crystal525

This is so what I'm feeling. Sometimes I just want that same old "full" feeling. I was just telling someone that I never get full. I am comfortable (or uncomfortable might be the word sometimes...), but never full. It would be so much easier if I did feel that feeling. I think I was so used to eating until I was full...not just until I was satisfied. It's a learning process. For me, I think it's mostly head hunger. It's sort of like just wanting to eat sometimes ... with no limits, like before (that would be stress eating). That's part of the food addiction that will take time to get rid of. Good luck to us all--I'm hoping my next fill will happen tomorrow and I will get to feel "full".

ddgalarza--CONGRATS...I will be praying for a fill and GREAT restriction on Friday! I'm so happy for you!!! Ebony--my commute and work is my problem. I live in the Maryland Suburbs and work in Washington, DC. My commute EACH WAY is an hour and a half on a good day. I am gone from 7am until 7pm everyday. Yesterday, I went home and got straight on the treadmill for 20 minutes. That's what I have to do. If I sit for even a minute, I'm done for the night. I have an addictive personality...just for all the wrong things. I only quit smoking when I had a breast reduction 2 years ago...never went back though--but gained 20 pounds in the year after--which led me to the beginning of my band process. Again--we'll all get thru this! I find that when I come here and read and post, I feel more motivated and more responsible for the choices I make. I'll be back daily!!! Thanks for getting me thru my "funk". :confused:

Thansk ddgalarza and everyone else! Althought I did apply for The Biggest Loser (with my best friend, Shaedie--she's getting banded in March and a new member of the boards). We decided whichever we got approval for first we would do! Obviously we didn't get accepted to TBL! Most days, I know what my problem is . I don't always make the right choices (although portions are limited) and rarely exercise. I'll get myself pumped up, do it for a week, and fall off schedule again. I have exercised twice this week though--I'll weigh at the end of the week to see if it makes a difference. I just wish exercising was as addicting for me as food is! :confused: Even though I knew the band wasn't magic, the idea of being able to eat whatever I want, in smaller portions, and losing weight is so appealing. That's the food addiction talking. In the beginning I had no restriction so I had to fall back on willpower. If I had willpower, I would not have needed the band in the first place, right? In the last weeks since my 2nd fill I have started to feel restriction. Maybe the scale will be better at my next appointment this Friday. Everyone--Let's keep our heads up! We are each other's support. Good luck to all of us! Crystal

I sometimes get a little discouraged after reading everyone's status and losses. I still go up and down the same 5 pounds over the last couple months and can't seem to get to the 20 pounds lost mark (I was there for a day I think...). I go Friday and will see about another fill (I have had 2...). I can feel the restriction now since my last fill and I know I'm eating MUCH less...I just thought it would be so much more gone.... OK --just a vent. I think I'm officially about 16 pounds down since surgery, which is more than 4 pounds a month (even with gaining 6 over Christmas)...so I have to see that as a success. 4 pounds a month over a year is almost 50 pounds. The dr. said sometimes it takes 3 or 4 fills to get to sweet spot and he know I wasn't there yet because he wasn't getting any "push back" from the fill. He's only doing 1 to 1.5 cc's each time (so far have had 2). I'll get there... I do know I am not alone, so that does help. I wanna be a loser. :tongue2:

I haven't been on in awhile!! Surgery was November 13 and I'm here for some reinforcement. The holidays were not good for me and I'm only down 10 pounds (which I was down at my first appointment. Got my first fill on Friday and am back at this full-force. I had surgery before the holidays thinking it would help me to NOT gain weight. My portions are alot smaller but I don't feel like I have enough restriction. I am one that has problems with bread. It always gets stuck. Oh well. I am human and I have food issues!!! Nothing new there...but back on track for the New Year.

Okay--3rd day from surgery (surgery was Thursday the 13th) and I have to say I felt almost 100% when I woke up this morning. I only have a few gas bubbles after eating --well drinking -- (every meal...but they are moving). It's amazing how good I feel after how bad the gas was the last two days. Now I hope I can travel well. My mom has been hospitalized and I have to make a 4 hour ride to go see her. I packed my protein water, some broth and I'll have to get some fillers from the hospital. I can start mushies on day 6 (Wednesday) so it shouldn't be too hard for me. I have NOT been hungry either. A little rumbling which it purely attributable to gas. I try to eat before I become hungry. Last night I was able to eat a 1/4 cup of broth and a popsicle thought (normally eat half of the 1/4 cup of broth and 1/2 container of jello) so some swelling must be going down. Good luck everyone and keep up the progress. I haven't seen any weight loss yet but I'll give it another couple days since I'm sure the liquids and IV fluids added a couple pounds.

Hi all! Just to update you all. I had my surgery on Thursday (13th). Everything went perfectly. As planned I stayed overnight. Incision sites are not painful at all. But--I have had very bad gas pains since surgery. Other than that I am fine. Been sleeping alot and haven't really felt like doing much--but that's to be expected. My surgery was at 1:30 on Thursday and I was released after my Upper GI yesterday. I'm up and walking and the Tylenol 3 with codeine seems to help with the pain and to let me sleep. I also take the Gas X strips--those are definitely a must. I can say that the gas pains are much worse than I expected. I found a perfect description--remember when we were younger and we had to run the mile in gym class --that sharp pain under your rib when you were totally winded and couldn't do anymore? That's the pain...same place. There as well as in my shoulders. But--lots of walking helps. I finally started moving some "gas"...I won't be any more explicit... :cool: and that seems to be helping most of all! I hope all are doing well and good luck to us all on our new life journey.

51 pounds is great! I'm at about the same starting weight and I can only hope that I'm down 51 pounds by February! That's almost halfway to goal. They say 1 to 3 pounds per week depending on how much you have to lose. That would be 13 to 39 pounds for you over 13 weeks. I don't know about everyone else, but I think you are doing fantastic!!! Crystal

Haven't been on the thread in a while, but all testing done and surgery is next Thursday, November 13. I haven't seen my dr. since approval but at my first appointment he said I should try to lose 5 to 10 lbs before surgery. I haven't gained but I haven't lost. I see him Friday--I'll probably try to do 2 shakes and a protein & salad meal Wednesday and Thursday--that'll help with a pound or 2 (maybe)--tonight I'm having Chinese and watching election coverage. How are you bandsters doing that have been banded already in November? Oh--to the person that asked, I have Aetna and was approved in about 5 days. Good luck and Happy BandDay. Crystal:biggrin:

I know the feeling. I took a withdrawal on my 401(k) and by the time the check was cut the portion I could withdraw shrunk from $1600 to $1300 in just a week (last week of course)! As far as the "deductible"--I'm covered 100% but my drs. office has a program fee of $1500 which covers lifetime office visits (except fills), the nutritionist, excercise consultant, and other follow-up fees just in case my insurance ever changes/lapses. It's one of the Bariatric Centers. I questioned it at first but it's better than paying up to $20,000 and then paying for every visit I have to make. I get it -- the economy is bad --I know you didn't use your savings on fun stuff. Maybe you can make payment arrangements for 6 months to a year. They already know they will get paid thru the insurance company. Maybe they'll let you put 1/4 down and divide the rest over a few months...??? I'm very sorry--but in this day and age, I understand that everyday living always comes first. Let me know how it turns out and good luck. Crystal

My husband is very supportive of what I am choosing to do and has never questioned my decision. For the first time last night he asked about the complications. I've read up and know that the biggest complication is from the surgery/anesthesia itself. He knows it's always a risk to have surgery. I'm just wondering what you all may have done to calm the fears of family. I just had a breast reduction last year and have never had any surgery problems in the past. Thanks for any suggestions! Crystal

Thanks to all of you! I hope my confidence in the procedure carries over to him. He has been with me through a few knee surgeries and a breast reduction so he's aware of the general surgical risks. Maybe the difference is that this is an elective procedure (necessary, but elective). I think the last time when they made me fill out a Power of Attorney and Living Will at the hospital on the morning of admission scared him quite a bit... I can understand that. Again--I am comfortable with my doctor's abilities and I'm hopeful that he can feel that. Thanks again! This site is a God-send.

My husband is very supportive of what I am choosing to do and has never questioned my decision. For the first time last night he asked about the complications. I've read up and know that the biggest complication is from the surgery/anesthesia itself. He knows it's always a risk to have surgery. I'm just wondering what you all may have done to calm the fears of family. I just had a breast reduction last year and have never had any surgery problems in the past.

I'm with you! Got approved last week --Surgery is 11/13. Go Us!!!

