KtKt

99 and belowNormal100 to 125Pre-diabetes (impaired fasting glucose)126 and aboveDiabetes* A fasting glucose test for me came out at 121.... ARGH! There is NO diabetes in my family, so this is totally due to my fattness and poor diet... I got a sneak peek at my test results when in for an infected thumb today... New dr. I'd never seen before gave me "the look," and I quickly said "I'm working with the Weight Managment Team, hoping for a lap band." He relaxed a bit and went about his business with my sore thumb... On a positive note, should help with the insurance approval, huh? Feeling up and down all at the same time... this can't happen fast enough... : ( Katie

What was the "final straw" --- the thing that made you come to your decision that LB was for you???

What do the four icons at the bottom of posts do... or better said, how are they to be used? digg this post add to del.icio.us Bookmark post in technovati Furl this post ??? Katie

Keith! So sorry to hear of your experience. Sounds like maybe it was a staph infection? That has to be the ultimate disappointment... Hugs and wishes for a healthy weight loss for you!!! katie

I totally agree about Wendy... and look, she's only 24! Wendy - us old Mom's here are sooo proud of you!

I met with a psychiatrist for about 30 minutes yesterday... It was very "pleasant" and I really liked him. I'm just so boring with no phobias or addictions (shut up --- food doesn't count) :kiss.. I don't smoke, don't drink, don't to recreational drugs... Been married to the same man for 36 yrs... both of us have been faithful... two independent grown up, healthy kids... no troubles with the law or our jobs... No one is out to get me and I don't have aliens talking to me in my sleep... I don't have urges to harm others or myself... He thought I have a good grasp on the surgery, understood the risks and saw no red flags at all... He did not ask me what I planned to do instead of stuffing my face all day/night... :tea: I did tell him that my biggest fear of the surgery is that I will not be successful. I know the band won't do it alone, that it is up to me to make it work... and worried that maybe I'd fail (again)... He thought that was a logical thing to worry about... I did say I'd be reaching out to all the support offered - I have already and will continue to do so. :ranger: Then I took two computer surveys. One had 700+ questions, the 2nd about 175... It took a little over an hour to do them (The psychiatrist pre-warned me not to over-think my answers, just answer T or F) I asked the pyschologist if I would get the results... She said "I can tell you right now." The first test is the more important one, and I didn't see anything to stop you from the surgery. You do seem to be on the shy side (yes)." The 2nd test - she skimmed it as it came off the printer and said everything looked fine there too. Sample Questions (all T/F): I would like to be a florist I like to read newspaper articles about crime Everyone is out to get me I enjoy reading mechanical magazines No one understands me I would like to harm animals I have more problems than my friends I think it is ok to do things that are in the grey area of the law I love(d) my mother In a party I enjoy sitting by myself or with one other person to talk I don't like it when I am the butt of a joke I often get red splotches on my neck I would like to be a librarian I think its ok for people to get away with breaking the law sometimes I believe my dreams are trying to warn me of bad things I want my doctor to be very detailed when discussing my health I cry easily I enjoy walking alone into a large room full of people at a party I resent people who will do anything to get ahead I am answering these questions to make myself look better than I really am..... etc....

First of all, I awoke last night with a full blown panic attack about this LB! I had dreams of going to "gatherings" with my sister Jane, and came to find out we were the "guests of honor." Everyone there had been banded and wanted to sing the praises of banding to us... It was ok until we wanted to leave.... and they wouldn't let us! It was a big struggle... I ended up staying home from work all day -- just too worn out from my night! I went to my 4-hour Team appt. Two others showed up - all of us were interested in Lap Banding... We met with a nurse practioner, signed some forms, found out about the cost of surgery... detailed break down... Dr Sunby came in to talk to us, and seemed "friendly" enough. Shirley Shelly: From there I met with a dietician. She asked me to explain the lap band as I understood it... and the food routine. I did very well. :car: She did contradict what Dr. S said... water up to meal, nothing for 2 hrs after. (He said 30 min before and after).... hm... She also stressed that I will never be allowed to eat anything other than three meals a day. Very adamant about that... hm... We talked about my chem panel, and what supplements I should be on... suggested if I feel I need a medicine to help with hunger during the 2 weeks prior to surgery, to see Dr. Becx at Fish Hatchery. He's an endrocronologist. I am pre-diabetic... : ( Hopefully that will straighten out with diet. Dr. Scott Bohon: Next I met with a psychiatrist. I liked him a lot. I did break down a little bit when I talked about Dick's depression and his suicidal thoughts. He was pleased to hear that he's working with Dr. Ishii. I talked to him about my panic attacks... and said they are triggered by breathing problems (root canal was the 1st... last night was in part due to the cold I have, and "stuffy" breathing/coughing... Then to a computer True/False questionaires... 700+ questions on one test... @200 on the other. The psychologist said I did just fine... no red flags. She said she could tell I'm on the shy side... The team will meet on Monday to discuss the three of us... so I guess I'm on the track for now - will see what happens next. Misc. things I found out: keep options open to gastric bypass band is a tool (I knew that) the work is up to me... surgery just puts the tool there only THREE meals a day - NO SNACKS! lots of support groups available my time w/WW was not all for nothing... it proved I could stick with a program (loyalty)... i could die in surgery (psych) breakdown of costs i need to contact Aetna, and get a printout of their requirements and give them to Theresa protein is most important because it's one nutrient the body can't manufacture on it's own no fruits or veggies will be off limits (unlike Atkins) with the exception of stringy things like Celery exercise is key - make it a priority (PAC, here I come)!

