Momento Mori

During the seminar, my doctor indicated the average weekly weight loss for lap band patients was 1 lb./week. You can imagine the shock from everyone in the room. Many questions followed. To clarify: He said if a patient has 100 lbs. to lose, for example, then it will typically take them 100 weeks (almost 2 years) to do it. He said if you look at the total amount any person has to lose and the amount of time it takes them to lose that amount, it averages to 1 lb./week for most people. He did say in the beginning most people lose 3-4 lbs./week but that as they get closer to goal, and weight loss slows. He said it can takes weeks or even months for some folks to lose the last 10, 20, or 30 pounds. Any thoughts on this from the group?

Knowing that some folks can stop losing weight and can even gain weight after having WLS, I don't think it's at all obsessive to watch the scale regularly; however, I think once a week is too infrequent and five times a day is too often. I think weighing twice or even three times a week is often enough to feel I'm in touch with my weight, but spaced enough apart so that any minor fluctuations won't freak me out.

Knowing that some folks can stop losing weight and can even gain weight after having WLS, I don't think it's at all obsessive to watch the scale regularly; however, I think once a week is too infrequent and five times a day is too often. I think weighing twice or even three times a week is often enough to feel I'm in touch with my weight, but spaced enough apart so that any minor fluctuations won't freak me out.

I think your weight loss is amazing! Good for you! I was telling me husband about a guy who had WLS in August of this year and had lost 40 lbs so far. My husband said, "Is that a lot?" I said, "You tell me. If I told you two months from today you'd weigh less than 200 lbs would you think that was a lot of weight?" He said, "You're right. That is a lot of weight." It's easy to lose perspective when it comes to amounts lost via WLS. Whether it's .5 lbs./wk. or 2 lbs./wk., it's a lot more than I can lose on my own. Thanks for the perspective guys.

Donna113, I see that you've lost almost 20 pounds. When were you banded, if you don't mind me asking? And what has your doctor said about your rate of weight loss?

Sounds like you're doing well. I'm glad things are working out okay for you. I do have a question. I've noticed mentions of hair loss on this site and others but I haven't seen anything specifically about why. I don't doubt the info is out there, i just don't know where to look I suppose. Would you mind telling me what the possible cause of the hair loss is? Thanks.

Thanks Carrie.

Willowglen-- I see that you are in Raleigh. So am I. Would you mind sending me a private message and telling what doctor you used and how things are going so far. THanks, Victoria

Thank you both for your support. I was so ashamed. I think more than anything it was because it happened in front of my husband. I felt like I'd let him down; that I'd neglected myself to the point that the average person would think I was pregnant. I felt he deserved better. I've never told anyone this story and I've never, ever discussed it with my husband. I'm sure he's probably forgotten about it but it sticks with me.

Wow. Reading these stories has been heart breaking. When my son was about 4 or 5 months old, the Water heater in the apartment above us burst and flooded our unit. It was around midnight. We called maintenance and they get everything taken care of, stopped the leak, etc., but the guy had to wet/dry vac our apartment because the carpets were totally soaked. I asked the guy how loud the machine would be because I didn't want to wake the baby. He looked at me--in front of my husband--and says, I swear to God he says, "What baby? The baby in there?" He then points at my stomach and starts laughing really hard. He says, "Ma'am, they can't wake up when they're inside you." This guy thinks I'm so retarded that I'm worried his noise is going to wake up a baby I'm carrying. ?!?! I said, "No asshole, the baby that's asleep in the bedroom. I'm not pregnant."

Hi all! I am new to the site and this is my first contributing post. I am in the process of securing insurance approval (which I am confident will go fine). My husband and son know, as does one of my sisters. I do not plan to tell anyone else. I only shared with my sister because she is also morbidly obese and insurance may cover surgery for her too. I do not want to be judged for "cheating." A female co-worker had the surgery after it was added to our benefits package. This co-worker was dangerously overweight (she had well over 200 pounds to lose), had a long list of health problems, and had obtained a handicapped card for her car because she was incapable of walking the shortest distance. Knowing all this, co-workers would be supportive, smiling, and encouraging when talking to her one-on-one, but behind her back, and eventually in open conversation with her, they would go on and on about how she "cheated." Co-workers have told her to HER FACE that she did NOT need the surgery, she just needed to learn discipline. One male co-worker told her he wasn't surprized when he heard she'd be having the surgery because, he said, "fat people always take the easy way out." Average/normal sized people already make value judgements about us because of our size. Dozens of social psychology studies show that overweight women are discriminated against more than any other group of people. Overweight women receive less pay, fewer promotions, and fewer opportunities (on the whole) than any other group of people. The stereo-type is that obese people are lazy, unmotivated, and should be ashamed of themselves. People don't choose their skin color, but they do choose how much food they eat--and everyone in the world knows it! I refuse to have anyone suggest I did not work to lose my excess weight because I elected to have a major medical intervention in my weight lose. I will alter the way I eat until the day I die. How many "normal" sized people can say they did that? No. I won't tell anyone.

Hi all! This is my first post. I recently learned--quite by accident!--that my insurance company covers lapband surgery. I meet all the criteria the provider, United Healthcare, set to qualify for them to cover the cost of surgery. Anyone on the forum have experience with United Healthcare in NC and coverage?

Neugene - thanks for this info! I hope it goes as smoothly for me too. lfoss - I attended an information session last night at Dr. Moran's office here in Raleigh. He seemed very knowledgable and I know for sure my plan lists him as a participating physician. There is another Dr. in Raleigh, in the Cary area, but he is not listed on United Healthcare. Dr. Moran's nurse said United takes about 30 days for approval once all requirements are met.