BethFromVA

Let me also share this: Though I won't use the surgeon who did the seminar, I DID hear something that sounded good. He said a man who had the band was asked about what he eats, and he said that, since he is restricted and can only eat so much, he's going to make sure it is the best (healthiest), tastiest, good food for him. That made a lot of sense.

If I had to choose between a couple bites of hamburger or pizza and entire cans of stew or heaps of hamburger helper, I would personally go for the thing that fills me with small bites. Granted, it would be more ideal to make good food choices, but the way I look at it is I am taking in way fewer calories with a few bites of pizza than I would be with an entire can of stew. :tongue2: (not to mention the SALT content in the stew that will keep a lot of Water weight on!)

I personally feel that you should only tell your weight if you really want to. You don't owe anybody those details, so please don't feel like you do. Some are very open about it, others are not, and both scenarios are correct. It's simply about what works for you. Your accomplishment is in how you look, not just the number. If you wish, the number can be YOUR secret accomplishment while you look rockin' to everybody else. :tongue2:

I've also used a couple other "tools" when I've dieted in the past that may help you. Our eyes see what we've been, not what we are. People who don't see us for a month or two see way more than we do because we see ourselves every day and don't always notice the subtle changes. For that reason, I am huge (no pun) about taking pictures either monthly or when I hit certain goals, and keeping an inches-lost chart also helps you to see the continuing success. Our eyes and brains trick us, telling us we still look the same. These tools help you really SEE that you are morphing into that beautiful butterfly. And what's nice is when your brain tells you you still look the same, you can pull out these tools and say, "Huh-uh, THAT'S not true!" :tongue2:

Wow, that's horrible! I've been more than a bit surprised by the different ways the insurance companies handle this. Some are almost ushered right in, and others have to do poodle tricks through hoops just to get a "maybe". I really know very little right now except that mine covers. I should know more by Tuesday-ish, assuming the doctor's office can give me the specifics on my plan when I go in.

Maybe they just didn't experience what you did.

Sounds like we should eat standing up in order to feel the fullness faster. :crying:

I didn't feel attacked by you, Nanook. I just wanted to be sure I didn't sound flip. And I understand... I'm sure you're experiencing a lot right now as you did when you had it put in. I hope the best for you, and I'm sorry it didn't work out. I am taking ALL info in on this. I am not banded... actually just heard about it less than a week ago. I have been to a seminar, and I have a meeting with a doctor on Tuesday. Believe me when I say I wholly agree with you about this being the only body we have. Surgery for this problem of mine scared (scares?) the bejesus outta me. This one scares me less than what WASA is doing, but I believe he is doing what is right for him -- as you have done and will do for you. Y'all are so much further along in this fight than I am. I have simply given up, I guess, and see a potential final hope... :crying:

That could be, WASA. I had never heard of it before, and I don't have cable like many here who got slightly more immersed in it. I saw a simple ad (wish I would have kept it now) and it made me want to research more. That's how I found this site and started reading about it. There wasn't a whole lot of marketing to the ad, so I dunno... maybe for me it was divine intervention. :crying:

I agree with the water weight. Also, it seems the heavier we are, the quicker we lose in the first couple weeks. At least I do... I was on a diet (healthy, not bad) where I lost 15 pounds in the first week. After that I leveled off, but that was an eye-opener. However, with diet and exercise, I was losing approximately 10 pounds a month after that.

Great, thanks for the explanation! That makes sense. I wasn't sure if it was a doctor-preference thing or issues with the surgery itself and people's healing.

I haven't found this question yet (though honestly, I haven't looked too hard), but can anybody explain why some seem to get filled sooner than others? Is it only about the healing time? Some seem to get their first fill within a couple weeks, and in this case it has been six.

