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Boo Boo KItty...Wow! Great Job!! you are my idol

Jtorie...we all wish you well! I hope your Dad pulls through for you...you are in may prayers and keep us informed.

Thank you for posting this...I started thinking about bariatric surgery in 2000. I am finally in the process...the reason I did not elec to go for it then was: I was a single Mom...needed to finish raising my DD...totally get the d's on that one :thumbup:...anyway the other thing I did was talk to my PCP. He said, "Well, you are a healthy large person...and so much is being learned about all these surgeries... etc . . .so keep trying (I had lost @ 80 on ATKINS then) and give it time..." That was good advice... then......my daughter graduated from HS...I got remarried...and gained and lost 100 plus pounds...and then...Type 2 Diabetes started, I guess apnea too, sore joints, cholesteral, tri - g's, higher blood pres. etc...YOU KNOW...COMORBIDIITIES!!! HEALTHY????? Yet, I know that I needed this time because... #1. Would I have qualified back then? #2 The lapband wasn't an option, #3 AGB just became avaliable on my insurance as of 03/01/08, #4 I have a DH to help support me through this... and LASTLY...I'm doing it for the right reasons..saving my health!!! So, I pray they approve me soon...and that I don't have to play the denial game...and I say.... Go for it for everyone in your life, especially for yourself because this obesity thing is a REAL DISEASE...and we have struggled long enough without compassion or help... A tool for better health...not a magic cure...we deserve this...and LASTLY....there is risk everytime we go out the door, in a car, at the store, mall etc... Thanks for listening :blushing:

Yea, ditto to that..I am trying to not drink while eating now but it is so opposite from normal diet behavior...so I am trying but not banded yet...also, since I am supposed to loose before and have doing well with the 6 small meal model...2 being Protein @15 grams and under 10 carbs...I am worried about just 3 meals a day??? Congrats on the 65 pounds...keep it up!

Well said Tropicana..good luck to you...are you banded?

I am so glad to find this thread....My doctor is the only one in AZ that comes up on the Realize site as...?....certified surgeon??? I noticed that she is not on the lapband site but uses both...up to patient. I was told that there is a slight difference in putting it on...they have to test it in water first etc... and the ports attach easier...So, I am thinking since she is the Realize guru to go with that one... I'm sure you can't be on both sites????? anyway, I am in the research phase so if anyone has specific comments about why they did or did not choose the Realize band...do tell :thumbup: Thanks

The nutritionist told me that they say no coffee because now that we have designer coffee...such as carmal mocha machiattos sp? and frappacinos...the word coffee is too polluted with bad calories and fat. So, she tells everyone none...but...she told me a normal cup is fine...'course I haven't been banded yet...the tune may change :thumbup:

OK...this is TMI...but I can tell you Jtori that there is no need to feel embarrased...nurses and docs have seen it all and it is part of "nature". That being said, I was thinking it sounded like PCOS which I have / had? I even asked a doc the other day...I had a hysterectomy last June and have no parts left...since I do not have ovaries do I still have polysistic ovarian syndrome???She said, "Good question"...anyway, I feel your pain...I bled 20 to 24 days a month for 1 year! then I had an ablation and it reduced it to @10 days! NOw, it is heaven...by the way...I'm still anemic...and it has almost been a year??? But I am finally losing weight....Good Luck! Hang tough!

I have UHC too and have been waiting...My plan is self funded with a trust from my work so they are like the providers....I had several very specific criterias...they told my dr office that there was NO coverage when I had given the doc's office a copy of the exclusionary policy...which I fit. At the time my only concern was if banding was an option since it said " stapling and bypass". As it turned out, I talked to someone at UHC in the "reconciliation" department ...sound Catholic to me lol .... She was very encouraging and got on a conference call with my doc's office. This was just for the initial consult!!!!! Anyway, then the luck and Lord was with me because I talked to my Benefits director,,,just to find out if banding had been covered or appealed....and was told as of 3/01/08 it would be included in the language!!!! Then, we were given the name of a claims person at UHC to send my file through so it wouldn't be held up due to the new language...that was as of 2 weeks ago...still waiting.... That's my muse!

Hey everyone!!! Thank you for sharing your fill stories...This is the stuff NO ONE BUT YOU has said ...at the dr.'s they act like you will feel so restricted from day 1....now I realize that I will have to keep up my willpower until I hit the sweat spot. I hope that my head will be "ahead" (ha ha...no pun intended) of me... I don't even know about the band size thing...I mean...I think I am opting for the REALIZE brand...I wonder if that is a smart thing...from what I've read...there are advantages of both...anyone have a REALIZE band??? I need to make up my mind on which one....THANKS

Oh sorry Witchbabe... no one is trying to scare you!!! I always find information...even unpleasant stuff better than needless worry! YOU are SO LUCKY to have your date....I'm WAITING!!!!!! I really don't want it until June but I am worried the times will fill up fast....HURRY up UNITED!!!!!

YEa!!!! I agree...lets get on with this....I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers...

Cheers to Versed sp? Last year I had an ablation and then a hysterectomey...I was so scared about surgery and being put out...The Versed is amazing...and if you are a talker...watch out you will say the most amazing of things!! :drool: As I contemplate my banding...I am nervous again but I know I'll do fine after an open full hysterectomy... I too am claustrophobic so I hope they can put the cannules on instead of the mask...coarse, I am waiting for my apnea test back and may be used to a mask by then???? After my June surgery I thought...see...you can do this...maybe next year you can have Bariatric surgery...and hear I am...in the process! Thank you to all who were so helpful in describing their experiences...I know we all have our fears...it helps to air them.

