Weeviegurl

Yay! I'm so excited for you. You'll do great. Keep us posted....I'm right behind you, too!

My Mom also had lap band about 12 years ago. She got one fill and then a unfill before going on a cruise. She has never gotten a fill since. She got down to a smaller size, but she goes up and down 3-5 lbs doing weight-watchers. I made her go with me to my Pre-op class since it's been so long and she seems to be rethinking that it would be a good idea to see the surgeon again and get back into the game. I don't think she wants to give up somefoods, and she talks a lot about getting stuck oo PB'ing. She has a mental block I think. I hope that I can do fairly well with this so she has incentive to get back in the game. Oddly enough, without my knowledge, she had the same surgeon I am with, so that's a good motivator, I think. We'll see. I know your Mom wants the best for you, I'm glad she is approving of the Lap Band now. I wish your Mom the best of luck with her removal and Sleeve. I had a couple of reasons for the choice of Lap Band over the Sleeve. Of course that it is the least invasive, but also because of my acid reflux. My Surgeon and Gastroenterologist advised that the sleeve would not be a good choice. They did also, however try to get me to rethink the bypass and I just can't wrap my head around the "permanence" of that surgery, personally. I noticed our similar weights and go-live-dates, too! I would love to keep in-touch for support.

Congrats Junebuggy2004! It's right around the corner, yippee! My 2 weeks is the same when I say "clean." I am very familiar with Atkins as I lost 95 lbs a few years ago (it was the only eating plan that has ever worked for me). This plan will also help you get the sugar/carbs out of your system. If you have any headaches and nausea, it is from sugar detox. chicken or beef broth helps a lot (from the salt). This is the part that's easy for, not looking forward to the 2 days liquid per my Doc's orders. I don't know how some get through the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. But I know that all Doc's are a bit different. For me once I stop the carbs, it is so much easier for me to stave away the cravings....it's the getting down and dirty and diving into make the change that stops me. This time, I don't have a choice, and I am following the rules to the letter for best results. Good luck to you Junebuggy2004, I wish you the best!

Hello Amber, congratulations on your upcoming surgery on the 6th. I'm getting mine on the 3rd and am feeling nervous too. I'm sorry to hear your Mom had some issues, and it makes sense why you're experiencing more heightened emotions. I know of someone that had some pretty bad problems with this, but everyone is different, ie: body type, health, and unforeseen complications. One never really knows what is going to happen. I tell myself that I will be OK, as long as I follow the Rules-of-the-Tool, and make sure that I pay attention to my body and what it tells me. I will be sure to follow my Doc's orders for Post-Op and will follow-up with him as scheduled. I've done the hard work before, so I am not scared of that, it is the unknown and the possibility of failing. I work with a group of people that have had the Lap Band and they are all doing well. We also have a great support group here! Good luck to us all!

I got a letter in the mail today from my insurance...I have finally been approved for Lap Band! I'm so excited! I will probably hear from my surgeons coordinator soon regarding a date. I had a tentative date of May 13 when my case was re-submitted, and the I last heard, they may able to get me in the last week of May after the holiday. I think I'll shoot her an email tonight...I'll keep ya'll posted. Yippie! Have a good evening.

Thank you, Pink Dahlia and HealthyNewMe! It is so nice to have the support of this site. Rose2014, congrats on your May 27th surgery! I'm scheduled for June 3rd as of today! Woohoo! We'll have to stay in touch. Good luck next week and let me know how you're doing. Good luck to you!

Welcome Mike, and congrats on your upcoming surgery date!

Well, my tentative surgery date passed and we are now looking possibly at the last week of May. Still waiting to hear back from my appeal. I've got my fingers crossed, and in the meantime; I'm sticking to eating clean, and exercising. Down 21lbs and counting.

You look fantastic! Congrats!

I haven't had my surgery yet, but I know that walking and moving after sugery is a must so you don't have cramping or clotting, in addition to lots of water and the electrolytes/potassium. And, I would also consult your Dr.

I don't like that people that haven't lived as an overweight person, think that you have to eat 3 pounds of bacon and 5000 calories at every sitting to become that way. I can write the book on diet and exercise, and I can follow these rules, but my body does not cooporate with these rules. We are all different, some have metabolic issues, immune issues, and some us, like myself can eat clean and exercise 6-7 days a week and lose 1 pound per month. My body is notorius for plateauing for very long periods. Another thing is the BMI chart....at my smallest weight, I rocked a size 10, weighing in at 173lbs. I was not healthy by the BMI chart, however, if I lost any more weight, I would have looked anorexic. I am a big girl, but at that size, you could see my ribs, clavical bones, and hip bones. My surgeon asked me my goal weight at my first appointment, and I told him 155, and he shook his head and said 175. Well, he hit the nail on the head. I try really hard not to listen to the haters. Unless they walk a mile in my shoes, they don't have room to talk. And yes, any WLS is such a big step to make....it was not something I took lightly. I did my research, and still have to put in hard work.

Yay! Congratulations, John!

Congrats on the surgery. Hope you feel better soon. Take good care of yourself.

Happy bandiversary, you look FANTASTIC! So glad to hear/see you have been so successful!

Personally, to avoid getting off track; I think it is a good idea to be at goal for at least 1 year before conceiving. But, I believe you will need to be ready to have an unfill to get enough nutrients. You want to make sure you have changed your mental food relationship before a complete unfill. Again, this is just my opinion as this is something I have soul - searched about. You may also want to inquire with banders who have stayed successful during and after pregnancy.

My second submission to insuarance was sent in on April 29th, and a date of May 13 for surgery was given. Just waiting on approval after the 6 month Dr supervised diet. Getting excited! Wish me luck, and good luck to all of you soon-to-be-banders!

I had everything set....then I got the call on December 23rd. My insurance denied my request for Lap Band surgery. When I first started this journey, I specifically asked my coordinater if my insurance required the 6 month monitored diet plan, and she told me that my insurance only required a 5 year weight history from my Dr. So, that is what I provided. I had just recently met my minimum deduction amount of $1,500 by getting all of my pre-surgery procedures, tests, and pych eval. Now they tell me I have to do a 6 month diet program. My coordinator says that since I saw the Dietician on Nov. 11, that we can go from that date. My insurance starts for the year on July 1 and goes through June 30... I hope I can get this done by May 11, then have surgery by June 30. Boy, talking about cutting it close. I just wanted everyone to know that "timing" is a big factor...so if you don't have the money and are relying on insurance; start as soon as possible when your insurance goes in affect for the year. Plan, plan, plan. And it may be a good idea too, to get the requirements from your insurance directly. I found out that my insurance plan changed Nov. 1, 2013. My first appointment was Oct. 31, 2013 with my surgeon and the coordinator....touche! Good luck to everyone! Stay strong and vigilant for your health and happiness. This process is hard, but I know it will be worth it. BTW, my insurance is United Health Care.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. Terry, you are right about that...I have already been shaving off my portions, and as I am a former Atkins loser, I still usaully choose Protein first, then veggies/low glycemic friut and then carbs...trying to stay away from white four and processed sugars/foods. I do need to work on the smaller bites and chew really well. Bandista, thanks for the reminder to get my head on straght and deal with food issues...that wiil be a life-long battle, but I will have a headstart and an easier time sliding into the routine. I really need to start exercising again, I miss it! It is just hard to get started. I know how much better I feel when I have less weight on my frame and I'm active. Lisa, thanks for your information. I thought I was good-to-go, because I did have close monitored weight/diets with my pcp, but the last time I lost was 2009, losing 95 lbs by fall of 2010 and somewhat kept most of it off for about, 18 months. I ended up getting a job Feb 2012 after being laid off for a year, and I was a full time student with a toddler. I gained it all back by December of 2012 because of lack of excercise, time, and of course eating quick easy aleady made food.....processed, bleckh! I miss how I felt, even though at 245 lbs, I was still considered morbidly obese. I was a healthy 245. OK...now I'm babbling, but the point is, I thought that weight history would suffice, but it wasn't "current" enough for UNHC to give green light. I'm really not too upset, except a little freaked out about not getting the surgery in time to be 80% covered because I have paid everything in-full to date to meet my deductible. I wanted other people to be aware that if they decide to do this, it is a lengthy process, and as you veterans all know that you need to stay up on everyone working your case....stay in contact and involved with your process. Besides, I beleive that things happen for a reason...I am taking this as just that. Again, thanks guys for being here...it's nice to have this support. I have learned a lot from you this and other sites.

Way to go! So glad to hear you're getting closer to your goal. It's awesome to hear about successes, escpecially for us "newbies!"

This is a wonderful idea. Along with pictures, I believe this will help when I run into those times that I stall, as I know happens, and I know how depressing and disheartening it can be. But the letter could help give perspective of how far you've come; showing the fruitionof your labors. Thank you for sharing, Dustin.

I am just waiting for the OK from insurance. I am geared for an early-to-mid January date. I just turned 40, and I can't think of a better gift for myself than a healthy future!

Hey everyone, just wanted to introduce myself. I have been "lurking" for a bit and reading everyone's posts. I had my first consult with my surgeon for the LapBand on Oct 31, 2013. My check list is coming along nicely. Psych-eval, PCP clearance with minor supplimentation on Iron and D2 Rx. I have attended my pre-op class, receiving the WLS "Bible," which I have read, forwards, backwards, up, down, and inside-out! And, I've met with my nutritionist. Whew! Not bad for 6 weeks! Monday I had an EGD (because I have had reflux for about 8 years), which determined I have a hiatal hernia (common for reflux), and a biopsy was taken. I heard back today that I am cleared for surgery, no Barrett's Disease. And, I have an email into my surgeon to discuss repair of hernia. My coordinator FINALLYrecived my 5-year weight history from my last PCP, and OBGYN today...whew, it was like pulling teeth. I've been working on that since Nov 1...What's up with that? Anyway, they got everything submitted today, and now just waiting for Insurance to approve. If everythings goes right, I am thinking early to mid January will be LB day! I'm glad to have found this comminuty. From what I have seen so far, the support is fantastic! Best wishes to all of you in your persuit of health and happiness!

Thank you all for you the warm welcome.

Thank you so much for your kind words. And I know that you are right that next year this time, I will be much healthier and feel better. Only 2 years ago, I was down 90 pounds that I had managed to maitain for about 2 years (more or less). I know how good I felt, and what I could do then. I really miss it, and know that I need help to get this under control. I look forward meeting eveyone, and talking to you more. Any pointers are always welcome.