Minxz

I can see how the lap band/weight loss could be a disruption in a marriage. To make this work you have to be focused on it and if your mate does not support or show interest in the process you could grow apart from each other instead of growing together. Being married is work I am still new at it (4 years) but I find that you have to make a conscious effort to not allow life's concerns to drive you apart so that you wake up one day with a stranger. If that happened I could see how the attention you'd get as thinner more attractive person could lead you to straying. I think BeGails post is excellent!! Really love the line below that I quoted

I like to make a lentil stew that is very easy Bag of lentils 2 bullion cubes 2-4 cubed chicken breast (depending on how meaty you want it) Large can of stewed Tomatoes spice to taste with Cumin and Salt Put in slow cooker add Water to cover Ingredients Cook on low for 4-6 hours I serve over rice

I went to the initial seminar and left with some goals. I want to chew each bite 30 times, not drink any liquids with my meal, Drink 64oz of Water every day, No snacking and start cutting down portion size. I have not managed to do this 100% successfully. I have not given up but I am a little discouraged. I am supposed to lose 20lbs before surgery and currently am frightened to step on the scale. To top it all off I had to pick up a second job so my 3xs a week at curves has had to be put on hold. How did others get the boost to get going? The whole reason I have opted for the lapband is because I can't lose weight by myself I have tried over and over. I used to be able to drop 20+lbs on diets but the past few years I haven't even been able to do that. Is there a thread to support those of us that are pre-surgery trying to lose the 10%?

How involved was he in your process? Is it possible he go with you to a Dr's appointment where the Doctor can reassure him that you are getting the nutrition you need to fuel your body? I am concerned about my husband I am not banded yet and he is a little Leary of the process. I have been trying to encourage him to check out this board so he will be as aware as I am of what this process means. I am not a mother but I do know as the daughter of a compulsive dieter that a parents attitude toward food will impact a child's. It has to be so hard as you are trying to relearn a healthy attitude not to give a child a bad impression. At the same time...you were not healthy before the surgery and that to is learned. So my thoughts are similar to what I've read. You have to do what is healthy for yourself and children learn by example.

I know he is real I surfed his website and was not impressed. He obviously rabidly favors the Gastric Bypass. I have no problem with those who choose the gastric bypass I have friends for whom it worked wonders. I have done a lot of research and listened to a lot of opinions. In the end everyone who has the surgery has to own that choice weather it be LB or GB. There is no 100% success rate on anything. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but you are using scare tactics. Surely you must have seen the hundreds of people on this site who feel that the LB tool gave them the edge they needed to change their lives for the better.

But there are sad faces in the banding column oh my Choose Your Weight Loss Surgery *rollseyes* Anyone can make a video and post it to youtube....

I have a question about the psych evaluation. On the record I have no depression but I do go through bad bouts sometimes. Usually they are easy to trace to factors in my life that are overwhelming me. I almost went to the therapy department a little over a year ago for a bout of depression that lasted about 6 months. I'm hitting another stretch right now. It's making really hard for me to concentrate on my weight loss efforts in preparation for my interview with the Medical Director. All I want to do is sleep its so hard to concentrate on eating right and exercising when I feel like this. So my question is this... If I did choose to go to therapy with Kaiser while I'm in the process of getting the Lap Band does that mean I will "flunk" the psych evaluation?

Pester the insurance company. I have worked with insurance and most will do their best to drag their feet on it. Sometimes if you call you can get a helpful rep that can push it through for you. Don't be put off if they get nasty remember YOU PAY THEM!!

In Orientation they said drinking with your meal is a no no. They said to stop drinking 10 minutes before you eat and don't drink anything for an hour after. Otherwise the Water flushes the food out of the pouch and you don't get the full feeling. Is this a rule all follow?

