Laya

Kari, I totally understand everything you are going to as well. I had been researching for a long time before I even mentioned that I was looking into it to anyone. Once I went to a seminar and decided was when I started to tell people. My BF doesn't understand the emotional and mental aspects of it, but he is 100% supportive of any decision I would make to make myself healthier. I've had mixed reactions from family and friends, but I just chose like John not to be around those that were not going to be supportive of me. I don't have many friends that struggle with weight and I'm the anomaly in my family. People who don't have food issues don't understand that it is an addiction just like alcohol or drugs. If you were drinking too much and said you were going to get hlep for it everyone would ber so happy for you. Same with drugs, MOST people don't understand the addiction to food. You've made a FABULOUS choice for yourself, if you follow the rules with a little help from your BAND it will be the best choice you've made!! AND you're not alone, we're all here to help along the way!!

Have you been tested for diabetes? Sounds like you are having diabetic attacks. I know that losing the weight is supposed to help that go away, but I do know people in my family in fact that have never had a weight issue and are still diabetic. When their blood sugar drops they have episodes much like the one you described and a dose of sugar, piece of hard candy, juice seems to bring them back to normal. It's worth a shot investigating. Good luck!@!!

Hey Kellster, I live in Ventura, CA but I lived in Pasadena for five years. I'm being banded next Wednesday by Dr. Billy, who I've heard is the absolute best. I'm a bit nervous but more excited about the journey. I'm at the stage where I want it to happen and get over the hump already. I'm around if you ever need a shoulder to cry on or just to be happy about a met goal!! Congrats to both of us for making this wonderful decision about our lives.

I'm on the same program as you. Though I started a lowcal high Protein diet on my own two weeks ago. Went for my pre-op intake at the hospital today, what a CLUSTER F**K!!! The hospital liason was out sick so they didn't have my paperwork. Had to track it down from the dr's office. Had to have blood taken and the "vampire" read the orders wrong and only took two vials before closing me out instead of four, so she had to stick my other arm. I was so flustered the admitting nurse spent 20 minutes convincing me that my DR was one of the best and made up for all the downfalls with his expertise. I SURE HOPE SO!!!! Only six days to go!!! WOOO HOOOO I'm scheduled for 10:30am PST on Wednesday the 6th. I'll be checking in to see how everyone else is doing.

Hey there I found another one that is free and pretty easy to use, www.myfitnesspal.com Hope you're doing well

Hi Everyone, I've been testing out the different protiens too. I mixed the unjury with SF pudding and it was great couldn't even taste it. I also really like the Designer whey brand, good taste to it. I ordered some samples of the Syntax nectar line and it's great. For the soft stage I also found some thick Soups that taste great by "Just Right". They have potato leek, split pea and black bean just add Water to the carton perfec to take to work with you. I've lost 12lbs so far on my preop diet and looking forward to next week, already counting down the hours. Hope everyone else is doing well!!!

Hey Lady, I'm just on my preop diet I get banded on May 6th, but I've been using www.fitday.com and www.mynetdiary.com I'm trying to decide which one I like best. Both have there pluses and minuses. Both come with a free and a pay version. Good luck with your process!!!!

Good luck to you!!! A friend had HMO and it gave her hell too, keep up the good fight and good things will come!!! Laya

Hi there, I just got approved through Anthem BC So Cal. First off do you have an HMO or a PPO? HMO with anthem is going to be a lot more difficult to get approved than the PPO, with the PPO if your BMI is over 40 it's pretty much a slam dunk. Next there should be a number on your medical ID card for customer service or benefits. They are correct in telling you that they won't know EXACTLY how much you will have to pay. However they can tell you what your plan provides for. Ask them what your MAX annual out of pocket expense is for your plan. Ask your medical group if they have a "program fee" that they charge for services insurance does not cover, (mine did). You will be getting bills from different people for different things, testing, doctor, hospital so forth. The best thing to do is to find out what your MAX out of pocket expense for a year is. If you have a PPO and you or anyone in your family has incurred medical expenses this year already you can ask them how much has been applied to your out of pocket expense so far this year. The best thing to do is to budget for the combined total of what your MAX out of pocket expense is plus any program fee the medical group you are using will have. Just to give you an example: If your max out of pocket expense for the year on your plan is $3000.00 and you have not incurred any medical expenses this year at all then plan for $3000 plus any program fee. If you have incurred medical expenses this year for any reason and you have paid say $500 out of pocket so far, then plan for $2500 plus any program fee. I hope this helped you out a bit. Customer Care at Anthem should be able to tell you what your max out of pocket is and how much you have incurred so far this year!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!! let me know if this helped at all.

That's fantastic!! Thank you for your efforts Band Sister!!! Look forward to this journey with you!!

Hi there, I'm dont' live in SLO but my BF is in Lompoc and I'm up there often. I live in Ventura. I'm having surgery May 6th, write me anytime you just need to vent or talk. Laya