Sooverit!

Hi everyone, I hope you don't mind me sneaking in. Sorry I am not participating and haven't been banded yet but I have a question. I am a coffee attict and drink my "Starbucks" at least 4 cups every morning and have no negative side effects. Is coffee restricted after being banded and/or does it cause reflux?

:clap2::glasses this is great to hear...good for you ...you sound so positive I truly am so happy for you. It must be exciting to get up in the morning and have a healthier body every day! Best to you, Marg

Dear Mich: Just checking in...it's been almost a month since you wrote in and was wondering if you have a sugery date yet or have you already had the procedure? I'm thinking positive! All the best, Marg

Dear Bfyne: Wish I knew your real name :-). Thank you so very much for writing us such a detailed and informative letter on your experience with Cigna so far. Congratulations!! I would love to know how you are progressing post-op? How are you feeling? Hope you are as positive as ever? I was so excited when I saw your BMI. I too have CIGNA and my BMI is 36/37 with no comorbities, only high cholesterol and a recent back problem that the Chiropractor said was due to weight gain. I know these aren't on the "list" but I am praying that they will be taken into consideration. My PCP said he would be willing to recommend surgery only problem is the local surgeon said I wouldn't qualify! At least that's what the office staff said when I called to make an appt. (Dr. Geiss in LI, NY) ...they said my BMI was too low and that I needed a 38 BMI with high blood pressure or diabetes or 40 with no co-morbities. Typical American Doctor who only wants to treat the sick and forget preventative medicine! I know I will find a doctor who would do it but it makes me nervous that CIGNA would pay for it now. I do have 6 months doc supervised doc. under my belt. No proof of weight watchers but have been on every diet know to man with no major weight loss except for ATKINS and that was 13 lbs. ...amazing you lost 88!! I have been overweight for the past 10 years since my last pregnancy. I am miserable at this size please send a prayer. thanks for everything.

I've been watching videos on ITUBE of Docs who say the lap band is bad but without much substance to back up their claims really ...their only gripe is that after 10 years in Europe they are seeing that I think it's 40% of the patients are experiencing problems with the bad such as it's not working any longer and that's after 10 years. ASk anyone here and a decade free of weight issues is worth it's weight in gold. Of course the doc was thin and prob never had a weight issue!

I have to tell you my regular doctor is the single best supporter of the lap band I've met thus far and he makes me (besides this web site) the most relaxed about this. His feelings are, why not have it if it's available and it's going to make you healthier and happier in the long run why not? He is a very cautious doc too about many other things such as meds etc. WE are starting the 6 month doc. supervised diet. He says try Weight watchers and just see what happens if you don't lose weight then.....The catch her is the surgeon who I wanted to do the surgery is the stickler...I think he is very loaded down with patients and is only taking the high risk cases. I'm borderline with a 37 BMI no co morbidities......? but I have family history that will work in lab band favor.

Dear Mic and Violet: Why wouldn't Cigna pay? ...looks like Violet you had the BMI for it? Micalyee what your numbers? I thank you both in advance I have Cigna and I'm starting a doc supervised and don't want to end this is yet another disappointment. Thanks Marg

I just saw the light today when I thought that I could probably use my primary doctor for the PhCD since I've been there in the past year for weight complaints already. My only problem is my BMI is 37 I have heard of docs pushing up the weight a bit and lowering your height an inch or two. Not sure if he's the type to do that but it's worth a shot. I'm only gaining here anyway no matter what I eat or how hard I exercise! I worked so hard at the gym for so long to not get too heavy and this is my reward...I truly feel like I've finallly lost the battle.

I must ask you Charlene ...Do you feel better/younger now at this weight and age than you did 15 or so years ago when you were not so slim? Good for you! marg

I must ask you Charlene ...Do you feel better/younger now at this weight and age than you did 15 or so years ago when you were not so slim? Good for you! marg

I dreaded telling my husband because he would think the same way I did when I first contemplated this ...it just seemed so extreme, it doesn't now the more I educate myself about it and here all these success stories. He actually found out on his own when he got on our shared computer and kept seeing this web site narrowed down at the bottom. He laughes and doesn't think I'll actually go through with it and of course gave me the lecture about starting today ...eat right exercise etc. and I'll see in a few weeks I'll lose the weight....I kept my 10 year intense weight loss battle mostly to myself I guess. I felt like this last weight gain after a stellar 4 month effort of marathon training and healthy eating just did me in....it was the straw!!!!!

