Hope2BHottie

I realize insurance companies have different requirements as do doctors for this procedure. But I'm soooooooo frustrated!! I have had my psyche eval. Next is two appts. with a nutritionist....fine. BUT, I just got my packet today and understand that I have to have a doctors supervised weight loss for 6 months!! The only doctor supervised weight loss I have had was when I was on phentermine for about 3 months with no success. They will not count all the other methods I tried like Jenny Craig, Weight watchers, etc. I thought I had read someone on this board that some people can go from first appt to surgury in a month or less. How long did it take you from your first seminiar, or surgeon appointment to getting a surgery date? Also, where are you from? I am so seriously thinking of going to another state to have this done or find a surgeon that will "fast track" the procedure. I have United Healthcare Insurance. Frankly, I'm not sure if this is a requirement from my insurance company or the surgeon. My sister has the same insurance and it didnt take her this long. Any suggestions???? I'm sooooo tired of waiting. I want to have this done NOW!! (patience is not one of my virtues) Thanks Jacki PS I'm in Memphis, TN

Hello, I have read this thread and am interested in the possibility of having my surgury in Little Rock. I'll try to explain my situation as briefly as possible. Last year I attended a seminar in Memphis by Dr George Woodman (my sister used him) I didn't follow thru immediately because I decided to do research on my own. I couldn't decide between the lap band and the bypass surguery. In June of this year I decided to get serioius about this and decided on the lap band procedure. I knew that I needed to get my last five years weight records from my doctor. Unfortunately, I changed doctors two years ago. So I'll need to bo back to my other doctor I guess. Last month, after much research, I decided to go to a different surgeon. Dr Woodman is highly regarded as a surgeon but I have heard horror stories about his bedside manner. I called Dr Virgina McGrath-Weaver's office and just received my packet. Now I am totally frustrated. I have to go see a psychlogist (i knew that part), see a nutritionist twice, get an EKG, a stress test and an upper GI. I have no problem with this. But, I also have to see my regualr doctor for 6 months for "supervised weight loss plan". The only thing I have is 3 months of taking phentermine with absolutely no success. I can't bear the thought of waiting another 3 months or more!!!! Did your doctors in Little Rock have these same requirements? My original plan was to go to Little Rock post op to stay with my aunt for a few months. (her daughter owns a gym and has offered me a free membership) Now I'm thinking of finding a surgeon in Little Rock. Please let me know what your thoughts are. What were the requirements? and how long did the whole pre op process take? Very frustrated Jacki

Thank you Kat for better conveying what I was trying to say. Yes...I was shocked by my own reaction and hope to take from that reaction a lesson. As Dr Phil says "You can't change what you do not acknowledge" (no bashing Dr Phil...I actually like his approach) And to others who have commented that people should be free to love any one of any color or race ...Of course I want to believe that too. That is what logic tells us. But that is in a perfect world. In a perfect world there would be no racism...or poverty ..or wars...but we do not live in a perfect world. It has never been perfect nor ever will be perfect.

Could you elaborate more on that or send me a private message? I have heard he's a great surgeon but has zero bedside manner. I'd like to know if there is a cause for medical concern. Thanks Jacki

Our local radion station did a story on a national survey involving preschool age children. As you know, before many children learn to read they can recognize logos. My 3 year old grandson knows McDonalds, Burger King and many others just by the sign. Branding starts really young. For this survey, the preschoolers were offered two sets of hamburgers, fries and soft drinks. They were all identical...prepared the exact same way. However, one combo was wrapped in McDonalds paper, and had the McDonalds logo on the fries and soft drinks. Almost 70% preferred the McDonalds meals over the other. I thought this was interesting for a group of 3 and 4 year olds.

