Shawn Morrison

I have to echo the others here. 30 pounds is a lot. My doc told me I just had to say within 5 pounds of my initial weight and that is with insurance requirements not self pay. Hmm. Good luck.

Congrats Viki, I'm just a few days behind you on March 11th. Good luck!

Just remember that you are doing this for them. You have more of a chance of extending your life by doing this than you do of shortening it. In other words the rewards are greater than the risks. That makes this a no brainier and you will feel great and the kids will be happy to have a more active and healthy parent.

The wait isn't too bad. I am with Aetna and did the same stuff. It goes very quickly and if you do all the work you feel better and lose some weight in the process.

It more sounds like you need to reevaluate your relationship with you Mom. My folks used to be very similar. I finally couldn't take it any more so just stopped talking to them for over a year. After that we reconciled and have had a wonderful adult relationship based on mutual respect between equals instead of them being smarter or more experienced. Something to think about any way.

Wow that is crazy. I such an amazing nutritionist. She told me out their stuff but said that was only if I wanted it and that a whole list of other things were acceptable. She also explained that some people like to keep using shakes just to get the protein but as soon as you can hit the required protein intake through food alone you don't have to take them any more. Sorry to hear about your experience. She did say to take vitamins for life but that's a good thing and she didn't require it be some certain brand.

I look at it like this, its a savings/spending system. I aldreay burned through all the yummy food I was aloted for this life. Some people save that food and get to have little bits of it all their lives and others front load the good stuff. Thats what I did, I front loaded my good food so now I'm out of savings and have to scrimp by. Its life. Its hard but that view helps me not get bugged by it.

EDIT: Sorry misread. Thought it was a band or VS. Still I would go with VS. I've chosen the sleeve (happening in 5 weeks) because it doesn't leave behind a foreign body in my system. My wife works for a surgeon and says even things that are medically ok to be in your body like the band can at times cause problems when and if they begin to decay. I also don't like the idea of maintenance like the fills and flushes and all of that stuff. Sure its scarier because it’s very permanent. It’s also scary because its semi new or at least newer and there isn't a ton of long term data. They are finding better lasting results with the VS. I'm sure you have seen there are a number of band converts on here as well so that should say something. All that said the band seems like a great solution if you are the right person. They are both tools and will work great for the right user of that tool. Just talk with you doc and ask a million questions and see where they stand for you. A lot of docs find the question, what would you do for your family, to be a good bridge between just giving advice and telling you what they really think.

That really sucks Lady. I'm sorry. After reading that I feel blessed to have have litteraly not one detractor. Co workers, family, firends - all on board. I'm sure you see you have tons of us that support you even if we don't know you. Good luck and keep strong. You are your best supporter in the end.

I'm like you Rock, I only have a few days so am hoping for the best.

Good luck!

Like she said the road can get long but it will end at some point. Just keep doing exactly what is asked of you and you will give yourself the best chance. I had a similar experience except it was ALL of my docs. I had to keep seeing a psychologist, exercise therapist, family doc and nutritionist for 3 extra months each. Not fun and expensive but it paid off. One I felt good and two I was accepted yesterday. You will make it.

I had a great experience with Aetna. Other than having some extra hoops to jump through than some of the other people that I have read about it was great. I had to see my primary care, my dietitian, my psychologist and my exercise guy for 3 months each. Once that once done I received my approval on the first try after only 1 week of waiting. Very nice group.