Madeline's mom

I also have the Vanguard (11cm 10cc capacity). When my surgeon fitted my band he was kind enought to put 3cc in the band. After about 3 weeks post-op I could not tell I had a band on. My first official fill was 2 cc giving me a total of 5cc. While I had 5 cc I had very little restriction. But this last fill of 1.5 cc giving me 6.5 total has finally done the trick. I have mainted a good level of restriction for the last 4 weeks and I don't think I will need one for a while. So YES it really does take quite a bit more to get adequate restriction with the Vangard.

:cry I asked my husband last night if he was proud of me for loosing 35 pounds! He had the audacity to tell me no! He said he was happy for me to have lost some weight but that I did not accomplish this "own my own"! He said if I had dieted or exercised with out getting banded that he would be proud of me. That really hurt espcially since he is aware that for the last 7 years I have been unable to loose more than 15 pounds by dieting and exercising. Am I crazy for thinking my husband should be proud of me? Has anyone else ever had this kind of reaction from their spouse?

Don't be discouraged there are usually a snag or two along the way when dealing with insurances. Just be glad you have yours behind you! Take a deep breath and envision yourself skinny. Now don't you feel better! ((HUGS))

Becky, That is incredible weight loss - 42 pounds in just over a month! If you are still loosing dont worry about getting a fill. Now once you hit a plateu and you are still following band guidelines then go get that fill.

I have Mississippi/Tennessee federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield and I was also denied the lap band but approved for gastric bypass. However I have heard some Blue CRoss programs are paying for the band if BMI>50. Best of luck to you! I payed out of pocket for my band and went to Europe (spent around 6,000 for the surgery)

I just want each of you to know how great you have made me feel! I am reading these at work and have a huge grin. Thanks for being honest and letting me know that you know that you care! Kathy, I think your husband is really sweet and has alot of insight!

Thank yall so much for the encouraging words I really needed that! I think most everything each of you postulated is true. What I can't understand is that he has also battled with his weight and knows how hard it is too loose weight and keep it off. Well when I get to my goal weight of 140 I dare him to say he is not proud of me! Thanks again so much you guys are GREAT! And Kathy, Please let me know what YOUR husband says when you ask him if he is proud of you!

HUGS TO YOU! I know the amount of paperwork you have to submit seems daunting but keep in mind the prize! Best of luck on the insurance stuff!

I am a big fan of Guacamole it really does stick with you and no matter how restricted you are it goes down easy! Try eating as much solid protein while you can after you get your fill it may be hard for those meats to go down! I cant eat BBQ anymore! Boo Hoo!

I was a self pay also and you know I think he resents us spending the money on my surgery. I spent months trying to find a surgeon that was qualified as well as reasonable because I did not want to "break us". I have really reduced my eating out and have tried to spend less money but I am quite sure he resents that we had to spend money for me to loose weight.

I would consider asking the nurse if that if the usual protocol because if the office is always treating it's patients like that their patients are not going to be very happy. Maybe the receptionist was having a bad day but I would definately look into why you were treated that way! Sometimes a patient needs to speak to a nurse ASAP espeically if there are some problems. I would hate to know I could only talk to a nurse on Weds if I had problems.

I will take one sip of my husbands but that is all I can have because it hurts if I drink more! I really miss an ice cold beer!

Marimaru and Kimberly- Thanks so much for the kind words- I really appreciate it. I would never say that to anyone muchless someone you are supposed to love and cherish. I guess I don't need to dwell on it because I am proud of myself even if he is not!

WELCOME!, I see you struggle with social eating as I do! I have such a hard time saying to food in a social situation! You are doing so great going to that gym 5 days a week- that is super. Keep up the good work!

Krystal, I am sure everything will go smoothly and you will be doing great in no time! It is only natural to be a little nervous so just know that all that waiting is about to be over. Best of Luck!

Great Pics! Isn't it fun to get to meet someone from this board in person! Paula and Kathy ya'll both look grrreat!

The fact that the complication rate is so low with AGB made me much more comfortable about the surgery. I also have known 2 women the had Bypass and gained almost all their weight back.

My most important job is being the mother of my adorable 4 year old daughter Madeline. In my other job I work as a pharmacist in the VA Hospital in Memphis. I would MUCH rather be a stay at home MOM. Oh Well!

Christina, I definately think you have made the best decision. So HAPPYfor you!

I hope that your surgery goes smoothly and you have a super fast recovery!

Congratulations! I am so glad to hear that your insurance will be paying pay for your AGB surgery. It is much easier on you if your insurance pays especially regardings after care. Best of luck and keep us posted!

Jenna, Thanks for being brave and posting your pictures. I too had a BMI of 33 at banding and I really think that your pictures truly said it all. Hell my pictures if I posted them would say it all but I would not even let my husband get near me withi a camara with a stitch of my clothes off. I can only speak for my self but at my weight of 225 I loathed myself so much that I could not look at myself in the mirror. I did not want to attend class reunions or any functions for fear of people saying "boy has she gotten fat!. So thankfully, I had the opportunity to go have an operation that literally has been life-saving for me and so many others. For the first time in many many years I feel that I CAN get back to a healthy weight. Once again Jenna, I applaude you for this thread, your pictures and this poll!

Lisa, You look great and you should be very proud of your success despite all you have been through. Congratulations on the weight loss!

Christina, I bought Michael Thurmonds six week body make over. It is kind of neat because you answer all these questions and it determines what type of body you have which determines the kind of diet you follow. There were also some resistance equipment included for excercises. The recipes called for way too much cooking for me to follow. If you like to cook you probably would enjoy the program. They also have these metabolic boosting pills that help with weight loss. I liked the pills more than anything.

Cassie, I do not know if it was pregnancy or the prenatal vitamins but while I was pregnant I do not think I lost one strand of my hair. My hair was so thick for several years. Not anymore. I wash my hair and huge clumps fall out in the shower. Is this a result of weight loss or lack of vitamins? I don't know but I have just bought some chewable Flinestones in an attempt to slow the hair falling out. I will let you know if it gets better. It's probably a good idea to go ahead and start taking those vitamins now I wish that I had done that for an least a month prior to banding.