aubrie

Tell your husband to put it somewhere safe. When the kids want a treat, they have to ask him. this will prevent them from gorging as well....

MMCBELLE, Wow, what a kind and supportive post. Thank you and all the other bandsters for their support!! It's so nice to know that you have someone in your corner routing for you. I jsut discovered that my surgeon's office staff sent all my appeal papers to the wrong place. So I have to have them resend the appeal. It just never ends. Actually, this is the 3rd time I'm doing the 6 month diet thing. I got so frustrated and depressed that nothing worked, I basically gave up afterward. Then, I waited to long to have it count for Aetna. This is the first time I stuck through it to the end and filed my paperwork immediately afterward, regardless of my success. This denial thing was another reason I was reluctant to apply the other two times I did this, and I'll be damned if I wasn't right. Yes, my DH is supportive of the surgery. He wasn't at first, because he was only familiar with the bypass. He didn't like that idea. His cousin had it done, and wasn't successful at all. He lost a good amount of weight initially, but ended up grazing 24/7 and gained most of it back. So I wait. and wait. and wait. And wait some more. I started this whole process a year ago. Started the diet in January. Tuned in my papers the first of July. We'll see. Thanks again for encouraging me. My knee jerk reaction is to just give up and accept being obese. I wasn't always big. I still dream about myself as thin, even though I gained all this weight 17 years ago. I'm 48 and 252 lbs. At age 30 after having two kids, I was 128. Within 18 months, for absolutely no reason in the world, I weighed 185. I've gained steadily ever since. Sucks.

I haven't posted since 9-11. I've been punched in the gut. I worked HARD for 6 months to do everything that Aetna required of me to have the surgery, and they still denied me. I'm devastated. I can't remember the last time I cried that hard.:think My husband was frantic, and did everything to console me. Now I'm just angry and bitter. :mad:Being fat has it's own particular set of psychological crap. But what Aetna has done has REALLY messed with my head. It's cruel and sadistic. what they are doing should be illegal. If I had the money, I would go after them legally, because I KNOW I'm not the only person they have put through this. I basically gave up. I started eating again, and regained all my presurgery weight and then some. I got a health club membership about the same time I was denied, in hopes of having it help. I haven't even set foot in it. I can't. It's to painful. My husband has finally talked me into fighting and going through the appeal process. I'm going through the motions, but my heart isn't in it anymore. I can't face any more disappointment. Have any of you been through this emotional roller coaster? How did you get out of the funk and depression? :faint:Was it worth the effort, or did you have to end up paying yourself? I have two kids in college. That is NOT an option for at least three more years. (or more... I'd have to actually be able to save it) What do I do????:cry

Sounds like revenge of an angry 13 year old, who is to immature to realize what she's done. If she's sneaking out and going over to boys' homes in the middle of the night, she is probably sexually active. Sad. VERY sad, but true. If that's true, she's aware that she can use her sexuality to manipulate a situation. If she thinks she's "in love" with this boy, and he's been made off limits by her step dad, she probably thought, well if I can't be with whom I love, neither can you and I'll fix it so you can't. She's in desperate need of mental health services. There's nothing you can do about that. But you CAN help your own daughter by talking to her as recommended above, and getting both of you some counseling. Since this is your daughters father, I would assume that she goes over to his house to visit and actually knows her stepsister. They are similar in age. Imagine your daughter's fury at her stepsister hurting her father? This could last for many years. Help her deal with the anger, the grief and the confusion. Either way, and whatever happens, she'll need you, and some professional help.

I know, I know, many of you will roll your eyes, but having small boobs is something I look forward to!! I find these big hooters to be very uncomfortable. I'm tired of them resting on my belly. I'm tired of finding half of them under my arm. I'm tired of the underwires poking through the fabric of my bra due to the extra weight, and having to throw them out. I'm tired of the back aches. I'm tired of my husband rolling over on them and sreaming in the middle of the night. I'm tired of having to lean over to drink wine out of a glass with a long stem. I'm tired of them choking me when I curl up in bed and they meet my double chin.YUCK! I'll take flat any day! Granted, I'll probably need to have what's left pulled up, since my nipples point at the floor instead of out front, but it will be worth it!

I was on Zoloft at one time. I liked the way it made me feel, but it did cause me to stop having orgasms altogether. For me, it just wasn't worth it. That part of my life was good, and not ejoying sex made me MORE depressed so I changed to Wellbutrin. My doctor agreed. He said it happens to a lot of people. Then I discovered that I was depressed because of an undiagnosed thyroid problem. Two weeks later I was off anti-depressants and taking synthroid. It was heaven. My surgeon has told me that I will more than likely get to toss my blood pressure meds and detrol after my Lap-band surgery but will have to continue with the thyroid meds. Just do what the doctor tells you.

The reason for the denial? One was that the doctor's 6-month diet notes weren't good enough.... lovely.... they also added some undefinable psychobabble. Not really sure what they were getting at... I've gone to a dietician, my regular MD who did the 6-month diet, my rhumetologist who says it will improve my arthritic knees and hips, my heart doctor who says it will improve my overall health, stress on my defective aortic valve and reduce my blood pressure, went to my OB/GYN who says my stress incontinence will improve with weight off my abdomen, I had a psych evaluation which I passed with flying colors, I've attended numerous support group sessions, and have had a sleep study done. I don't have sleep apnea, but do have disruptive sleep. what's next? giving up my first born child? there is NOTHING left to do. That much documentation is not good enough? I'm very tempted to try the obesitylaw.com route. I've done everything they have asked.

Don't beat yourself up. You did the right thing. AND the healthy thing. I go to support group meetings and the by-pass people all have problems. One is getting the shakes really bad from dipping blood sugar levels. He can't even have sex anymore. The exertion nearly puts him in a coma. their hair is falling out, they have to get B-12 shots regularly, they will NEVER be able to eat certain foods again, and the weight loss was so rapid, their skin is sagging and most need additional surgery to get rid of it. I wasn't impressed. Maybe it's time for another fill or time to re-examine your caloric intake. Make a couple of changes in your diet. What are you doing for exercise? you may need to boost your metabolism with a change in regimine. WHATEVER YOU DO.... DON'T GIVE UP. and please don't compare to your friend. That's comparing apples and oranges. Talk to your doctor. Personally, I think 25 pounds in two months is FABULOUS. Not to mention healthier. Be patient.

So you enjoyed the lobster? I would think lobster would be a great food. High in protein. Just skip the butter dip. Proud of you for losing two pounds. That's wonderful.

Congratulations. I'm so jealous. I just got denied.

Getting Aetna to pay for this is a nightmare. I went through 6 months of hell, time and great expense and went to evey doctor I see. They still denied me. I was devastated. The emotional damage they heaped on me was WAY worse than anything from being fat. Aetna is cruel and insensitive. I wish you lots of luck. It took me weeks to get back up the courage to appeal and put myself through it again. I'm STILL waiting. I've been waiting since June. Started the process in January. Maybe try getting the requirements in writing. I didn't and they obviously changed them. I've never been so frustrated, disappointed or angry in my entire life. I felt like I had been lied to and taken advantage of. Aubrie

My best friend went to Spiegel. He botched her so badly she felt like she was going to die. She had to have emergency surgery. Another surgeon had to repair the damage and completely redo the lap band. She said getting a fill was like cattle in a cattle car. You were just a number. She was VERY disappointed. We now go to the same doctor and she's finally doing wonderful. I don't recommend Spiegel.

I picked 130, but my doctor thought 140 was more realistic at my age. considering I weighed 115 in my early 20s and weigh 247 now, I would be happy weighing 147.

My doctor took a polaroid of me on my first visit to him. I think he saves it for a before and after picture, to document your loss. Most doctors now photograph their surgeries. My laproscopic surgery on my shoulder and my knee were both photographed and videotaped. I got copies of both.

My doctor told me that swimming laps actually burns more calories than running. I HATE to sweat. So it works for me. The foam dumb bells are awesome for working out the arms. At my weight now, I feel like a turd in a puchbowl. I float very easily. Built it May Wests!! When I was thinner, I used to tread water instead of laps. Very hard to do when you have little body fat. As you lose, I recommend adding that to your exercise. As you lose it automatically gets more and more difficult. It adjusts to you, so it's the perfect exercise.

