mondk

The one place that will take my Medicare offered an online seminar/video with a post test. I watched the video and scored 100% on the test and they called me today to set up my initial appt. with the surgeon. I am so excited! I'm still reading my lap band book with success stories...read 4 chapters at work last night and I still think this is for me. I just hope Medicare agrees! Blessings, Michelle

Swangirl/gal/whatever: Just so you know, I'm a taxpayer myself. I worked full time as an RN until I got mentally ill. I still continue to work part time as an RN. I was on BC/BS until my husband got laid off and now he works full time at a place that doesn't offer health insurance. My Medicare has become primary. I pay for my toddler, who we adopted, to have private health insurance. I didn't see the need for me to continue to have private health insurance when I had Medicare. I am obese, don't care what you say, and I honestly don't think I'm scamming anyone. I also have hypertension, which I'm sure would be considered a co-morbid thing. All I wanted was a little support...I now know to ignore your opinions, so thank you for that! Blessings, Michelle

You know, I get asked all the time how far along I am pregnant wise which is a cruel joke as I've also been an infertility patient for 9 years, with several miscarriages and poor ovulation. Don't judge me until you've walked a day in my shoes! Perhaps it is silly that I'm eating to gain; I've been told I still qualify for the surgery but is it a crime to want my insurance to pay for it? 184 is not my desired weight and getting asked if I'm pg all the time is just plain cruel. My desired weight is 110, which is what I was most of my life until I was diagnosed bipolar and schizoaffective and had to go on psychotropic meds which ballooned me weight wise and now I can't get it to stay off. I didn't come here to be judged, I came for support. Thanks be to the posters who were supportive. Blessings, Michelle

When post op can I have this? Water, plain water, is very hard for me to drink...if I can make a mild tea and get my water that way??? Should I ask the doc this first? Blessings, Michelle

Productive burping...like spitting up, but not quite like vomiting. So far this is what I've read; haven't been banded yet. At first I thought PB meant peanut butter, LMAO! Blessings, Michelle

Jazzy: Hi; I'm pre-band as are you and struggle with some of the same questions. Overall looking at the big picture though, I want to be there in all facets of life for my children and my husband. I want to be the skinny little thing he fell in love with and was so attracted to like when we first met. I want to be one of those hot wives and I want to be noticed. I used to be all those things...most of all, I want to be healthy and assured of not going anywhere for a long time, barring accidental death or whatever, that is. I want to feel good about myself and I want to help my 12 y.o. son who is now also struggling with obesity. I want to be a good role model for him. I want, I want, I want. And I think I can do it all with this surgery. Blessings, Michelle

Hello. My name is Michelle. I am 5'2 and weigh 190 lbs. I think I'm borderline on the BMI for the Lap Band surgery. I've tried everything diet/exercise wise. My primary insurance is Medicare because I'm on disability for bipolar disorder, I also have high B/P, and very low metabolism. Some of my meds make me gain weight and increase my risk for diabetes, which both my parents have and they are also obese. Do you all think I will qualify for this surgery? Thanks and blessings, Michelle

Amaris: Yes! That is the book I bought; glad to hear you enjoyed it; I'm sure I will too! :-)Blessings, Michelle

Hi Amaris. I bought a book last night highly recommended at Amazon about the Band and contains many success stories; I'm anxious to get it and read it. I've also been to youtube.com and watched many before and after videos. I'm psyched for the seminar, although I've been to one with my sis-in-law a couple years ago, but with a different practice. My mother in law is accompanying me to the seminar; she also is obese and very interested in the Band; maybe we could get a 2 for 1 deal? lol Thanks and blessings, Michelle

I haven't been banded yet and love my Water aerobics class and would love to continue it and my treadmill routine after being banded. Anyone else? Also, how soon after being banded are you usually able to start exercising again? Thanks and blessings, Michelle

I'm a newbie still and have so many questions! I go to a seminar next week. I am 5'2 and currently weigh 184 lbs. and this puts me on the borderline BMI-wise for this surgery. My target weight is 110. What happens if you lose more than you should? Do they just not fill you or decrease your fills? I can lose between 10-20 lbs. on my own, but it doesn't stay off which is why I want this surgery. I'm hoping to be able to plead my case to a surgeon soon.... Thanks and blessings, Michelle

Hi. I'm on Medicare because I'm on SS Disability for bipolar disorder. I'm 37, 5'2, and weigh around 190 lbs. My BMI is 34.7!!!!!! I'm actually considering increasing my calories so I come out at 35 so Medicare will pay. I also have hypertension. I'm attending a seminar next week and am hoping by the time of my medical consult, that my BMI is high enough. I can lose about 10 lbs. on my own but never keep it off and they just increased my B/P meds. Would love to chat with anyone in my position! Thanks and blessings, Michelle

I'm a newbie here and am still in the research stage. Is there a lot of vomiting involved post op? I haven't thrown up any food since I was 12 and would like to keep it that way. I'm a vomit-phobe/emetophobe. So how much does this interfere with post op functioning? Blessings, Michelle

What about non carbonated alcoholic drinks, such as Amaretto Sours? I haven't been banded yet but I enjoy this drink once or twice a month. I'm also a Pepsi addict but am looking forward to kicking that habit. Blessings, Michelle

Thank you both. I've been tested for sleep apnea and was negative, although I snore like a logger. I'm hoping my hypertension diagnosis will help with the co-morbidity thing. Today I had a neurologist appt. (I suffer migraines too) they weighed me and I weighed 184 which puts my BMI to 34. I am attending a free seminar on the Lap Band in a couple of weeks in Kansas City, KS. I'm hoping they can tell me more about what will help qualify me. I guess before I go in to be weighed, I could pig out on pizza and steak??? (J/K) (To make me weigh more) Anyway, I have another question...does this surgery involve a lot of vomiting post op? I can't stand to throw up. Blessings, Michelle