wvgal33

Hello all, I am struggling trying to quit smoking before my surgery and for life...I am on Chantix at the moment and even though my body isn't craving a cig...my mind is constantly thinking about it. Any smokers or ex-smokers out there that have had Lap-band? Did anyone have to quit smoking in order to have the surgery? I hate smoking and being a "smoker," I am sooo ready to quit...but I am mourning over it. I know I will also heal better if I am not smoking which is a great incentive! Am I alone? or is anyone out there smoking or have quit and have any advice? P.S. I am walking around like I am constantly forgetting something...and I realize it is my cig~!

I need to re-start my Chantix...does anyone know if I need to get a new prescription - or can I just half the pills for the first week or two?

THANK YOU for all the success stories - It has me motivated! I went for Chest X-ray, EKG and Lab work today....I am worried about the chest X-ray showing something. They called me back in to get another chest X-ray (same position) after I was already dressing. This worries me. I am 33 and have been smoking now for half of my life.......wow...I just realized that....HALF MY LIFE I HAVE BEEN SMOKING! I have been on Chantix (this time) for 4 days, I think I will stay on it longer this time after I quit. It just made me sooo sick. For those of you who are getting ready to try Chantix....take with food! Has anyone else been called back in to get another X-ray after thinking they were done? Encouraging words???? Sigh, I'm worried.

I hear ya! I like smoking too, but I don't like being a "smoker" - if that makes any sense? It's like it is not the cool thing to do anymore LOL! I work at home as a medical transcriptionist and I "reward" myself with a cig after every few reports I type. I don't know what to replace this with. There is nothing in this house rewarding. What should I do - get up and reward myself with folding laundry? Don't say take a walk...I get paid per production and it costs me money to take a walk LOL! I can only afford like a 2 to 4 minute "reward." I tried to call friends instead of smoking but I ended up on the phone all day and didn't make much money When I tried to quit before...I would reward myself with M&Ms...well I am trying to lose weight now and I don't think it would be appropriate :biggrin:. After I am done working, I would reward myself after making dinner, after washing dishes and cleaning up kitchen, after helping child with homework, and the list goes on! When I tried to quit before, I just kind of walked around and even cried some. Oh how I wish my award fettish could be replaced with some sort of sticker on a chart - but it aint happening. Any suggestions? Oh, and I have already tried the long-term award like if I don't smoke this week I will buy me something. It didn't take long to figure out I am a short-term goal reward-right-now person. Yes, I am seeking therapy.:cool2:

Wow! They can test for it? Well, I am going to have to get more serious about it then - can you hear the cheater in me???? Geesh why am I always looking for ways out of the right thing to do! Ok...lets get serious and quit. Keep me posted on how you are doing. The chantix will work - I quit for a few days on it with no problems other than missing my best/worst friend - the cig. Lets quit!:biggrin:

Hello, Before approval from insurance, I have to have an EKG, chest x-ray and labs. I have never had to have an EKG - Do I have to undress for this? Just trying to know ahead of time so that I can dread it even more if I am going to be topless. Crazy question I know...but don't yall hate having to "unveil" to people you don't know? LOL - anyway...wonder how long an EKG takes?:biggrin:

Hello, can anyone tell me their situation of whether they had to pay the remaining balance before surgery or do they let you make payments just like any other hospital bill. I think I will be left owing approximately 700 dollars...and just need to know whether I will need that before the surgery can happen. I have actually asked this question to the lady who bills the insurance company at the surgery center..but she didn't know. I know everyone's situation is different...but looking for the majority here to give me a better idea. Thanks in advance!

Note to self: Shave legs just in case...wear nice undies...LOL I am going to wear a button up shirt and shorts...to try and get out of having my clothes off. Here is something crazy....what I fear most about the actual surgery time (other than not waking up) is that I know...I am going to be naked as a Jaybird for all the room to see....I hope they have Zofran or something for nausea for the staff to take before they unveil this chick! Wonder if they cover our "goods" up that they won't be working on? This is insane of me I know...but I just am soooo not wanting to be naked any time soon for anyone LOL!

:biggrin: Thank you, Thank you, Thank you - You have made my day!!! You don't know how much I was dreading this because I thought I might have to get naked! Thanks!

Hello, I just finished reading Before and After by Susan Maria Leach and I was wondering if anyone has read anything regarding Lap-band surgery that they would reccomend? Thanks!

Hello all, I will be finishing up my last 6-month appointment tomorrow with my PMD. I have not lost ANY weight. I haven't really tried either :cursing: Each month on a MONDAY I say - okay...i'm going to watch what I eat today...and I do...on that MONDAY and then off I go on my own way eating whatever I want. I have gained 2 pounds in this six months. I attribute this to quitting smoking, although I only quit for a week. I am re-starting chantix MONDAY. I have met with my surgeon and have decided on Realize Band...but now am wondering if I shouldn't go with a gastric bypass because of my "diet history." I have used diet pills and have lost 25 to 30 pounds in the past only to stop taking the pills and put it back on plus more. I have started a diet almost every Monday of my life....only to cheat on Tuesday and swear that next Monday is the MONDAY. I am too easy on myself and Celebrate everything from a snowy day, rainy day, Sunday because I am dieting on Monday - I celebrate by cooking, baking and eating. My "relatives by marriage" is that term camouflaged enough so as they don't know I am talking about 'them'? Anyway, they keep reminding me that "you will still feel hungry, you will still need to exercise, you will still need to work really hard for weightloss. I know this. I mean it...in my head I know this...but in the back of my mind, I am still thinking that I will find a way to fail the lap band..or eat myself right out of it. They despise the fact that my insurance covers this and it is becoming a reality and one day....God Bless that day....I may be thinner than they are. They are probably 45 pounds lighter than I am. Another thing that brought me to think about gastric bypass is the book Before and After WLS....she has had such success. She lost 79 pounds at 4 months post-op! I want that. The other side of my brain is thinking about slower weight loss being a benefit rather than a downfall. I have also read so many posts regarding the Realize band and a lot of people are having a lot less weight loss than they thought - which makes me wonder if I should go with the Lap band instead. I have read and read and read....about the two bands...and I seriously don't know what to do. It is crunch time...and I am not sure about what to do. I am just thankful that my insurance covers these surgeries and hope that they decide to cover me even though I didn't lose any weight these past six months. By the way, incase you are wondering - yes, I did pass my psyche eval! LOL Any advice?

I went to my PMD today and lost 3.5 pounds this month. I spoke with him about my concerns and we had a long chat. During my wait for insurance approval, I am going to attend some WLS support groups in person and I also scheduled a second appointment with the nutritionist to discuss some things. As far as my mother and sister being anorexic - I am not afraid of ever going there. You are right though, an eating disorder is either stuffing or starving...I guess I have a tendency to stuff:blushing::tt2: I haven't had weight problems all of my life, just the past 8 years. I know some things that have triggered my weight gain, i.e., fertility med's, grief, and changing careers from being busy to sitting at a computer all day. I agree that I do need to talk with someone about emotional eating and I plan to. I, by no means, think that the band will "make me skinny." I know I will have to do the work and the band is just a tool - I really do know this. I am just wondering if I will be hungry just like if I were to be on another diet. I worry that I will be one of the posters that will be starving and have my band filled to the max. How does everyone else deal with head hunger. Is there anyone out there that has problems with emotional eating and the band helped them?

I am glad I decided to post my feelings here. I knew that seeing my feelings wrote down along with everyone's input would make me put it all (or start to) in perspective. I am in the processing of asking myself why I didn't really try to lose weight in the six months...and if I answer that honestly...brutally honestly..shamefully, head down face red honsetly...I would have to say: 1. I know my PMD personally and he is pretty easy going and we laugh about me being on a diet - he knows my family and their history - my mother and sister suffer from anorexia. I don't even have a percentage of that trait passed onto me and we joke about it - so I don't feel ashamed when I see him and haven't lost weight. 2. I am thinking that "it will allllll beeee alllright....I will have the band...THEN START. Please don't knock me.....I am being honest and open. I realize what is wrong with this statement....I do. 3. Ever since I started this Surgery Journey I have ate out way more often than usual - I may be thinking in the back of my head somewhere - I may never eat here again? I dunno...either that or I am getting lazier than normal. 4. I started working at home from my home office 5 years ago - this has made me gain weight like crazy... I think I am ready to change - I have researched, ordered samples of Protein powders to see which kind I can tolerate the taste of, printed lots of recipes, and have made a grocery list of what I need in the house after surgery. My surgeon requires only two days of liquids pre-surgery - I think this will make or break me...I shall see how serious I am on two days of liquids. I think either the Realize band or Lap band is right for me considering I desperately want a second child. I just worry that I will be someone posting later saying...my band is filled to max...and I am still hungry! That is my fear - I just realized that. See how seeing your words in fine print helps you get to the bottom of things! I hope these "cold feet" issues are normal - I mean if we all could suceed losing to goal and keeping it off we wouldn't be having the surgery right? --Way to go It's Christine! Sounds like you have had great sucess! You give me hope! Anyway, thanks for listening and keep the advice coming...maybe you can help me talk some sense into me. It will probably be six weeks until my insurance approves me from what I hear (if I get approved - scared cuz of not losing weight) - I think that tomorrow..not Monday I will start trying to shed some pounds - not crash dieting...just cutting portions and Snacks. "Melting Chocolat" your words do help....Instead of throwing the rest of the day away or WEEK, I need to start with the next meal. That is sound advice. ---Hollie519 I am not offended by your comment - I probably need someone to tell me to shape up every once in a while - but if you had to listen to my "relatives by marriage" day in and day out at 200+ pounds and giving you advice...you will tell me to scoot over on my pity pot LMAO...seriously! I do whine about them...can't help it! But I do appreciate your feedback and realize that others have it way worse than me. I am grateful that my insurance even covers this and dissapointed in myself for not making the most out of the six months. I just wish I would have felt bad before the six months were over!

Hello everyone, I am attending a seminar of Dr. Nease in Huntington, WV soon. I am wondering if anyone has attended his seminar or has been banded by him? I would love to hear from you.

I attended Dr. Nease's seminar and am very glad I did. He and his staff are wonderful and I feel more prepared to start this process and confident that he is the surgeon of choice for me. :crying: