UMass Memorial Weight Center (Worcester, MA)

I have the band, so I think I eat differently than you, but I'm not sure. If I don't lose another pound, that's ok with me. I mean I'd like to lose that last 10....I never eat more that 1000 calories. I eat protein and green veggies (sometimes yellow or orange) I log everything I put in my mouth on fitday.com. I ate too may treats during Christmas, so last week I added coconut oil to my diet and in 4 days I lost 4 pounds. That broke my self inflicted stall.

What is coconut oil and what does it do??  Never heard of it??

Before I give you the books that I read and websites that will give you other books to read, please know that you have to low carb with it. No cookies or bread. It's the only thing i cook with now, and eat a piece of bark that I make myself. My recipe for my bark (which is 2 weeks worth) Is 5 heasping tablespoons of coconut oil. (it is a solid at room temperature) one chocoperfection bar. (these are amazing, They do not at all spike your glocose levels, are not made of sugar alcohols, or splenda. The use xylitol. It sugar free, no tummy distress and diabetics can use it freely. This bar has fiber in it. I tested it. I made myself go into ketosis and tested with keto sticks. I ate a bar and tested that day and the next, it truly is fine for low carb, sugar free diets. http://www.lowcarbspecialties.com/choco_bars.html)

Here are the books that I read and the websites that describe it: 

http://www.amazon.com/Coconut-Miracle-Previously-published-Healing/dp/1583332049/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200579080&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Lose-Weight-Louise-Gittleman/dp/087983966X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200579279&sr=1-5
http://www.amazon.com/Virgin-Coconut-Oil-Natures-Medicine/dp/0941599647/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200579128&sr=1-3
http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Fat-Lose-Healthy-Alternative/dp/B000OFOIZ4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200579204&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Fat-Look-Thin-Permanently/dp/0941599620/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200579241&sr=1-4

ttp://www.coconut-connections.com/weight_problems.htm
http://www.coconut-info.com/weight-loss.htm
http://products.mercola.com/coconut-oil/
http://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/coconut_oil.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52214

Hi Jessica...I am also new to the OH group.  I will be having WLS on January 30th.....(yikes just 2 more weeks!!!!)  I have been going through the LONG process of classes etc....(almost a year long process to this point.)  My Dr. is Dr. Kelly...he is GREAT so far. I only met him once a month ago to discuss which type of surgery I wanted to go with. I am choosing the lapband.  Drop me a line if you have any other specific questions I would love to help!!!!  Best Wishes....Karen :-)

Hi Karen. I had lap band surgery with Dr, Kelly last April I love him. I PMd you my email address.

Hi. I am a new poster also. I am going through the weight center and started in September also. I am just doing my skills groups this month and i am hoping to have my surgery in April. But i have cigna for health insurance and i am very worried they will deny me. does anyone have any experience with this insurer? Thanks

I don't know about cigna, but wanted to say HI!!! I hope I meet you at a UMASS support meeting. 

Hello ... my good friend is actually taking the skills group classes this month also.  Her name is Tara.  I'm not too sure about Cigna.  Have you already called your insurance comany to ask them yourself if they cover weight loss surgery?  That's what I did with my insurance (BC/BS) and was told that they should cover it, as long as I meet the criteria (BMI > 40 or BMI > 35 w/ co-morbalities).  Well, there's a support group meeting coming up this Thursday at 6:00pm.  You should come,.  They are very helpful/informative. 

Hi. Yes i tried calling them and they said i would be ccompletely covered. however since then i have been hearing about how they are the worst insurance company to have for this. so i am nervous and trying to get as much information as possible. i do plan on coming to the support group thursday. i hear they are very helpful. thanks

Hi -I'm also a new poster here. I  don't want to scare you, but when I first started looking into WLS back in 2005,  the docs at Umass Memorial told me to basically change insurance companies because Cigna was so impossible. I don't know if things have changed since then, but I wouldn't count on someone at Cigna just telling you that it is covered. You can actually go on line to their web site and it will give you a idea of what you need to submit before they will consider you. Even my PCP's office couldn't believe what Cigna was asking of us. So, I changed to BCBS -am going back to give it another shot,  and know it won't be such a hassle trying to get cleared. Good luck. You may want to really look into this-it would be a shame to go through the whole program and then have the insurance deny you. But, like I said, maybe they got on the bandwagon and lightened up on their rules.