FinallyFree

My journey started in Oct. 13, 06 and finally ended with surgery June 20, 2007 if this is any consulation! 9 1/2 mo.! Have patience, in talking with my insurance the lady on the other end told me it was so detailed and lengthy to week out the ones who aren't "really serious" about losing the wgt. Hang in there! Follow the directions to a T. Make copies, document all phone calls with dr. offices, insurance companies, etc! Good luck!

My starting bmi was 38.6, and I was approved. Have you contacted yourv insurance co. to find out what thr requirements are for coverage?

I attended a seminar before my surgery and was told chewing gum generates as much as a quart of saliva which is way too much for a newly banded pouch to hold. I found this to be true the first few months post banding but now I can chew gum for a little bit before needing to spit it out.

HI Ladies! I was 53 when I had my surgery and so thankful I did! Thanks to the exercise videos of the 70's and 80's todays 50's is yesterday's 40's and I believe it. One of the benefits of having the surgery at our age is maturity with dieting ...having all those past years of trying to lose wgt and failing or having limited success and then gaining the wgt. back! Sound familiar?? I am proud to say I weigh less and look better than I have in decades! And another plus.....all those skinny young women and men of our generation are getting the middle age spread or worse. They are just starting their battle with weight loss and are confused! How did this happen? They used to be able to eat anything!! We've been there, done that and have the clothes to prove it!! [insert uplifting music here] Well here's to US and the rest of our lives! May they be long and healthy!

No, I'm not treated differently. They've all congratulated me on my weight loss at one time or another, but that's it. It hasn't been over the top with the praise or encouragement. They've given the same amount of praise to someone who has come in with a nice hair style.:eek:

Joan, It's great to hear you're going to give it all you have. You deserve this! Your friend that had it done last year can help you through, and answer any questions you're going to have. Thanks for the compliment on my wgt loss and ticker. I still feel the same inside, just lighter!:eek:

Yes, it was worth it. I started Feb. 28, 2007 to lose the wgt. My daily intake was Protein powder w/1 C. skim milk for Breakfast, Wendy's chili, no cheese for lunch, dinner was protein (steak, salmon, chicken, pork) as much as I wanted, 1 C. frozen strawberries and 1 pop. Between meals I drank coffee w/skim milk. I lost a total of 22 lbs in 3mo. 3 weeks. That's what? 6.6 lbs a month. After my surgery the wgt. loss jumped to 10 lbs a month. I used the tool I was given to my best advantage. I'm within 5 lbs of my goal wgt. now and my bmi is normal. It's great! It was definately worth it.

I've tried a sip 3 times since my surgery. Soda tastes like nasty chemicals to me so it hasn't been a problem. It's not hard to give up the soda when the pouch is so small. I'd rather have quality in there not quanity.

I read a few months ago, where it helps to get on your knees, with your butt in the air higher than your shoulders, elbows on the bed or floor and rock. Hope this helps! Welcome to the other side!!

Sounds like you are almost there! I'd suggest calling the insurance, get a name and have them fax or mail the requirements for lap banding to you and your surgeon's office! Good luck!

Whoaaaa!!! MamaJava!! This nutritionist is a TOOL for your help! NOT your mother, not your keeper, NOT your best friend!! YOU are doing great!! Had the surgery and have cut the calories!! You just hang in there, it will get better!! Keep a diary of what you eat and when, so you can show her and then maybe she can make some helpful suggestions. I had to keep a one week food log to show the nutritionist when I started the paperwork process. I was so proud of that log, I'd cut out eating between meals and was so suprised when she looked at it handed it back to me and told me, "Well you know what you have to work on." WELL NO I DIDN'T! I read the packet given to me by the dr. and that helped more than anything. If you are worried, call that nutritionist tomorrow and ask her for suggestions. But Please, Please, don't beat yourself up about cutting your calories. You are not a failure! You are just starting out and it will get better for you. Hang in there!

