shadowsun

I'm a slow loser too. I'm just hoping that it will be steady. My nutritionist told me that losing slowly is actually better since (in her experience) those that lose slowly tend not to plateau as much. I'm only losing 0-2 lbs/week (certain weeks nothing, others up to 2). Since surgery on 6/25, I'm only down 18 lbs. And most of those were the first 2 weeks when I was on liquids only. Good luck to you!

I also got my first fill today. I definitely feel a difference. My doc put me behind an x-ray machine and had me drink barium. Very cool to watch on the screen. I noticed immediately that I had to watch how much Water I drink in one swallow again. I'm on fluids till Sunday. I hope the restriction lasts longer than a few days....

This type of surgery needs to be pre-approved. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and rec'd a letter of approval (letter also contained a paragraph saying they generally don't pay for skin removal post-weight loss). To verify the surgery has been pre-approved, check with your surgeon's office. You can also call the 800 number on the back of your card. Don't feel like talking to anyone? Approval can usually be obtained by going online with your insurance company and checking on your personal site. Good luck!

Oh, and one more thing.... I work in HR and payroll and see wage garnishments literally all the time. It happens to a lot of people and doesn't make you a bad person. Hang in there!

I'm so sorry that you are having a difficult time, Thom. You need to remember that everyone has problems like you are currently having from time to time. 1. Keep up the communication with the office manager at your doctor's office. You are working to pay your outstanding balance and that's the important thing. I'm sure they will be understanding toward your financial situation, especially in this economic environment. Be prepared to pay in advance from now on, though. 2. You gained weight b/c your band slipped. You were heavier before being banded, lost weight when your band was properly inflated, and gained weight back since the problems. You should lose weight again once your back to that "sweet spot". Your doctor just wants you to be healthy, and I'm sure that he understands it's difficult for you - if he didn't, he wouldn't be this type of surgeon. Since this doctor knows your history, I would stick with him. You shouldn't let this finanical issue block your effort of being healthy. So what if he's cranky. You just need his surgical skill. The 30 minutes you'll spend talking to him pre/post-surgery is nothing in the overall scheme of things. Good luck to you!

I was banded on 6/25 and am starving. I can't wait to get my first fill which is scheduled 6 weeks post-op. I do think being hungry now is easier to ignore even though the hunger pains are, well, painful. I don't have that "sugar hunger" I had pre-surgery where I would almost eat the paint off of walls if I didn't eat regularily. At almost 3 weeks post-op, I'm on "mushy" food. A little disappointed that I gained 2 lbs this week (following diet, at 400-600 calories/day). Only urinating 2 X/day since Sunday. Obviously retaining Water. From what I've read on this site, it's normal when you go from liquid diet to food again. Good luck to all us hungry people!

My name is Pam and I live in NJ. I was banded just a couple of weeks ago on 6/25/12. I've been in and out of relationships over the years - but nothing for awhile. I'm hoping that this will change once I lose some weight.

Reactions have been mixed between family and friends. Half my family is supportive - the other not so much. Same with friends. It's bizarre but it's almost as if some people are offended that I took this step. I got, "why don't you just try dieting" (really?), can't you just not eat (seriously?), and "you know, you'll still need to start exercising" (I'm actually very active - but just eat more when I work out). Then there are those that assume I have secondary medical conditions - "will this get rid of your diabetes, lower your cholesterol, etc." (I haven't got any other conditions, just fat thanks". I honestly don't think people know how judgemental they sound so I'm not taking it to heart. Just a little annoyed. I had the surgery on 6/25 and am going back to work tomorrow. It should be interesting!