happygirl65

NICE! Way to go!

Yep I felt the same way, also drove 2 hrs...then got there, got out of the car...almost threw up...my dh reminded me we are just talking to people today and getting some perspective from people who know this road. It will be fine and you will know what you are getting yourself into after this meeting. Good luck! IT will go great.

I like to embarrass people right back when they ask if I am pregnant...I say nope...then slap my belly and say just fat...they turn so red and stumble all over themselves to aplogize or run away. The fact is, they don't know you. They know nothing about you and I honestly beleive most people don't mean to be rude. It can be hurtful but we have to be strong and confident in knowing that we are doing what we can to make our lives the best they can be and that means everything. Children pointing and saying I am fat doesn't really bother me because it is usually an innocent observation. I have young ones myself so I am sure that helps with the perspective but I have had my own kids point to other obese people in a store and say they are really fat. I take that opportunity to tell them, people come in all shapes and sizes. Look at me, look at you, look at your Dad...we are all different...can you imagine how boring the world would be if we all looked the same? And then I explain to them that it's not nice to point out flaws no matter how obvious it might seem because it can be truly hurtful. My kids get it. I just think the parents that say nothing just whisk the kids away and probably chastise them when they are no longer within ear shot. It can be truly devastating and surprising to hear your kids say something they shouldn't and catch you off guard.

I am going to Dr. Simpson. I am confident that he is the most experienced surgeon and he teaches other docs how to do the surgery so that meant everything to me. I dn't feel like I have to worry about the surgery itself due to his extensive experience level. I am glad that he is not requiring a ton of tests but would gladly do them. More tests are required when you are older and have a BMI of 50 or more. I don't know if any of this was helpful but I think Dr. Simpson and his office are great. Good luck to you!

I think it's just because your immune system took a hit from having trauma to your body in general during surgery.

Well, you likely do need a fill, but the main thing to remember is that it is hard to change habits. Try to be conscious of everything you put in your mouth. Count your calories and make yourself accountable. It is HARD to be around all the holiday foods and sweets but just remember your reasons for doing this and hold yourself to a higher standard than you have before. Beating yourself up wont help..just repeat...I CAN DO THIS!

Yeah the liquid thing is probably the best because you wont get stuck with liquids. Sorry I am preband and dont have great advice but hang in there...if it's really bad call your doc again.

The main thing is that men do not think the same as women do. They are problem solvers by nature...he may even have thought that you were wanting him to help you problem solve by bringing it up. I have learned that I have to teach my husband what supporting me means....what I WANT and what I don't want. When I tell him in a way that is not mean or crabby he does listen and try to not be hurtful. If I try to tell him in a playful way or hint it never works...has to be direct and honest. He is no mind reader that's for sure!

You could be allergic to an ingredient in them...there should be plenty of others to try.

I understand your dilemma. I had a really HARD time telling my Dad. My Dad and I have not been close but I have always loved and respected him and he has loved me the best he could. My weight has been an issue between us, not because he thinks badly of me, but because he wants better for me and I understand that. He even tries to talk to me about healthy things that work for him (never had a weight problem in his life) so I had reservations about telling him and I had butterflies when I picked up the phone to finally call and tell him. Here's how it went down for me: "Dad, I know we don't talk about important stuff much but I really need to tell you something really important." he sais "ok" sounding very concerned...and I said "I have decided to do the lap band surgery. It's not scheduled yet but it will probably happen pretty soon and I just wanted you to know that I am doing it so that you know what I am going through because you are an important person in my life and I want you to know what is going on with me." He said, really? "Yeah, this is just something that I think can really help me with this weight struggle that has been dogging me my entire adult life. I have done my homework and I already know the risks and the rewards and have made up my mind. I just wanted you to know." He went on to tell me of some friend of a friend who has lost a lot of weight that way and that he wishes me the best. One thing I know about Dad's in my experience is that if you approach something from a standpoint of being absolutely certain and confident about something then they will respect that you have thought it through....but if you act like you are not sure...even if you are really just nervous about THEIR reaction they will try to poke holes in the plan and see if it still holds Water for you. I don't think they mean to be disrespectful, they just want to make sure that you are sure you know what you are doing/getting yourself into. Just be strong and resolved. Just thinking about telling him is stressing you, so you can tell him and get it overwith, or stew about it yourself. I honestly didn't expect it to go as good as it did with my Dad, but as it turns out he sees me as an adult now a whole lot more than I do at times and at least in my case he sees that I have made some pretty good decisions for myself and my life thus far. It was a really good talk and I feel closer to him now than I did before so it went well. I wish you luck with talking to your father in whatever way works for you.

