Northern Mist

I was asked to join a study but honestly it's been two years since they mentioned it and I forgot if it's U of M or not. I'll ask at my pre-op appt. Thanks and you take care too! Merry Christmas!

Have a great time with your friends and family today! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

My Insurance company needed to see a progression in diet, exxercise and weight loss. Every month I had to eat a little less calories, exercise a little bit more and lose weight every month in order to qualify - otherwise they said I would not be able to follow the lap-band guidelines and food restrictions - no drinking with meal and no "slider" foods, etc.... But then again.... my insurance company seemed to make up new things everytime I submitted. Good luck and stick with it - you can do this.

Sounds exactly like my doc's diet. I'm having surgery at Grand Traverse Surgery w/ Dr. Nizzi

Trying not to get sucked into the "last meal" mentality and thinking this is the last holiday I'll be able to eat....... Sooo hard not to gain weight this time of year!

I am angry with myself too - I know I've done damage to myself that I may not ever be able to reverse. I can't understand why I'm not strong enough to lose this weight on my own. I know there's a small chance of things not going perfectly or that I may not adjust well to the band - but I am 100% positive I will continue to gain weight, my blood pressure will get worse, I will have some form of Diabetes and die (to early) of some obesity related disease if i don't do this. I am angry because I have failed to take care of myself the way I should have. I am angry my daughter may have picked up on my poor portion control and grazing habits. I have a chance at turning things around and I don't want to regret not taking control and doing something about it. I have to be positive and think of the future and what may be. Aytime you need to vent or help over a hurdle I'll do my best to help and listen - we all need support. Support can come in many different ways. Counseling may be a good option if you can afford it or support can even come from strangers

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "#8. Concerns and questions? I am concerned that I am making a decision that I will regret." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Justplainbatty - I think we all have that in the back of our minds with every major life decision. This is our bodies and we are not in complete control of the outcome - it's scary. I have confidence in my surgeon and his team. I have a great primary care physician. With out these things - I'm not sure I would be a comfortable with my decision either. I'm trying to keep a positive outlook because I believe this makes a big difference. Having the combined knowledge of everyone on this site and reading the "Day of surgery" stories and the "Before and Afters" has helped a lot. Good luck and keep in touch - we are there for you too.

I'm excited about this new road I'm embarking on - to have people to talk to going through the same thing is priceless!

Here I go! #1. Surgery date? February 8th, 2010 #2. State you live in? Michigan #3. Doctor/Surgery Center? Dr. Nizzi - Grand Traverse Surgery #4. Insurance or self pay? Insurance (out of pocket $2,400) #5. Age and height? 38 and 5'7 #6. Current weight and goal weight? 282 and 170 goal #7. What was your deciding factor for having this surgery? Health mainly - High blood pressure, joint pain and limitations on what I can do physically. For myself and my family - I need to feel better, be more active and be in pictures again. You wouldn't know I was at numerous family gatherings or vacations if you just looked at the pictures from those events. I take them - I'm not in them. #7. Do you have the support of family and friends? Yes. I'm lucky that way. I've told my close family members and close friends - all are supportive and I know will be there for me. #8. Concerns and questions? Yes, lots - but I'm naturally a worrier. For instance: I gag when I brush my teeth - will this hurt my band? I have allergies year round - will the drainage (sometimes a little - sometimes a lot!) affect my band or my ability to eat, swallow, etc...? I hate thick drinks and am worried I will eventually get sick just thinking of a Protein drink! Yuck! Thanks for listening and good luck!

I have my date - February 8th. I'll be checking in on the Jan. 2010 posts but will be in the Feb. 2010 group. Good luck to all of you!

I'm scheduled for February 8th! It's been a long process and I'm excited and nervous all at the same time!

Married? How long? Is there support from your family? How long have you been at your current job? Anyone else in your family obese? Are your parents alive? Are they a healthy weight or have a drug or alcohol problem? Do you have a drug or alcohol problem? How much do you drink? Do you have children? Do you binge or purge? What do you think this operation is going to do? Have you thought about after the surgery and the restrictions and "rules" you are going to have to follow? Typical questions and I answered all of them honestly and as short as I could. I've never been to a psychologist so I was a bit nervous. I think they are just trying to see if you are in a stable frame of mind and have the support of family or friends. Good luck and don't sweat it!

