gtbadkitty

Hi everyone! I am in the stages of waiting for insurance approval and all the tests I need to get done before surgery. I have my sleep study on the 22nd. I guess I am wondering if there is anyone here that has or is going back and forth between having the surgery and not having the surgery. What finally made you make up your mind to have the surgery? I have been overweight for the majority of my 20's and the weight keeps going up, but I wonder if I would have better results when I move out of my parent's house finally. That will be sometime next year if everything works out. But, then I think that the band will help me long term with keeping weight off and not getting to this weight again. I just can't seem to make up my mind. A part of it is the money. My insurance only covers 90% so I have to come up with a big chunk. Any help with how you came to your decision will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, GTbadkitty

Hi everyone! I am a Miller Lite girl and I understand that after getting the lap-band, you can no longer have beer because of the carbonation. I was just curious as to what previous beer drinkers have switched to instead of beer when they want a drink?

Wow! You look great! Congrats! Have you had any complications at all?

Thanks Mariem. I am still waiting for insurance approval and am still trying to collect as much information as possible to make my decision.

That is great! Congrats! I am still waiting for my surgery date and I am getting really impatient! Keep us posted on how you're doing!

mariem "He explained that with gastric bypass the complications are generally within the first couple of months then the complications go way down. With the band it's the oposite, very few in the beginning and then from one year and beyond there are many." What are the side affects after a year for lapband patients?

Congrats! That is awesome!

It's normal to be nervous! I don't even have a surgery date yet and when I think about it, I start to freak out a little too. It's scary and exciting all at the same time. By the 31st it will be done and you'll be recovering. That's awesome! Congrats and let us know how it goes!

Good luck to you too Neesh! I think this will be the best birthday present I've ever given to myself! Keep in touch and let me know how everything goes!

Hi everyone! I've posted a few times asking questions to help me in my decision making process... Well, I have decided that if my insurance approves it, I am going to get banded! I cannot wait. I have to wait about 2 weeks until my insurance will give my doc an answer. It's going to be hard to wait that long, but I know it will be worth it in the end. I am anxious to get all the other doc appointments scheduled and get my surgery date. I am hoping for the beginning of September. It will be my birthday present to myself. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for everyone that responded to my posts and to everyone that has shared their stories on these boards. You have all helped me make an informed decision on what is best for me. Thanks again and I look forward to going through this process with all of you! :thumbup:

HAHA!! Wouldn't that make it so much easier!!

I've told a few people... My mom, two of my best friends, and friend from middle school who recommended the surgeon, my sister and two people I am close to at my work. I am now wishing I didn't tell my mom, she doesn't seem to be very supportive - maybe because she just doesn't understand. I feel obligated to tell my grandparents for some reason, but I haven't yet and I don't know that I will. I don't want to tell my boss, but I may have to if I can't get my surgery scheduled over my vacation in September or if I need more time off for recovery or if I can't do everything that I typically do in a work day. I have always been very private about my weight, and I don't like people to focus on it or whatever so I probably won't tell anyone else. Although when I get to my goal, I might feel like telling everyone! I am just going to take it as it comes. For now, I kind of wish I didn't tell anyone and could just go have it done without anyone knowing.

Thanks ladies! I know it's going to be hard to give up my miller lite, but I rather lose weight and be healthy. The vodka cranberry and margaritas sound good!

This thread has made me cry! It is so nice to have a place to come to where other people know exactly what it's like to be heavy... I told my mom tonight that if my insurance approves me, I am having the surgery. She was less than supportive. And thinking back, she has been my whole life. She doesn't understand what it's like to be more than 100 pounds overweight and not able to lose weight and keep it off. I just feel really lucky that I found these message boards! The one thing that I am looking forward to being able to do is wearing "normal" clothes and feeling good about it. I wear baggy clothes that cover up my body now and I would just like to throw on a pair of shorts, tank top and some flip flops and know I look hot! I can't do that now.

I was just thinking about this myself. I have told my mom, sister and a few close friends, but I don't want the people I work with to know. That's going to be difficult considering we're all pretty close and I know my boss is going to be concerned about me taking time off for surgery. And I know the gossipers at work will be wondering how I am suddenly losing weight and keeping it off. Rumors get started easily and not that I care what certain people think, I don't want my boss to think I'm seriously ill or something! I guess I will just deal with that when the time comes. I say that if you feel like telling everyone, go for it! It's a big decision and you should be proud that you have taken this step to get healthier. But if you want to keep it to yourself for whatever reasons, then that's what you should do. It's your body, your life, your decision!

This is a fun thread! I have a closet that is full of smaller clothes... I haven't been able to wear anything in that closet for about 10 years now... My goal is to be able to wear anything in there! I can't wait!

I asked my surgeon if I would be able to exercise and play sports and stuff with the band. He told me I would be able to play pro football if I wanted to and it wouldn't hurt the band at all. Hope this helps to answer your weight lifting question!

For those of you that have already had the surgery.... any regrets?

Thanks for all of the replies everyone! I am still undecided, but I think I will go through all of the appointments I need to before the actualy surgery is scheduled and then make up my mind. I looked in the mirror today and decided that I am doing it. Tomorrow may be different, but I am going to keep going! Thanks again!

Hello everyone! I am in the beginning stages of this whole process and have come here often to help me through the process and to find answers to questions I have. I had the consultation with the surgeon about 2 weeks ago and am just waiting for the insurance approval to come through to schedule all of the other appointments needed. I have a question about the sleep study though... What exactly is done? What can I expect? Why is it needed? Thanks! gtbadkitty

I have United and when I called, the only requirement they need from me was to have a BMI of 35 or greater. They will only cover 90%, but so far dealing with them has been pretty easy. Good luck!

Thank you Elgrad! That answers my question! I kind of thought that's what it was going to be, but I wasn't sure. I have a hard enough time falling asleep at home, hopefully I can sleep at the clinic! gtbadkitty