AshRae84

I have to go with the Simpson girls. How 2 individuals with no talent have gotten as far as they have, I'll never know... ~*Ash*~

Ok guys, I posted this in General, because it's a little of the other sub forums rolled into one... For starters, I am so frustrated lately. I work 40+ hours a week as a medical receptionist, and go to night class for court reporting. My surgeon's office(in Tulsa) is 50 or so miles from my house. With all the pre-op visits, I have traveled to Tulsa at least 20 days in the past month. (I should also add I go to class in Tulsa). I am broke, stressed, EXHAUSTED, and emotionally drained... I'm to the point where I'm dreading my decision to have this surgery before it even happens. Now on to my questions I had for you guys: 1) Have any of you had to stop taking your birth control before surgery? If so, has it completely made you lose it? I swear, my hormone's are all out of whack... I found myself crying over spilled cherry sprite last week. No, not crying, hysterically bawling. 2) Can we drink gatorade? I LOVE gatorade, and it's caffiene and carbonation free... but I'm afraid it'll be too high in sugars... Thanks guys!!! ~*Ash*~

Thanks for the responses guys. I know things will get better. It's just being so busy getting ready for surgery. I already had 3 appointments today, and yet another on Friday. It's just trying to make time to practice (For school), and do my homework in between all the rest. And I know the biggest factor is that I'm off my BC, and my hormones are crazy... Plus one of my best friends (also my ex) just moved to Florida this week, so that's kinda hard for me too... ~*Ash*~

Well this is my first entry into my Lapband Talk Journal. So I figured I would start by introducing myself, for those who don't know me... My name is Ashley, I am currently 22 years old. (I will be turning 23 in 3 days *6/7/07*) I was born in raised in a small little town in Oklahoma. My high school graduating class was only 42 people. I am currently enrolled in Tulsa Technology College for Court Stenography, and I work full time as a Medical Receptionist. I am single, no children, and still live at home. Yes, I know how boring it seems, I live it every day! My weight problems all started when I was around 6 years old, (First grade). I have never been slim, I wouldn't even know what that would be like. I have been on just about every diet you can think of. Trimspa, Weight Watchers, EDiets, and some prescription diet pills. Weight Watchers I had the most success with, I lost 30lbs, but then gained it all back. I have spent my entire life justifying my size to myself. Telling myself I was a big girl, and I would always be a big girl, and I just needed to deal with that fact... Once I hit 300lbs, I realized that I needed to do something. I am only 22, and I can't even play with my niece w/out losing my breath. Not to mention, at this weight, let's face it, I'm never going to love myself, let alone find someone else to love me... Gastric Bypass was never an option for me. It always seemed far too invasive for me. But when I started hearing about LapBand it really seemed like something that could benefit me, so I started researching it. I was rather nervous when I presented the idea to my parents, but they were both very supportive, thank god. So we started the process. My mother who is an RN had in her mind right away which surgeon she wanted me to see, so her and I went to his informational seminar. My mom has done everything with me so far. She's been such a great supporter. As much as I should be dieting before my surgery, I just can't bring myself to... But I have no doubt that I'm going to succeed, with the drive that I have. I'm not exactly pigging out right now, I haven't eaten anything different than usual, I'm just not exactly watching myself either... I can't wait to join the banded lifestyle tho! And I won't lie, I can't wait until I get to throw it in all the guy's faces who've turned me down in the past, because I wasn't skinny... I have one month, and 6 days til my surgery date. Until then my journal will probably be more geared towards what's going on in my life, and then I will keep you more informed about my life with the band, once I'm banded! ~*Ash*~ P.S. I promise the next posts won't be NEAR as long. :-P