First of all, I awoke last night with a full blown panic attack about this LB! I had dreams of going to "gatherings" with my sister Jane, and came to find out we were the "guests of honor." Everyone there had been banded and wanted to sing the praises of banding to us... It was ok until we wanted to leave.... and they wouldn't let us! It was a big struggle... I ended up staying home from work all day -- just too worn out from my night! I went to my 4-hour Team appt. Two others showed up - all of us were interested in Lap Banding... We met with a nurse practioner, signed some forms, found out about the cost of surgery... detailed break down... Dr Sunby came in to talk to us, and seemed "friendly" enough. Shirley Shelly: From there I met with a dietician. She asked me to explain the lap band as I understood it... and the food routine. I did very well. :car: She did contradict what Dr. S said... water up to meal, nothing for 2 hrs after. (He said 30 min before and after).... hm... She also stressed that I will never be allowed to eat anything other than three meals a day. Very adamant about that... hm... We talked about my chem panel, and what supplements I should be on... suggested if I feel I need a medicine to help with hunger during the 2 weeks prior to surgery, to see Dr. Becx at Fish Hatchery. He's an endrocronologist. I am pre-diabetic... : ( Hopefully that will straighten out with diet. Dr. Scott Bohon: Next I met with a psychiatrist. I liked him a lot. I did break down a little bit when I talked about Dick's depression and his suicidal thoughts. He was pleased to hear that he's working with Dr. Ishii. I talked to him about my panic attacks... and said they are triggered by breathing problems (root canal was the 1st... last night was in part due to the cold I have, and "stuffy" breathing/coughing... Then to a computer True/False questionaires... 700+ questions on one test... @200 on the other. The psychologist said I did just fine... no red flags. She said she could tell I'm on the shy side... The team will meet on Monday to discuss the three of us... so I guess I'm on the track for now - will see what happens next. Misc. things I found out: keep options open to gastric bypass band is a tool (I knew that) the work is up to me... surgery just puts the tool there only THREE meals a day - NO SNACKS! lots of support groups available my time w/WW was not all for nothing... it proved I could stick with a program (loyalty)... i could die in surgery (psych) breakdown of costs i need to contact Aetna, and get a printout of their requirements and give them to Theresa protein is most important because it's one nutrient the body can't manufacture on it's own no fruits or veggies will be off limits (unlike Atkins) with the exception of stringy things like Celery exercise is key - make it a priority (PAC, here I come)!

I had a major melt down last night in the form of a panic attack... and I don't even have a date in sight... I don't know if I can do this...

I do crochet... and will probably take it up again! : ) I might have to take up housecleaning too... mine is looking pretty pathetic : ) Katie

I just have to pipe in and say how amazing this board is - and this string in particular shows how much help, support, care, and strength is here to help us all through this journey... Sara, keep us posted on how you're doing, and how your family has adjusted as well... sometimes I think we get focused on ourselves, and forget that the band also impacts those who know us and love us best! In the long run, it's a learning experience for everyone... Those of you who have posted here have been amazing... I love this group! katie

Thinking of you --- and wishing I were there, being banded too! Let us know how you're doing! katie

I have a 4-hour appt. tomorrow with my "Team." They do "team appts" each Tuesday, and then meet the following Monday to discuss patients... It's kind of nice to get it over with all in one afternoon (surgeon, psychiatrist, nutritionist & I think they sneak in the finance office... ) I'm confident they'll approve me, I just am uncomfortable with the process... what helps the most is all that I've learned HERE... I feel like I know what I'm doing, why, and what I need to do to make it work. I'm up for it and hope they can find a way to get me motivated to start my weight loss journey NOW while I wait for insurance approval...

Sunshine2... just read your WHOLE journal! WOW Girl!!!! What a trip You're on your cruise now, I believe... I hope you're having a WONDERFUL time... I'm looking forward to reading all about it here, and in your journal... and YES, you need to figure out how to post photos in your journal.... Tracey... I found your bikini before & after!!! You Go Girl! Amazing - I'm so proud of you and pray for even 1/2 your success and courage!!! Thanks for sharing you two... and everyone here at LBT!!!! Inspiration doesn't get any better than this.... katie

Good to meet you Chris! I'm glad you've found us and hope you'll share your experiences and learn from the posts here... I'm just starting the process... and probably won't be banded until 2008... LBT has been an education for me like no other... : ) Keep up the great work!!! You're doing amazing!!!! katie

Hi Diane... Yes, my husband had a repeat sleep study... he requested it because of the weight loss... he was not snoring anymore and sleeping well without it. He gained all his weight back plus some (sound familiar) - and has had a number of surgeries...hosp. staff noticed low oxygen levels in recovery, alerting his pcp to repeat the study... and now he's back on the macine PLUS oxygen at night. Are you starting to feel better? katie

go to the 3rd title in this area: "FAQs" and then click on ABBREVIATIONS AND WHAT THEY MEAN

I wouldn't worry that much about the cpap machine... My husband has one, and it took him a long time to get used to the mask... some nights he only lasted an hour with it... Lately he's been sick, so isn't using it at all... And he's probably a 12 on a scale of 1-10 (very severe)! Sometimes it's all too much to deal with at one time. Relax, try to settle yourself down before worrying about the apparatus... you've lived this long without it... several more nights won't make a difference... and if all goes well - YOU WON'T NEED IT AT ALL once you start losing weight.... (that happened to my DH, then he gained it all back). Hope this calms you down a bit... HUGS!!!

You can get your own wrist bands made here (and I'm sure there are other sites online): Mexico could get them made that say "Bands Across Borders" or something... LOL! We could come up with a slogan for LBT.com and get them for everyone... :bandit <---BANDit hahahaaaa! Prices vary from 4.50 for one, to .23 if you order 10,000! Just a thot...

I'm not banded yet, but I've been dreaming.... :faint:... Imagine buying what I "like" rather than "what fits!" .... I am looking forward to the day I wake up to get dressed for work and don't have to worry if my blouse will still button... I only have "five" work outfits that fit (sort of)... so if I'm not careful, I'll have to call in sick! :sick And won't it be wonderful when these 5 outfits don't fit me anymore because they are TOO BIG! There will be no tears shed (well, maybe tears of joy)! :Banane21:... Won't it be nice when my favorite outfit becomes my LEAST favorite once I see a photo of me wearing it... ... Sitting on the floor with me little granddaughters to play... being able :pto keep up to them without *ME* being the one who needs a nap! :bored... clipping my toenails .:clap2:.. running up and down the steps at home like they're acutally fun... right now I dread each trip up and down... :rolleyes... not needing a special "gown" when I go for my mammogram & physicals... ... no food spots on my "shelf" where things seem to fall at each meal... :Banane21:... not having to stretch out my t-shirts to fit around me... :notagree... sleeping peacfully and blissfully as I become healthier

:wow2: :wow2: :wow2: :wow2: :wow2: :wow2: :wow2: :wow2: :wow2: :wow2: A ten-WOW Bandiversary Cake for you! Zero Carbs... Zero Cal! Eat to your heart's content!!!

Val... so sorry you have this to worry about on top of the surgery... Is the marriage "ok/good" except for this topic (lap band)... or not? The LB is something you're doing for yourself... for a happy and healthy future. Doesn't he want to be a part of a happy and healthy future WITH you??? : ( HUGZ!!!

My poor DH could use a LB himself... but he has way too many medical problems to even consider it... He is VERY supportive of me and did ask if I was going to go crazy and run off once I'm thin... (notice not "if" but WHEN I get thin - he has faith in me) We've been married 36 yrs... and I have WAY too much invested in him... he's stuck with me thru thick... now its time for the THIN! Men must worry about those things and take comfort in a wife's extra poundage... Jealousy is an evil monster... very hard to deal with!

Congrats from a fellow-Aetnaer!!! (I'm just starting the process)! Keep us posted on everything!

Tracy - You're AWESOME! LOL! I love your sense of humor and COURAGE!!! tooo funny... can't wait to see the same pants on you again with the extra junk GONE (or at least all packed inside)! : )