chell1957

:wink2: After all the testing and waiting and testing and questions it finally is going to happen. I am a bit nervous but at the same time very happy.

I have not been on in a while, had nothing to offer...but at last I am at the end of the pre op testing. Had my MMPI today which turned out to be a very detailed interview and no multi choice questions. Thank Goodness. All went well and the doctor is going to pass me for the operation. I see Dr. Neff (surgeon) tomorrow and I hope he gives me a surgery date. It's been a long journey so far..so much testing but I am now seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. :confused:

Thank you, I will check in on the NJ page and yes the whole thing is tirresome...all the doctor appointments and the time used to do them...but I am told its all worth it in the end.

I was surfing the net and found this. My only research is the link provided to you. It's a totally new thing. I never hear of it until today. U will need to do copy/paste to go to the link if it dose not work for you. http://www.gastricbypasssanfrancisco.com/vertical-gastrectomy-sleeve-san-francisco-ca.htm

I am looking for anyone who had the surgery done by the Veterans Hospital Admin. I was told that some of the VA hospitals now do the surgery. I also know that TriCare (for the retired and family) will cover it.

I found the following link on another group I belong to. While I am in no way saying do not follow your Dr.s dietary guide lines, there are time when you have to go out to a nice restaurant and this would be handy to have. I am also thinking that if you write on the back of the card the restaurant chains who accept it, what is stopping you from showing it to other restaurants who may be willing to accept it, in particular once they see the large chains who do accept it. Don't know till you ask. http://www.obesityhelp.com/magazine/RestaurantCard.html

Well folks I have started my journey. Earlier this week I went and had my Upper GI and chest X-ray done. Have appointments for the Pulmonary and several other's next month and into June. I am using my civilian insurance (Horizon NJ Health...i.e. Medicaid) since the Veteran Affairs is moving Sssooo s-l-o-w...but I have started. Should be an interesting set of experiences. I am concerned that Horizon will not cover it saying that my V.A. benefits are my primary insurance. That is a whole other can of problems just hanging there in the back ground. I keep telling Horizon that the V.A. dose not play nice with other insurance companies and I don't think they will do the type if surgery I want done. I have a problem with a surgeon who only wants "1 size fits all" bariatric surgery. It make me nervous to have him operating on me.....

Hello everyone. I was on Ebay a while back and found the following cookbook. It is written by Margaret M. Furtado (dietitian/nutritionist). If you would like to purchase it new, the cost as far as I can tell is: $19.95 USA, 12.99 UK, $25.95 in Canada. It is called: Recipes for Life After Weight Loss Surgery. It is about 1 1/2 inches thick, glossy paperback and full of colour pictures and FULL NUTRITIONAL information. It is published by Healthy Living Cookbooks and the ISBN is: 13:978 -1-59233-226-7 or 10:1-59233-197-1 :blushing:

Well folks I have started my journey. Earlier this week I went and had my Upper GI and chest X-ray done. Have appointments for the Pulmonary and several other's next month and into June. I am using my civilian insurance (Horizon NJ Health...i.e. Medicaid) since the Veteran Affairs is moving Sssooo s-l-o-w...but I have started. Should be an interesting set of experiences. I am concerned that Horizon will not cover it saying that my V.A. benefits are my primary insurance. That is a whole other can of problems just hanging there in the back ground. I keep telling Horizon that the V.A. dose not play nice with other insurance companies and I don't think they will do the type of surgery I want done. I have a problem with a surgeon who only wants "1 size fits all" bariatric surgery. It makes me nervous to have him operating on me..... __________________

I belong to several groups. I found the following link and what to share with the rest of us. Just always remember to follow your Dr's nutrition guide lines and diet. You show this card to the wait staff and they will allow you to share the meal with someone or to order form the child's menu. I am also thinking that what is stopping you from showing it to the wait staff at the local restaurant in hopes they too will honour it. I put the names of the big restaurant food chains on the back of mine (need the reminder, LOL) but once they see who is accepting this, they may also allow it. Good luck! http://www.obesityhelp.com/magazine/RestaurantCard.html

Like a lot of us, I belong to more then 1 group. While surfing around my other group I found the following link. It is to show to the waitress at a restaurant in hope they will let u share a meal with a friend or order from the child's menu. For those of us who have been wishing for such a thing, here is the link: http://www.obesityhelp.com/magazine/RestaurantCard.html Now if we could get LapBandTalk to make their version of this it would be great!

