sHeLLaBee

The national requirement for American insurance companies is a 40 or higher BMI. It doesn't matter how much higher. That .2 will make the difference. I wouldn't worry. I think you should be ok. They may require a 3 or 6 month plan prior to surgery, but you will most likely be approved.

Wow. The main reason for the pre-op diet (based on my docs opinion and my extensive Googling) is to shrink the size of your liver prior to surgery. The liver lays on your stomach and they have to move it out of the way to insert the band. Obesity causes it to be oversized and rapid weight loss causes it to shrink and be lighter, so that after surgery when your liver is sitting back on your stomach that was just tugged and pulled and stitched... It is supposed to be less painful. I have actually heard of people going in for surgery and their liver was too large to peform it and it was put on hold. That must not be a concern to your doc?? Not to mention it helps you get used to eating NOTHING! Haha. I'm sure his decision is based on your particular situation and things will be fine, but there is nothing wrong with asking questions or putting yourself on the diet, just to be safe.

Thanks for all the input! Here is a small sample of my regular daily regimen... Breakfast: Muscle Milk Light Protein Shake Lunch: Small Cobb Salad (maybe 1/2 a cup) Snack: Hidden Valley Granola Thin Dinner: Salad and chicken with a veggie I try to keep my mela sizes small enough to fit into a tennis ball (doctors suggestion). Personal trainer 2-3 days a week for an hour. I do different stuff every time I see him. Not normally a snacker (I actually feel like I'm doing something wrong), but I need a little something extra before working out. My downfall is ice cream. =( I eat a vanilla cone 4-5 times a week. They are fat free, low in calories, but it's still ice cream. It's kind of my go-to item when I can't get anything else down. I want to walk twice a week as well, but never seem to have the time. My goal for September is to make the time! Based on what you guys have said I think I'm going to make a few new goals for September... NO ICE CREAM! Make sure I'm walking twice a week and make sure I'm eating all my calories! I want 12lbs gone by the 30th! Cross your fingers for me!

Yes! Totally normal. You are healing, so your body is retaining water and extra blood to do so. You probably won't start to see a good weight loss for 4-6 weeks. Keep your head up! Before you know it, it's a year later and 80lbs down!

I am at 7cc in 10cc band. I was filled to that pount about 10 weeks ago. The first few weeks were really a struggle. Couldn't eat hardly anything, but I think it was more my fault than anything. I have since learned how to slow down and chew a lot more and am not having that issue so much anymore. What I CAN NOT eat is bread, pasta, rice, tortillas, most red meat... I CAN eat (if chewed properly) chicken, fish, veggies, salad (I request it to be finely chopped), mashed potatoes... I don't eat much variety because I am full so fast. I get my protein in first and foremost, then I usually do a salad and finish filling with whatever veggies I can get down. Over the last 6 weeks my band has seemed to loosen a little and I am considering a small fill at my year appt in October. I won't see them again until April, so I want to make sure I am good now. Good luck!

Name, real or screen~ Shellee Goal weight for September 29th~ 187 lbs Weight on September 1st~ 198.8 lbs Age~ 32 Dietary goal for September~ No snacking! Ugh. Exercise goal for September~ Couch to 5k 3x a week. Trainer 2-3x a week. Personal goal for September~ Enjoy my weight loss, instead of stressing about losing more. Date banded~ 10/07/2011 Total weight loss since banding~ 77.2 lbs What is your favorite Fall Activity?~ Halloween! ...which is my birthday. Pumpkin picking and harvest festivals. Starbucks Fall flavors!

Ugh! 200.0 Really!?

Darnit! I forgot to weigh this morning! Will update tomorrow.

I am at 78lbs lost and I hit a 3 week plateau about a month ago. Then, all of the sudden, the 4th week I lost 7lbs and I've been back to my 2lb average/week since then.

I am 10 months post-op and have visited my doctor every 6 weeks since then. There has only been one visit that I didn't get a fill and I have never had any complications. I think I am in a good place with my restriction and have an appt 08/14 to confirm. I am going to schedule one more appt 8 weeks out for my 1 year bandiversary. I have already had blood work done and all is good. When do I stop (or limit) my visits to the doc? Are there people who are more than a year out and still going that often? Should I only plan on going as needed after my 1 year? If I stop going for too long does it void my referral from the insurance? I have no problem continuing the visits. I am very happy with my progress and want to do any and all things necessary to continue it. I also enjoy getting the "official" weigh-in every few months to show off my progress. =) Of course, I will ask these questions to my doc on Tuesday, just curious where everyone else is. Just so you all get the whole picture: My insurance is pretty good and I only have a $20 copay each visit, but my doctors office is an hour away from my home and I always have to take a half day off work to avoid LA traffic.