I'm not sure if I'm a typical case or not but it took me over two years of jumping through hoops. The best advice I can give you is have your physician supervised diet as detailed as possible. #1 I turned in a daily log of diet and exercise for the 3 months #2 My doctor made notes and suggestions on EVERY single page #3 I had to show a progression in lowering calories and upping my physical exercise #4 Follow all of your doctors suggestions #5 Lost weight every month - even if it's 2 pounds the first month and 3 pounds the next month and 4 pounds the next month.......it's a progression. Do this and all the other tests, etc.... required of you and you should qualify. Then again I've seen some people get their approval in just a few months time....... so who knows??? Good luck and never give up.

My bariatric co-ordinator called me on Monday to set up a surgery date and I was out doing errands. I called her back a few times and left messages - today her assistant called me to let me know the co-ordinator has the flu and will most likely not be back in this week!!! Arrrrgh! The good news, i guess, is that she called - right??? I'm hoping to be scheduled in Jan. but it might be in February if it keeps getting dealyed. Con - Sorry to hear about your delay. Your better off knowing your body and liver can handle it but I know your bummed out. Hang in there and it will happen when the time is right. Just Ice - I'm so excited and also nervous. I feel I'm about as educated as possible but there is such a big "unknown" factor to how my body will react to the band. I'm trying to be good with my food choices too. I have been practising with the small bites and lots of chewing but I have a feeling that until I'm in the situation I will not get the whole effect. I've noticed that I chew very little when I'm talking while eating - our family usually goes over the day while eating dinner. This may be one of my humps I have to get over. Not drinking while eating shouldn't be a problem for me - I forget to drink with dinner all the time anyway. Good luck all and I'm trying to keep my fingers crossed for January!

Is it carpet???

I'm hoping to be scheduled in January 2010. I'm still wating on a surgery date. I have jumped through all the hoops and received BCBS approval - just waiting on my surgeon to call me and tell me when it will be.......... I should add, impatiently waiting :thumbup: 1.What is your current and goal weight? 280/175 2.What is your surgery date? Not sure yet 3.What is your age? 38 4.Where do you live? Michigan 5.Where are you having surgery? Grand Traverse Surgery 6.Who is your Doctor?? Dr. Nizzi 7.Insurance or self-pay? Insurance ($2400 of it is my cost) 8.What was your "deciding factor" for having this surgery? My health - High blood pressure, knee pain, joint pain, not being able to do everything I want to. Life is to short to sit on the sidelines.

Is it bigger than a bread box? What? It's not 20 questions?

Ear Muffs Socks Gloves Shawl Doiley (sp?) ummmmmmmmmm..........I'm thinking.

It can't be me..... ok it might be since I have to squint just a little bit, sometimes :w00t:

I'm having a hard time even seeing the pictures at that size. I don't know if it's the screen (17 inch flat) or me (38 yrs old and no glasses yet) ..... :w00t: but I'm trying.

pop tart???

Donut or cake with frosting or icing? My minds in the bakery!

I finally got approved after the fourth time! The first time I was denied because (after all the tests, eval's, etc...) the surgeons office didn't include everything or BCBS "lost" some of the fax. The second and third time when I turned in the 6 month supervised diet and exercise logs BCBS told me the logs didn't contain enough notes from the doctor. The fourth submission contained extensive notes and my doc's signature on every single days diet and exercise information. I steadily lowered my points and upped my minutes of exercise over the three month period and lost 16 pounds. The progression of the diet and the daily notes is what BCBS said finally made them approve the surgery request. Thank god my doctor was just as stubburn as I am - she spent 30 + minutes just going over my diet and exercise logs at every appointment. Thats dedication to your patient! My advice - be very, very detailed!!! I believe co-pays, percentages and out of pocket costs, etc.... vary with individual company contracts. Good luck! It will happen.

plastic in a land fill?

recycled cans