Sooverit!

Okay not banded yet but love this post. What do I WANT to improve for me if I get the Lap band: 1. Be able to have a FULL signal....I don't have one and would love to get one! 2. Be able to NOT FEEL HUNGRY just about all the time when I am home...when I am out I don't feel hungry but as soon as I get home watch out! 3. Being able to put on clothes and not having to try on 30 outfits before I find one that is acceptable. 4. Not having to worry about my HEALTH...to know I am doing something that will make my life in my 50s better! 5. To be able to take a YOGA class and not see all that belly fat and feel like I am the most out of shape person in the class and the gym for that matter. 6. to not have back pain anymore...only started recently since I gained an additional 10 lbs. 7. TO FEEL IN CONTROL AGAIN 8. To be looked at and to feel attractive again....I'm not going to be smug here. Yes this would be okay too

Miss N: In my humble opinion I just don't think this is the time to quit smoking. I think this must be a very stessful time for you. Can you set a timer..so that you can have just 1 ciggarette an hour. I think first get over the food addiction and for most of us that are overweight ...getting over a food addiction is the hardest thing to do....I think harder than anything.

Meant to type "a poster on this site or a doctor"

Hi Denise: I had a question for you regarding your fills...I've read a few books but many more posts re. lap band surgery and I can't remember if it was a poster of a doctor who said that while someone is getting a fill they are asked to drink water, then the doctor observes how the patient handles the water going down. Supposedly as soon as the patient drinks the water slower or can't drink it fast they stop. Sounds like it's hit or miss now as I'm writing it but ....is this how they do your fills? thanks ....(I'm prebanded and losing my mind with this decision...one day 100% sure next day ...no way) :phanvan

Wow LIers aren't very talkative....the other theads are much more chatty. Any one care to tell me how much the surgery costs out of pocket with Dr. Geiss? I didn't get much from the woman who pick up the phone there. Anyone?

Fox this does seem strange and you made a good point about everyone getting to the point where they will have slippage if this does work and his theory is right. Just get a second opinion.. ..the only thing I can think of is that they don't make a lap band as small as you will need to have restriction?? I doubt it....I don't know....hopefully a wise one will tell us!

Dear Pam: This is great news!! Good for you! You sound like you are doing great! How are you feeling? I know I will be bored as well as my numero uno hobby is eating as well! Have you taken up any new other hobbies yet? Have you gotten your energy back? I am a low BMI like you and wondering if recover is easier for the lower ones like us? That would be nice. way to go PAM:bounce::bounce:--:bounce::bounce:-(green with envy)

I am putting that soup in my LAP BAND file!! Wow .....wish I had a friend like yours...what a sweetheart to make that for you. Sounds awesome!!

Hi Miss Nilsa, it sounds like you are doing very well with your new band! Good for you ! I'm planning to having my surgury done at the NYU center as well. I don't have a date yet as I am still going back and forth...and back again (after reading your encouraging post!). I think I was completely wrong about the new AP band. What I read was that because the size is larger as it is 360 degree around as apposed to the older model which was smaller where the buckle was, you had MORE restriction from the start and that you wouldn't feel hungry in the beginning as much. I have heard people having trouble with it being too tight right from the start. There is a lot to learn here. So you were able to eat more of a variety of foods in the beginning Miss Nilsa or is it through every stage? This does sound like an improvement if it is the latter. Thank you in advance!

I slept on this topic and feel different this morning...Frog I really did feel the way you did before I asked this question actually; I do want my daughter to know there is a way out of obesity if she is plagued with it and she doesn't have to suffer too much with it down the road, that there is a permanant tool that will help. Also I think I will remind her of the time when mom was paralysed with back problems for 3 days a while ago and how it was brought on by excess weight. Also I will tell her about how her aunt Kathy died (my sister) of sleep apnea caused by obesity. I will also explain how it can shorten a person's life. With all this said I believe she will undestand (hopefully) and go on being a kid. They are resiliant I know. I will be careful not to "burden" her though with any of the side effects I might get. I think that's the key as long as we do it, get on with it and feel good about doing it ourselves ..kids will follow and go on with their active fun new lives! Thanks Frog :nervous

I do like Wendell's explaination of lap band with the loaf of bread ...very simple, smart and honest. I am tempted to do as I have a 10 year old daughter who is very inquisitive and doesn't miss a thing. We are very close. She hears me unfortunately complain about my weight and always tells me I'm not fat. In her eyes I'm not. I wish I never complained in front of her but it just comes out of my mouth before I can stop it. If I tell her I am getting the surgery she will be very worried and probably confused for a while and afraid she will have to do this when she is older as she is somewhat overweight now. But she will notice if I eat differently and if I am feeling sick...which I pray I won't be but as someone here said what if she sees you slime~! Ehh gads I don't know now which is worse hating being overweight or going through all this. I am leaning toward not telling her as I have read that kids should never have to be put in a position of worring about adult problems ...they should just be kids having fun and learning. BUT then again I just remembered that she sees me on this web site all the time and already knows I'm intersted in it. I think I'm tired of of all this thinking about the lap band. :faint:

Yes it could be because of Time of Month that you are feeling more restricted! ...I've read in many books and many posts where people say that due to swelling during menstrual cycle you will have more restriction. Hopefully you will feel better in a few days. Keep us posted.

Way to go Shelby ...you did it!! Congratulations...please keep us posted!! :whoo: I've been on that roller coaster ride too and some days I just want to get off...I'm spending so much time & money on tests and now my PCP Primary Care Physician is being weird about the 6 month progress reports ...I think I have to start all over again because he wasn't marking them correctly :guess I wish I had the money to self pay ..>I'm almost thinking of financing instead of being heartbroken at the end of 6 months. I think CIGNA is afraid of going out of business if they pay for all the Lap band surgeries that will be come pouring in if they start being compliant. If you have a BMI over 40 ...find out what you have to do from your surgeon and do it by the book and you should be covered! I'm in a grey area which is maddening:faint:

NYU ...I've done extensive research and they are the tops Fielding and Ren in NY.

The extensive info I had on the new AP band was snipped. If you want to see it I can e-mail it to you.

Dear Lighter: I am so sorry you are still not feeling well. Try to remember this is temporary and it will pass soon. We will all send prayers your way for a quick recovery. Do you know if you were given the new AP band? I think there is more restriction with that band right off the bat but I'm sure others here will be able to tell you more. Hang in there. <FONT size=4>PS Are you walking around? I read on many posts that walking helps. Here's some info I have on the AP band. <SPAN class=postbody>AP lap bands

I have always thought this would be a great question to ask and I'm glad you posted it Terry! I am prebanded so I can't reply but sure like hearing all your sweet stories! OncewasaBUBBLEBUTT==I have to say I AM impressed! You are so close to goal!! It must feel pretty good. I started snooping around on this site in March and I remember your earlier beginner posts and you weren't a happy camper and if I remember correctly...(I may be wrong) But I thought you were going to lose the band, but NOW ...you are almost to goal dispite you! LOL...way to go! How was the (quick & steady) journey for you? ...it really is amazing to see this! Everyone keep up the great work!

Thank you so much Soupgirl, your warm words meant so much to me. Your support and caring kindess is special! thanks...mj

Congratulation.....well done LIGHTER IN NY!!!! :girl_hug: :clap2: Way to go! You're my hero...so happy for you it's all over. I know the journey too well now and you deserve your rest. Take good care of you and keep us posted! :girl_hug:

Dear Renee: Thank you so much.. You guys really are what these support boards were invented for....I think this site is the gold standard. I've been on other boards for Atkins etc. and I can't get over the difference here ....so much kinder and no leaders taking over. Thanks for making it such a great place to go for support and just enjoyment~ Thanks for you kind words Renee you are right!

Thanks for your wisdom Tracy! You gave me alot to think about and by the way you look marvelous! I live in $$New York$$ and I think the price for out of pocket is the same as in...it's terrible. My docs are supposedly two of the best in the world...pioneers actually and I had adhesions from a ruptured appendix years ago so I'm afraid to go to less experienced docs and I'd be afraid to fly back or drive too far as I'd be going alone most likely if I left the state. Oh brother.......it shouldn't be this difficult ....thanks again.....

Thank you Momlambert for sharing your story! It really helps to know I'm not alone! We even have similar starting BMIs which doesn't make it a clear and easy decision either. I just happen to turn on OPRAH before and Dr. OZ was on again and this time I paid attention. I really have gotten into bad habits again since I was in the "last meal" mentality for a few months. I think I've decided that for the next six months I'm going to forget about weight and only think of healthy eating (of course easier said than done!) and 30 mins walking a day (not killing myself for 6 weeks till I get hurt - which I usually do) and maybe changing gyms and getting a weight trainer and also alergies they said can cause trouble so I'm getting rid of the rug in our bedroom and getting wood laminet - my dh will not like this but tough. It's a start. The most heart breaking thing about it all is when we fall off the wagon....maybe before I fall off I'll get that lap band put on. I know I can't lose too much weight on my own but I can get healthy while I'm waiting. Thanks for listening and keep up the good work MOM - your doing great!

I was hoping to get some help if I could here...just some opinions would be really valued. I thought my PCP might have been marking my weight for the past year when we talked about my weight problem and he would sign the 6 month letters needed for Cigna to cover the Lap Band surgery. I should have known though he is a nerdy cautious type and said it would be illegal for him to do it. I now have to wait another 6 months and go to see him 6 times before I can even find out if CIGNA will cover me. I am in a grey area with only a 36/37 BMI with high cholesterol rising blood pressure and family history to make me somewhat a candidate for coverage. My heath keeps getting worse and I am losing out on life each month a bit. If I pay out of pocket it will cost me $24,000. I will be in debt for decades and I just climbed out debt not too long ago, but I can afford it. What would you do....wait and see or pay out of pocket?

Wow with all the business they are getting daily..they are going to wipe out Obesity in the state single handedly. I bet in a year or so we will see stats xbeing reported on the news that "OBESTITY IS DECLINING IN THE US>>>ESP NY AREA>> there will be all sort of diets that claim to be responsible.! I can't wait for LIghter in NY to come back and report to us :clap2:

Dear Serena: I think I may have figured out the problem about being "univerally ignored" :girl_hug: Geez I feel that way sometimes in real life! When I originally responded to your post I went directly to your hyperlinked name to respond to your private e-mail...being that the post was a topic on the private side. When I clicked on your name you did not have an e-mail addressed linked to it. Do you need help in setting this up? ...I can help you with this if you want. I think people saw you had no e-mail link and possibly didn't think you wanted responses just to post? Just a thought. Your posts are way too good to be ignored ...I found yours to be one of the most insightly and helpful to me I've ever read. Keep posting great posts ....it will come back to you....Your a gift to all! :girl_hug:MJ PS Love your name - I almost named my daughter Serena Grace!