DrmBig4Evr

I only told my husband and 2 kids. I did tell my 3 coworkers bc it would be so obvious. Its only us 4 anyway at work. I'd rather no one know bc I dont want to be judged especially bc I was a 34bmi. If people find out, well ok, but id rather just keep it my business. I didnt even tell my mom. Im 8wks po. People have been asking me how am I loosing and I just simply say I cut back a whole lot. (He he) I think that answers their question or they get the hint that I dont want to share the details.

I just made this and it tastes JUST like Olive Garden's fattening version.
1/3 cup Italian Blend Shredded cheese Part Skim (I used the Wal Mart brand)
1 tbsp Plain ff Greek Yogurt
1 tbsp ff Sour Cream
1 tsp ground thyme
Mix, place in ceramic bowl, and broil. Enjoy!
I even added some chopped grilled chicken to add Protein. You can also add cayenne pepper to the mix and/or diced tomatoes to the top when finished.

Today I hit the 50 lb. mark, having had surgery on December 12th. Almost every day someone will say something nice about my weight loss. Today a friend started to say, " you look really..." And before she could finish I blurted out " I've lost 50 lbs!" We laughed about how much I sounded like one of the first graders I teach but I was just so excited that I couldn't wait to share.
Started at 282 and weighed 232 today. For the first time EVER, the scale feels like my friend.

Embrace it! Why worry about a flip side? This is the start of a new life! Best wishes

I finally got approved, yeah! They called me on today.

I won't miss the looking in the mirror and not liking my reflection! I am tired of the tiny head and linebacker look! @ Susie 1226 LOL!!! I needed that laugh! I won't miss all the "What u need to do is...........!" I won't miss the losing and gaining the same 40-50 pounds! I won't miss the "old lady clothes!" I can't wait to be sleeved!!!!

I won't miss...
Getting on a horse and it looking back at me like it's asking, "really? Who should be riding who?"

Such a mixture of feelings and nerves this morning. Surgery at 930 today. The day has finally arrived. Ready for it to be over and done. Hope everyone has a great day. See ya on the other side

I hope we all get answers soon!! Good luck to everyone! Maybe this is our week!

Well I've done an EGD, a sleep study, a stress test, pre-op blood work and EKG, pre-op visits, and tomorrow I start the all liquid diet. Not to mention the fact that I had the band placed and it has failed (leaking) with no restriction and I've regained, so now I'm getting sleeved. I'm not lazy, stupid, or misinformed.
I was chatting with a woman at the doctor's office last week who was 6 weeks post-op. She was so happy as she had already lost 30 pounds. She told me she no longer felt the need to eat all day long and she felt free for the first time in her life. She was in her late 50's. I know I don't want to give up another 20 years of my life living like this. That's why I'm doing this. I have such an unhealthy, exhausting relationship with food. I don't eat because I'm hungry each time. I eat because I can, because I'm sad, because I'm happy, because it's there. For me it's like I can never shut that need off. I hate myself everyday for not being able to control it. I just want to be "normal" when it comes to food. I want a tool that will help me eat because I need to, not because I want to.
I'm scared too. I worry that it won't turn out how I want it to. I worry that I'm sacrificing so much just to do this. I swore I'd never go this route, but yet here I am. But I also know I have to do something. I just want to be free. I'm doing this for myself and for my family. I want to be around a long time. And I want to actually participate in my life, not just be a bystander. Tomorrow is the start of all liquids. I know it's going to be brutal, but if this is what I have to do to get where I want to be, then I'll do it.
So, this "rant" is for those of you who tell me I'm taking the easy way out. Walk a mile in my shoes and tell me how easy it is. Until then.... Shut it!

Hi Khloe! Apparently it's different with all insurance companies... My paperwork was submitted on 1/25, and I haven't heard anything so I called BCBS Ohio today; they stated that they have 15 days to respond to precertifications (business days)... darn it! The waiting is the hardest part! I am, like you, ready to get the ball rolling... keeping in touch with this forum and knowing that I'm not alone is helping out tremendously! Stay in touch on here, and best of luck to you! Praying so hard for an early March date.... .

I got my approval today from the insurance company. There wasn't much doubt that it would be approved because my company covers bariatrics with our insurance, but it still a big relief to officially hear that everything is a go for March 19th!!!
I hope everyone waiting to hear from insurance gets some good news soon!

15 more minutes and it will be time to rock n roll!!!! Yikes!!!!! =)

I encourage you to research as I did, was set for the band and a good doctor unrelated to what I was doing along with my brother who is a pediatrician both separately recommended the sleeve. I'm not here to convince you either way, it is an individual decision. I would search google for JMA or NIH articles comparing the band and sleeve. Also, Dr. Oz did a video presentation on the difference and posted statitics in his video regarding the long term % of "excess weight" lost. Good luck on your decision!

Ooh, I thought of another. I won't miss having a regular size bath towel be too small to wrap around my body.

Hey there everyone! So I'm new here...I've been lurking around these boards for about a week now. Here's my "short" story
I had my first consultation with my surgeons office back for LapBand in June 2012. For insurance purposes I had to do a 6 month doctor supervised diet. I completed that December 28. Then, my surgeons office submitted my paperwork for approval. I received approval Jan 9. I have had tunnel vision straight to Lapband ever since. His nurse practitioner tried to talk to me about sleeve the day of my consultation and I declined politely that I wasn't interested in that and didn't want to waste her time or mine. Fast forward to last week, I attended a BEGIN class upon learning I was approved, I get to the class and its a Sleeve class...they agreed to let me stay and just told me the differences in Vitamins and post op diet. I was all excited for a call the next day to set up my pre-op testing and appointment, the call I received was much different than expected...they had submitted my paperwork for the "wrong" procedure. I was approved for Sleeve. I panicked...then I calmed down and really thought about that this might be God trying to nudge me into opening my mind and eyes to what rights in front of me. So, I started researching the Sleeve while waiting to meet for "rediscussion" with my surgeon today. The more I've researched and prayed the more confident I am that I was about to make a mistake with the band, not that the band is bad or wrong, just that it isn't the right decision for me. SOoooo....I'm happy to say that I will be having my SLEEVE done on Friday, Feb 22! Now that the actual decision and stress that came with wrapping my mind around something totally different than what I set out to do...I cannot wait!!!!
Crystal

Such an inspiration! Great job!

My brother went to this program and he referred me (and several others). He gave me the name of the manager who he is still in contact with. I called her and told her the whole situation. She said that my file shows that Cigna has given several different reasons, but the wrong address wasn't one of them. She is going to personally get in contact with Cigna and try to pin down what they need to do and call me tomorrow with an update. Hopefully, she will get the ball rolling a bit faster!

1) i crave buffalo wings, and super high salty things....i definetly increase my Water intake at this time and watch my ps and qs
2) i crave sweets but make my sugar free substitutes to help curb the craving
3) aunt flow is not as heavy as before
4) baby commercials make me ball my eyes out
5) i get extremely horny but still celibate

Just got my sleeve date of 2/13. Experiencing some anxiety but its all good....I think thats pretty standard.

My fat days were so self destructive and now I don't even come close! I look back at what I used to do to myself and my poor body and it's very upsetting. When I am down now I have permission to:
Cry
Nap
Journal
Take a bath
Turn off my phone
Watch trash reality tv
Play with my dog
These things never crossed my kind before because I was trapped not only by food but also by my head. Remember that feelings are not facts!!

When you're feeling blue put the kettle on and have a cup of tea. It's very British but it helps. Very comforting.

I am out of my week long stall :-)

Tomorrow, I have my VSG surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center. I know there are several others coming to the same doctor/hotel in the next few weeks and months. Since I appreciated the feedback of others, I wanted to share my experience in hopes it will help someone else.
When the plane landed in San Diego, I immediately had a text from Joel, the OCC driver. He was outside. The van was parked just outside of baggage claim and had my name in the window. While driving, Joel gave us the details about what to expect this evening and tomorrow. Joel is very polite and professional. We drove to the border, got out, scanned our bags and were not subject to a random search. Joel met us on the other side of the building and we drove on to the Marriott.
Check in at the Marriott was smooth. Joel told is to be ready at 6:40 in the morning and that the hotel van takes you to the OCC. So we made sure to schedule the hotel van. The ride from the airport to the hotel really was only 20 minutes or so.
We watched the Super Bowl in Spanish while we had dinner. My friend had DELICIOUS smelling mixed fajitas and a Tecate while I had broth and Water. Her meal was 15% off as an OCC companion. Mine was free. broth was good and service was good. The wireless service is free for OCC folks.
I did not need my Passport to get in to Mexico. So far, everyone has taken US currency as tips, etc.
That is all I can think of now. More to come tomorrow! So far nothing has seemed odd and Tijuana is much nicer than the other Mexican border towns I have been to.
Now I just hope I sleep tonight!

Weight that is not cash
Down 34 pds and want to drop 15-20 by vacation. Gives me 3 1/2 months to get there. Im sure i can do it!