ShellieBell

It took me a long time before I could openly admit that I wanted to have the lap band.....cause that little voice in the back of my mind kept whispering to me over and over that I was weak because I couldn't do this on my own and that I was taking the "easy" way out. One thing I learned by hearing about other peoples journey is that this "ain't easy" that it takes just as much hard work and determination as always. The lapband just helps us to control things a little better.....so guess what I did? That little voice in the back of my mind.. I sat on it....and I haven't heard it since...heehee! Keep you head up things will work out.

Welcome... I am also kinda of new to this lap band journey. I am in the beginning stages stages as well. Hope that you find the same kind of comfort from this forum as I am. Best wishes

:wub: Lovin your new band lingo...

Surrounding yourself with good positive energy has to make all of the difference in the world....

Thanks....My doc said I have to be a non smoker for at least 5 months.....and thats about how long I am going to have before submitting my info to the insurance co. I am currently doing my 6mth supervised diet...so there hasn't been any room for cheating....heehee...I guess I do my best work under pressure.

Looking at my body it's clearly obvious...I'm obese....yeah, the morbidly kind and.....I'm a smoker....ugh... I said it(well, typed it). Never been a chain, pack of day smoker, don't care how anyone else feels, push my habit on everyone else cause I have rights kinda gal. To be honest....when I do smoke I seek solitude. I am one of those smokers that if you didn't see me doing it...you would of never guessed. I guess you can kinda of say...it's not one of my best qualities. The reason I bring this up on my LAP-BAND® blog is because... of course I have to stop. Not only because they won't let me have the surgery (which is enough reason on its own) but because if I am going to go through this whole process of a lifestyle change... I want to reap all of the blessings I can get from this surgery. The truth be told…. my smoking habit has been similar to my weight loss battle. Smoking has had a grip on me for about 10 yrs now with a few 6 months of quitting thrown in there every once in a while. I've spent my fair share of money on hypnosis and patches and pills and gum but this time I'm just doing it on my own. Last week was really bad and it caused my tolerance for any kind of BS to be minimal but, I am hoping for a better week this week. I am claiming freedom from this. I will not allow this or anything else stand in between my health and happiness any longer, especially something I am embarrassed about. I have had enough embarassment and shame to last a life time.

Yay.....so exciting!! Best wishes and keep us updated.

Looking at my body it's clearly obvious...I'm obese....yeah, the morbidly kind and.....I'm a smoker....ugh... I said it(well, typed it). Never been a chain, pack of day smoker, don't care how anyone else feels, push my habit on everyone else cause I have rights kinda gal. To be honest....when I do smoke I seek solitude. I am one of those smokers that if you didn't see me doing it...you would of never guessed. I guess you can kinda of say...it's not one of my best qualities. The reason I bring this up on my LAP-BAND® blog is because... of course I have to stop. Not only because they won't let me have the surgery (which is enough reason on its own) but because if I am going to go through this whole process of a lifestyle change... I want to reap all of the blessings I can get from this surgery. The truth be told…. my smoking habit has been similar to my weight loss battle. Smoking has had a grip on me for about 10 yrs now with a few 6 months of quitting thrown in there every once in a while. I've spent my fair share of money on hypnosis and patches and pills and gum but this time I'm just doing it on my own. Last week was really bad and it caused my tolerance for any kind of BS to be minimal but, I am hoping for a better week this week. I am claiming freedom from this. I will not allow this or anything else stand in between my health and happiness any longer, especially something I am embarrassed about. I have had enough embarassment and shame to last a life time.

I understand your apprehension.....this is major stuff. I am in the process of getting approved. I have begun the process of all of the "pre" surgery stuff...and it looks like a hectic road ahead....but I totally feel like its a journey worth taking. Use this site as much as you can...it is soooo awesome. when I first visited this site I was amazed of how many supporting people with tons of info there was. It helps to know that "you are not the only one". best wishes

Amen Sister.... I completely and totally get what you are saying. I went to the doctor this week...my BMI is 52....ugh. I wanna say that I am a pretty level headed, live in the real world kinda girl. I know the right way to lose weight....and it "ain't" easy. Last year the company I work for had a "weight loss challange" kinda like a biggest loser thing. We were on teams...who ever lost the most won the prize... Well, I did the food journel, the exercising....the motivating everyone on my team....and I lost 28lbs. I was so happy...I felt great and was positive I would continue my efforts....then it happened...my crazy wonderful...dysfunctional...life got in the way. I put that food journal down one day....and haven't been able to find it since. Sadly without even trying...all of my weight is back and it's soooo frustrating. So...I decided I am not even going to try and explain to some people why I need this surgery....cause they are going to hear what they want to hear...and think what they want to think. I know the risk....and I know the dangers that come with this surgery...and if I have to be one of those people that have to prove that my self worth is just as important theirs....ring the bell, cause I have a few rounds of fight in me. Keep your trust in God...and all of this will fall into place just at the time "He" wants it to. Note....girl you got me all fired up reading your blog...I like that. Heehee

Oh no.....Slime!!...I heard about it....read about it....and the way it looks....it's not going to go away.....ahhhh....lap band bliss...heehee!!

I had my initial consulation with my surgeon and I have set up apptointments to get my chest xrays...dietician etc....and showing the insurance co that they have no choice but to say yes. So it looks positive at this point. I am going to use these next 5 months to continue educating myself on the ins and outs of this crazy, wonderful, scary, exciting life changing thing they call LAP-BAND®.

I had my initial consulation with my surgeon and I have set up apptointments to get my chest xrays...dietician etc....and showing the insurance co that they have no choice but to say yes. So it looks positive at this point. I am going to use these next 5 months to continue educating myself on the ins and outs of this crazy, wonderful, scary, exciting life changing thing they call LAP-BAND®.

I am also going through my 6 month med supervised diet so I know exactly what you are going thru. I have done TONS of research due to the fact that I had been denied years ago and this time I am not giving them the opportunity to say no. Stay positive and use this time to educate yourself as much as possible. This forum is amazing and so helpful.

Monday I go to have my initial visit with my lap band surgeon....I just got my "reminder" phone call from the Doc office. I am so excited to be able to tell him that I have the support of my other Dr's. I can almost hear it now..."Yes, your insurance has approved your request and your surgery date is on". I finally feel like I can accept that this may really happen. I tried several years ago to be approved RNY and my insurance company wanted no part of it. So...for now I will chalk it up to that it wasn't the right time and that everything happens for a reason...and I am ok with that.

Yes the supervised diet just started so I have five more months....so I still have a long way to go before I can be approved.....but even though it's still months away I feel very positive that the doors will continue to open for me.....Hey....it will finally feel good to finally fit through them for a change

The site is awesome....I have learned so much from just the short time I have been a member. I wish you well on your journey. Keep everyone updated on your successes and struggles....because as for me it is through other peoples experiences that I have come to realize..." hey I am not as much as an outcast as I thought....and I am not the only person on this entire earth that is going through this"

Monday I go to have my initial visit with my lap band surgeon....I just got my "reminder" phone call from the Doc office. I am so excited to be able to tell him that I have the support of my other Dr's. I can almost hear it now..."Yes, your insurance has approved your request and your surgery date is on". I finally feel like I can accept that this may really happen. I tried several years ago to be approved RNY and my insurance company wanted no part of it. So...for now I will chalk it up to that it wasn't the right time and that everything happens for a reason...and I am ok with that.

Amen Sister....I have had plenty of pep talks with myself about this same conversation. I have been overweight all my life...all of it. I am pretty sure my skin gave up a long time ago....so in no way shape or form do I expect to ever...ever have abs of steal or the booty of a 20yr old.

I can totally relate to how you are feeling. I am looking forward to so many things....but mostly being comfortable in my own body. I look forward to hearing about your journey.....

35 days ago..... I had a sort of awakening. I had a very intense moment of realization...that if I didn't fight for me...who would? Today I was able to feel that incredible rush of emotion that consumed me during those first few minutes of deciding to change my life over a month ago....and it was great! I had the "talk" with my primary care physician about my desires for the LAP-BAND® procedure. I waited a month after deciding to pursue the LAP-BAND® because I wanted to be educated with as much knowledge my brain could hold. I wanted to know the risks; I wanted to know the benefits. I wanted to know the difference between the realize band and the LAP-BAND®. I wanted to know how other people felt after their surgery. Basically I wanted to be well armored with as much info as possible. It was as if I was preparing to fight and defend my feelings to the world why I deserve to have this procedure. And then it happened....as I was explaining to him my feelings(yeah....I had a whole speech prepared in my head of why I was a candidate for the band....and I wasn't afraid to use it!!! ) he just smiled at me....and said "lets do it"! he told me that he would support me 100% and that we would start the 1st month of a supervised diet today.....so that leaves me only 5 more months to go!! Yay me! I realized going into my doctor’s visit today that regardless if I did or didn’t have the support of my physician....I would be able to find support elsewhere. BUT... I really wanted him to embrace this idea for me like I embraced it for me. I needed that extra little bit of confidence from someone who knows my medical history...it just kind of validated my feelings. Trust me, there are not very many times I have left the doctors office with an extremely positive outlook about my weight....but today it was just the opposite. Today was just for me...and I have the feeling it’s just the first of many to come….and when I finally made it into the “safe haven” of my car I was able to give release the river of tears that have been levied back for way too long.

*confession* I am always looking at your comments and posts...cause when I am reading your words of encouragement and positive outlook I feel like it's not a whole bunch of candy coated BS...and I like that.