JamieNP

Update: If you couldn't tell, I got approved after gaining the 6.5 lbs and resubmitting the new wt.

Teri, It is hard when someone is telling you that you will fail. But I am a little stubborn. And I will think "I'll show them!" Continue to go to the support group meetings and be around people that will build you up. We are human and will make mistakes. Just quickly get over it and get back on track. Since my surgery, my family (kids are over 16 years old) is eating better. They run to the store and actually start looking at labels! "Hey, I bought this, can you eat it?" I have a drawer in the fridge that has all of my foods in them (sugar free jello and pudding, turkey, etc). Being banded is not just a physical thing. It is very mental. You have to really prepare your self mentally for this. Show your sister that she is wrong and perhaps by example, you can help her also. When people say that the lapband surgery is the easy way out, they are wrong. It is work! Now, put the Dorritos away and fill up with something healthy first! Or just lick the chip!

Ok, I AM a nurse, and I assure you, it is more than 2 hours of training. Perhaps the class is 2 hours long, but it is built on what we are trained on as medical professionals. With that said, this is something I considered before I had my surgery. I access portacaths all of the time, and thought "hey, I can do this!". One of the girls I work with had her band in Mexico over a year ago and does her own fills. She does them under fluoroscopy at work (she has access to this). Well, she has lost 15 lbs (the 15 lbs that she had to gain to qualify for the surgery), and has had problems. I had immediate post op problems (a reaction to something used during surgery?) and almost lost my band. I will not put my band at risk. By the way, I have lost nearly 45 lbs in 6 weeks ( I weighed about the same as my coworker). So, I do not recommend this. Follow up visits are very important. I think aftercare is the key to long term success with the band. I go to the support group meetings (even though I think they are hokey) and I follow everything by the book (I am probably have OCD). So, NO, don't do it!

Hi Cleanteeth! I am from TN too. Had my band on Sept 30th. Who is doing your surgery? Good luck!

I am -42 lbs now. How often are we updating?

Something that has helped me is using a small bowl and a baby spoon. I am one of those that takes huge bites.

I am doing great. I am down to 178 lbs. Can't believe it! Boobies are sagging though :Dancing_sorry: I have introduced regular food this week and it has been going good. Of course, I am not over doing it. No bread, rice or pasta. Last night at work I was hungry, so I invaded the doctor's lounge (I supervise sometimes and have access to the whole hospital). I had a boiled egg and 3 cubes of cheese. It was tempting not to get a bear claw, but I resisted. I really don't feel much restriction, so I am really trying to be good. I am very happy with the band...so far no regrets!

First of all, if you have to wait that long to get a PCM approval, I would go to someone else. I went in to a doctor I had never met before, handed them a paper that I typed up (a typed health history, diet history, etc) and said "I want a referral for lapband sugery". I don't know if it was because I was a nurse, but he didn't hesitate and wrote the referral. There are stories here of people getting approved without the comorbidities...but I think Tricare is getting a little tougher. You will HAVE to follow thier guidelines. You have to have a comorbidity if fall in the 100 lbs category. If you are 200% overweight you should have no problem. Have you been on blood pressure meds? Do you have painful joints? Etc Etc. Just try to be prepared. I really can't believe Karina got denied again after all she went through. I think part of it depends on who reviews your paperwork at Tricare. Good luck!

If we are counting that, then I am 55 lbs (I had to gain 6.5 lbs to qualify for the surgery). I just figured it was band related weight.

Ask alex, maybe he has an idea how to do it. How often are we weighing in?

(hiccup*) Yep! And grow our own tabacca! (spit*..."*ting")

My surgeon would have given me a fill if I needed it at the 2 week post op appointment, but I didn't need it. If you tell them how miserably hungry you are and let them know what you are eating, they may do it. Depends on the surgeon.

Hmm..it has been awhile since I tried that. I will have to give it a shot again.

The one thing I can't seem to give up is salt. It would probably help my blood pressure, but I just can't seem to do it. All of this low calorie, low fat, high carb food needs SALT!

And, most of your caffeinated drinks are high in calories, besides just plain black coffee.

Although it may have suppressing effects at first, Caffeine is an appetite stimulant. It can cause an increase in cortisol levels which can cause the body to crave sweets. It can also contribute to insulin resistance.

I use the vanilla "lean shake" that GNC has. Also, I add vanilla yogurt to it for added protein. I added pumpkin to one and some cinnamon splenda and it was yummy.

5'5 and my weight was 222...then had to gain 6.5 lbs so I got up to 233. I have sleep apnea (on cpap) and hypertension). Your denial letter should have said why you were denied. They go by the medium frame of the met life chart.

I bought some turkey and veggie burgers and had a turkey burger with ff cheese. I ate about 3/4 of it before I was full. No issues. I don't drink fluid for a half and hour after. So far so good. Sad thing is, my little cocker spaniels are going to get fat eating all of my leftovers (well, they are low fat foods, that should help!)

Go ahead and see if they can draw labs ( a BMP and CBC, lipid profile) and do an EKG. If you can, go ahead and schedule your psy eval. Usually it is self refer but it takes awhile to get in. Good luck!

Great job on your weight loss, Simon. You know, you could make a strawberry protein shake and won't have the guilt. (My favorite shake is strawberry!)

I am going to start meats today or tomorrow. I have been eating shaved turkey and ham, which is on the mushy diet.

Isn't it nice? I like getting on the scales now. The last couple of days I have been doing lots of cardio and weight lifting and the weight loss has slowed down. I think maybe it is just my muscles...they are sore and I know that I will hold fluid at this stage. I got my first adjustment and she said that I may not be able to tell a difference. Well, I am still on mushies...today I ate a veggie medley and took 3 bites and I am full. That is my first solid food. I am scared to get stuck!

My surgeon used internal stitches and glue on the outer. All of my 6 incisions look good except one...I think one of the stitches are trying to work their way to the surface.

I think my post op complications helped with my weight loss. I know it did mentally. I have been very careful with everything and have been following the rules to the T. I actually won the food diary at my support group meeting. You could just by a notebook and do it. I just keep track of calories and protein right now. I may keep track of carbs later (although I watch them now). Some of the weight I lost preop. I had to gain a little weight to get approved (I gained 10 lbs). So since the day of surgery I have lost 39 lbs. But 49 if you include the preop diet. I wasn't really telling the difference until the past few days. I was one of those that could lose/gain 20-30 lbs and no one would be able to tell. I was always heavier than I looked. By the way, I work 12 hour days too and it has been an adjustment when to eat.