sherilynn

Hi Mojo,

I'm very new to this forum; and it really is THE BEST for gaining information. I have to say that your best course of action is to read, read, read as much as possible!!!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I just think about this PB that you speak of; and I freak out! If I throw up, I cry - have since I was a little kid...OMG - I hate it. That's one thing that terrifies me about the Band, as I seem to get the picture that alot of that will be going on in the start, until I learn my band!! AHHHHHH!!!!:omg:

I know how many of you dislike the 'newbie' questions, but I've done a search, and want some more answers...so please forgive me for asking 'those' questions again!!

How will I take my pills each day? Birth control, blood pressure, Vitamins (I take several supplements, not just a multi)

Is there a lot of airway retriction from choking? I'm afraid I'll panic at some point! :help:

Are there clothing swaps on the forum, I can't find them!

And hopefull they'll change mine!!!!! :help:

You've all been so great, thank you for the support; that I'm not getting at home!!!!

Hi Carol,

It's not really the EATING part of 'going out to eat' that I'm worried about. I know that I'd never reverse it 'eat more' and just gain weight I've been running from for 10 years. It's the 'social' part. I am worried of feeling like an outcast. (Though I do worry I won't be able to eat sushi!)

Hi Everyone!!!!!! OMG - I am SO happy to see all of you! I'm in Byram, and I just met with Bertha/Abkin last week. I'm not sure which is which, as I met them at the hotel. Anyway, I want to go to St. Clares; we've gone to them for years, and always with good outcomes. I will be back later to read some more, and gain more knowledge from all of you!!

I'm not scheduled yet for suergery, and I was going to hold off on telling my boyfriend until that time. I was afraid of him giving me comments about the surgery (we have a friend who did bypass and he has comments about her all the time). But, being the HONEST girlfriend that I am, told him this weekend that I've started the process. Well - I should have waited. He did pass those comments, how I will just continue to eat the same foods (mind you, I do eat healthy for the most part...just too much!), just slower and won't loose weight with the band. His actual quote is "Everyone who has to loose weight - the answer is simple, DON'T EAT!" Mind you; he's holding onto 100lbs himself. He has done Atkins, and has been very successful; but gains it back after time. He's saying this as I was online yesterday reading this forum, for about 5 hours. So, I was taking some of your 'come backs' and using them. Today I went about telling my best girlfriend by asking her if she ever heard of the Lap Band. She said "SHERI! You can loose weight without this crap! You've done it before on WW, you can do it again!" She is holding about 50 lbs or so. The only ones in TOTAL support of me are my parents. Theyv'e seen me do the Weight Watchers 100 times and loose weight to gain it back again.

So now I'm thinking: "Can I do this without surgery"? I'm doing the yo yo back and forth in my mind. Sure, I can loose the weight, I KNOW how to eat, what to eat, how to 'get moving for excercise, etc. But I think it will be more of a struggle witout getting banded. I see how many of you loose a bunch of weight pre-surgery...and that would get me motivated. In the end, I think the band will be like a personal 'coach'...who doesn't let me get away with sneaking extra food, etc. Wow, I really feel horrible I even said anything to either of them. What scares me is that if I have such little support now...how bad will it be AFTER surgery? ....Just adding to my stress.

I went to my first seminar last week. The surgical team brought with them the head of their insurance department; who's been doing this for years. I told her that I currently have Aetna and she said they are THE worst when it comes to paying for Bariatric surgeries. My plan is to take on new insurance next month when my company comes up for renewal. I'm lucky to work for a major Pharma company that has GREAT insurance choices. Anyway, she told me to go with Blue Cross/Blue Shield or United Healthcare; as they are the best for approvals of the surgery, customer service, etc.

What I am doing now is getting all my 'pre' work done with Aetna, then I'll switch 1/07 and have the surgery approved that way.

Ok; maybe a stupid question...but how does the band 'un fill' on it's own?

A friend that had Bypass surgery was given a card by her surgeons. Basically, it's a 'free' pass at resturants, allowing her to share plates, or order from the Kids Menu...is this a common practice for Lap Band?

And silly as it may seem, will my Band be hindering me going through security at the airport; as I travel alot. Geez, I sound silly asking this stuff...but you guys would be the ones to know! :embarassed:

Hi Everyone,

I’m rather new to the board, and I’ve been posting on the ‘Newbie’ Forum, to get a feel for what others are thinking in the planning of WLS. I see that we pretty much all share the same concerns for the most part. I wanted to get myself on the General Forum now, as I’ve got questions for the ‘Lap Band Veterans’ to answer for me – as only you can! **I have to say that I just went to the Before/After pictures Forum, and have tears streaming down my face with happiness for all of you. I can only aspire to have my pics posted some day soon! You’re all heros to me, and I hold each of you in such high regard – as I’m learning that this whole journey takes Nerve, Perserverance, GUTS, Stamina (shall I go on!) As I’ve said, please forgive me in advance if I post any questions that may seem ‘stupid’…but if I knew the answers, I wouldn’t ask. I’m using the search tool on this site; it’s fantastic.

A bit about me: I’m 36, overweight, one co-morbidity – High Blood Pressure. I just had my first live forum with the doctor that I’m considering here in NJ; Dr. Abkin from Morristown. I went to the hotel for the forum that focused a bit more on Bypass than Lap Band. I had dozens of questions, but couldn’t get them all answered in two hours! I am scheduled tomorrow for a meeting with my General Doctor, who will then refer me onto a Nutrionist and Pscyh Doctor. Right now I have Aenta who requires 6 months before surgery. Next month my employer has Insurance enrollment, and I’ll be changing to Blue Cross or United; as per the “Insurance Pros” at my Surgeons office – since they approve nearly automatically. (WOW, I’m long winded – sorry!) I will have all my ‘pre’ stuff done before 1/1/07 – then I can work on scheduling my consult with the doctors; and onto Band Day! I know it seems rather premature for me to be doing all of this; but I think doing this slowly can help me prepare better mentally.

The one question that I have for you Veterans is this: Other than complications, what can I expect after surgery, that I probably haven’t read about yet? I think now I put so much emphasis on ‘getting together for dinner’; I fear that I will cry at some point when I realize that I can’t just go out and do that with my boyfriend, mom, etc. Sorry for being long winded…but I am so excited to have this forum to help me!!! :faint:

Hi Gayle,

Believe me…I'm ready to face the whole list of challenges to get approved. From what this team tells me, they are the ones who will jump through the hoops to help, and that was reassuring. I did call and find out it is an approved surgery - WITH 6 months of evaluation ahead of time. And I'm fine with that as well. That is with my current surgery. Being that I work for a major Pharma Company, we have GREAT insurance coverage choices. Next month I will choose to go to BC/BS or United Healthcare; both of which approve the surgery for my company WITHOUT 6 months requirements. We'll see…this is all just in the 'planning' stage. I need to read here some more, find out how folks are dealing after - and so forth.

Well, not the actual consult with the surgeons, but the 'forum' they put together in a hotel ball room. There were probably about 40 of us; all ages, shapes, sizes. I have to say the team I saw, I was VERY impressed with them - but then again, that is their job; to 'sell' you on the surgeries. They geared it alot toward Bypass, not so much the Band...but I had alot of questions answered. They passed around an actual band, thought I'd hit the floor. I don't mind when I'm under anesthesia....lol - but keep that stuff away from me!

Anyway, I have to call my insurance at 8 a.m., as I got very specific instructions on what to ask them as far as coverage goes.

My dilema is this: My current 2006 insurance may not cover it. However, next month I can change my insurance for 2007 to a company that will definately (from what their insurance pro says) cover it in full. So, it may take a few more months than usual...but I'm willing to wait.

I can say that seeing the Bypass vs. Lap Band side by side and what surgeons had to say, etc....I was totally put off of Bypass. Luckily for me, I do not have any ailments b/c of my being over weight (other than elevated blood pressure). But I will - eventually as I get older. So that is where I am in this long long road!!! Have a great day...and I'll keep you posted as to what my insurance has to say!!!

PS: IT's ALMOST FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!

Hi Paula,

Thanks so much for the advise. I have not been working with my doctor at all with regard to weight loss. I suppose I should start immediately? He knows that my back hurts, b/c of my large breasts and that I have indents on my shoulders. (My OBGYN). He knows I have high blood pressure. My cardiologist has been treating me for severe Mitral Valve Prolapse for about two years with medicine. I have a neurologist who has treated me for Pseduo Tumor Cerebri (known to be in overweight women), and I've done Weight Watchers about 6 times in 5 years...but never saved the books!!! And WW is not anxious to give me my information for documentation purposes. Wow...seems all will be against me, since I didn't do much documenting. Is there anything that insurance DOES want to hear, and "DOESN'T" want to hear???? I'm talking fluff???

Hey All...glad to see I'm not the only one consisdering Lap Band. I suppose this is as good of place as any to start investigating and getting the 'real story' on the what's and hows', etc. of the LB surgery!

Please forgive me in advance for any stupid questions I may ask; or questions that must have been asked a thousand times already. I am trying to gain as much knowledge as possible.

WHERE DO I START?

I have a 'intro' meeting tonight that the doctors are holding at a hotel. That's where I believe they're going to try and 'sell' the procedure to myself and others in the general public. I know that is where to start. But in terms of me getting other medical attention for insurance approvals...will they let me know all of this tonight? I know I have to go for psychatric evalutation, etc. Do I just go and seek that out myself? OMG - SO many questions I have. Don't want to bombard anyone. Just want to know; where to start!

Hi Everyone,

My name is Sheri. I'm 36 and overweight. I too have tried all the weight loss programs, yadda yadda. :help: I've had a number of friends and people I know who've done Gastric Bypass. It terrifies me!!!!!!!! :omg: Then I heard of the Lap Band - and I'm not so scared (easy for me to say, as I'm just only investigating!). I have made the first step and I've registered for a seminar TOMORROW evening where the Doctors/Surgeons speak, intro everyone to the device, etc. My current insurance doesn't pay for the device, however my company is up for insurance renewal for 2007 in the month of November. I'm hoping I can learn what companies WILL pay…and I'm hoping to be a few steps ahead of the game, so I can perhaps get the Band in early 2007. I've not read many of the threads on here; but now that I've found you all - you can be certain I'll be reading every one!!

In any weight loss regimine, support is KEY! I'm glad I've found you all!! I'll be updating my profile shortly.

Thank you,

Sheri

Hi Everyone,

My name is Sheri. I'm 36 and overweight. I too have tried all the weight loss programs, yadda yadda. :help: I've had a number of friends and people I know who've done Gastric Bypass. It terrifies me!!!!!!!! :omg: Then I heard of the Lap Band - and I'm not so scared (easy for me to say, as I'm just only investigating!). I have made the first step and I've registered for a seminar TOMORROW evening where the Doctors/Surgeons speak, intro everyone to the device, etc. My current insurance doesn't pay for the device, however my company is up for insurance renewal for 2007 in the month of November. I'm hoping I can learn what companies WILL pay…and I'm hoping to be a few steps ahead of the game, so I can perhaps get the Band in early 2007. I've not read many of the threads on here; but now that I've found you all - you can be certain I'll be reading every one!!

In any weight loss regimine, support is KEY! I'm glad I've found you all!! I'll be updating my profile shortly.

Thank you,

Sheri