deanna

Today I faxed my medical record release request to my pediatrician's office, in hope that the woman whom I spoke to the other day, who'd told me they didn't have them, was wrong. I never signed for them to go anywhere, so I'm praying! I'll call the Bariatric Clinic tomorrow and see if they got my files. Now comes the insurance approval wait...

Today I faxed my medical record release request to my pediatrician's office, in hope that the woman whom I spoke to the other day, who'd told me they didn't have them, was wrong. I never signed for them to go anywhere, so I'm praying! I'll call the Bariatric Clinic tomorrow and see if they got my files. Now comes the insurance approval wait...

Update: 1. My doctors office didn't have my medical records on file when I called Friday. They sure as heck better find them, or my chances of getting approved by insurance are ZERO! 2.I have gained 3 lbs on this pre-op diet 3.I pee all day because of my water requirements! :car: 4.I am READY to be banded! MY TO-DO LIST: 1.Lay the smack-down on my doctors office 2.Call Pam to change from sept. lapband skills class to august lapband skills class 3.Lose 15 lbs by the end of this month!

Update: 1. My doctors office didn't have my medical records on file when I called Friday. They sure as heck better find them, or my chances of getting approved by insurance are ZERO! 2.I have gained 3 lbs on this pre-op diet 3.I pee all day because of my water requirements! 4.I am READY to be banded! MY TO-DO LIST: 1.Lay the smack-down on my doctors office 2.Call Pam to change from sept. lapband skills class to august lapband skills class 3.Lose 15 lbs by the end of this month!

Sorry I didn't update yesterday, but I didn't have time to get on the computer, so now I'm typing away in the breakroom! I started my diet of planned meals, consisting of protien,veggies,fruit and very little startch. YESTERDAY: Breakfast: 1 hard boiled egg and 1 part-skim mozzarella cheese stick half of a dry english muffin snack: 1 part-skim mozzarella stick lunch: healthy choice frozen meal snack: trail mix that I wasn't supposed to have because it had too much fat,and also had choclate pieces... AND a cheesestick... Dinner: 1/2 cup of spaghetti with meat sauce 3 0z. of chicken parm Fluids: 4 liters of crystal light :faint:which is amazing!!! and a diet coke which I'm not supposed to have! Excercise: 30 minutes of walking at a slower pace than necessary. Break is over, I'll update on what I had today when I get home!

Sorry I didn't update yesterday, but I didn't have time to get on the computer, so now I'm typing away in the breakroom! I started my diet of planned meals, consisting of protien,veggies,fruit and very little startch. YESTERDAY: Breakfast: 1 hard boiled egg and 1 part-skim mozzarella cheese stick half of a dry english muffin snack: 1 part-skim mozzarella stick lunch: healthy choice frozen meal snack: trail mix that I wasn't supposed to have because it had too much fat,and also had choclate pieces... AND a cheesestick... :car: Dinner: 1/2 cup of spaghetti with meat sauce 3 0z. of chicken parm Fluids: 4 liters of crystal light :faint:which is amazing!!! and a diet coke which I'm not supposed to have! Excercise: 30 minutes of walking at a slower pace than necessary. Break is over, I'll update on what I had today when I get home!

