Marimaru

So I am approaching 2 years out (Sunday), and figured I would update. My first year I lost 50 lbs, my 2nd year I've lost 15 lbs. I'm 5 lbs from being halfway from goal. Some days I feel like I want to do a hardcore crash diet, which I haven't done, because I know it's not wise. I try and count my calories but it gets depressing when you aren't seeing results. I've had some blood tests taken for liver function and things related to the gall bladder because I've had pain in that area for some time now. I went back to the doctor because the pain got worse, and now I'm gonna ride her about it until it goes away. I'm also in counceling with the hopes that if I can figure out what is wrong in my head, the weight loss will follow. I would really like to lose more weight before I get married next year. Anywho, keep on chuggin' turtles. And always keep Vinesqueen in mind if you get frustrated. There should always be an answer somewhere, so if you feel like you are doing everything right and it's not working, start buggin' your doctor!

I'm 2 years out and I 'notice' mine all the time. It doesn't really hurt, just makes itself known, I guess. Whenever I get to goal, if I have any plastic surgery done, I will probably switch to a low profile port. Not because this port 'bothers' me, but just if I could not notice it, like New Sho, that would be nice.

You might consider getting a fill to knock it up a little bit. I'm 2 years out in a few days () and have kind of felt the same way, but then every few lbs I lose kinds of brings it back for a little while. Of course, being a turtle doesn't help that glow stick around any either! Some days, I fall off the wagon, lots of days, I just have to say "You have to do this, you wont forgive yourself if you don't", and other days, it seems easy. Good luck!

Congratulations!

I've never made deviled ham, and it sounds pretty good, but I thought I would mention that you could knock a bunch of calories off of that (if you were so inclined) by taking out the egg yolks. One egg white has only 16 calories. I'll have to try that recipe though!

You probably popped a stitch. if it still hurts you should put a call into your doctors office. Someone else there should be able to say something one way or the other.

I don't smoke, and I'm only chiming in to say that I have heard of doctors who will run tests the day of surgery and if they find nicotene in your blood, they will cancel your surgery. Not all of them do this, but I have heard of it happening and thought I would share.

Skinny doesn't mean beautiful, and you look fantabulous anyway. Let us know if those pics comeback!

I was wondering about him. I'm glad someone is helping him to finally do something.

I haven't gotten any, but if I did get them and didn't feel comfortable about them, I'd probably reply and let them know that. Then if it continued, I'd forward it to a moderator.

I am definately having my boobs lifted. They don't need any help with size, but they need to go UP! Other than that I haven't given it much thought. I want to have lasik on my eyes, but if I can come up with the money before then, I probably wont wait until goal. I guess I need to keep an eye on this thread and get ideas with Diane. Of course, I've still got quite a ways to go, so I have time to figure it out, lol.

1. Should people on publicly funded insurance, e.g. "my tax dollars pay for their medical care", have WLS covered? I think the self-pays' responses to this will be particularly interesting. I was self pay because I didn't have any insurance at the time. If I'd had Medicare, I probably would have tried to go through them. If they qualify through Medicare they have probably jumped through so many hoops that they 'deserve' it anyway, lol. 2. Should insurance companies be able to impose a time limit before something with debatable medical necessity is approved? I see the "it saves them money in the long run" argument -- but the numbers don't back that up, at all, and that's why there are more and more denials coming down every day. The average person doesn't stay with their insurance company long enough for the business to see the fiscal benefits. For example - I started with my new company in June of last year. I had surgery March of this year. I had 3 office visits not related to surgery, but surgery related billings in excess of $35,000. (Meaning, if I hadn't had surgery, I would have cost my insurance company a couple hundred dollars). I can change policies in November when we have open enrollment. If I change carriers, I just cost my insurance company a LOT of money, because they'll never get enough premium from me or my employer to come remotely close to what they paid out for my surgery. So back to the original question -- should insurance companies be able to impose a waiting period before they'll approve surgeries of questionable necessity, to ensure they're not out a ton of money on an elective procedure? (I think the necessity of all WLS is debatable, when compared to things like trauma surgery) My insurance has a "pre-existing condition" clause. They will not treat anything pre-existing until after 6 months that you've been with them. I think that's a bit different than what you are asking though. I'm not sure how they would be able to impose this time limit, other than something like the 6 month supervised diet or whatever. 3. On the flip side of that, if someone has WLS, and does not lose enough to get off their medications, or stop their pain, or whatever - AND it can be attributed to much of their own doing - poor eating habits, refusal to exercise, etc. - should they have to pay back any money to their insurance? E.g. the situation is such that - the insurance company did their part, you did not do yours and are costing them as much if not more as before... should they be entitled to any kind of "refund" from you? (Note this is not band-specific...) This is tough. Like someone else pointed out, what about a smoker on oxygen with emphazema, who continues to smoke (and drink, thinking about my grandfather here)? Granted, oxygen is arguably more necessary than WLS, but that also depends on the case. There are a number of people who get WLS because it's highly likely that they'll die of heart failure in just a few years if they don't get some of the weight off. But then, the whole problem is a question of who "needs" it. My BMI was 45.something, and if I'd had insurance at the time I had surgery, it's likely they would have covered it based on that (based on my current policies guidelines), but I had no comorbidities. My blood pressure was well within normal (though had JUST started to go up a little), my cholesterol is great, no pre-diabetes or anything. So did I NEED it?? As for the idea that many fat people (not ALL by any means) are fat for a reason, I agree with this completely. I agree, because I know it was true for myself. Now, this wasn't anything I sat down and decided one day, it just kind of happened. I've been on diets enforced by my parents (espeically my father) since I was 8. When I was that young, my mom had me eating healthy, no second helpings, and only healthy Snacks. At that time, I ate the sugar free candy she bought me at night in my room. After they divorced my dad put me on slimfast and had me on the scale every single morning. So I took my stupid shake to school and spend all of my allowance on the snacks that the school sells. food was my control. There were so many other things I couldn't control, but I could control how much I ate, no matter who was trying to stop me. I didn't do drugs or sneak out of the house, but I still had my own 'rebellion'. I've lost 65 lbs in 2 years, and I'm finally in counceling to try and get some 'control' back in my life OTHER than food. I HATE being fat, I've never liked it, and I've never felt like I was skinny, or even a normal size. But I still did it to myself, and there was a reason behind it. I think another problem with the insurance companies is the general cost of healthcare today. Countries outside the US are starting to advertise their services at a fraction of the cost. There was an article posted on the forum not too long ago about this, and a guy went to India for heart surgery because he couldn't afford it here. I don't remember what they were going to charge him here, I THINK it was about $60,000, and the hospital in India charged him $6,000. Insurance doesn't want to pay, and people can't afford it on their own (for the most part).

