BeckyinTexas

Armkam...I love that quote!!!!! My skins a'saggin but I'm still braggin...I'm so gonna steal that one from you! Just an update on my weight loss to date....4 more pounds and I'll have lost 300 pounds! I can't wait to high that milestone. I never thought I could do it, but darned if I haven't. Congrats to everyone that's doing so well! You know, we're some determined people and ain't it great!

Dr. S....I started a thread and so far, no one knows the answer to my question so I'm asking you. Who invented the lap band? Whoever it is, they are my hero! A woman in one of my support groups said I should let whoever it is know how much weight I've lost and see what the record is. I'm a bit competitive and I would love to be his biggest loser! Just an update on one of your suggestions to me, I'm waiting to hear from the plastic surgery residency program at UT Southwestern in Dallas. I applied and basically I'd be up for whatever they'd want to do. The residents get to pick who they want and I've got my fingers, toes and eyes crossed that someone will pick me! Thanks for the suggestion and I'll keep you updated. Thanks again for all your support!

Dab....I have so much excess skin and I'm having a really hard time dealing with that issue. I'm in the process of appealing my insurance company's decision not to cover a pannicolectomy, basically the fat apron removal. I visited with a plastic surgeon about 3 months ago and he said I had certianly lost enough to consider surgery. I'm only 5'2" and my legs are so darn short so I have a major amount of excess skin on my thighs. My arms have so much skin I could probably flap it and fly! If I could have the pannicolectomy, the thigh lift and the upper arms done, I'd feel like a million dollars. Well, I already do feel that way with my clothes on, at least. I try and focus on the amount of weight I've lost and not dwell on the "party favors" that being so overweight has given me. I'm going to fight my insurance company's decision because mine is certianly not cosmetic, it's medical. The excess skin from my stomach is causing me some major problems so hopefully they'll reverse the decision. You are a tall drink of water for sure. At your height, you could easily carry 275-280 pounds. I'm seeing a guy that's 6'9" and he weighs about 300 and he looks pretty darn good. The excess skin is a problem and I'm having a hard time dealing with it, but all in all, it's so worth it. What a problem to have, huh? It's darn sure better than walking around weighing 469 pounds like I did. My plastic surgeon said that if I could have the 3 surgeries that I need, it would amount to about 35 pounds of excess skin they could remove. That would put me only about 10 pounds from the perfect weight for my height. I'm just hoping that some way or another, I can get the surgery done. If not, I'm just going to be thankful that I've done as well as I have! Good luck, Dab!

Reading all of your wonderful posts has me sitting here at my desk with big ole tears rolling down my face! Thank you all so much. As for any words of advice...don't for one second think it can't be done because no matter what you need to lose, it can be done! I say my band was kissed by an angel before it was put in me because I've had hardly any problems. The changes in my life are unbelievable! At 469 pounds, I had given up on life completely. Now I have a life and man, what a wonderful feeling! I have 2 little granddaughters, 4 and 2, and the joy of being able to actually sit on the floor and play with them is priceless. Before, I couldn't have gotten down on the floor much less get up. It's some of the most simple things in life that I'm amazed that the weight loss has changed. I'm having a huge issue with the large amount of excess skin, but I just keep telling myself to just concentrate on my accomplishments and not the negative part. I run into people that I haven't seen since my surgery and they don't recognize me. I've gone from crossing my fingers and hoping a size 32 would fit (most times it didn't) to wearing a size 12 or 14. I can walk a country mile now compared to walking 10 feet before and then pretending to have something in my shoe so I could stop and catch my breath and hope people bought the excuse. I think one of the major secrets to my success with my lap band is sure determination and being a lot bullheaded! So many people said I couldn't do it...well, I dang sure am! I told my surgeon on the first visit, I was going to be his biggest loser and I am. I'm speaking at a convention in Dallas in October and I can't wait to share my story. I want people to know that if someone that had let themself get to 469 pounds can do it...they can too! Thanks again for all the kind words. This site has been my savior so many times. It would be hard to find people anywhere that are as supportive and kind as the folks on here! It might sound silly but I can't wait for those 4 pounds so I can do something that I never even thought possible...lose 300 pounds! I just got chills typing that. I have to admit, I'm very proud of myself and God bless whoever invented the lap band!!!!!!

I just got back from our health clinic and they weighed me and I'm only 4 pounds away from losing 300 pounds!!!!! I just want to warn everyone...when I lost those 4 pounds, plug your ears cause you'll probably hear me screaming! Man, I so love my lap band!

An update....I have 4 more pounds to go to have lost 300 pounds! I can't wait to do that and then lose about 40 more pounds.

I was banded April 29, 2005 and have no problems at all. I've lost a lot of weight with only 4 fills. I say my band must have been kissed by the angels before it was put in because it's been like a miracle to me! Good luck with everything. Insurance companies can be a pain but it'll all be so worth it!

