KtKt

CONGRATS 2 u!!!! Don't stress about the gall bladder surgery - it's not bad at all... I had mine on a Thursday and went back to work on Monday! Too bad they can't do both surgeries at the same time... : ) Keep the posts coming! We'll be :banditwatching for updates!

LOTS of MN ppl here! You all ought to have a gathering!!! katie in WI

Hi Heath1215... No one can tell you if this is the right decision or not... keep reading about the procedure, go thru all your testing, ask a ton of questions --- then the answer will come clear for you! This forum has been a GODSEND for me... tons of information, support and personal experiences... I'm in the first stages of the process too... and feel better about my decision every day! You've got a lot on your plate with your boards coming up! BEST WISHES on that one!!! You're doing amazing things for yourself with that too... this is YOUR TIME! Katie, next door in WI

I had my intake appt. this a.m... and I am PSYCHED! With or without insurance restrictions, they (The Weight Management Team) like to take a 6 month approach to the surgery to assure the best results. I am totally fine with that! The counselor was totally impressed with all the research I've done here... Thanks LBT!!! My To-Do List Intake appt: DONE Bloodwork: DONE (fasting lipid paned, comprehensive metabolic panel, TSH, HgbAIC, Vit B1, B12, Vit D-25, Iron, Iron Binding and Folate) 4 hour appt: includes paperwork and program overview, meet & greet the surgeon, Nutrition Eval, Psych Eval, and computerized psych testing. Scheduler will call me tomorrow (I have to keep a food diary for 3 days for the nutritionist) The TEAM meets the following Monday to talk about me :bored PCP Letter: his recommendation and history of weight appts I've had with him in the past: I will email him now to ask for that Attend a Support Meeting: Going next Wed! They will submit to the insurance co. NOW, and expect they'll respond with a list of requirements... which should be part of their plan anyway... These six months will include monthly meetings/weigh-ins - more counseling and help getting my head screwed on straight so that I succeed... I'm psyched and ready! I'm sure this could happen sooner if I pushed for it... I just want this to work - and will do whatever it takes! I was given a book written by a nurse who has had LBS... Laproscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding by Jessie H Ahroni... along with some literature from the lb manuf. WHeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! :whoo: Katie

Well, I did insist that they file the paperwork RIGHT NOW with my insurance co... and if the insurance co. says "GO FOR IT," I won't let them make me wait... I'm ready!!! katie

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f9/pb-worse-experience-my-life-15400/ pb

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f9/pb-worse-experience-my-life-15400/ pb

Point out your Port Profusions Proudly! heheheee...:confused: katie

Well, that's AWESOME! If I have to self-pay, it'll be the same for me... and I would find the money! I believe in this! I'm just getting started... there is no "exclusion" in my policy, that I know of... so I have a "fighting chance!" I'm glad they gave you an inclusive price so you don't end up being nickled and dimed to pieces! My best-best-best to you! Katie

I'm 5'5½" and weigh 314.75 pounds! BMI = 51.1% and a "goal weight" of 160 will put in at BMI of 26... perfectly fine! I met with Teresa (NP) at Dean East today... we went through my entire 17 pages of Q/A... and she ordered all sorts of blood work. It'll take about a week for the results - she'll call me and also mail a hard copy. When Gil (asst) gets back tomorrow, they will schedule me for a 4 hour appt. at Dean East... I'll meet with the nutritionist, surgeon, and psychiatrist... wow! They do this on Tuesday afternoons... so I'm on hold til I know that date. Not sure if I'm supposed to make an appt. with a nutritionist first, or not! Hm... I have to keep a three day food journal... it will be used as a tool with the nutritionist. T wants me to do two work days and one weekend day. The diet I will adopt "for life" is similar to Atkins... mainly pushing protein, avoiding carbs... I can do that! I am weaning myself off of diet soda, learning to love water again. She said I can "practice" the diet - eating without liquids, chewing a LOT, etc. We talked about my past attempts at dieting, she asked that I get a letter from Dr. Searles - and document anything I can w/old notes from him. Here is a summary of my "to do list": I had my intake appt. this a.m... and I am PSYCHED! With or without insurance restrictions, they (The Weight Management Team) like to take a 6 month approach to the surgery to assure the best results. I am totally fine with that! The counselor was totally impressed with all the research I've done here... Thanks LBT!!! My To-Do List Intake appt: DONE Bloodwork: DONE (fasting lipid paned, comprehensive metabolic panel, TSH, HgbAIC, Vit B1, B12, Vit D-25, Iron, Iron Binding and Folate) 4 hour appt: includes paperwork and program overview, meet & greet the surgeon, Nutrition Eval, Psych Eval, and computerized psych testing. Scheduler will call me tomorrow (I have to keep a food diary for 3 days for the nutritionist) The TEAM meets the following Monday to talk about me PCP Letter: his recommendation and history of weight appts I've had with him in the past:I will email him now to ask for that Attend a Support Meeting: Going next Wed! They will submit to the insurance co. NOW, and expect they'll respond with a list of requirements... which should be part of their plan anyway... These six months will include monthly meetings/weigh-ins - more counseling and help getting my head screwed on straight so that I succeed... I'm psyched and ready! I'm sure this could happen sooner if I pushed for it... I just want this to work - and will do whatever it takes! I was given a book written by a nurse who has had LBS... Laproscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding by Jessie H Ahroni... along with some literature from the lb manuf. WHeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I'm 5'5½" and weigh 314.75 pounds! BMI = 51.1% and a "goal weight" of 160 will put in at BMI of 26... perfectly fine! I met with Teresa (NP) at Dean East today... we went through my entire 17 pages of Q/A... and she ordered all sorts of blood work. It'll take about a week for the results - she'll call me and also mail a hard copy. When Gil (asst) gets back tomorrow, they will schedule me for a 4 hour appt. at Dean East... I'll meet with the nutritionist, surgeon, and psychiatrist... wow! They do this on Tuesday afternoons... so I'm on hold til I know that date. Not sure if I'm supposed to make an appt. with a nutritionist first, or not! Hm... I have to keep a three day food journal... it will be used as a tool with the nutritionist. T wants me to do two work days and one weekend day. The diet I will adopt "for life" is similar to Atkins... mainly pushing protein, avoiding carbs... I can do that! I am weaning myself off of diet soda, learning to love water again. She said I can "practice" the diet - eating without liquids, chewing a LOT, etc. We talked about my past attempts at dieting, she asked that I get a letter from Dr. Searles - and document anything I can w/old notes from him. Here is a summary of my "to do list": I had my intake appt. this a.m... and I am PSYCHED! With or without insurance restrictions, they (The Weight Management Team) like to take a 6 month approach to the surgery to assure the best results. I am totally fine with that! The counselor was totally impressed with all the research I've done here... Thanks LBT!!! My To-Do List Intake appt: DONE Bloodwork: DONE (fasting lipid paned, comprehensive metabolic panel, TSH, HgbAIC, Vit B1, B12, Vit D-25, Iron, Iron Binding and Folate) 4 hour appt: includes paperwork and program overview, meet & greet the surgeon, Nutrition Eval, Psych Eval, and computerized psych testing. Scheduler will call me tomorrow (I have to keep a food diary for 3 days for the nutritionist) The TEAM meets the following Monday to talk about me PCP Letter: his recommendation and history of weight appts I've had with him in the past:I will email him now to ask for that Attend a Support Meeting: Going next Wed! They will submit to the insurance co. NOW, and expect they'll respond with a list of requirements... which should be part of their plan anyway... These six months will include monthly meetings/weigh-ins - more counseling and help getting my head screwed on straight so that I succeed... I'm psyched and ready! I'm sure this could happen sooner if I pushed for it... I just want this to work - and will do whatever it takes! I was given a book written by a nurse who has had LBS... Laproscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding by Jessie H Ahroni... along with some literature from the lb manuf. WHeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

The anesthesia is nothing to worry about... does your family have a history with problems??? The only thing that happened to me following my various (not lap band yet, darn it) is an ITCHY NOSE! I about rubbed the stupid thing right off my face! A little benedryl did the trick... Best wishes! :ranger: katie

The Weight Management Team has a protocol that will keep my busy for six months, preparing for the big event... If I could wait for nine months for a baby to be born, I can wait for this too : ) GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT Can you believe that Christmas will be here in less than 6 months? Seems like we just got all the decorations put away... In other words, time passes quickly. Look at the positive, start your new life now! The band-tool will be here to help you just about the time you'll need it!!! katie, the optimist:whoo:and cheerleader

the couselor I met with today made note of things like "occassional infection/rash under skin folds" and I'm pre-op! She said it's good to document all of this in case I need to have my "apron" removed later on... ......................so insurance will cover it..... wheee! Gayle in TX... I am so happy for you!!! : ) katie

It's recommended that you don't worry about loose skin until you've maintained your weight loss for a year... in some cases, a tummy tuck or skin reduction may be covered by insurance --- if you're having problems with blisters & infections.... at age 55... I don't think I'll mind the loose skin... I'll just tuck it in and wear it as a victory badge! : ) katie, the optimist!

No surgery yet... I watched the videos posted here in the forum... INTERESTING and I am not one who can stand blood and gore! I'm just feeling better and better with my decision to do this as I read and learn here... I'll know more tomorrow... I go in for my first consultation! I had my gall bladder out 2 yrs ago laproscopically (sp?)... it was "no big deal" --- I'm sure this will be a bit MORE, but I really do feel well prepared!

I have learned SO MUCH here, it is amazing. I just finished watching both surgery videos and have read thousands of posts (well, maybe only one thousand... or two)... now I know what my innards will look like, how the band is stitched into place... how the port is fastened down and accessed... why to diet before the surgery (liver size)... why to take it easy for six weeks after surgery, before the first fill... what makes me feel full and what is going to make me fail... I went to Amazon.com to look for a book on LBS... and decided it would be a WASTE... everything I need to know is here - or there are links to it HERE... The more I can VISUALIZE this WHOLE thing, the stronger I feel to suceed at this... I just can't wait!!!

I have learned SO MUCH here, it is amazing. I just finished watching both surgery videos and have read thousands of posts (well, maybe only one thousand... or two)... now I know what my innards will look like, how the band is stitched into place... how the port is fastened down and accessed... why to diet before the surgery (liver size)... why to take it easy for six weeks after surgery, before the first fill... what makes me feel full and what is going to make me fail... I went to Amazon.com to look for a book on LBS... and decided it would be a WASTE... everything I need to know is here - or there are links to it HERE... The more I can VISUALIZE this WHOLE thing, the stronger I feel to suceed at this... I just can't wait!!!

Did they give you a price, including the surgical center? Are fills included?

My name is Katie - I live in Wisconsin and have my "in-take" appt. next week. I'm sure I'll impress the staff with the knowledge I've gained reading here ... You guys will have me so educated and prepared, I'll knock their socks off! I have spent hours and hours (and hours) reading through the postings here... getting to know some of you and learning so much about lap banding. One minute I'm ready to beat down some doors to get it scheduled... and then I read some things that make me stop and wonder if this is really the way to go... Insurance? not sure if it'll cover... but the "team" knows how to jump thru all the hoops, so I'm right there doing what I need to do to make it happen... and if it's an Insurance "NO," then the dh and I need to talk... I've copied and pasted important tips & tricks... some inspirations... some warnings ... and will print them out for my official Lap Band Journey-Journal ... THANK GOD for the internet where you truly can find out about anything and everything... There is nothing more useful to me now, making this decision than to hear the facts FIRST HAND from those who have been there ... THANK YOU for sharing your experiences and so much more... This is a giant decision... As you all have been there... you know the fear, excitement, anxiety, worry, and HOPE I'm feeling now. --KtKt ... who has already started practicing tiny bites and lots o'chewing! and who will get on the "Water Wagon" tomorrow!!!

Hi Neighbor! I'm in Wisconsin and I work with an animal rescue group... only ONE cat at home, but we've saved hundreds of dogs lives! I mainly do the webwork for the rescue... (I also have a paying job...) Been married 36 yrs, 2 grown kids, 2 adorable grandbabies! Anyway, I'm pretty new here too... there is SO MUCH information here, you'll be amazed. Get ready to do a lot of reading! This is sort of like "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Lap Band Surgery, But Was Afraid To Ask..." that constantly updates and gives you excellent, first-hand knowledge! : ) katie

:whoo:WHEEEEEE! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!! are u self pay, or did you get ins approval? My consult is tomorrow... katie

Excellent points! I was going to ask tomorrow what the logic behind "jumping thru hoops" is... should I succeed or is it better if I fail? It doesn't make sense really... I'm married to the perfect example of what can happen... my DH has had 3 spine surgeries, a foot reconstruction, hernia repairs,battles with arthritis, nerve damage, edema and is now on insulin and needs a knee replacement. The pain he has, and the drugs he's on makes physical activity next to ZERO... he weight is way out of control. His annual presriptions are more than this surgery... I know I do NOT want to end up where he is now... In the LONG RUN, it would save the insurance company money... so, we shall see! Thanks for your comments... they are MUCH appreciated!

Thanks Walter... The Clinic I'm using will know all the ins and outs of insurance... I'll find out tomorrow at my "in-take" appt.... I have no problem waiting 6 months if I have to, but I won't be sitting here on my pile o'fat... I'll get on whatever program they feel will work for me... I'm sure it won't hurt to get a head start on this journey. It is a life change... and life isn't 6 mos. from now... it's here and NOW : ) If there is a resounding "no," I'll look at an appeal before paying out of pocket... excited about the future! katie

"you can't un-tell" people keeps ringing in my head... I'm not sure I even want to tell our two (adult) kids... Maybe after things start going well and they're tripping over all the pounds I'll be dropping on the floor... I am close with some people at work and not sure what I'll tell them other than I'm having "a repair" surgery... or just go "on vacation" for 2 weeks... Guess I'll make it up as I go along.