Lap_dancer

I'm coping with the hope of being thinner and more able to keep up with my life!!

Anytime you add the human eliment to the mix you will always find a variety of emotions. People are people and will say what they will good bad and otherwise. I have never read anything negative about any other site. I have seen complications posted and victories and complaints and complements. I never think it is okay to publically bash any other site. The more the merrier! We're all on the same journey!

Competition is a perfect word. That describes my sister and mother. It's never good enough, never as good as this person or that. Always looking for something to pick at. But competition would be very accurate in describing my mother who is 28 years older than I am but never truly found who she is as a person, as a woman. For this I have more pity than anger. FauxnaifI feel your pain. My mother's like that and so is my husband's. Tell your friends, coworkers, etc. Anyone else! You don't have to have her approval. Get your congratulations and "proud of you"s elsewhere. I learned to do that. Exactly. I have a friend who is in my balcony. She roots me on and encourages me. She prays for me and we laugh together over the many things that have happened. But I agree with you Fauxnaif, you don't have to have mom's approval. My sister had been living away from home for over a year. She had lost a lot of weight...came to town..walked in the door at my Mom and Dads, and the first thing Mom said to my sister was "Doesnt look like you've lost that much weight." My sister started crying, she was ready to leave. I couldnt believe she said that to her. WELL...if you've lost 87lbs its about time you got rid of some size 30's! Good for you.. thats awesome. I FOR ONE AM PROUD OF YOU!! - 2bthinagn This breaks my heart for you sister. 87 pounds is a lot. I think your mother was more threatened than anything! You have your sister and she has you. Take comfort from that.

Welcome! You'll find you have much in common with many folks. Best of luck to you on your journey.

Hi Dedee: We have the same BMI!!! Dr. K told me he has banded individuals with high BMI's. Just need to stick to his pre-op detox diet to shrink the liver so he can reach that sweet spot and get the band in. I have over 200 to lose. I expect to go one month with only fluids, anticipate losing about 30 pounds that way. That will make me lighter on my feet. I have issues with my tiny little ankles bearing weight on them hurts. I personally have not met someone who has lost over 200 with the lap band. I plan to be the first one. (would that be a great gift to yourself?) smiling!!! Let's keep in touch. I'm 3 weeks from my surgery. Best to you. Keep me posted

Sounds to me like you are so use to getting up and going that sitting down and watching is a little hard to handle. Try getting up first thing, eating something easy (protein shake in a can), getting showered and dressed like you would for work on a dress down day. I find just getting up and doing that and even wearing makeup is a boost. You can always volunteer at a place that feels close to your heart and could use the contribution of service. *nothing like the feeling of giving back to the world*

HOLY COW! I'm for getting the itemized list and finding out where that $4000 roll of toilet paper is...

In third grade in my state, third grade is the make or break grade for comprehensive assessment and promotion. No thanks. Each grade has its good side and bad. Ask. There is bound to be a co-worker who went into the upper grades and can answer your questions.

What a great post! You had a productive day and I'm sure you will rest well tonight having the worry out of your mind that things may have degenerated. Enjoy the crab! :hungry:

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: How awesome. I cannot wait for that feeling. Today is 3 weeks until I head for Denver.

Clear liquids for a month. Call Dr. K's office and tell them what is going on. Tell them also that you ate potato casserole.

Hi Angie38! I will be back to his office the next day for follow-up. Can't wait!!! So YES I will still be there on the 18th staying at the Holiday Inn Select in Parker.

I thought you were talking about orgasm! (can't help ya there buddy just practice, practice, practice..smiling) Anywho... I have never had a number issue with age but my sister is another story. She sounds like your wife. When she hit 50 it was SUCH a major thing the same as 40 and 30. I think what would help your wife is to let her know that all her loved ones are still around her and nothing about that has changed. You are still there by her side and don't plan to go anywhere. ( I have a hunch it has something to do with looks and time progressing that makes it so hard for some to handle birthdays). Nothing says I love you baby like diamonds or gold. But that's just me. A nice tennis bracelet and a night of passion would do it for me. *And must you ask for the senior discount in her presence if it bothers her so?* I'd rather pay the extra $5 for peace of mind for her.

and my doctor will stitch my band to the fat and stomach wall to secure it so it will not slip. Different doctors must have different procedures.

What he said!!!!!!!!

And I'll bet you're thinner! jealous me. SOON though.

Greetings and welcome! The first thing I would tell you is my own personal soapbox issue. Hope you are not offended by the word FAT but that is what I call myself. In my opinion fat people are one of the most taken- advantage- of segment of the population. Everyone has a remedy, pill, machine, DVD that will magically melt away the pounds. I cannot count how much money I have spent on hope for success at losing the weight. I only lost and gained which brought me to where I am at. I encourage you to do what you believe is right for you. Do exactly what you are doing, ask questions. Don't buy into what worked for one person or everyone but a few on this site. You read, learn, ask questions and then don't feel guilty if you decide it just isn't for you. Embrace yourself and trust what you believe to be the right direction. If you glean ONE item on this site that leads you to something that eventually you lose the weight with, it's worth it. now for your questions: 1) Fear of the process: This is what I found on another website--"The band is connected by tubing to a reservoir, which is placed well under the skin during surgery." What does that mean???? I'm going to the seminar on Tuesday. I'm sure that the seminar will clear up a lot of misconceptions that I have. You will see pictures at the seminar. Best way I can describe it is ..well, it looks like a used condom to me, rolled up. Hey, that's the best visual I can give to it. When they place the device into your stomach they create a small pouch which is still your stomach but it is much smaller and you will hopefully feel full faster. The procedure is done Laparoscopically (Lap) which means no big surgical scar but five or six small itty bitty entry points for the scope to view the inside of your tummy. 2) Fear of success: How do I live slim...or at least slimmer? No food crutches?! Food has certainly been a friend/lover/soother/source of entertainment all my life. How do I make the adjustment?? On the occassions that I have lost a noticable amount of weight, I became self-conscious and sabatoged myself. I didn't know how to deal with the attention and the expectations of going all the way and losing down to my goal. I went back to food. It was easier. I have seen a therapist for my eating problems. I eat for comfort, I eat because I don't feel FULL. Emotional eating is something most of us have dealt with. I do recommend counseling because the mindset of your old eating style and life needs to adjust with your banding. 3) What do I say to people? Do I really want their support or do I keep this to myself, perhaps just telling a core group of family members and friends? You say nothing. If you don't feel you need to, don't. My therapist told me to say "I decided to make healthier choices in my life and go in a new direction." 4) Cost: I really doubt that my insurance will pay for this, so this will be out of pocket. I don't really care about the cost though. I would sacrifice and pay for it. Just need to be emotionally prepared. So assume they won't pay for it, and then go for it. what's the worst thing that can happen? They say NO? NO No no no no no no no...I've heard that word all my life. How about, "can you climb that hill with us, there is a beautiful view up there?" (No) "Mom will you go to the mall with me" (No, I can't walk long enough) "Baby do you feel sexy> (No..hell, no) So I picked Yes to the band. Any suggestions? Did anyone seek personal counseling first? Hope this helps. PM me if you like.

They are so sneaky like that. Geez. So airwayman are you good to go?

Originally Posted by ard The surgery has not been approved yet but my surgeon informed me that my insurance Horizon BCBS NJ HMO will more than likely pay for the lap band procedure and the surgeon's fees but not for the port which is an out of pocket fee of $2000. Has anyone else had to pay this fee? Just wondering. Thanks OMG! Never. How crazy is that. You know what I'm thinking? I'm thinking that they will PAY for the S-U-R-G-E-R-Y because they do cover surgeries in insurance companies, but they do not cover WEIGHT LOSS surgery. So if you remove the cost of the device for weight loss, the SURGERY would be perfectly covered under the insurance plan. That's the first thing that came to mind. ((???))) who knows? Maybe they are in a round about way trying to get it done whatever it takes?

Welcome! I'll bet you are an awesome grammy.

I thought we were seriously eating bandwidth. hahahah. I had to do the above two days ago.

Worth the Wait My daughter came home from summer camp in her senior year of high school. She broke up with her longtime boyfriend for a guy who sang to her, played guitar and filled her head with poetry. They dated and went steady. He tried out for and got a position in a local band which was his dream. What a whirlwind relationship, her dates with him gave her backstage access and special treatment. But being his girl was so bumpy, complicated and filled with highs and lows. Still, she hung in there for several years until the other girls became more than she could handle. "Fans" they were. They brokeup but stayed friends. She loved him so much. She graduated high school and went on to college. All those special holidays came and went and since they were not technically sweethearts, she spent most of those holidays alone. He strung her along until she just quit caring. Several years went by and he would call, they would meet to catchup and she would find her heart swelling for him. Eventually she just stopped seeing him to protect her hurting heart. She valued her heart and decided she would wait for the right one to come along. She focused on her studies and got use to being alone. She went to concerts ALONE, she went to parties alone. Being alone wasn't so bad and she became stronger because of it. Then out of the blue one day she was at a store and bumped into a friend, with her pal was a guy she recognized from high school years ago. He was home on leave from the Army. She found that he had become so cute with time, so handsome and "manly" looking with that self confidence most soldiers possess. She casually invited him over and promised to cook him a home cooked meal before he left for Iraq and he took her up on it. The evening went great even though the dinner was not so good. Her dad liked him, her brother liked him which was a first for them both to like a guy she brought home. They wrote over the next year while he was in Iraq and by the time he returned, they had solid plans for a Christmas filled with adventures. When he got home, it was love at first sight, by January, he invited her to go back to Washington state with him and he would show her the national monuments as well as Devil's Tower, Wyoming. She took him up on it. After her trip when she got home, she realized she had never loved anyone like this before. He was mature, he took care of her flying her home from Washington and buying her souviniers she picked out. One night on the phone they opened up their hearts and she said " I waited four years for you" and he said " I waited three years for you". They realized that waiting for the right one was worth the wait! *and wedding plans are in the works* Hold tight. Something awesome is coming your way. Just expect it and be patient for it. Meanwhile, focus on you and take some time to spoil yourself.

Oh sweety, big hug to you (((right here)))) I have two stories for you and I will call them Meant to Be I dated my high school sweetheart from 14 years old and we got married. I imagined growing old with him, having his babies, I even had names picked out. A year and a half into our marriage, we were fighting alot. Marriage wasn't anything like I thought it would be (our dates were so exciting, he was exciting but suddenly he was boring and tired all the time) We had a huge fight one night and I threatened to leave him, he packed my bags and drove me to the airport and my dad flew me home. I thought we would makeup but got divorce papers after two weeks! I went nuts. I had to go to the doctor and get a drug to calm me down. I never wanted a divorce and it tore me apart! One night I was so desperate I prayed to God to please let me understand WHY? I got a job and after two months I was starting to feel a little better about myself. I swore I would never ever marry again or fall in love. Fast forward to a week before my divorce, I met a guy at work. My bosses new him, friend of the family. I ended up dating him. Our first date was so amazing he was the nicest guy I'd ever met. He treated me so great. (remember I swore off guys?) After six weeks of dating, we had so much in common it turned out his father knew my grandfather! (this was a major city so what are the odds?) I never looked back after dating this guy and he was the best gift God ever sent me. BTW: Our 25th wedding anniversary is in two years and we have two awesome kids, two dogs, and two cats. You just never know what other wonderful story there is to your life. I had mine written with my boyfriend but this version with my husband is so much better!

Best to you! Wishing you a safe surgery and quick recovery!

Hey Machele. THANKS! I'm hoping for closer to the hospital or on the same block. I was told the Holiday Inn was very close. True? We got a suite for 89$ with the microwave and fridge having that medical rate. I am so excited.