOT old and if you had a career where you made 50k a year it must mean that you are educated and/or have some employment skills. People do not die from being single. You can get a job. Your assests will have to be split, and it sounds like there are plenty. Do you have someone you can talk to, a friend, a Pastor, someone who can help you get through it? Again, I don't know you or your whole situation but I felt you needed some support and some tell it like it is. Good luck.

I haven't been in here for a while. I received a denial from my insurance and have just been discouraged. I was denied due to only being on 1 med for hypertension and they only approve if your taking 2. Okay, I thought that was what I was trying to avoid. I feel like this is so stupid. Anyway, my Dr Office said they are still working on it but I know how insurance is and am not feeling very hopeful. It's like okay give me time to age and I'll be on more meds I'm sure then you'll approve me and what exactly is this accomplishing???? Sorry, little rant there. I'm thinking about self paying, but then what if I have complications, will I be responsible for paying for everything related to the band since they denied? Anyone know? Christel

Uniqueone - you get my drift!!!

I did have a sleep study done about a year and a half ago and everything was within normal range. I just recently had my labs done for my surgeon and my PCP has them, I could call her and see what she says. What sucks is that at one point I was on 2 meds for the hypertension and I started exercising like a maniac and she was able to take me off of one. Although she supported my decision to have the surgery and she wrote the letter for me I really don't think she approves. Which, actually, it's not her job to approve or not so I can try her out. I also have an appt with my endocrinologist on Friday, I haven't seen her since I made the decision to be banded so not sure what her thoughts will be but she may be able to help too. I wrote this really quick, I hope it all made sense, gotta get to work. Thanks to everyone.

Lili, thank you. I'm sorry to hear about your insurance problems. I just don't get it. I'm only 34 with hypertenstion, PCOS, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance. So what my future looks like to me is diabetes and heart disease. Ugh, makes no sense. I had totally given up for a while and thought self pay was the only way to go but I've got some fight back in me somehow and am ready for it. Good luck to your husband too!!!

For me it was being denied life insurance. I felt so rejected, I can't even really explain how I felt. Not to mention never feeling like going anywhere because I don't ever look the way I want. Always feeling uncomfortable and tired. This list could go on and on forever.

Joanne, Congratulations on your surgery. Hope your doing well. I'm glad to hear your story, makes me feel like I still have a hope. I will call my surgeon's office on Monday and see where I should start.

Congratulations!!! That's wonderful!:clap2:

Thanks for replying. I am looking into it, it may be my only option. It really does stink that I am trying to lose the weight so I can get off meds completely and they deny me because I'm not on enough meds. What also bites is that I try to eat healthy and exercise which is what probably kept me from having more problems and ends up biting me in the butt. Thanks again ladies.

Is it a thing with bariatric surgeons or is it just mine??? I have had 3 appts cancelled by my surgeon. Granted I am not even approved yet but I am still anxious to see him and get on with it. I found out it happens quite frequently with him and the other surgeons in the office. Is it just mine or has this happened to anyone else? If it happens again I am going to consider switching. Not to mention I live 2 hours away and my appt yesterday was cancelled on me when I was already half way there, plus I'm taking time off work, which I enjoy doing but don't really want to waste vacation time for nothing. Okay sorry for the ranting, I got a little carried away.

Yeah, I did have another dr I had originally planned to do consult with but I really liked this one and his staff is very good. This is the only problem but it's really annoying. I guess I'll have to make a decision if it happens again. I guess since I didn't get any other replies no one else has had this problem. Thanks.

A good foundation is bare escentuals, my skin looks smooth and has that dewy but not shiny effect. The more you use the more coverage, so for work and running errands I just use a little and more when I need it, plus it lasts forever. For smooth straightening I use matrix sleek.look spray in the orange bottle, hair looks silky smooth. For the full body look I love Root Pump by Big Sexy Hair My cuticles are the grossest ever, I pull any hangnail I can find and my nails look like crap unless I get acrylics but I get sick of that. Anybody know a good cream for them? I think I'll try the gloves.

