Band_Groupie

Twiddling thumbs here and I'm starting to get impatient.:thumbup: I start month 3 of the 6 month WAIT tomorrow with my PCP. Anyone else starting month 3 in January (started diet in Nov.)? Let's party now that we're almost half-way there! Here's to May or June at the latest!

Hi Bob and Mr. G. I'm going to AGH, but I went to the Magee seminar while deciding. Mr.G, I don't think you'll get denied for gaining one month, I was told insurance looks at the whole 6 months as to whether you lost or gained (just lose something). I'm in the weird position of not being able to lose much or I risk going under the minimum 35 BMI which I'm 10 pounds from (my minimum, for others it can be that 40 BMI). The important thing is not to miss any monthly weigh in/form filled out or you have to start over. Also Bob, you're right about the 2 years-I've got Highmark PPO Blue (just know that the whole 6 months has to be within 2 years of the SURGERY DATE...so yeah, you'll have about a year after your done with the diet before you'll need to schedule things). Also a tidbit I found out along the way...my pre-op visits are covered by my insurance (Psych, Nut, etc.) but they have to be done within 6 months of the SURGERY DATE (or you have to re-do them, probably at your expense)...so I put them off until this month and next in case something is held up and I don't get surgery until June. -BG

It's a VERY good question. With some of the insurance policies you have to be careful about losing too much (friend here was told no more than 10%) and like the above reply I believe I cannot go below the minimum BMI of 35 (which is now 10 pounds away). I've heard if you lose a lot you can get denied as you've been successful losing another way and they give approval for those that follow the program, but don't lose much. I've seen people on here denied for gaining 1 pound and others that gained more and were approved. I'm not sure how you delicately find out what your insurance program does other than to ask others here who have your same policy. I'm planning to ask this point blank to the insurance person at my surgeon consult next week. She deals with them all the time, so I'm expecting she'll know. Is your head spinning yet (130th x...Damn Insurance!).

Yep, really effected me last night too (see last night's blog, link below). Yes, I was on the treadmill today. I was thrilled to see a WLS patient on there and knew there would be a bunch of "unfair" cries...but I didn't expect to see that here...interesting. I guess the way I looked at it was it's a good education for everyone and even if he's not as physically hungry as the next guy he's obviously emotionally hungry and has already established long habits of eating around it which is going to be hard for him to stop. I'm sure we'll here more from the other contestants about this if he does well, but I'm hoping it ultimately shows the public that WLS isn't a quick fix by how hard he has to work at it. 'Till next week!

I hope your migraine meds. do the trick for you. I had my first one in 1990 right after my DS was born and only had 1 a year and they kept getting closer together until I would sometimes have several a week (at least a few each month that I was vomiting and curled up in the fetal position all day). I was taking something for them OTC more days than not (which I found out causes rebound headaches). I found they usually woke me up and always happened with lack of sleep. I don't know why I didn't get help sooner...like weight, it's hard for me to ask for help for me. Dr. put me on migraine meds. this fall and it's been a miracle! Feel better!

Sisters can be our best friends and our worst enemies. I also have 3 sisters and 1 brother. At a 37.7 BMI I'm the skinny sibling (well, my brother may be about the same). I'm also the only one who is constantly going on diets and losing major weight only to gain it back. We're very close, but I've seen other things become competitions before and I don't need any of that. I haven't told any of them and don't intend to (although I may change my mind someday). They'll just think I'm on another whacky diet. I know they wouldn't understand and they would definitely think this was the 'easy way' out. I've thought about how I would handle it if they did know and were unkind and I kept coming back to the fact that I'm doing this for me and no one else. I'm getting healthy for me and if they can't understand that or treat it like a competition then that's their issue with their self-image, not mine. Time will change this for you as they get used to the new you and your happy self!

Thanks so much! Just set myself up there and it seems great...very easy to use and I'm no techno queen. I was able to easily add fiber and sugar to daily log and other body measurements to capture (bust, etc.), and so far they've had all the food brands I use; great! Thanks again!

Whoot! 50 lbs.! That's awesome!!!!!

Good blog...hang in there. I should be banded by June, but I'm trying to prepare myself that I won't hit that elusive sweet spot until maybe the holidays. I've done the races (wild fast diets) and lost tons of weight fast only to gain more back, this time it's a journey. New mindset-Slow and steady wins the race.

