circa

oh my gosh, even at a healthy weight I gained - up to 20 lbs! (thyroid issues contribute to this too, btw) - I have noticed that living at a higher altitude, I don't gain as much. Which is good Womens bodies I think will always gain at that time of the month - its meant as a protective mechanism. Just don't sweat it - it goes away Its just water weight!

logic that "this too shall pass" doesn't always prevail when you're so emotionally and physically married to a situation. We all have times and situations that we freak out about. I know that after i have my adrenal tumors removed, I'll see great progress. I know before that, I probably won't. I have come to terms with that - but for someone who doesn't have an issue like that, and they're doing EVERYTHING right - there's no logic to not losing weight. We are emotional beings. We all do choose how we react to situations, but some are more tenuous and stressful than others for some people. Yes, I get a little flustered when I see that someone is losing their mind over the scale not moving for a day, but when it becomes weeks or months, it gets concerning....is there another medical problem? That's what I'm faced with - I have another medical problem that has led me to GET the sleeve - so it will always be in the back of my mind that there could be another factor. And let's face it - you're a guy. You're blessed with a larger muscle mass and testosterone base - you'll lose weight faster. Women have estrogen and other hormone issues that inhibit weight loss. Not losing weight and gaining weight are symptoms of other medical issues that women get that men cannot possibly fathom. PCOS, Ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, uterine fibroids, and while men can get breast cancer, its exponentially less of a risk for men than women - all of which a symptom is weight gain or unexplained lack of weight loss when it should occur. We also have to worry about menopause, we're more at risk for thyroid and pituitary issues. We wonder about these things every day - there's no cure for most of this stuff - but there sure as hell has been hundreds of millions of dollars put into research to fix erectile disfunction. Yeah - we might get a little testy, but guess what? we have every reason to. I'm not diminishing your success and the medical issues that you have, but you need to recognize that not everyone can just pop out part of their stomach and be all set. It doesn't necessarily work that way for women.

How awesome is that?! I have never been a size A. Even in my prime, my legs are always too long or too thick for a size A - Would be neat to be an A for once!

Its so very hard when you're in high school - kids talk and kids can be cruel. You don't necessarily want to say you're having an organ removed because, what happens when you're in Chemistry and your appendix ruptures? Well, it can't if you've had it removed! The best is to tell them that you've got other family plans. If you're worried about the whole surgery thing, then yeah - a laparoscopy would be the way to go - either for endometriosis or an ovarian cyst. Its not a good idea to lie, because lies create more lies and that's just not a good situation - but i understand that people are inquizitive and you want your privacy. So if you can't be 'out of town for a wedding or family thing', then I guess something girly-part related would be a better idea. Just do some research so you can explain things - that way people won't be thinking you're doing something else girly related that can spread rumors....

I'm so very glad you told your husband how it made you feel - its extremely possible that he didn't realize it. Some people are ignorant to the fact that words can hurt a person, especially if that person has never been treated that way themselves. I'm a firm believer that we teach people how to treat us, and by not standing up for ourselves, we're telling someone its okay and acceptable to perhaps say words that may hurt, even if they think its a joke. To us it may not be, but unless we say something, we ARE condoning it. I hope that he does accept what you said and take it to heart - same with your kids. Command the respect you deserve. It sounds like you took a big first step. However, if he refuses to change his behaviour, find your security in yourself - not in him, or in a rule that some old white men made up years ago - God never said you couldn't take care of yourself emotionally. Some guy did. God never meant for a woman to be abused in any manner in her marriage - an abuser breaks the marriage vows. I know it can be hard to come to terms with, but I think God would want a woman to protect herself and her children.

You would be amazed at how many people don't know about the surgery and how absolutely necessary a psych consult can be. My aunt was turned down for the surgery because of her psych consult. She could not grasp the reality that she wouldn't be able to chow down on chinese food after the surgery. Yes, there are those people out there. Just like with the NUT. I have been through several programs and in group nutrition meetings, people keep asking "yes, but when can I have pizza/cheesecake/ice cream/cake/etc after surgery?" It amazes me at how little people actually know about nutrition. They don't know how to read food labels, they don't know how to measure a portion or even add up calories. I was beating my head against the table halfway through these meetings. While we may be a large amount of educated people on this subject (some of us could probably perform the surgery, given a scalpel! lol) there are twice as many out there that have ZERO clue what they're getting into.

do what you can! zicam, airborne, whatever! Hope it doesn't delay you!

When I lived in Dallas, this is where I was going to go - I did a lot of research there and met Dr. Kim - was my #1 choice in DFW.

I can relate to this. But remember, its not you without food - its you with LESS food. You won't be drinking only protein shakes and chicken broth for the rest of your life. Its you in control of that food, not the food controlling you - all while you wear those pretty clothes! There's a light at the end of the tunnel, and its not a train full of cheesecakes plotting your demise. Its the daylight of a new dawn - you in control and you doing everything you want in life and not having to be a slave to food. It will get better - keep your eye on the future Hang in there!

definitely attend the seminars! This is where you will get the medical information on each procedure and what limitations, side effects - both good and bad, from. Its important to base your decision on what YOU wish to receive out of the procedure - all will help you lose weight. None are magic. You still have to do the work. But its the difference between building a house using your bare hands, or having a hammer to pound in those nails. Here are some of the major points: Lap Band - removable, adjustable, foreign body, can errode, less overall weight loss, no large pills. Gastric Bypass - reversable (although not easily) fast immediate weight loss, chance of dumping syndrome, rerouting of internal organs, malabsorption, extra vitamins needed for life, no NSAIDS, not suggested for those with acid reflux. Sleeve - not reversable, steady weight loss (between band and bypass), removal of 85% of your stomach (including part of stomach that produces hunger-inducing hormone ghrelin) , anatomy stays in same order you were given, no foreign bodies, can be used as phase 1 of a duodenal switch - which adds malabsorption to the procedure, few pharmaceutical restrictions, can help end acid reflux. These are what I received from one fo the seminars I went to - what's funny is, for me, the Sleeve was the most appealing, even though they were actually pressuring for people to have the bypass. I know people that have had each of the surgeries. Of these, I know people that have succeeded and people that have failed - with each and every one - and its not because of the surgery, it was because they didn't address their own personal issues. If you absolutely cannot stay away from sugary foods, maybe the bypass will be right for you - at least there's a consequence with that one. If you're just an overeater, sleeve may be beneficial to you, especially if you have other issues, like CONSTANTLY feeling hungry. If you've got less than 100 lbs, to lose and you're just looking for some portion control, maybe its the band. You have to decide for you.

you can call the insurance company and give them the CPT code 43775 and find out if they cover the sleeve

Its a difficult thing - deciding whether to tell people or not. You're under enough stress with dealing with the situation, you don't need naysayers and fearmongers crawling up your....leg. If you feel obligated to tell them, I'd wait until the last minute - that way they don't have time to weigh on you about it. Let them know you've done your research, made your decision and its a topic not open for discussion or negative comments - and stick by that! They may have questions, which is normal, but you can answer those questions with an email or showing them a website. Bottom line, you know your body better than anyone and you've decided what your body needs. Good luck!

everyone reacts to everything differently. Your stomach is still healing and it may have just not agreed with you. Always a good idea I think to try new things at home to make sure they're going to work for you

yes CPT codes are universal. That is the best way to find out if something is covered.

That would be awesome!

1. Protein powder ordered and actually on its way. 2. Mini toiletries - getting tonite at Walgreens 3. Liquid diet items purchased for both pre and post op 4. Gas-X strips finally found! 5. Comfy clothes chosen 6. Carry on bags found. 7. Decide which technology to take. (I'm thinking just phone and kindle 8. Flights confirmed 9. Need to make hotel reservation for San Diego 10. Passport cards in hand! 11. Doggy-sitter arranged! 12. Ready to go!

I found them at Walgreens - I got 2 boxes - they seem rather hard to find!

awesome tips! I love the fact that restaurants like Ruby Tuesday offer many alternatives to potatoes - smashed cauliflower, grilled zucchini, mixed veggies...all sorts of stuff

You EASILY look 10 years younger! Amazing! Congrats!

So almost 2 weeks ago, I ordered protein powder from SEI Nutrition. The Protein Max powder that everyone seems to rave about. Well, they took my 100 bucks, but gosh - I never got the protein powder. I've tried calling them dozens of times, emailed them, sent them questions through their website - NOTHING. Finally on Friday I speak to some really snotty customer service rep who I then ask to transfer me to a supervisor - she says there isn't one and that she would have the supervisor call me - I told her that I doubted that would happen but waited for the call anyway - I told them that if I didn't receive the product, I was going to have my credit card company deal with them. No phonecall, of course. I call today and ask her why I didn't receive a call and she said I never asked for one - which I did. She then tells me that she cancelled my order but won't issue a refund because I threatened to have my credit card company deal with it. Well DUH what did she expect me to do, just give them 100 bucks and not care that I didn't receive my order? So now I have to go to my credit card company, and because I did authorize the charge, its taking forever to get the money back. Not only that, I don't have any protein powder to use. I'm so pissed right now.

ahh yes, the clean your plate, there's starving children everywhere. Yeah. That's a hard one to overcome. I've started making sure to always leave something. Smaller plates definitely help.

I just received a call from their office manager, finally - they're going to overnight me the shipment. I'll still be looking for alternatives.

Thanks Pdx! I was actually planning to head to costco in about an hour! I will definitely grab some - gotta have some stuff that's ready "on the go" Thanks for the suggestion Dooter! I will look them up! So appreciate the help here

pretty much any policy where you are self-insured isn't going to pay. Group health plans typically pay. Sorry.