ShelleyB
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Everything posted by ShelleyB
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Wow, thanks for all the responses! I had no idea this was so common! I am thinking that I will hold off on the endoscope then and let my surgeon, who will be in there anyway, do his job! Thanks again! And as a bonus, I can't wait to not have anymore acid reflux or heartburn...I have had these symptoms for like 10 years! So many beneifts of the lapband just keeping coming to light! I hope to have my surgery in mid or end of February! Can't wait! : )
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Do you think her name was Jill St. Vincent or Alice Baland? I used Alice, we actually did a phone appointment for the nutritional assessment, but she said she was also a pyschotherapist. She was 30 minutes late in calling me at our appt time, but she was nice and said I could call her anytime after the surgery for post counseling if I was struggling with food issues. My insurance doesn't pay for the nutritional evaluation, so I had to pay cash on that. I go see the psychologist this Wednesday and he said it would be a 2-3 hour session because he will do testing. Did yours take that long? It's crazy, but like you said, you have to do it to get the surgery, so we just have to grin and bare it! : )
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Has anybody on here had their band for 2-3 years?
ShelleyB replied to ShelleyB's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hi Suzanne, Thanks for the reply and congratulations on your loss for far!! Very awesome! I do beleive we all need to exercise at least a few times a week at best! Besides, it makes you feel better! I found out I was approved by my insurance company for the lapband surgery and my appt with the surgeon is next week! I am ready to make that surgery date! Whoo hoo!!! -
Has anybody on here had their band for 2-3 years?
ShelleyB replied to ShelleyB's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Bel, Thank you so much for your response! 8 years and 99 lbs.! WOW! Congratulations!! It really means alot that you can still have a "normal" life with the band. It just makes you accountable for your actions and most of us need that to keep us in check! I just found out that my insurance has approved my surgery! I am so excited and ready to begin this journey! -
Has anybody on here had their band for 2-3 years?
ShelleyB replied to ShelleyB's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Miz-boo, 100 lbs.! Wow, that is awesome! That is life changing! Congratulations to you. Thank you for being honest in saying that it isn't all roses, because people need to know that. But anything worth having is not easy to get, right?!!! Thank you for sharing your story to use newbies! Very encouraging. -
Has anybody on here had their band for 2-3 years?
ShelleyB replied to ShelleyB's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Thanks for the reply LoneStar! Greeting from Texas! I have found alot of Texas people on this site! But Texas is a big place! ha ha! Congratulations on your weight loss and I wish you luck in your continued weight loss! I do think exercise is key too! I have always been a moderate exerciser, walking, gym, biking, etc. Of late, I do good to walk the dog everyday! But at least it's something! I am about 95% sure of my decision for lapband, now I just have to finish my evaluations and consultation and wait for the insurance company to make a decision! **fingers crossed** Thanks for sharing your story! -
Seriously thinking about Lap-Band...still not sure
ShelleyB replied to ginabee38's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Hi Babbs! Thanks for the welcome! I am both excited and scared! Do you think this is normal?! -
I haven't been banded yet either, but I am on the way! I had my appointment with a nutritionist yesterday. That was interesting...asking questions about my eating habits (binge eater or emotional eater), my expectations of lapband and childhood history (i.e. overweight as child or not) and stuff like that. You have to really think hard and answer honestly if you expect this to work. Next the pyschology evaluation! I am excited and yet still scared! So much to consider. Keep doing your research and read all that you can about lapband! Be informed and you will make a good choice. Thanks for being my weight loss buddy! : )
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Hi! Wow, your story is touching. You have had a bad experience, but it may have a silver lining. I don't have BCBS, but I know someone who does and they have already had their surgery and required very little. I can't be 100% sure of the details, and you should call their benefits number as soon as find out your membership info. I have to say I think it is crazy that some insurance companies make it so hard to get this surgery done, when clearly people are in need of the surgery. I have united healthcare and so far, they are pretty good. I have not had my surgery yet, but I know their requirements are 5 years of medical records, a BMI of 40 or BMI of 35 wtih comorbidities. I have to see a nutritionist and a pyschologist. They are looking for 5 years of medical records showing my weight. So, I wish the best and hope it all turns out for the better for you!! Keep your chin up...only good things happen when you do!