Thanks, Marjorie! I'm very proud of my weight loss and at times I just can't believe I let myself get so huge. The hardest part for me now is realizing that all the skin issues are the direct result of my giving up on myself. But no more...I've come too far to not complete this journey and have the body that shows what I've accomplished. Thanks for your support. It means so much to me to have people on this forum I can talk to and know they understand all the issues that go along with weight loss. Have a happy and safe 4th everyone!

As always, thanks Dr. Schulman. That was one of those questions that I didn't quite know how to phrase but you knew exactly what I was talking about. I'm speaking at the National Lap Band Conference in October and I so hope to have the surgery behind me and be able to take the stage strutting my stuff! Heck, even without the surgery I plan on strutting. I've earned that right! Thanks again, Dr. S. You're one of the good guys!

Dr. S......I have a question that I have been embarrased to ask but lucky you, I'm asking. I'm still fighting my insurance company over the pannicolectomy and will continue to do so. I'm just wondering, when you have a panni, does that do anything for the pubis mound? Is that a separate procedure? Is it ever combined? I know that with the fat apron removed, it would make it look even worse than it does now. After all the weight I've lost, I have lots of "party favors" left over from being so big. They are some of the most annoying places! Thanks for all your support!!!!!

My first fill, I looked like I had gone 3 rounds with Mike Tyson. My stomach area was black and blue! My seoncd fill, no bruising at all. Then with my 3rd fill, big ole bruise again. I called my doctor the first time and he said that it sometimes happens. Well, I've had it 2 out of 3 times. They sometimes have trouble finding my port and that's probably why mine bruises.

I was just revisiting posts that I placed back when I first started my lap band journey. One of my first posts on this site was right here and at the time, just days before my surgery, I said I couldn't wait to have the problem of excess skin. Well, I certainly have it now after losing over 280 pounds. I'm in the process of appealing my insurance company over the denial of a panniculectomy. They said it was cosmetic instead of a medical necessity. I'm wondering if they saw the pictures that were submitted along with the evidence that proved all the skin infections and yeast infections that have resulted from the 25-30 pounds of excess skin that hangs down. I wouldn't change losing the weight for any thing but I won't feel like my journey is complete until I get the insurance company to reverse the denial and I can lose my "fat apron" forever! Logically you'd think is your insurance company approved the weight loss surgery then they should cover expenses that might come from the loss but then again, logical thinking isn't an insurance company's way to go. Wish me luck because I plan on fighting them tooth and nail to get approved.

I called my insurance carrier this afternoon and they told me that I wasn't approved because it was considered cosmetic. I don't think I've been this disappointed in a long, long time. I feel like someone just took a dream away. One that I wanted more than words can say. I pity the poor person that they would deem a medical necessity since I've lost nearly 300 pounds and was told by two doctors that I had 20-30 of skin that should be removed. What the heck does it take to be considered a medical necessity???? I'm still shell shocked because the plastic surgeon that I met with said he hadn't seen anyone that needed the surgery like I do. My question is this....has any appealed the decision their insurance company made? I'm hoping someone, anyone can help me because after I'm finished drying my tears and get over the huge disappoint, I want to kick it into high gear and appeal to the max. If anyone can help me out, please, please let me know what I can and should do. It might sound so silly to most people but I've never been this down. I just hope and pray that there's something that I can do to change their minds.

Just my personal opinion but you did ask....I've had great success with my lap band. I've had it 3 years and have very few problems. You simply have to work with it and let it work for you. The only time I ever throw up or slim is...when I eat too fast and not chew enough or eat more than I should. My trigger is my nose runs and if I take one bite after than, it never fails I throw up. I choose the lapband over gastric because of the recovery time and other advantages that I learned about. I had two friends that had the gastric bypass close to the same time I had my lap band and granted they lost a lot of weight but they are now both gaining it back. One has already gained back 75 pounds of the 190 she lost. She is now checking into getting the lap band procedure. Lap band vs. gastric, you have to do your research on both but I definitely wouldn't change my decision to go with the lap band for anything! Good luck.

That was what I was denied, the pannicolectomy. I'm gonna keep appealing though. I have 25-30 pounds of skin hanging nearly midthigh. Mary, I've been wondering the same thing. Before I crossed my fingers and hoped I could fit my 469 pound body into the biggest size they had and even then, unless Omar the tent maker made it, I couldn't even wear a 32. Now I wear a 12 or 14 on top but a 14 or 16 waist down because of the fat apron. Thank goodness for tight girdles! I have to tuck everything in several times a day. But I know I'm much healthier and active than I was all those pounds ago. It's just so discouraging to not look as good as I feel. I'm gonna make it happen some way or another. Mary, I'll give you the same advice I give myself daily...hang in there. We've hopefully gone through the worst and it'll be so much better from now on.

