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Enough said? by Maya Angelou When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'." I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven." When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide. When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak And need His strength to carry on. When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed And need God to clean my mess. When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible But, God believes I am worth it. When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches So I call upon His name. When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

ONE MORE GREAT REASON besides the calories not to buy Starbucks products.... ( The homemade frap looks great anyway!) Dear everyone: Please pass this along to anyone you know, this needs to get out in the open. Recently Marines over in Iraq supporting this country in OIF wrote to Starbucks because they wanted to let them know how much they liked their coffee and try to score some free coffee grounds. Starbucks wrote back telling the Marines thanks for their support in their business, but that they don't support the War and anyone in it and that they won't send them the Coffee. So as not to offend them we should not support in buying any Starbucks products. As a War vet and writing to you patriots I feel we should get this out in the open. I know this War might not be very popular with some folks, but that doesn't mean we don't support the boys on the ground fighting street to street and house to house for what they and I believe is right. If you feel the same as I do then pass this along, or you can discard it and I'll never know. Thanks very much for your support to me, and I know you'll all be there again here soon when I deploy once more. Semper Fidelis, Sgt Howard C. Wright 1st Force Recon Co 1st Plt PLT RTO

Thanks for keeping me on... Its pretty much just a thought, not proably going to happen.... I had a great job offer, however it was going to be much more stress but my current job has offered to cut my hours to make up the pay difference.PLUS I AM COVERED BY UHC WITH THEM NO WORRIES ON MY INSURANCE. I just don't know what to do especially now with this being drug out by psyc visits because I have too many food additctins!

Its probably not UHC but an employer that excludes WLS. UHC usually pays for the band. I was approved in 3 weeks.

BAD NEWS... or at least in my opinion. I had my pscy visit this morning. I have to keep a food list and try to obstain per my coffee and soda adictions. SO NOW I have to have a couple FU visits. Wondering if its real concern or I just have great insurance. (Just venting... this thing just keeps dragging on.... ) So NOW I am probably not a Sept but an OCTOBER!

It sounds like you have been taking care of EVERYONE! Wow, has stressful and unselfish of you. I love pedicures and AFTERNOON naps. Had my wisdom teeth out Friday and I seem to be getting headaches. Think I am going to stay home from work the rest of the day and take one of the naps myself. I had my psyc appt this morning, FRUSTRATED, because I have to go back a couple times because of my additctions to coffee and soda. ( I should I have lied.. HA but I probably need the support) I like to live life and I told him that, I think that was a behavioral concern.... Are you banded yet?

Oh my gosh, what a very stressful time for you! If you like me these events all trigger binges! Recongize it and try to for go at lease some of the stress eating. I feel for ya! I am TRYING to get this lap band thing done, Changing jobs, worried about INSURANCE (paying COBRA just to make sure my band gets covered because I am already approved with UHC) BUT I have to admit you have MORE! Remind yourslef that your worth it and why you got banded to begin with.

I understand, as far as time span between visit w/Hohen and surgery. I just went to Sabathay this morning. It looks like 3 more appointments to help me with behavior modification on my coffee and soda's...Its frustrating!!! Everything contiues to drag on..... and on.. maybe he thinks I am totally out of control. HA. ( I also have to keep a food log, which I KNOW I NEED, then we will review it.) Did you have to do all this? One thought says, this is what you need, be patient, another part of me says you have good insurance, thats all this is about, another part says OH MY GOSH what NEXT???????????????????

100 #'s in less than 6 months? Am I understanding this correctly? Thats AMAZING...

I have UHC, not a problem at least getting my approval letter. BADMADMAMA your situation sounds very simlar to mine. I have a BMI of 39, BUT I have asmtha, GERD and some arthritis plus border line HBP. I have also had 3 stress fractures in the last 2 years along with Plantar Facititis?? OUch. I would have not considered myself in POOR health just on the edge. With the weight, exercise was becoming harder and harder because I had constant injuries! I am grateful that UHC can see in the long this will SAVE them $$$!

