midwestchickie

Hi! Why do you think you won't qualify based on your bmi??? I'm preparing to go to my first seminar and I'm worried they will deny me (self pay) b/c my bmi is only 36-37. That would just seem so wrong!

Hey everyone, I'm sure everyone has heard someone say, "it doesn't matter what I do, I *can't* lose weight." They really seem to think they are doing a program correctly and just can't lose. Personally, I always think to myself, "well, then they aren't doing something right" (I'm not talking about people with a medical condition or something like that, I'm not trying to be offensive to anyone!!!) I completely understand...obviously I'm not losing weight, but it's b/c I'm unable to stick with any diet the way I need to, but I'm fully aware of it! But that is a whole different post, huh??? So, when I see banders and posts that say, "I'm not losing weight," yet there is really no explanation...it seems they think something is wrong, like the band is slipped, etc. I've posted a similar question, about gaining while banded, but I'm curious to opinions on this particular subject. I just can't imagine getting banded, eating waaaay less, but eating the appropriate amount and declaring it doesn't work. That would be horrible. Do you guys think that the same type of person who claims, "they did everything and can't lose weight" prebanded will have the same excuse/reasoning post banded?

kayleigh, Hi, I have bc/bs of IL too...It's nice (ha) to hear they are being difficult. My plan does not even cover it regardless, but my dh wanted me to wait a year and see if it was added to our plan. Sounds like I would have a horrible time getting through the hoops. My bmi is low to start...and 24 mos of diet? Crazy! I'm doing self pay, this post just decided it for me. James, I completely understand your point of view..another reason I wanted to self pay...I have a low bmi too and I'd be afraid I'd lose 20 pounds, only to gain it back in a year and go through this whole process again.

i notice a lot of people drink crystal light? Why is that, just something other than water? I like koolaid with splenda...would that be okay? And ice tea...that would be okay too?

I just told my dh about a week ago and he is supportive, but I feel like he secretly thinks I should do this on my own. He is also very worried that i want to do this in Mexico. After having the initial talk with him, I'm finding it hard to discuss, because I wonder if he secretly doesn't really approve. He has told me that my health and wellbeing are most important to me and that if I've decided to do this, then he is with me all the way.

Okay..so here is my latest strange question...in my search for answers! In addition to seeing so many wonderful stories here, I've read about people gaining weight, wanting to take diet pills, doing 2 hours of exercise each day.... I understand that the band will just be a tool and you still have lots of hard work to do, but given what the band is suppose to provide for you, like getting fuller faster, digesting slower...it seems like you wouldn't have to kill yourself at the gym or that you could eat enough to gain weight??? Does that make sense? I'm trying not to be offensive, just trying to understand. Do the people who struggle eat more often? Do they eat liquid calories? Are they not following the *rules* of the band? I just want to have a clear understanding of what I'm potentially getting into!! I want to understand what has happened that the band is helping you achieve the weight loss. :confused2:

I just had to giggle when I read that, too cute. Sounded like you were thinking, "how do I say...hey! Nice rack! without sounding like a perv?" BTW...I didn't read all the posts, but I read the first and last page...did you have them redone? They were fab. I had mine done two years ago. (I did the ps and now I'm doing the band...I'm weird and backward.) Mine aren't "perfect" either, but as time has gone on, it seems they have either evened out or I don't mind what I see.

At this point, I've only decided that i do want the surgery, so I was prepared to only tell dh. Two days later, I told my mom. Both are completely supportive. I have one friend who was banded, and she will know, but other than that, I won't tell anyone. Not b/c I'm ashamed, but b/c I don't want to hear negativity. Everything that involves my inlaws involves mass quantities of food...all cooked in bacon grease and lard...I'm talking farm cooking...yummy delish wonderful food. My plan on why I don't eat 3 10 pound plates at every holiday? I'm going to tell people who inquire that I was borderline type II and my Dr. gave me a plan and if I don't stick to it, I'll be just like my super fat father with heart problems, joint problems, type II, etc. If someone continues to try and sabatoge my efforts, then they are just a bad, bad, person!! If I tell any of my friends that live in my neighborhood, then the WHOLE freaking neighborhood will be talking about me...so I'm keeping mum.

Okay....my big toe is quite funny sober. It's only when I'm high or intoxicated do I cry about my big toe...cause it's just that....a BIG toe. I wear a size 11 shoe. :confused_smile::crying: Ohhhh my...I kill myself!

Wow! So many weed smokers. I love it. I love comments like, "I pray it's not in front of the children." Is it better if Uncle Bob is drunk in front of the kids, slapping his wife around....you know....since it is legal and all? If you get blazed and act like a potato in front of your kids, you are an idiot. That has nothing to do with pot. Actually, I don't like to debate *the pot*, but I did want to say that when I had some surgery done, I was told not to smoke b/c it interferes with the healing of your wounds..just thought I'd throw that out there. Much enjoyment reading this, glad to hear Katiebug is doin' good! Peace!