I don't really have a schedule. I try to eat 2 to 3 "meals" per day, and allow for healthy Snacks. I know I'm a snacker, and even if I'm not "hungry" I'll go after snacks at certain times during the day, so it's easiest just to plan for it. If you are hungry every couple of hours, maybe plan to have something small to eat around those times, but you should also call and see if you can go in for a fill. The goal is to not be hungry for 3 to 4 hours after you've eaten.

I'm not constantly aware or thinking about it. Only when there is food in front of me, because I can have issues VERY easily if I don't chew well enough or my first couple of bites (especially) are too big.

I've heard a number of bad things about this company. I've heard some good experiences too, but I can't imagine getting to a doctors office and being told they'd heard nothing about you after you spent all of that money. I probably would have started crying right there. It's no wonder she changed the name of the company..

I still have mine but I think it's acting up. It's been generally sore and pretty tender in that area for a very long time, but my doctor didn't find any stone in the ultrasound, and wants to 'wait and see'. Yesterday and the night before it's been worse (steadily, not like an attack), and so I'll likely make an appointment tomorrow telling her I'm done waiting and that she needs to figure out what the problem is.

*hugs* hope you feel better soon!

singer, Please talk to Vinesqueen on this forum. She has not had the issues that you've had with not being able to eat, but she's had her band for over a year now (I'm pretty sure it's that long), and she's basically not losing any weight. She demanded answers from her doctors, and they diagnosed her with cushings disease and a pituitary tumor, both of which can be against weight loss. She was eating 700 calories a day at one point and not losing weight. There are lots of bariatric surgeons in the country, and I think you should not wait for the doctor that went to Iraq. I know you must like him, but anyone can take your band out, and then he can help you with things when you get back. You may also want to chat with Geezer Sue on this site, because she was banded and diagnosed esophageal dysmotility, and would probably be happy to compare notes with you. I hope you feel better soon!

There are a decent amount of hormones stored in fat that are released as we lose weight. I was feeling the same way you are, and asked my doctor for Welbutrin, and it has helped tremendously. I'm also in counceling, but I've needed that for years, so it's just time, lol.

Wow... I don't really know what else to say other than that..

chicken can be tough, and bread can be tough, so breaded chicken is kind of a lethal combo there. Take it easy!

I wore my underwire when I went out, but took it off when I was at home. I don't like not wearing a bra, but was more comfortable without it right after surgery.

Congratulations, and happy bandiversary!!

My mom and I try all sorts of different wine. And I love mixed drinks. I even have the occassional beer as well, but I wasn't forbidden carbonation by my doctor, just 'anything as tolerated'.

If some of the pills are larger, you might do better taking them at night instead of in the morning. I take 2 prescriptions a day, but they are pretty small. The multivitamin I have is a friggin horse pill and I have to take 2 of them. I *can* take them, but I am looking for something chewable instead.