thin2bme

I'm surprised to see so many AT&T employee's and/or spouses that found this website after I bumped it up. Tonya, I would think that your husband's insurance should cover you once your insurance goes into affect as long as your policy includes WLS. My husband keeps telling me he wants to have the surgery and I know his insurance will not cover him (he works for the fire department) so we will have to use my insurance being secondary for the surgery. I'm hoping whenever he gets his behind in gear and gets his paperwork in that they will cover him, I wouldn't see it being a problem for the spouse as long as WLS is covered on your policy.

Erika congrats on making it to onederland, that's great news. Who did you fill was it Dr. H or Tim? I hated the first fill also, the second fill was a piece of cake and didn't hurt at all, the third fill hurt a little but not too bad. I think the first one was probably the worst because I didn't know what to expect. Luckily though I still have pretty good restriction from this fill so I might not need another one for a while. To everybody that's upping their exercising you guys rock, I have to admit with all the vacationing that I've been doing plus the fact that I was sick 4 or 5 days last week I have gotten out of the habit of doing my treadmill and since we'll be going on vacation again the end of the week, I really need to get myself moving again. Lynn, we are going to Florida for 2 weeks and I thought about taking a walk on the beach everyday and after hearing that you did just motivated me more to do the same. We're taking the RV and staying in a park right on the beach so I shouldn't have any excuses. :thumbup:

Gottaluvme, yes my BMI was over 40 and still is. Funny you're retired from AT&T, I'll have my 30 years in February, 2009 and I'm hoping to retire from here then. I started here with Southwestern Bell, then named changed to SBC, and now AT&T. I just want to get out before the next contract comes around next year.. Keep us posted on your journey while waiting to be approved.

Hi Erika, well just found out that DH has to work on Thursday, so I might make it to the meeting Thursday nite after all. We're planning on leaving Friday morning when he gets home, so if I can have everything ready before meeting time on Thursday, I'll try to make the meeting. I'll look for you if I am able to make it. I'm working til 1:00 that day and have an appt with Erin @ Dr. Sabapathy's office @ 3:00 so hopefully, I can get most everything pulled together by then.

Erika, my DH and I just decided yesterday to leave for our 2 1/2 week vacation a couple of days early so now we're planning on leaving Wednesday, so it appears I'll be missing this month's meeting Thursday nite as well, so hopefully, I'll see you there next month. We've decided to take the RV to Branson for a couple of days and then head to Florida for 2 weeks in the sun. I can't wait and wish I were there now!!! I'm just hoping that I can maintain my weight while being gone. I love having all this vacation time but it's not helping my weightloss any!! :ohmy:

Gottaluvme, I have United Health Care also and work for AT&T. I did not have to do a 6 month weight loss program before being approved. My plan paid 100% for surgery, so I was blessed. Well, I say 100%, I have had to pay a few co-pays here and there to see my therapist, but the surgery and hospital was totally covered. I know United Health Care has several different plans but I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you don't have to do the 6 month weightloss program. Good luck!!

Special K great job on your weight loss while in Florida, I hope I can do as well while I'm gone. We decided just yesterday to take the RV to Florida for 2 weeks and will be leaving this Wednesday. If I can just maintain, I'll be happy... :biggrin5:

Lisa, great news your inching your way closer to surgery. I know the waiting is hard, but it's worth it in the end. I hope to see you and Erika at the meeting on June 26 also. I missed the last one due to being out of town on vacation. This one comes 1 day before leaving for our next vacation and I need to come to keep myself motivated.

Hi Everyone, it's been awhile since I posted so thought I better get on and let you know that I'm still doing fine with my weight loss. I see a lot of newcomers since I posted last, welcome to all you newbies, funny I still feel like a newbie since I've only had my band since March (hehehe). This is a great place to come for support and even though I don't post everyday, I do get out here just about daily to read up on everyone's journey's. I had my 3rd fill last Monday and seem to have pretty good restriction right now, I hope it lasts, if not, I go back in 4 weeks and I'll have another fill then. I made it through my Nashville trip with only putting on 3 lbs which quickly came back off, Water weight I think and I've lost 7 lbs since then. The doctor was impressed with my 7 lb weight loss this month. This puts me at a total loss of 51 lbs, 20 of which was lost before the band, but that's ok, it's a total of 51 lbs and I know it's gone forever because of my band (SMILE). I'm going on vacation again in another week and I'll be gone for 2 weeks and hope to keep my weightloss stable again while I'm gone but I'm working very hard this week and next with both my eating plan and exercise so that I can show another weight loss when I go back to the doctor's again the day after we come back from vacation (ugh!!). I know I'll do fine since I made it thru Nashville with just water weight gain and I know what I have to do.

