Margo

O.K., wow, that's fast....so I would suggest you ask yourself the following questions: 1. Did I do enough research on the lap band to really understand how it works? 2. Am I ready for a "lifestyle change"? 3. Have I tried food plans and execise to try and lose weight? 4. Do I have any co-morbidities which absolutely have to be addressed with weight loss? 5. What is my reason for getting the lap band? Good luck.....remember there is no rush....research, understand, be ready for and want a change in your life. Margo

I love my Magic Bullet..... Margo

I am so confused and frustrated.... I have been waiting for approval from my insurance company. I was told all the paperwork was in and waiting for review. Then just a day ago was told that my PCP had to call and speak with a nurse to get pre-cerification for the surgery. Today I call to check and my insurance contact's line is busy so I thought I would talk to the person I got...she tells me that my policy excludes all WLS for any reason and I will not be approved...period. So I ask her why I am going through all this jazz if my insurance will not cover it...she said she did not know and repeated that it would not be covered....PERIOD! What the hell is going on? Has anyone had the same situation and actually been approved? Am I wasting my time and going nuts for nothing? Should I just self-pay? Please I need some sound advice....I can't stand this anymore....it's driving me crazy...I can't concentrate on anything but getting this approval. HELP Margo

Thanks for the advice ladies....the confusion lies in that everyone tells me something different. My surgeon's office is absolutely no help. The insurance company people tell me, "no, it is not cover, period" and in the next call, "well, it is probably icovered if deemed a medical necessity". My PCP is going to call the insurance co. and give them a pre-certification and talk to "the" nurse. (This is above and beyond the wonderful letter he already wrote and the complied medical notes he made available -- really sweet doctor!) I would like to know what the self-pay cost is so so I get a feel for how to pay myself if needed, but my surgeons office will not discuss cost unless I make an appointment with the nurse to specifically talk about cost???!!! WTF is that? I feel like my already sky-rocketing blood pressure is going to hit the roof..... Margo

How soon after surgery can you take your first shower? M

On my first appointment with the surgeon they gave me a true or false test to see how much I knew about the lap band. One of the questions was....You could be more apt to get pregnant after having the lap-band surgery (do to weight lose.). The answer is true. They even asked me if I was considering more children and if not to make sure I had birth control plans!!! I told them....yes, I have plans alright, I got the hubby fixed!!! I am 46 with an 8 year-old....I am done!!!! M

No, the company my husband works for is very, very small....no HR person. I have not even received my benefits booklet and we have had this insurance since January. My husband called the insurance broker who promised to mail out the booklet....that was 3 weeks ago!!! I did call my PCP and he said he would get right on it.....told me to hang in there.....he would take care of things! Thank God for him.....he has been such a wonderful doctor to me for years....I wish everyone could have a doctor like him! He even said he would phone me back once he spoke to the insurance company. So, I feel a tad better, but I hate when I get to the point where I just have to sleep to escape everything....that's what I did today...I crawled into bed for 2 hours. Then my husband brought dinner home and I ate every bite and I was not even hungry.... Margo

I called my insurance company again today....I have called about 6 times since they recieved all my paperwork on June 8th. Each time they tell me that the paperwork has been logged and is in review. BUT, today I am told that my PCP must call the insurance company to request a "pre-certification for gastric banding". Then the nurse from Humana will call my doctor if or when she needs more infomation including "codes". WHY DIDN'T THE LAST FIVE PEOPLE TELL ME THIS INFORMATION......2 WEEKS DOWN THE DRAIN....WAITING, LOSING sleep, UNABLE TO FOCUS ON ANYTHING BUT MY APPROVAL...... I AM MAD...................................AND CRYING................ Margo

I have to go on liquids for TWO weeks prior to surgery with the last two days being ONLY clear liquids! I am looking forward to it however, because that means I am one step closer to being banded!!!! M

Alexandra, I have been glued to this website since I started my research into the lapband. Therefore, I have read hundreds of threads many of which you either started or replied to....and all of your wisdom, knowledge and kindness has helped me so very much. With that said, I would like to help you now....no, I am not an expert on lapbands, the procedure or experiencing great weight loss (not yet, at least!), but I can tell you that what you have accomplished is unbelievable. When I first saw your before and after pictures....I cried. I thought, "my gosh, that's me"....sitting with my little daughter looking sad...and then looking at your after picture with a big smile on your face and your daughters smiling too!!! I first noticed that lack of a smile and then a smile....yes, the weight change is "WOW", but I could tell your life change was really "WOW". You look beautiful, you have a great figure, you are smiling now....trust me, if you have kept the weight on you would be aging a lot faster! So, you have some sagging skin....who cares....just thank God we don't live in a society that goes naked!!!! I want to personally thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the inspiration, knowledge and friendship you have shared. Margo

