deckerr888

I was 23 when I was banded. I had been going through the process for a year and up to about a week before my surgery only my parents and two very close friends knew about my surgery. It was not a decision made lightly and I didn't want everyone else's opinion, good or bad, to be in my choice. The week before the surgery I told my siblings and grandparents. Some were supportive, some not. Even six months after, only another 5 people know about my surgery. I didn't want my surgery to be what defined me so I decided to just not mention it. I am very happy I decided to keep it quiet because when I was on the different diet stages it was nice to have other parts of my life which went on normally dispite my wierd eating pattern. It was helpful for me to have people who just treated me normally without thinking about my surgery. I am grateful for the people around me who have been supportive. I made sure to tell people who would be great and they have been. I am very happy I still haven't said anything to most of the people around me. I am sure someday I might have to but for now I know have made the right decision.

I had a similiar experiance as mommykristie. I was denied the first time because I didn't meet the morbid obese range in the last three years before my surgery. I had to wait six months until the next January to be able to start the process again. This time with I was able to meet the three years and bcbs approved my surgery within a few weeks. I did, however, have another preexisting condition I was being treated for (PCOS) and I got a letter of recommendation from my doctor who was treating it which went with my file to the insurance company to help strengthen my case. I started the process again on Jan 4 and my surgery was Feb 20.

It is so natural to be nervous. I just got my band in February and only had two weeks notice from the time the insurance approved my surgery to my actual surgery date. I was really worried about all of that same stuff. Now I am 6 months past my surgery and I can tell you I am so happy with my results. It has been a little slower than I expected but I am losing weight and that is what counts. It is so exciting to look at pictures of myself from before surgery and pictures of myself now. Even though I think that the scale should say something different the fact that my clothes fit better and I am finally able to buy smaller sizes means so much more for me right now. I promise you it will be ok. Just take one day at a time and focus on that. 6 months will fly by and you will be so happy with the results.

I don't know if I have reached my green zone yet. I had three adjustments which filled the band and my last one took .25cc out because I was too restricted. I think I am pretty close. I do feel full after about 1c of food and I stay full. I cannot eat bread either. Anything that is a little gummy like tortillas or soft breads I cannot eat but if it is toasted its fine. Before my last adjustment I couldn't eat any solid protein because it hurt my stomach and I would get full very quickly. Since they took that little bit out it has been great. I haven't gotten sick for about 4 weeks now, which is fantastic because before I was feeling sick almost everyday.