sunshinenh

Thank you Shanna for your reply and support. I am really going to make an effort to stop before discomfort. Really looking forward to my first fill.

Good luck to you!!!!!!

Hey J. Surgery was fine, quite sore for a few days, but manageable now. Have been plagued with horrible diarrhea since surgery. Dr. Gens thought it might have been C Diff, but cultures were negative. Did you have any problems with diarrhea? If so, how long did it last? I can honestly say I haven't had an appetite since surgery - dreading its return. How was this for you? Glad to hear you are treating yourself well. I think you are right, time to focus on me here (for a little while anyway). Luckily I have great support, that really helps. Keep up the good work girl. E-talk with you soon! Sunshine

I cried for two days and was so STRESSED OUT with mundane things. I think it has to be normal. Such hugh changes. Be gentle with yourself, you will be alright and will make it through.

Congratulations!! I had to lose about 30 lbs. Drank primarily protien drinks that I made up myself. It worked for me, also drank lots and lots of water and walked alot. Good luck to you!!

Joe, I had to lose 17 for my doctor, then an additional 6 for my insurance co. to cover. I spent a few days just drinking protien drinks (I use sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast, fat free milk and a scoop of Unjury protien powder). Not too thrilling, but it helped get the few remaining pounds off.

Booper - you have support here!

Hey Jeannie, So glad to hear from you. Have to shut the computer down for a few days (contractors will be here putting in a new ceiling, have to hide the computer from the dust). You are a great support, thank you so much. Next time I e-chat will be after surgery!!!! Still nervous, but 0.5 mg of Ativan has become my friend. Take care J. Pray for me Tuesday. Sunshine

Hi Dawn, Am being banded next Tuesday, have not gone through the liquid phase yet. Just wanted to say hello, I am also a NH Banster to be. Nice to e-meet you.

Good luck to you Jessica. I know the waiting is tough. I was the biggest girl in my school growing up. What I wouldn't have given to have had Doctors to guide me to better health. You are an amazing and very lucky young lady. All the best to you.

Good luck to you!

Hey Jeannie. Hope all is well with you. 4 days and counting, I am getting really nervous. Hope to e-chat more with you soon.

Hey Booper, You are in good hands with the group at Portsmouth. They have helped me so much. Also, I love to eat, I am with you. It is so hard - that is why we are doing this. I just hope you can focus on the prize. It is more and more exciting the farther along this journey you get. Good luck to you - YOU CAN DO IT!!

Hi Jeannie, Appt. went well, and still under the weight limit set by my insurance. Thank you for asking. Now getting a little nervous about actual surgery. I have been in the OR 100's of times, but not as the patient. Wierd for me. Went out for a good-bye meal. Back to the CIB's until surgery. Got back into my ticker yesterday. I went to TickerFactory.com on my search engine, then updated my ticker and highlighted the ticker (had to try about 20 times, it kept on highlighting everythin but my ticker) went to edit and hit copy, then shrunk the screen down. Then went to this site and went to User CP and brought up my Edit Signature. Once the screen was up I hit paste and it worked. Hope that makes sense. I really just stumbled around til it worked. Cannot wait until next Tuesday! Dr. Gens seems to be alright. Your recommendation made a hugh impression. Thank you so much. You mentioned "a few problems." Everything ok? He kept restating "Do not hesitate to call." Hope you are well. Take care, Sunshine

Hey Booper. Who is your surgeron? I have mainly eaten Weight Watchers and for this last bit I am drinking protien drinks (8 oz fat free milk, sugar free Carnation instant breakfast, and a scoop of soy protien) a couple of times a day and not eating. I know it is a harsh plan, but I am so determined to get this surgery next week, I will do just about anything. I think Jeff's classes did help, mostly because he taught me to be gentle with this process. He also talked a lot about course adjustments, bringing yourself back if you wonder. For some reason that struck a nerve with me and has helped. I know it is hard. I am rooting for you.

Hey J. I have no idea how I got the ticker. I clicked on someone elses ticker and got to the web site for the ticker and did the cut/paste thing - but I have never done that before and somehow it accidently worked. I have tried to get back to it and cannot. Sorry, wish I could help. Thinking up more questions.... Thanks. Sunshine

Hey there Jeannie, So glad for you that you made you big "50." It must feel wonderful!! Enjoy those jeans! I started this journey at 317.5. Had to lose 17 lbs for Dr. Gens, then my insurance wanted me under 291. Am currently 288 by my scale (I too love and hate Nancy's scale). Too close for comfort, so am primarily living on CIB with Soy protien added. Not sure what my goal is. Felt perfect getting to 180 years ago on fen-phen, so probably 180 as a goal. Also glad to hear you didn't have horrible post-op pain. You are such a great resource - happy we E-met. Take Care, Sunshine

Hi Jeff - I am in the same boat. Have Anthem too. They really do not cover Lap-Band for BMI over 50. They only consider By-Pass if you are over their range. I know I can lose weight with the best of them. As for keeping it off, I have a terrible 43 year record of keeping it off. This is a terrible hoop Anthem has created. I really feel for you. It is beyond frustrating. I have finally met their weight requirement and they did approve. Keep fighting - I think it will be worth it.

Hi Booper. Good luck on you journey. Where are you going for surgery?

Hi again, I am so glad to hear you are having a good band experiance. Few more questions, if you don't mind. How much pain did you have your first week post-op? You work as an LNA, I also work with patients - How long did it take you to get back at work? I am living on CIB now (my insurance has some very strict weight criteria, my BMI has to be under 50 for them to pay - or it is by-pass only. I am currently at 48/49 - too close for comfort, so I have to lose more to get the surgery). I will take your advice and walk asap. Have you had an adjustment (fill) yet? What is that like? I'm telling you - really hope you don't mind, I have so many questions... Take care, Sunshine

Hi J. I am so glad to hear from you. My name is Sunshine (really). I am an Oncology Nurse at Lakes Region General. I have Dr. Gens too!! It is wonderful to hear you had a good experiance. I have only met him twice, seeing him again Monday. Hard to really trust someone you don't know. Are you feeling well? How was your recovery? I have found the group at PRH to be great, so far. Scheduled for surgery 12/6. Any suggestions you have for making the hospital adventure better will be appreciated. Did you stay overnight? Wow, can you tell I am excited to make contact with someone from the same program. Hope you don't mind all the questions. Thank you, Sunshine

Just Found Out That I Am Approved By My Insurance Company!!!! Am Scheduled For December 8th. Thank You For Being So Supportive Pre-band. I So Look Forward To Being A Bandster. My Heart Goes Out To Any And All Fighting The Insurance Fight.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. yOUR HARD WORK REALLY SHOWS. ENJOY!!

Did hear back from Ins. Co. They denied me because of a BMI of 51. They feel that Gastric Bypass is best for me. I do not want Bypass. I have continued to lose weight and now have a BMI of 48.5, so we resubmitted. Now I am waiting again. Has anyone else out there had this type of problem - what results did you get. I just don't want to be forced into Bypass when I know that the Lap Band will be better for me.

Thank you for your kind words. I really feel overwhelmed by all the arbitrary rules. Not feeling like much of a fighter right now - but in the morning...we will see. My heart goes out to any of you going through this insurance hassle/game too. It shouldn't have to be like this.