Happy...Happy....Friday!

Definitely TGIF!!!   It's the end of my first week working from home and I'm loving it!!!   So nice when it was snowing this morning that I didn't have to drive up that hill to work.  I've put in some OT at this job and worked my 2nd job so I'm exhausted.   I just can't wait until 8pm tonight so I can get some rest.  I am working 4 hrs OT tomorrow but other than that not planning much.  Church on Sunday.   I need to get tires on my car soon too.

Hi Michelle,
So good to see someone from Duluth in here. I saw my Doctor at the Lakeview Center yesterday, and although he said my BMI would qualify me for the lap band procedure he hoped I'd try Weigh****chers again. I really really want to have this done. When you have time, could you please give me some background info on how you were able to get through this? I have BlueChoice Double gold coverage, and it appears it would cover the lap banding if approved by a physician. The doctor my doc recommended was Jay Lenz. I'd truly appreciate any help and info you can pass on!

Sue from Duluth

Hey Sue...glad to see another Duluthian here.   Hope you saw the coffee post for Duluth on here today.   I'd love to get a coffee group going.   My husband works at St Luke's which is where Dr Lenz is now.   I had my surgery at St Mary's.   I never had any trouble with my insuranc....I had high blood pressure and diabetes so I had no issues on whether I needed it or not.   It takes time to get through the hoops but it's so worth it.   Do you have any specific questions?   Feel free to send me a message on here if you want.   I usually check a few times a day.   I have known some others that had Dr Lenz and really were pleased with him.   I like St Lukes as well and have had great care there.   They weren't doing the surgeries when I was going in.   It takes a lot of patience....call Dr Lenz's office and see if you can get in for the informational meeting to start with.   I think that would be the best place to start.   I am here if you need anything.

Thanks for your reply Michelle.  I would LOVE a coffee group.  However, I think it would mean more to me if I knew this was going to go through.  It's funny - I've been reading everything I can get my hands on about this procedure for the past two years and now that I've made up my mind it's like I want it NOW!  I've never been known for my patience.  I sure would like to ask you a couple of questions for starters.  How long did it take you to have your lap band placement from the day you first met with the bariatric physician, how much have you lost, and are you glad you had it done?   I think this is going to be a wonderful support group.  I just get down when I think it may take over a year to even get to the point where you are.  I am so pumped with adrenilin and so ready to change my life that I wish I could check in to St. Luke's tonight, lol.  Oh by the way - was this out patient or overnight stay at the hospital?  Did you experience a lot of hunger before your first fill?  Sorry if I'm overloading you with questions, but it's so wonderful to have someone who has been through this to give you the real info. Sue

Sue, I can answer a bit but I had RNY not lap band so some of my experiences are very different from what you would experience.   I too wanted the surgery righ NOW once I decided this is what I wanted to do.  It was sooo hard to wait.   I do not every regret having surgery...it has made my life so much better.   On top of it, I was able to get pregnant and have a happy healthy baby girl a yr ago.  I would do it again in a heartbeat just for her alone.  I lost a total of about 105 lbs....and am still at that even after a pregnancy.   I am still not small by any means but am so much healthier than I have been in yrs.  

Hiya Sweetie~ TGIF  indeed!   Today at my placement I got my first client!  I'm working/studying at the Community Outreach Team for the Older Adult Mental Health service.  We field requests for help from family/caregivers/nursing homes, etc. when the loved one exhibits signs of dementia.  We give  strategies  for coping with problem behaviours.  Anyway-- today's the first day I felt useful!  It's been a rough week---Monday and Tuesday I have class, and placement the rest of the week. My weekend?   Studying, studying, and more studying!  I have another exam on Monday.  Say a prayer for me? Ya'll have a great weekend! (((HUG))) **SUE**

Howdy MOM...  So glad to hear you have started you placement..  I like feeling useful too!!  Good thoughts and prayers to you for strength and perserverence!!

It's been a quick week, my back and left knee have been giving me a lot of pain, but I got in with a new chiro who seems to be rather aggressive with his treatment - I've already had x-rays and 2 lengthy treatments that felt very good.  Hopefully, he can get me put back the way I belong! Taking my son out to lunch at Dave & Barry's tomorrow to celebrate his EXCELLENT first report card in Middle School   , then grocery shopping, and heading to an Undercover Wear party tomorrow night!  (Think maybe I'll be able to find something - uh.... special???) Sunday will be church, hopefully do some house cleaning (did I say HOPEFULLY???), and relax a bit.  Monday I'm off!  (cheesy government holiday!)  So I'll either go use up my last massage gift certificate from last Christmas, or maybe go see a movie.  And take Hazel in to get a growth on her pretty chest looked at, and maybe removed? Have a happy one, all!

Darla, Have a good weekend!  I hope to come back and announce that I was a winner at BINGO. I can't believe I have to tell you this because I hate when people make plans and then back out.  I came home all excited to have my husband write the check for the Lodge and he asked me when it was , when I told him 3/29 he reminded  me that his best friends son has his bar mitzvah that day. So, If it turns out another day is chosen, please let me  know. I AM SOOOOOOOOOO SORRY I swear I hate backing out.  If it turns out my backing out has a big impact on the $$$ deposit, let me know.  I will get you my portion

Hi Darla~ I usually LOVE your posts, but I'm afraid I have to comment on one phrase----"Monday--a 'cheesy' government holiday".   Are you referring to Remembrance Day as a 'cheesy' holiday?  I don't want to open a can of worms here, but the expression you used DID rankle me.  Not only do I have friends who served in various military operations, but my oldest son is an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, (now that IS a joke--not my son, but saying Canada has an armed force...) and even I was in the US Army in 1976.   It doesn't matter whether a person is a 'dove' or an 'eagle' in terms of current world events---we should honour our soldiers for the sacrifices they made in past wars. 'Nuff said.  Just had to get that off my chest. Have a great weekend--and enjoy getting Monday off! ((HUG)) **SUE**