I’m watching ‘The Biggest Loser’ right now (along with most of you I’m sure) and I just got another “Little Nudge”…Ever since I’ve decided this past summer to pursue WLS I’ve been noticing these more. Over the years, when I’ve been on my multitude of diets, all I ever noticed was the food; commercials, cooking shows, diet plans…FOOD, FOOD, FOOD! But since my decision I’ve noticed other things…those little nudges that say ‘Yeah, you’ve made the right decision, keep going toward your goal!’. Some were obvious ‘you don’t have to hit me over the head’ things like suddenly having almost no clothes to wear, and the day of my first weigh-in where I got my hypertension diagnosis…yes, the comorbidity I needed to get accepted, but scary at the same time. Some were small lightbulbs like my Mom buying me a kitchen scale that I need for weighing mail…yes, I just realized I’ll actually be using it now for food. I haven’t told anyone but DH about my decision, yet I keep getting these little nudges. Tonight’s was a biggie though…my youngest DS/13 was watching the show with me. He started off the show saying ‘You’re not as big as any of them Mom’…Bless his heart…Denial is a thing I’ve obviously taught my child well. Minutes into the show though the oldest man collapsed and passed out…my son freaked; of course the show was talking all about health problems and that obesity causes them and early death. DS who didn’t want to say anything for fear of making me mad was obviously dying to talk about it (we NEVER talk about ‘IT’, my weight). So, I gave him permission…I told him I wanted to know how he was feeling and I promised not to get mad. He said plenty…he was scared…and he had it all figured out…exactly how old I would be when he graduates college (like his sister is getting ready to) and how I might not be alive by then if I didn’t get thinner…WOW…I hate to admit it, but I’ve been so internally focused on this journey and improving my health that I’d never considered that my kids might be just as worried about my health. He made me promise that I’d be on the treadmill tomorrow morning…fighting back the tears I promised. He’s in bed now, so I’m glad he missed the part of the show when they go to the Drs. for all the testing. I was glad he missed my tears as I watched the Dr. explain what a fatty liver is (wouldn’t have know that one before researching LB)…and I certainly dropped a few more tears when the guy who had RnY explained how he’d put ON weight since the surgery…I feel for these people. In past seasons you could have found me on the couch watching this show and saying ‘yeah if I had a trainer 24/7 maybe I could get those results’…and boy have I noticed those reunion shows and how so many of those that lost major weight on this show gained a lot back…all the negatives. This year I’m hopeful…and I’m feeling like I’m being nudged in the right direction…I will be The Biggest Loser Winner!

I’m watching ‘The Biggest Loser’ right now (along with most of you I’m sure) and I just got another “Little Nudge”…Ever since I’ve decided this past summer to pursue WLS I’ve been noticing these more. Over the years, when I’ve been on my multitude of diets, all I ever noticed was the food; commercials, cooking shows, diet plans…FOOD, FOOD, FOOD! But since my decision I’ve noticed other things…those little nudges that say ‘Yeah, you’ve made the right decision, keep going toward your goal!’. Some were obvious ‘you don’t have to hit me over the head’ things like suddenly having almost no clothes to wear, and the day of my first weigh-in where I got my hypertension diagnosis…yes, the comorbidity I needed to get accepted, but scary at the same time. Some were small lightbulbs like my Mom buying me a kitchen scale that I need for weighing mail…yes, I just realized I’ll actually be using it now for food. I haven’t told anyone but DH about my decision, yet I keep getting these little nudges. Tonight’s was a biggie though…my youngest DS/13 was watching the show with me. He started off the show saying ‘You’re not as big as any of them Mom’…Bless his heart…Denial is a thing I’ve obviously taught my child well. Minutes into the show though the oldest man collapsed and passed out…my son freaked; of course the show was talking all about health problems and that obesity causes them and early death. DS who didn’t want to say anything for fear of making me mad was obviously dying to talk about it (we NEVER talk about ‘IT’, my weight). So, I gave him permission…I told him I wanted to know how he was feeling and I promised not to get mad. He said plenty…he was scared…and he had it all figured out…exactly how old I would be when he graduates college (like his sister is getting ready to) and how I might not be alive by then if I didn’t get thinner…WOW…I hate to admit it, but I’ve been so internally focused on this journey and improving my health that I’d never considered that my kids might be just as worried about my health. He made me promise that I’d be on the treadmill tomorrow morning…fighting back the tears I promised. He’s in bed now, so I’m glad he missed the part of the show when they go to the Drs. for all the testing. I was glad he missed my tears as I watched the Dr. explain what a fatty liver is (wouldn’t have know that one before researching LB)…and I certainly dropped a few more tears when the guy who had RnY explained how he’d put ON weight since the surgery…I feel for these people. In past seasons you could have found me on the couch watching this show and saying ‘yeah if I had a trainer 24/7 maybe I could get those results’…and boy have I noticed those reunion shows and how so many of those that lost major weight on this show gained a lot back…all the negatives. This year I’m hopeful…and I’m feeling like I’m being nudged in the right direction…I will be The Biggest Loser Winner!

Went to my PCP today for weigh-in...drumroll please....#3!!!!:w00t: PARTY AT MY HOUSE! I'm thinking that means I'm about halfway there, "over the hump" or in my case "over the bump", or "over the big bumps", OK, "over lots of big bumpy cellulite"...eeew.:eek: Nothing could ruin my mood…not even the Nurse who ushered me to the scale with a loud “AND WHY ARE YOU HERE TODAY?” “For a WEIGH IN visit!”:tt2: I replied as I hopped up on the scale to NO WEIGHT LOSS. I smiled at her and said “Well, at least I didn’t gain anything in Dec. and that’s something?!”…not a word…hmm… “Have a nice day!” I coo as she departs. I see the CRNP at my PCP's office for these visits and I love her. We were chatting along about my not losing any pounds this month, and her new haircut, and me poking fun at myself ...we were there just chatting (yes, mostly about my diet/exercise)…when she says “This is always the best part of my day!” I said “Yeah, I’ll bet it’s nice to see someone who’s happy to be here and isn’t sick!” I really do want to start my better habits now so we made some harder goals for this month :confused:…I also want to start that ‘bird thing’…and NO I’m not (YET) talking about eating tiny portions like a bird…you know, No drinking with meals…you can either sit at the birdfeeder or the birdbath for a drink, not both.:sleep: About the time we were lamenting bad haircuts from years past,:thumbup: I remembered I left my DD at another Dr’s. office, so I scooted to get her. We picked up our records at yet another Drs. for our..yet another Dr’s.appointment tomorrow morning (nothing to do with LB). I came home and sorted all my Dr’s. records an into a huge pile of files…whew. Man, I thought that ‘Dashing through the Drs.’ (HERE) was bad in Dec.…this next month will be worse between the whole family.That’s life. I’m proud to say that in between guitar lessons for DS, errands, and getting 2” off my hair (couldn't have another bad haircut!), I also made my last required Dr. appt. with the NUT:crazy: (No, not that kind of nut…not the Psych, the NUTritionist). So…another drumroll…if all goes as planned and no one calls again to reschedule…and when the moon is in the Seventh House…and Jupiter aligns with Mars…I’ll be through all the Dr’s. appointments (except probably a pre-op) by Feb. 5th!! Yea…then more waiting…double yea…