What a wonderful success story Edie...!!! Your story made my night...thank you for sharing. YOu are why this device was invented...look at all the benefits and life years you gained...I am so happy for you and your lucky husband! Best to you, Marg

I'm very stressed about the decision to do the lap band too...one day I wake up and I'm convinced it's the right choice the next day I think I must be nuts....I'm not that obese. It's driving me nuts and I'm spending too much time thinking about it or the money I have to spend to do it if insu won't pay. :clap2: Good for you for taking the step. Keep us posted on your progress. HOpe you are feeling great by now? let us know! Marg

Thanks Sw~ I didn't think to check with CIGNA regarding going to my regular doc~ as much as the center "HealthBridge" seemed like such a good idea ...it really was another money sceme. They are unprofessional and charge a huge amount of money for common sense in the long run. The biggest obsticle tho is they are located so far. Thank again for the good tip...I'm talking to my reg. doc today.

Dear Dyna, I can't helping thinking that maybe life doesn't have to be so painful? I know you probably do this already ..but I think for me daily outdoor exercise, weight training, yoga/meditation and making a goal to try to eat foods that help my body not my mind, all help to get to a frame of mind that what ever pain comes my way I am in much better shape to handle it and don't just go for the easy fix. It sounds so simple and I fall off the wagon but at least I know what I need to do now! Best to you, Marg ..

Dear Dyna, I can't helping thinking that maybe life doesn't have to be so painful? I know you probably do this already ..but I think for me daily outdoor exercise, weight training, yoga/meditation and making a goal to try to eat foods that help my body not my mind, all help to get to a frame of mind that what ever pain comes my way I am in much better shape to handle it and don't just go for the easy fix. Best to you, Marg ..

Wow Amy, Congratulations and Good work!!! I am impressed that the Aetne had a heart and considered your plea...keep us posted on your progress. How are you feeling? I bet your felt relieved finallly! I have CIGNA and they won't even talk tunless you've had a 6 mo supervised doc controlled diet and need 40 bmi. I hate to sound arrogant but I probably know more about nutrition, diet and exercise than just about anyone and I just can't pay close to a thousand dollars to hear another new theory or the same old same old. I'm going to accept being fat or work on at least not getting morbidly obese. Way to go!

I say get off the scale and on to the pavement or treadmill....for me I don't lose an inch unless I exercise for at least 45 mins a day.

Thanks for replying BB. So it is just a guideline...the way she talked or practically yelled at me was like she was stating a law and they were forbidden to break it. Do you think other doctors would consider it even tho your doc and mine don't. I actually didn't think about the ankle weights tho and I do have them! How much could the quarters weight though. I think by the time I am done with the 6 month supervised diet which CIGNA requires I'll gain back like usual with some extra for good meansure and they'll be real happy with my 40 bmi!! thanks again BB .

Hi Charlene...thanks for responding and so soon:think . I live on Long Island NY...that's what she said. That it is forbidden for any doctor to perform the procedure on anyone who has a BMI under 40 with no co morbidity?? Maybe they have more patients than they can handle. You lightened up my whole night. YOu are blessing. I will check out other docs than! thanks again Charlene Marg

I was watching the recording I made of the the documentary Fat - What they don't want you to know. Of course the man I married comes down during the part about the gastric bypass opeation and the cutting of the stomach..he had to come in then. He's been very smug lately since he's dropped even more weight at age 49 because he runs every night and somehow got into the habit of only eating health foods and very light. He never had the food problems I had but he's more obessed with food than I am for sure. The part I can't take is he started screaming ....you don't need that surgery!! You're just lazy.. Trust me guys I have nothing to prove here....I am the most ambitious person I know and have been told that often...lazy is not somthing I am, I work full time, raise a 4th grader and teen am involved with everything at school and in my daughter/s life and take care of everything in the house but to him he konws he did it and is smug. To top it off today is the year anniversary of my sister's sudden death ...she was morbidly obsese and died in her sleep at age 47. He won't even talk about it....yeah he's an emotional cripple but I'm old and fat. And to top of my day, the secy at the surgeon's office whom I thought would proform my lap band proceedure told me I just don't quality! Don't have a co morbidity ...I am 90 lbs over weight but not 100 my BMI's only 38 ...it's against the medical laws she said for him to perform it. Today is not a good day:faint:

How slow has your weight loss been? Have you been banded 3 years already? I know age has something to do with slow weight loss...I am 48 and would happy to just stop gaining (not banded yet) thanks margo

I am here and would love to talk!

I see that folks here are very number conscience ...I think the scale lies especially if you are exercising. I can drop 2 dress sizes and only lose 5-7 lbs.!

Get that body moving also...that is key, banded or not. Can you drink coffee, or is that off limits. I know a nice cup of coffee in the morning gets me started in more ways that one!