Blund

I've read many threads about caffine not being allowed, but my nutritionist says coffee and tea are fine. At first, I guess you want to use your limited stoma space for the most nutritious foods, since liquids wash things through. Also, I've read about alcohol affecting banders faster and I wonder if this is true for caffine. I don't drink much soda at all, so giving it up isnt an issue for me. I have also read about people drinking "flat" soda OK.

TxChelsey, I just went to Amazon.com to look at the book you mentioned. From the excerpts it looks awesome! Once I am approved, I'm going to order it. There are also some recipe books and some have the nutritional values. If you want to check out the book, I had to look it up by the author's name "Cynthia Alexander"....don't know why the title wouldn't come up.

Just wondering how anyone's handled this. I have a 5,7, and 9 year old and am a stay at home mom. I lean toward not telling them at this age, but it will be pretty obvious I'm not around and then recovering.

It does sound like a good idea for before or after the band!

Have your DH put her crib & baby gear close to where you'll be camping out while he's at work just in case you HAVE to get to her. Hopefully she is not walking yet???

Thats true. I'm in a small group plan. Check out their website or the phone number on your card. There is a seperate phone number for "pre service reviews" where you can speak to a human. They have been very helpful and nice with me. My plan states with a BMI under 40, there have to be at least 2 co-morbidities. Some plans also want to see a 6 or 12 month Dr. supervised diet, although its not written anywhere in my plan. I know that doesn't mean they wont ask for it!! Good luck!

OMG! Was there a psych exam??!!! If so, isn't this a big reason for one? You are very young, and it is a HUGE life changing decision....:confused2:

I also have BCBS of CA (PPO). My paperwork and pre-op test info should be sent in this week. The waiting is awful! My BMI is 36, with sleep apnea, GERD, osteo-arthritis, & depression. They'll be sending in my WW weigh-in card along with my own summary of my weight-loss attempts back to around 1988. I'm really hoping it will go through OK. The bariatric coordinator says BC is about the easiest to get approval from.

I was a thin kid too, for what its worth! Didn't start gaining until my 1st (bad) marriage. Hmmmmmm I think he felt "safe" with me being heavy. I just recently hit the milestone of telling my girls (7 & 9) about sex! Whew! Then, I had to tell the 9 year old that the tooth fairy and Easter Bunny is her mom and dad! I had to ask her not to tell and spoil it for the little ones. I kinda feel like I'm pulling the childhood rug out from under them right now! :rolleyes2:

I read an article on a bariatric web site that said that hair loss was farily common, but after the weight stablizes, it comes back to normal. Seems like a RNY patient would REALLY lose their hair because of the malnutrition. I knew someone who was in Africa in the Peace Corps who lost almost all of her hair due to malnutrition. She has tons again now. Oh well, I'm a hat person anyway!!!

If you've only gotten positive feedback, you are lucky. I have read many many threads about the negative comments from family as well as strangers, which seem to outnumber the positive. Everyone's situation is different (as is being said here a lot!). Some bandsters have toxic families and/or co-workers that cannot be totally avoided. I like this forum for the ideas and experiences of others. I have not been banded, so "telling or not telling" is not an issue yet, but it is on my mind. I'm so glad to be able to come here and read about others' experiences. Thanks to you all for your stories!

Maybe think about Brad Pitt before you fall asleep!!! I'm still cracking up about Morgan Freeman! Sorry!

Hi I was reading some threads the other day about overeating to "feed your demons." Like how you have to deal with issues once you dont have food to cover them up. Anyway, that night I had nightmares about fighting off monsters, and then fighting my DH, who can be a little demon-ish!! . I know that I'll have problems with brain hunger once I get surgery, and am learning a lot on this site to help. Anyone seen any articles/info that would enlighten a supportive but "doesnt have a clue about eating issues" DH? Anyone else have weird or funny dreams?

The whole body image thing with girls is what I'm talking about On the outside, my girls (7yrs & 9yrs) seem to be fine with their body images. They are both thin. We also discourage the words "fat" and "skinny" to describe people. My girls have heard some negative comments from my mother-in-law (who is emaciated & frail) about overweight & overeating and that really pisses me off. My girls tell me I'm not fat, which is sweet of them! But what would they think if they new I had weight loss surgery if they dont think I'm overweight? I might just tell a white lie for now and call it hernia or gall bladder surgery because I DO want them to know why I am laid up for a while so they can help out. I have one friend who knows and my DH....although I'm worried that my DH has spilled it to his family. Just a gut feeling......

Too funny! Morgan Freeman???!!! Sounds almost like he was the God character in his movie asking you to "partake" :eek:

tweenwaters, you are SO lucky to have a friend thats been through this!! I'm thinking about getting my surgeon's office to start a LB support group in our area. I did fen-phen before it was pulled too....only for 3 months thank goodness!

Wow, you've lost a lot of weight already! I'm still waiting for approval for LBS and also recently went on a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, so I'm actually getting REM sleep and able to dream again! I haven't had any more of the "fighting" dreams yet. I'm sure a lot of it is stress...kinda like the weird dreams I had when pg!

I agree about men showing anger in place of fear. They are wired differently for sure. Not to sound harsh, but he was not up-front with you about his feelings from the beginning. YOU should not feel guilty Allykat. Its great that you've discussed it and maybe you should see a counselor who is involved with LB pre-op testing. Especially a male counselor whom your DH might feel more comfortable with. I know my shrink said that anytime before or after surgery he'd be happy to see me. In fact, if I'm approved, I'm seriously considering seeing him with DH just to be sure we're on the same page with this.

I found out yesterday that my shrink letter went out to my bariatric coordinator. She calls the insurance companies on Wednesdays, so my paperwork should go this Wednesday! Another stage of waiting is past! I don't know if I'll have to do the 6 month diet, but it seems weird to go on a supervised diet not wanting to lose weight because you know you've tried and tried everything and WANT THE BAND!!! And if all of your health professionals agree that the band is best for you, do you "fake" dieting?? Its almost humorous!! My BMI was up to 36.8 and when I went for my surgeon's appt, it was at 35.6! I even ate a big lunch before the appt! The nurse told me that about 5 lbs = 1 BMI.

I just saw this thread, and I hate to prolong the stupidity of it, but I agree....WTF???! I cannot believe this story!

My BMI is 36, so I have to have at least 2 comorbidities. They have me with the comorbidities of sleep apnea (I use a CPAP), osteo-arthritis, and depression. I have great colesteral & blood pressure. I feel like I'm maybe 50/50 on being approved. The unknown..........UGGGH!

Yes, you're right. Food has been controling me instead of the other way around! I guess its kinda like AA is....one day at a time. Supposidly, each time you say no to something(a bad food), its easier to say no the next time. And easier and easier. I'm really trying to get my head on straight about all of this. I'm worried about a let down if I'm not approved by my insurance.

Awesome idea! Keep us informed!

Polly522, Its interesting about your neighbor getting cheered on for a boob job, when you get criticized for a needed surgery to improve your health! What a crock of $hit! More reasons for me to not tell many people if and when Im banded.

Hey fellow Michiganders, I'm in N. Michigan (near Traverse City). I'm waiting for approval and wondered if any of you recent bandsters have had the "head hunger" yet, and how your dealing with it?