WoW! 4 years and never needed a fill! That's amazing. I have had 5 fills and am at 7cc in my 10cc band and I think I am perfect right now. I'm glad it worked out that way for you! No copays for fills every couple months! =)

Oh you are right! I was 202.2 on Wednesday, then went down to 198.2 on Saturday. =) Maybe Saturdays weigh in was just wrong. Thanks for checking!

202.2! No! 4 lbs up since last week? There has got to be something wrong with my scale...

Silly question for this forum, but you guys are my go-to's! =) I just bought a Nissan Leaf and want a clever personalized plate. I'm in Cali, so it's 7 spaces, A to Z and 1 to 9. It's light blue and 100% electric. I would like to keep it cute and girly. Some of my thoughts were... TR33HGR - tree hugger BLULFLT - blue leaflet IMALEAF - I'm a Leaf I wouldn't mind it being associated with my weight loss or something if the name is cute enough. Give me your ideas!! Shellee

It's from a Dr Seuss book, the Lorax. "I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees..." I heart Dr Seuss!

I love my Leaf! So far, it is amazing. I really have to be careful about my miles and make sure I don't get myself stuck somewhere. My fave choice for the plate was LUVHERTZ, but it was already taken. =( ...so, I went with SPK4TRS. It's from the Lorax and is all about saving the planet. LOL. It's perfect. Very excited. Thanks all for your input!

I researched all of the WLS options thoroughly and decided on the LapBand for many reasons. I didn't like the idea of a part of me being cut away. I also didn't like the idea of my body not absorbing nutrients correctly (bypass). Another reason was that I didn't want to lose 100lbs in 6 months and have tons of lose skin. I exercise regularly and am able to keep up with that. Of course I still have some extra skin, but nothing like a sleeve/bypass patient. I like that I can remove it in the future if needed. My main reason was I want to have kids and I don't want my WLS to affect their nutrition during pregnancy and breast feeding. With the other surgeries it is possible to stretch your stomach pouch and there is nothing that can be done. If we stop losing we just go in for a fill and the weight loss is jump started all over again. There are people, for health reasons, that have to get something else, but if it's an option for you I would absolutely get the band. No you don't feel the band itself. You an feel the port when you push on it more and more as you lose weight, and sometimes when you sit a certain way, but it's not painful and you get used to it. Good luck!

I was also banded on 10/7! I have had 5 fills, my first one being at 3 weeks post-op. I havent had one in the last few months because I am at a really good place and losing steadily. I am down 77lbs and just hit 199! WoOhOo! Don't stress about the fill. I know everyone is diff, but it's super easy for me. You do feel a poke, but it's diff than a normal shot/blood draw because they aren't going into muscle or anything. I barely feel it and I also hate needles. Congrats on the weight loss and keep us updated!

It hasn't helped with mine - yet! I still have the hair on my chin that I have to pluck a few times a week. Ugh. It has helped with anxiety, but that's pretty much it. I never really had the acne or dark spots. My periods are A LOT less painful and flow isn't so heavy, so it is making a difference, I guess. I also don't break out when I shave above my knees anymore. I think it was a hormone thing.

Late check in for 202.2! WoOhOo!

I know we all have diff docs who give us a million diff suggestions because we are all very diff people, but it's just amazing to me to see all the variations! I see people posting things asking for suggestions on snacks... I'm not even allowed to snack! I see people asking about orange juices and other drinks... I'm also not supposed to have anything citrusy and am limited on my sugar. Some people have a 2 week liquid diet pre-op (like me)... Some people are scheduled for surgery 3 days after their insurance approves it? Don't they all attend medical school and learn the same things? Just like when we were in elementary and all learned the same subjects. It's confusing... It makes me want to try other things and see if it boosts my weight loss, but I am also scared to deviate too far fro my docs plan. Ugh.

wOw! Last I checked I was at 74lbs lost. 100 seems almost impossible! Can't wait to be on this list. =)

Oh, you are really new! =) I am about 10 months out. I would hold off on any ab stuff for a few weeks and then try again. I wouldn't want you to over do it and then be uncomfortable. Just focus on arms and legs right now!