wootsie73

Well, I quit and then start back, then quit again.......It's a vicious circle for me. I don't just quit for a week or so, I quit for a year and start back. I have no idea what my problem is, but I can't seem to stay off of the stupid things. I guess right now I'm really showing my boyfriend who dumped me, because I smoked when I was with him. I haven't heard from him since. So, now I'm smoking all the time again. He doesn't even know, so the jokes on me. Anyway, I wanted to tell everyone that Chantix really does work. I've taken it the last 2 or 3 times I've quit, and was very successful. Combined with the patch, it was much easier to quit. I am going to try and quit again before my surgery, but I don't have a surgery date yet, and I'm still depressed over my bf dumping me. I'll think about that next week! Joan

RestlessMonkey, Thanks so much for the information. I had tried to google before, but I put in weight loss instead of eating disorder. I found 1 here in my city, so I hope I can see her. It will depend on if she takes Medicare patients. Thanks again!

I'm glad you found out that Medicare would pay for the procedure. I've known it for over 2 years now, and am still not banded. Some of the reason for that has nothing to do with Medicare, but Medicare does require you to do 6 months of a dr supervised weight loss before they will pay. I've run into the issue of a Center of Excellence being a problem for me. My surgeon did practice at a Center of Excellence, but he opened a private practice in another city, and the hospital there isn't certified yet. I'm still in limbo waiting for them to get that certification. Good luck with your journey! I'm sure it won't be as long as mine has been. Joan

Personally, I think she just blurted out that the car smelled like there had been a dead body in it. I don't think she stopped to think what she was saying at all back then. Even though she denies it, I think she is probably very sorry she said that now. Joan

Welcome Randy, As an RN, I can definitely understand you have your own set of challenges, but it sounds like you are on the right track now. As a kidney patient myself, I am just hoping to get my band and lose some of this weight before I end up on dialysis myself. Joan

Hi There, I don't think you did anything wrong, because I've run into the same thing. I asked for a mentor/buddy and never got a response either. I post on other threads and get responses, so I don't know what the deal is. I'm an RN to, but I'm still not banded and need some emotional support. Joan

I'm not banded yet, but I have talked to my surgeon extensively about the different surgeries he performs. Without giving his name, because there has been some problems on here for people advertising their surgeon, I will tell you he is one of the top doctors in the state of Texas. This is not just my opinion, it's the opinion of my PCP, who lives 300 miles away from him, he has been voted 1 of the top doctors in the state by other doctors, etc. With all of that said, I will tell you that my surgeon highly recommends the Lap-Band, and actually told me that's the surgery he would have if he was having WLS. He has performed a tremendous number of Lap-Bands, so he has his own experience with them when he makes that recommendation. He also does the RNY and has done tons of those as well. However, I agree with everyone else who has stated that it's YOUR decision in the end. If you really want the band and the surgeon doesn't like them, then I would suggest you go to more seminars and do a lot of research on the different surgeons in your area, and the different procedures available to you. I would also suggest you attend some support group meetings and find out why other people chose the procedure they ended up with. Good luck and let us know what you decide. All of us are here to support you no matter what procedure you choose. Joan

Where can you buy cranberry juice like that? I drink cranberry juice, but I've never seen any that was 100% unsweetened.

I have to say this is a very interesting thread. I don't think I've ever read anything this interesting on this site. LOL This is a very personal subject, but I have tried it a few times, and I liked it. It's not something I would want to do every time, but it's variety and something different from the same ole same ole all the time.

In all actuality, none of us have as many rights as people in jail for murder do. Our laws are definitely in favor of the perpetrator instead of the victim, which is all of society. However, the Bible states in both Leviticus and Romans, both the old and the new testaments, that homosexuality is an abomination before God, so that is the reason the church feels the way they do. It's your choice if you turn your back on your church, but what's written in the Bible is what all churches should follow. Homosexuality is a lifestyle choice, not something you are born with. If a person was born that way, then it wouldn't be so blatantly stated in the Bible that it is an abomination before God. God didn't and wouldn't call it an abomination if it were a normal thing for humans to feel. He would never make a normal way of human life a sin in his eyes. Joan

