megkpik

I also need a little bit of encouragement. I am so worried about the insurance approval. I have everything they require, but I heard Cigna was a little tough when it came to getting approved.

I'm from Minnetonka. Its about 30-45 min away from the MOA. Its a great place, although I don't live there anymore. I moved to Mississippi for school.

Yeah I had a pair of fit-flops also! I wore them when I was shopping in the MOA (Mall of America in MN). The mall has 3 floors, each having a 1 mile perimeter. I was very pleased with them, after 3 miles, I had no pain in my feet, back, legs ext. The only problem was that they were very UGLY! ha. Being 21, I was kind of embarrassed to be wearing them. They made my toes look 10 in long. haha. Anyways, the Shape-Ups, I think, are very cute!

Yeah that is crazy! That is great you go to St. Thomas! That is a really good school (too expensive for me) ha. I moved to MS because I have a lot of family in NO and on the coast, and because tuition was a lot less expensive. I am getting a BS in architectural engineering, then working twoards towards another BS in construction engineering! I am moving to Dallas because my parents moved here and LOVE it! I come every change I can. I think it is the perfect place for me, the economy is still OK, the unemployment rate is the smallest in the US so I am confident I will find a job. Also, the cost of living is similar to MS, and a lot lower compared to MN! So, how is the LAP-BAND® progress going? I am so ready to get banded! Hopefully, it will be at the end of March (thats when i get done with my 6-month diet). My whole view on life has changed since I started this process. I feel like I have a second chance.

Hey there! I am from Minnesota, but live in Hattiesburg, Mississippi now (going to school at USM)! That is funny your story is the opposite of mine:tongue2:! I am currently in month 4 of my 6 month program, haven’t ran into any problems yet (knock on wood) and am getting more & more excited to get banded. I have my initial consult with the surgeon on Thursday. I am having the surgery in Dallas, TX, because I plan on moving there when I graduate, in May. I had my psychology apointment yesterday, and it went really well. I posted a list of books she recommended to read on LBT under the "introduction" group. Good luck

Hey everyone! First of all, I am on month 4 of my 6 month diet. I have been seeing my doctor every month, I had my psychology appointment yesterday (which went very well and I was cleared) and I have my first lapband consult appointment on Thursday (YAY). For those of you who have not had your psychology appointment yet, it was very informational. I am even considering seeing her on a regular basis after the surgery. I took a number of tests, and talked about my eating history. My psychiatrist gave me a list of book to read, which I will share with you: *Eating in the light of the moon By Anita Johnston Provides insights into disordered eating, centers on women [*]Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy By David Burns This will help you overcome depression/anxiety, change your behavior and negative mood states by changing your thoughts [*]**Emotional Eating By Edward Abramson Helps with identification of emotional triggers of eating and development of healthy alternative behaviors [*]**The 5 Reasons Why We Overeat By Cynthia G. Last, PH.D. Helps you identify why you overeat and gives practical suggestions for change, depending on your particular triggers [*]Overcoming Binge Eating By Christopher Fairburn Dr. Fairburn is on of the leading researchers of binge eating disorders. Provides empirically based information [*]Lifing a lighter Lifestyle By Gaye Andrews A guide to weight loss and weight maintenance following bariatric surgery [*]Eating Mindfully: How to End Mindless Eating and Enjoy a Balanced Relatinoship with Food By Susan Albers, Promotes self-awareness in relation to your body and eating [*]Thoughts and Feelings: Getting Control of your Moods and Your Life By Matthew McKay, Martha Davis, & Patric Fanning Helps develop coping thoughts (instead of taking self-defeating actions in response to a wide variety of painful feelings *-Especially recommended by doctor **-Especially recommended by doctor for ME I have bought 3 of these books, Eating in the Light of the Moon, Overcoming Binge Eating and Emotional Eating (this one is in the mail). I started to read Eating in the Light of the Moon, but I didn’t really like it thus far. I will read the whole thing and get back to you, but its about “how women can transform their relationships with food through myths, metaphors & storytelling”. It’s kind of a hard thing to grasp, but if you are very spiritual, I think you would enjoy it. It’s just not my cup of tea, so far. Overcoming Binge Eating is very interesting. I am on page 100 and so far it has been very helpful. I have learned a lot about my eating patterns. The psychiatrist I talked to sees a lot of pre and post op bariatric patients, and she said that it helps to read these even if you already had the surgery. Hope you enjoy :thumbup: