Cat804

Hi Donna, I'm Cat and I'm from WTH orginally. I just had my lap band surgery 12/1 and it took a lot of work to get there. But I did. Medicaid did pay for part of the band. The other part is paid my Medicare for me. You need to contact your local medicaid office to find out what you need to do to get your band paid for. Since I'm in Indiana I doubt we will be the same, but it seems that most Medicaids do pay for the band. Good luck!

I am so excited. I finally got my surgery date. I've been waiting and working through all the insurance hoops since February. Now that it is only six weeks away I'm nervous, happy, scared. Part of me wants it done TODAY and another part of me wants to find the nearest chinese buffet. :thumbup: I should be getting my surgery instructions this week. Then I will know more. This place has been a Godsend to me. I don't post often, but I do lurk a lot and read a lot....thanks to all of you! hugs....cat:girl_hug:

So sorry for not replying sooner. I've been on a physical and emotional roller coaster since I got my date. Physically I am just really a mess. I can't walk without pain, my breathing is difficult and I have NO energy at all. This really isn't like me and it is a bit scary. I sometimes wonder if it is too late for me. I'm trying to hang on, but I just wish it was over and I could start HEALING in so many ways. I know it is just physical and I'll have to work on the rest of it as well, but the physical is just bringing me down to a place I've never been and don't know how to handle. Everyone here has been so kind with their replies. I did get my doctor's orders and I will be on a 1500 calorie diet for 2 weeks before and a liquid only for the last few days before. I'm figuring a lot of carefully chosen salads and lean poultry and fish. Probably a protein shake or cereal for breakfast since I'm not a breakfast person. Thanks for listening to me whine....hugs...cat :)

Thanks, I noticed your first surgery was postponed due to fatty liver. May I ask what pre op you did. I'm larger than you were in the beginning so I am curious.

I don't have any issues, just stones. The shrink who did my psych eval mentioned it. I haven't seen the surgeon yet. Thanks for the info! I've never even had general anesthesia before....kinda new to this. hugs...cat

I did NS for a year back in 85. lost around 100 lbs and then gained it all back and then some. The food was pretty awful then, freeze dried for the most part. You would have to be really creative to make it food. The really bad part was the gas, cramping and "elimination issues" and most people lost thier gall bladder along the way. I didn't, but I do have stones. Anybody get thier GB out at the same time they got the band? ...cat

Hey y'all, I got the call!!! I'm so excited. I go for my first appointment 3/20. I'm going to see the nutritionist and have my psych eval, as well as watching a film???? I'm trying to keep myself even, but it isn't working too well. I am so ready to change my life and really feel this is the answer for me. I know it will be hard and a lot of work, but this time I feel like there is real hope. I have learned so much here that I think I'm going in with my head on straight and well informed in my decision. So if I act a bit goofy, I did do my homework. hugs...cat:thumbup:

Thanks Texgirly, I have to admit to being a bit nervous. I've been waiting so long to get started I feel like I'm stuck in starting position and need a good kick to get moving. I'm going to be leaning on this site a lot since I live in a tiny town and there isn't a support group nearby or at least driving distance at 3.50 a gal. I do have a friend that is going in for a gastric bypass about the same time I'll go in for my surgery, so that is helpful. Guess we may have to start our own support group. :biggrin2: I feel like I can do anything now!!! hugs...cat:thankyou:

I guess if you are planning a BIG funeral with lots of famous people gasping over how wonderful you look (being so thin and emaciated after the horrible infection and other mexican maladies) then maybe she is congratulating you on the beautiful corpse....you know....live fast....die young....kind of a goal thingy.... or she is just crazier than a rabid raccoon..... love the idea of the bubble....you are either improving...or it is true what they say that you get lucid near the end........... oh this is such a sick thread.....I feel so at home! :cool:....cat

Mine is Shadow Dweller don't I sound mysterious.... :eek:

how would they get the casket closed??? Better stick to the C's....grin

Mal, my husband drools every time we see a Dyson commercial. Seriously. He loves to vacuum, which is great, but I can't justify dropping that much cash on a vacuum cleaner. Is it worth the cost? Do you know that Dog the Bounty Hunter loves to vacuum as well? and no, I won't admit how I happen to know that.....

My favorite discovery has to be audiobooks. In the car, while cleaning, cooking...painting...whatever....love them!!! I even have certain ones that I keep in the car for big city driving. I know the story well enough to not really pay attention, but the voice on the tape is sooooo soothing!

Has anyone tried Dove deoderant on the panus problem? I love it. Not only takes care of the odor and sweat but makes the skin soft. I use it after every shower...I am going to try the blow dry thing though...thanks! Summer is on the way...Cat

I forgot to check this thread. I'm originally from the Terre Haute area and now live in Paoli. Sounds like there are a few here that are near me! I'm just starting the process for approval. Luckily when I can get all the tests and stuff done my insurance doesn't have a 6 month wait. glad y'all are here...this is probably the scariest decision I've ever made!:faint: hugs...cat

I just went to my first seminar tonight and I was ready to run upstairs and into the surgery unit. :heh: Very nice people and really up on the lap band. Lots of experience and good success. Anyway, I have the choice of three doctors and I wondered if anyone knew them and could give me a reference. They are: Jeffrey Allen, Gerald Larson, Jorge Rodriguez, any help would be greatly appriciated. thanks...cat

Hi TOM... I've been reading through this thread and you have gotten some great advice and compassionate electronic shoulders. This is such a great board! Thought I would add my two cents. From the sound of things it may be your wife is overwhelmed by not only being the primary care giver from so far away but also she may not be saying that she is afraid this is her future as well and birthdays just are that much more scary. I know occasionally my mother will ask me if I think her mind is "not right" and I thought I was being very supportive and assured her that she was fine. Well, the last visit to the doctor she asked him if she had any symptoms of alzheimers. Even after he told her that she didn't, I could tell she was still worried. Just a thought. Also, about the gift. Someone suggested a gift certificate to a spa...I'd go a bit farther. Make an appointment for "the works" for her on her birthday and take her there.... maybe even make that for you as well. Have her a spiffy new outfit for her to put on after and you put on a spiffy outfit yourself and tell her you want to take her out to dinner. If not for her birthday than just to show off your beautiful wife....Celebrating a birthday doesn't have to be about parties, gifts, cakes or age...just celebrate LIFE. Hope whatever you do, it is a happy day for you both. hugs...cat

Here in IN, Walmart carries the vanilla SF. Makes the best fruit smoothies with it. I plan to add extra protien powder after I'm banded. hugs...cat

has anyone tried the soy protien at wal mart? Out here in the sticks all we have is wal mart unless I drive an hour. I saw the soy protien the other night and it seemed to be loaded with protien and the soy should be good for me. thanks...cat

I've never wanted to mess up my car with bumper stickers, though I do have one or two on my dresser mirror...one says "my other car is a broom" and the other says "never drive faster than your angels can fly" both gifts and make me smile. On the other hand my license bracket says "my pekingese can lick your honor student" hugs...cat

sorry it took so long to reply. I would just braid my hair about halfway and then use a comfortable hair band to hold it in place. Stayed braided even on my most restless nights....good luck. out of my mind right now...please leave a message...cat

I used to have very long hair and I am a burrower...several pillows and burrow down into them...I kept my hair untangled by doing a loose braid. Just make sure not to tie it with a rubber band....does nasty things to the ends of the hair...good luck! out of my mind right now...please leave a message...cat

I bet this is the one that is going to be on dr. phil on monday. I saw a promo about it yesterday. They are going to be talking to the parents of this little girl and also another child. Might be worth watching. out of my mind right now...please leave a message...cat

I have to be the only cold natured fat girl I know. I sleep in a heated waterbed, in PJ's with a fuzzy blanket next to me, then a comforter and finally a very heavy quilt on top of that....then add socks and sometimes a hat and you have me....Lord, what am I going to do when I lose weight!?! I may have to get me a burly man to sleep with (I suppose one for each side would be greedy).:faint: out of my mind...please leave a message...cat