Band_Groupie

I finally get to join the 100 lb. Century Club! I reached my 'dream goal'! Before: Don't I look happy? After: My new 'frownie' belly button (gallbladder single incision surgery) and my size 20 pants (I actually started two pants sizes bigger than these in a 24/26W, now an 8 or 10). Progress pics: Before--------------1/13/09 = 244 (-4 lbs.) Start 248 lbs. About 1/2 Way---8/2/09 = 195 (-53 lbs.) 1/2 Way=50 lbs. Almost 1st Goal---1/30/10 = 163 (-85 lbs.) Goal=90 lbs. Dream Goal!------6/3/10 = 148 (-100 lbs.) After: My new 'polka-dot bikini'! I could never have gotten here without all your support and accountability, so THANK YOU!

Just wanted to point out that Gen has started a started blog recently for "Superstars Of the Band" (or "S.O.B. Stories") where she asks a list of great questions for those Banders who have lost at least 100 pounds or are at goal and are at least a year post-band. It's a great idea to help Banders see the answers and what has made someone successful all in one place with the same questions. I'm the latest S.O.B., so if you haven't had enough of my 'Bandvice' (or you need to see me in my bikini again LOL) check it out and also see what other SOB's have said...it's a GREAT idea (and a great tool for the LB book I'm writing)! Find the SOB's HERE

He says you have a slip, but did NO tests? How can he know this? Were any of the Barium GI's recently and did they show the enlarged esophagus or the slip? Usually with either of these, depending on the severity they will try a complete unfill...sometimes the esophagus shrinks back, sometimes the stomach slips back into place without surgery (most Docs seem to do the unfill for about 6 weeks then take another test to see). Did they look for a hernia causing the reflux? Have they tried putting you on a PPI med?

Got to my 'Dream Goal'...I'm still in shock! Here are some pics...just wanted to share with you as even though our age can make the WL slower you can still get there! Before: Don't I look happy? After: My new 'frownie' belly button (gallbladder single incision surgery) and my size 20 pants (I actually started two pants sizes bigger than these in a 24/26W, now an 8 or 10). Progress pics: Before--------------1/13/09 = 244 (-4 lbs.) Start 248 lbs. About 1/2 Way---8/2/09 = 195 (-53 lbs.) 1/2 Way=50 lbs. Almost 1st Goal---1/30/10 = 163 (-85 lbs.) Goal=90 lbs. Dream Goal!------6/3/10 = 148 (-100 lbs.) After: My new 'polka-dot bikini'! I could never have gotten here without all your support and accountability, so THANK YOU!

Yay JT! I love it when plateaus finally end! Come on Onederland! I found your pound this week!

That's just under 1.5 lbs./week which is right where you should be (especially with going through Bandster Hell). Time to set up a spreadsheet GF to track your weight...I often found out that things weren't as bad as they seemed. You sound like you're too tight to me...you need to be able to eat solid proteins and for most of us that includes meats. Also you should not be sliming daily. You need a frank discussion with your Doc to get on the same page. Best wishes! -BG

You are such an inspiration GF, and have set such a great example throughout your journey! They can't kick us out of Onederland now that we're here...we're staying!

Just reached Century Club and my 'Dream Goal' of 100 pounds (22.2 BMI)! I know how much this thread helped me in both the 'decision' phase and when I needed some inspiration along the way. So here's my pay back...well that, and I'm now writing a LB book (after over a year of blogging here and the suggestions every week that I needed to write a book, I finally listened to you all LOL). My blog is on Blogger now (link below, come join my shenanigans!) and I'm still trying hard to pay-it-forward! Before: Don't I look happy? After: My new 'frownie' belly button (gallbladder single incision surgery) and my size 20 pants (I actually started two pants sizes bigger than these in a 24/26W, now an 8 or 10). Progress pics: Before--------------1/13/09 = 244 (-4 lbs.) Start 248 lbs. About 1/2 Way---8/2/09 = 195 (-53 lbs.) 1/2 Way=50 lbs. Almost 1st Goal---1/30/10 = 163 (-85 lbs.) Goal=90 lbs. Dream Goal!------6/3/10 = 148 (-100 lbs.) After: My new 'polka-dot bikini'! I could never have gotten here without all your support and accountability, so THANK YOU!

Thanks GF! I know I would never have gotten so far without having the accountability and support every week of all my online community, so thank you! It took 14 weeks for the last 10 pounds, so hang in there...slow WL is still WL and it doesn't matter how fast you get there as long as you arrive.

SF popsicles saved me. Hang in there!

Congratulations Bander! Be careful with the foods as you're most likely to cause a complication during this healing period (I couldn't make it three weeks either and cheated the last few days with shakes...but I had clear diet, foods-even mushies, are the problem). Heal well and best wishes! -BG

It's definitely a learning curve and no one is perfect, not even skinny people, but that's what a lifestyle means...'imperfection'. Hang in there!

I hope you're home and doing well! Let us know how it's going. CONGRATULATIONS BANDER!!!

Absolutely! ...and it doesn't end, but it does get easier with doing the head work as we go!

8 years? Holy Cow, you SO deserve a FAST approval! Hope you hear soon! -BG

So sorry to hear about your loss JT. I reached my dream goal yesterday...still can't believe it. 100 lbs. down...148! I'm most proud of where my BMI ended up. Happy Weekend all!

First of all, congrats on the new baby!! Have your insurance company give you a copy of your bariatric policy (most can tell you how to print it online, or they can fax it to you- although you know someone with the same one, I wouldn't trust it unless I had it in writing as I've heard others get conflicting info over the phone). Take that to your surgeon's office so they know what is required of you (if they don't already- my Doc had an insurance specialist at his office that knew all the local insurance companies. Unless it says they need a 'weight history' (some require your weight history for several years back), then you past weight won't matter. Yes, sleep apnea is one of the 5 big comorbidities the ins. companies look for and if you need only one, then you've got that piece covered. I'm not sure what the details are on the 'supervised diet' you are now on...are you scheduled for surgery, is this your pre-op diet or have they put you on some diet for a certain amount of time? Here's the deal on the threshold weights though (35 or 40), when you 'submit everything to insurance' (meaning whatever is required of you with paperwork to document it; I needed: psych, nut, cardio, and pulmonary clearance, my surgeon's approval, and a letter of medical neccessity from my PCP along with 6 monthly diet and exercise documentation forms...I think that was it) all of this had to show that I was still above the 35 BMI (meaning any weigh-in at any Dr. visit and even my last monthly diet and exercise PCP visit). After all the paperwork was submitted I waited and got my approval (the insurance company will send your surgeon an 'approval code number'), after that you can lose weight to your hearts content! Hopefully you will only have to stay above the 35 for a few weeks...not 6 months like me! I don't think my weight had been that stable in 30 years and it was hard work for a yo yo dieter (I could also lose up to 50 lbs. at a time)...crazy insurance requirements, but I know they have to draw a line somewhere. Back to writing the book...let me know if I can help with anything! -BG

Well that's an awesome sign that you won't have to either...count your blessings! I'm hoping you come away from today with a date!!!