*susan*

Oh man, this is really good, thanks so much for posting this!!!

Honestly, I have never heard of stretchmarks hurting before. I thought I would bump this for you to see if anyone else has.

:thumbup: Happy Birthday and congratulations! That is the most awesome birthday present ever. You are doing fantastic!!!

Congratulations! That is going to be an awesome birthday present for you. Please keep us posted on how things are going.

Cheryl Ann, we are so glad you started posting with us. I can't say much on the insurance side of things, as I was self-pay. I do understand how frustrating it can be waiting on them though. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you that everything turns out well.

Hi Mari, and welcome to LBT! Wow, 42 pounds lost already, you are doing fantastic. Let us know if we can help you with anything.

Hi Kym, and welcome. We are so glad you joined us. This is definitely a great place for advice and support. Check out the "stickies" at the top of most of the forums, they are loaded with great information. If you have any questions, let us know. We look forward to getting to know you as you go through your band journey.

Hi Jana and welcome to LBT! We look forward to getting to know you as well. Let us know if you have any questions.

Hi Theresa, Welcome to LBT! The diets they put one on are tough, but you just have to keep in mind the prize, which will be a band. I hear you about the weight watchers. I lost a bunch of weight with them, a bunch of times. And, each and every time I gained it all back plus some.:thumbup: The band is the first time I have ever lost weight and kept it off, it is a wonderful tool. Keep us posted as to how things are going for you. And, if you have any questions, let us know.

Ok, I have this going in my crockpot right now, with the pork chops and a bag of frozen stir fry vegetables. It smells so good! I am just coming off of liquids after a fill and am not sure if I am going to be able to wait until dh gets home to eat dinner! He better hurry!

Green, my thoughts are with you. I hope everything goes well. Do me a favor, enjoy that ice cream, and eat a little extra for me too!

Wow, I am just now seeing this thread. As others have said, this is a "support" board. If everything was always sunshine and rainbows, then LBT wouldn't even need to exist. But, the reality of life is nothing is perfect. We all feel the need to communicate with others who are going through the same thing we are, who understand our feelings and can validate them. Whether we want to share our victories, get comforted when we are struggling, or learn from others knowledge and experience, LBT is the place to do this. I am glad Alex started this wonderful board so I went into the band fully enlightened as to what may or may not happen, and so I can share my experience with others.

This is also very similiar to what I went through and it is so not worth it. I had a complete unfill for several months because my system was so irritated. I am still slowly working myself back up to restriction. Some of us have to go very slow with the fills as a very small amount can make a huge difference with us. You can do this and we are all here to help you through this.

Gina, the other thing to look at is that you posted in a thread that is 3 years old. Any insurance requirements that were posted then have likely changed since that time. The best thing to do would be to call your insurance company and speak with them directly about their current requirements.

Wow, there are so many. I want to visit my hubby's ex-wife, who looks old for her age in my opinion, and strut my stuff in front of her and her children and say "call me the fat lady now, biotch!". Yes, their nickname for me is "the fat lady". I want to go back and climb that mountain in Tennessee to the waterfall with my hubby and children that they said was so beautiful but I couldn't make it because it was too steep and I was too fat and too out of shape. I want to attend my first class reunion since graduating because I have been too embarrassed about my weight to attend any thus far.

You guys are all doing fabulous! You should pat yourselves on the back for sticking with the diet even on this holiday!

Holy smokes, you are looking HOT!!! I bet the girls are definitely taking notice. You have done an awesome job and should be very proud!!

Hi Susan and welcome to LBT! I am so excited for you on getting a date, that is wonderful news. The pre-op liquid diet can be tough, but you just have to keep your eye on the prize, which is your band and a road to a healthier you. Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Hi and welcome to LBT! Purplegirl made a great point, better 30 pounds down than 30 pounds up! I am a very slow loser, but I have never once regretted getting the band and am confident that I will reach my goal. How are you doing on fills? Just curious as to how many you have had and how much restriction you are feeling.

Hi and welcome to LBT! I thought lapband was the obvious best choice for me as well. As for how long the process will take, maybe you can find others on the local forums who have the same insurance as you and ask them how long the process will take. It varies with every insurance company based on what their specific requirements are. Please let us know if you have any questions and keep us updated on your progress.

Welcome and congrats on becoming an official bandster. Now, to heal and then start getting fills so you can become a healthier, new you! Let us know how you are feeling and if you have any questions.

Hi BuddysMom, I moved this to doctors and hospitals, where you will hopefully get a better response.

I was fine after the first week, other than still having mild port tenderness. I think you should be fine.

I have never heard of them, but might go check them out this afternoon.

I actually enjoy doing my treadmill, I usually do it while watching some of my favorite tv shows to keep from getting bored. I have just recently added some ankle weights and carry weights in my hands as well to try and up the intensity a bit. My husband and I have been talking about joining a gym. My only concern is, I have done this before, and then due to work, kids, etc., ended up just not having the time to go. But, I still end up paying for it for a year due to having signed a contract, and I really don't want to do that again.