I can relate. I feel like a bat with wings. I literally have flaps. I couldn't care less about the jiggly stuff left on my tummy, but my arms REALLY bother me. What are the arms scars like after surgery? Anyone?

The fact that you're losing inches but not losing weight to me is a good sign. this shows me that you are eating the right amount of protien and are building up lean muscle, which weighs more than fat. Bandsters have to be careful about losing muscle. And the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn when you exercise. don't worry. Be happy.

There's a guy in my support group who is a food distributor of some kind and does food shows for retaurants etc. He's devised a way to taste the food and carries a cup with a retactable cover, and spits it back out. He is one determined bandster!!! It doesn't even seem to bother him. He's lost over 100 lbs. so I guess he's successful at it. He amazes me!

I've been practicing banding as well. I try to eat out of a 1/2 cup dessert cup. Not hard. The portion size was not my problem. I hate the chewing, chewing, chewing. The food loses its' flavor and I don't much care for the semi liquid texture before swallowing. YUCK! I'm eating my protein first. Never was a big soda drinker, so that's not a problem for me either. Not a big snacker, so I don't have to worry about that. Drinking all the water is a problem though. I have a bladder control problem, and it makes it a little tough. Doc says that will lessen when I lose weight and there is not so much weight on my bladder from my stomach. I worry about the exercise as I have advanced arthritis in knees, back, hips and shoulders. that will limit me and I'm afraid that will set me up for failure. We'll see....

Have you tried beating your eggs with a little water or milk and then pouring them in the pan and cooking them slow. It's more like a custard than a typical scrambled egg. they are much softer and not as sticky.

Several ladies in my support group are talking about their needing B-12 shots every month. some 2x per month! they talk about fatigue. Granted these people are bypass, but is that something we bandsters have to worry about??? what's up with that?

I would have smiled and asked the wait person for a to go box. If that didn't give her the message hand it to her when you're leaving and tell her, well now you're not wasting it.

I am 60 pounds heavier than when I was 9 months pregnant with both my children. I no longer have an "arm pit" I have an underarm bulge with a fold of skin so deep that a razor can't get there to shave anymore. I LOVE to dance, and can't dance anymore. I hurt all over. Wiping and cleaning myself has become extrememly difficult. DISGUSTING! My house used to be immaculate. Now it is a total mess becuase I don't have the energy or the flexibility and strength to clean it. My hands no longer look like hands. They look like paws. My boobs are so big now that they literally choke me when I lay down to sleep. It's difficult to breathe. Not to mention I have to lean over to drink out of a wine glass. The stem bumps into my chest and I can't sip normally. Good grief.... I used to love to play in the floor with a dog or children, and used to watch TV Indian style. If I get down on the floor now, I need assistance to get back up and it hurts like hell. I dread a flight of stairs. I miss crossing my legs like a lady. My doctor recently increased my blood pressure medicine and my diuretics. I get kenalog shots for my arthritis. I'm sick of the whole mess and just want to be me again, not this monster that I see every day in the mirror. I am looking so forward to being banded!!!!!

I'm not banded yet...looking at September....but have most all in place. I had the funniest dream the other night. I dreamed I had my surgery and was in the hospital. I got up out of bed all sore and hunched over holding my belly and went for a walk down the hospital hall. My husband was in the lobby waiting for me and asked me to sit down. He offered me a cup of hot tea and a slice of cream cake. I sipped my tea and took a bite of cake. Then I said out loud. "I can't eat this!!" and spit it all over the floor. Funny how I'm already subconsciously "programming" myself and I'm not even banded yet!!! LOL:clap2:

I can't take hydrocodone. I had it prescribed after surgery on my shoulder for a rotator cuff tear. I was only in the hospital one night. 6 days later I was back in the hospital for three days with my entire intestinal track shut down and compacted. It was the most horrible thing I've ever expereinced. When I had knee surgery I had to take citrucel pre-op and for 1 week after, and took a milder pain med. Pain meds don't agree with me AT ALL!! I'm not banded yet so I'm VERY worried about this.