Went to my PCP today for weigh-in...drumroll please....#3!!!!:eek: PARTY AT MY HOUSE! I'm thinking that means I'm about halfway there, "over the hump" or in my case "over the bump", or "over the big bumps", OK, "over lots of big bumpy cellulite"...eeew.:biggrin: Nothing could ruin my mood…not even the Nurse who ushered me to the scale with a loud “AND WHY ARE YOU HERE TODAY?” “For a WEIGH IN visit!”:ohmy: I replied as I hopped up on the scale to NO WEIGHT LOSS. I smiled at her and said “Well, at least I didn’t gain anything in Dec. and that’s something?!”:sorry:…not a word…hmm… “Have a nice day!” I coo as she departs. I see the CRNP at my PCP's office for these visits and I love her. We were chatting along about my not losing any pounds this month, and her new haircut, and me poking fun at myself ...we were there just chatting (yes, mostly about my diet/exercise)…when she says “This is always the best part of my day!” I said “Yeah, I’ll bet it’s nice to see someone who’s happy to be here and isn’t sick!” I really do want to start my better habits now so we made some harder goals for this month :confused:…I also want to start that ‘bird thing’…and NO I’m not (YET) talking about eating tiny portions like a bird…you know, No drinking with meals…you can either sit at the birdfeeder or the birdbath for a drink, not both.:iagree: About the time we were lamenting bad haircuts from years past,:grouphug: I remembered I left my DD at another Dr’s. office, so I scooted to get her. We picked up our records at yet another Drs. for our..yet another Dr’s.appointment tomorrow morning (nothing to do with LB). I came home and sorted all my Dr’s. records an into a huge pile of files…whew. Man, I thought that ‘Dashing through the Drs.’ (HERE) was bad in Dec.…this next month will be worse between the whole family.That’s life. I’m proud to say that in between guitar lessons for DS, errands, and getting 2” off my hair (couldn't have another bad haircut!), I also made my last required Dr. appt. with the NUT:crazy: (No, not that kind of nut…not the Psych, the NUTritionist). So…another drumroll…if all goes as planned and no one calls again to reschedule…and when the moon is in the Seventh House…and Jupiter aligns with Mars…I’ll be through all the Dr’s. appointments (except probably a pre-op) by Feb. 5th!! Yea…then more waiting…double yea…

Yay you!!! I'm hoping to be more than just a Band_Groupie this year...hopefully I'll be WithTheBand like you! Hope you're in mushyland tomorrow!

Well said all! Yep, not embarressed, but like Kelli, I'm doing something for me for once and I need to focus on me with no distractions, imagined or otherwise. I expect I won't even get pats on the back as I lose as everyone has seen me do it before...I'm hoping they notice when I keep it off! I'm only ever embarressed when I gain it all back + and I'm determined that won't happen this time!!!

My DD and I decided it would be fun to color and highlight each others hair over the break. In the spirit of having my 'girls club' established at home again, I went along with it willingly. I am now a brunette for the first time in my life. I promise to post a pic soon, now that we've got a digital camera to replace the old broken one. Only problem is I'm using Mr.SA's laptop as my DD cut the cord on mine:angry: while borrowing it and closed the recliner on it...so computer access is limited until my new cord arrives from eBay. Anyhoo...I've always been a natural blonde, up until the time I started coloring my hair that is (I don't ever want to know what's really there now). I think my brain just grew two sizes:laugh:...ha, I wish!:confused: I thought a change of hair color would go right along with my other big changes coming this year...let's just say I hope my other decisions are better made, or maybe, like other things I just need to get used to the new me!:grouphug:

My DD and I decided it would be fun to color and highlight each others hair over the break. In the spirit of having my 'girls club' established at home again, I went along with it willingly. I am now a brunette for the first time in my life. I promise to post a pic soon, now that we've got a digital camera to replace the old broken one. Only problem is I'm using Mr.SA's laptop as my DD cut the cord on mine:angry: while borrowing it and closed the recliner on it...so computer access is limited until my new cord arrives from eBay. Anyhoo...I've always been a natural blonde, up until the time I started coloring my hair that is (I don't ever want to know what's really there now). I think my brain just grew two sizes:laugh:...ha, I wish!:thumbup: I thought a change of hair color would go right along with my other big changes coming this year...let's just say I hope my other decisions are better made, or maybe, like other things I just need to get used to the new me!:thumbdown:

Great first blog! You really have your head together! I've been the skinny bean-pole kid, the thin sexy college girl, the overweight mom and now the unhealthy one. It's all about being happy with yourself and healthy. 27 is a great age to be making big changes...you go girl!

Great attitude! Keep blogging...it helps!

I'll be there; clothes inside out of course!

Good attitude! Even though they don't mention the BMI in their list of things for you to turn in, trust me they have minimums. Just call and ask. Good luck on your 'quest'!

I've never heard on LBT of anything other than needing a 40 BMI or a 35 BMI with comorbidity (varying amounts of comorbidities/requirements needed). Now after that, insurances differ a lot, like the diet or diet history, or long term BMI documentation, etc. I'd be shocked if you don't need at least a 35 BMI (better to start a little higher like I did and as long as you've got documentation from your PCP and have been on meds then you've got the comorbidities needed (diabetes and hypertension are two of the 5 biggies they look for). Call and ask the insurance person how to access the Bariatric section of your particular policy online (I think all insurance co. now have this online), that way you can print it out and take it with you to your seminar and it gives you something to develop questions from for calling the ins. person back.

