kathystrick

Just got my diagnosis today and was also prescribed Prevpac. Thank goodness for insurance. Prevpac is $404 retail. :drool:

I just got the results of my test today and they were positive. They are calling in a prescription for Previpac and I have to take it 14 days to clear it up.

As I go through my mind and try to get some head work done in preparation for surgery, I am becoming increasingly more aware of all of this repressed anger I have built up inside myself from years of medicating myself with food. So now, I have to figure out a way to deal with all of these issues, all these years after the fact. What fun!! I don't know what to do. It is really causing me a lot of stress because I have things I want to say to people, but know if I bring it up, it will only cause more problems because it has been so long. So, what do I do? I know if I don't get it out and deal with it, I will have to continue feeding it (literally) to keep it at bay. I feel so overwhelmed...:biggrin:

I feel your pain. I work for the school district and was hoping to have everything lined up for surgery over Spring Break. No way that is happening. So it looks like I am on hold until June unless I just decide to say the devil with it and lose the money. If I can't eat, why should the rest of my family?LOL Good luck to you!!

From what I have heard, it is more of a problem with GBP than LB. Something to do with a possibility of the tissues not healing properly.

I am having an EKG, which is required by my surgeon. I just had one about a year ago, so am not anticipating any problems, but better to be safe than sorry. He also requires an upper GI and blood work. This was all co-ordinated by his office and I am going to the hospital tomorrow to have it all done in one shot. JoJo! 9 tubes of blood???? Did you have any left? I hope they don't take that much out of me tomorrow. 12 hours is a long time to go without food in preparation for the other tests for a fat chick. I might not be able to walk out of there if they bleed me dry too!! LOL

I am doing so horribly with my food intake pre-surgery. I try everyday to make good choices, but then by the end of the day, I find myself starving (headaches, shaky, etc.). I usually have a protein shake of some sort for breakfast, fruit for mid-AM snack, something high protein (tuna, chicken, etc), yogurt, and usually a piece of fruit for lunch, protein bar for mid afternoon snack. Sounds like a lot of food, but lately hasn't been enough. I am so ready to be done fighting food. It has ruled my life for so long now. It only seems like the fight is getting worse the farther into the approval process I get. Like a demon fighting to keep control of my body. I will take it back, with the help of the Lap Band. I will make my body, and therefore my life, mine again!!!

I was talking to my husband last night and mentioned in conversation that I had paid the hospital $150 when I called to pre-register for the tests I am having done next Thursday, 3/6. He flipped!! I couldn't believe it! Mind you, I got a second job about a month ago to help with what I knew was going to be extra expense. So what is his problem? He said he feels like it's just one thing after another and everytime I go they are wanting more money for something. All I have paid out of pocket is $250 as the first half of my program fee and the $150 yesterday. Of course we haven't met our deductible yet since it's so early in the year, so I knew I was going to have to pay at least that $500. I just think there is so much more to it than the money. Is he realizing, like I am, that this is REALLY going to happen now that I am having all the tests and stuff? And why does that scare him? It doesn't make any sense. I thought he would be happy to be getting a hot wife after almost 9 years of marriage. Apaprently I was wrong. His reaction scared me so bad that now, I am really afraid I may just end up single before I reach goal. :thumbup:

I am starting to have the anxiety. I have been telling myself and my family how I am tired of failing at losing weight and I NEED to have this surgery so I can be healthy and happy. But what if I still fail? I know that is a possibility and it scares me to death!! To deal with it and all those other troublesome thoughts that hound me throughout the day now, I journal. I have a journal I am keeping solely for the surgery and tracking all my thoughts and feelings about everything to do with it. So even if I don't have anyone to talk to about it all sometimes, I am still getting it out. One day, I will be thin and healthy and read all that I am writing now and think to myself, "What was my problem???" Good luck to you!!!

HeavyHeartland: So nice to have a man's perspective on this!! It has never occurred to me that he might actually fear the attention I may receive from other men. I just thought he would be flattered because he knows we are together and feel that much more lucky to have me. The only questions he has ever asked about the surgery have had to do with changes, so I have just never thought to discuss the things that aren't going to change. Definitely something we need to talk about. Thanks again for your insight from both perspectives.

ajoneen: I agree, we do need to talk. That is so easy to say and so hard to do sometimes. I was hoping he would go with me for my testing Thursday and that would give us plenty of time to talk about things while waiting at the hospital, but no such luck. He has to work. Maybe a nice, quiet dinner at home to help him relax and open up... Thanks for your advice.