Yep, me too, met the surgeon and the staff that would handle my case...went over history and any questions I had, then on to the staff fo the insurance side of things. All in all fairly painless. DO BRING a list of questions because I got overwhelmed and couldnt remember my questions.

Awesome!

WOW! Congrats!

Yeah, I have heard that a lot...you have such a pretty face....gee thanks....even my kids (very young and not meaning anything by it) "I love you no matter what you look like." They sincerely mean it but still....I also don't crave compliments anymore though but it's because I am filling myself up on the inside with positive ideas and dreams. I know there is more to me than my appearance and even though my self esteem has come so far, it's still annoying when people give me dirty looks at the gym or the movie theater. I get what you mean though, it used to bug me a lot to hear what a pretty face I have...

Definitely bring it up with your doc. Maybe they will help with the letter of recommendation for the insurance company and maybe they wont...mine wouldn't...had to get someone else...I am still in the process of approvals. As the prev poster stated most ins companies require 40 BMI or 35 with co-morbidities You can also expect to: 1. List diet history including dates, how long you tried it, how much you lost etc 2. Some require 6 months supervised weight loss that is documented by a doctor with monthly weigh ins (not all) 3. Recommendation letter from your primary doc 4. Proof of morbid obesity for 5 years (mine wants that...all may not but it has to be in the form of chart notes from doctor visits) 5. Attendance of phsych evaluation, nutrition education, seminar and documented plans for support afterwards The very best thing you can do is call your ins co and ask. They should send you everything you need to know including how much your cost sharing/access fees are. Good luck to you.!

Eight weeks is not too uncommon I don't think from what I have read. It doesn't hurt to request it and see what happens. Food related gatherings are something that is going to be a challeng no matter what (at least for me) temptation is high and it's easy to rationalize it. BE STRONG! YOU can do it!

Well, I'm no expert but it seems to me that the dye is the part that your body can't use so it has to pass it through...seems kind of normal but....maybe you can try to switch it up with some no sugar added juice or something like that if you are worried about it. The red die is probably the worst for seeing it on the other end. Maybe try drinking a glass of water between the crystal light, or herbal tea? It's hard to say. Good luck with the liquids and banding soon to follow.

Yep, imagine how it will feel, not how it will look. I also have goals that are oriented toward fitness and things I will be able to do not just looking better.

(((HUGS))) and prayers! You will do just fine. The info from the surgeon will be accurate on your BMI so if it is 40 then you will be fine. Plus...at my surgeons office I found out I am now an inch shorter than the last time I was measured...he said it happens a lot...which of course increased my BMI. Keep the faith and keep working at it. Everything will be great.

Hi! I am hoping to be banded early next year but am having trouble with a letter of recommendation. My primary doc wont write a letter or even discuss surgery with me...My last doc from another state is now a sheriff and not a doc anymore....and the one before that no longer has my records....uuuggghhh!!! I am terribly frustrated with this entire thing....I mean if my primary wasn't so against WLS in general I wouldn't be having this problem. At least I know I have to get a new primary doc but it just sucks because a new doc might have to "know me for a while" before they can write a letter recommending surgery...or at least stating that my obesity is the cause of or makes worse some of my other conditions. Frustrated. I guess there is no real question just bummed a bit ya know? If I forge ahead and get everything else done then I could be out the program fee of $1200 if it all falls apart and insurance doesn't approve.

Well, I went to see the nurse practitioner in my docs office yesterday for an ear infection and decided to just ask her about WLS and a letter...she is GOING TO HELP ME! I cried tears of releif to have a doc actually take me seriously with this. She wants me to come back next week for a long appointment so we can go through everything and then she will write the letter for me...turns out her daughter had Lap Band 3 yrs ago and has had great success. I thanked her profusely and can't wait to go back to see her next week. She wants me to bring a list of my goals and expectations so we can have a really good talk about everything....I love her...she is offically the only person I want to go for as my PCP.