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I just received my phone call from my surgeon that I have been approved by my insurance. I will see her 2/21/08 @ 130 p.m. She will schedule my surgery at that visit. I have been on my journey since August 2007. Yipppppeeee. Sharon/Memphis:clap2::bounce::whoo:

I would image part of the wait is I have to be cleared by the Cardiologist and my next appointment for his is 12/27/07. I also heard she is full for December, taking some time off in January, and this puts February in place. I am okay with this date, as I am rehearsing the lifestyle, which is highly recommended by the Nutritionist. So far, so good. I am just glad I am finally approved. Been on the journey since August 2007. Sharon/Memphis

Lauren, I am a Master's Level Student at UT College of Social Work and feel the same as you. The students I am in class with continually heckle the teachers, don't want to do group assignments, which is a burden on those of us that are willing to work and earn the grade. I have also run into the powers to be being to toxic to deal with, went outside her scope, and was validated. I am paying my good earned money (not on scholarship, because I work, nor do I have mommy and daddy supporting me.) I would like to learn for the money I am paying $3500 for 9 college hours. I finished by last exam yesteday and sent my paper in today. Done until January 9, 2008. Sharon/Memphis

I had the same treatment Monday at the Cardiology Lab, with two techs. I am going to write them up and send it to the Hospital Director. They need to be held accountable. Sharon/Memphis

I had one today at the Hospital when I had my stess test completed. The people i Cardiology were very cold, not friendly and those of us that have NEEDLE PHOBIA could use a little TLC. I asked for my husband to be in the room with me and they denied him access. After 2 more sticks and me crying, they let him in. I work in the mental health field and know I have trauma around medical care. Even when I asked for what I needed to help me get thru the needle stuff...they wouldn't oblige. I am being asked by my friends to let management know. I will do that tomorrow. Too upset today. Have to go back there again tomorrow for the 2nd part of the test...another needle...my husband states he will come in whether they like it or not. Sharon/Memphis

Wonder what they do if they have problems...after returning home? Seems to risky to me...despite the cost.

If your family is like my family, they won't comment on how good I look, they would talk about when are your going to loose the rest. I realized they are the ones with the problem, not me. 50lbs is FANTASTIC. Can't wait until I have my surgery and can say such a thing, especially at holiday time.

I agree with Sue. I can't face me in 10 years with another 100 lbs added...despite trying everything else.

I have emotional support from various avenues, plus I am a therapist I can talk to one or more times a week/month. I think this is one of the weeknesses in our arena...not having a therapist with the knowledge of WLS. Please email PM and I will talk more. Sharon/Memphis

You can also call the Insurance Commissioner for the state. I know that insurance companies don't like having that call made as it is a bad mark against them. Ask about the turnaround time to give yeh or neh and your recourse. Insurance companies win...if we as individuals don't stand up for our rights. If we did pay them, they wouldn't be in business......We are the Client.

Is there any support group where you are at? Or even a 12Step Group (AA, CA, NA, OA). Not sure if you are familiar with them...but these are "free" groups to go and be a part of learning to take care of self, especially when you know you can't handle what you are going thru by your self. The OA is Overeaters Anonymous..is about not about sitting around talking about food, it is helping you be supported with the pain, powerlessness feeling, looking at choices others may know about in your area.

Hey Maureen, As they say in the 12-step meetings...use that Serenity Prayer as much as you want...it won't wear out. Shorter version...I can't, he/she can, so why don't I let him/her. I know for me in my other 12-step programs (20 years in recovery) the program works; now have to face the fact that I must look at the weight being a mask for more years of pain I haven't dealt with. But this forum and others are helping me realize I can shed the weight, learn how to deal with the weight being gone, and face life on life's terms with the help of HP. So to all, let's use all our tools available with the band for the best chance at success. Here is to us,

You may want to call the nutritionist and see what you could do differently with the new band (as far as your food.) I have been hearing protein first and then other stuff. I also have been testing out the protein drinks to see how they taste but if they satisfy me w/o the band. So far, both tasted good, but only one really satisfied by hunger. My surgery will be in January sometime. Hope this helps.

