MissMaryAnn

I just flew Delta cross-country last week, and the procedure for taking a CPAP in a carryon is the same as for a laptop computer-- you need to take it out of its bag and send it through separately, and it will likely be looked over/swabbed by a TSA agent. They didn't seem fazed by it, and while it didn't take very long, since I also had a laptop it was quite a bit of wrangling to get all my things back in place afterwards. :thumbdown: In the future I'm just going to out it in my checked baggage, well padded by clothing, to save time. However, it's in no way a big deal, I just am lazy. :cursing:

I think that when we grow up being constantly compared to others, that's how we learn to value ourselves. In high school I was considered very smart and I based my self-esteem on that; when I got to college, I didn't stand out anymore and I was devastated because my whole self image had been built on that one thing. I didn't think you said anything offensive at all, hon. I've got to say that you certainly seem to have a good head on your shoulders and a lot of insight into your background and how it has impacted your feelings. Your journey is just beginning and I think you're making an awesome start.

Oh, and I get red, itchy hives when I'm under stress, too! I find that taking just barely warm showers instead of hot ones, using Cetaphil (or the Target/Wal Mart versions that are cheaper), using unscented "free and clear" laundry detergents and avoiding fabric softener (no Downy scent, sob!), and using a fragrance-free hypoallergenic moisturizer all over really helps.

Hollie- I mean this gently, but I think you might want to take a look and see if you have any judgemental thoughts towards people who have the gastric bypass surgery. They don't have an easy road, either. We're not better people for having chosen the Lap Band, just like naturally effortlessly thin people aren't better than we are for having good genetic luck. If I'm misreading your posts, then I apologize; but I feel like we as Lap Banders (well, I'm hoping to be a banded) need to be careful not to judge anyone else for the choices they make on their own journeys. We all know the pain of being treated poorly because of our weight, so in my opinion, we're all in this together, regardless of how we choose to find a solution. :tt2: I really enjoy your posts here and I think you're a great contributor to the board.

It might be that people do notice, and think you look great, but don't know what to say. I work at a great company but we have a very strict policy regarding both privacy and sexual harassment. One of my coworkers has obviously lost a TON of weight and looks wonderful. I didn't feel comfortable bringing it up, though, because I didn't want her to feel self-conscious, like everyone at work was monitoring her weight. As a big woman myself, I worry about that a lot. :smile2: However, one day I just told her in private that she looked great and asked if she was doing anything differently. She told me that she'd been working out with a personal trainer and had been eating healthier and had lost 40 pounds. I confessed that I had noticed and she was thrilled, not embarassed at all. It may be that your friends and family may just not know how to approach you but are admiring your hard work from a distance.

I wish you the best of luck on your weight-loss journey! :thumbup: I don't think you need to leave the boards-- you acted on your doctor's advice, made the right choice for you, and that's what counts--but either way, congratulations.

If I were you I would contact an attorney for a (free) consult, and then the ombudsman of the hospital or clinic where you had the surgery, if only to understand what the implications of this information being available to insurers are. I mean, I'm not suggesting you sue, but I think you are within your rights to find out if the surgeon's office is in error, and if so, what rememdies are available to you-- such as reporting the surgeon to the licensing board, etc.

I just wanted to thank you all for your words of wisdom. Hearing your stories has really made me feel better. I'm headed to the bariatrician's appointment in a few minutes, and this time, I am mentally prepared to give the supervised diet my all. Just one more hoop... :thumbup:

I have been considering the lap band for a long time, and attended my first seminar back in January. I went to my PCP, got a referral, got my psychological evaluation, met with the surgeon, and then just... stopped. I think that it was a combination of getting a bunch of confusing insurance statements that made me think I was thousands of dollars in the hole, and a consultation with a bariatrician who seemed to think I would fail no matter what. I decided that I wasn't in the right head space for a lap band. And yet, several months later-- I have realized that without consciously trying, I've given up carbonated beverages, cut WAY back on alcohol (from 2-3 drinks per night to maybe 1-2 per week), slowed my eating pace, and started eating at home almost all of the time. I've also decided that my health is worth spending money on-- I'm a big saver, and it is very frightening for me to spend money, because I am afraid I will lose control or go bankrupt. However, my husband pointed out to me that my mother does the same thing-- never spends money on herself and is still miserable, and I realized that maybe being happy and healthy is more important than having a big fancy house or high bank balance. And so suddenly, the lap band seems doable again. Part of me feels like I just needed to take a step back and take some time to decide to move forward, but part of me is still saying that it's selfish, that I'm just lazy and gluttonous and I shouldn't need surgery to lose weight... but those voices are getting quieter. I guess, after all this rambling, what I really want to know is if anyone else experienced these roller coasters of emotion while going through the process. And if so, how did it work out for you? Any advice or guidance or sharing is very welcome. :thumbup:

Hi everyone. I just had my first visit with the surgeon last week. It went very well; however, he told me that the average excess weight loss over time for lap band patients is 50%. I felt that he was being very kind and realistic. My concern is this: my BMI is currently 37.8, and for me, 50% excess weight loss would be just about 40 pounds. Which would be great, and would be something I have never been able to achieve on my own... but when i am already freaking out about bills, it's giving me pause. Despite the fact that my insurance may eventually approve (based on my BMI and comorbid sleep apnea), the bills are adding up fast. For example, I was told by the psychiatrists' office staff that I had to pay $275 out of pocket for the evaluation, which I did. However, I just got a bill from my insurance stating that I owe an additional $700. Now, I'm fairly sure there was a mix-up, but if not, then my summer plans are pretty much toast. Every time I see a bill I feel disgusted with myself again that I can't just do this on my own. I feel like I am spending so much money to potentially lose what is not a large amount of weight. Now, don't get me wrong, I would be thrilled to be at 190 and stay there, but I keep thinking that if I fail I will have wasted money I really can't afford to spend, and (at this point in my life) my weight is not yet a life or death issue. So I am having trouble keeping motivated to continue the process. Has anyone else felt like this? What did you decide to do? Any tips or suggestions for getting over this feeling that I am wasting money on vanity?

Hey Ice, just a suggestion-- if your two other professors give you friction about getting an incomplete, you could try talking to your academic advisor. He or she will be able to advocate for you. You might even want to meet with your advisor before talking to the other two professors, because the advisor might be able to intercede on your behalf. Good luck, and I hope you heal quickly!

For those of you who have business clothing to give away, but don't want to sell them on ebay or a consignment shop, there is a great organization called Dress for Success that provides business apparel for disadvantaged women who are trying to start careers-- they start by giving them an interview suit (once they have an interview) and then a few additional basic pieces once the women are hired. Their greatest need is for plus-sized clothing. They are totally legit-- I know about them because my husband used to work with the refugee community, and Dress for Success was able to help lots of women with nothing get a nice interview suit and a few separates together. They also now offer all sorts of support for helping women keep the jobs they get, too. You can learn more about them at their web site: Home - Dress for Success Hey, if you're going to give the clothes away anyway, why not give some other women a boost while you're doing it? :wink2: I'm hoping to be in a position to give away my "fat" clothes soon, and I think it's inspiring to see what you all have achieved!

Hi! I'm here in Atlanta and in the process of applying for insurance coverage of the band with the Emory Clinic. How are you feeling?

Thanks, that's great to know!