Princess13LVT

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/will-will-nots-pre-post-bandsters-106174/ I believe this is it :w00t:

This is kind of longwinded, but hoping I can get answers from others, as well as provide info for those in the same boat. Here goes: I'm in Northern Virginia (OK, I live in WV, but my Doctors are in No.Va.) and have Kaiser Permanente insurance. My PCP looked at me when I asked about WLS in May and basically said I wasn't fat or sick enough (Hello->Sleep apnea, Family Hx of diabetes with me having recently elevated fasting glucose levels, knee, ankle, and back pain, Weight=298 pounds, and BMI of >45?!?!). Long story short, got a referral anyway. Nutritionist aptmt 6/8/09, weight 298 :drool:. A-OK to start the loooooooong 6 month program (she said I definitely qualify and let that appointment be "Class One"). Scheduled weight loss class the next a.m. to get it out of the way. Had my psych eval 7/28 (:angry:that office messed things up-didn't even have the correct patient file when I checked in) and am waiting for the results to get sent to my Nutritionist and PCP. Kaiser screwed up and scheduled me for "Class Two" (which should have been my 4th visit), instead of a followup the next month (7/13, weight-283.3:smile:) with the nutritionist. Luckily I won't have to take the "Class Two" thing over, just have to do all individual followups until my approval and meeting with the surgeons. Followup appointment 8/3, wt-280.8:tongue_smilie: So here are some of my questions: My next visit (9/15) with the nutritionist will be my 4th visit. They say they require 6 visits total, all about one month apart. That makes November month 6. Who has been through this process in NoVa and what is next? I've heard there are support group classes you have to take but was busy asking questions about other things and didn't ask the nutritionist specifically. How soon after starting did you actually meet with the surgeon? What about additional testing? BW, EKG, etc...? Has anyone been denied by Kaiser NoVa based on their psych eval? I was on antidepressants over 3 years ago. As I mentioned, the psych office didn't have my file (grrrr), and no matter what I told him I was SUCCESSFULLY doing/using for depression, stress, and anxiety (meditation, yoga, exercising, relying on support of friends and family), he's been going on and on about my "underlying condition" and saying he can't see where I would be an ideal candidate for WLS. It sounds like he wants me back on medication, which I do not currently need. Trust me, if I needed it i'd ask for it! I'm really determined to make this work. I've been working on sip, sip, sipping (it's kinda hard to sip every 10 minutes, especially when you're working), have tried a few Protein supplements to find recipes I like BEFORE surgery, and have been working on finding some decent puree-able foods that are appetizing. How long after approval did you have to wait to actually schedule you're surgery? Like, my first visit was 6/8, final should be in November, so do I have to wait days? weeks?? months??? before surgery is scheduled? I'm impatient enough as it is Thanks everyone for any answers you may be able to provide!! Best of luck to all. :tongue: & :cool: Blessed Be.

I've been fat my whole life. Can't ever remember a time when I wasn't. Like many, I've been picked on (taking orange kool-aid to school for 2nd grade snack in a gallon jug was a bad idea-"hey snowplow, brought your own gasoline?" Yeah, snowplow stuck for quite some time), ignored (I'm the fat girl in my group of friends-when we're out most men have a tendency to pretend I don't exist), belittled ("you have such a pretty face. Why don't you just lose weight?"), and just generally been made to feel like a second class citizen because of my weight-by strangers as well as family and "friends". NO MORE!!! I'm done with that person. Done with feeling like less of a woman because of my weight. Yes, I DO have "such a pretty face." And I'm a fantastic person if you'd just get to know me. A little (ok, maybe a lot) odd, quirky in many ways, but I know how to have a damn good time. (By the way, is anyone else concerned in regards to dating new people after this whole process-->People who don't know you used to be the fat chick? I mean, I feel like the men I HAVE gone out with at least had to have liked me because of who I am, not what I look like). I'm done with not being able to do/participate in things I did when I was younger and (relatively) smaller. Can't get my big butt into some of the rides at amusement parks anymore. It's embarassing when you go up, get in the seat, find that the belt doesn't buckle, and you have to get off and wait for your friends and family on the platform. Six Flags-HERE I COME!!! I'm done with declining invitations to go for bike rides or do other outdoor activities/adventures because I'm afraid I'll not be able to keep up-or that I'll slow the group down. It's time to get active. I'm done with the anger and frustration I feel because of all the issues in/aspects of my life that I allow my weight to affect. No more declining offers to go out with friends sometimes because I'm embarassed by the way I look. It's time to love me. To love me means to take care of me, and that starts NOW! It's time to love me becasue I'm a good person. Fat right now, but a good person. Fat right now, but damn good at my job--> and I'll be phenomenal when I can move faster and get more done. It's time to love me because I'm finally taking control-FOR GOOD, no more backsliding! I can't live like this anymore. I've probably lost 300 pounds over the years with the yo-yo dieting I've done. I need to get rid of at least 100 pounds PERMANENTLY. When it goes, it AIN'T coming back this time. It's time to love me because I'm worth it. I'm getting a new tool, and I've got a new attitude (Oh, now I wanna sing..."I'm in control, my worries are few...") It's time for change, and there's only one person who can make it happen. So who can do it??? YES I CAN!!!