mousecrazy

Welcome! I'm new, too. I'm getting my letters to the surgeon, and waiting for a response from insurance, although it looks good. I think my insurance goes on how many lbs you have to lose, not BMI, but mine is 45. I"m 5'7", 285, and have a 7 year old daugher. Hopefully, we'll be there getting banded very soon! Cindy

By now, you might be on your way home, and I hope you are doing well. Take it easy, follow the dr.'s orders, and you'll soon be on the computer again. I wish you the best! Cindy

Thanks for all the info! So, did the insurance company pay for the initial visit? Or did you havea to fork out the $175 on the spot? I sure hope he/she asks me WHY I think I have a weight problem! LOL You would think it would be obvious! Thanks again! Cindy

Welcome, I am new here also, and love learning and researching everything here. Great support, too! Read, read, read! Good luck with everything, Cindy

Hi! My grandparents lived in Port Arthur, which is really close to Nederland...small world! Be sure to check out the Texas board, too. Congrats! Cindy

Hi Jim, I am in the process of getting approved by insurance (looks good!) and then completing all the tests. Wanted to have surgery in July, but I'm not sure about when. I've been warmly welcomed here and know you will be, too. Read all the sticky notes in each area...I've found lots of great info there! Cindy

Congratulations and hang in there! I'm sure it is just fluid from the IVs and some tissue swelling, too. I wish you the best, Cindy

You are a good friend! It's a great thing to make someone's day...when I'm in a bad mood or feeling down, I try to find something to do that will make someone else's day...and that gift to them, is also a gift to me. Thanks for telling that story. It is so uplifting to be reminded to do more things like that for our friends and family. Cindy

Hi, The surgeon's asst. asked me to call my insurance and ask what the criteria for lap band was, and when I did, they said they don't have "set criteria" but the dr. would have to submit a benefits request...so I called the asst. back and told her that. Then, I took the big, long, questionnaire thingie up to the surgeon's office so she could call my insurance co. herself. She told me they neededletters of med. necessity, and a certain # of lbs to lose, or a BMI over a certain amount. I qualifed under those terms. Still, though, the surgeon has to actually submit the letters, and the request,etc. and then the asst. said we'd play the waiting game. Whatever that means. I hope some of this info helps you. Don't stop. I hate the term morbidly obese, but you gotta love it if it qualifies you! Cindy

I teach English in an alternative high school; this is the kind of school that offers a diploma program, not a discipline alternative school. I LOVE my work, and the kids that make it so great! I will begin my 18th year of teaching in the fall, well, August, actually. I am betting on my kids to be my ultimate supporters. I am married and have a 7 year old daughter who will start 3rd grade next fall. My family is totally behind me on this, too!

Hi, Debi, Corinth! My favorite (NOT!) place to be stuck in traffic on the way to Carrollton (where I work). I bet it's nice place to live, though...just not so great geting down I35. Wow! You're already up and around and working? That's just great! I want to get my band before school starts (Aug. 8) but I don't know if it will go that fast. I have already had 6 months of dr. supervised weight loss program, a year or so ago. Supposedly, all I need are letters of med. necessity, and then the waiting game. What liquid foods are you "eating? I bet it is hard, but you'll get through it. I'm so happy there are quite a few of us in this area...maybe we really will be able to meet! Good luck, Cindy

Hi, mystyblu! I know where Justin is! I started writing this reply before I really looked...who is your doctor, and when did you have your surgery? I guess we might have another person for the "split-the appetizer" get-together that we are threatening to have someday! Thanks for the post!

That's super! I know how happy you are and how great you feel. I wear a tight 24 now, and would be ecstatic to wear my 20's again...you guessed it, the last weight loss mission resulted in good loss (back to 20/s!) but now I'm 20 lbs over that. I'm really happy for you!

Hi, Yellow Rose...how do we start a July thread? I don't know yet if my srugery is in July, but it might be, and I hope it is. You know a little more than I do, since you are ahead of me. How long does Dr. Marsden take between insurance OK, seminar, tests, etc? Check out the Texas thread, too! Cindy:ermm

Hey, I saw the invite to Bubblestina's movie night, and it sounds like fun! Sadly, I will have to pass this up this time...I haven't gone into this on the boards, but my mom is in the hospital in Carrollton...has been in hospitals since Feb. 17. She just had a big setback from MRSA (a superbug) and is in really bad shape right now. So, while I truly need a break, I really can't right now. Thanks so much for the invite, Tammy! Becky and Leatha : I can just our little party now...an appetizer plate, and four women! Maybe we could even share one mocha latte! LOL Thanks, Becky for the encouraging story of yours! I start wondering some when I read about some of the bad times people have had. I imagine it all depends on so many things...Good news is the surgeon's office contacted me today to say my insurance doesn't require too much to pre-certify me, just some letters of med. necessity, which I'm almost embarrassed to say I'll have 3, and needing to lose over 100 lbs, which I think I need to lose 135, if my target weight is 150. I'm 5'7" and 285 right now. They said my BMI was 45 (4 points higher than I had figured for myself!) It's crazy that I didn't really recognize for myself how bad off I was, isn't it? You girls keep writing, or PM me...I don't use instant messaging (never learned). Thanks, Cindy