I survived my first pre-op consult, and feel like I've got a new lease on life!! I was running late, I should have been at the hospital for my first appointment at eight-thirty and didn't get there until nine, because traffic was insane at rush hour!!!! When I got there, I was pleasantly surprised to see the chairs had no arms, and the chairs that DID have arms were enormous, and could have fit three of me! It was the first time I didn't have to worry if my big butt would fit comfortably in a waiting room chair!!! :car: My first appointment of the day was with the psychiatrist. Lucky me, I thought, getting shrinked at nine a.m. is a great way to begin the day!!! The psychiatrist was actually wonderful, and my fiance and I will be going to her for couples counselling throughout my banding and weight loss process, because I told her about how he and I had discussed how it would change the dynamic of our relationship. She was thrilled I recognized the importance of that, and also that I recognize the seriousness of the decision I am about to make. She told me I am a perfect candidate, and that she will be telling the surgeon that,psychologically, I am a go-ahead for surgery!!! My second appointment of the day was with the nutritionist, who was only like, two years older than I am, I swear! We discussed the need for my diet change. I am on my pre-op (which will end up being my post-op lifestyle,actually) diet, where I will eat three meals a day, no more than six hours apart, that will all begin with three ounces of protien, lots of veggies, and lastly, a single serving of starch if necessary. It seems to me like I am going to be eating a LOT MORE food than before, and a lot less random,grazing junk! I also have to drink 2 liters of water a day! My last appointment was with Pam O'Brien, the most amazing Nurse Practitioner on the planet! She has so much spunk, and was so motivating! We discussed the risks and the benefits of my surgery, and what I expected of it. She also told me I am the perfect candidate, due to the fact that I am only 21, have a lot of life to live, and know the changes I want to see. She liked that I am willing to go out and act upon what needs to be done. She's a hugger, and I love that! She wants me to fax her the files from my pediatrician, saying that I have been overweight since middle school so she can prove that this isn't a new battle for me. She said only insurance is her concearn, because my company had a rider saying they excluded WLS unless medically necessary. It is for me, but she said they get to pull the definition of medially necessary out of their asses. Theses are the next steps for me to proceed! 1.sleep apnea test 2.lab/bloodwork 3.loose 15 lbs pre-surgery (easy!) 4.exercise 5 days a week/30 minutes a day 5.attend one support group meeting 6.attend 4 lifestyle skills classes 7.four week follow up with nutritionist 8.4 week followup with Pam (When we set the date!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!) There is info overload in here, I know! And it's not even the least of it! I'm just glad that I'm getting this opportunity! PRAISE JESUS! Tomorrow I get my files faxed to Pam, and then pray for the next 15 days about getting pre-approved (using a false date to know if I'll get approved...)...Please Keep me in your prayers!

I survived my first pre-op consult, and feel like I've got a new lease on life!! I was running late, I should have been at the hospital for my first appointment at eight-thirty and didn't get there until nine, because traffic was insane at rush hour!!!! When I got there, I was pleasantly surprised to see the chairs had no arms, and the chairs that DID have arms were enormous, and could have fit three of me! It was the first time I didn't have to worry if my big butt would fit comfortably in a waiting room chair!!! My first appointment of the day was with the psychiatrist. Lucky me, I thought, getting shrinked at nine a.m. is a great way to begin the day!!! The psychiatrist was actually wonderful, and my fiance and I will be going to her for couples counselling throughout my banding and weight loss process, because I told her about how he and I had discussed how it would change the dynamic of our relationship. She was thrilled I recognized the importance of that, and also that I recognize the seriousness of the decision I am about to make. She told me I am a perfect candidate, and that she will be telling the surgeon that,psychologically, I am a go-ahead for surgery!!! My second appointment of the day was with the nutritionist, who was only like, two years older than I am, I swear! We discussed the need for my diet change. I am on my pre-op (which will end up being my post-op lifestyle,actually) diet, where I will eat three meals a day, no more than six hours apart, that will all begin with three ounces of protien, lots of veggies, and lastly, a single serving of starch if necessary. It seems to me like I am going to be eating a LOT MORE food than before, and a lot less random,grazing junk! I also have to drink 2 liters of water a day! My last appointment was with Pam O'Brien, the most amazing Nurse Practitioner on the planet! She has so much spunk, and was so motivating! We discussed the risks and the benefits of my surgery, and what I expected of it. She also told me I am the perfect candidate, due to the fact that I am only 21, have a lot of life to live, and know the changes I want to see. She liked that I am willing to go out and act upon what needs to be done. She's a hugger, and I love that! She wants me to fax her the files from my pediatrician, saying that I have been overweight since middle school so she can prove that this isn't a new battle for me. She said only insurance is her concearn, because my company had a rider saying they excluded WLS unless medically necessary. It is for me, but she said they get to pull the definition of medially necessary out of their asses. Theses are the next steps for me to proceed! 1.sleep apnea test 2.lab/bloodwork 3.loose 15 lbs pre-surgery (easy!) 4.exercise 5 days a week/30 minutes a day 5.attend one support group meeting 6.attend 4 lifestyle skills classes 7.four week follow up with nutritionist 8.4 week followup with Pam (When we set the date!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!) There is info overload in here, I know! And it's not even the least of it! I'm just glad that I'm getting this opportunity! PRAISE JESUS! Tomorrow I get my files faxed to Pam, and then pray for the next 15 days about getting pre-approved (using a false date to know if I'll get approved...)...Please Keep me in your prayers!