FLMan, Whatever you do make sure you chew! CHEW! CHEW!! And then chew some more!! I was working out of town and ended up being stuck for 3 days when I tried to eat a grilled chicken breast. Ugh! It would be a good idea to buy some papuyia(sp) enzyme tablets to take along with you in case you do get stuck. You can buy these at any Herbal/Natural Foods stores. EAT what you know you can safely! Wendy's chili is good. I can't eat breads without having problems either. Omletes? Soups? I found milk shakes worked if I was desperate, but I can no longer use a straw because it creates too much air in my stomach. Starting wgt. 225 1-07 Current wgt. 149 2-08

I had the surgery on Fri. and went back to work on Mon with out any problems. What type of work do you do? I'm a secretary, but do quite a bit of walking. Starting wgt. 225 1-07 Current wgt. 149 2-07 76 lb. gone!

After 7 mo. I had to get rid of my clothes, I couldn't wear them any more, and look half way decent. Looking at them, I'm surprised at how big I really was. It's fun now to wear the smaller sizes. I have a pair of pants that I can pull off buttoned and zipped. I remember buying them in Sept. and feeling so proud at the smaller size and how good I thought I looked then. They are an 18. Woooo Hoooo!! Starting wgt. 225 1-07 Current wgt. 149 2-08 76 lb. gone gone gone!

HI Melanie, I attended a seminar held by a group of dr. who perform the surgery. Then made an appt. to talk with the lap band dr. of my choice. The sec. over insurance gave me a packet about what the insurance companies require and the time frame which was very helpful. Have you checked out your insurance yet to see if any part will be covered? My Sis in Law shocked me with the reply "You're taking the easy way out." That was in July 07, I spoke with her again over Christmas and now she's telling me "You cheated by having the surgery" I don't bother to go down that alley and discuss it with her. I'm "normal" now, look great and she's not. Starting wgt. 225 1-07 Current wgt. 149 2-08 Lost 76 lbs forver!

I had my surgery on a Fri. and went back to work on Mon. without any problems. Starting Wgt. 225 1-07 Current Wgt. 149 2-08 76 lbs. lost Forever!

Jencys, :eek::party: Let me know how it goes. Shrinkage, Here's the phone number for Rocky Mtn. Assoc. Physicicans 801-268-3800 @ St. Mark's Hospital in SLC

You've just gone through a serious surgery. You won't have as much pain because there aren't the nerves on the inside of your body like there are on the outside. Give yourself time to heal. The stomach area has been prodded, pushed, pulled and banded. The anethesia needs to leave your body. You'll be able to sustain yourself very easily on the post op diet. We all have been there, so this is a truth I'm telling you. It's no longer necessary to consume the massive amounts of food over a day that you ate a month ago or even a week ago. Oh, and now you'll start to lose the weight. Welcome to the other side! Now you're life as a "NORMAL, HEALTHY" person begins! FinallyFree Starting wgt. 225 1-07 Current wgt. 148 2-08 #3 more to hit my desired BMI!

Hi KatieC. How are you doing?

HI Jencys! Do you have a surgery date scheduled yet? FF

It is good to see others from Wyoming on the board. Anyalee, I replied to your thread on the newbie board, but I'll ask you here again. Where did you go to have your surgery? I went to Salt Lake City, Dr. Simper. Rose, Since you've been banded the longest, how goes it? I've almost reached my goal wgt. and am having a problem with the idea of "maintaining" Lynne

The stomach/and newly formed pouch has been through a lot with the surgery, and is still swollen and tender. Treat yourself gently. There's a reason why we given directions. Starting wgt. 225 1-07 Surgery wgt. 203 6-07 Current wgt. 150

Bandme08, The appt. with the nutrionist and trainer will help you start your wgt. loss if you follow the advice they give you. It's important to change your eating habits, and start exercise (yeah, yeah, yeah, you say to me...well this is what they are going to help you with) I'm so excited for you!! Do you know how much you want to lose? FF

HI! I'm from Evanston! Anyalee, Where did you go for your surgery? Sara, I've heard there is a wonderful dr. in Jackson that performs the surgery, are you using him? I went to Salt Lake City, Dr. Simper, Rocky Mtn. Assoc. Physicians, at St. Marks. He and his staff are wonderful! Here's to looking great by the summer!!:cursing: FinallyFree Starting wgt. 225 1-07 Surgery wgt. 203 6-07 Current wgt. 150 1-08

Waving at Bonnie! HI, welcome! Starting wgt. 225 1*07 Current wgt. 148 1-08