Hi Everybody, I haven't been out here for a week or so and have not felt well the last 4 or 5 days, so I'm just catching up on everyone's posts since my last one, whew!!! It's time for me to toot my horn again, I went in for my 3rd fill on Monday and was down another 7 lbs from last month. My doctor was impressed and frankly, so am I. (SMILING) I've updated my ticker and with my pre-op diet loss of 20 lbs added to my 31 lb post-surgery weightloss I've hit 51 lbs gone forever mark, woohoo!! Everybody that's going on vacation shortly, believe me, if you just don't overeat on a daily basis or eat the wrong kind of foods on a daily basis, then you should do just fine while your gone. Since I've been on vacation a couple of times in the last month and was able to lose 7 lbs and know that I didn't eat right everyday, then I know the rest of you can do ok too. Just remember this is a lifestyle change and don't beat yourself up over having something to eat that isn't on your "plan", just don't over indulge.. Remember, we can do this, we're in it for the long haul. Keep up the good work everyone!!

Erika and Robin you both are doing great, keep up the good work. I have lost almost 30 lbs since being banded on March 19 and I know that I couldn't have done it without my 2 fills. I'm due for fill #3 on Monday and can't wait. Glad to hear you both are doing so well.

I took off 2 1/2 weeks but after 1 week I think I could have returned to my desk job, HOWEVER, I was extremely tired the entire 2 1/2 weeks that I was off, doctor said it was because I had limited food calories going in, but 1 week should be good if you aren't too tired.

Fenton, Just wanted to say that I did "go wild in Nashville" but happily I'm back now. I've been so busy at home since coming back and starting back to work that I just haven't had time to login and catch up on everything. The trip was very fun and I really hated to come back but have to work to get more vacation time (laughing)!! On another note, I gained back 3 lbs of what I'd lost right before I left for Nashville, but luckily as of today I'm down 2 of those 3 lbs and I'm due for my 3rd fill next Monday. Can't wait for that fill, I know I was eating way too much in Nashville, but I'm glad to say that as of yesterday I'm back on track now and just need to get my behind in gear now to start my doing my treadmill, going to start tonite, I promise!! Since having my WII I confess that I haven't used it as much as I'd have liked to either, but when I've used it, it has been a lot of fun including the Hula Hoop. I agree, it might be better for toning but on the other hand if you do the Aerobics portion long enough it should help in the weight loss area too. I had to catch up on reading everyone's posts and I agree that everyone has sure been busy posting the last few days. I didn't think it would take me so long to catch up but finally after reading some this morning and this afternoon, I feel like I'm back in the loop again. (WHEW!)

I live in the Kansas City area too Susan and my surgeon's office also called me to reschedule my surgery earlier, however, mine only called 2 days in advance. Luckily, I was only supposed to be on the pre-op diet 2 days anyway so I had time to do my 2 day pre-op diet before surgery, so I'd say if you get the opportunity again for surgery 1 week or less earlier than you're scheduled for now, go for it. Have fun on your vacation. I was just banded 3/19 of this year and love my band.

Hi Everyone, Today is the first day that I've had since my last post 2 or 3 days ago to get in and catch up on everything since I'm still here enjoying myself in Nashville. Congrats HarleyGirl on reaching onederland, I can't wait til I reach it. Keep up the good work. I had my first PB a couple of days ago and I thought I was going to die. We had gone out for dinner and I had a salad and steak and chicken and broccoli. I had finished my salad and small steak (probably 4 oz or less) and had 1 or 2 bites of chicken and that's when it happened. OK, I should have stopped after finishing the steak but I really wanted some chicken. Needless to say after PB'ng for 2 hours and finally able to bring up a piece of chicken (twice I might add), I finally felt better. I hope I never have to go through this again, lesson learned the hard way. :(j Despite this, my trip is going great. For the most part, I'm making good food choices but not sure that I'm loosing anything, but hoping that I'm not gaining. Oh also, found a Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit here in Nashville, so I'm hoping to begin using it when I get home next week in addition to my treadmill workouts. Well, DH is up now and I need to get in the shower so will talk later. Keep up the good work everyone.

Hi Queen glad to know you're getting closer to a surgery date, it will be worth the wait.

Busy, Went to the Wildhorse Saloon last night and saw Restless Heart. We had front row seats and also tickets for a meet and greet. We had a blast and was able to have our picture taken with the group. The show was fantastic.. I didn't have a very good day with my eating plan yesterday, so hoping to do better today! (FROWNING)