I had today off of work, and am a newbie to this board,so I parked my lazy self on the couch and read your journal, and I must say... I AM SOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!!! You're amazingly inspirational, and I wanted to congratulate you! Keep it up,girl!!!

I'm so nervous and excited for my pre-op consult tomorrow! I'm excited that for the first time in my life, I won't be afraid of getting on the scale, because this is going to be the last time that I'll cringe at my weight...the numbers will be going down from here! :whoo: I'm excited because I'm finally getting the tool that I need to change the quality of my life...I physically won't be able to eat a bag of doritos after work, and I physically won't be able to eat enough to put those poor chinese buffet people out of business! :clap2: I'm excited because I am going to be able to walk,run, and tie my shoes without feeling like I'm going to have a stroke! :faint: I'm nervous about this because I've never had surgery before, and I am only 21...The odds of me having a complication in my lifetime are a lot higher than someone who is 40 and getting banded...But I do know deep down that I would rather die ten years earlier with the band, and have had a fufilling,active life than die ten years later and have had a sloth-like, couch-ridden existance! I want to finish the boston marathon, and I want to climb mount everest! I want to go parasailing and scuba diving, and not worry about having a heart attack! I want to lay on the beach in a bathing suit that didn't cause tears in the dressing room. I want to have babies and run after them when they try to cause mischief, and I want to be a doctor. I'm starting my pre-med coursework this fall, and with this weight on my body and with this lack of energy, I won't make it. This band is just the tool I need, and I can't wait! There is a small chance that I may lose my life during surgery, but I'd rather go down trying than to have never tried at all!

I'm so nervous and excited for my pre-op consult tomorrow! I'm excited that for the first time in my life, I won't be afraid of getting on the scale, because this is going to be the last time that I'll cringe at my weight...the numbers will be going down from here! :whoo: I'm excited because I'm finally getting the tool that I need to change the quality of my life...I physically won't be able to eat a bag of doritos after work, and I physically won't be able to eat enough to put those poor chinese buffet people out of business! :clap2: I'm excited because I am going to be able to walk,run, and tie my shoes without feeling like I'm going to have a stroke! :faint: I'm nervous about this because I've never had surgery before, and I am only 21...The odds of me having a complication in my lifetime are a lot higher than someone who is 40 and getting banded...But I do know deep down that I would rather die ten years earlier with the band, and have had a fufilling,active life than die ten years later and have had a sloth-like, couch-ridden existance! I want to finish the boston marathon, and I want to climb mount everest! I want to go parasailing and scuba diving, and not worry about having a heart attack! I want to lay on the beach in a bathing suit that didn't cause tears in the dressing room. I want to have babies and run after them when they try to cause mischief, and I want to be a doctor. I'm starting my pre-med coursework this fall, and with this weight on my body and with this lack of energy, I won't make it. This band is just the tool I need, and I can't wait! There is a small chance that I may lose my life during surgery, but I'd rather go down trying than to have never tried at all!

/photolava/2007/06/26/christinaaguileraew2-46y5ef

/photolava/2007/06/26/christinaaguileraew2-46y5ef

Thursday is when I have my pre-op meeting, where I meet with the dr, psychologist, nurse,and nutritionist for the first time. I thought I would post my measurements as of today, so I can keep track of how much I lose before surgery! Neck: 16.5 inches Bust: 54 inches Waist: 50 inches Hips: 59 inches Upper Arm:15.5 inches Lower Arm:12.5 inches Calves:18.5 inches Wrist: 7 inches

Thursday is when I have my pre-op meeting, where I meet with the dr, psychologist, nurse,and nutritionist for the first time. I thought I would post my measurements as of today, so I can keep track of how much I lose before surgery! Neck: 16.5 inches Bust: 54 inches Waist: 50 inches Hips: 59 inches Upper Arm:15.5 inches Lower Arm:12.5 inches Calves:18.5 inches Wrist: 7 inches

