libra

Well then... I better get to my goal before I go to Australia!!! My girlfriends and I are saving up to visit friends in Sydney and the Gold Coast.

My hubby thought she was hot before she lost the weight too. He says I look like her! Aside from his vision problems, LOL, he's a sweetheart. You're right about getting whiney sometimes...I do too! I guess it's nice to know celebrities are not immune tantrums and frusteration. I should be thankful no one will be videotaping my weight loss!!!

Congrats to you!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: You are an inspiration!!!

Wow to those of you back to work!!! I'm impressed, good for you!!!:clap2: I just got my medical clearance from my doctor today so the ball is rolling along. Does anyone here have hypothyroid? I do and my doctor is going to be testing my blood every other month to see if my medication needs adjusting as I lose weight. What a trip it would be if my hypothyroid went away with the pounds!!!

Good luck smalldreams and fill us in when you get back!!! I'm starting to get nervous as well. I know it's the right decision but I'm starting to freak a little. Hey, it can't possibly hurt as much as squeezing a ten pound baby out after 20 hours of labor, right?

I think its great that Carnie is there, dealing with this struggle publicly. She's letting the world see how difficult the struggle is. Let's face it, most of us have an eating disorder in one form or another or we wouldn't be here. Celebrity Fit Club annoys me and fascinates me at the same time. Some of the celebs are strong and dedicated...really good role models. While others are whiney and childish...terrible public representatives of our population. With that said, last season made me sooo happy. My husband has had a crush on the woman from Weird Science, Kelly LeBrock for as long as I've known him. I was like..."See honey? It happens to all of us...even hotties like her!":D

I have Horizon BC/BS (I always thought the BS part of the name was ironic, LOL) Anyway, my surgeon sent in all the insurance stuff the first week in July and got the approval the end of July and my surgery is scheduled for August 15th. I thought that was pretty quick. It took a while for me to compile the letters for the insurance company from the phych, med dr., nutritionist, etc.

I'm getting banded next week and I'm trying to stick to the positive threads until my surgery. I did however, end up reading the thread about the guy who died in Malaysia!!!! DON'T GO THERE!!!!!:omg: No, seriously, just keep reminding yourself the the complications are minimal and the serious complications are few...and most importantly....overall banding's complications are still better than the one's you have being fat!

Yeah, something screams "FISHY" here. I was nervous reading this as I'm a week away from my surgery, but it's pretty obvious there were other "issues" not mentioned that contributed to this man's death.

clarityseeker, I really appreciate the updates. I feel better having an idea what recovery is going to feel like. I have a 2 1/2 year old and I'm nervous about caring for him while hubby is at work. Luckily my parents will be around to help. Again, thanks to you...and everyone else, taking the time to fill us all in our your recovery. We really do appreciate it.

You are so right!!! They did adjust the sizes. The clothing industry realized women are getting heavier and adjusted the sizes. They figured if a woman used to fit into a 12, they'd be more inclined to buy if their clothes remained the same size. Tricky little buggers!!!! :bandit

Yay!! want2lose!! Good for you!!!:clap2:

What a cutie!!! When I decided to go for the lapband surgery, I decided it was for my son. He deserves to have a healthy, energetic mommy, and I want to be that for him. My little guy is 2 1/2. He got into Mommy's makeup in this pic.

Best of luck Koala. I'll keep you in my prayers...

My doctor gave me my surgery date as soon as I got approval. It was less than a month from the date of approval from my insurance. Congrats to the August bandsters who've had your surgeries already. Sounds like you're all doing well. The 15th is coming up fast...:omg: By the way...I can't find the thread that shows you how to put the ticker in your signature. I read it once and can't find it again...can anyone help? Update...never mind, I figured it out! LOL!!

Several years ago my doctor had suggested gastric bypass but I didn't want to hear it. I researched and found too many "serious" complications. Not to mention, I wanted to get pregnant and I read that was more difficult with the bypass. I had several friends and associates who had gastric bypass and they did wonderful for a year or so, then all started to gain the weight back. If your eating habits don't change, your stomach stretches and you gain. I felt the band was the safer bet. It's a much less invasive surgery. There are less complications during pregnancy. And more importantly to me, this is a LIFELONG weight loss solution. Granted...I say all this having not had my surgery yet. LOL!!! But this was my logic when I made the decision to go for it.

Yay!!!! We need to see the pretty!!! AVATAR!!! AVATAR!!! AVATAR!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I'd have to say, before you make a decision to gain the weight needed to raise your BMI, you'd better make sure, you'll be approved at that point. Every health plan is so different, you really need to do your research.

My therapist/ nutritionist worked on the same thing with me. We determined I needed a healthy substitute for food. I ended up with music too. I have my ipod loaded and ready to go. BTW, none of the songs mention food, I made sure of that!:confused:

Congrats to those of you who have been banded. Sound like you're all doing well. I can't believe you feel well enough to come here and post on the same day!!!!! That's amazing!!! Really easing my fears as well. Yay!!!!!:clap2:

I have BC/BS and was approved in one week. Like others have said here, I think it depends on your individual plans. As for the psych letter, (my psychiatrist is the one who referred me to my doctor, he just had his done, BTW) Here is the text of mine. To whom it may concern, The patient was seen for evaluation prior to scheduling her gastric banding surgery. Upon mental status examination, the patient's mood was euthymic (had to look that one up, lol) with logical thought processes. She has suffered from obesity since early childhood. She reports trying multiple diets and weight loss supplements each time with no positive results. She understand she is at risk for developing medical co-morbidities due to obesity. She was able to discuss the procedure and was able to state the risks versus the benefits of having gastric banding surgery. She understands that she will need to make major adjustments to her lifestyle and eating habits both prior to and after the procedure. At this time, there are no contraindications in terms of mental status for she to consent to gastric banding surgery. There is no history of addiction or substance abuse and she had adequate family support. Any questions contact blah, blah, blah. I also had letters from a nutritionist I saw saying that we disucussed my necessary dietary changes and how I will counter my emotional eating habits. And a letter from my regular doctor briefly describing how he monitored some weight loss programs with me. For example, I was on Meridia as well as Xenical and Phentermine. So BC/BS was bombarded with recommendations. My surgeons office knew exactly what each insurance company would need for approval and gave me a list of what I would need. I followed that. Good luck to those appealing...

I can totally relate! I eat because I'm angry. I eat because I'm sad, frusterated, bored, lonely, afraid... I went to a therapist/nutritionist to help me deal with my eating habits before I had the banding. She told me I use food as a crutch to help me through difficult situations. I need to find a replacement for that; and immediate gratification instead of food. We determined since I'm a huge music lover, I would carry an ipod with me of my favorite music. Music instantly lifts my spirits and changes my mood. So whenever I feel the need to eat to numb any of these feelings, I'll dance to my favorite song instead! Oh and of course, exercise.:phanvan

I was curious about that as well but since Im a newbie, I didn't want to sound like a lush, LOL!:guess My girlfriends and I are planning a group trip in the spring of next year to either Vegas or Paris (depending on our finances, LOL) and you know there will be some drinking going on. I wouldn't want to be left out.

Good luck to all those getting banded in August. I'm scheduled for 8-15. I was getting nervous because my doctor said nothing about a pre-op diet but I'm reading that there are others here not on one as well. Phew! Thought I missed something. I'm starting to get a little nervous, although I'm not sure why. I'm a newbie here BTW and want to thank everyone for all the info you provide here. It's calmed my nerves quite a bit. Well, my fellow August Bandsters, cheers to a new life!:clap2: