Jim1967

They're all different but Cigna approved me in three days. I had to do the 6 month thing as well. It is very nerving to think you went through the six months and now everything hinges on the approval.

I will admit there was a time in the beginning I would be sitting in the Doctors office waiting room watching people come and go and think 'really? You need WLS?' It was easy as well as ignorant for me to judge based on appearances and the fact I was 488lbs I guess I had a sense of entitlement for my reasons of WLS. I have certainly learned and I am not so quick to judge anymore and I have much respect for those doing whatever it takes to get control of their life for the sake of their health and longevity. WLS has helped me shrink but it has also helped me grow to be more understanding.

It took me a total of 3 days. They denied me on day 1 because they had my birthdate wrong. Said I was 17!! I haven't been a teenager in decades. I got approved 2 days later.

I have my fat days and my thin days. Not sure I will ever rid myself of fat days but I am enjoying life more so that's the most important thing.

Looking awesome Missy. You're very inspiring. Great job!!

BTW being scared of failure is normal. I had told a lot of people I was having the surgery then started to worry about failure and being known as the fat guy who couldn't lose weight even with WLS...... Failure is not an option for me but the thought of it is scary....normal

You'll do fine just remember to follow your Doc and Nutritionist guidelines. It is OK to set high goals for yourself but please, please keep the immediate expectations in check. You are not going to drop a 100lbs a week after surgery. I don't mean to come off as preaching but we see these posts daily about how ppl have surgery and a month or so later they're pissed because they have lost next to nothing for weight. I was one of those people. I was not prepared like I thought I was. I expected weight to fall off quickly the first couple of months then gradually slow down. Well it was the opposite. Patience was a tough one for me and still at times. Just remember you did not get to this point over night and you will not hit those goals that way either. Good luck and all the best!!

Congratulations!!

How else can we keep up our post counts

Stepping on a scale at this point is like asking for torture. Things are going to yoyo big time because of the trauma of surgery. Scale is going to play games. You may also have that false sense of restriction which could be because of the swelling. Very early stages...

My head hunger is pretty much gone since the band. I am still in awe about how little I care about food. I was a major ice cream addict before the band and that is the absolute worse because that crap just slides right on down band or no band. Ice cream was a huge concern for me when considering all options because 1. Gastric bypass you have to deal with dumping syndrome and ice cream is a killer. I was not ready to say goodbye to ice cream forever. 2. Band lets it slide on down.....ice cream still a killer...and I thought there was no way to win with this. I was wrong. My band has helped me immensely with head hunger to a point where it does not exist. Ice cream still happens on rare occasions and when it does it sugar free with exception to two weeks ago my Wife was in the mood for ice cream so we hit the local stand and I said "ya know what I deserve a treat". I had a regular vanilla frappe. Big, Big mistake. Hour later I was home and in the bathroom and had some stomach cramps. I guess my body is not used to it anymore. From here on out sugar free only when I am having a treat. I am also one of those ones who eat what they want. I've been down the road of deprivation and it just does not work for me...period. If I want pizza or ice cream I have it. Now its all about moderation and stopping the eating when I am satisfied. If you're really, really having the sugar craving try a teaspoon of Peanut Butter. At least that way you will also get some Protein while also getting in your sugar fix. This got me through that period of time when I did not have enough "restriction" and head hunger was still plaguing me. Remember it's all in moderation. Edit: Sorry for the TMI. I was just trying to point out how much the band has changed me.

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Thank you!! You're doing great!! We will both get there in time. I am very happy with the first year results but I still battle with lack of patience at times. I try and remind myself how far I've come. I think that 6 month required diet just raised my expectations of big numbers.

Sadly, I rarely think to come to this forum. I usually just peruse the new topics from the main page.

Congratulations!!

I usually weigh in every morning but I am one of those ones who get hung up on the numbers. Even a year later I still struggle with my patience. I preach patience a lot because I don't have much of it. I figure if I preach it enough I will eventually practice it right?? C'mon surely you can all see my logic here Anyway, I have not weigh in since Monday and its been on the back brain but I promised myself I am not weighing in until next Tuesday which is my 1 year band- iversary.

I am going to quote the ever wise Mis73 because she is so spot on. I will add that I have 0 regrets and I wish I had done it much sooner. My band is my best friend....we don't always get along but we are in this together for the long haul with the same goals of much better, longer and healthier life.

175 total since Oct 2011. 137lbs since band surgery. Next Tuesday will be one year!!