KBINAZ Thank you for answering my lingo question...I think it is interesting to read all the posts because I am learning so much.... I have done high Protein dieting forever...in 2000 I lost abut 80 pounds. As soon as I stopped BAM there went on 110 lbs...so that is why I am hopeful with the band. Could my approval date be any slower????? IN the meantime, I have been following a low carb high protein diet like I will the REST of MY LIFE!!! I know, when I have sugar carbs...there goes my cravings...yet If I have a whole grain type carb..I do better. There must be some wisdom in all that! Keep on working at it all of you...

Triser72 thanks to you too! We are all so lucky to find a place that we can share what is going on...My one friend who is also a DR. said I am obsessed with thinking about the band etc...What does she expect?? This is a huge decision...I've wanted to do something since 2000...AND...we have to obsess so that we can wrap our brains around the change etc... Anyway, this is a great place to talk and read instead of pushing it all on our friends and family. It really is no different than when you are pregnant...You obsess for like 10 plus months (until about age what 3?)

Good for YOU!!! I did the short cruise last year..it will be great...Best of luck and keep us informed!

triser72...I understand what you are saying...I too am a teacher but plan tho have LB in summer. I would tell the kids but maybe after...only because they may stress and worry about you if they know ahead of time. It is a tough call because they will give you tons of support but I know even when I am out one day they worry.???? We do get tons of support from our students! Good Luck...also, for your larger girls you will be a role model :smile:

I have told selected people at this point (close friends). I work with a ton of women and they can be cruel... I did tell my boss I was "in the process". What seems so funny is that some people tend to be jealous...like How can YOU get that?? Then they want to say how it is costing everyone at work because of the insurance etc... LIKE EXCUSE ME!!..I have comorbidities don't you know.... Anyway, what I am having a problem with is my family telling like EVERYONE!!! I had a big family function (weekend) and wasn't going to say anything yet. Especially because I am still waiting for approval... Well, my Mom had told her sister...who told...etc... I was so mad!!! If any one should tell people...it should be me! It is my body and my life that I am changing! My husband is just as guilty with telling his family and friends...ENOUGH! So, that's my BLOG!

Ok Queen Jane...I am with you...what does PB mean? Burping up vomit?

Hey Smylie 1, Where do you teach or live? I am in Mesa, AZ....I haven't told many about my summer plans either...I know what you mean about the "little" ones...to be honest though...the older I get, the more that doesn't bother me. I see we are ten years apart! So, I guess I got over it in the past decade...life is too short to worry about what others think.... I have a friend who says the same thing too...she eats in the lunch room and is so conscious of everything she eats and everyone...I eat in the library at my desk. Other people come in as well...maybe it is a safer atmosphere... So, good luck waiting...I'm with you sister!...I want my approval like today because there are some classes I have to attend and one is next week while I'm on Spring Break. I can't go until approves...I don't want to take off school for it.... Keep in touch!

I am a teacher as well, and have dedided to wait for summer. WELL EXCUSE ME...I am patiently waiting for insurance approval too. Anyway, SMYLIE 1...I am waiting because I don't want to deal with the food issue at first with a school day...it is hard enough to have a healthy meal let alone worry about all the liquid...coming out...catch my drift? Also, in the event there is any complications, I have several weeks to get over it??? Think how fun it will be to show up in Aug...having lost some more weight???Just my thoughts....

I think everyone feel a bit nervous about living banded but you know you are ready when none of that is as important as getting your health back! No one deserves this disease...we are good people with a challenge....even thin people have challenges! We just can't necessarily see them:) Good luck to us all!

I just went for my 2nd night for the sleep study. The first night I only slept abour 3 hours split up. I REALLY tried but...I brought 3 pillows, my faded but soft night shirt w/buttons like a polo shirt, and my favorite down comforter!!! Lucky for me, the second night...(two weeks later) I had the same wonderful tech...Sharon!! So, she started me with the "nose pillows". I got to watch tv to get used to it and did great. Then YAWN, I was tired so nighty nite nite I went. Well, when she increased the air BAM!!! I startled awake....Did I mention I am claustrophobic??? so ...as not to disrupt the millions of wires, I resisted the urge to pull the mask off...instead I called for her. Yeah she came right in, took off the nose thing and unhooked me from the wall. So then. . . we decided to try the mask that encircles my nose but not "up the nostrils". MUCH BETTER for me! I slept for about 3-4 hours..not sure. THEN I had to pee...so she unplugged me AGAIN and said, "Well, that is enough data" YEA!!! I went home at 5:15 am....and slept until 11:00... They told me my apnea was mild????? By the way, the second night the wires and me were old friends...it was the machine I had to reckon with! MANTRA...the band is worth it...the band is worth it.... So, do I like the cpap machine??? Death is worse. I guess I'll get a machine soon...Hope I breathe in the meantime!

Here, i checked the web site SPIRU-TEIN® variety pack Product No. 45820 SPIRU-TEIN® Variety Pack gives you an assortment of the eight delicious flavors that have made SPIRU-TEIN® the #1 Protein Energy shake. Individually packaged in single-serving packets, each SPIRU-TEIN® serving is power-packed with 14 grams of superior quality protein from soy and spirulina. SPIRU-TEIN® combines superior nutrition, powerful whole foods and great taste to create the ultimate high protein energy shake. 8 packets per box

Do you have a sprouts market? They have a brand named Nature's Plus...Spiru-tein...So far, the ones I've tasted are great..try Cookies and cream... They should be at other markets...110 cal, 14g Protein, o fat....12 sugar grams???... detectiontest Good Luck!