Hi everyone, I haven't posted for awhile, but I've been reading. I'm in Nashville now for 9 glorious days on vacation. Today is our first day of exploring and our festivities start tonite with front row seats to Restless Heart at the Wildhorse Saloon. I can relate to all of you above who are struggling right now with the ups and downs of your weightloss as I've struggled with 1 lb going up and down for the last 3 weeks. But if you just set your mind to it and get up and do your exercises EVERYDAY you should see your weight to start going down again. I say this because I've been out of town 3 weekends in a row now counting this week in Nashville and I've not been able to stay on plan either but last week when I came home I did my treadmill every day and stayed on my diet plan and saw another 3 lbs drop off just since Tuesday. If I can do this I know the rest of you can too. My physchologist suggested while I'm on my trip this week to have a Protein shake before I go to dinner since evening time seems to be my worst problem times. She said this should help my cravings for high carb foods. I brought my Protein drinks with me and I have good intentions of trying this, but with so many temptations here, I'll let you know how it goes when I return. Right now my goal is to not gain back the 3 lbs that I just lost since Tuesday. By the way, we ended up staying in a hotel and driving down in the car instead of our RV due to the high price of diesel and the hotel has free wireless internet so I will be able to log in here daily to read and post if I need to just so I can be accountable to myself, lol. Well DH is still in bed and I've already gone for a banana and orange juice for Breakfast, but think I'll go for a walk now, so talk later.

Hi Busy, This is our 3rd year going to Nashville, we started coming to the CMA Music Fest 2 years ago and have been hooked ever since so hence here we are again. I love this town, so much to see and do here. We usually bring the RV down, but just a few days ago decided to stay in the hotel and drive since the price of diesel fuel has hit the roof. This hotel is ok, but I prefer the RV but it will suffice for 9 nights. We are going to the Grand Ole Opry for a private concert from Carrie Underwood for her fan club members Tuesday morning and then we will be at the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday nite (watch for me in the 5th row left center on GAC Tuesday nite you just might see me waving at you, lol). It's being taped and broadcast live so I'm recording it just in case the camera shines my way, lol. Wednesday, we are going to the Celebrity Softball game that is made up of 2 teams of celebrity musicians and stars, that should be fun. Then Thursday through Sunday nites we'll be attending the nightly concerts with a lot of big name country musicians. Since I'm down 45 lbs this year, I'm hoping to do more of the daytime activities than we've done in the past. Since you only live an hour away, if you've never been to this you should come, it makes for a great vacation.

Fenton, Well I'm here in Nashville and the hotel has free wireless internet so I'm able to check in daily. (SMILE) Yesterday was travel day and we got here about 7:45 last nite so today is our first day to explore. We see the band Restless Heart tonite looking forward to that, we have front row seats and meet and greet tickets, woohoo. I weighed before we left town yesterday and was down 3 lbs since Tuesday, I hope I don't gain those 3 lbs back while we're here. I made a conscious effort yesterday to stay on track which was good. I would love to see 2 lbs come off while we're gone Fenton, but I'll be happy with staying the same but thanks for the words of encouragement. DH is still in bed and I've gone over to the office area and had a banana and glass of orange juice for Breakfast already this morning and feeling quite satisfied at the moment. Well, I'll keep in touch as the week goes on, talk later.

Hi all, I haven't posted for awhile so thought I'd better jump in here so I'll be accountable for myself while on vacation next week. I've been playing with a pound back and forth the last 2 to 3 weeks and I'm hoping that I won't gain anything while in Nashville next week. We leave tomorrow and I won't be home til June 9 so the temptations will certainly be there. I've had 2 fills now and still feel a little restriction but I'm already looking forward to my 3rd fill on June 16 after we're back from vacation. I'm glad to see everyone is doing well. Keep up the good work.

Diva sorry to hear about your accident, hope you're feeling better today. I had my 2nd fill on Monday and I can definitely tell that I have restriction now as I'm not able to eat much without getting full really fast, but at least my food is staying down. I'm hoping my restriction lasts for awhile, I'd like to think I'm at my sweet spot, but I doubt that I really am, time will tell. Diva, if you're unhappy with the amount of food that you're eating and not being able to keep it down, it sounds like you might need a slight unfill, I'd definitely tell your doctor about that also.

Congrats on your weight loss, keep up the good work!!!

Janet, Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am back on track today after splurging the last 4 days. I forgot to mention that when I got home yesterday that I went downstairs and did my treadmill and plan on doing it everynite this week, so hopefully, I'll see the scale move more next week. I will be going back to Branson this weekend too to pick up the RV from Repair but I will try to do better this weekend, but it's good to know that the band help keep me in-check and since I'll be getting another fill this afternoon that won't hurt me any either. :confused_smile:

Diva, congrats on your smaller size, it feels great doesn't it. Keep up the good work and I know your scale will start moving soon. Remember inches are just as good as the pounds moving downward. :confused_smile: I go for my 2nd fill today, I'm really needing more restriction and hope this one will do the trick for awhile. I'm really getting hungry much sooner than I was and I want to get the full sensation back that I had right after surgery. Doctor says that is what we're striving for, so we'll see. I was out of town the last 4 days on a short weekend trip to Branson and found myself over-indulging but the band kept me in-check which is a good thing, but I know that I need more restriction, so tonite I'll be back on Clear liquids for 24 hours then onto creamies for another 24 hours so hope this will give me a little boost in the weight loss. I did manage to lose another 1.8 lbs this week even after my 4 day weekend splurge.