hopeinapril

My sympathies luigismama! I wonder if these people don't think before they talk. Gee, diet and exercise? Do you think that ever crossed a large person's mind???? Good grief. I mean really, do they think that someone will go through surgery on a whim? It just irritates me when I hear stuff like this! My doc is anti-surgery as well. When I tried to talk to her about my weight, she gave me another blood test. Then said that we both knew that I don't have a thyroid problem anyway. She went on to say nothing else, but give me a little book about diet and exercise. DUH! I HAVE tried diet and exercise. I CAN lose weight. I just can't seem to keep it off...... It is not like I think that the band is a magic wand and I will wake up thin and healthy! Well, luigismama, good luck in your journey. Ignore (if you can) comments like that as they are not well thought out and rather rude!

Holy cow mmh498, that is wonderful. I haven't known for long about my date. I only found out last friday. I am on a 1600 calorie diet which seems to be working. Not as well as your diet! I am down a few pounds and see the nutricianist on Wednesday. I'm so glad there are so many out there being banded on the same (or close) dates. It will be great to have many to do this journey together! I've resigned myself to the self-pay idea and am at peace with it. I believe this is one of the best decisions I have made. It will make sure that I stay on task!

Josiebies! Thank you for what you said. I feel the same. I won't date now because I don't want someone who is attracted to me as I am now. I said that to the psychologist and he said "wow, I've never heard that before, that is interesting" I could tell he wanted to delve into it more, but time was passing and I had another appointment. It didn't dent my confidence, but I did feel rather original after that. Good to see that someone else feels the same way. Altspeedy: I have never had a problem attracting men. I agree that it has to do with confidence and attitude. However, if you are more confident once you loose weight, then your confidence may attract more people. Keep your head up and look men in the eye and SMILE. You would be surprised at how many will smile back. If nothing else, it makes for a good day when you have people smiling back at you.

Good luck Regeanaf! I am sure you are excited. I doubt I will sleep the night before surgery. I don't sleep much when I am excited. I hope things go great for you!

Hi eve and Khrystah, We are all going to be banded on the same date. Good Luck! I can't wait!

OMG Jfran, you look fabulous! Congrats on the great job!

Hi Chubby: Check the support group thread for all of us March bansters. They came up with a really cool name "Shrinking Shamrocks". My date is 3/25 and I am excited that it is finally moving forward. Welcome to the group. I don't start the liquid diet until later this month, but I'm thinking of ya all! I am doing the pre-op 1600 calorie diet which is not bad. Especially when I see some of the requirements others have to go through.

Hi Polly: Aetna is not paying because they say the policy doesn't cover any type of bariatric surgery. It really sucks because I have gone through almost 2 months of their doctor supervised diet. My BMI is high enough that I qualify. Of course, there was no indication on my copy of the policy that this surgery wasn't covered. I've been given misleading information when I called. I am now positive that I am not covered, but seriously pissed at all the hoops I had to jump through to find that out. I am still ticked at Aetna, but will not waste my precious time on that low life company. I am going self pay and will just have a great big refund check next year. That works for me!

Thanks Susan! It has been what seems like a long road and I am glad that I finally have a date. It kind of sucks that it is self pay, but I believe this will be very beneficial and worth it.

Man are all the doctors different. I have 2 days pre-op clear liquids only. Then 2 days post op clear liquids only. Then 4 weeks of liquids & puree, followed by 2 weeks of mushie food. I figure I should loose some good weight during all that. Currently I am on a 1600 calorie a day diet with the nutricianist. It actually isn't so bad. I cut out all soda. (I sort of do miss the diet coke) Good luck everyone!

Congrats everyone! I just got my date and it is March 25th. I haven't posted here because I thought my best hope was that I could get banded in April. (hence the name!) But, the insurance company won't pay, so I am self-pay. It sure moves quickly when you are paying cash. I LOVE the name shrinking shamrocks! It rocks! I am loving being part of this group. I'm not nervous yet because the date is still so far awary. Good luck on all of you that are being banded next week.

Aetna BITES! I hope their company goes bankrupt!!! I'm obviously upset as they are not paying for the surgery. Oh, well..... now I am going self-pay. I still hope that company bites the dust........what comes around WILL go around!

