Want2BeThin

I posted this elsewhere but I'm not sure it was the right place so I am going to try here. Hello! I've been sitting on the paperwork to get this process going since about October 2008. I have spent the weekend reading and reading and more reading here in the forums. I've made up my mind, I am filling the paper work out, I have appointment with my PCP next week and I'm going to get this ball rolling!!!! I'm tired of being fat, I'm tired of the physical pain, I'm tired of not being able to enjoy life, I'm tired of not being able to move, I'm tired of not being able to do things I enjoy AND I'm just tried of being tired! End of story! Are there any bandsters or soon to be bandsters that are in the Buffalo/Niagara area that have preferably used Synergy Bariatrics? I'm looking to connect with others that have been through the process w/Dr Viglianco. I know there are many who have utilized BGH. I tried 4 times to get the application packet and got nothing! I had the info from Synergy in 3 days. So, I would love to talk with others who are in the process or already been through it. Thanks!!

Did anyone decide on getting banded because they just couldn't stand the loneliness anymore? Being fat brings about such isolation.

Well, my banding reasons have more to do with other things besides loneliness. Loneliness was just something I was feeling last night and on other occassions as well. Possibly PMS? I don't know. I just wanted to post the question. I have other reasons such as wanting to be healthy and live long enough to see my girls get married, grandchildren and what not. To go on vacation and not be in physical pain. I have friends, family, a spouse and go to work everyday. Yet I feel lonely because I am trapped in a body that doesn't belong to me. I feel trapped. There are so many things I would love to do but my weight physically stops me. Not living life to the fullest certainly makes ME feel lonely. And yes, I do shy away from new people because we live in a society where fat people are looked down upon. Maybe I should have elaborated more.

I have been lurking here for close to a year. During this time I did go as far as requesting all the paperwork from the clinic here that performs the lap band surgery. So, why am I consfused? Maybe I have just been reading too much? As I read through the posts here I am just left feeling like this is more work than it's worth. Let me explain. If I'm going to put myself through elective surgery then I want it to work. I see soooo many people complaining of all these horrible problems. It seems their days are just as miserable as they were before the surgery if not more. If I do this I want to live a normal life. I don't want to be making calls in the middle of the night to the dr or ER visits, vomitting all the time. Can't hold this down or that down. Or the horror of not losing any weight at all! I'm 40. I'm tired. I'm in physical pain from being overweight. I want to start enjoying life. I want to be healthy. I want to be able to go on vacation which I can't do now because my back hurts so much I can't walk that much. I want this surgery to help to control my eating. But I want normalcy in my life. I don't want to be consumed with thinking about food and my band all the time! Is this surgery worth it? Are you living your life now with issues on a daily basis because of this band? Are you spending more time thinking about food than you were before you did this? I know there are many pros and cons here but do the pros far outweigh the cons? Please. I'm looking for some honest feedback here. I am miserable now and I need to lose weight for my health. I just can't diet anymore! I was hoping this band would be a useful tool in controlling food consumption. Thanks for reading!

Ok. I've decided to do this. I have been reading this forum for days now. I have just now thought of something. Why do you eat? I rarely eat because I'm "hungry". God fobid if I ever allow myself to feel the rumble in my belly! :-) Seriously though. I eat because I like the taste of food. I eat for something to do. I eat because it's dinner time. So, I gues what I'm getting at is as I read here I see people saying how they must have good restriction because they aren't hungry. Well, was was hungry to you before? Rumbling in the stomach or your head saying "I'm hungry"? I find myself eating more out of "craving" than "rumblings in the stomach". How does the band help with that?

Thanks for your input ladies! I've been doing so much thinking about this that all sort of questions are popping into my head.

Good luck to you! I too have made my mind up. I've filled my paperwork out today, I go to my PCP next week and ready to get the ball rolling. Wow! You sure got everything set up pretty fast! It takes quite a few months around here.

What insurance do you have? I work in billing for the hospital here where I live. I can tell that you that the member cannot be held responsible for the bill when the dr did not prior approval. If your insurance did not approve your surgery then they are not going to pay for the fill either as it is related. The insurance company is correct, you have to file a grievance. Were you not aware the surgery wasn't approved?

Hello! I've been sitting on the paperwork to get this process going since about October 2008. I have spent the weekend reading and reading and more reading here in the forums. I've made up my mind, I am filling the paper work out, I have appointment with my PCP next week and I'm going to get this ball rolling!!!! I'm tired of being fat, I'm tired of the physical pain, I'm tired of not being able to enjoy life, I'm tired of not being able to move, I'm tired of not being able to do things I enjoy AND I'm just tried of being tired! End of story! Are there any bandsters or soon to be bandsters that are in the Buffalo/Niagara area that have preferably used Synergy Bariatrics? I'm looking to connect with others that have been through the process w/Dr Viglianco. I know there are many who have utilized BGH. I tried 4 times to get the application packet and got nothing! I had the info from Synergy in 3 days. So, I would love to talk with others who are in the process or already been through it. Thanks!!

Thank you all so much for your responses!!! It really has helped a lot. Question Cassy, how does one go about researching their surgeon? There are only 3 doctors in my area that are currently doing this procedure.

WOW, that is pretty quick. Sounds like that is more for me. The thought of a 7 to 8 month process was so depressing. So, you say Dr V is world renowned? How did you find info about him? Does he do this laproscopic? Do you know anyone who has been banded? I'm getting more excited and scared at the same time. OH....do you have to do a pre-op diet? Thanks for you help! Very much appreciated. I think I'm going to give them a call and get the party started These support meetings....can I just show up?

I'm thinking of checking Synergy out myself as well. I got some great info on BGH from the nice women posting on here for Dr Hoffman. I'm just a bit discouraged with the long wait for them. How long was your process? Do you like this dr? It's laproscopic right? Thanks

Thank you all SO MUCH for your replies and sharing your experiences!!! I am very excited to get the process started. I can't wait to get my application. I thought I read somewhere here that you may want to keep calling BGH as sometimes they don't send the application or when you send yours in they don't call you back. WOW, I can't tell you how excited I am that I finally made the decision to follow this. You all seem to be doing so well and seem really happy. I feel like I can't make this happen fast enough! :-) I just want to feel like myself again and be able to enjoy life again. I have about 100 pounds to lose and I know my BMI is in the guidelines so I am sure I qualify. Well, I will keep you all posted on my journey and live vicariously through yours right now :-)

Thank you for the information Dee! I wrote the numbers down and will start there. How are you feeling? I'm so tired of struggling with my weight and it is no longer a vanity issue, it's a quality of life issue! I just can't live like this anymore. I'm tired, my back hurts and I'm going to be 40. Now, I know that's not old but.......I FEEL OLD because of this unnecessary weight. Do you miss eating? Do any of the women here say they miss it? Anyway, thanks again and good luck at your follow up visit! :-)

Hi Ladies! I'm new here and have been thinking about this surgery for about a year now. Can I ask you all some questions? I guess I'm just overwhelmed and what to do and how to begin! I have talked to my dr and she has no issues with this. Ok....question time. 1. Where do I start? I have Independant Health for insurance. 2. How long are you off of work? 3. sleep apnea? I have this. I do not have the cpap because I just couldn't come up with the money to get it. I have been tested and it is confirmed. How does this play into the surgery process? I DO NOT want that test again! I thought it was a nightmare of an experience! 4. I recently had a stress test done....will that be needed? 5. I noticed for some it took a long time to get to the actual surgery. What is the average process time? 6. When should I start the process? I'm confused because I need to work it in with work so I need to make sure I have the time off accrued for it. 7. All the visits to the psychologist, nutrionist, seminar, tests and all the other stuff......are these visits all done during working hours? How much time did you take from work for the prep??? 8. Who do I call? I want this Dr Hoffman...he sounds wonderful. 9. How long does the surgey take? Sorry to bombard with all the questions but I'm just so confused :biggrin: Ok...one more, there are some scarey posts on here.....are you all happy you did this? Any regrets? Thanks again for your time! I'm hoping you girls and get me off in the right direction. Congrats on all you successes thus far! Very inspiring! Christina