Still waiting....

[Idahobeauty]

Geeze does this time ever pass??? I am so pre-band it is not even funny. I am still waiting to go to the seminar and wish I was banded last week. UGH!!! I am so ready to start loosing this dang weight!!!!

[503-250]

So start now...go on a pre-band diet...I know it's not easy, but it will give you a gial to focus on and get you into the proper mindset.

[Vegaswildflower]

Thats a great idea!!

[Idahobeauty]

Thanks guys! That is where I am stuck, kind of. I talked to the nurse of the Dr. who will do the banding and she said not to loose any weight now because it will just make me have to do it again at the pre op diet phase...I have most of my pre op work done (sleepstudy, full blood panel etc) so I am hoping it will go fast. Does this make sense or sound like a huge denial issue??? LOL

[Tricia K.]

*hugs* for all of those that are still pre-band. I can't wait until you're on the bandwagon!

[mrs_christy]

I'm pre-band too Idaho, but the time flies for me thankfully....I think its my job and 5 million kids hahaha! I'm on a pre-op diet just so I can put a ticker on here, I felt left out. *smiles* Now, if I can just figure out how to get the damn ticker on here...ugh I am soooo weetaded about computers. Just ask Tricia hahaha!

[Idahobeauty]

Christy, well I am certainly not having more kids to pass the time:shocked: and the job thing pretty easy LOl. I am just one of those people who take a while to decide what I am going to do and then I want it done NOW!!!!! I really think they should do 1 seminar a week and not 1 a month...well, then everyone would be banded!!! Anyway, it can't come soon enough for me!!!

[PhotoNut]

Hey Beauty - next Tues night is the monthly St. Al's support group! We'll talk about some stuff we can get together and do to help ya pass the time. When the weather cools, LindaV and I will be back on the greenbelt walking our fannies off. You're welcome to join us!

Christy - 5 million kids?? Honey, you must be flat wore out. *laughs*

[Idahobeauty]

P'nut... I would love that!! I finally get to attend the seminar on Monday!!! Thank goodness! I am hoping that it wont take too long after that. I would love to walk with you guys.

[PhotoNut]

Ah yes, Monday. All seminars and Bandings occur on Mondays. Fills are on Tuesdays. Support groups are on Thursdays. Good thing these are weekly events! We'd all be exhausted and sore as hell :)

[JoyceGA]

I've been doing the pre-band diet since mid-March, and I am still pre-band. BUT -- I've lost 75 lbs.

Just follow the protein diet that post-ops use, and the pounds will melt. Then, when you reach the doctor's recommended BMI for surgery, you can do it. OR if you change your lifestyle enough by following the banded life program, you might be able to put off the band.

Whichever, this is the right group and right program.

[LindaV]

Hey Idahobeauty,

It's good to see you over here! Welcome to B2G!

[mrs_christy]

Ok you guys need to be sending me this protein diet, because my Doc hasn't said a word about it. Should I feel weird about that? Anyhow....let me in on that secret cuz I am motivated NOW. :)

[Idahobeauty]

Christy, not every doc requires the pre op diet so no you should not feel wierd about it. Some docs just want liquid the day before.

[Idahobeauty]

LindaV... thank you for your welcome. Hope to meet you at the next group meeting.

[ladytonya]

I want my band NOW, too! My initial consult is September 14. Talk about getting things together slow, I went to a local seminar in April, 2005. Had sleep study in August 2005. Then found out I was too fat to be banded by my local doc. Got all depressed that I was too fat to have weight loss surgery for a few months and then decided to find someone who would band me. Now I have an appointment in a week and two days! Yeah, me!

[Idahobeauty]

Ladytonya, I am amazed at how long you had to wait!!! Geeze I guess I am just way too impatient. I am glad that you finally have an appt. That must have been terrible for them to tell you that you had to loose weight for WLS!!! I mean come on... we dont do this because we have been troops about diets! Keep me posted on how it goes. I hope you get a band date.

[ladytonya]

I didn't actually *have* to wait. I just got so discouraged after being told I couldn't get the surgery at first I was pissed. I was 444 when I went to that seminar. I lost all the way down to 425 but just got stuck there. I took me from April to November to lose that 19 pounds and I was so frustrated because I had no support. I gave up and just went crazy over the holidays, eating everything in site. I gained all the way up to 452. I was so frustrated and disgusted with myself that I just went and hid in my little hidey hole until April. Then I got back out there and started researching again. Now, I'm fluctuating around 435. The local doc won't operate on anyone over 400. Doesn't matter what your BMI is or anything, it's just a flat rule. Totally arbitrary, but that's his magic number. Now, I'm a week from my initial appointment and I'm SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!

This site rocks!

[mrs_christy]

Well, welcome ladytonya. As you are excited, we are too! So far this bunch of supporters have been awesome!!! And as a newbie, I am on fire for this surgery and will keep ya on your toes too...that's what I'm here for. I'm hoping that as I'm chuggin along my journey, others will be inspired and challenged as well! Can't wait to be a loser!

["Just" Paul]

Go Tonya...:horn: :horn:

Go Tonya...:Banane51: :Banane51:

Go Go Go Tonya...!:Banane57: :Banane57:

[NotSoFunny]

Tonya I am so happy for you that you are finally on your way!!! Congradulations!!

[Idahobeauty]

Yeah Tonya!!! I can totally understand your frustration but now you are on your way! I can't say that I would be as strong as you have been to pick up the pieces and start again. I guess you have to do what you have to do. I am very proud of you for being able to do this. You will find HUGE support here.

[ladytonya]

Thank you all so very much! :o I really love it here. I would have never even gotten this far without all the reading I've done, mostly on Obesity Help but also on that other board, That Which Can Not Be Named.

My next step after the consult and the remaining tests that I will have to have will be the battle with the insurance company. I am not looking forward to that, but I will persevere! :Banane34:

[Idahobeauty]

Hopefully your insurance wont be too much trouble. I know it can be a pain in the arse to get things through. Have you checked into if the cover it or not?

[ladytonya]

They cover RNY but not lap band, but I know people who have won appeals. It's going to be all about the medical records I send them and how aggressive my surgeon's office is with getting them all the info they request. Plus, they were supposed to do a review in August of WLS coverage. The last one was in August, 2004. They haven't come out with the findings of that review, but I am checking regularly and keeping my fingers and toes crossed that they follow Medicare/Medicaid (I can never remember which started covering the band) and start covering us. I will NOT give up without a fight!

[Idahobeauty]

Good for you! I am glad that you are willing to hang in there and fight this out. It will be so worth it in the long run. You will be so happy you did this.

[Goannabanda]

I am wating too, and am eternally grateful that we don't have issues with insurance etc as you guys do.

I have had no insurance nightmares. I spoke to my GP, who suggested banding, saw a surgeon, did some pre-op tests, and am now booked for surgery on 5th October.

Our government is proactive in their support of lapband - they recently announced eextra funding for lapband surgeries, as it saves them $70 in diabetes treatments for every $1 spent on banding. Not to mention all the other obesity related disease treatments they save money and health care resources on as well. The other weight loss surgeries have all but been phased out here now.

In Australia, our subsidised medical system means that if a doctor or surgeon says you need something, and it's on the government list, it's covered, no questions. You can choose to be a public patient, for which you have to wait, risk postponement, but have no out of pocket costs. Or if you have private health insurance, you can get it done asap, with your choice of doctor and hospital, and between $3k to $4k out of pocket for the surgery. Fills etc are covered too.

idahobeauty, mrs-christie and ladytonya - good luck on your journeys, and I'll enjoy hanging out with you as we wait to start our new banded lives. Hope we can travel our journey together!

[JoyceGA]

I just found this folder -- it describes me so well.

Since my doctor won't operate till I have a 40 BMI, I could have thrown my hands up and given up with a BMI of 81. But I decided to just follow what banded people were doing. I've been to two support meetings at the hospital -- and feel I learned MORE in B2G.

I bought what they were eating -- discovering protein supply sites for drinks and bars. Gave up a list of sins. And watched my calorie intake.

I started exercising, which wasn't easy with a 50 lb tumor on one leg. First, I was limited to chair exercises; but in time I was able to use the chair for other positions while promoting to more difficult workouts. I love belly dancing, walking, and strength training.

Y'all introduced me to Colon Blow.

I swear by Lethicin. It cleans your system and gets rid of fat. The Shaklee program has you take 6 capsules a day (2 per meal). I can tell a major difference when I am taking it and when I am not.

I did a lot of reading about emotional eating and how to break patterns.

Since starting March 18, 2006, I've lost 80 pounds to date and now have a BMI of 66.6. The change of lifestyle was easier than I thought. One of the main things is the change of mindset -- you have to accept that the food/exercise lifestyle changes are forever, not just till you lose the weight.

I'll be honest. There is a possibility that I will choose not to have the band when the time comes, but I will always praise the lapband program for getting my life back on track. AND there is a possibility in the future that if I can't maintain a NORMAL BMI, I will get a lapband before I get so far over 40 BMI again.

The support I discovered HERE has worked better than any program I have been a part of in the past.

We all can do this!!!

[mrs_christy]

Ok gals I'm going to be banded October 23, for those of you who have not read my thread. I should have posted it on this category....ugh hind-site hehehe. I'm so relieved to have a date.

Idaho, any luck on your date? Congrats Joyce on being such a rock and having your eye on your goal. Woman if you have this much willpower with pre-banding, can you imagine how determined you will be after!!! You are an inspiration!

I can't wait for everyone to get a date. It's like waiting on Christmas hahaha!

[Idahobeauty]

Christy, Congratulations! That is awesome that you got in so fast. I did see your other post and thought to myself, "Man, I wish I still lived in Arizona!" . LOL. I do not have a date yet and the doc I will be seeing makes you do the pre op! So, it will probably be at least another month at least! Dang.

[JoyceGA]

Christy, congratulations. AND thank you for the super nice comments. I don't know if it is willpower as much as it is stubbornness to get this tumor off my leg come Hell or high water. The tumor drives me forward.

I can't believe how fast this is all coming for you. Sic 'em!!

[mrs_christy]

VERY fast!!! Can you believe they wanted me to get banded on October 13!!! Holy crap, Friday the 13th! I had to say ummmm NO THANKS and so they chose the next week hahaha! I'm not normally superstitious, but hey why take the chance!!!:p