JudiM

I'm sooooo thrilled to have so many fun, creative, energetic and beautiful people to share this life changing time with! Wow! Who knew that August 2007 would be THE MONTH that we would find new friends and begin a new life....all because of a little band that we are all having placed on our tummy????? It's just one of life's pleasant surprises! I like all of the name suggestions for our group.......they are all great! The other day I was thinking about August being "8" and got a kick out of the fact that it could also be "ATE".....as in "I ate too much"...... ...I guess you had to be there....

Hi August Band Buddies! I'm so happy we have *this place* to come and "discuss" how we are feeling and what's going on. In as much as I can't wait to start sharing success stories, I think that sharing our feelings (with people who understand and who are going through the very same steps) during these days and weeks leading up to having the procedure are critical! Just knowing that others are having similar feelings is so comforting and reassuring! Up until now, the time and energy that I devoted to this journey was so much about getting through each step so that I could be approved and scheduled. For months, I had a very clear mission! My focus never strayed from it. Now that I accomplished that goal (thank GOD!), there's time to think. As much as I want to have this surgery, I do have "are you crazy Judi?" moments. Soon, they spiral into panic-anxiety terror attacks! Now, I don't have a lot of them. But, sometimes they just creep up on me. And, when they do....I feel like I can't be thinking about ME. It's like I am watching a movie about someone else! Having this surgery is not something I would have ever suspected I would do. Even as recent as 2 years ago, if anyone would have asked me if I would EVER have weight loss surgery, I would have looked at them like they were CRAZY. And, even now, sometimes I get this weird feeling that I am not really going to do it. Probably because it feels so foreign to me. But then I pop back into the real world and realize that "yes, I am doing this". Between now and August 10 (my band date!), I have to get through several social events and our annual 2 week beach vacation. As my weight has increased, my desire to just stay home has increased as well! And, I am a very social person! Just goes to show how incredibly life altering weight can be! The thought of figuring out what to wear on a daily basis is bad enough! But, coming up with an outfit that doesn't scream "trying to hide my stomach" for social events is a little too much! And, of course, that's just a small piece of the problem! There's the BIG problem of the pre-op liquid diet.....starting the 2nd week I am on vacation! Yes, I know that gin and wine are liquids. And, of course, margaritas and all umbrella topped beach drinks fit that category. But, we all know what I am talking about....THE PRE-OP LIQUID DIET!!!! With that issue lurking in my brain, the problem of my bathing suit being the size of a beach umbrella gets shoved to the back burner! Of course, I suppose I could look at the liquid diet as a blessing....I won't have to worry about what I'll wear each night to a restaurant! I can just stay back at our beach house in my moo-moo and watch the waves hit the sand while I sip on a Protein laced margarita.....:eek: But, then, I guess I will have to think about how much fun I will have and how absolutely stunning I will look in my tent-like bathing suit as I lower my body into my beach chair......:faint: Keep the faith August Band buddies! I'm counting on *YOU* to help me keep mine!!!!

Hi August Band Gang.....:clap2: OOOH, the days are really going fast. Sometimes it's not fast enough! But, I try *NOT* to wish away time.... How wonderful to see everyone here!!!! How great! We are banding together! My date is August 10. My surgeon is Dr. Carol McCarthy, Magee Womens' Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. SOOOO....what are everyone's plans between now and their Band-Day???

I will be banded in August....I started a thread for August banders on the Monthly Band board....it would be great to see everyone there! The more the merrier...right?

Hi! So happy to see a few others looking at August as their date! Greetings! To answer some of the ??'s.... -My dr is Dr. Carol McCloskey at UPMC Magee Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. -My approval came in on Friday from my insurance co...:clap2:. They would not set a surgery date until that came in. I was joyous! Things moved a bit slower than I had hoped in terms of getting all the tests done and the appointments set up. I started the process in April so that I could hopefully be banded mid-June (which would work out best for my life!). But, getting an appt with the nutritionist and the psychologist was what pushed me into August. Both of them had at least a month wait time! -The key piece to approvals with BCBS here in PA is the 6 month medically supervised diet. Fortunately, I have been on a medically supervised diet for 2 years....an unsucessful one, I might add! -I would love to loose 100 lbs. But, gee, I'd take 50! -I'm working on figuring out how to get a ticker on here. And, I *might* post a pix of myself in my signature. It would be my "before" picture. But, as I was explaining to my sister the other day when we were looking at pix from my son's college commencement---"before" pictures are okay when you look better NOW. But, "before" pictures are not exactly fun to look at when you STILL look that way!!! LOL!!! -Like most people who come to this decision, I am doing this for me....I want to feel better, be more healthy, enjoy my life, participate in my life and extend my "good life" as long as I can! I cannot reclaim these past few years. But, I can make future ones the best they can be! -So, August Band Mates.....remember the scene in Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid where they held hands and jumped off the cliff? Well.....gimme your hands.....we're going!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH........

Belly up (no pun intended) for a shot & a beer (an "Iron" preferred!). It will chase away those nervous feelings and will keep you hydrated.....:p:p If that doesn't work, maybe you should have another...... :gluck: Seriously, you are not alone. Being nervous or scared or even second guessing your decision is completely normal. The unknown is always a bit unnerving. No matter what you are doing! Of course, the idea of surgery and recovery has it own level of angst. But, just think about how you've dealt with other situations where at first it may not be pleasant but it will lead to something rewarding. All of us have a mechanism that we use to deal with times when we have to face uneasy times or for when we feel anxious or nervous. In most cases, we don't even know we do what we do! But, think back to the last time you felt like this....maybe childbirth or starting a new job. How did you get through it? And, keep in mind....YOU DID GET THROUGH IT!!! Success breeds success!! But, even if you can't seem to get past your anxiety.....just keep coming back here and sharing your feelings. Let it all out! Just knowing that this place is stock piled with people who understand and will listen with compassion is a wonderful antidote to what you may be feeling. Keep your focus on your goals (not just the number goals) and don't loose sight of the good changes you are making for yourself and for those 3 children of yours! And, never forget.....you are a PITTSBURGH girl!!!! A SASSY SMART STEEL CITY girl!!! We are SOMTHING SPECIAL.......

Hi PghMomof3---- Welcome! Now there's at least 3 of us here!!! If you've had those tests done, you are definitely ahead of where most people are before they have their first visit with the surgeon! And, with your self-pay, things should go very quickly! My appt with the surgeon is May 1.....at Magee. My situation is different since I hope to have my insurance cover this (which it should). But, there's a few extra hoops to jump through. However, just the mere fact that I made this decision and am committed to it, I'm feeling so much better. No weight loss on the scale but a real weight has been lifted off my mind! Good luck! Judi

Hi all..... Although I did attend a group meeting and did what I considered a good deal of research, it all pales in comparison to what I have learned on this forum! I am humbled by the vast amount of knowledge this group has. And, I am so impressed with how generous you are in sharing it all! Plus, you are all so inspiring and motivating. This has to be the finest support and educational group on the entire web! In fact, I can't begin to thank you all for making this such a comfortable and welcoming place for me to visit. It's made all the difference in the world. Even though I had made the decision to get the lapband procedure done before I found this group---being among all of you has eased my feelings of isolation. Up until I found this group, I felt alone in all of this. It is so reassuring to know that I can come here and ask any question and someone will respond with a "been there too" and then someone else will chime in and give information and then someone else will post with their advice. It's a good feeling. A very good feeling. No wonder I keep coming back!!! I came to realize that when I find myself wondering about something or having a specific question about lapband, I automatically hear myself say "I have to be sure to ask the LBT group!" In less than a month, you have all become my "go to" people! I look forward to the day that I can return the favor!!! So, with all of that said....I've come back to request some help in formulating a list of questions that I need to ask when I have my first appt with the surgeon. Is there a site online where I can find one? Or, does anyone have a list? I want to know as much as possible and I want to be fully prepared. I don't want to walk out of that appointment saying "I wish I would has asked.....". And, just in case there's any question, I want to make sure that the dr. knows that I am committed myself to having the lapband done and that I'm very realistic in what my role is in all of this. I really need pointed in the right direction. :clap2::clap2::clap2: Thanks again! Judi

But, for some reason, we can't really see what's in front of us!!! We look back and think "gee I looked good then". But, I'll bet (in the past), we didn't think so at the time!!! I'm trying to remind myself that as much as I want to loose the weight, I am not trying to "go back to the good old days", I'm trying to move forward to brand new days that are even better!!! I just have to keep reminding myself!!!! I'll never be able to go back anyhow....:phanvan And, of course---even though we might not want to consider this---the passing years do have an effect on how our bodies distribute our weight!!! Your new SEXY look might be at another number now!!!!

Hi Lori...... Welcome! I reside in the Pittsburgh area as well! Like you, after quite a bit of research and thought, I have finally decided to get Lapband! I attended the info meeting at St. Clair Hospital with the Hope Bariatrics group. I received all of my paperwork last week and the first 2 appts (surgeon & dietician) are set up for April 9. Sounds like you are on your way! I can't wait until I can join you!!! I look forward to following your success!!! All the best to you, neighbor!!!! Judi

Hi all..... I am attending my first group meeting on Monday (informational). What has the timeline been for all of you from the first formal step to the surgery? I would like to have the surgery in June. But, of course, I may be way off base. June just works into my schedule since I am at a University. Am I being at all realistic???:confused:

Hi all..... I'm Judi and I weigh 130 lbs. But, for some reason, my scale says differently. It says that I am 100 lbs overweight. I've been trying to convince the scale that it's wrong. But, it doesn't seem to get it. Just like my size 10 jeans. They don't realize that I own them and they have to obey me. And, there's lots of other condumdrums in my life. The only thing I can think is that an alternate Judi has taken over my life and my body. It's just temporary, I keep thinking. But, this person has stayed now for 8 years. She has cost me quite a bit of money, she is doing a number on my knees, she is ruining my health, she is tiring me out, she is ruining my sex life and she has made it impossible for me to ride amusement park rides! To be honest--she has worn out her welcome. I neeed to find the real Judi. She's the girl I miss. She is the Judi I always was and who I know I am. After having thryroid cancer 8 years ago and undergoing surgery to remove it and going through several grueling months of radiation, my entire body changed. Even after months of regulating thyroid replacement meds and changing my lifestyle, the pounds kept piling on. Since that time, I have done every weightloss program imagineable. And,I've got the books, menus, empty pill bottles and cancelled checks to prove it! Yet, even after all of that,I have been unable to get back my life. Over the past 8 months, I've been researching and gathering information on lap band surgery. And, I am ready to take the leap. My first group meeting is on Monday March 19. I'm both excited and scared. And, that's why I am here. I look forward to being a part of this group..... Judi

Thanks all! Today, I attend the informational meeting. Over the weekend, I happened to run into the nurse from the Dr's office where I I went for medically supervised weightloss (meds). During our conversation, I shared with her my decision to have lapband. She thought it was a great idea for me (she knows SO WELL what I dealt with!). She told me to call their office today to request a letter to prove that I have been under a dr's care in the past for weight loss. She indicated that insurance will require it. She said that the dr will definitely help me out! So, I called this morning. He said that as far he is concerned, I am an excellent candidate! So, he was VERY agreeable to putting together a letter! He asked me to call him after the meeting today to let him know what I need from him. Amazing! I'm feeling like a June banding might actually be a reality! I consider this DIVINE INTERVENTION!!!! It was the "extra" message that I needed to tell me that this is to be MY JOURNEY! JudiM

Originally, I had planned to go to Allegheny General for their group session. But, St. Clair is very close to my house and the date and time were more convenient. I'd love to communicate with others in the Pgh area who have had this done and any suggestions/advice/info that might help me. It's a tough road to navigate on your own! So happy to have found this place! Thanks! Judi

Thank you all so very much for your warm and kind welcome. How wonderful it is to be among kindred spirits with big hearts and open arms. Finding a place to belong feels so good! I can't fit on a rollercoaster but I sure feel like I'm on one!!! I guess I better hold on anyway! LOL!:phanvan :phanvan It's nice to know I'm not riding alone..... I like all those tickers.....I want one!!! Thanks so much, Judi.....