mylapspirit

Hi AZ Pete! You are doing Awesome!!! I hope you are taking your success to your lap band support group and sharing with the preops so they have someone to look up to! You are setting such a good example by following the bandster rules and exercising. I know you are giving me so much hope right now! Thanks! shelli:ranger::whoo:

Hi Lucy, Water Aerobics is wonderful for your knees and joints and you can get your heart rate up. Our instructor has you jog in place in the water and makes you raise your knees as high as you can as you are jogging. Also you can do bicycling in the deeper water and walk the pool the circumference of the pool (or is it diameter). I walk around the pool for about an hour so I figure I am burning off calories during this process too. And no perspiring unless the water is super warm. Makes me feel 10 years younger when I get out. You might want to check with the WA instructor to see if jogging is included in their class as they might have milder classes for older people. Have fun finding a class! michelle:ranger:

Hi I am from PA but up in the Northwest Corner(Erie). My Doctor is Dr. Ali and is with the Hamot Bariatic Hospital. Wish I could be of more help. Good luck to you!:ranger:

Hi Alexandra, I will be banded towards the end of August. I have to do a two week pre-op diet of 5 sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfasts per day for the two weeks. And of course all the Water I can drink. I can also have Crystal Light beverages but that is it - no SF Jello, or popsicles, or anything else. I am a little concerned about this but I have made a promise to myself to follow my Docs instructions to a T. Hope your surgery for rebanding goes smoothly. Your posts on this board really are very inspirational. Thank you, Michelle:ranger:

ERnurse, My approval letter stated that the only complications they would not pay for would be if I was not compliant with the medical instructions given to me after the surgery. I kind of read into this that means if I don't stick with the postop diet and then something happens like slippage, etc. Could this be your situation too? I feel all the more reason to stick to the bandster rules after the surgery. What a great motivator. Good luck in your weight loss journey. I hope that letter doesn't stop you from pursuing a band life. Michelle:ranger:

Hi OregonHolly, I feel your pain. I am 52 years old. You have a twin here on the East Coast and it is me. We have the same feelings, the same health problems, and the same goals. Unlike you though I turned down a trip to Spain and England this Spring because of my weight and osteoarthritis. I really admire you going to Greece and seeing the world. My weight is holding me back from so much of life right now. I really am becoming housebound. My friends have to beg me to do things with them. I say no because I don't know if I will fit in the chairs. I refuse to fly anywhere because I just don't fit and would need two plane seats. I am going on vacation soon but just dread seeing my family members. But the good news is that I have not given up Hope. I have been approved for lapband surgery and will be scheduled soon. I have made a promise to myself to follow the preop and postop diet to a T as prescribed by my surgeon and dietician. I am looking forward to a new life, a new beginning, and some freedom from this insidious disease. Feel free to write to me for support and friendship as I am a good listener, etc. This is a wonderful website to learn, to meet new friends, and to vent and share your concerns. Take care and talk to you soon.:ranger::car:

You two have the best support system out there of anyone! Good luck to both of you and have a great adventure!

Thanks for the information and websites. Have a great Sunday!:ranger:

Bubble, thanks for this thread - it is truly interesting what others are reading. Can you tell me where to buy these Matrix shakes and what are your favorite flavors???:ranger:

Neveragain, baby if you can perform like the guys on the video I would worship the ground you walk on.:omg:

Yup, Land's End or any flattering one piece from Robby Len. Have Fun!

When BC/BS asks for 6 consecutive months you need to give them exactly what they ask for - there is no way around it. When they say consecutive they mean consecutive. I was approved with BC/BS after eleven months. I had everything in order after six months but then they kept asking for more and more specific documentation. My doctors helped me obtain the particulars they were seeking and finally they approved the surgery. You HAVE to jump thru all the hoops they ask of you. You CANNOT give up! In a way I think they hope that you will get tired and give up because then they don't have to pay - don't play into that game. Jump, Jump, Jump! You will be so happy when you get that approval letter in the mail. Don't Give Up!!!

Thanks Chickie esp. for the link to wikipedia. Take care, Michelle

Just out of curiousity what does PCOS stand for???

Hi Ya'll, All your responses are music to my ears or should I say feet! Thanks for the replies!!!

Thank you Faith for taking the time to care! I am preband and did not learn the "reasons" for the food stages until I joined this forum. Yes - I did meet with my surgeons dietician but she just went over the stages and never explained why! I have learned so much from your post and others and appreciate your efforts to educate us. I hope in the months ahead that you will still be here reaching out to help us newbies because you are Awesome!!! Thanks!!!:ranger:

Hi laurend, I have been watching the posts to see when you would be back online. You were banded on July 5th right? How did it go? Did you have to spend the night in the hospital? So good to have you back online. Hope you feel better(warmer) fast! Take care, Michelle:girl_hug:

:omg:Well, it took me 11 months but when I went out to the mailbox today there it was-----------------------------MY INSURANCE APPROVAL for my lap band. I jumped thru all the hoops and FINALLY BC/BS of Alabama agreed that I could try to be banded. They are only letting me have one weight loss surgery in my lifetime.(at least they are only paying for one):biggrin1: Is it "normal" to feel elated? And at the same time to feel a little trepidation? okay maybe alot? Is is "normal" to wish that I could have lost all the excess weight with Weight Watchers and maintain the loss? Right now I feel so many different emotions: happiness, fear, joy, hope, uncertainty, etc. Originally I thought I would be banded in March 2007. Now I need to prepare myself mentally again that it is going to happen and I hope soon. Any words of wisdom out there would be so appreciated at this time.:help: Thanks, michelle

Thanks Julie, Karla, and Gibson. Really do appreciate the thoughts.

Thanks to all of you will your well wishes and support! I don't have a date set yet but probably will in about two weeks and I really need to hear all the positives about the lap band. So many of you say they really love their band because it keeps them in control and that is what I really need. I was put on my first diet in third grade and have been chubby ever since. I am so looking forward to a life without fat although I am realisitc about the work I have ahead of me. Everyone have a great weekend! Thanks, Michelle:girl_hug:

I was reading over some old posts and Jack's posts always make me laugh out loud. If your out there Jack please come back!!!:ranger: We promise to be nice.:cool:

I live in the Chimney shaped area of Pennsylvania but I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Hi! For all you "big losers" out there I was wondering if your joint pain got better after you dropped some weight??? I would love to hear about the severity and type of your joint pain and how your are feeling now! Thanks!:help::sick:ranger:

that was need the knee replacement.

Hi - actually I am presurgical right now. I just got approved two weeks ago and I am now waiting to get on the surgical schedule. I have severe knee pain and sometimes when I walk I have to use a cane. The doctor told me I was too young and too heavy to have knee replacement right now. I am hoping that after banding that the joint pain will get better that is why I was kind of taking a survery. I am hoping that after I lose 100 plus pounds that I won't knee the replacement. Thanks! Michelle:ranger: