WendyMay

You can edit your profile at the top of the page by clicking on your name. It will give you options to change things. Wendy

I was told by my insurance that if it is medically necessary (which it is), they will cover it.

Hi! My name is Wendy and I am from northeast Massachusetts. I am in the middle of the "tests" phase of this journey. I would love to have a mentor who has gone through the gastric bypass surgeryand has done well. Please write back! Thank you! Wendy

Hi Sue, My name is Wendy and I live in northeastern Massachusetts. I am 44 years old and weigh 322 pounds. I have nearly completed all the required tests, and need to do two support groups and one more dietician visit before I see the surgeon. I have to lose 16 pounds. Will you be my mentor/friend? Wendy

Hi, I'm Wendy, and I am 43 years old. I have not had the surgery yet, but I plan to have it in early November. I weigh 312 pounds, down from 350 (342 at first weigh-in.) I have many current illnesses, including Diabetes Type II, asthma, sleep apnea, and lots of pain disorders. This includes frequent migraines, fibromyalgia, and more. I don't want to die young, so I am looking forward to having this surgery and losing some weight. I hope and pray I do well with it. I am single, no children, although I don't like those facts. No one will go out with me because they don't like overweight women. Well, I guess that's all for now. Thanks for reading. Wendy

I have PTSD really severely, and as I am eating well, preparing for surgery in 6 months (grrr), I find that a lot of bad feelings come up. Then I feel like I am going to fail, because, I mean, these are REALLY bad feelings. I know they will come up with WLS, also, but being that I am full with the "pouch", do you think I will still expreience this? I don't feel like eating and eating. I feel like curling into a ball and disappearing. Has anyone else struggled with any mental health issues? Have you felt like you were going to fail because of them? Do you fear this? Have you been banded, and can share your experiences? Thanks so much. Wendy

Gosh, Sojourner, it hardly seems worth it. I have been eating well, and have lost 10 pounds since I began on the 9th, and only the past couple days have been difficult for me because I have been lonely. I will definitely talk to my counselor about these things. Thanks. And thanks to all who responded! Wendy

No one offended me, Jen. No worries. Wendy

The mental eval wasn't very difficult. They will probably ask for a letter from your psych and counselor to see if you are stable. And then that's about the extent of it. I hope this helps. Wendy

First of all, thank you all for responding. Secondly, I already have a psychiatrist and therapist and my worries are more based on what I will do when PTSD rears its ugly head after the surgery. I AM having the surgery, it's just the question of: "Have you had mental health issues, and if so, how did YOU deal with them after you were banded?" and "Did the symptoms get worse?" So, if you could help me with that, I would really appreciate it. Hookieluv has the right idea, telling me her story and how she deals with it. I do very much appreciate all your input, but I need those two questioms answered the most. Thanks very much! Wendy

My nurse practitioner said yesterday that banders only lose up to 55% of their excess weight. Is this true? What do you all find in the weight you have lost? I am so confused and discouraged. Wendy

ForMyTwins, I appreciate you writing so much in order to uplift me. Thank you. And thank you everybody for doing the same. Wendy

I always have high white blood cells, and no one knows why. I had surgery with them high (not weight loss surgery, but surgery nonetheless). Hope this helps. Wendy

Thank you all so much for your encouraging words. You are the best! Wendy

Yeah, so I'm sitting in the waiting room, and this lady comes up to me and starts telling me not to get a lapband and it's awful blah blah blah... and then I say that if people really try they'll lose more weight. And they say no... blah blah blah... I don't even want to hear it! I was all happy about getting the band. Now they have put fear in me. I've lost 7 pounds in 7 days on my own cuz I have to lose 25-30 pounds before surgery. If I could lose all my weight at age 14 ON MY OWN with diet and excercise, how much more can I lose it with this tool? Why do they say such things? I am so motivated! I WILL DO IT!!!! Screw them and their opinions. I WILL LOSE MY WEIGHT! Wendy

I'm not "there" yet, but I don't look forward to tht diet! However, I do look forward to the results of that diet, my lapband. Perhaps trying to keep your focus on the outcome will help? Hope so. Wendy

Did anyone need vitamins post-surgery? If so, what did you need to take? Wendy

Wow, so many responses. Thank you all so much. Honk, my appt. with the dietician, psychologist, and nurse practitioner (a four-hour appointment!) is Tuesday at 12:30. I had my doctor, my dietician, and my phsichiatrist all write letters for me. My doc and dietician will be recommending the surgery. I am hoping and praying it all works out soon! Wendy

Thanks all for your input. I really appreciate it. Wendy

I have type II diabetes. Does anyone else have it? How does the lapband itself and weight loss affect diabetes? Thanks, Wendy

Glad we could help! Wendy

Oh no, Honey, don't worry. Where I am going, everyone has to go through those four courses, although I don't understand the alcohol one... You will be banded. No worries! Wendy

Wow! Thanks Kate! That gives me hope! Wendy

Now Foods has a great no flavor whey protein isolate. The isolate makes it so you don't get gas. You can get it off of amazon.com, 5 pounds for about $50. You can get smaller sizes, too. Wendy