I agree with Amy. I'm not even banded yet, but if the lap-band is what you want, then you should be sure that it isn't an option for you before you give up. Different doctors treat patients differently, so I would check around. If you've been reading on this board very long, you can see the differences in pre op diets, post op diets, etc. Besides, even if you don't have a lot of health problems except for your weight, wait a few years and you will. At least that's how it was for me. I hope I have helped you some. Just please get at least 1 more opinion before you give up. It's your body and you should have the surgery you want if it's obtainable. Joan

I hope you get your approval very soon, but if you don't, it's not the end of the world. I have been waiting for over 2 years, and I still don't have a surgery date. It has been very depressing and frustrating at the same time, but it will all be worth it when I finally get to have my surgery. My problems started when my surgeon wanted cardiac clearance prior to surgery. I went to see my cardiologist, and ended up having to have 2 stents put in my heart. The doctor used medicated stents, so I couldn't be off of my blood thinners for at least 1 year, and my WLS surgeon said I would need to be off of them for a week before he would do surgery. I was depressed for that year, but I made it through. Then, after the year was over, I called my surgeon back and the rules for Medicare had changed to having a 6 month dr supervised diet before surgery would be approved. I had a very difficult time getting my PCP to do this for me, so I was several more months in limbo. After I finally got the 6 month thing over with, I called and my surgeon had relocated! I called his new office and made an appointment to see him. I saw him on February 2, 2009. Medicare also requires surgery to be done at a Center of Excellence, and the hospital he now practices at does not have that certification yet. The hospital he used to do surgery at was already a Center of Excellence. So, I'm still waiting. They told me it would probably be 3 to 6 months before the hospital would get their certification. I called Friday, and there is no news yet. So, I guess I'm trying to help you understand that there may be a possibility your surgery will be put off for 1 reason or another, but you will eventually get it done. Although my wait has been long and very frustrating, I'm still anxiously waiting for the day they tell me I have a surgery date. I know it is coming soon. Joan

Hi gamyj, I really don't need anything in particular right now, I have just been waiting 2 years for my surgery and am a little stressed out about it since I still don't have a surgery date. I'm 53 years old. Thanks for the response. I can open the smaller threads, but the big 1 just won't open for me. Joan

Welcome to the group! I'm not banded yet, but I've been in the process for 2 years now. I am very glad to have someone who knows the ropes to depend on. Any advice you can give us will be greatly appreciated. Joan

That's great! They have all of my stuff, including the 6 month thing with my regular doc, so I'm just sitting here in limbo. I hope the hospital gets their certification soon! Good luck with your insurance approval. Keep me informed. :smile: Joan

Hi LadyDiva903, I'm not banded yet, but I would think it will depend on your surgeon as to what will happen on your first visit. At my first visit I saw the office nurse who got my vitals and had me write down all of my medications and previous surgeries. Then I saw the doc, and he asked me which procedure I wanted. After I told him the Lap-Band, we discussed the band and how it worked, etc. He had a little model thing there in the room. After I saw the doc, I talked to his nurse that is with him during surgery, the dietitian, and the person in charge of insurance and financing. I can't say you will have the same experience, that's just what my experience was. It wasn't scary at all. Joan

Allison-ann, That's sooooooo cool! Dr. Provost is my doctor too! I have done everything I need to do. Now I'm just waiting on the hospital in Denton to get their Center of Excellence certification so Medicare will pay for it. Hopefully that will be very soon.

Hello Everyone in the 50's thread. I am new, but old to the site. By that I mean I started researching the band about 3 years ago and went to the seminar and saw my surgeon 2 years ago. He wanted cardiac clearance, but I had to have some stents put in my heart when I went to get the clearance. Anyway, a long story shortened, I had to wait a year after the stents. Then, I had to do the 6 month thing with my dr, since Medicare added that requirement during that year. So, I have everything done now and am waiting on the hospital where my surgeon now practices to get the Center of Excellence certification, which is now required by Medicare. So, as soon as that's done, my surgery is a go. I'm hoping that will be any day now. So, I'm here for support both pre and post op. Thanks, Joan

Hi Everyone, I'm not banded yet, but I live in Amarillo, TX. I'm having my surgery in Denton by Dr. David Provost. I'm waiting on Presbyterian Hospital there to get their Center of Excellence certification before Medicare will pay. This thread is a great idea!

Hi Denise, I did find someone in my area that I like, but we've only seen each other 1 time, so I'm not sure if there is ever going to be anything there. He keeps cancelling out dates and is just to busy for me. Well, I'm looking for someone to go out with and spend time with, so I may not keep him around much longer. However, I did chat with him online about it last night, so we will have to see. He's initiated a chat on Yahoo with me for the past 3 nights, so...... Just so you know, I met him on LargeFriends.com and the guy from Washington state I talked about above on the same site. The other new guy I met was on BBpeoplemeet.com. I wanted to tell all you guys that I'm a new mom to. I have a litter of Boxer puppies that were born on the 28th and there are 11 of them this time. Some of you guys were around when we had the last litter of 7, so I just wanted to let you know we have another accidental litter. ~Joan~

Welcome to all of the new people to the thread! I haven't been on lately, but I've been following you guys and everyone is doing such a good job. Denise, if you feel uncomfortable with the guy smoking pot, then don't go out with him, it's as simple as that. You should not lower your standards to his just because you aren't dating anyone else. Go ahead and put your profile up on some of the dating sites, especially the free ones like Mate1 and Plentyoffish.com, and see if you get some hits girl. You will find someone eventually, just like we all will, at least I hope! I have a couple new guys emailing me that I think would be a great catch, but 1 lives in Florida and 1 lives in Washington state. It's a little hard for someone in Texas to date someone from that far away, but I know it's been done, so we will see. I'm still talking to the guy fairly close to me, but I still haven't seen him again. Anyway, I just wanted to welcome everyone and update you guys on what's going on here. Even though I'm online a lot, basically nothing is really going on. ~Joan~

Hello eyespy, I belong to BBWdatefinder.com. I have met only 1 guy in person from that site and he told me I was to fat, so I wouldn't recomend you join that site. I have had better luck on Mate1 and Plentyoffish.com than any of the sites I've paid for. Well, I belong to bbpeoplemeet.com and have found some very nice guys on there, but I haven't met any of them. All of the men on there that are interested in me live to far away to meet them. I'm not banded yet and I have found several men very interested in me, but most guys on the online sites want phone or cyber sex, at least that's what I've found. To update everyone on my dating life, it has gone no where. The guy I went to dinner with and I haven't seen each other again. He was supposed to come see me again on Memorial Day, but didn't, as usual. I'm still talking to lots of people online, but not meeting them in person, so.... I've been very depressed lately I guess is why I haven't been posting. I want to get my band and it depresses me that I can't get it for a year. I am going back to school though, so maybe that will help me get out of this funk. I sure hope so. I think I need some human contact with someone besides my daughter! We have a new litter of 10 Boxer puppies with a fabulous pedigree if anyone is interested. They were born on the 28th and are so cute! I wanted to tell you that I love your new pic. I'm jealous that I can't get my band damnit! ~Joan~

I also have huge insecurity issues. I was seeing a therapist when I was in Amarillo, but I don't have the money to see one right now. She was helping me a lot though. I have just been really depressed lately, so I am feeling really bad about myself. ~Joan~

Thanks for asking Chrispy. I finally met the guy who live fairly close to me Friday evening. He took me to dinner and we had a really good time. He told me he was going to come visit me yesterday, but he messaged me and told me he wasn't going to be able to make it. I'm not going to read to much into it, because we did have a good time when we went out and he was very much a gentleman. He kissed me goodbye, but he didn't try to attack me, so that made me happy. We will just have to wait and see how things go. I do think I like him to much for the length of time I've known him, so I'm going to have to be careful with him. As for the other guy, I talk to him online sometimes, but he is busy traveling with his job all the time, so I don't know if we will meet or not. ~Joan~

You are absolutely right, but I live with her and she pays the rent. She also has the only vehicle we own, so I kinda have to do what she wants to do most of the time. It does get irritating to say the least. Joan