Here is a Kaiser thread that has a lot of good information http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f18/kaiser-permanente-insurance-66458/

Klbs: I just started my Kaiser journey toward the lapband. Their process is somewhat lengthy. You PCP usually will have you do all the tests you need prior to getting the referral to the bariatric division. Next you get a card letting you know when your orientation is. I just had mine today in SSF. It is a 3.5 hr class explaining the steps to getting Bypass or banding and what the differences are as well as you new way of eating etc... They stated to expect the whole process to take about a year. In fact they told me not to expect my next apt for another 24 weeks!! Meanwhile I am supposed to lose as much weight as I can. For SSF its not 10% its individually tailored and I wont know what I'm supposed to lose for about 36 weeks.. The speaker said that our start weight will be the one we were referred with and everyone in the room will be expected to lose between 20-50lbs before they will be approved for the surgery. I know there are other threads that go into detail a little more on the Kaiser steps but thats my experience so far.

I keep seeing everyone weight loss tickers. I want to create one but I have no idea where to set my goal. I feel like just getting to 200 would be awesome even though that is still about 45 lbs higher than my recommended weight. I just don't want to set it to low and make it something impossible to get to. Or do you recommend setting smaller goals. First 250 then 225 then.. etc..

I have to have spent at least 10000.00 over the years. Thats not even counting all the money wasted on bad foods...

There is no balance from going to a Doctor and all them focusing on is that I'm fat to it being completely ignored...

I'm 5'10 if I could get down to 180 or so I think I would be happy but who knows when I get there I may be psyched for more lol

I can't wait to kiss these stories goodbye The ones that come to mind to me are - Splitting a pair of scrubs in the butt and having a small child announce it to the room "Your pants broke cause your to fats" - Wedging myself into booths so that I can barely breath. - Cant fasten buckles on shoes - Can't zip underarm zips - Broken Chairs - Kicked of a ride in Great America because they couldnt close it...haven't been back since.

That is an attitude I am bracing myself for. Im not yet banded but I know a lot of people view this kind of surgery as at best taking the easy way out and at worst self mutilation. You can't make people change their mind. All you can do is control your attitudes toward others. It sounds like you have been very considerate and kind too these ladies still like most of us that have been obese they probably have huge inferiority complexes so instead of being happy for you each compliment you receive is felt as a criticism toward them. Its sad and wrong but remember you are the one who is getting healthier and maybe you can inspire them to do the same thing!

I have trouble being on top I think for me though its due to tightness in my outer thigh.. When on top that muscle is stretched so much I have very little room for movement. I will have to try the squatting though. Funny thing last week I was wondering if an exercise ball would work...Now I'm dying to get one!!

I am not banded yet. I'm in the Kaiser program and expect it to take awhile. So far I have told only *my immediate family and friends that have done weight loss surgery. <o:p> </o:p> In my research I found that a lot of people express negative opinions toward bariatric surgery like its cheating somehow and it makes you a quitter and that you are taking the easy way out. I don't want to deal with the negativity right now. I have done my research talked to my Doctor and interviewed many who have gone forward with it... It’s a decision I am comfortable with it’s not my job to convince everyone else. <o:p> </o:p> Hopefully after I am banded and am losing weight. I may tell others that are closer to me as it comes up.

I was worried about this as well. I think I was projecting my own body image issues onto my husband. He loves me and has assured me that no matter what he will love me. I have discussed PS with him and he left it up to me. I am hoping that I am young enough that after a couple years most of my skin (look at me so optimistic and not even banded yet lol) will be absorbed naturally. The one thing I'm worried about is my chest... I know i will lose a lot of weight there and picture well never mind I won't gross you out. I have done research on lifts and such and will probably save up for something like that hopefully getting it done when I stay stable at goal for awhile.

Great TY for the response!

Thank you so much everyone for all the wonderful information. I have another question that came to mind. I don't really want a bypass I want a band. My PCP said that the surgeon makes the ultimate decision on weather its bypass or band. What has been other Kaiser pt's experience here. Did you just tell the Dr you wanted the band over bypass?

Which insurance are you working with? I think each one varies greatly on what they require to approve you.

Thank you I am very excited!! The sooner the better!