Great thread!! I love to read. I only wish I would allow myself the luxury of reading fiction these days. For some, I'm sure deep psychological reason (hint of sarcasm) I always feel a tad guilty reading fiction. I always feel the need to "learn" something. However, I did have my John Grisham phase and it was great. I devoured everything he wrote up until the last 3 years. I adore courtroom drama. Toward the end I felt he was just pumping out books to satisfy his publisher and the quality of them started to decline. I just finished "The Secret" and it was good. Even though it was a tad "new age-esque" for me I found much of it to be valuable and definately worth the read. I just ordered the DVD. There is something to be said about the Law of Attraction. In my own little circle of family and friends there are those who follow this thinking (without knowing it's The Secret) and those who do not. The "dos" are far more successful and much happier than the "don'ts". In fact, the book actually helped me get here....to a place where I WANT to change my old behavior. My life depends on it. Another great book for anyone in business, management, sales or even production is called The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt. (it's been around for a long time, but still a great read) My daughter bought a new book for me called "Skinny Bitch". While the title is intriguing.....I have not opened it yet. Anyone read this? "Rich Dad Poor Dad" was okay. I didn't feel as if it rated all the hype. I had become almost immune to self-help books until "The Secret". I think I'll go today and find a good fiction....thanks for the recommendations. Jacki

Ok Bjean I'll bite. (hell, i bite everything, which is why I'm here ):eyebrows: I grew up in the south with two very red blooded republicans at the helm. I was put in a private school in the 6th grade when "busing" started. It was a very racially explosive time then. Through my early adulthood until recently, I never considered myself a racist. In fact two of my best friends are black. My children go to public schools and have many black friends who come and stay over night and have always been welcome in our home. HOWEVER, recently I have discovered my own racism and am disgusted with myself. My 17 year old son started talking on the phone with my daughters friend who happens to be black. He wanted to ask her out and came to me for advice. NOT for advice on the racial issue, but dating in general. He has always been too shy and quite to ask a girl out. The first words out of my very own mouth were "Jordan! You cant date her...she's black!" The second those words were released from my lips I knew I was a racist who just came out of the closet. I even tried to later rationalize it to myself by saying things like "we live in such a small southern rasist town, what will people say?" or "there are too many problems with inter racial relationships" or even the best one was "your grandfather would roll over in his grave" I struggled with this for weeks trying my best not to verbalize my thoughts to my son. I knew we didn't need another generation of racists in my family. Afterall, the boy came to me with an issue...about DATING. She just happened to be black and I made it a racial issue. I honestly don't think he gave her skin color a second thought. Fast forward to present: He took her out on one date. He said she was "okay" but talked too much. He made the decision not to go out with her again, but his decision had nothing to do with color. I really hope that the racism in my family stops here. We do not need another generation of rasist....in the closet or not. I think we are making a little progess. The difference between how my children view other races and my parents viewed other races is a HUGE step forward. I can only hope that the trend continues. Jacki

The Walmart in my town is the same.....changed. Nothing is in a logical place, but that is merchandising for you. They WANT you to have to walk the entire store over and over again, hoping you will run into something you just HAVE to have. I try to avoid Walmart at all cost....I'm thinking it might be the Anti-Christ. LOL

I've only been obese for the last 6 or 7 years and have stayed pretty much in my "bat cave" as my DH calls it. (my home office) In all honesty, I havent wanted to venture out into the cruel world. But, I ran into an old high school friend last year at the grocery store. She immediately came up and hugged me...then looked at me up and down, THEN proceeded to take a quick inventory of the contents in my grocery cart. I think she was honestly flabbergasted and didnt know what to say. She DID manage to say after a few moments "Awwwww, bless your heart sugah, c'mere and give me another hug". And...for those of you who can speak "southern"....you will know that she didnt intend to bless anything about me. It was horrible. So.....i'm still in the bat cave for now. Jacki

Okay BJean....I'm the newbie on the block BUT............. Even a bible-thumping-cassorole-carrying-born-again-southern-baptist-right-wing-radical HAS to find that funny! LOL "I did hear last night that once they finished with his colonoscopy over the weekend, the doctors put his head back where it was. I also heard that besides the 5 polyups they discovered, they found 4 oil barrons' heads up there." Bada-boom.

Hi Laurend.....it IS HOT here today and the humidity is suffocating. (altho it is ONLY at 54% at the moment) The heat index is 102 and rising. My air went out in my car in mid July. I GLADLY paid the $1200 to fix it because I'm such a wuss in the heat. Unfortunately, after I spent the money my brother-in-law says he could have fixed it for $50!! OUCH. I read your siggy....I too am going to be banded in Memphis but by Dr Woodman. Do you know anything about him? My sis had the LB surgery about three years ago and is now at her goal. She recommended Dr Woodman to me altho I have yet to see anyone on this forum use him as of yet. Anyway..........I hope you get your air fixed soon...it's miserable here. Just a thought here....sometimes our ac freezes up. We have to turn it off for several hours to thaw, then turn it back on. It happens at least twice every summer. Luckily, it hasnt happened this year......YET. Jacki

