MINI-Me

Congratulations! I remember talking with your dad at our post-op visits. He was such an inspiration. Glad to hear that you are doing so well.

I think we've all had similiar thoughts. But the above poster is right ... you are doing this for you and your family. Setting a good example of how to take control of your health and making sure that you can be around for many years to come. Let us know how you progress ... looking forward to hearing of your success on the Loser's Bench!

LOL - my niece would have done the same thing!

How exciting! I remember those pre-surgery gitters, excitement, and all the questions running through my head. Best of luck for a great surgery and uneventful recovery. Let us know how you are doing!

I also voted "lost it after surgery and never had it return" ... However, I often do get a weak "empty" feeling if I go too long. Somedays, I can go a long time. A few weeks ago, we got up and had Breakfast around 8:30 ... Got busy with the day & went shopping with my 8 year old. At one point, he stopped, dropped his packages (very dramatically, like only an 8 year old can do) and said "Are we ever going to have lunch?" I looked at my watch and realized it was 3:30 in the afternoon!!!! I immediately took him to the food court & filled him up. Can't believe he didn't complain before that. He told me "I figured you'd remember me eventually." Oh! The drama of the 2nd grader!

LOL!!!!! :lol0: :thumbup1: :lol0: :thumbup: :lol0:

I am 5'6". I want to be 135 so I'll be 5 pounds more than you guys at 130. I picked that weight for 2 reasons: (1) That is about mid-way on the healthy BMI & sounded good to me and (2) I weighed that when I graduated from high school. Of course, at the time I thought I was "fat" ... but looking back at pictures, I looked goooooood! As of this morning's weigh in, I am 12.8 pounds from goal & smiling as each pound melts away. On a positive note, the good thing about stalls (just coming out of one) is that you see quite a bit of movement on the scales after one is done. Mommydog14 ... you are just over a month out of surgery. Your body is still healing and adjusting. I wouldn't consider yourself losing slowly. Pre-surgery, wouldn't you have loved to see a consistent 1.5 pounds a week? You are doing fine. Soon you will be able to exercise and up those calories. The weight WILL come off!

I think your surgeon was using the 60% rule. You have 67 pounds to hit your (let's call that excess weight). 40 pounds would be 60% of that excess weight (total weight loss) which is considered a success in the bariatric world. I definitely feel that goal is in reach - for lightweights, mid-weights, and anything beyond. Just follow your plan and YOU WILL SUCCEED!

This is a way out there idea, but maybe worth sharing ... I wonder if it's just the surgical blues??? Since you feel better with food, I wonder if it's your body's way of saying "Yes, this is what I want. I'm tired of trying to survive on so little". Like I said, only a guess ... but I know I had the blues after surgery & it was difficult to get past them. I was dealing with a lot of issues with my "comfort food" loss and didn't really know it. Hope things get better soon.

No one likes to think about the "what-ifs", but it is a good gift to give your family in the unlikely event that we need our loved ones to make decisions for us. Thank you for your post.

I am so happy for you DeeDee. What a great accomplishment - you should feel very proud of your hard work.

People really amaze me with their self-imposed "right" to tell us how to live our lives. If it were me, I would tell her straight off when she approaches you that this is your life, your decision, and that you are not willing to have further discussion about your eating decisions with her. If she keeps going, politely excuse yourself and walk away. Good luck!

I have 3 friends with bands. I have watched them all struggle with complications and none have made goal in 2+ years. I have 2 friends with VSG - no issues and 1 made goal in 6 months and the other is well on her way. I am so happy with my choice - in 5 months, I am close to what I weighed in high school. My health has improved, I get around better, I feel comfortable in my own skin ... VSG was definitely the right choice for me!

How can such competent and great surgeons have such incompetent people working for them? It drives me CRAZY!!!!!! Sorry that you are going through all of this. Since they've already reviewed your case, it should be faster this time. Do you have the name of your case worker at your insurance company? If so, once the paperwork is submitted, you may want to give them a call - sometimes a call will magically make your paperwork go to the top of the stack. Good luck!

Congratulations. It goes fast once you start the process - especially when you are self-pay. I have found this forum to be such a valuable tool. (Both for information & keeping me calm.) Plenty of room on the Loser Bench for you. Welcome!

An external reviewer is a medical review team that is not connected with Blue Cross. They evaluate the medical submission and compare to your policy benefits & make a determination about the best course of treatment. I'm surprised they went there before the 2nd internal review. Usually that is reserved as a last step in the process & is requested by the customer. Best of luck!

What a great post Anna. You are doing so well ... very proud of you. Thanks for your enthusiasm and sweet spirit - they are contagious!

A M E N ! ! ! ! ! ! !

I was cleared for popcorn at 3 months out. It's very yummy to me - maybe even more so than before. Probably since it's such a treat. However, it is unfortunate. I am amazed at how much of the stuff I can eat. I guess once you chew it up it becomes a slider food. I've been trying to measure out what I can eat & then slowly enjoy it during a movie instead of the the old way of popping a handful at a time.

I agree about using the one that is the most accurate. But, choose one and use it each time. I weigh each morning after going to the bathroom & completely naked. (That way I can blame a meal or what I am wearing on variances.)

Stcyt - I totally understand the "10th" day thing. For me, the sleeve is like a miracle. I'm finally losing weight and feeling in control. I keep waiting for the "catch". I read articles like you cited and freak out a bit too. But, we will win this war. We have a great "weapon" and we are doing awesome!!!!!

It never hurts to talk to your surgeon just to be sure ... but, I think many of us experience this type of pain around 2 weeks out. I was told that it was due to severed nerves repairing themselves - mine was around the largest incision. Let us know how you are doing.

I watch another site, but post more on here. They have a "Lightweight Forum" just for those who are just a little bit obese (said very sarcastically :willy_nilly:) ... ]Repost of the Lightweight Creed_June 20, 2010 This is their creed: The Lightweight Creed (Created and approved by members of the OH Lightweights Forum, Jan 2008) I am a Lightweight. I am only one of many others like me. Together, we are a team. Though our journeys and choices may be different, we are bonded together by the commonality of being Lightweights and the strategies, successes and struggles that entails. It is this bond that defines this board. I began my journey with a BMI of less than 45 and/or with less than 150 lbs excess weight. My lower BMI and excess weight does in no way make me less deserving of medical intervention, and I should not be made to feel inferior or guilty. I qualified for WLS because I have co-morbidities, or because my medical history proves that my weight is diet and exercise resistant. I have worked with my healthcare team to determine the best surgical option for me. I am confident that others have done so as well, so I will refrain from passing judgments. I will freely share the most accurate information I have, as well as my own personal journey and why I chose my surgery in an informative, educational and respectful way so that others may learn from my experiences. I respect the decisions of my fellow Lightweights, regardless of the surgery they chose and the nutritional/exercise plans they follow. I will always promote health and a healthy lifestyle, whether physical or mental; and will respect alternate methods and views toward achieving good health, even if I do not espouse them personally. I will always be sensitive, honest and respectful when contributing to discussions on this board and in my PMs. I will never flame, demean, invalidate or harass others for their questions or decisions. I will remember, at all times, the difficulties and pain I went through on my own journey and be considerate of others when discussing theirs. I will always defend and unite with my fellow Lightweights against prejudice and hostility. I understand it is my responsibility to report offensive conduct to my fellow Lightweights, so that we may deal with offending parties as a united front to preserve the supportive and tolerant atmosphere of our board. I understand that if my conduct becomes offensive, I will not be welcome to participate on this board any longer.

I think we are all EXPERT losers, but not expert maintainers. I have been down that road more times than I can count. Only you know you and what you can/can't do and what you are willing/not willing to do. This is a very personal decision. Is he saying that he will not give his approval for surgery if you don't try again or just that he would like you to try again?