MistyfortheMountain

I also didn't stand up quite straight...and measured an inch shorter...that helped a lot!

At the risk of sounding stupid, what is lap band support?

Uh Oh! Is this what I have to look forward too???

Aren't the bands they are installing now different from the ones they did a few years ago. New and improved?

My doctors office does both the band and sleeve surgeries. At the seminar I asked about the band and was told they much prefer the band and strongly suggest it because it is so much less invasive.

This made me laugh out loud! Literally! Thanks!

Thinking about you this evening. Hope your doing great!

There were about 20 people at the seminar I went to. My surgeons office does lap bands and sleeves but he seemed to favor the band as a less radical surgery, When I called about the seminar they requested my insurance info and verified my insurance would cover the procedure before they registered me for the seminar, My surgeons office sent me a link to a 30 minute video which was very, very informative. I suppose that's why he didn't really present a lot of info at the seminar but it was more of an opportunity to ask questions of him. I was disappointed to discover that most of the people didn't watch the video and asked questions that were more than covered in it if they had. So in short I really didn't learn anything new but it was a good opportunity to meet my surgeon and decide that he seemed patient and knowledgeable. I scheduled with him that night. I asked about support group meetings and he said that they do have a sign up sheet but most of his patients belong to online groups and the attendance at the meetings is hit or miss, so call first. I guess they are all on here! LOL

Congratulations! It's always so nice to hear success stories and see that they started at the same place us newbies are now. It's reassuring to see you had the same questions and a lot of the same fears and are now standing where we hope to be.

So excited for you!

I went to my seminar last week and was told all my insurance required was a psych visit and a visit with a nutritionist. They scheduled me to meet with both on Nov 13th and to meet with the surgeon yesterday. My surgeon was great, told me I was a great candidate. When I asked him how long until I could actually get the surgery he checked my file and told me all I needed was a psych and nutrition visit and they were already scheduled. I should be looking at a late Nov. early Dec. surgery date. Yea! Or so I thought. Then I met with a nurse there to get informational packets for my meeting with the psych/nutritionist. She tells me that my insurance doesn't require a 6 month diet, they only need documentation of my diet attempts in the past. How am I supposed to document that? I never did weight watchers or anything. I did go to a dr for diet pills but after 5 years they destroy records. No luck there. Most of my diets were things like Atkins, calorie counting, over the counter stuff. Now what?

Wow! Great news ccjll! Good luck tomorrow!!!

Jill if your doctor prescribed meds for 6 months then I would think you are golden. My problem is I haven't done anything official like that. My history is more like you, Bandista. I am 53, so I know what you mean by trying everything down the pike. Did your insurance require the 6 month regulated diet or did you just write a letter of explanation?

I have an appointment with my primary on the 30th. I have never talked to her about WL surgery and have no idea how she feels about it. I have seen her every 3 months for the past 4 years for other issues related to my weight and we discuss my weight often. I have asked her in the past if there are any prescriptions or anything she can prescribe and all she says is that she doesn't believe in them. I'm hoping she believes in WL surgery! Do the surgeons have a form for her to fill out or will I need her to write a letter?

I am also just starting my journey. Hello and welcome!

I am not yet banded but because of all the meds I take I need to eat something in the morning. I'm not a huge breakfast person and the only breakfast foods I really like are all the bad ones. You know, biscuits and gravy or pancakes. So for the past couple of years I eat a can of chicken and noodle soup for breakfast. I like it, it's not too heavy and it's higher in protein and low in calories. My point is just because something is not a traditional breakfast food doesn't mean you can't eat it in the morning. Find something you like and wave your magic wand over it. Wa La! It's now a breakfast food in your world.

I am currently reading the 8th book in the Haunted Series by Alexie Aaron. There are currently nine books in the series so I have purposely slowed down to make the last two last. I feel like I have come to know the characters and I will miss them when I'm done. I hope she continues to add to it!

I'm not banded yet but I am no stranger to trying to control night time snacking. Popcorn is one of my favorites and well and I find it satisfies that hand to mouth feeling. I can eat it one piece at a time and really stretch it out also. The trick is to make it delicious and still low calorie. The microwave popcorn is full of fat and oil. Even the 100 calorie bags just cut down the amount not really the fat. Did you know you can pop corn in your microwave using just a paper lunch bag? That's how I make it, then I spray it with 0 calorie butter spray and some butter flavored popcorn salt. I like it better than the packaged kind and less than half the calories. Hope this helps.

Hello all. I have been lurking here for a while just soaking it all in and thought I would finally introduce myself. I went to my seminar this evening and made my appointment with my surgeon for next Monday. The surgical group I am going with checked with my insurance company and they don't require a waiting period, so this could all happen very quickly! The biggest thing I learned at my seminar this evening was how unprepared most people are for this surgery. The doctor even sent us a link to a 30 minute video explaining the procedure and what happens before and after. The questions people were asking made it very clear they had no idea what they were getting into. I was shocked! It's no wonder there are people who are unsuccessful if this is how unprepared they are. I am determined to make this count and get rid of this weight once and for all! I have learned so much from all of you and plan to continue to soak up your knowledge and pick your brains on occasion. So, I'll see ya around!