I am doing all my pre-op next week also. ( Also chaning jobs maybe, will have to by Cobra to be covered for my band.. YIKES more stress! ) Pysc on Monday, nutrition on Wed. Hoping they will call with a Sept date after that . They told me they were booked up until the 2nd wk of Sept. So I am thinking 3rd or 4th week of Sept. I am excited and nervous all at once. I almost feel like staying at this boring Job just so I know everything is covered and I can miss work for all my appointments.

It sounds like this ariticle needs to be dispersed to US Doctors?? Surely the are now performing the more succesful version of this surgery????

Yuck, do you think it was the spice or the size of the Jalepeno?

Great discussion. I have not been banded yet, however I am going through lots of aniexty per the possibilty of purchasing COBRA because of a possible job change.( I have been approved with UHC w/ my current employer, don't want to go throught that again) Don't know how much I want to start a new job with Lap band with the possiblity of being sick and missing work...... Also stressing over all my failures in the past with weight loss and how this might be painful, expensive and I could still be fat and unhealthy, if I would lose 50-60 #'s I would be healthier. I do thinkg setting real expectations with any change in life is important, BUT I am just having problems with all of these decsions at once.

I have a BMI of 39 and was approved in 3 weeks with my insurance company. I have asmtha ( which I had when I was thin) and Gerd which IS caused by my weight. Make sure you have all your medical records sent with your approval packet. I have had two stree fratures from my constant walking, (trying to lose weight) and that actually weighed in per getting approved! I have UHC.

AFter reading some of these, I really am wondering if I am REALLY approved. I got a VAGUE letter ALSO stating as follows: We have completed our review of your request for coverage of LAPAROSCOPIC GASTRIC BANDING under the Yellow Roadway Corporation Benefit Plan. Base o the information reviewed, we are pleased to inform you that coverage is avalible. All covered services are subject to screening for allowable charges. Its goes on to now that this letter does not guarantee payment etc...?? Does that sound as if I am approved? I have a meeting with my Surgeon TOMORROW, I am excited and nervous!

Margie, I have UHC through Yellow/Roadway. I have a BMI of 39 and was approved with mild co-morbidites in 3 weeks. UHC has been very good so far... ( Meeting w/ Surgeon next week.) Your only issue will be if your employer desginates by THEIR chose that NO WLS is covered. Sometimes its not the INS CO, its your very own employer. GOOD LUCK. ( Make sure you obtain ALL your medical records to show any and all problems you have had!)

HELP! I have to change jobs, an opportunity has come along I can't resist BUT I have been approved for band @ my current job... See Dr Monday.... it will be at least 3/4 weeks before surgery! I am thinking COBRA, just to make sure my band gets coverd!

I tend to eat all morning, ( which is different than most) and do ok in the afternoon and evenings. Eat mostly healthy, have a Sonic run rarely BUT when I sit down to to count the calories I have always had too much by the end of the day and feel so deprived when I try to cut down. I usually can lose for 3/4 weeks then quite. (I exercise when I don't have any injury which is OFTEN!) Good canidate for Lap Band?

How long did the the process take per getting to the surgery date after you were approved! I am approved and can't stand the wait! I just want to get it done!

This is really ODD, I have United Health Care through my job Yellow/Roadway and I am amzed how easy it was to get approved. One letter 3 weeks later I am approved with a BMI of just 40... no dieting, no meetings, nothing. Approved.

I feel very lucky! I barely meet the BMI minimums, I have asmatha and GERD. and was approved first letter within 3 weeks. I have an appt the 14th with the surgeon! I am excited but nervous both. I read these stories and I think I would have just given up!

Coffee??? Not banded yet but will be soon! I have to have some.... 1-2 cups? HELP!

:nervous Thanks everyone. All this is so helpful when your making beg decsion that impact your life so much!

Thanks so much! I can start really looking @ my calender with everyone's help! Are their any particular questions I should as Dr Hohen... ??? Once concern is @ one point in my life I was being tested for Autoimunne disease however it was never conclusive... Does anyone have a band with a auto immune disorder?