bandfan1

I hear you Kikival315!! I am so excited that I couldn't fall asleep last night. I know that it will happen for a few nights. As I get closer to my May 1st date I will start getting nervous and scared!!!! "Anticipation is far greater than realization"!!!! It seems that time goes too fast when we don't want it to and not fast enough when we want it to!!!!

OMG!! I am sooo impressed by all of your stats and accomplishments!! I can't wait to join you and post my successes. May 1st is the day for me!!!! This thread is such an inspiration to me. I just can't imagine losing, plateauing, losing, losing!!! It has always been lose, plateau, plateau, gain, gain, gain for me!!!!! When I went to see the nutritionist, she went through my weight history. It was interesting to see that I have always been overweight, but was able to get back within a certain weight. It has been the last 3 yrs that I have crept up from that weight..... Now with diabetes and sleep apnea, it's time for me to take this step... The serenity prayer sits right in front of me and it is also my inspiration: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courager to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference!!!!!!

I can totally relate to the "grandma's bathing suit" comment!! I haven't even thought about a goal reward yet!! Hawaii sounds pretty good!!! You'll be there before you know it!!! We'll all be "10 yrs younger" by the time we're through!!!!

Good to know StephC!! I'm moving most of my clients to later in the following week so that I only have 1 or 2 for the 5th, 6th & 7th day after surgery. I have 2 pre-op appts. 1 is to go over diet in the doctor's office and the other one is for the anesthesiologist. Does anyone know what that visit entails? They said that it will take about 3 hrs!!! I'll be going away on vacation in mid-April which is probably good for me. I am the type of person that needs to be distracted to take my mind off of things!!! I agree with you Harleygirl!! I have spent way too much of my life being fat and unhappy. I honestly feel that it has impacted some of my relationships. I was always embarrassed about what people might thing, so it would inhibit me when I was in their presence!! I am going to be interested in your progress since I am right behind you!! I know that everyone is different and lose at different rates, but you know what they say.... "Misery loves Company"!!! By the way, when is your birthday? I'll be 47 in July!!

Hi Celticdreamer: It seems like you are moving right along. Before you know it, you will have a surgery date. I was very motivated, so I made sure that things moved along quickly for me!! Keep us posted on your progress!! "Keep your eye on the prize":thumbup:

That's great progress Sharon!! I just got insurance approval this morning!! I am having the surgery on May 1st. I am ecstatic!! It was submitted on Thursday and approved this morning...that is FAST!!!! I now have a couple of pre-op appts. in April. My Dr. does't require pre-op liquid diet, but I am going to do Herbalife anyway. It won't hurt to start the process and shrink my liver a bit to make the surgeon's job easier. I am going on vacation April 13 - 21st, so it will a challenge to do the Herbalife, but I am up for it!!!

APPROVED FOR MAY 1ST!!! :ohmy: Sorry to be so obnoxious, but I am soooo happy!! I just got word this morning that I am approved for May 1st... I can't wait!! I have a couple of pre-op appts. scheduled in April and then I go away for 9 days... May will be here before I know it!! My dr. doesn't require a pre-op liquid diet, but I am going to do Herbalife anyway. If it helps to shrink the liver and make his job easier, then I'm there!! I might as well get used to the liquid diet anyway and shrink my stomach a bit!! :crying:

Hey Harleygirl: Thanks for your response. 18lbs is amazing!!! How long were you really "down" after the surgery? I am a daycare provider and have already taken time off, so I am trying to get friends to help in my daycare while I recover. My surgery is on Thursday and I will stay overnight. I have someone covering for me on Thursday and Friday. I'm wondering if I will still need help on Monday..... I know that surgery is different for everyone, but I have already had 2 hernia repairs. I was back to work within 3 days (against doctor's wishes), but it wasn't too bad. I just was very low key with my daycare and didn't lift anything or anyone...... I am also having another hernia repaired (hopefully my last one!!) while they are banding me..... I would love to know your recovery experience!!! :crying:

Hey Miss Meliss: Hopefully you will start your journey the same week too!! All the best to you.... I am just so excited that I can hardly contain myself!!! :crying: :ohmy: :lol:

APPROVED!!! :crying: :biggrin2: :ohmy: The letter was sent to insurance on Thursday and they called me at 7:40am this morning to tell me that I am approved for surgery!!! I am soooo excited. I'm sure I'll have more emotions as I get closer to May 1st. StephC, it looks like we will be long distance hospital buddies!!! I started this process on January 15th. I was motivated to get it going ASAP!! It sure paid off!!!!

