http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/ Lap Band Talk Forum - The largest forum for Lap Band Surgery Discussion and Lap Band Procedure Support en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:25:04 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.lapbandtalk.com/images/styles/lapband/misc/rss.jpg http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7396.html Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:14:12 GMT Blog Sorry that title was a little harsh! I wanted to be really bold to myself when I wrote this. Although I am on soft foods, I wanted to post this for myself to read when I move to solids. Many new people come to the chatroom on this site everyday, where I spend most my time. Many also go to... Blog Sorry that title was a little harsh! I wanted to be really bold to myself when I wrote this. Although I am on soft foods, I wanted to post this for myself to read when I move to solids.

Many new people come to the chatroom on this site everyday, where I spend most my time. Many also go to the forums. I hear a very common question,

"I am so depressed, I haven't lost any weight. I can eat ANYTHING."

I honestly was in shock the first time I read this. What did these people mean, they CAN eat anything?! I feel like they have the wrong idea about their band. Thinking it's going to make them physically unable to eat unhealthy foods. I feel like these people got the band and want it to do all the work for them!

So in chat, I nicely say, "What are you TRYING to eat that you don't want to be able to eat? Pizza, donuts, soda, carbs?" and you know what they do, they IGNORE me. They act like I'm not even talking to them and only respond to the people who say, "When is your next fill? It will get better!" I don't really take it personally, it just proves my point even more, they don't want to take any damn personal responsibility for their weight loss or lack thereof.

I am grateful for my band. My band is there to tell me when I am full on smaller portions, therefore making it easier for me to eat less, and forcing myself to make better choices since I get less shots at it!

My band is NOT there to make me physically sick and miserable when I play with slider foods or eat the way I used to.

I know I am not as empathetic as I should be. I have been in self-sabotaging modes before the band, especially while waiting for approval. But maybe I just needed someone to be honest, instead of someone just saying "it will get better". When it really won't, not unless these people realize they aren't losing weight because of their eating habits, and it's not the bands fault. That's just not what it's there for.

Maybe this is a bitter pill for some people to swallow. This is not easy. The people on this site that have amazing before and after pictures, I always ask them what their diet and exercise regimen is, and they always have one!

I came into this knowing I would have to adjust the way I eat to be successful. I hope I come back to this blog when I slip up (I will. I am human, and the initial enthusiasm wears off eventually no matter who you are). And I hope I read this and remember how lucky I am to have this tool, literally, inside of me! This tool wants me to succeed – but it can only help me if I help it. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7396.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7345.html Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:54:53 GMT I like how my last post was all spelt wrong since I was on drugs and used my cell phone. But I'll keep it for memories.


I am definitely in a stage I heard about called Buyers Remorse. I am freaking OUT that I did this. I feel like I got hit by a truck. The gas is bad, the nausea, and it seems like I am getting stuck with just 1 oz of water every 15 minutes. I know I KNOW it will get better, but I am just panicking now.... ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7345.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7332.html Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:52:42 GMT The pressure from the gas has
Been unbearable.
I'm hoping it
Will be gone by morning! Still in the hospital onnmany drugs! ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7332.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7316.html Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:05:09 GMT Well, I am really in shock! When it rains, it pours! Within two days, I had approval, a preop, and a surgery date scheduled because they had a random "opening" on Friday (this happened Monday). Now here I sit on my wimpy, clear-liquids preop diet! Boy that chicken bouillon hit the spot (lol).

I wasn't able to tell anyone because I broke my laptop the night before approval! i'm awaiting it's arrival in the mail, but I think I'm going to have the surgery without the computer :(.


So tomorrow, 10/10/08 is my surgery! It's at 5:00pm so i'll probably stay the night. I am so excited, and wanted to let you know. Thanks for chatting with me for so long. I am still in disbelief it's actually happening to ME. Me?! Really? I am so excited, I'm not even scared yet! I just can't believe how much work this was, and now it's finally here. Thank you all for being such good, kind, wonderful people to me over the last eight months and I will see you Saturday (if my laptop is here, hopefully) ! bye!