Well this is my first entry into my Lapband Talk Journal. So I figured I would start by introducing myself, for those who don't know me... My name is Ashley, I am currently 22 years old. (I will be turning 23 in 3 days *6/7/07*) I was born in raised in a small little town in Oklahoma. My high school graduating class was only 42 people. I am currently enrolled in Tulsa Technology College for Court Stenography, and I work full time as a Medical Receptionist. I am single, no children, and still live at home. Yes, I know how boring it seems, I live it every day! My weight problems all started when I was around 6 years old, (First grade). I have never been slim, I wouldn't even know what that would be like. I have been on just about every diet you can think of. Trimspa, Weight Watchers, EDiets, and some prescription diet pills. Weight Watchers I had the most success with, I lost 30lbs, but then gained it all back. I have spent my entire life justifying my size to myself. Telling myself I was a big girl, and I would always be a big girl, and I just needed to deal with that fact... Once I hit 300lbs, I realized that I needed to do something. I am only 22, and I can't even play with my niece w/out losing my breath. Not to mention, at this weight, let's face it, I'm never going to love myself, let alone find someone else to love me... Gastric Bypass was never an option for me. It always seemed far too invasive for me. But when I started hearing about LapBand it really seemed like something that could benefit me, so I started researching it. I was rather nervous when I presented the idea to my parents, but they were both very supportive, thank god. So we started the process. My mother who is an RN had in her mind right away which surgeon she wanted me to see, so her and I went to his informational seminar. My mom has done everything with me so far. She's been such a great supporter. As much as I should be dieting before my surgery, I just can't bring myself to... But I have no doubt that I'm going to succeed, with the drive that I have. I'm not exactly pigging out right now, I haven't eaten anything different than usual, I'm just not exactly watching myself either... I can't wait to join the banded lifestyle tho! And I won't lie, I can't wait until I get to throw it in all the guy's faces who've turned me down in the past, because I wasn't skinny... I have one month, and 6 days til my surgery date. Until then my journal will probably be more geared towards what's going on in my life, and then I will keep you more informed about my life with the band, once I'm banded! ~*Ash*~ P.S. I promise the next posts won't be NEAR as long. :-P

Well my date got moved up a day. So now I'm getting banded on July 10th! I can't wait! ~*Ash*~

Count me in as a Lucky #7. My surgery date (I found out today!) is July 10th!! ~*Ash*~

I know we have discussed plus size clothing here, but can someone help me find a reasonably priced place that sells plus size lingerie? I really love lingerie, and I like that it makes me feel sexier, but I don't see the point in paying $70 for a sliver of material that will end up on the floor anyway... Any suggestions? And if this has already been discussed, I apologize, and could you please direct me to the thread? ~*Ash*~

I'm looking online right now, I just want to make sure it's a trustworthy site, ya know? I'm a pretty savvy online shopper, but I still always feel more comfortable knowing that someone else has used the company, and can vouch they sell a good product. ~*Ash*~

The "Britney" album by Britney Spears is a really good workout cd. It's filled with Pep. :-P ~*Ash*~

Not really. I work at a Medical Clinic, and our Dr. is out of the office Wednesday and Friday, so I tried to get all my appointments on those days. But I had all my appointments scheduled w/in the next 5 weeks or so. Just a little bit over a month. ~*Ash*~

I went to my seminar on March 3, 2007. And my first appointment with him was April 27, 2007. W/in a week they were calling to schedule my other appointments. (My insurance won't cover, so I'm doing self pay.) How did you like the seminar? I thought he did a really great job at explaining everything, and answering all the questions. And has a wonderful sense of humor. Just an FYI if you are doing the self pay route, the $13,900 price they give does NOT include the preop visits I mentioned... ~*Ash*~

A friend of mine from class (I'm in school for court reporting), suggested to me to buy this book. You have just convinced me not to waste my time or cash. ~*Ash*~

Welcome to the Board! There are a few banders here who have used Gorospe. I am currently working through my Pre-op's for my surgery (With Gorospe). I have my Psych appointment this week, Cardio, Pulmonology, and sleep Study scheduled in the next month. Have you had your first appointment with his office yet? ~*Ash*~

My mom is an RN, she's not a fulltime grandma, but the hospital she was working at before, actually sent them to a seminar on treating morbidly obese patients. (Such as not asking for the "Extra Large Blood Pressure Cuff" in front of the patient.) Isn't that just common human decency to not hurt your fellow man's feelings?! ~*Ash*~

