Sunwyse

With SAD one of the symptoms of onset each year is a craving for carbs. I could go through a loaf of bread a day and think nothing of it, except I'm allergic to wheat and it attacks my joints I also have PCOS and of course, high carbs are not good for that.

I'm looking at getting my band done by Dr Bowen through the Wesley and I just wondered if anyone else here did and how much were the out of pocket expenses? Also, if you have health insurance, how much did they cover? I know some cover more than others. I'm with HBA and they only cover upto 50% of the doctor's bill. Michelle

Wow! I'm 104 and my BMI is 45! I must be really short! lol

I think those thoughts come out of fear. You've been X size for so long. Shedding the excess and changing your body shape so drastically is going to bring up any emotional issues, such as fear. For me, the problem will be what do I blame? I've been able to blame being fat for a very long time for anything that went wrong. Someone didn't like me cause I was fat. I didn't get the job cause I was fat. I won't spend lots of money on really nice clothes cause I'm fat (and might lose weight then all the money is wasted). etc etc etc. When all the fat is gone, what am I going to blame?

Isn't it amazing how the moment food stops being an obsession for you, it becomes one for all those around you? I'll side on them trying to be really helpful and supportive and not wanting to see you fail. Just let them know how much you love them for their support. You could always go up to your sister every single time you want to eat something or drink something and say 'hey can I have this?" or even better. "hey can I have this bite?" - for every single bite! Turn it back. Of course if she says no, just do it anyway lol.

Definitely register a complaint about this behaviour. Also, in future if you have an issue with them, go in and discuss it. People often find it hard to be rude to another person's face. But if she does get rude in person, you can simply cause a scene and have the office manager/doctor brought into it. At the end of the day, remind this person you are the one paying her wage, after all you are the customer, the one who brings in the money.

Actually, they are the serratus muscles

Just wondering if anyone here has had or is having their first pregnancy in their 40s. I'm 41, will be having the op in October, then next year my partner and I want to try for our first child. Just curious if anyone has been here and if so, how it all went. Michelle

Yep, it relates to the size of your stomach, not your weight.

I'm with Indigo Girl, I don't want my insides cut up, re-routed or otherwise changed. As for the gastric bypass, I've always heard you spend 2 or 3 nights in the hospital. Seems strange to me that someone would be going home the same day as major surgery. I'd look into that one.

They actually don't know the cause of it, its assumed to be from the gas pumped in. Also, the pain isn't in your shoulder, its referred pain from the abdomen area.

Yeah, I found out recently that 2 of my friends are being done by him at the end of March as well. Wish I could win the money on lotto, the waiting is driving me crazy!!

We all say we'd do anything to lose weight. Its not the end of the world. Try to always get booked in on a late Friday afternoon, then you can either stay over on the Thursday night or the Friday night so you don't have to drive that far twice in one day. Would it be cheaper to get the bus there? Try to arrange appts to be monthly so at least you don't have the stress of it weekly. Also, see if they will agree to have someone closer to home monitor you for any diet you have to do. That should make things a little easier. Where there's a will, there's a way.

If you are overweight before you get insurance, then yes its considered pre-existing.

I still have 8 months to wait before I can be banded. We'd all love to have it done the day we decide we definitely want to go ahead, but life happens. See it as a life long journey. This 6 month diet requirement is just the first part of that journey. Don't see it as the operation being the start, but rather the next phase along.

The band doesn't interfere at all. Your pregnancy will be monitored and as you progress some of the Fluid can be removed from the band to allow you to eat a little more. Once the baby is born, the bit taken out of the band can be added back. The band and port are tucked away and don't come into any contact with the uterus. For many women with PCOS, the band causes weight loss, which then means fertility rises and pregnancy is possible. I've heard of plenty of women who have gotten pregnant and delivered healthy babies.

No I hadn't. Thanks for that.

I've told everyone at work, around 14 people and they are all supportive. A couple there have weight issues as well and one of them, her FIL had it done about 2 years ago. The only ones how haven't been vocal with support are the younger ones (under 25) but they haven't been negative either, just really don't see the issue is all. All my family are supportive because they know my history and just yesterday I found out 2 good friends in my personal social circle are getting banded the end of March, so we have a mini support group. Michelle

Hi Astrid, thanks for the info. I'm in Bris, in Jindalee (sort of south side as far as I can tell). I've been told I have a $6,500 ish out of pocket expense which isn't covered by gap.

Thank you valstar!

Its quite common for people to have the pain you describe for a day or two after surgery. Gordonfamily is right, its pain from the gas they pump in so they can see what they are doing. As soon as all the gas has been absorbed into your system, the pain will stop. Until then, just suck down those pain killers.

If he's that much cheaper, you got to expect he will be busy! Only you can say if he's right for you. What do you want from the experience? Do you want the surgery and the fills and as little contact with the practice as possible? Then he sounds right. But if you want the bedside manner, well that I'm afraid you are going to have to pay for. If you still want to go with this doctor, then schedule a second appointment and this time take a list of questions. Don't leave until you are satisfied with the answers. After that you can re-assess if you feel comfortable. Michelle

Maya, I can understand your nerves. Its ok to be nervous. Just take deep, slow breaths and concentrate on the end result. See yourself home after the op and on your way to getting slimmer. Picture yourself in those gorgeous clothes you've secretly longed to wear. Do you have an outfit already for goal weight? If so get it out and look at it, play with it, hold it up to yourself in the mirror and imagine walking into some swanky restaurant in that outfit! Allow yourself to dream hun. This is time you are taking for you. This is something you are doing to love yourself more! Pat yourself on the back, you deserve it! Good luck and see you back here in a day or so :biggrin: Michelle

Hell Libby, It may seem scary now, but its not really. Just take each step as it comes. Do the consults required. See whoever's required. Get blood work done when required. Try not to stress too much about it right now. After the op you pretty much won't feel like anything but fluids as far as I can tell. Then you slowly move on up to solids. If there's an issue (like pain) you deal with it. Just take a deep breath and put one foot in front of the other and you'll be fine hun. Michelle

Hi Susan, welcome to the forum. I had my first appointment today and it was stressed to me that the band doesn't actually *so* anything about your weight loss. Its up to you to do what needs to be done (following rules, exercising, etc), but what the band does do, is cut the feeling of hunger all the time and help keep food in the small pocket created longer, so you feel fuller longer. Its not a case of surgery and forget! But it is the least invasive and if you decide after a while that it simply isn't for you, you can have it removed and everything is the way it was before. Other forms of surgery are permanent. Cutting away part of the stomach etc - a bit preventative to me! Your research will reveal whats right for you. Good luck on your journey :biggrin: Michelle