Lisa ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7316.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7271.html Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:37:45 GMT Here's a shoirt recap on why I've been on this site so long, yet still am not banded.

This is actually the third insurance go-around I've attempted since March. I started with Kaiser and they denied me but, it was pointless to appeal because I had an exclusion in my policy since my mother was buying an individual plan. It was horrifying, because I had been lied to and told they did have it covered while we were shopping around for insurance. That's when I learned to document everything, because I could've sued their asses if I had documented that I had been told they covered it by a sneaky salesperson juist trying to get us to buy the policy! The second company had a $7,500 max, which is around 35% coverage with Dr Snyder, I COULD NOT afford to pay 9k, if I was going to do that I would honestly go to Mexico so I didn't have to get insurance approval! I then took out a student loan for 10k and began to research Mexican DRs and by this point it was summer and I was getting desperate. iI then saw a special about student loans and went into a panic mode, droive to the post office and returned the un cashed check within 30 days. They are trying to say it was 31 days but I have record of EVERYTHING so hopefully they will leave me alone, they was $600 just for interest for the first 30 days, loans are horrifying! That may come back to bite me one day, but I haven't heard from them and when I called they say my account was at zero "yea right..."

Anyway, my mother decided to get a new job (she had no idea I was looking into surgery, I wasn't ready to tell her) and then as soon as she did I explained to her what i had been up to and she asked her employer if they covered bariatric surgery, and they said they do 100%. I had also been tested for Sleep Apnea during this time and been diagnosed with both that and GERD,

**Whew, that's lots there*** Anyway, I jumped on the seminar waiting list so I could get on the consult waiting list and allt he while I went down every waiting list for the evaluations, Upper GI, Pulmonary, Psych (what a nightmare my DR was, he didn't want me to have the surgery, but he was an 90 year old, out of touch jerk that got upset I wouldn't answer my cell phone when he called me incessantly AFTER my appointment..total creep, and my surgeon agreed.) And a few others that are slipping my mind at the time. I have spent every single second of my life trying to waste no time, but it's nearly taken 9 months and finally insurance has my paperwork.

Sorry for the long story, but there's my experience, lol. I am hoping they don't deny me, I really don't know why they would, since i have a 41 BMI and 2 Co Morbs and they only require 35BMI w/ One CoMorb or 40+ so chances are good, unless they say something stupid about a 'diet' (which I haven't read ANYTHING about in the policy they sent me) or that I haven't been with the insurance long enough. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7271.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7247.html Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:49:38 GMT I've read a ton about Dolly and know she has some die hard fans and some, not so much. Everyone had been admittedly a little tweaked about her attitude while they waited for approval but seem to have a softer heart for her when they hear those magic words.

So, I called last night and left a message and e-mailed, and she actually did call me back, right in the morning! How cool is that?!

The best part was, today she was very sweet! I finally saw some emotion from her! I wonder if it was on my message when I laughed and said, "Bless your heart for putting up with me." I just wanted her to know I knew that she was a busy lady. And I want her to know who I am, because there are a TON of people waiting for approval at the office right now, and she is the only insurance liason there.

Bad News...

Not only did she not submit it within two weeks of my consult, she had called me a told me she submitted it the SAME DAY that she did it, September 25th.

She also said on September 27th (that's weird, a Saturday?) she got a fax back from my insurance (wow, how timely!) asking for "The name of the hospital and if it was an inpatient or outpatient procedure)...She said she "faxed them back the information" Let's all pray she did that the same day as the fax was received (27th) but I'm going to guess she waited til Monday or insurance didn't input it til Monday (29th). *sigh* At least we know they got...as she pointed out...
So no driving to the office to collect my file and submit it myself, I know KNOW KNOW they have it!

Fantastic News...

She gave me the number to Clinical Coordination so I could call myself!
THEY HAVE IT THEY HAVE IT! YAY.