I've always been overweight...When I was two,I was "cute". When I was six,I was "chubby". When I hit fifth grade,I had "baby fat". Once middle school occured, that was it. I was "Fat","gross","lard-ass",and "whale". What do food addict teenagers do when they're depressed? They eat. That cycle has gotten me to where I am today. I'm 21 years old, 5'7", and weight 275 lbs. This took some getting used to. Over the years, I have thankfully realized how much I have, and that my size is most certainly not one of my defining characteristics. I have an amazing fiance, a close and supportive family,and astounding friends who all rally together as a strong support team when I need them. I've recently called upon them to do their thang, as I have decided that it is time to put the Doritos back on the shelf and get myself in shape! The decison for lap band came after much heartbreak, yo-yo dieting, and many binge sessions. One of my long-time mentors growing up went to Mexico to be banded a few years ago. I thought she was nuts, and when she left for the plane, I just smiled, prayed, and watched her children. I never looked into what she was having done, I just thought it sounded insane. When the pounds started falling off of her, this 'band thing' started to sound less and less insane. She'd only eat three doritos on movie night, and at cookouts, she'd drink water and eat a bun-less burger. That wasn't the woman I knew...I was super interested, and finally talked to her about it. She told me she knew what I was going through, and urged me to research the band. Here I am three years later;rediculously over-educated on the lap band, and eagerly awaiting my first pre-op appointment that's only two days away. Here is where I plan to record and share the many trials and tribulations-both physical and emotional. I urge everyone to fasten their seatbelts,this is going to be one hell of a turbulant ride!!!!!!!

My fiance thought that I was getting a zip-tie put around my stomach... He was sitting in the next info session with me before he knew what hit him! Lol...

Hahahaha! I just thought "I wonder if I can cross my legs???", and so I tried, and ended up like,rolling over on the couch...You know it's almost time for surgery when you're literally rolling around like a ball!!! I wish someone had been here to see it!!!!

Thank you for all of the support! You're all amazing and inspirational! I realized today, as I was pondering this fear some more, that one of the biggest reasons I fear being thin is because I won't have the "too fat" excuse... I've used the fat excuse for not only not attaining my goals, but for never even begining to strive for success... There won't be an excuse anymore. I thought that was somthing to chew on (no pun intended! lol) for the day... :hungry:

I have two friends who had bypasses done by dr. pohl, and they all rave about him. If you're getting surgery in RI, he's the one to go to! Good luck with your journey!

Hello! I'm writing here because I have nowhere else to voice this concern and know that someone can understand fully where I am coming from. I have found great support,knowledge, and advice on this forum, and I am so grateful! I am addicted to food. No doubts about it, I could never in a million years deny this. The bigger, the better. The jucier, the better. the greasier, the better...And portion size? HUGE. I think about food all day, and I think I would trade my left hand for a bag of doritos if were the only way I could get them! It hit the level of "obsession" in middle school, and hasn't stopped growing since then! I am always filled with a gnawing hunger that is in no way physical, and in every way psychological. But before I can even go ahead and realize I am feeding my emotions with food, I am halfway finished with the afore mentioned bag of doritos! Obsession? Yes. Compulsion? oh hell yes! I have my pre-op appointments set up for next month, and I cannot help but wonder if my addiction to food is going to make it so that I'm either not allowed to get the band, or if I do get the band, if it will be able to help me. I plan on attending both group support sessions and also private counseling throughout my entire journey. I was just wondering what people's experiences with this are. Was anyone out there able to overcome their addiction to food by using the band as a tool? What was this like for you??? I'm sorry, I know this is a long, vauge post, I just feel so distressed about this! help!

I know this sounds stupid, but one of my biggest fears about being banded and working with children is catching a belly bug and vomiting...what happens? I would assume that puking while banded is NOT good...Does anyone have any insight?!?! Hahaha...paranoia?I think so!

I have been waiting for my surgery because I just got a new job, and they offer Excellus bc/bs, which I thought would be good. I called the company and they said they cover lapband, but I just got my manual in the mail today, and there is a page in there labeled "RIDER TO EXCLUDE COVERAGE FOR WEIGHT LOSS SERVIES" that says my company has opted to not pay for WLS unless "medically necessary". At the age of 21, I'm almost 300 pounds with at least 4 co-morbidities...I would assume that's medical necessity, right??? Should I start my riot act now, or wait and see if the insurance request goes through? Hahahaha. Actually, I was just wondering if anyone has been through this, and what their process was like!:faint: