jujuvee

Restless monkey I agree with you completely. I always enjoy reading your posts and I plan on taking the same approach! The way I see it is that I did not get to this weight overnight and so it will not come off overnight. I want to drop the word diet from my vocabulary and just focus on portion control and exercise. I just don't believe that there has to be foods that are off limit (unless my band says so) I will be banded in 9 days!

I am scheduled on the 24th as well. We should keep in touch and be lapband buds!!!!! Julie

Hi Snereb27 hope you are doing well. I am scheduled for my surgery on March 24th by Mandelbaum, he is also in the same practice with Dr Clark. I met Mendaulbaum during orientation and that was the only time. I had all my pre op testing done and went to the nutrition class yesterday (were you there)? and my case management is next Wednesday. I would guess that it is standard procedure for their office that unless you schedule an appointment with the surgeon that you will not see him until the actual day. My experience of the office has been good thus far, I was told that my surgeon will do my fills for the first 90 days that Eve Olson will be doing them because she is educated on weight loss and gain and the surgeons are just that (surgeons) Her office is in the same building. Bio Teacher, glad to here that the office is getting better, maybe it just took them a while to get use to the new office (although that's no excuse) Take care and keep in touch

Oh, I can't believe I won..... I never win anything. Hope the prize is not food though, getting ready to start pre-op diet. Julie

I buy a brand from walmart called body fortress. I enjoy the vanilla flovor because it's the most versatile and I add to it. I can add O.J to it and it's like a dreamcicle I add 2 tsp of sugar free pudding mix (very good) Or sugar free hawaiian punch singles to go, berry red So with vanilla there's always a way to kick it up. By the way, body fortress is a powder not a liquid. Good luck to all Julie (surgery date 3-24)

I am 365 pounds and I am having lapband March 24. I decided that I did not gain all this overnight so slow and steady is fine for me. I also do not want to deal with the dumping syndrome that comes with bypass. I have read many sucess stories from those who have lost what I need to lose So I hope to join them. Good luck with your decision.

Who says Friday the 13 is a bad day, I was approved today and get a surgery date on Monday!

I have united Health Care and they issued me a nurse advocate to help me gather all the requirements needed. I am full of emotions right now. Julie

Hi Jamie, I too am from Indiana! I have met all the requirements and am now playing the waiting game. I am 36 and weigh 360 and can understand where your coming from because before I got serious about my health I thought the same, but here is what helped me decide that I had no choice. I have always thought that food was my best friend, I mean come on it's there when I'm sad, it's there when I'm happy, if that's not a true friend that what is. Well than I sat back and looked at everything my friend has held me back from, or put me through such as needing 2 seats on a plane, allowed people to stare,my food friend keeps me from riding a bike, going to an amusement park and fitting on a ride, sitting in a chair and hoping it does not break....my food friend is gearing me up for a lifetime of illness... Then it hit me... this is not my friend, my true friend would not hold me back and would steer me from danger...and that's when I decided that I needed a new friend. I cannot speak for you but I want to live and not just exist, and I am tired of limitations so that's what made me get serious about lap band. Can I lose the weight on my own, maybe, but without the restriction that lap band offers I can't say that I will keep it off. As far as food goes, from what I read from the experienced bandsters with the exception of bread,unless you are too tight you will probably see that you can still eat your favorites, just smaller portions. I guess for some it's a lot to think about but for me I still have a lot of living to do and with my motivation and the bands assistance together we are going to win this battle. Good luck and feel free to write anytime. Julie

Ok, I have United Health and I am one appointment from submitting all information to the insurance company. United health has issued a case nurse advocate to help me with the process which has been wonderful. But I have a question: United Health Care will pay 20.000 of my procedure, but I also have paperwork that says this. Deductible 250.00 (which had been met) 90/10 Out of pocket 2000.00 So my question is this, will I owe anything above 20.000 , or the out of pocket max. Thanks Julie

Ok, I'm stil going through with the lap band but I can see that I need to sit down and figure this out. All my appointmens are done I am just waiting for my doctor to submit it all to insurance, my bmi is in the 50's so I don't expect a denal. With that said still keep your fingers crossed for me. When my surgeon gets my approval then we move forward to the pre op tests. Thanks everyone Julie

Ok, I'm stil going through with the lap band but I can see that I need to sit down and figure this out. All my appointmens are done I am just waiting for my doctor to submit it all to insurance, my bmi is in the 50's so I don't expect a denal. With that said still keep your fingers crossed for me. When my surgeon gets my approval then we move forward to the pre op tests. Thanks everyone Julie

I am one doctors appointment from submitting all the required information to the insurance company, and I am thinking ahead to the mushies stage and was wanting to get your feedback. I have a blender but it's loud and a bit of an overkill to use for small amounts not to mention annoying to clean. So I am hoping for some feedback on immersion(stick) blenders or something like the magic bullet but I heard it was just as loud as a blender. Call me strange, but I have a thing for noise pollution. Thanks in advance Julie

I am one doctors appointment from submitting all the required information to the insurance company, and I am thinking ahead to the mushies stage and was wanting to get your feedback. I have a blender but it's loud and a bit of an overkill to use for small amounts not to mention annoying to clean. So I am hoping for some feedback on immersion(stick) blenders or something like the magic bullet but I heard it was just as loud as a blender. Call me strange, but I have a thing for noise pollution. Thanks in advance Julie

Hello, I am going to have Dr Mandelbaum perform my lap band and I think that he and Clark are in the same building. Can you switch Doctors?

For those who put the sugar free pudding mix in their shakes how much do you use?

I have United Health but am going through their 3rd party called Optum Health. My last appointment before approval is Feb 3rd. Good luck

Hi I'm 370 and I am almost at the end of the approval process, and Lap band Is all I can think about, I am disgusted that I let it get this out of hand. In the past I have talked myself out of this but not this time. Good luck on your Journey and If you want a Buddy I would love to correspond. Julie

Good question because insurancesays that you have to have co Morbities of under 40 bmi. I think it's to get some fat off of the liver for an easier surgery, but I also think it a good faith loss to show you are compliant.

Hi Sherry This is my first post, I have been a lurker for a while now. I have my January and February appt to go to than my doc will be submitting all my info to United Health. I needed to have 6 visits in a 2 year period. I weigh 370 and have to lose 30 before I can get lap Band. I am so tired of being this size that I think about the new life to be all he time. Welcome to the forum, nice to meet you.