Ooohh I love this thread. I love beauty tips and everything girly. I would love to do the brazilian but I am way too embarrassed. I have waxed myself before but it took a long time and very painful. I have a few favorites to share. Sally Hansen MEGA SHINE top coat - my toenails grow out before I have to do a polish change Shiseido eyelash curler, I'm asian and my eyelashes are straight as a board this is the best eyelash curler I have found, and I'm pretty sure I've tried them all - blow dry it for a few seconds on each side to warm (too much and it burns), has a curling Iron effect Eyeshadow paints from MAC in untitled or bare - wear under my eyeshadow and it lasts all day, if I fall asleep with it on it's still there in the morning For eyebrows I use my husbands electric nose hair trimmer, it has an attachment for trimming and I trim them just a little so the long strays don't stick out. Mine are a little sparse so I use an eyebrow powder to color them in and then brush em, they look thicker without looking fake. I love this thread...keep the tips coming! Christel

I have PCOS too. Not yet banded. I too am still in the getting approved stage, but from what I've heard from gals here and from soulcysters is that it will definately help with symptoms. My hope is to get off meds that I take for insulin resistance and high blood pressure, and from the info I've gotten I believe it is more than possible. There is hope for us cysters!!!

Okay, so need a little insight here. I had my initial consultation for surgery last month. I did my psych eval, nutrition eval, blood work, and saw my pcp. I go back May 11th, will I get a date then? Do you think his office has already requested approval from insurance? I know I probably seem impatient but the end of the fiscal year is coming up and we are really busy at work from June to August and I would love it if I could have my surgery and be back to work by the time the rush starts. What do you think? Any chance of that?

Lee Ann, sorry I'm not anywhere near you so I can't help with finding someone but I can definately relate to what your going thru. Same thing happened to me. I do not understand what the deal is but it is soooo frustrating. Of all the things I had to do the psych eval seemed the most difficult, the actual psych eval itself was a piece of cake once I found someone to do it. Hang in there.

Sounds like PCOS to me too. I have PCOS with normal levels of testosterone, which might be due to birth control pill, I'm not sure. To diagnose it they do an ultrasound of the ovaries, looking for cysts that are sometimes referred to as a "string of pearls" There are many symptoms and not everyone who has PCOS has every symptom. One big one is irregular menstrual cycles, but again if your on the pill that would regulate your cycles (kind of a psuedo cycle). As well as the hirsutism. I suggest going to www.soulcysters.net, a great website for PCOS. HTH!

Thanks for the replies. Seems like it all depends on how the surgeon works and the insurance co. I keep telling myself patience...patience...patience...I'm just getting anxious is all. And, I don't know if it's in my head but I think I'm gaining weight. Ugh!

Congratulations! I hope to be where you are in 2 weeks, already had my psych eval, bloodwork, nutrition consult, I go see my surgeon on 5/11 and am hoping for a date. Good luck with everything.

I am so glad to see this thread. :clap2: I am still in the process of getting approval and haven't been around here very long. Keep me in prayer. I haven't felt any conviction about lapband surgery, unlike the conviction I feel when I eat too much or eat something I know I am not supposed to. So, I'm just leaving everything up to God that it will work out the way He has planned. I haven't told many people, just a few very close friends who so far have been very supportive. I do anticipate some negativity and difference of opinion but ..... what can you do. I just need to keep my eyes on God, He will definatley guide me and if He doesn't want me to have lapband, it won't happen, and I think I'll know it. I look forward to inspirational posts and fellowship with everyone. 396power, I just wanted to tell you I know exactly what you mean about "pushing our beliefs" on others. The way I have come to see it is God's love is shown through me. And I don't have to tell everyone about my faith, I do if God opens that door, and He does. But I don't go out of my way and make a point of it like I used to, because like you said then it opens us up to being the bad person. What I have come to see in my life is that I am a testimony of God's love and when I encounter CLEAR (like abortion or other.............things) differences in beliefs but do it with love, acceptance and tolerance that is when I make the most lasting impression of christianity on people (now...I'm not saying it's always easy ). I know there are people who definatley do tell everyone they know and I'm not saying that's wrong or that they shouldn't but when I first became a Christian and tried it I think I turned some people off. But hey, my heart was in the right place. God Bless.

That's awesome. You are doing great and you deserve it!!!! I have only been around here for a short time but I can tell you are a very sweet and warm hearted person. I wish you success beyond what you can dare to imagine!!! Christel

Hi Cathy, I'm not banded yet but I hope to be soon. Congrats on the weightloss, I hope I am as successful as you've been. :clap2: Christel