The people who are on the "Number on the front of your card!" Have no clue what bariatric surgery is, or a pending authorizaton...This is the department they call and ask. The lady was PEEVED that I called, and told me to make sure I call the number on my card next time, this is not for members, even though she told me "It's in review" hehehe....

Thinking I should call back and ask what day they received it, because I asked Dolly how long this company usually takes. She didn't know for sure, BCBS of MA ppo Blue Advantage is just another of a million companies, and it's based out of MA, the company my mother works for it based their...so I doubt they have a lot of people using that insurance, but she told me, "Legally, they have 30 days."

Ok, I am feeling a little better. Now it's time to call and find out when their 30 day timetable is up. AND Dolly said if I hear I'm approved first, call her right away to schedule the you-know-what, holy crap! How exciting.

BUT she did keep asking me if I know I have 100% coverage. The only thing I know is my mom's employer said, "Yes, bariatric services are covered with the proper authorization." Yes, got it...but Dolly wants me to call and have them TELL ME that and then DOCUMENT it. So I am going to call "The number on the front of my card!" and have them tell me AND send me a copy of my bariatric benefits to be safe, legally, since it's such an expensive thing.



Yay. I can rest a little better now, time to go harrass, have a good one guys. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7247.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7213.html Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:53:08 GMT Finally, I was able to speak with Dolly. I started calling her three days ago, emailing, calling, calling and calling. One busy lady. But I hear she fights hard for approval, whatever that means, just wanna be approved!

She called yesterday and I 'blew' it big time by missing her call (she called at 8:15 AM when I was still asleep) so today I learned from my 'mistake' and slept with my phone next to my head and set a special ringtone for her number. I heard it at 8:20 AM and my eyes popped wide open and I thought..."Ok, here we go!" and I tried to answer very perky so I didn't sound like I was sleeping, even though I don't think it's a crime to sleep uintil 9/10 am.

Unfortunately, she had no news for me. She said that she had submitted my paperwork to my insurance and would call me when they called her. I should've asked her more questions, but I didn't. I should've asked her if she found out if the cover 100%, and I should've asked if she submitted it TODAY or TWO WEEKS ago at my consult, so I had a better idea of how long i'd be waiting.

My fingers are still crossed hoping they have that 48-hour turnaround promise I always hearing people talking about with BC of MA. But it could be 30, so this is real torture. But I am glad I heard from her. Now it's time to leave her alone and start bugging insurance! (like I haven't been calling them daily already ;) ) ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7213.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7145.html Fri, 19 Sep 2008 22:24:17 GMT I couldn't resist! I know the paperwork is SUPPOSED to be submitted by today, but I just have this sneaking suspision that the surgeon's office is taking their sweet time.


It even says on his website that if you call your insurance to ask if they have received any paperwork, they WILL SAY NO, THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT. Even if they have! (He explains this happens because it goes through many departments before it gets entered into the computers that it has been received, even if they are deciding on approval at the time that it has not been submitted into the computer).

But whatever. It's almost 5:00 on a Friday, can't hurt to ask right??? ;)

.......stay tuned....



Of course they haven't gotten it :)...oh well. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7145.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7138.html Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:11:33 GMT Thought I'd update...I've been to the pulmonary Dr and my consult. Waiting Waiting Waiting. I've also been trying to 'chill out' on chatting on LBT so much, it was hurting my heart to FEEL like a bandster, but to not really BE a bandster. So now I am back a little, and all my paperwork has been submitted to the insurance (they told me) !

Soooo ... I am just waiting for a call from the surgeon. Any day now, I'll hear a yes or no. I am NOT excited, unfortunately, because I have been denied before. It isn't real ... until I get approved...

that's also causing a problem cause I need to start losing NOW and taking this seriously!

...Wait til next post...my fingers are crossed. Hope your own journey is moving smoothly. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog7138.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog6694.html Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:54:35 GMT Ok, so it is actually not NOTHING, it's kinda a big deal. iV sedation and a scope down into your small intestine through your throat? yah...but in the end, I put it in God, the Drs, Nurses and the drugs'! hands and lay there, and let it happen, and it wasn't unpleasant at all.

Right before I went in I thought "Oh God, what am I doing? If I can't do this, I can't do the damn surgery!" then as I walked out I thought, "Just let it happen, let them do what they need and it will (most likely) turn out as planned..." stop worrying...Gosh...if I could just keep this attitude up...!

Next up...fight insurance about this STUPID $1,200 psych eval bill that is total bullshit. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog6694.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog6633.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:46:33 GMT So many of my friends on this site know this is my second insurance battle. I began in february with Kaiser, and there was a hidden exclusion no one told me about for months after I had jumped a million hoops. Now I have BCBS through my step-father, and if you check all my posts, there is a... So many of my friends on this site know this is my second insurance battle. I began in february with Kaiser, and there was a hidden exclusion no one told me about for months after I had jumped a million hoops.

Now I have BCBS through my step-father, and if you check all my posts, there is a very lame $7,500 cap that would leave me with THOUSANDS of dollars left and screw me even worse if anything happened after that that needed surgery that had to do with the band.

Nonetheless, I've chugged along. Using BCBS's cheap co-pays to go see psycho shrinks (that try to deny me), Upper GIs, Pulmonary, Blood Work, and Cat Scans. I figure by the time all this is done I will have magically come up with the extra 5k...? Who knows, but I knew I had to keep trying, so I did.


I have GOOD NEWS for today! My mother has gotten a new job. Honestly, I didn't even think about the bariatric coverage. My mother and step-father don't truly know why I've been trying to get on new insurances, I've been fibbing, saying I didn't like this or that...but wasn't ready to tell them I wanted bariatric surgery. It just wasn't time for me to share that yet. I finally told her to ask her new employer, and I just got an e-mail from her....


Bariatric services are fully covered under our company's BCBS of MA plan with pre-authorization

I read it and weeped. And weeped. and weeped. So many people come and go in chat, thinking about the band, applying, getting approved, getting surgery and losing. I sit there helplessly, trying to make friends and not envy them for their 100% coverage while I've been fighting for this for months and months. It was so overwhelming to read it. I know better than to get ahead of myself, but I couldn't believe it - I may get this surgery and actually get it covered 100%. To think, I almost went self-pay with a 10k loan that would've cost me 36k in the end...WOW...

We'll see...:biggrin2: ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog6633.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog6552.html Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:42:46 GMT Finally...some movement. Of course caused by me. I was scared this wasn't happening. I was devastated, the hospital wanted $4,500 up front (this is for the $7,500 lifetime max on my insurance)

TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE for a broke full-time college student. I wasn't going to give up!

I called ALL the surgeons in my network and FINALLY found one that said they would bill the $4,500 to me and I would have the pay it later. As long as I could get the surgery I am happy.

Unfortunately, I have to attend ANOTHER seminar that nearly 300 people go to every month. This will be the third one THREE!!! IF only I got paid for my knowledge on this surgery and insurance procedures, I'd be rich!

At least I'm moving toward something I suppose. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog6552.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog6088.html Wed, 28 May 2008 18:24:10 GMT Well, after being denied by Kaiser, and getting new Group Insurance with Blue Cross, I have just discovered I will no be able to afford the surgery because they have a $7,500 cap on it, and never cover fills. The lowest I would pay at Brown in Denver would be $5,000. I have to get this surgery for... Well, after being denied by Kaiser, and getting new Group Insurance with Blue Cross, I have just discovered I will no be able to afford the surgery because they have a $7,500 cap on it, and never cover fills. The lowest I would pay at Brown in Denver would be $5,000. I have to get this surgery for free, I have to...I just have to. I know others have, and I have to too.


I am looking at 2 more years of school, and until then I can't work more than part-time, and my bills are already maxed out.

At this point I have to let go of Anthem, and move onto something new. I have to keep fighting, I'll keep fighting for this.

Last resort is a $10,000 Private Loan Chase approved me for that doesn't need to be paid until I graduate, but the interest in insane.


For now I've called my biological father who owns his own business and found out he has a GROUP insurance policy with Kaiser, but still not sure if it is a benefit of his plan, and not sure how I can find out.

I Guess I'll Just ... Keep Swimming...! ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog6088.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog6048.html Sun, 25 May 2008 19:30:34 GMT Bye Bye Kaiser, and thanks for NOTHING. Bye Bye Kaiser, and thanks for NOTHING. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog6048.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5986.html Tue, 20 May 2008 02:30:23 GMT ehealthinsurance dot com just saved me a lot of time. I called this sweet rep named Shannon and she was straight up with me and said, "None of these plans include bariatric surgery, it's not an option with almost ALL individual plans."


HA!

Thanks, Kaiser. Geesh. I still e-mailed obesitylaw.com and to see if there was something I can do since an agent lied to me and said Bariatric Surgeon was included in individual policies. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5986.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5963.html Fri, 16 May 2008 22:49:09 GMT :thumbdown:They said it'd be 2-3 weeks, and that was May 1st. SO ok, it hasn't been 3 weeks, but I just needed to blog that the 2 weeks had past. And I wanted to put down in words that it hasn't just been 2 weeks. I decided I wanted Lapband Surgery on February 28th and have been waiting for the insurance process to move along.

I will continue to be patient because there is nothing else to do. I'm going to go to Denver to see my friends and boyfrend and go enjoy my stimulus check downtown like a good American...

Take care. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5963.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5917.html Mon, 12 May 2008 06:06:23 GMT So here I am. Been taking some time off from the chat and boards, had to get my mind of the wait for approval. But it will be this week that they call, according to their secretary. I think I'll sleep with my phone by my head!


Hopefully it just comes out of no where so the wait isn't quite as painful this week as it's been before. At least I have insurance now, and I'm not just waiting with a sealed envelope feeling helpless. That was a long two months!

Not even thinking about what I will do if they say I'm denied, I'm thinking optimistically. This is supposed to happen, and I'm going to be approved.


...To be continued... ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5917.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5871.html Sun, 04 May 2008 17:24:28 GMT I've had to rationalize here, while I wait to hear back about my application. I called the insurance company and they had an old phone number, I panicked and updated it, and double checked that day. I've obsessed over if I wrote the right thing, but I think it may just come down to my medical history which is riddled with instances, I feel like I have a fighting chance here.

But this is ridiculous! Imagine the most undeserving person, whoever that is in your eyes, filling out this app. They have no idea about this surgery, etc.

Fact is - Kaiser, (or Aetna, UHC, BCBS, Cigna, etc) doesn't CARE how bad you want it. And I have to accept that, that they don't give this surgery out based on sheer want.

UGH Why couldn't I have filled this out a YEAR ago so I could be getting my surgery this summer !? ::Sob:: ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5871.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5869.html Sat, 03 May 2008 21:35:17 GMT Today, after spending time in the chat where many people have come to either say they can't do the liquid diet anymore and are switching to mushies or cheating, then going through with the surgery anyway (or they were just post op) and also hearing from people who did this and can tell us all how destructive it is...Today I make a vow!

To my post surgery self;
This is hard, my friend. Although (for my specific life) Nothing is harder than how your life has had to be altered because you were obese. The jobs, relationships and opportunities you lost. Nothing is harder. Remember that. Remember to never go back, and the first part of this is committing to your self, committing to whatever damn liquid diet you get before or after operation. This is YOUR body, do NOT play Russian Roullette with it. You have waited long enough for this! Do you remember the day when you thought it would never come and you waiting anxiously to find out?

Post Surgery Self, you are a strong woman with a great willpower. This is the beginning of your journey, nothing will hinder your progress or hold you back now unless you ALLOW IT to.

