Judy M

Dear Spam, by the way you need to change your screen name. No one working a computor wants anything to do with "Spam" Anyway with that said, I wish you luck on the approval process. Any lap-band Doctor should be able to tell you if you are a candidate. I got banded back on 1/9/06. I started the process in July and then had to visit many doctors. The pulmanary doctor is who held me up for 6 weeks. I kept calling for him to write a letter after I had the physical with him and for some reason he wouldn't write it. So, I took matters into my own hands and booked another visit with him and paid my co-pay again and got in his face to make him write the letter. MY BMI was 40. I was 220 lbs and I'm 5'2" but I have big boobs and thin legs so no one really believed that I weighed that much even though the doctors weighed me each time. I passed his physical no problem but he didn't believe I needed the surgery. I told him It wasn't for him to decide. I told him that my father died of Diabetes and my sister was just diagnosed with it and I had such sugar, weight related issuses as well. I asked him why if my insurance company was willing to pay for it, why do I have to gain another 50 lbs and have more medical problems for him to approve the surgery. I explained to him that I was trying to head off any more complications and I have been over weight since I was 11. I still had 90 lbs to loose. Finally he wrote me my letter and my insurance paid 100%. I am so happy I did this. I'm down 61 lbs and have 29 more to go. It is still work and I still have to diet but the band makes it so much easier to be successful. If you are looking for a doctor in KS then you should check out a website called obesityhelp.com. There are so many people from all over the country who use that one and you will get much more advise from you area. May I suggest again for you not to use the "Spam" word if you want someone to answer. Good Luck, Judy

Dear SkinnyJenny, Boy I love your attitude. You will do great. The 6th will be here before you know it and you will be well on your way. Good Luck with everything. Remember we are always here for you. Judy

Dear Susan, I started out at 220 lbs and had 90 to loose. I was banded on Jan. 9, 2006 and have lost 61 lbs so far. I too am a dieting veteran. I've dieted since age 11 and have done everthing from deit pill to Herbalife to of course Weight Watchers and many more. The only thing I never tried was Atkins because I love my carbs (Chocolate) too much. So you asked about the sweets craving. For me, and it really is true that everyone is an individual, once I did the pre-op liquid diet portion, I couldn't believe how much energy I had without the sugar. It was amazing to me and also how much I didn't crave it. That part really helped in the begining. Now I'm 7 months out and the cravings are back but I'm able to control them better. Yes I do give in to an occasional chocolate chip cookie but I buy Weight Watchers Ice cream pops or the Popcicle brand no sugar added 40 calorie fudge pops to take care of the craving. It works pretty well but the thing that worked the best was when I got down to a size 14 and went shopping at Kohls. I stepped in the store and it hit me that I could now shop the WHOLE store not just the plus size department. I find that if I fall off the wagon, so to speak, I can put on 4lbs from a weekend of BBQ's and then it will take me 3 weeks to get it off. Yes it is still work yet so much easier than any thing else I've ever done. I have never lost 61 lbs in 7 months with anything I have tried before. And Susan, with the band you pretty much know the weight almost, won't come back on. You may have a small set back but not like before. Good Luck and keep me posted on your progress. Also, check out obesityhelp.com. That is another good web site. Go into the Lab band forum. Judy

HI All, My name is Judy. I'm 46 ( I love being in my 40's ) married and a mother of two boys 17 and 14. I was banded back on January 9th. I have lost 61 lbs so far and have 29 more to go. I'm having such a hard time being patient with the last 30 lbs taking so long to come off when in reality I shouldn't complain about loosing 61 lbs in 7 months. Has anyone else had a real problem with golfballs? I'm about ready to yell FORE! every time I eat. I wish they could put a band around my head as well but I know anything worth while Is worth working for. Judy

Hi, I'm a 46 year old female who was banded on January 9th. I'm not sure how to do the Kg conversions but I have lost 61 lbs and have 29 more to go. As far as what stays down and what doesn't, I'm still learning that. I can't seem to get the message to my hand to stop picking up the fork and let the food go down first so I constantly get the "Golfball" I wish you great success. Oh, I live on Long Island, New York Just off Manhattan. Today the weather is great. NO Humidity!