Dr. Schulman...your advice is so correct. When I first started losing the weight, I told my lap band surgeon that I would tape and strap all the loose skin when the time came. I should be thankful that now all the loose skin is the major problem but I'm having some major body issues. I did what you suggested and contacted Southwest Medical in Dallas and they're sending me paperwork to fill out for the residency program. I'm just hoping and praying that this will happen for me. Thanks for all your advice. You go above and beyond and it's appreciated very much!

Mary, I can so relate to what you're saying! I've lost nearly 300 pounds in 3 years and I'm more depressed now than I was when I was at my heaviest. I look in the mirror and see nothing but hanging skin and disgust myself. I went to see a PS about surgery but was turned down by my insurance company and I'm not financially able to pay for any of it. I just want the "fat apron" removed and I think that would help how I see myself. I've really been a mess the last couple of weeks after seeing the pictures of myself the PS took. I had myself fooled that I didn't look that bad until I saw it right there in living color. I should just be thankful that I've lost so much weight but I still feel like a failure. I know just what you mean though. Seems like all our hard work has been for nothing. Might sound vain, but one of my reasons for the surgery was to look better and I think I look worse now than before. I know where you're coming from and it's not good for either of us but we can vent to each other.

Dr. Schulman....I've lost nearly 300 pounds and as you would know, I need a pannicolectomy. I visited a plastic surgeon in Dallas and we sent in all the information to my insurance company but I was denied. They said it was cosmetic rather than medically necessary. I'd hate to see the poor sould they considered medical. I have constant rashes, infections and since my denial, I've been dealing with depression and I've never had that before. At one point, I thought all my hard work was for nothing when looking at myself disgusted me. My question to you is this....what is your experience with patients that appeal the original decision. I don't have anything documents as far as the rashes/infections go because I work for a county that provides us a PA and I just go next door and ask someone to recommend something to use. I wish I had stock in Gold Bond because I use a large can a week. Do you have any suggestions for me? I've got to snap out of the funk I've been in because I know I should just be thankful to have lost so much weight but I don't think I've ever been this discouraged. Thanks for any help you might give me.

I had my surgery 3 years ago and I remember the gas pains! The second day after my surgery, the pain was horrible. I chewed some Gas-X and it helped immediately. The pain was in my shoulder area and neck. I never had much pain in the surgery site other than about a week after my surgery, I must have rolled over on my stomach while I was asleep. That's how I've always slept flat on my stomach. Well, it woke me up and scared me to death thinking I probably has screwed something up. The pain was around my port site. I stayed up the rest of the night worrying I had messed up the whole procedure. I called my doctor the first thing the next morning and he assured me that everything would be OK. After taking a much needed nap, I woke up and was feeling fine. I even went grocery shopping that afternoon. I went back to work the day after that and other than being tired, I was fine. I felt like I had no energy for a couple of weeks but no pain. Did your surgeon give you a breathing thing? I don't remember what it's called but I used mine every hour. The told me it would help clear ny lungs. Ask your doctor about this. Hopefully things will start improving for you soon!

I can't wait to hear how you're doing. Also, congratulations on starting the best journey of your life! Ever have any questions, we're here for you! Take care of yourself.

Not sure if any of y'all can relate to this but....I'm 54 and single. At my age, not a lot places to meet eligible men so I went the internet route of posting on dating sites. Before I always posted on one for "BBWs". I kept thinking pretty soon I would no longer be a BBW but it dawned on me this morning...I still will be. Instead of BBW standing for Big Beautiful Woman, for me it now stands for Banded Beautiful Woman!

Well hello to a fellow Texan, I think. We're both at 3 years. It's great isn't it! It's gone better for me than I ever expected it to. You've done great and I'm very proud of you. Like you said, who knows better than all the great people on here what we all have gone through. I feel like a new person and I'm sure you do too. So, don't be shy, you can say pretty much anything you want to on here. You've lost all that weight so you need to be shouting it from the roof top. Congratulations!

If someone finds it, please let me know. I'm getting everything together to start my appeal process so this would help out greatly.

I must be a freak of lap band nature....in three years I've had 3 fills and going in for my 4th fill at the end of June. I know it's time because I'm getting hungry between meals and I haven't before. I have restriction even without a fill so I'm very lucky.

Carrie, I'm 54 so gravity is taking it's toll on me for sure but the upside for me is....I actually have boobies for the first time in my life! Before my stomach stuck out so much, you wouldn't notice I had anything. Now, my stomach is much flatter and you can finally see the girls! I've gone from a 56DD to a 36D. So even though the number and cup size is smaller, I finally look like I have something up top. For anyone that might be interested in a good bra....try Goddess. They have some great styles and are very comfortable. If possible have someone fit you because it certainly makes a difference when you get the right fit. I love the underwire one except when I fly and for some reason it sets off the scanner and I get pulled over to the side and have to have a woman do the hand held scanner. But oh well, at least I'm looking better when people stare at me!