Lois, Hey, I'm in KC too! How great. Thank you for the response. I recognize your doctors name from the commercials/ads. I'm glad to hear you are so happy with your choice! Great to hear from someone so close too! Shannon

I just typed a super long post and lost connection. Super. :confused_smile: Anyway, I just told dh about wanting the band last night. We had a great long talk about everything and long story short...ended up crying feeling like a "diet failure". When I think of everything and put aside the money factor and Mexico surgery plan, I'm struggling (and I think dh is to) with the "why can't I do it with weight watchers" I'm 5'8, 240 pounds, 36 with 3 small kids. I have lost weight before with ww. (about 25 pounds) I didn't have a weight problem until I had my 2 and 3rd kids. Dh supports me no matter what I decide and doesn't want to hurt my feelings, but I can *feel* the "why can't you just go on a diet" Why??? I have...like 30 times in the last 3 times. For WHATEVER reason, I keep failing. I have no problem admitting that I think weight watchers is a great program that would work, if I would just do it. But I don't. I fall off the wagon again and again. DH wonders how the band will work if I don't change in my mind what makes me eat in the first place. The way I see it, the band will force me to look at what I'm doing bite by little bite. DH talked about finding ways to get around the restriction...and failure rates, etc... wondering if I can't control myself now, how will I do it with the band? I ended up crying and feeling like a failure...it's hard to face the fact you are fat and want help....I just am really struggling with my choice now. I believe I've firmly decided I want to do this, yet I wonder why I can't lose weight w/o medical help. :drool: Shannon

snowbird, I just looked back at the posts again, and see you used Dr. Ortiz. He is the doctor I've been checking out in Mexico. I've already received emails from the coordinator and have been reading everything I can find about him. My dh worries about my choice to go to Mexico...asking me about complications and death..although he admits that is dramatic, he still put it out there. Would you mind sharing any information you have found about him and your experience?

Thanks everyone. It really helps to talk this out. I already have hypothyroidism and high cholesterol and my mom (who is in good health) is borderline type 2, so I'm positive that will be in my future. (bio dad is type 2 also) My insurance doesn't cover surgery no matter what the circumstance though. I tried to make the analogy of smoking to dh. He has smoked since he was 14 and it's a habit a part of him as much as food is for me. I reminded him of the times he has tried to stop smoking...why after three weeks would you ever pick up another cig? Something triggers it...stress..happiness...drinking...whatever...but WHY do it? Hard for me to understand b/c that is not my vice, food is. So I told him when someone says, "just go on a diet, you aren't THAT fat". Well, I've tried that, and then something happens...stress...sadness...I'm an emotional eater. I'm a bored eater. I fall off the wagon even though I need to do this for my health and happiness and wellbeing. I still don't know if you can truly *get it* if you don't struggle with your weight. The more pounds I put on, the more it seems an impossiblity that I can do this alone. Telling a fat person to just put the fork down....like a previous poster...is like telling the drinker to hold back at a cocktail party. I like the band b/c I can, if I want, to have potatoes w/ butter in a controlled manner...I really think it could train you to look at food a different way...you can't just eat three plates of food at Thanksgiving, but you can taste your favorites and move on. You can eat to live a healthy life, not live to eat all the time. It's a lifelong reminder of what you need to do. It's almost like I'm trying to convince myself. Again, thanks so much, I've been reading day and night and I'm all consumed with learning everything I can. So much good information and informative people!

So what is it about these certain foods you guys mention? Like rice....to someone that isn't banded, it seems like it's small and it would go right down. Is it b/c it's sticky? Why are fried foods difficult, doesn't the grease help it slide down? Is bread difficult b/c it sticks or expands?? In addition to learning certain foods may be off limits, I wouldn't mind understanding the reasoning, if there is one.

This may be answered elsewhere, so I apologize. I'm a reading maniac right now! The drinking thing worries me. I always have Water, milk, soda, etc. I know you aren't suppose to drink when you eat, but can you drink unlimited drinks (water) otherwise? Like if you go to the gym, can you pound down a bottle of water? I hate being thirsty!

Hi everyone, I've been reading information on here for a couple months. I'm almost 5'8, weigh 240. BMI of 36.x, if I remember correctly! I usually weighed about 160-170 until I had my kids. I've been stuck between 207 (lightest since 2004) and up to 248 last summer. I have high choles. and I've had hypothyroidism since my last child was born in 2004. My mom is fairly thin at 5'9/170 pounds and she is already borderline type 2 and that scares me. I've joined/rejoined weight watchers many times, attempted diets, etc. I can't honestly say, "it doesn't work for me" b/c I believe it could work for me, but I just can't seem to do it. I keep telling myself that I wouldn't consider lap band until I could say with a clear head that I followed a plan (weight watchers is usually my choice) to the letter and it didn't work. So...I had three babies, two of which were almost 11 pounds and c-sections. I had a large flap of skin.....I had a tummy tuck two years ago. I weighed 219. I was (and am) comfortable with having that surgery before I lost weight due to the largeness of the skin flap...and I needed surgery for an umbilical hernia. (double the fun!) Now...I am disgusted that I have gained 20 pounds since that surgery and I need to get myself in control. I fear that I will continue to gain and gain...and that is why I'm now contemplating lap band. I feel I need a drastic change....a constant and permanent reminder...that I must eat properly. I'm fairly certain my insurance won't cover it, and besides my bmi is on the low side. I've been thinking of going to Mexico. I just had a friend get one done 2 weeks ago in Monterray. I've looked into a couple doctors down there so far. Well, there is my long introduction...just wanting to hear from people and how they came to this desicion...I already feel guilt about spending this kind of money on myself again and I haven't even told my husband I'm thinking about it b/c I fear that no matter what he says, I will get my feelings hurt. Weight is such a senstive subject, the poor guy can't win. Thanks!