Christian bandsters

[wombat712 2]

Y'all are welcome!

I LOVE seeing so much activity on this thread It brings me joy!

God bless

wombat

[pleasantlake 0]

I needed to update my ticker tape. I just got weighed yesterday at the doctor's office for the first time. I have lost 9 pounds in three weeks and had lost 10 more pounds during my pre-op diet over two weeks. So my total loss so far is 19 pounds and counting. The doctor was very happy with me ant told me whatever I was doing to keep doing it. Praise to God for he deserves all the glory. I have my first fill coming up on 1/16 and I am a little nervous about it. I just wanted everyone to know that I love this site. I am probably one of the few males on this site. But that is OK. It is just nice to be able to talk to other christians about our journey that we are on. Everyone try to open this site below and it will open your eyes to our real 7 wonders of the world. This is not a virus just a special thing about our Lord.:confused:

7Wonderso...wmv (5.5 MB)

[wombat712 2]

way to go pleasantlake!!!!!

I'm not going to tell you not to worry about your first fill because everyone does until they go through it. I would say ask for them to numb the area just to help you get through it. My first one went fine w/o any numbing. It's a funny feeling when you can feel it tightening. Not gross or painful - just funny :confused:

The second one hurt a bit because the nurse's hand slipped so now I get numbing every time. You only get it if you ask for it or at least w/ my doc.

On a side note: I've decided that I must go for another fill. I ate a whole order of chicken nuggets and a small chili at wendy's tonight. It's time for fill #5!!! I still have trouble eating Breakfast so I guess that means liquids for Breakfast for awhile.

[stepoffaith 0]

Question. for anyone: I received paperwork from the surgeon's office today and they want a *hearts & flower* letter written by me to the insurance compay stating my view of why I want this surgery. The reasons can be both medical and personal. I know there are several reasons but when I start a letter I just can't seem to form it. Anyone else do this. Help please

[candy8360 0]

I didn't have to do it, but am pretty good at writing letters. If you tell me some of your medical problems and the name of your insurance co. I can probably help you write a letter if you'd like. also include how long you've been trying to lose weight and some of the things you've tried.

[Dori 0]

Step of faith,

I actually work for an insurance company and have been in this buisness for 15 years and I can tell you that the bottom line about HMOs is financial. Make sure to empasize how the extra weight is jeopardizing your health. Mention any and all ailments you suffer from and how the surgery will improve your health which in turn saves the insurance company money in the long run. Make sure to mention all diets you have tried. Lastly, if your request for surgery is denied, do not except no for an answer, file an appeal. Hope this helps. God Bless.

[wsb 0]

We have to remember this is NOT a race. If your mind is thinking race, then think marathon and not sprint! Steady, even, sometimes slow, but always forward progress.

We've not eaten right for many years and we are making lifetime changes in our eating habits. We can't get discouraged because the weight isn't coming off as fast as we think it should. Just hang in there and don't let the scale get you down. Our bodies need time to adjust. My pattern since my banding last July seems to be to drop 10-12 lb in a 2-3 week period, then stay there for several weeks. Then drop another 10 lb or so, then level off again. After doing this for several months, I've realized I just have to keep up my exercise and eating right and not get impatient for the scale to move. If we can manage 5-10 lb a month, think what that will total in a year!

God Bless! Hope everyone has a GREAT day today!!

Thanks Phyl for the reminder it is not a race. I just said that to someone a few days ago, how quickly I forgot. I have had a couple of discouraging days due to stress, moving to a new home, etc...and just have not taken care to get in the Protein and Water I need, so therefore I am craving, and forgetting to take care of me like I should, and as a result, dealing with head hunger and guilt of not doing the right thing. I just got a fill a week ago, so it sure is not the time to be ignoring myself. Time to get back on track with my Heavenly Father and myself. Guess it is time to Be still and know He is God...the rest will take care of itself if I will do that.

[stepoffaith 0]

Thanks candy & Dori. I have sleep apnea, GERD, glucose intolerance but not on any meds for that. Am on CPAP and nexium. Have hip and back pain, see the chiropractor frequently, have seen ortho and received injections for pain, just remembered I might can use that as they discontinued the injections because it spiked my sugars...

[CTman 0]

Praise The LORD!!!!!!

I am so happy to have found all of you here. I'm kinda new at this. After praying about a way to loose weight I researched the Lap Band for about 2mos. before going to the seminar. I have a few co - workers and church family that have had bypass surgery. I do have a couple family members that have been banded. So far I have done all of my check list appointments except for seeing my Primary MD to get my letter and EKG. Then it's hurry up and weight for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield CT. Im praying for God's favor and a speedy approval. I would like to have my surgery the week of March 3rd.

Congratulations to all of you that have dates and have already been banded, God bless and thanks for all of your good Godly support and band wisdom.

5'11", 300 BMI 42

12/08/07 - Initial seminar

12/09/07 - Office called and said make other appointments, you shouldnt have any problems.

12/18/07 - Therapist & Dietician

01/03/07 - Met w/ Dr. Erhlich, Blood Work & Gallbladder

Ultrasound

01/08/07 EKG, Primary MD visit.

Please keep me in your prayers as I pray for you.

[Ceradad 10]

Hi all. I'm new to the forum and am really glad to see this thread here. I was banded on 8/28/07. To date, I've lost 75 lbs. I work my butt off at the gym (literally). I prayed alot prior to my surgery and when I was going through the 6 mos prior that I had to go to a dietician. I truly believe God is ok with this as he wouldn't want my daughter to grow up w/o a father.

[candy8360 0]

for Step of Faith: Here is a sample letter that might help you in writing your letter.

To whom it may concern:

My name is ___________. I am asking for approval for lapband surgery. I weigh ___________ and my BMI is ___________. I am concerned about my health because I know that my weight is a factor in many of my health problems. I have sleep apnea, suffer from GERD, have chronic hip and back pain related to my weight, and have to see my chiropractor regularly. I am taking Nexium, CPAP therapy, and was receiving injections for my hip and back pain but that had to be discontinued because my sugar levels spiked.

I have done much research that proves that my weight is a huge factor in all these problems. I have attempted to lose weight many ways in the past _____ years. (List some of the things you have tried.) I have been unsuccessful, as have many others that have tried as well. These weight loss methods are fine if you have to lose 10 - 20 pounds, but not very successful for people who are considered morbidly obese. The amount of weight I need to lose is so great that it is overwhelming. It's not possible to see success when you constantly see yourself failing.

I know that it would benefit me and the insurance company too if I were approved for the lapband surgery. Since my health problems are weight related, they would only improve with my continued weight loss. I have also researched the surgery and see many many successful people who have lost major amounts of weight and have been able to keep it off long term.

I too want to be one of those successes. Please consider me for approval. As I said, it would benefit you as well as me.

The financial implications of being overweight and the continued healthcare I would need are just one of the benefits that would be gained from allowing me to have this surgery. Plus, the benefits to me are more than I can say. This surgery would give me a chance to get my life and my health back to what they should be. I want the chance to be able to run again, to go on hikes, to be a more physical person and enjoy my life in a positive way.

Thank you for considering me for this surgery.

[candy8360 0]

Welcome to CTman and ceradad

CTman, looks like most of your work is done for the preop hoops you have to jump through. It's just a matter of time.

And ceradad, WAY TO GO! I can't wait until I can say that I've lost 75 pounds. What a huge success!

I will certainly be praying for both of you. Leaving right now for choir practice and church tonight.

All you guys on this thread will be in my prayers!!!

[phyllser 3]

Hi all. I'm new to the forum and am really glad to see this thread here. I was banded on 8/28/07. To date, I've lost 75 lbs. I work my butt off at the gym (literally). I prayed alot prior to my surgery and when I was going through the 6 mos prior that I had to go to a dietician. I truly believe God is ok with this as he wouldn't want my daughter to grow up w/o a father.

:welcome: :welcomeB: :welcome:

Wow! You are doing great! You MEN are so frustrating.. you lose so much faster than us gals!! We are jealous. Keep up the good work! You ARE working your butt off!! You're going to be one HOT daddy for that little girl! Praying that God will continue to BLESS your efforts.

[stepoffaith 0]

candy: thanks. I started my letter last night but I added alot since I got your reply. Polished it up and I like the looks of it. I am getting my PCP referral letter (one is not required but its icing on the cake) this week and I got my prior auth form for surgery from my insurance co this past week so my surgeon doesn't have to obtain one-just fill it and fax it with all the requirements. I also am filling out all the forms required by the surgeon. The seminar is next Saturday-less than one week a way. Thanks again.

[wombat712 2]

Hugs and prayers to all this morning. I almost panicked when I logged in and they moved the forum!! I was clicking everywhere trying to find our Christian thread!!!

Welcome you new guys!! Y'all are doing awesome I know God is in this so that we can be better tools for him and good stewards of the bodies He has given us!!

wombat