cathychatts

Karen, Lilo, Sister, Cindi and IndioGirl I like this group. Let's see... do I have everyone? There are two Karens, and I am Cathy. I am excited about this process and trying to avoid the negative people I encounter about this. That has kept me from telling a lot of people close to me. I don't want them to discourage me, one sister keeps saying how scared she is for me. I know she wants the best for me, but also is a little jealous that she doesn't have insurance to pay. Another sister is considering surgery but has chosen to use another Doctor and complete bypass. Funny how sisters can be. I want the band because, I will need constant support and don't like the idea that my stomach has been completlely changed. My regular physician says this is not at invasive as the bypass. Has anyone else had this kind of "support"? I have so many questions, but for now I need to concentrate on the "homework" my nutritionist gave me. I have to complete a day's menu for the 1st 3 phases of diets. Phase 1 -clear liquids,Phase 2 fluids with liquid protein,Phase 3 mushie food. We have to take these into a one-on-one appointment with her and also take a quiz to be approved for surgery. I guess everyone has their own requirements, but most seem to be pretty much the same. I hope you are all doing well and I hope to chat more soon!

Wow, I have made so much progress this week toward my quest for the band! I completed the psyc exam, it was un-nerving... I am glad that is done, but he did approve me, after saying I was too trusting... lol, it could have been worse. That took 4 hours and I was exausted. I don't know why it had to be so long. A written test and then an hour of interview. I also saw my GP and got a lot of assurance there, plus the documentation of the 6 months doc lead dieting, my insurance requires. I pick up the records from the OB/GYN and the sleep apnea docs also. All I have left is a group support meeting next Tuesday and the individual nutrionist meeting on Thursday and the gallbladder scan that should be scheduled next week. Then I will be ready to submit to the insurance! I hope that will give me the go ahead! I am aiming toward the end of April when my school has a semester break, that will be an ideal time! Good luck Karen and thanks for the support sisterc and lilo. I will look for you all on here! I will need all the support I can get and will look forward to being a support to others!

Wow, this site is amazing. I don't have anything to say except, I am glad you are here and think you are all wonderful in the way you support everyone! I hope u feel better soon Yazmin and I hope you don't give up. You are in my thoughts!

Soy is good for menopausal symptoms and I have used it for several years, it works! I think we will all need to watch ourselves closely because fat produces estrogen and as our bodies loose the fat we will also lose another source of estrogen. I wonder if that is what is happening to you. A young girl who is overweight will develop earlier and begin to menstruate earlier, due to the estrogen her body fat produces. So it stands to reason that as we lose that fat… we lose the estrogen. Try drinking a bit of soy milk or put it in a shake

Hey everyone, I am just beginning to figure out all this forum stuff. I hav been trying to get a ticker on her...LOL.. Thanks Jessica for the words of encouragement. I really need this and am so happy to have found you!

Jessica: Congratulations on being banded. How are you doing? How long did it take Cigna to approve you? Did you do the full 6 month diet? As I said, I hope I have already met this requirement, as my regular doc saw me for 2 months and then I went into a physical lead program called "Loose it for Good" (which was a joke). I stayed there for 4 months. I am glad to be active on this board, as I am learning new things every day. I am a bit apprehensive about this process, afraid I will not be able to eat at all or have to be sick a lot. I am strong and healthy now, but need to loose those hundred pounds, they are quickly beginning to cause health problems, such as sleep apnea, my asthma is worse and the arthritic knees are giving me fits.... :biggrin:, maybe I am not as healthy as I think...:rolleyes2:. My worst problem is the GERD. I have to take 4 omeprazol a day, my Doc says I have "silent GERD" that causes a chocking sensation. I am on this road and I know I will need the support found on this site.

I have been lurking also, I am working toward my requirements and I also have Cigna. I can use a friend on here with the same insurance. I was told by someone at Cigna that most likely they will count two months with my regular doctor when she put me on Phentramene and then 4 months in a Physican directed program right after that. I am now trying to get all the other preliminary things finished so I can submit to the insurance. That will take about 2 weeks... I wish I could just get it all behind me. I still have the phyc evaluation, the gallbladder scan and the group meeting and the individual meeting with the nutritionist. All to be completed b the 17 of March. I am hoping and praying I can get the surgery during a term break in April. I am an Instructor at vocational college.

I celebrate my 59th birthday today and like all the rest here, I hope the last as a chub! I will go for my first consult on Monday and begin my journey!