Wow. I've only managed to make it through 5 pages so far, but I'm astonished at the things people feel they have the right to say. Even more so our family members. Here are a few that spring to mind for me... When I was in the 4th grade (My weight problems started @ 6), there was a boy in my class (I should add the FATTEST kid in the class, much bigger than me) would sing to me (To the tune of Bad Boys *The Cops Theme*) "Fat girl Fat girl, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when she sits on you?" To this day that still makes me want to cry. But I keep telling myself that kid weighs 400lbs now, and is living in some trailor park with a fat wife, and 6 kids. :-P 2nd story, happened I would say when I was maybe around 11, 12. My mom had gone grocery shopping, and came home and I was asleep on the couch watching TV, and she comes in and says to me "Can't you get off your fat ass and do something?" Granted, she was having a really bad day, and since apologized, but that was still stings to this day. 3rd, just happened recently. My grandma and I went to see the 20th Anniversary Theater release of Dirty Dancing, we were in my car on the drive, and talking about me having my lapband surgery, and she made that comment that 'maybe after I have it, I'll have a life.' Ouch. I work full time, go to school full time, when does she expect me to have time to have this so called 'life'. 4th, I recently was dating a guy (We've split for geographical reasons *he's moving to Florida, I live in Oklahoma*). We met online, and then met in person, when I asked him honestly what he thought of me, he responded "You're bigger than I expected." Ouch. That one stung. I guess I shouldn't have asked his honest opinion. And I didn't know whether to be offended or not, because he apparently wasn't shallow, because he still wanted to be with me, despite my size... but it hurt that he had to point it out. 5th, my nail tech is vietnamese, and speaks broken English, and I think her intentions were well, but she still hurt me, when she said "You have such a beautiful face, such pretty features, if you lost weight, you'd be beating the guys off with a stick." And then there are the usuals, my dad offering to pay for a brand new wardrobe if I'd lose weight, the "You don't know how pretty you'd be if you lost weight." And my personal fav, from my mother "If you had been a boy, you would've made one hell of a linebacker..." ~*Ash*~

I did have insurance, but it lapsed between January and May. And apparently that gap is significant enough for them to deny me everything for a year. (The sleep Center found this out for me.) Right now Im just really looking into proceeding with the self pay option. But I can't thank you enough for your help in this matter. I have been such a basketcase this weekend stressed over this. (Thinking I might need to up my Lexapro before this is all said and done. :-P) ~*Ash*~

As if I wasn't stressed enough, I now find out that apparently my insurance has a 12 month pre-existing on ANYTHING, so for 12 months, they won't pay for anything at all. (And my insurance with my new employer just went into effect on May 1st...) so it looks like it's more than likely definitely going to be a selfpay route for me... ~*Ash*~

My BMI is actually 52. But I'm still fairly young, and haven't really developed any issues YET. But I think it's only a matter of time. I'm just afraid I will go through all this, and still end up having to self pay. And just like anyone else, I wanted to have the surgery last week, ya know? :-P It's so frustrating. Does it seem right that they would require me to do all the pre op procedures (Cardio, Pulmonology, Psych), and the supervised diet before even submitting it to insurance? ~*Ash*~

Just bumping this up, I am desperately needing advice... I'm seriously stressed out about all this stuff. ~*Ash*~

Hey guys, I'm a newbie, and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Ashley, I'm 22 (almost 23), from Oklahoma. I just had my first appointment with Dr. Luis Gorospe @ the Southcrest Center for Surgical Weight Loss in Tulsa, OK. They are currently submitting a letter to my Insurance Company (First Health) to make certain they won't pay for any part of my surgery. I anticipate they won't, because I currently am not dealing with any contributing health problems. Not a diabetic, no cholestoral problems, or blood pressure. But I am prepared to pay for the surgery myself. Once we find out what insurance will cover (or won't) then we'll be able to proceede with scheduling. I'm excited, and nervous all at the same time. I have battled a weight problem since I was 6 years old, and I can't imagine what it would be like to be even remotely close to slim. I'm excited to be here, and look forward to sharing my experience with you guys, and your experiences with me. And hopefully put myself at ease with this frightening journey I'm embarking on. ~*Ash*~