As simple as this sounds, and as many times as it may have been repeated by you or to you; You can do anything you put your mind to. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5869.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5836.html Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:24:44 GMT :drool:Today I submit my application to the Kaiser Weight Management Department and I couldn't be more excited. It seems the further into the process I go, the less scared I am about surgery, scar tissue, slippage and everything I've heard that initially made me weary.

Because even more likely than those things, is the chance that everything could go OK, I could feel great, this could work, and it could save my life.

Please, send your love JuJu and Luck and Hope and everything you can along with my letter as I drop it in the mail today. 2-3 Weeks til I hear back. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5836.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5811.html Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:56:59 GMT One of my biggest WOAH moments after surgery will be going back to Florida and standing on the beach in a bikini. I moved there when I was 17 (more of a run-a-way with half-permission situation, pretty complicated) and I made a few friends. The girls of Jax Beach were really intimidating, and my... One of my biggest WOAH moments after surgery will be going back to Florida and standing on the beach in a bikini.

I moved there when I was 17 (more of a run-a-way with half-permission situation, pretty complicated) and I made a few friends. The girls of Jax Beach were really intimidating, and my boyfriend was an attractive skateboarder/filmer that hung out with really REALLY talented, semi-professional and professional skateboards...so needless to say the 'pro-hoes' really loved him and his friends.

After we broke up and left, I know he was with a lot of beautiful girls and (we are back together now in Denver) but it freaks me out, and I wonder all the time what they were like, hanging out on the beach together, in bathing suits...surfing. I almost feel like I've robbed him of having an attractive girlfriend, but he seems to love me for me, that's why we are back together.

But that being said, I can't wait to go back there and be *one* of them, does that make sense? I hope.


Anyway, there it is...my biggest dream.

Book my flight and look out Jax Beach...Imma comming home! ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5811.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5810.html Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:42:20 GMT Well...on a quick note, I've heard that I may be super succesful because of my savory tooth!

I'll pass down cake at weddings and parties to nibble on more nachos, chips and dips, or anything with cheese and bread. My favorite food in the WORLD is Mexican (lots of Vegetarian options)

And I rarely eat candy. It just hurts my stomach. I don't like chocolate...milk or frosting...yuck, just too heavy on me.

So I heard in the chat that this will go over very well with my band, has anyone heard this? ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5810.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5792.html Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:14:08 GMT I just wanted to blog a little about how gradeful I am for the friends I have made on this website. MI and Poo are my rocks, and everyone else, for the most part, has been so awesome. I really love being around such wonderful people. Thank you! I just wanted to blog a little about how gradeful I am for the friends I have made on this website. MI and Poo are my rocks, and everyone else, for the most part, has been so awesome. I really love being around such wonderful people.

Thank you! ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5792.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5790.html Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:18:16 GMT I'm known with my immediate family and friends as a pessimist, I'm trying to change that slowly so I won't die early like my grandma who was a really unhappy lady. I believe those emotions transcend into your body and makes you unhealthy at times. Let me add something to my earlier post.

If I submit my app Wednesday, they get it May 1st, review it, call me and approve me May 14th, I could be in the classes as early as September 14th. The eight week class would end November 14th, and they could schedule my surgery sometime in December.


I could be banded and rested to go to Spain in late January!! Hope there's fill centers there :) ! ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5790.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5789.html Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:27:45 GMT Just a thought I wanted to post. I see so many introductions here, and most of the people I meet in the chat are like me, awaiting approval or in the middle of their 6-mo doctor supervised diet.

Anyway, I wanted to just ponder it. I usually ALWAYS have some endevour I'm pursuing to lose weight, once and for all! Since I consider it the main hindrance in my life. Like I said in my past blog, it could be weight watchers, nutrisystem, even thought of self-sabotage like laxatives, but never went through with it.

While I wait around to hear, I feel like I am focusing on my energy on this website, my blog, my friends, since I feel so helpless waiting.

Maybe that is why there are so many prebanders here. Maybe the postbanders are out, living their new lives! How exciting.

And maybe we lose people because they change their minds, get scared, or get denied and just can't fight the system anymore.

I wish I had the smarts to get out there and start living NOW, regardless of what my insurance says. But I'm so scared of denial, if I go start 'living' and get denied, what will I do then? ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5789.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5788.html Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:56:06 GMT Although it wasn't any an approval, I still got to hear from the Kaiser Weight Management Program today.

I met a woman named Tina on obesityhelp.com. Although she had bypass, she's been such a joy and help! If any of you have smaller insurances (not BCBS or Aetna) and they are area specific (Like Kaiser) Obesityhelp.com is such an amazing site to search for other people with your insurance! I highly recommend it.

Anyway, Tina told me to call the department and ask for a great woman she dealt with. I called and asked for her yesterday and she finally called back today.

I was very honest with her. I told her I am anxious and I'm sure she'd heard it before, because she seemed like she had this whole monologue ready for me. She told me this timeline.

Submit app - 2-3 weeks until you hear back on approval/denial.

Once approved - 4-6 mos wait list for sugery prepardness class (longest wait, but you can complete your psych eval at this time)

Once you graduate the class -
Approx 45 days until surgery.

And then she said "Overall, you are looking at about a year from submitting your application to surgery."

UGHH! Not only is that way longer than I'd like, I am planning on going to Spain next January! Now I am just lost. I can't pay all this money to have to cancel the trip because I need to have surgery, and if I wait, it won't be until next May when I return.

I am just so anxious, I don't know where to channel this energy. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5788.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5766.html Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:55:08 GMT Instead of responding to the whiny post I just read, I'm just going to post to my blog. There are way too many sensitive people on this board that secretly wanted this band as a 'magic pill' and now they are whining because they aren't losing weight, or losing it fast enough because they are NOT dieting or exercising!

I just wish, so bad, I could be on my two weeks before my surgery! I would jump HEAD FIRST into my pre-op diet, for HEALTH REASONS more than anything! I personally am scared of surgery (along with elevators, and planes) Yeah so what? I'm a little bit of a pussy. Who cares?

If you can't eat a sensible meal, snack and two liquid drinks for TWO WEEKS, how do you expect to live with the band?

I personally have dieted like that at MONTHS of a time, of course to slip up, but I've gone well more than two weeks, and a surgery with my internal organs at stake was not involved!

I am a kind person and I wish everyone the best with their Lap Band journey, and I can't speak for anyone because I am not there that, but come on baby! Remember why you are doing this, and buck-up!

That goes for you questioning your doctor's orders about when to start eating certain foods after surgery!

I am a firm believer in a strict diet once banded, it will be the ONLY way to get where I want to be and mine and your body deserves nothing less if you are electing to operate on it.

I know there are exceptions to this and no one is perfect. I certainly AM NOT an angel and slip up ALL the time when I am trying to be committed to anything! I don't want to mean to anyone, I care about all of your and hope you are having a wonderful journey and just want the best for all of you. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5766.html http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5765.html Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:46:47 GMT On May 1st my insurance kicks back in after a short lapse because of job switching. It has felt like eternity. On May 2nd I have a PCP appointment (physical) to measure my BMI. Also, I will put my weight loss surgery packet in the mail May 2nd. I was thinking about mailing it early, but I... On May 1st my insurance kicks back in after a short lapse because of job switching. It has felt like eternity.

On May 2nd I have a PCP appointment (physical) to measure my BMI.

Also, I will put my weight loss surgery packet in the mail May 2nd. I was thinking about mailing it early, but I don't want to give them ANY reason for denial. If they deny me, I will truly be devastated, this is my newest endeavour to finally maintain and control my weight. (I usually always have something brewing...Nutrisystem, WW, Jenny Craig, Alli, yadda yadda yadda)

May will be a wait-and-see month!

All I can hope is that I can just let life take its course and focus on the important things like my relationships, work, school and my mental health which is always a huge struggle when you are obese as you may now. Can't wait to update you all. ]]> BikiniBeachy http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/33123/blog5765.html