Hello, I've spent the last few days reading numerous posts and thought I'd sign up today and introduce myself. I have been riding the fence regarding the lapband procedure for some time now. My sister was banded 3 years ago and is down to her goal weight and looks fantastic....but can't hold down hardly anything she eats. She says that she has just accepted that as part of the new her. (she vomits after eating ANYTHING) Six years ago I weighed 130 lbs and thought I was overweight, considering my normal weight for years was around 107 to 110. I am 5'2" and today weigh 210 and climbing. ( i am extremely small boned and have a petite buld, so the weight really HURTS my back, legs and hips) I have been batteling major depression for the last 5 to 6 years and the weight just keeps going up. I have no energy. I now have to sleep with a CPAP machine due to sleep apnea. (real sexy btw) I have high blood pressure. Heart disease and diabetes run in my family. I also am a heavy smoker. I know I will die early unless I make a serious change. For years I "wanted" to "want" to...if that makes sense. I knew i needed to....but couldnt get to the point where I wanted to make a major committment to anything. Then, last year my husband asked for a divorce. He couldnt live with my depression any longer and was not physically attracted to me anymore. As much as it hurt, I completely understood. My self esteem went from bad to worse. In Oct. of 06 I attended the mandatory orientation required by the surgeon for the lapband. I did this for my husband, more than myself. I kept coming up with various reasons why I shouldnt or couldnt do it. That is as far as I ever went until today. I spent the better part of today looking at the before and after pictures on this forum. Wow...what an inspiration. I could honestly see in those pics so much more than weight loss...I saw hope and so much confidence in those who are near or at their goal. I made an appointment for my psych evaluation for August 6th. The next thing will be to get my medical records for the past 5 years. I am concerned because my PCP has already told me he wouldnt recommend it for anyone. (i need a new doc I guess) I still have a few major concerns but am determind to follow this through. My biggest fear is the amount of saggy skin that will most likely be left in my tummy. A Tummy tuck probably wont be an option for me since my insurance won't cover it. And...just watching my sister run to the bathroom after every meal bothers me. But this site has shown me that everyone has different experiences and that is probably the exception rather than the rule. Anyway....I didnt mean to write a book....just wanted to introduce myself and hope to gain lots of support from this group. I'm 45 years old...have 4 children and 4 grandchildren. I need to get healthy for many reasons. Jacki

Pardon me if I did not read the 80 pages of posts before responding, perhaps I should have. I apologize if I "jumped the gun" However, it seems the title of the thread and the FIRST post had little to do with environmental issues. In fact, there was only one small reference made regarding the environment. "I'll just assume that everyone on this forum is intelligent enough to know the reasons why this is a really bad idea, such as our severely dwindling environmental resources, for one. On a more mundane level, every time someone complains about a new development going up behind their house, or long lines at the supermarket, or horrible traffic, I feel like screaming "that's because people are having too many *bleeping* kids!" Being a seemingly intelligent person, I'm sure you now understand my confusion. The title and initial post were more about "damn kids" or "bleeping kids" rather than the environment.

I'm new here as of yesterday and not sure if I should jump on the debate wagon so soon, but I will. Exactly how many kids is too many? Is 4 ok, but 5 too many? WHO draws the line? And what gives them the right to draw the line for any family? I have four children. My grandmother had 10. What now? Do we castrate the men with more than 5 children? Or tie the tubes of women with 6 children? My point is simple. How many is too many? And....says WHO?

Hi rogers....I'm just outside Memphis is Munford and am using Dr Woodman. I am in the initial stages at this point. My psych evaluation is scheduled for the 6th. How long did it take you to get approval? My sister used Dr Woodman about three years ago and loved him. She is at her goal and has been for a little over a year....she looks fantastic! Anyway....HELLLO from Memphis!!

Thank you all for the welcome and encouragement. I'm actually getting excited now after reading thru many of the threads. My sister hasnt had a fill in over a year nor has she returned for a checkup in that time. I'll try to encourage her to go to the doc soon for suggestions. In all honesty she is not motivated because she is at her goal and has just learned to cope. Looking forward to chatting with others who have had this procedure! Thanks again for the welcome......I need ALL the encouragement I can get! Jacki