Like a lot of us, I belong to more then 1 group. While surfing around my other group I found the following link. It is to show to the waitress at a restaurant in hope they will let u share a meal with a friend or order from the child's menu. For those of us who have been wishing for such a thing, here is the link: http://www.obesityhelp.com/magazine/RestaurantCard.html Now if we could get LapBandTalk to make their version of this it would be great!

Hi. My BMI is 38. As for the insurance paying, I checked and its a covered procedure. If worse comes to worse, I can have the Veterans Affairs (I am ex Navy) pay of a version of it, but I am not too keen on that one. I also have 3 commodities as well as NASH (fatty liver) and its starting to effect my health so I have to do some thing and soon.

Will have to remember this also. I too am trying to get into pratice prior to the surgery. I find it very hard to remember the Chew, Chew, Chew rule. At time I do and other times I catch myself forgetting. What I find the hardest is to not sallow as I chew..VERY hard...God I hope this gets better.

Well I am still here. Have not changed my mind yet. I finally go see a doctor on the 16th! Talked hubby into going with me. I want him to know what is going to happen to me and why. I have to admit I am a bit scared now. This is such a life changing event. I find myself when I am eating something, thinking to my self, I may never eat this again, how do I feel about it? Will I be able to force my self to chew slow and take small bits? I try that now and I don't feel very successful at it. I really have to make an effort to remember to do this. I get the feeling this will test everything I know about myself. :confused2:

Well I am still here. Have not changed my mind yet. I finally go see a doctor on the 16th! Talked hubby into going with me. I want him to know what is going to happen to me and why. I have to admit I am a bit scared now. This is such a life changing event. I find myself when I am eating something, thinking to my self, I may never eat this again, how do I feel about it? Will I be able to force my self to chew slow and take small bits? I try that now and I don't feel very successful at it. I really have to make an effort to remember to do this. I get the feeling this will test everything I know about myself. :confused2:

Well folks, I got tired of the Veterans Affairs Hospital taking their sweet time making the referral to a Bariatic Surgeon so I decided to try to use my Civilian Insurance, the very crappy Horizon NJ Health (Medicaid). I went to the Dr. on my ID card, bringing with me about the most recent 6 months of reports I could get from the V.A. and some other paperwork. We talked, the Dr. reviewed my information, gave me a referral to a foot doctor (heel spurs) and told me if I can find a Dr. for the surgery, they would make the referral! This was just too easy, the other shoe has to fall soon? Anway...I found a Dr. Neff who is out of J. F. Kennedy in Cherry Hill NJ. I go see him on the 16th of this month. I already got my new patient package in the mail. Today I called the office and told them I wanted some information on the Dr.'s history, his credentials and such. They took my information and said the Office Manager will call me back. I am hoping this is a good sign. I know there is still so very much to be done. I just am afraid to trust the situation.

This is a great share. Thanks! I have saved it for reference.

Well I got tired of the V.A. taking for ever so I go some copies of my records and contacted the medical Patrice on my Blue Cross Horizon NJ Care card and made a appointment. I gave them the information I had, talk a bit, answered some questing and I was told they will make the referral to the Lap Band Dr. I located a Dr. Neff out of JFKennedy Hospital in Cherry Hill NJ. So I have to have it all faxed over. I go see him later this month. I think I will have to do a required supervised diet to get the insurance to approve it but at least its a step in the right direction. Also the V.A. wants to do a VGB and I feel its too evasive. I also want to call the nutritionist at the V.A. to see it they will do the fills or if its Dr. Neff who dose them. More later when I find out.

Babies will come when they are ready and not when the Dr. says. I was told I would not deliver until Labor Day weekend, I had my son 8/27! He was 1 week late and was 8 lb, 3 oz at 21"! Good luck and congrats to her.

Lady's, I have seen him in concert in Atlantic City NJ and OMG! I love country music. He is a tall cool drink of water. :puke: So for the ladies who don't listen to country, U should give it a listen...he dose have a song called Songs About Me..don't judge just listen to the song, U can see the video the same time on YouTube. Enjoy the concert.

I was teased as a kid too but my eating I think is not related to that, its a combination of genetics and bad habits. I do O.K. but as the day goes on, I eat more and get out right hungry. Then mid evening the munchies start. I try to fill up on carrots, celery (not banded yet) and such, but being on food stamps the end of the month is tuff, the food thins out, the stamps are gone and so I look to what ever is in the house. I drink water but it goes right through me. I have a best friend and for some reason when I am there on the weekends (girls night) I just get worse! It's like I have no will power! I don't know what to do about it. :sneaky:

Another real good one is SparkPeople.com. Its very motivational also and give u all the stuff U R looking for. They have even been on T.V. a few times.

Good for you...good luck and keep up posted.

U R not alone on that my friend.