Wow!! What great advice!! Thanks for the tips. I know that the band is ONLY a tool and I intend to use it to the best of my ability to finally get the weight off!! If I can be a model for my children at the dinner table by eating smaller portions and ENJOYING my food, I will be very happy. My 16 yr old son is 260lbs and I pray that he takes his weight off by natural means!!! I'm afraid that I have taught my kids bad eating habits (eating too fast and too much). I'm hoping that my journey will benefit all of us!! StephC, You must be ecstatic about getting a tummy tuck!! I'll be following you on your progress. I am hoping to have that option when I finally get close to my goal weight. I am guessing that the tt surgery must have a much longer recovery time. You worked hard and you deserve the best for yourself. Kudos to you!! Is your tt covered by insurance? I know that most of them are not covered, but was wondering if you had any other conditions that would make it medically necessary (like a hernia).

Congratulations!! That was very quick!! I'm also waiting for insurance approval...keeping my fingers crossed!!!

I think that the waiting is the BIGGEST test for us!!! I don't do a good job of waiting. Usually there isn't enough time in the day for me, but now it seems like May 1st will NEVER get here!!! I am tentatively scheduled for May 1st in CT. I am WAITING for final insurance approval and can't think about anything else!! I will be a little less anxious when I get the final approval and it is "set in cement" I am so ready to get going with this and get rid of my sleep apnea and diabetes!!!! I am loving this website to keep me focused!! My doctor does not require the 2 week liquid diet before the surgery, but I think that I am going to do it anyway. I feel that if I do it, I won't be AS hungry after the surgery. Also, shrinking the liver to make his job easier definitely appeals to me!!! :teeth_smile:

Hi there!! Welcome!! I am also in the "waiting" phase. I have done all of the "busy" work and submitted it. I have a tentative date scheduled for 5/1 pending insurance approval. My doctor is Dr. Kurt Roberts from Yale New Haven Hospital.... Waiting is the HARDEST part!!!!!!!!! :teeth_smile:

:ohmy:Wow!! That is awesome!! Keep up the great work!!!:biggrin:

Hi Sharona: Don't be too hard on yourself!! I haven't started the journey yet, but since you didn't get sick, you are probably ok. Focus forward and don't look back!! I can't wait til I get banded and will be looking for support both now and after I am banded!! Keep up the good work!!!

I am awaiting insurance approval also!! I am very excited and nervous from WAITING!!! I hope my family can tolerate me until I get my approval!!!

Hi Fireatak: Just wondering how everything went for you. I am still waiting for insurance approval (Anthem). How was the procedure, recovery? How long did insurance approval take?

Your stats are very similar to mine (less the age...I'm 46). It is easy for someone to say to just exercise more and eat less. It's a little more complicated for those of us in the situation!! I just found out that I have diabetes and sleep apnea. I say don't wait until these things hit you before you take action. I am awaiting insurance approval... I should hear this week!! I am very excited and nervous at the same time. If you decide to go ahead, make sure you choose a bariatric doctor who is part of a "Center of Excellence" group. Some insurance companies won't cover doctors who don't have this credential from the Society of Bariatrics. There are some out of pocket expenses that you will have to pay for, so you should call your doctor and see what they require. My doctor wouldn't even see me until I went through all of their requirements which included a psych evaluation, nutritionist appt., cardiologist, endocrinologist, pulmonologist. Good luck!!

I am 46 and awaiting insurance approval!! I am very excited to get banded and I am hoping for a May 1st date!!!!:crying:

I purchased a rebounder. It is a mini trampoline. I can set it up right in front of my TV and jog for as long as I want!! It's a great form of exercise if you have any joint pain!!! If you look it up on the internet, you will see that it is one of the BEST exercises!!! Have fun!!

I've head good things about Dr. Floch. He was my first choice, but he didn't take my insurance. I am going with Dr. Roberts out of Yale New Haven hospital. I am just waiting for insurance approval which they said should only take about 1 week. I am hoping for a May 1st surgery date. Good luck to you!!

I have diabetes and sleep apnea also. The mortality rate is the main reason why I chose the lap band. It is a TOOL. Re-routing my plumbing was not appealing to me at all!!!

Congratulations!! You must be very proud!! I will be getting the "band" soon (just waiting for insurance approval). Reading these posts is an inspiration. I know that it is going to be a lot to get used to, but I can't wait until I can get used to being skinny!!!

Nicole: Carrying your weight in your mid-section is the most dangerous place to carry it. You are at a higher risk for future heart disease. I carry my weight in the same place. I have skinny legs, but a big stomach. I just found out that I have diabetes and sleep apnea. I'm 46 and not going to let my weight shorten my life!!! The benefits of lapband definitely outweigh the risks.