RKidder

Did anyone think alot about how their bodies would look with the weight loss? I keep wondering if I will look a little like I did when I was in my 20's... How will I look in the face; will I lose my double chin, have a more sculpted look, will my cheekbones show again? Will I be able to feel my collar bones again, will I be able to feel my hip bones again? Will I lose it too fast for my skin to "bounce back"? I am 51 and I know that I am not a spring chicken anymore. But I fear looking older and drawn in the face. It really is a trade-off, isn't it? I mean, I may no longer need to use insulin for my diabetes, I won't be too short of breath to go up a flight of stairs without resting. I will be able to bend down and tie my shoes comfortably. I will be able to walk longer on the treadmill, fit in the carnival rides with my 13 year old son, maybe even be able to wear cordouroy pants again... Maybe I am "overthinking" this...obsessing over this. For the last few years as the weight was increasing, I slowly began to withdraw from activities I used to enjoy -- I will be opening up these opportunities, again. Why am I so intimidated by the possibility of being the person I used to be? I should welcome and embrace this. Thanks for letting me vent.... Rachel

Diane, My heartfelt prayers are with you and your family. Please do keep us posted when you can. God bless you and watch over you. He will no doubt send one of his angels to keep you safe in this journey you are embarking on. Rachel

Carlene, You look beautiful to me -- before and after. Thanks so much for your input. Rachel

I will be going to my first support meeting tomorrow after work. I will stay overnight in Portsmouth so that I can go to the appointments on Tuesday with: Bariatric Coordinator, PT/OT, Nutritionist and then the Psychologist. I received copies of letters that my doctors sent - very encouraging. Oh. and I know which surgeon will be doing my surgery...Dr. Looser. I'll feel better after I hear from the insurance companies...

I will be going to my first support meeting tomorrow after work. I will stay overnight in Portsmouth so that I can go to the appointments on Tuesday with: Bariatric Coordinator, PT/OT, Nutritionist and then the Psychologist. I received copies of letters that my doctors sent - very encouraging. Oh. and I know which surgeon will be doing my surgery...Dr. Looser. I'll feel better after I hear from the insurance companies...

Trish - best of luck to you, hon. You will be just fine. Before you know it, you will be on your way to your best "you". I am an RN and the heparin injections are not bad if you inject into your lower abdomen. Be sure to "pinch an inch" so to speak, when you give yourself the injections - you will not feel it as much - don't rub the site after you've done it though, you may have some bruising, which is normal. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope to get my surgery date soon. Take Care, Rachel

I am trying so hard to lose the 10 lbs. I am required to lose prior to surgery. I am considering ordering Meridia online. Since I have started being on insulin for my diabetes, my appetite has been out of control! I feel instense hunger all the time. I am eating weight watchers meals, but then I get the hungry horrors and irritable 3 hours later. I am also working out at the gym 3 days a week. I try eating yogurt in between meals, and also carrots. I drink lots and lots of Water in hopes of feeling full - it is not working! Help!! Thanks LBT, for allowing me to vent my frustrations. Rachel :help:

I, too. am waiting for insurance approval. I requested a copy of my insurance company's policy on weight loss surgery. I reviewed it, and my primary care physician and endocrinologist agreed with me that I met all of their criteria. Letters of medical necessity from my doctors were mailed out last week. I enclosed all information I gathered about the Bariatric Program at Portstmouth Regional Hospital, New Hampshire. So now I am playing the waiting game. Next week I am meeting with the Bariatric Coordinator, Nutritionist, Physical Therapist, and Psychologist - all on the same day, as I live 2 hours away. I will be staying the night before, as I plan to attend the Support Group that evening. I am determined, and I feel I have done my homework, so to speak. I found on the website that there are sample letters of appeal you can send to your insurance company. Be strong, be determined and don't give up. Best of luck to you sweetie. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Rachel

Thank you all so very much for your feedback! I think I will try slimfast in between meals. I have lost 4 lbs (big whoop...) of the 10# I need to lose prior to surgery. I will also try adding another day to my gym work-outs. Warmly, Rachel

No surgery date yet - just in the process of meeting with program coordinator, P.T., nutritionist and psychologist next week. Awaiting approval by my insurance company (mine and my husband's)

It is very normal to feel the way you do. When you arrive at the hospital, why don't you let the nursing staff know that you are a bit anxious. Perhaps they could get a mild sedative for you - it should help you get past the worst -- before you know it, it will be all done. Best of luck to you tomorrow, my prayers go with you. Rachel

My husband wants me to be healthy and happy. He went with me to the seminar on 6/15. Awaiting approval from insurance company. Husband has been fantastic about my decision to get the banding done. He did not want me having gastric bypass. Personally, I have 3 immediate close friends and relatives that all had complications from gastric bypass. I am so looking forward to feeling healthy again. Rachel

:help: HI! Did anyone who was banded in Portsmouth have to lose weight prior to surgery? I have to lose 10 lbs. and I am so afraid that I won't be able to do it. I am going to Weight Watchers and working out at the gym. I don't even have my surgery date - I wonder if I will be turned down by the surgeon if I don't lose all the weight...Since being on insulin for my Diabetes, I am finding it so hard to lose weight. In advance, thanks for any help you can give me. Rachel

My PCP's office called today. They are mailing my letter of medical necessity to both insurance companies. Yeahhhh! Now I am waiting for my endocrinologist to do the same. Wait, Wait, Wait... Worked out for 2 hours at the gym today - man, am I sore. :clap2:

My PCP's office called today. They are mailing my letter of medical necessity to both insurance companies. Yeahhhh! Now I am waiting for my endocrinologist to do the same. Wait, Wait, Wait... Worked out for 2 hours at the gym today - man, am I sore. :clap2:

Well, gotta add my 2 cents worth -- In my 20's, (when I was slim and hot), met my then boyfriend in a seedy bar. The scenario was that we were to pretend we didn't know each other and had just met. It was a rainy night in Georgia (there's a song there). I was wearing a trench coat (and nothing else). We snuck out into the back alley and went crazy "up against the brick wall". Ruined my trench coat. But, hey, it was for a good cause. I've always been a sucker for a good cause.... That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! Rachel

Portsmouth has 3 surgeons at Portsmouth Regional Hospital that have an excellent Bariatric Program. I am in the process of getting my "pre-op" stuff done and awaiting approval from insurance company. I live in Lewiston. Rachel

This may sound strange, but I am curious to know if you can feel the band? Can you feel the port under your skin? I am planning to have lap banding in the fall. I am not afraid of the discomfort - just want to know how noticeable it is to you. Does the port stick out from under the skin? Rachel :scared:

It makes such good sense to love your body at any size -- but I have some work to do in that area. I avoid looking in mirrors and store fronts where I can see my reflection. I see someone else - not me. I see a bloated, frumpy, matronly person staring back at me. I don't even change my clothes in front of my new wonderful husband. Lights dim whenever possible - I use the excuse that I love candlelight.... I am hoping to have my lap-banding in the fall. Doing all the paperwork and have my first appointment on July 25th. The psychologist will probably have a field day with me! http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/3;8;127;0;0/c/-23/t/-117/k/cd7a/weight.png Rachel

All the best to you...you will be in my prayers. <a href="<A href="http://www.GlitterMaker.com/"><img">http://www.GlitterMaker.com/"><img src="http://www.GlitterMaker.com/created2/115224268439474.gif" border="0" alt="http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics"></a><br><a href="<A href="http://www.GlitterMaker.com/">http://www.GlitterMaker.com/">http://www.GlitterMaker.com/">http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics</a>

Not banded yet, but love my Zen Nano when I am on the treadmill. It helps me get my "rhythm" on...

Maggie, Would you mind if I asked what the cost was to retain an attorney to appeal? Thanks, Rachel

Oh my gosh! My stripper name would be: Zora Dionne Marie Jefferson -- or ZJ for short...too funny!

Went to Portsmouth and attended the seminar on 6/15. Hubby came with me - very supportive! I brought the application home and competed it and sent last week. Received criteria in the mail from my insurance company - looks like I meet the criteria... Waiting for my PCP and Endocrinologist to write letters of medical necessity. Can't wait to get this "show on the road"! Really would like to have lap-banding in the fall. We'll see. Working on losing the first 10 lbs. prior to surgery. (Required by Bariatric program to lose 10% of the number of pounds needed to lose, prior to surgery. This is to show your commitment...) Prayers welcome.... Rachel

I am so happy for you! Congratulations. You are my inspiration for the road ahead for me. I have not been banded yet. Best of luck to you for remainder of your journey. God Bless... Rachel