Luv2scuba

Hi, I'm not yet banded. I'm going to my first information/support session tomorrow night. I could definately use the support of someone who has been thru the process. I am looking to lose over 100 lbs too. Hope you all have a wonderful day! Blessed Be. Pat

Indigo, Welcome back! Sounds like your trip was wonderful! Orea, Welcome back! How was your surgery? pj, Good luck and wishing you a speedy recovery! Pat

Happy Saturday everyone! It's a beautiful day in Pa. today. Sitting on my porch enjoying the sun. I had verification from my insurance co. that my weight watchers time last year will count as my supervised wt. loss diet. I have made an appt to see my PCP for a referral. I'm going to go to an general informational session this wed. with the COE that my daughter and i have chosen. We will both go to the Lap Band informational session the following wed. So i think we are on our way. While it would nice to both be banded at the same time, we have decided it's not really practical. As we will have only each other to rely on after surgery. So i'm hoping that i'll be able to get banded first. It seems she needs to do the 6 month medically supervised diet. Hope everyone has a wonderful day. I'm off to my parents to finalize plans for our annual family vacation to the outer banks next month. Pat

Hi and welcome to LBT! Congratulations on taking this important step to a new you! Good luck on the pre-op while in Las Vegas!

Welcome to lbt, Amy! Everybody needs support at some point! It really helps having people who have been thru this to share with. Good luck!

Have you checked him out on asbs.org? There are lists of questions on obesityhelp.com. After you meet him and if you feel comfortable with him and his staff, that is what counts. Let us know how you make out.

I have no advice for you, as just getting started on the process myself. Wanted to say welcome and congratulations!

Congratulations! Let us know how you are doing.

Thanks for the link! I watched it tonight and had seen it before also. Now that i've decided on having surgery, it took on a new meaning. I'm not telling many people about this decision, but will share it with those i am telling.

Welcome! I'm from the other end of the state and will be attending my first session in 2 weeks. Good luck~ Pat

Joanie, Thanks for the encouragement! You’re weight loss is an inspiration! Katarina, welcome to the group! Congratulations on your band! Maggies, welcome to the group! Waiting is hard! I’m just starting and waiting too. We are starting from about the same numbers! Keep us informed. MaryD, People always have a horror story to tell you, no matter what you are having – a baby or surgery or whatever! I just listen, thank them and forget it all! Positive support is very important that’s why this is such a great place. Lizalee, Interesting article! Thanks. MsPriss4, Congratulations on your band! Orea, thinking of you tonight! Long2bthin, Congratulations on your loss! Sorry to hear you another surgery so soon. I’m sure having so much faith in your surgeon will be a plus! My daughter and I have narrowed it down to 2 Drs and facilities. One in Pittsburgh and one in Erie. We are making appts to go to the informational sessions in Erie first. I heard from my insurance co and my attendance at weight watchers last year, will meet my supervised diet requirement. I'm glad! So i need a psych eval and i meet all the insurance requirements. Onward, forever onward! Hope everyone has a wonderful evening! Pat

I think everyone has those kinds of thoughts at one time or another before surgery! Have faith in your surgical team you'll do fine! Pat

Congratulations! You must be sooooo happy! Pat

I'm not planning on telling very many people. My daughter knows cause we want to be banded together, well not banded together but at the same time. My BFF knows and is very supportive. My parents and Brothers and Sisters won't be very supportive as i have a younger sister who had R & Y and has had a multitude of problems and subsequent surgies. I'm hoping i don't have to tell people at work, waiting on that one.

An update on my process. My daughter and I are going to do this together. I don't know if it is possible to be banded at the same time but we have both decided that this is something we need to do. We don't have any surgeons in our area who do this type of surgery so we are looking at traveling at least 2 home, maybe closer to 3 hours from home. I had found a surgeon and a program that was a bit closer and has a great reputation. I called and made an appt for an informational session. When my daughter called, her insurance will only cover surgery at a Center of Excellence. So now am looking in the Pittsburg area for a COE. We will talk today and decide, there are a informational sessions coming up in the next week or so. The other thing that i ran into yesterday was both the bariatric coor. and the dr's office didn't beleive that the insurance co told me that instead of a 6 mo. medically supervised diet that a 6 mo. or 2 - 3 mo. supervised diet (such as WW or Jenny Craig) would be accepted. They were like "I know this is what you thought they said". I have it in writing (email) so i dont' think i heard them wrong. So i've emailed back and asked for clarification. My insurance is a national bcbs account, and out of Maryland. Anyone have any experience with anything similar? My biggest concern is, if i go on a medically supervised diet, my BMI will fall below 40, i don't have any co-morbities that i'm aware of, and then not be eligible for the surgery. I've always been a good dieter, but am not able to sustain any losses. Gotta run, hope everyone has a great day! Pat

Diane, So glad to hear that your surgery went so well! Am anxious to see how you progress. Sending positive and healing energy your way! Orea, Keeping you in my thoughts today and tomorrow of course! Positive and healing energy for you too! Pat

Welcome to the site! It is a wonderful place to learn thru others perspectives! Lots of collective wisdom and support, too! Pat

Hi there twiley, I agree this is a great site, so much information and support! Good luck with your appt. next week! Let us know how you make out! Pat

Good luck to you! Keep us informed of how you are progressing! Pat

(2) Egg Whites (1) lb. Pecan Halves (substitute almomds?) (2) Tbls. Water (2) Tbls. vanilla (1 1/2) Cups Splenda (1) Tbls. Salt (3) Tbls. Cinnamon Whip the egg whites, water and vanilla until they are foamy (not stiff) Pour over pecans in a large bowl Add dry ingredients Stir Well and place in a single layer on a cookie sheet Bake in 350 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes or until crunchy stirring frequently.

Relovlee, Don't ever give up hope! They say if you are denied to appeal and appeal and appeal. I'm really just starting the process. Really just made up my mind that i want this. So, nothing about surgery yet. Pat

Hey Karen, Congratulations on taking that first step! I've contacted a surgeon's office too to ask for some additional info. Which surgeon did you contact? I'm calling Monday to make an appt to talk to my PCP. I've done my diet history. I contacted my insurance and found out they cover WLS and got a list of their requirements. I think i meet them all, except need a psych eval. Good luck to you! Pat

Good luck Orea and Dianne! Can't wait to join you! Not much new here. Have emailed a surgeon's office for some info, just waiting for that. Monday I'm calling my PCP to make an appt. to talk to him about it. I did a diet history today for the last 6 years. Anything else i should be doing? Pat

Karen, which surgeon did you call? I'm thinking about giving Dr. Newlin a try. I've emailed them for more info. Pat

Good Morning Karen, Sorry, i missed your first post. I'm not exactly from central Pa., a bit more north. I'm just getting started on this process. Where are in the process? Pat