Thanks for understanding, WAS. Nanook, I hope my explanation helped you understand further. Unfortunately forums are not the best for getting one's point across. What sounded good in my head apparently didn't translate well in the written word. We all know all things don't work for all people. I feel badly for those who did everything right and for whatever reason, their bodies did not react well. However, I have also read many posts where people "cheated" and didn't do what they wee supposed to and then wondered why it didn't work. I was referring moreso to them, not to y'all and your issues, I promise. I was not being flip toward you. WAS, I'm curious: What have you learned about the long-term effects of the sleeve? I ask because I once knew a guy with GBP surgery, and when I met him, he was still very morbidly obese (made ME look skinny). He HAD gone from about 600 pounds to what I would estimate was mid- to high-400s, but he either wasn't losing or was actually gaining during the couple years I knew him. He not only bragged about cheating the process by eating whole gallons of ice cream (because it would go through), but I can guarantee you he could eat plenty at a sitting when we would go out for a meal. Buffets were at least two trips to the food troughs. I guess what I'm saying is, since the stomach is an elastic muscle/organ, how does one get something like GPB or the sleeve and not eventually stretch it out? This is more curiosity than anything. Being overweight myself, I would never wish failure for anybody and, in fact, pray continued success (healthy success) for you.

Also, if you'r so inclined, eBay can be another great clothes resource.

So at this point do you think it is due to the PCP or the insurance company? Or is it a matter of which came first, the chicken or the egg? lol Sorry, I don't mean to make light of this, and I'm really not. I'd say if it's your PCP, can you get a new one? If it's the insurance company, can you talk to somebody or appeal? I have been spending hours on here and have found that a lot of successful appeals have gone through. I hope the very best for you.

Sorry for the confusion. I'm just saying that for some, the problems experienced are more due to the banded (the person) than it is the band. Certainly not all, I don't want to infer that. I just know that many still have the issues they had going in, and though the physicality of one's body can be altered, it doesn't change what got them there in the first place unless they are also working on that as well. So for some, I believe the bad issues experienced with the band (or their WLS of choice) is more about the person and not the procedure. I don't have the courage you do to do the sleeve (did I remember that right?). For me personally, to permanently alter my body is too scary a venture.

Please forgive me if I'm sounding stupid, but what I got from your post is that your PCP is potentially the hold-up? If you've done all the hoop jumping, then why haven't you been to a surgeon yet (insert rhetorical question here)?? Wow...

Sounds like it's potentially an issue with the banded, not the band.

"Life or death" sounds like that fantastic vague insurance-speak. But it does sound like you have co-morbidity along with being overweight so I would think that may qualify. I see you wrote this in August. Any luck?

Interesting... I have Anthem BCBS "in" Virginia, but I must have a different plan (I work for the state) because mine covers it. Granted, so far I am only getting the most basic info right not and will be meeting with a surgeon on Tuesday and will hopefully find out more. I'm guessing our plans are different, even though they are somewhat the same plan. Sounds like each one is specific to whatever the company plan is...?

It sounds like the food wasn't worth it, which hopefully will stick with you if you get the urge again. No bashing... we are all human. Be proud, go on to the next day, and move forward. The only one who will judge you the hardest is yourself. Just try not to be too hard.

Do y'all eat in the family/living room, or is this in the kitchen? The reason I ask is this: If it's in the living room, maybe ask him to eat in the kitchen until the liquid diet is over (at least). Besides, it's better for him not to eat while watching tv. If y'all are in the kitchen, what if you went to the living room? Though one should not eat in front of the tv, you're not really "eating." Does that make sense? Maybe if you don't see it, it will be easier. I went on a liquid fast (religious reasons) once for a week -- didn't eat a thing for seven days. I can only hope that when my time comes, I will be as fastidious about this as I was before, especially because of what this means to you/me before the operation. Just remember what you are working towards. If you can keep your eye constantly on the prize, then you will not be tempted by something that only lasts a moment in the mouth but somehow latches forever on the hips.

Hehe, sounds like you missed your chance!

Serenity, I re-read your original post and I'm confused... does your insurance cover obesity surgery but they are denying you, or do they not cover it? I'm guessing they DO cover but are denying you? Just want to make sure I understand.