Hey ya'll I have been researching for myself what is coming in front of me. I purchased WLS for Dummies. She really explains what may happen. She talks about depression cycling thru, and as a therapist, I agree, life we use to know, eating whatever we wanted whenever and as much as we wanted, did us harm, and we choose to let the band help us. In her book she talks about using the same tools I use with my clients. Journaling your feelings, so the feelings are honored and out of the body. I know I am pissed that I can't eat like normal people. I don't really relish going thru surgery but I know today I can't keep going the route I have been without some "more" critical problems. I think my venture thru this is to help my clients, maybe even change my client base to expand with "us" WLS clients. I know it looks like society is still wanting to "SHAME US" but I know today, I have just as much right to be treated like a good person (no matter what my size is.) I also see where we will grieve having our buddy "food" turn on us...by making us larger, larger and larger. Since I went to Eating Disorder treatment in 1989 I have gained 100 more lbs. That scares me, but I also know I have become "MORE MENTALLY HEALTHY" and can face the surgery today. I couldn't have done it back then. I would highly recommend getting this book...just because it is validating me, helping me understand what I am going to go thru. Please do not give up, from one of us that wants to face the challenge of the lapband tool.

Can anyone share with me how they deal with the fills (with having a needle phobia?) I watched Big Medicine this week and it showed a lady getting her first fill and you would have thought I was getting stuck. I hate this phobia because I feel so embarrassed. It has affected many parts of my life. I did hear someone saw they wanted to know if the doc used ultra violet lights to locate the port...cause they had a doctor that was using them for a pin cushion. I KNOW I COULDN'T HANDLE THIS. I checked with the Nutritionist with Dr Weaver and she stated if Dr Weaver can't locate the port she gets the light. At 56...want to overcome such terror. Any help would be appreciated. Sharon/Memphis:think

I do think I will take your suggestion. I will talk to the Dr about my phobia just to inform them of my feelings. I know my body is doing this for a reason, and attempting to comfront the fear...otherwise I think I wouldn't even do this surgery...knowing I had to have a needle ever so often. Thanks ya'll for the feedback, I will keep you informed what the doctor says when I see her.

Sounds like you are going thru the stages of grief or depression as I have been reading in the latest book...WLS for Dummies. She talks about depression after the surgery due to grieving the loss of food and how we were able to eat, amount we were eating, getting in touch with reality. You may want to go up on Amazon.com as I found it half price from the store. As an Addiction Therapist going thru this journey myself, I am being affirmed by clinical skills I have. However, I know I can't be my own therapist, but it does make since to grieve a change of my best buddy (food.) But food is also an enemy as look at the affects I am having now, overweight, take meds for depression due to other traumas in life, scared about surgery, but for some reason, I keep bouncing back. Please read how others got thru this part of the journey. Hang in there...cause it will get better.

Why do you have to wait 4 weeks, due to their cancellation??? Especially since you are at the stage needing your fill. Anybody out there that can make any suggestions for her and for us in the future? We go thru the surgery, we struggle with so many issues already, but to have stuff like this happens concerns me. Who was the surgeon you had and where at??? I have been reading WLS for Dummies and it gave me some questions to ask my surgeon. I would have never thought one would have to wait 4 weeks, for "THEIR CANCELLATION unless it is a matter of life or death of the surgeon's life." Doesn't he have staff backup??????

Alexandra Thanks for the quick reply. So you are saying they numb the area with anesthesia...I didn't see that happen on Big Medicine. I plan on asking the doctor about the procedure...so I won't get caught off guard. Being a therapist, I am learning to help myself, so when I have a client with the same I can tell them from experience. I am going to try EMDR with a friend to see if this will help. The biggest problem...is the embarrassment. Sharon

For those of you that struggle with how the medical staff treats you, here is some information. I work at a hospital, patients pay our salary, customer/client satisfaction is one of the hot topics in the field. Next time you have trouble regarding how you are treated, please inform this person, you are a client, paying their salary and would to be treated as a person, not a number. You have every right to be assertive with those individuals...especially since they leave a bad taste in client's mouths...causing those of us that do treat clients special....to bear the pain. Sharon/Memphis

My journey for lap banding is just starting. I am at it wits in with my weight. I have struggled with my weight since I was in 3rd grade due to severe abuse in my home. My mother had me seen by a weight doctor at this time, but didn't address the abuse. I entered eating disorder treatment twenty years ago, lost 40 lbs, but gained it back plus another 100. I am miserable, and desire to do something about this problem. I have a supportive husband and a support group around me, ready to start the journey. Sd:omg:

Can you tell me which insurance you have? I was told the same thing...BMI and high blood pressure, asthma, etc. was enough.

Good luck to you. Will be thinking of you as time passes. Please let us hear from you when you can. I am in my processing journey. I have my psych evaluation on Thursday.

I hope to have the chance to be banded for my birthday Dec 4 as I am tired of living this life with all the weight. I got my psychological exam scheduled for Thursday October 18, and all I have to pay is $15. Boy what a relief. My vote is the sooner the better for me.

Good Luck. Will be waiting to hear from you and how it went. I am just beginning my journey.