OMG - so many of the ones already listed. I also add: --being able to sit in the tub without my butt touching BOTH sides --my son can put his arms all the way around me --wearing non stretch jeans --wearing a wool skirt --being able to shop in Victoria Secret --going on an airplane without worrying if I can put the seatrest down between me and the stranger next to me --going to amusement parks and riding the rides --looking cute men in the eyes --sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office without worrying if I'll fit in the chair I'm sure I can think of more!!

Hi Susie Q and welcome! I'm still in the process of getting all my paperwork lined up. I am excited as well. I know you can get to your goals. Good luck in your journey.

Hi Quincygirl: I'd do the checking that others suggested. I am on a 12 week program. During that time, I also got my psych eval, cardiologist eval and pulmonologist eval so that once my 12 weeks is up, I am ok to proceed with the surgery. But, I also saw my surgeon to get the information that they need. I'd call the surgeon's office and see if you can do any of this stuff ahead of time. (If you have certain problems, these doctors may require other testing, which takes time.) Good luck in your journey!

You may want to look at the insurance thread. I am with Aetna as well and there are threads there about Aetna. I would check your policy as well. (If you have a copy) I hope this helps!

good luck! dogluv

sweet spot is the place where your band is adjusted so that you are not so hungry, but not so restricted that it causes you problems.

Kathie: Mine is different that most. I have to click on the ticker. Go to the website. pick my ticker and then pick the symbol that goes over the ticker. It gives you a bunch of goblygook to cut and paste. I copy it. Come here and update my signature. Hope that helps

I would love to see the answer to this question

Hello! Obviously it is your decision. I am telling only 2 people. My ex (who will have to help take care of our son) and one of my good friends. Otherwise I am not telling anyone. I know I can trust these two people not to say anything. I frankly just don't feel like it is anyone else's business. As far as work is concerned, you don't have to tell them anything. The new HIPPA laws indicate that they merely need a doctor's note. Since I work at a law firm, they are all too aware of this law and wouldn't dare to ask me why I will be out. I plan to be out of work only 7-10 days. I was judgmental about people who had WLS before I started looking into it. Now I am aware that it isn't "the easy way out". But, I don't feel like it is my job to educate everyone else. There are plenty of ways around the various challenges. I've seen plenty of suggestions here on how to deal with them. In any event, it is up to you to decide how you want to deal with it. Obviously, there are people here who run the spectrum of how they will deal with it. Good luck with your decision.

Hi Blund: According to my group of doctors/dieticians, etc, if you walk 20 minutes a day for the 2 weeks prior to surgery you will help your healing. Apparently, you strengthen your lungs, which requires less anest. which helps you in recovery. I'm kind of surprised I'm the first to say this.......

Hi Firedust: I'd go for the surgery anyway. You need to do what you want. I have experience with guys who like chubbies. A lot of them just like large women. I stay away from them because I don't want to be a large women. I want to be a normal and healthy size. I'm single and don't have a lot of support, but I am doing this for me. My ex (we have a child together) is very supportive as is my best friend. Don't worry, see the thread about singles. It talks about being confident. That is SUCH a turn on for most guys.

Hi Everyone! I love this thread. I'm single, live in Delaware and am in the process of getting banded. I have been going to classes and they gave out samples of unjury. The stuff is ok, it sure does thicken things up. I also went to Walmart and bought some protein powder. (It's called Body Fortress Whey Protein) It has 26 grams of protein per scoop and tastes the same as unjury. (I made the same frozen drink concoction with each to test the taste). The stuff was rather inexpensive at 13.94 for 2 pounds which is 28 servings. I'm trying to be proactive about my surgery and stuff I'll need to do after that. Love the thread! I'm going to keep coming back.

This is just obnoxious. I mean, really, we live in the USA or at least most of us do. I don't want to live in a socialized state. If you want that crap then go to one of those countries. The USA was based on personal freedom. The government keeps picking away at our rights. Pretty soon they will be in our homes, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. What a nightmare! I don't want the government in my life and I don't need their help. Frankly, just leave me the heck alone!