kathystrick

Sorry you had to go through this, especially the aggrivation of the doctors trying not believing your feelings about your own body. GEEZ!! Glad you are feeling better now. As Apple said, talk to your Professors and explain what happened. All they can say is no and at least you will have tried. Good luck!

Finally got on a computer that would let me see the pics and I must say - BooBoo, you look AWESOME!!! Congratulations on surpassing your goal. What a way to treat yourself! You are such an inspiration!! Now if the banner pic would just stop flipping back and forth between you and that apple chick... THAT IS BLOWING MY MIND!!!!

Yes, I am waiting on insurance approval then will probably wait until summer to have surgery. I work in the school system, so I thought that would be best for me. No pressure to return to work before i'm ready. So you are feeling ok, other than being hungry?

That's how I feel too. Unfortunately, thaat wasn't an issue for me.

Welcome to LBT and congratulations on your band! You have found an excellent source for information and support here. Good lcuk to you and keep us posted on your progress!

Sorry you are having all of these complications. I hope you get things cleared up soon. Good luck!!

The cost varies. Quite a few people here have gone to Mexico to have their surgery because it was cheaper. Also, I think most people stay at least one night in the hospital.

There is a lot of information here. Browse around, learn what you can to help you make and educated choice, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask! Good luck!!

Oh Natalie! I am so sorry! I know it is frustrating, especially when you come here and others with the same carrier have the surgery. Your employer must exclude it though. I'm glad he is going to work with you and try to find some way to do it. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Hi and welcome to LBT! Congratulations on your decision to get banded and good luck!

Hi Jesi! Someone else posted a question about UHC a few days ago. Check the insurance thread and you should be able to find some information there. Good luck!

There was actually a poll on one of the other threads about this not too long ago. The majority of us said we would gain weight if it would help us to get our surgery covered by insurance. If I were you, I would do as others suggested and check my policy first. If gaining a couple of pounds will help get coverage, I would start eating!

This site is a wonderful resource for information and support, but only if you can find out what you want to know, so ask away! Good luck to you!!

Hi, Tracy and welcome to LBT! How is it going since surgery? Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

Hi Kelly from a fellow South Carolinian! What part are you from? You have found a great place for information and support here. Welcome to LBT and good luck to you!!

Is that a requirement of the doctor or your insurance? Also, what is he calling "a complete work up"?

I have always had a weight problem. That only became more apparent as I grew up and became a teenager. No one wanted to ask out the fat girl, so while all of my friends were out on dates Friday and Saturday nights, I sat home with my friend, food. That was the way I always dealt with feelings I couldn't let out - eat enough and they will get buried. This pattern continued into adulthood, and before I knew it, the "big-boned chubby girl" was nothing more than just plain FAT. I topped 300 pounds easily and never looked back. Now approaching 40, I am surprisingly healthy considering how heavy I have been. Obesity is my only physical health problem; however, the mental problems caused by this weight are indescribable. I have very low self esteem, which negatively affects every aspect of my life. I fight depression everyday that I know will improve with weightloss, because it has in the past. I am ashamed to go into reataurants to eat because of what people will think when they see me going to a table, like I need another meal. Until I began doing research about Lap Band, I had never admitted all of these things to myself. Who wants to admit that food, something everyone has to have to survive, can have such an unwielding control over them? I surely didn't. That was a necessary step in preparation for surgery though. If I carry the attitude about food I have always had with me into surgery, the surgery will be a waste of time. I have to confront my "friend" and let it know that it is no longer needed in a negative way in my life. I have to realize that I am in control of myself and my body and that the only place food can have in that is as energy. Not comfort. Not companion. Not master of my mind. Just energy. This is a tough realization. But what is food? It has no more value than what we give it. My body and life has to become much more valuable to me than food ever has been. To me, THAT is the first step in having a successful Lap Band.

Congratulations and good luck to you! Keep us updated on your progress.

Good luck to all of you! Post and let us know how you are doing as soon as you feel up to it.

Congratulations and good luck to you both! Let us all know how you are doing as soon as you feel up to it.

Definitely call your doctor's office and see what they say. Better to be safe than sorry.

Is the appointment at your surgeon's office? If so, my first visit, I was weighed and talked to the PA about the Band and why I was choosing that over the GBP. She made sure I understood the differences between the 2 surgeries and answered any questions I had. They also took a medical history to determine what pre-op testing I needed and checked my insurance requirements. That was pretty much it for me! Good luck to you both!

Hi! There is a load of information here about the band. Have you been finding out what you needed to know? You can always post a question of not and there is usually someone hanging around who can answer it for you. Good luck and let us know how it's going!

Hi! Good luck to you on your Band journey!

Hi Crystal! Welcome to LBT! Good luck to you on your weight loss. Keep us posted about your progress!