Wade, hang in there, buddy. I have not taken this trip yet, but I want to, and I can't know exactly how you feel. I am an emotional eater, too, with a weakness for ice cream, especially at night, when it's the worst time...you helped me understand that these feelings and habits won't be easy to change, and now I also know to expect this to happen, and plan ahead for it. Thanks for helping me. I know the encouragement you get from your friends here will see you through. And I want to thank Leatha (I just love your name, lethalwoman!) for a very well-written pep talk. I think we may be similar in our approaches...I like to write. It helps me, too. You guys are a great group! Cindy

Greetings to both of you, Leatha g. and Becky! Looks like we've got the start of a little group here...Thank you for making me feel so welcome! I also have heard from Yellow Rose, who lives in the Ft. Worth area if I remember correctly...I take some paperwork to the surgeon tomorrow, so their office can talk to my insurance co. I also get to pick up a letter of med. necessity from my primary doctor (internist). So, it's another little baby step forward. Girls, anything I need to know? Ya'll have both done great with your weight loss! You're an inspiration...for the first time in a while, I believe it is really possible to make it to my goal weight. Before, I would work really hard and lose 30-40 lbs, then gain it back + 20. I am sure you know the story...cliche plot, not too exciting ending. But NOW...I'm hopeful, if a little nervous. Thanks again for the welcome...I'm so used to planning everything around food, what would we do if we got together? Cindy

I am so sorry, like the friend who just wrote before me, I had tears in my eyes while I was reading your story. I, too, am a pet lover, and I have had to say goodbye to special friends like Gunnar. It is heartbreaking. I looked at your picture and what you wrote to put in the park, and you did a fantastic job of on it. Gunnar's a good-looking dog, too! I know how much you will miss him. I hope you will not mind me giving this advice to you, but I think it is very important to remember that you gave him a lot of love, and the relationship was not a one-way street. When you are ready, find a new pet companion. He or she will not be Gunnar, but with your love and attention, you will create a new bond, and be an angel on earth to another pet. I'm new around here, but I wanted to send you a hug. Cindy

Nice to meet all of you...I am very, very new to the whole thing...just found out yesterday that I should consider lap band surgery. You know, it's always nice to be told you are too fat...this time, by an orthopedic dr. who is treating tendonitis in my ankle. He asked if I had ever considered it. I said "No, not until now." :phanvan He gave me a referral for a surgeon, so I called my "real" dr. and asked her about it...she seconded the motion and volunteered to write a letter. The ortho will write a letter, too. Things are going pretty fast, don't you think? Just kidddng... I guess it is time to face the music...I'm not just chubby! I have been reading a little about lap band, and I think it is the best method...but I guess I am just a little sad that I will have to give up one of my favorite things: food! OF COURSE, that's how I got here in the first place! I've enjoyed browing around your place here and hope to meet you all and learn from you. Thanks for being here! PS How do you get the ticker tape that measures your weight loss?

Wow KarenB! You've done great! I'm hoping I can have the surgery before I go back to school the early part of August, but it sounds like it might take more time. I had no idea there were so many tests and pre-op stuff involved. Well, that's why I'm here, to learn. Thanks for your good wishes, and congratulations to you!

Thanks! Did you see I already figured it out and added it. This is probably a dumb question ('cause no matter how many people say it, I do believe ther is such a thing as a dumb question!) but how do you move the pointer on the ruler?

Wow! Thanks for the news...I had read that some foods were hard to tolerate, like bread, some dairy, chicken, etc. I also wonder how it will affect my family if I am eating so differently. I want to know anything about it, since I'm right at the very start! Thanks!

Guess what?! I live in Sanger, and I am getting an appt. with Dr. Marsden in Lewisville, too!!! I am working on the 10 page form now, having letters written to the insurance company. My insurance will cover the surgery, if I qualify :rolleyes ...BMI 40 (estimate), joint pain, numerous failed attempts at weight loss, etc...I am 5'7" and weigh in the neighborhood of 280, so I have some serious weight to lose. I have a 7 year old daughter, and I'm kinda fond of walking, so must take off weight so I can prowl the parks at WDW again, without pain this time! Since you're a little ahead of me, would you mind being a bit of guide for me? You KNOW we both have that good ol' Texas hospitality! Let's "Git-R-Done!"