Katja

I started this journey weighing in over 300 pounds. I have lost 110 in 5 years. I am a very slow loser. The charts say I should weigh about 40 pounds less than I do now. My surgeon is very happy with my loss and says I have exceeded what he expected I could lose. I need to lose another 20 pounds to get to my goal which I think is very reasonable considering my age... I'm not a teenager any more. The problem is with my plastic surgeon. He wants me to have a 28 BMI before doing any sugery. (I saw 2 other surgeons and they want the 28 BMI too.) That means losing 40 pounds which will be impossible. If I can lose the 20, I will have a BMI of 30. I can not imagine losing any more than that. And those 20 pounds are going to be lost through sheer will power, determination and lots of sweat. My band is as tight as the surgeon will allow. It won't be able to help much now. I am hoping the plastic surgeon will accept me at a 30 BMI when he sees that what's left on me is largely a huge amount of hanging skin. Has anyone else been told to be happy where they are and to more or less give up the idea of losing more? How am I to deal with this? I desperately NEED a Breast Reduction and TT at the minimum, but how can i get them if the plastic guys won't touch me at the higher BMI? I go to the gym 3 times a week. The men there have nick-named me 'wrestler' cause of the large amounts of weights I use. I am in terrific physical condition now. My eating could be better I admit, but it's hard to stick to a good plan and stay motivated when the scale hasn't moved for months and months....

Constipation is a big problem at times for me too. I find that making sure I get at least 1 fruit and 1 serving of veggies minimum every day helps. I also have 2 tablespoons of baby food prunes every night and that keeps things going. Don't forget to drink lots of water - I get in about 3 quarts EVERY day, if not more. And get moving! Exercise helps! Also, take a look at what you ARE eating.... many of the band-friendly foods can constipate.

Were you awake for the proceedure? I was put in twilight sleep. That's the only way I would allow it. I have an extremely sensitive gag reflex and they would not have gotten the scope down my throat otherwise! I awoke and had NO pain or even discomfort, just very thirsty since I hadn't anyhing to drink for 8 hours. If I need another endo, I won't have to think twice about it - I will request the same doctor.

I've got a new email if you're looking for a support group in the Stuttgart area. Please send your contact info to katjawilli@yahoo.com

Hello! A brand new support group is being established in the Stuttgart Germany area. I will be leading the group with lots of interesting topics, hints and tricks to keep us pointed to our goals. Our first meeting should be in about a month. If interested, please send your contact info to: bb.katja@yahoo.com. Hope to see you soon!

I live in the Stuttgart area. I don't know of any others who are near me. A shame you are so far away.

It's been a while since I've looked at posts from people in Germany. Glad to see everyone is doing well. If you should meet anyone looking for a local support group in the Stuttgart area, please pass on my name and email (bb.katja@yahoo.com). I am working with a local hospital in establishing an English speaking support group. Hopefully our first meeting will be in about a month.

I have my band almost 2 years. I am also a singer and do solo work besides singing in a chorus. I have never had a problem with singing with my band. Losing over 100 pounds has improved my stamina, and I have more air now. (I also play French horn.) The thing to be concerned with is the intubation at time of the op. Tell the anesthesia doc that you sing and would like a smaller tubus. Also tell them to please use care when inserting and removing the tubus. My vocal chords and throat were bruised badly by one in a previous surgery. Let them think you are a semi-professional singer... you'll get better care. Hope this helped.

Lapband surgery is covered by tricare in Germany. You have to go thru your local clinic, get your approvals and they will send you to a surgeon in your area. As in the States, the docs here are all different in their ideas of what is necessary to be banded. It's always a case by case, doc by doc thing, no matter where you go, but the general ideas are the same... history of failed wight loss, co-morbidities, etc. Good luck! Let us know how you make out.

Dear Tina, I just saw your post. I am an American living in the Stuttgart area. Hubby is civi contractor on base. We have Cigna ins. I was banded her July 2007. My op was 5 days after I met the surgeon... no pre-op anything. I pre-paid and got my money back from the ins. co. Each doc is different here, just as they are in the states... you have to talk to them to see what they require. Keep in touch!

I'm in the Stuttgart area and we have a great hospital that does banding and fills in Bad Cannstatt. I pay with private insurance, but they do take tricare patients too. Pm me and I can fill you in all all the details.

shopgirl, I hope you got your band and are doing well with it. I just came across you post today. I am in the Stuttgart area and we have a great hospital doing bands here. Please contact me if you have any questions.

CONGRATULATIONS! You are doing fantastic! Keep up the great work! It does feel wonderful to do all those 'normal' things that we couldn't do a year ago, doesn't it? As you continue losing, there will be more and more little things that will amaze you... I know. I've lost 108 pounds so far and want to lose 30 to 60 more. simple things like picking something up off the floor... taking a real bath... flying up the stairs before you have the time to think about using the elevator... my favorite - being able to get in and out of the car when the idiot next to you parks too close! LOL