I've decided to copy my blog entry here today for some extra support for the New Year as the blogs don't get much exposure since they don't come up with other new posts. -BG:biggrin: To all you peeps planning WLS in 2009 I know you're welcoming this year with as much anticipation as I am. There should be a parade today just for WLS patients. We’d wear shirts like our signatures with anything you felt comfortable sharing; surgery date, current BMI, hey even current weight if you’re really brave (or you’re now skinny). <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> We’d put all of us pre-ops at the front of the parade…it’s OK…If you can’t walk the 6 mile route we’d have floats we could ride on (hey, we’re a big group…no pun intended…we need more than that 5 1/2 mile route of the Rose Parade). The floats would be educational since pre-op is all about education…just think how much the public would learn. I know some here would be on the Insurance Maze float because they live everyday now with that crazed “will I be approved?” look…so they’ll fit right into that maze, with it’s piles of paperwork creating the walls of the maze. There’d be all those milestones along the maze…psych visit, etc. and at the end, in the back, those crazed pre-ops would hand over their papers and a giant insurance person with a big stamp in each hand “APPROVED” & “DENIED”…would stamp it (because of course we’d have animation). There’d be a 6 month diet and pre-op diet float…just think of the crazy float that pre-op diet would be…we could have swimmers doing laps in protein shakes, or maybe something not so happy as we’d want to garner some sympathy…I don’t even want to think about it yet. Myself, I’d be waving from the center of the Lap Band float as the giant one inflates and deflates…we could wear smaller ones like hoola-hoops around our waists. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Then would come all those “in progress” peeps…they’d have cool floats too, but all about support because that’s what in progress is all about. Of course each of those monthly groups would build their own floats…going back in time…Think how cool these floats would be…New Year Hotties and Hunks (not sure yet?), Holiday Hotties, Notorious Novembers, Smashing Pumpkins, September Samurais, August All Stars, July Butterflies, June-Bugs, Shrinko de Mayo’s, April Avengers, Shrinking Shamrocks, Victorious Valentines,…we could go back for years! Oh, they’d be great…they’d have their own cheering sections in the crowd…because it’s all about family and friends support too.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Lastly would come all those at goal…and they’d just go nuts to end our parade in style…some would be wearing bikinis and Speedos...those pushing strollers that now have babies thanks in part to their WLS…and the floats, oh the floats (they’d pull their own of course because now they can)…Before and Afters of course…but all those things you couldn’t do before but now can…fitting in seats-roller coasters and amusement park rides…what a fun float that would be, and physical activities you’ve always wanted to try-floats of those holding trophies and blown up photos of them running marathons, climbing mountains, and playing in the parks with their families! What an inspiration this section would be!<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> What section would you be in? What would your float be? <o:p></o:p> Come, join the 2009 WLS Parade!!!

Oh, and if you haven't already joined the 'Jan. 09' group, do so as everyone there is going through the same fears you are now (look down the Forum sections for the monthy groups).

No imagination at all...hee hee...I think I was on a holiday sugar high at the time and I can't be responsible for my actions. The two of you are a little newer here than I am, but I'm sure you're doing your research and should feel comfortable with your decision (I'm sure I'll be a ball of nerves right before my surgery too...everyone is). My opinion only...If you know the work that you're going to have to do to make this tool work for you, and what can potentially happen if you don't follow the rules, as well as possible complications, then you should know now whether it's a good choice for you. Personally, I think this 6 mo. diet I'm on is a little long, but I've been researching this for over 3 mo. and only now do I feel really comfortable with it. I can't imagine being one of those that has the surgery a few weeks after starting to look into this...I think those are the people who are surprised that the LB doesn't do it for you, how hard it is, problems they have. It's not the right choice for everyone. I can follow a diet and an exercise program and I don't mind that the weight will come off slowly, have done so before. I have a person close to me that cannot, but would be better suited for a different procedure. I'll be nervous at my surgery, but most of that will be nervous anticipation and excitement at getting the tool I need to make this work. Good luck with your upcoming new-you's! Keep me posted as to how you're doing!