Submitted September 26. Approved October 2!:tt2:

Got my approval today--calling tomorrow to confirm my date. I think it'll be November 13!!! Good luck to us all. I too am excited, scared and happy! Woo Hoo!!!!!

I was approved. I'm anxious, excited, scared, and happy all rolled up in one. My surgery will be most likely November 13--can't confirm yet because their system is down. Plus I need to make sure I can get all my appointments in! I'm trying to let it sink in. This will be a perfect holiday season. Crystal:thumbup:

Just an update! Got approval today. Thank goodness it was fairly painless. Now I have to get all my other appointments going--looking at the first Thursday in November as a date!!

Wish me luck as I start on my journey. Attended the seminar today and I'm really excited. Hopefully the insurance pulls through for me. Glad to be in the company of so many like me!!! :cool:

So I just got back from what I thought was going to be my 2nd of 3 appointments and they told me it was my 3rd and final (they counted the presentation in July as my first visit). I did see the dr. during at that time, but I was told on my next visit (which was the first group therapy, dr., and nutritionist) that that was actually my 1st visit. I have no problem with that. It makes me happy that I'm a month ahead. Now I have to rush and get all these appointments done because the insurance lady told me to wait. Now I'm just worried that they won't have all my paperwork in line when it's submitted tomorrow to the insurance....!!!! I hope that all the requirements (sleep apnea , psych eval, etc.) were part of the clinics requirements and not Aetna (Open Access). Now I need to check that... I'm crossing my fingers. Good thing is that I should know soon about approval and any other "hoops". Crystal

Hello fellow Marylanders. I have Aetna open access. Hopefully they approve me. I know I qualify and I just need to have confidence which is hard to come by these days. I have my first nutritionist appointment on Aug. 13. I guess I'll find out then when I should start having tests... I'm crossing my fingers that the 3 months go by quickly. I've been reading and am getting more excited!!

and it seems I'm a great candidate for the band and I fit in with what my insurance qualifications are. The insurance coordinator will call my insurance company to verify again (of course I did that already...), and will call me next Tuesday to schedule my first nutrition counseling. That's where I am at. While reviewing all insurance requirements, etc. with the coordinator, she said that I must pay a $1500 non-refundable fee (even with insurance covering it) one week before surgery.:cool: Is this large of an expense normal even with 100% coverage? Before getting too involved, I just wanted to check with the pros! She said this was to cover follow up for life with the dr. without having to pay any co-pays or office visits. Except for Fills, I will have to pay $40 --even though all of my insurance co-pays are only $10 --even for specialists. These 2 issues concerned me. I did really like the surgeon though--he actually did the seminar himself. He is at the Obesity Center in Washington, DC. They are a center of excellence. Thanks for any comments!

I quit smoking a year ago when I had my breast reduction. And...gained 18 pounds in 6 months! But --YES YOU NEED TO QUIT. I had a friend that did not quite when she had the bypass and ended up in ICU because of breathing issues following her surgery. Very scary. That's what made me know I didn't want gastric bypass. That is a must for you. It's hard but easier when you know you're doing it for a reason--tell yourself you won't be able to have the surgery if you have smoked in the last 30 days. That's what my surgeon told me. It worked!

Okay--the $1500 is supposed to cover the nutritionist and exercise consultant and office visits for life (no matter if I change insurance carriers and what my coverge is) except when needing the fill. Since he wants me to have the sleep apnea test, I think that's included also. The psych consult is NOT included --the want $375 for that for their in-house therapist. I'm going to use one on my insurance plan. $375 for a 45 minute evaluation seems steep. I'm feeling like I'm getting charged this because I'm using insurance. I'll ask for a breakdown when the insurance person calls-I reallly liked the dr. but didn't seem to get along with her too well. Seemed like she didn't want me questioning what she was telling me. Oh Well... :smile2: Regarding the $40 fill--I have no clue about that. I will follow up on that too. She told me all this before calling my insurance (Aetna Open Access). I don't have a copay over $10 unless going to the emergency room without being admitted. My specialis copay is even $10!!! I hope she calls today. I was leery while talking to her now I'm more so...

Thanks! I am going to the Obesity Center in Washington DC. Dr. Moazzez. When I went I actually saw someone else I knew that lived down the street. It's the only center in DC that is designated as a center of excellence.