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Hi! Welcome to the lapbandtalk forum! This forum will really help you become acquainted with the pros and cons of lapband. I myself have not had the band yet, but I have my surgery consult appt scheduled for next week and have been doing alot of research on this subject. It's a really big decision, so take your time and find out all that you can about it. Some of the surgeon's offices offer seminars, I would recommend that. Congratulations on being cancer-free and for beating the odds with your beautiful daughter! You deserve to take care of yourself now and be the person you want to be! Your story is very inspirational! Just remember that the lapband is not a magic wand and it is only a tool. You still have to be committed to a new lifestyle of eating good and exericising, the band only helps reinforce those good habits! I wish you so much luck!! P.S. I am a fellow Libra! : )))
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Congratulations! You are amazing! I would love to hear more about your story as well. I have not had the band yet and am in the process of getting one. I would like to know what your #1 tip would be to someone who is just getting started with the band? What was your hardest obstacle?
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Seriously thinking about Lap-Band...still not sure
ShelleyB replied to ginabee38's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Gina, I am right there with you! I am also weighing the pros and cons and so far, the pros are on the upside. I too, have been overweight for most of my adult life, but not as a kid or teenager. I barely even remember being "skinny"! So, this will be such a new experience for me. I have an appt with a surgeon next week and I am really excited about it. I think the most important thing that I have learned from reading this forum and other resources, is that this is NOT a magic wand, it is only a tool and you still have to be committed to lifestyle changes to be successful. Your world will be forever changed with the lapband, but I think the good outweighs the bad. Good luck in your decision and if you want to talk more about it, email me at tntreg2@aol.com. -
Hi Shonia, I am in the same boat as your right now, wanting to have lapband and researching it. I have looked in to the lapband for the past 2 years, but this year I really, really know that I have to make a change. I have been reseraching it heavily for about 2 months now. I have an appt for an initial surgery consult on 1/29/09. My insurance requires I see a nutritionist and a psychologist. I have both of them scheduled for this week, so I am on my way to finding out if I am a good candidate. I think I am and I am ready to make it happen. I would love to be there for you and support you on your journey as well, band buddies? : )
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Thanks so much for the encouragement! I think at this point I am about 95% sure, so I think I am almost there. I am a very indecisive person anyway, so no decision is quick for me! I missed the seminar that Dr. V had and his next one is April, so I don't know if I will get to that one, but I have done alot of research and I will continue to do so! : ))))))))
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Has anybody on here had their band for 2-3 years?
ShelleyB replied to ShelleyB's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Thank you Jacqui for your response. It is so wonderful to see that 3 years out, you are doing so well and have adjusted to life with the band. I live in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area of Texas and have SO many doctors to choose from, that it was really an important part of the decision for me. I chose a surgeon who is within 10 miles of my house, so it will be very easy to continue my postop care. Congratulations on your success!! It's people like you that are such an inspiration to me! Keep up the good work! : ))) -
Has anybody on here had their band for 2-3 years?
ShelleyB replied to ShelleyB's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Thank you very much for your response. I am interesting in the long-term, as well as the short-term of the lapband. At 5 years, do you still get check ups and fills? Like you, I have several comorbidities and I am afraid that if I don't change my lifestyle, it will change me! I do realize that there is so much more to the band than just getting it done. I am learning from this board and other things I read, that this is a BIG committment. I haven't had the band done yet, but this is really helping me in my decision. Thank you again and best of luck in losing that last 30 lbs. and congradulations on all you have accomplished! -
Thanks for the info on the doctor. I will let you know what I think after my initial visit with him. I have been reading about the fills and how different doctors fill at different rates and times. I guess its just like the doctors themselves, they all have their own style. I don't know enough about it right now to say whether being a "slow filler" is good or bad. But I have heard some stories of people having theirs too tight and having many problems because of that. I think in the beginning while you are new to the band, that the less troubles you have, the better, giving you time to adjust to your new lifestyle. Sometimes I get scared by it all and am not sure about my decision and then other days I can't wait to get it going! Is that normal? Did you have that?
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I haven't actually seen the doctor yet, but I did talk to him on hte phone and he was a little "flat"! But do you find that you can talk to him okay and feel that your postop care is good? I picked him because he was close to my home.
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Hi! I have my initial consultation scheduled on 1/29/09 with Dr. Veninga in Carrollton, Texas. I have been jumping through hoops to get all this done! I have my nutritionist appt scheduled for Monday and my psychologist appt scheduled for Thursday of this week! So, I am finally getting the ball rolling. My primary care doctor has been dragging his feet getting my records to the Dr. Veninga. It's frustrating, I had no idea how much would be involved. But one thing is sure, it gives you time to make sure that this is what you want to do. And I am sure that is why they do that! I am really excited about the prospects of this lap-band. The biggest question I have is...would you do this over if you had the chance? Also, what are the long-term effects of being banded? I have dieted for 15+ years and are ready for a change in my life. I have 70-80 lbs. to lose. Wish me luck!