Penni....Grace Slick!!!....that is so cool....I had no idea she was an artist! Interesting to see what the "old" rockers are doing nowadays... Margo

Alexandra.....I was thinking the very same thing! Starr Jones has been cagey about her weight loss. Actually, she is one reason why I don't plan on making my lap band a secret. Monday's show should be interesting. Margo

There is no reason you can't get an answer from your doctor's office prior to your July 7th appointment. I have been "yanked" around by my drs office and I am not taking it anymore....you paid good money for this surgery. You have the right to get answers to your questions when you call or, at least, within the day. Good Luck....call again tomorrow M

Well, shoo-fly pie is a molasses based pie.....o.k., o.k., sounds just absolutely gross, don't it? Really, it's good, especially with vanillia ice cream!!! Margo

Nygrl....Oh, yes, I am familiar with Hershey Lodge....very nice.... Ask any of the "locals" working there and they will be able to tell you where to find a pie or a restaurant the serves it. Enjoy and have fun.... Margo

You really should try the shoo-fly pie while Hershey....make sure you get the "wet bottom" type and ala mode!!! Have a blast in Hershey....I sure do miss that part of the country. Margo

Hershey Park...I am envious...do you live around Hershey? I lived in Palmyra for 8 years and loved it! Still miss the shoo-fly pie...yummy! Margo

What a hoot, Christine!!! Have fun.. Margo

Just no hitch hickers please, we don't want to give them the wrong impression about us you know..lol O.K., I am too curious.....what is a "hitch hicker"? You know us Yankee's always trying to learn a thing or two!! Good Luck with your movie night. It's sound like a blast. Wish I could come but Texas is a world away from us!! Margo

I need a source of liquid protein that not only taste O.K., but my dietian said the carbs and protein should be close to equal. Lots of people have recommended Unjury, but there are little to no carbs in it. Any help would be appreicated since the first protein shake I tried was not edible! Oh, she also said to stay away from "whey" products and go for the soy protein products..... Thanks again for your help Margo

O.K., all the pre-op tests are done, all the reports are in, my check for $300.00 is on its way to the drs. office....so, my insurance company should be getting my file within the next couple of days or so. Please keep your fingers and toes crossed for me and say a little prayer that insurance will cover the band. I am so ready to an official bandster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Margo

I am so pissed off right now! I am just so grateful that I have all of you to support me!! I just called my drs office and AGAIN, they were short with me and rude. I told the receptionist that I had the last of my docs they required and I would drop them off this morning. I asked if they could pull my chart to check to see what is still needed as far as bloodtest results, etc. for insurance coverage. She sighed and at one-hundred miles per minutes told that "blah, blah, blah and I should not stop in until after 3:00 p.m. then MAYBE someone can pull my chart. (this treatment has been since day one...I hate when I have to call this office). I have NEVER had any drs office treat me so rudely. It is as if I am bothering them when I ask a question or need information. I am going to find out if I have to go through the drs. office for my fills or if I do that at the hospital....I think I remember the scheduler at the hospital say she was the one to call to for fills....God, I hope so since she has been the only polite and pleasant person to deal with. Can you imagine hating your job so much that you would treat people so rudely on a daily basis? I am not going to "rock the boat" at this point, but mark my words, there will be a letter written to the drs about the staff. I am the paying "customer" here....man, I am pissed. Thanks for letting me vent.... M

I dialed the drs office and was put on hold until I just stopped waiting and hung up. I was going to ask to speak to the office manager, but now I am double pissed about being on hold forever! So, I am not going to waste anymore of my time with them today until I go in at 3:00 p.m. Let's just say I better not get any sh*& from them when I go in today! M

Thought I would let you guys know that I tried the pre-made Body for Life Protein drink in chocolate ("on the rocks") and it was really very good! Has anyone tried the vanilla flavor Body for Life? Margo

O.K., call me nuts....the ice cream bars from Wal-Mart....I read about them on another site!!! Anyway, thanks for all the searching everyone and sorry to put you through all the work. But, here is the good news....the name of the ice cream bars is No Pudge Fudge Bars. I can't attest to them yet, but I plan on making a trip to Wal-Mart very, very soon. I will bring you an update! Margo