Kissmygrits

Mrs.K, Reading this makes me so angry. PCOS is so complex-- nobody even understands why some people get it and some don't. And no it is not an excuse for anything-- there are TONS of very thin women who have PCOS as well. Doctors really should be more sensitive to those who suffer from this incredibly frustrating syndrome. On a lighter note, your surgery date is quickly approaching! Are you getting excited??!!! Buttercup, How are you feeling? Have you had any hunger issues? You are a trooper. I started my liquid pre-op diet. It sucks, but it's all for a good cause, so it's not as hard as I thought. I guess because there's an end in sight it's sooo much better than the five million diets I've been on in the past.

I can completely believe that-- about the Blizzards. I think sometimes when your diet is so restricted-- you trick your body into losing weight when you throw some junk in there every now and then. I used to do the same thing when I would plateau on Atkins. A little Pasta dish every couple of weeks would always do the trick. Of course... once every two weeks eventually turned to every day.. and hence my need for a band. LOL

I agree with Georgia Girl. The only thing that has helped my acne/hair growth symptoms is birth control. I also take saw palmetto to offset the testosterone/dht. Theoretically, that's helping too. Avandamet (Avandia and Metformin combo pill) was also really good- but when that started killing people, my doc pulled me off. My skin hasn't been as clear ever since.

I've read and heard that Bandsters should avoid NSAID painkillers, so the question is what painkillers are allowed? In particular, what happens when Tylenol isn't strong enough for periodic...er monthly pain (not caused by surgery itself)? I'm seriously wondering how I'm going to survive that TOM without Advil or Aleve...:faint:

Wow! Is that THE Chickie? I've never seen her before pictures. I can't believe her after pics. That's just amazing!!!

Renewedhope, Don't get discouraged. This will work for you... it just may take a little more time to get the effect of the band. You've already lost so much! Don't lose sight of that. I would love to be in you position of almost 30 pounds down! Plus, I don't know about you, but if you're anything like me-- staying the same weight is a victory because most of the time in my life I'm always going up! You will get there! Buttercup, It's good to hear that you are doing well. Yes, I'm going with Dr. Lin all the way! In fact, I met with him and had my preop testing the day of your surgery. LOL. I will be banded at Emory U. Hospital. I had a strong preference for Crawford Long, but it was more important for me to get a Dec. surgery date wherever Dr. Lin happened to be that day. I hope I feel as good as you do afterwards!

buttercup, Good luck! Can't wait to see you back here. jbrad, I know how you feel. Some days nothing seems to go well. I'm glad we have this forum to vent. Why does real life keep getting in the way of our fantasy existence?

My surgery date is set for Dec. 21st. Thank the Lord!

Just got my surgery date too. Set for Dec. 21st!!! Yea for us!!! Woo HOO:clap2:

I too have had very negative comments about the surgery, mostly by overweight people in my family. I've had to come to the realization that a lot of this has to with THEM and not ME. I think they feel a little defensive, as if my decision to have the surgery is passing judgment on their weight. Really, I could care less about their weight (everyone is entitled to their own choices). This is only about me and my strong belief that I will use every tool at my disposal to accomplish my goal. Thankfully, I have friends (some of whom have had the band) who are very encouraging and are my support network. Obviously, none of us would make the decision to resort to surgery lightly or without trying a million other options beforehand. It still burns me up for some idiot/relative of mine (whom I love dearly) to ask or tell me to just diet and exercise. DUH!! It's annoying that they can't (or choose not to) understand that my food issues go way beyond just "diet and exercise".

You shrink your liver by depleting your glycogen stores in the organ. That's why it's more important to be low carb than low fat for the purposes of surgery. I personally do not think Atkins is unhealthy. I think it is largely misunderstood. Atkins is basically the same diet as the bandsters rules diet-- Protein and veggies and few starches. Of course you can take any diet past it's logical purpose (by eating prime rib dipped in butter), but that is just not following the spirit of the diet any more than eating 5,000 fat free crackers is a low fat diet. Fiber, although it is a "carbohydrate", is not prohibited on Atkins and isn't even counted in your daily carbohydrate totals. Active people can tolerate more carbs, obviously. People like me (insulin resistant with PCOS) should to stay away as much as possible....of course I've yet to do that. LOL.

Eyd, I can completely empathize with you. I too have PCOS and it really, really sucks. I have a dull pain on my right ovary most every day of the year. I have probably lost at least 50 percent of the hair on the top of my head too. And don't let me get started on the teenage acne! I gained weight and went completely cystic when I got off the pill a couple years ago to get pregnant (that never happened) and I had to get back on the pill to straighten out my hormones. Thank God for the forum at soulcysters.com. I would have lost it otherwise. I had resigned myself to a life of metformin and birth control when my friend got banded. I really hope this band will help me get the weight off so that my symptoms will subside.

Buttercup, THAT IS GREAT!! I knew your situation would work out somehow-- and look how soon it is!! What a relief. Now that you've saved $15,000+ by not having to self-pay, you get to buy yourself a new skinny wardrobe very soon. Gosh, did you even have time to finish your liquid diet?

Slackaction, I hope you're kidding about the railroad! Stand tall and proud. I have two railroaders in my immediate family. My sister is a conductor on a freight line for Norfolk Southern... "The Thoroughbred of Transportation." :heh:I have student loans, she doesn't. On top of that, she makes more money than I do. Boy, if I had known that, I would have skipped law school, for sure. Plus, all that hopping on and off of trains keeps her slim. SHE NEEDS NO LAP BAND. Sorry, do I sound bitter? LOL

I am a lawyer for a government agency. I work on big public construction type projects. I love it.

Hey Y'all, I just got insurance approval to be banded today!! Yippee. I'll be going to Dr. Lin at Emory. I really like his bedside manner and he seems very relaxed (which makes me feel confident in his abilities). My friend was banded by him in this past summer. She has lost over 40 lbs already and recommended Lin to me. Another friend got RNY by Dr. Burrowes but that was years ago and was not laproscopic. He was a good doctor, though.

I'm not a benefits expert, but the way I understand it is there is no way around it unless you can convince your employer to take it off of the list of exclusions for the next plan year. Employers may or may not be willing to reconsider as it generally cheaper for them to purchase the coverage for employees if they exclude certain procedures. You may want to speak to the HR or benefits director at your company before the open enrollment period-- this is when those exclusions, etc. are negotiated with the insurance companies.

hi folks! I just wanted to introduce myself. I just got insurance approval for Lap Band today after a very long wait (my paperwork didn't get submitted right the first time). I'm so excited!!!:whoo: I'm getting banded by Dr. Lin at Emory/Crawford Long in Atlanta. I don't have a sugery date yet, but I'm hoping it's before the end of the year. I have PCOS too and considered just treating that condition surgically-- but was told cysts would return unless I treated the underlying condition...the weight/metabolic syndrome. I'm hoping that one day I will be free of extra weight and cysts!!! :clap2: Good to meet you all!