I have also just started keeping track of my daily food intake. I use sparkpeople.com. I am working really hard to improve my relationship with food before surgery, but some days are still a big disappointment. Just don't get discouraged because you are hardly in this boat alone. Good luck!!

I have not had sirgery yet, but my doctor said he recommends at least 60 grams per day after, so I am working on getting used to planning for that now. I didn't realize how little protein I actually eat in a day until I started really tracking it.

Hi Bobby! I had my psych eval last week and it was pretty simple really. He just asked me questions about diet and exercise, my support network, and how I am dealing with the emotional things that make me eat in the first place. Not nearly as bad as I expexted. I know some people on here have had to answer extensive questionaires and stuff. Don't be too worried. You'll do fine. Good luck!

I was talking to my husband last night and mentioned in conversation that I had paid the hospital $150 when I called to pre-register for the tests I am having done next Thursday, 3/6. He flipped!! I couldn't believe it! Mind you, I got a second job about a month ago to help with what I knew was going to be extra expense. So what is his problem? He said he feels like it's just one thing after another and everytime I go they are wanting more money for something. All I have paid out of pocket is $250 as the first half of my program fee and the $150 yesterday. Of course we haven't met our deductible yet since it's so early in the year, so I knew I was going to have to pay at least that $500. I just think there is so much more to it than the money. Is he realizing, like I am, that this is REALLY going to happen now that I am having all the tests and stuff? And why does that scare him? It doesn't make any sense. I thought he would be happy to be getting a hot wife after almost 9 years of marriage. Apaprently I was wrong. His reaction scared me so bad that now, I am really afraid I may just end up single before I reach goal. :biggrin:

I am shocked at how easily and quickly I seem to be moving through too. I have been to my initial consultation with the PA, psych eval and nutrition class, but didn't get excited until I called today to pre-register for my Upper GI, EKG and blood work. All of a sudden, as I sat there with the phone in my hand, it hit me and I almost started crying. This is really happening!! Hopefully, insurance companies are beginning to realize how much money they will actually save by paying for the surgery and will start giving approval more easily. Good luck to you, Aquameliza and everyone else!!!

I go for my appointment with the psychologist today. I am a little nervous, but have been doing lots of "me-search", so I think I am ready. Who knew I began checking into having surgery almost six months ago that I had so much to learn about myself? I am far from perfect and still find the urge to indulge too much to resist some days, but I know that will get easier as I learn other ways to "fix" all the pain inside. Here's to the bright, healthy future...

I go for my appointment with the psychologist today. I am a little nervous, but have been doing lots of "me-search", so I think I am ready. Who knew I began checking into having surgery almost six months ago that I had so much to learn about myself? I am far from perfect and still find the urge to indulge too much to resist some days, but I know that will get easier as I learn other ways to "fix" all the pain inside. Here's to the bright, healthy future...

Maybe you could find a band buddy? You know, someone who has already been through or is going through the same procedure you are who could not only be emotionally supportive, but lend a hand with your daughter. There are state forums on here, but if yours is as inactive as the one for my state, that probably woni't be much help. Does your doctor/hospital offer a support group? Or maybe they could help you find someone. Good luck to you!!

My program fee was $500, but that included meeting with the nutritionist, a customized exercise plan, and psychology consultation. There is another hospital in the area that doesn't charge the fee, but you have to pay for all the other stuff, so I thought it all evened out in the end.

Our Y has what they call adult swim, no kids allowed. Something you might want to check into...

I originally posted that I was keeping it secret. Now that I am in the process of getting approval, I am having to leave work or miss days entirely for testing, classes, etc., so it has become harder to keep it to myself. I have even discussed it with a couple of people here who are also overweight and it turns out, all 3 of them have been doing research on the surgery. So am I going around proudly waving a banner that this is the choice I have made for myself? Not hardly. But I am sharing my story more than I thought I would.

My surgeon only requires you to stay if you have afternoon surgery. If you have morning surgery, you go home. I think I would rather stay though.

Had my first appointment this week at the doctor's. I go for my first nutrition class tomorrow. According to the BMI charts, I need to lose about 160 lbs. (gosh that looks aweful in writing!:redface:) I am 5'10" and currently weight 328.5. My BMI is 47 :biggrin: with no comobidities. I read that my insurance is actually one of the easier ones to get approval from, but when I went in, the nurse said they used to be one of the more difficult ones. That kinda scared me a little. Hoping she was wrong!!! Good luck everyone!!

He didn't until about a week ago when I broke down in a fit of crying and told him in the midst of a conversation about surgery.