adagray

Yep, I saw the magic number on the scale today... 199!!! This also marks 50 pounds lost for me and halfway to goal. What a great day! More importantly, here are the NSVs I've enjoyed along the way: * No more high BP medicine (after being on it for 10+ years) * No more high cholesterol medicine * No more sleep apnea (no snoring either) * No more pre-diabetes * No more plus size clothing * So much more energy I'm looking forward to the rest of this journey and what it will bring. :ohmy:

I think its the scars that are a bit scary when it comes to getting your arm skin removed. The pics I've seen show that you end up w/a big scar that goes down the whole inside of your upper arm... not very attractive. So, I guess it depends on just how bad the saggy skin is there. The best defense is to exercise and build as much muscle as possible. No, you will not fill out the skin w/muscle. But, from what I understand, the physiology involved in building muscle also helps w/skin elasticity. I think it has something to do w/collagen. I read an article a long time ago, but I don't remember the source now. I just remember coming to the conclusion that it was time to embrace exercise! LOL

Its definitely not a cosmetic surgery, but many people who are normal weight see it that way. They just cannot imagine what its like to deal w/the daily pain of being obese and the constant worry about your health and future. I'm glad you've decided to come here for support instead. I see that you're 25 and really my only regret is that I didn't get this surgery earlier. Of course, when I was your age, it wasn't really available (at least not that I know of here in the US) and I'm glad I got it now because the bands are better now and so are the techniques for installing it. One thing I am happy for also is that I really was 100% sure that I needed this because I have been on so many diets over my lifetime and proven to myself that I really cannot lose to a healthy level and maintain it on my own. Of course, I'm not happy that I beat myself up for the past 10+ years over my 'failures'. I've learned now that the chance that you can take the weight off and keep it off (after being obese) is only like 2%. That is why if any of my children ever got to the point of becomming obese, I would recommend lapband to them instead of dieting without it. I just would hope that they would understand what a gift it is and use it to its full potential (that means following the rules and exercising).

It may be annoying, but I bet you will come out of this w/an approval. Looking on the bright side, this would never go to a medical director for approval if there was any other reason they could use to deny you. And, I believe that there is no contraindication between Crohn's disease and lapband. There was a lady in my support group (pre-surgery) who had Crohn's disease and preparing for surgery. She happened to mention that she chose the band (instead of RNY and sleeve) because she has Crohn's disease so it was her only option. The typical folks who work at the insurance companies aren't that educated about the differences between the various bariatric surgeries. So, Crohn's is probably a 'red flag' that gets it sent to the medical director for review. Once they realize there is no contraindication, it should be approved. Yes, they might make you jump through a couple more hoops to prove your PCP and surgeon know you have Crohn's disease. But, BCBS is usually one of the better insurances (in dealing w/people fairly) so hopefully this won't take too long to resolve. Honestly, though, if that is the only extra hoops you have through this whole insurance process, consider yourself lucky. I had two denials, did two appeals, and it ended up taking an extra 4 months (on top of the 6 month diet) before I was approved. It was all worth it, though. :->

My mom got her band when she was 62. I followed in her footsteps two years later. It has been great for both of us. My mom had a lot of obesity related health issues and so did I. The lapband has reversed all of those conditions for us (diabetes, high bp, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, etc.). You are definitely not 'too old' for it. It will help you live a much longer life and have a much better quality of life.

My surgeon bands a lot of patients 400+ pounds. She does RNY and the sleeve as well and it seems they usually try to encourage patients w/higher BMIs to go w/the other surgeries (faster weightloss). But, ultimately, it is the patient's decision and a lot would prefer the band.

Yes, if they deny you based on your comorbidities not being 'bad enough' and you gain weight up to a BMI of 40, you should be able to resubmit and get approval (assuming they are not requiring a weight history at that BMI beyond your current weight). My insurance required that you be at the required BMI for the past two years. Boy, it was a mess because I had lost weight below the required BMI on WW during the past two years. I did finally get my surgery approved, though (after two appeals). I showed them 5 years of history to document that the lower weight on WW was an anomaly. And, I also brought up a bunch of other issues which may or may not have made a difference. Technically, I did not meet their requirements, though, so I would encourage anyone debating whether or not to go the insurance route to at least try. And, take it through the full appeal process. In the end it was SO worth it. Not just to get them to pay for my surgery, but the peace of mind of knowing that all of my follow-up care will also be covered.

This is one of my favorite things about the band... knowing it is ALWAYS adjustable. It may be frustrating in the beginning as you are waiting to get to restriction, but what a great benefit to know that it is always adjustable for the rest of your life.

If you are at goal and maintaining, you would not need anymore fills. If you are still losing and don't want to lose anymore, you could add some margaritas. ;-> (or any other food or drink you like to boost your calories) I think most people find it harder and harder to lose once they approach goal (just like on any diet). The weight comes off slower once you have less to lose. So, I don't think it is a common problem to lose more than you want. Also, some people are more than happy to adjust their 'goal' weight down if they are still losing. And, I haven't seen anyone on here have the problem of going below the healthy weight range. I think most of us (regardless of the band) have metabolisms and bodies that resist going too low.

I don't monitor calories burned, but there are some ladies in my Jazzercise classes that do (using Polar Heartrate Monitors) and I've heard numbers everywhere from 400-700 calories for the hour-long class. And, an additional 300+ for the weight training class. Honestly, I don't really trust those numbers anyway. I mean exercise has so many benefits that go beyond what you burn during the time you are doing it. It boosts your metabolism for hours afterward. And, if the exercise you do builds muscle, that extra muscle increases your BMR (Base Metabolic Rate) so you are burning more calories all the time (even on days you don't exercise). I agree w/the other poster (Karen) that consistency is the most important thing when it comes to exercise. I guess I wouldn't focus too much on the exact calories you are burning, but increase your exercise when you feel good about what you are already doing and feel like you are ready to commit to more. Also, some good advice I got on another thread is to consider increasing the intensity or variety of your exercise rather than just adding more. You will probably get more bang for your buck this way.

At a minimum, I will need a mini tummy tuck and a boob lift. There is no way I can prioritize one over the other. My lower stomach has droopy skin (mostly from pregnancy) and its just gonna get worse as I lose more weight. And, my boobs are major droopy (not even in the same zone where they should be) and I assume that will get worse (more deflated) w/more weightloss. It is not a pretty picture!!!

I see a lot of posts on here w/super low calories that people eat per day, but rarely see anything about people pushing themselves on the exercise front. I would love to hear from anyone who has embraced exercise and really learned to love it. I would love to hear your story and how it has helped your progress w/weightloss and getting fit. I am at a point in this journey where I want to take my fitness (exercise-wise) to the next level. In the past month, I've gone from doing 2 exercise classes per week to 7. I do a regular Jazzercise class (1 hour cardio, weight training, stretch) every day Monday through Friday and another strength training class (1 hour more intense weight training) after my regular Jazzercise class on Mondays and Wednesdays. For now, I'm taking the weekend off. I'm thinking about upping my classes to 9 per week when my kids are back in school (early August). I would add a second Jazzercise Lite class (another hour of cardio, but low-impact, weight training, and stretch) immediately after the regular Jazzercise class on Tuesday and Thursdays. That would be 2 hours of exercise Mon-Thurs and 1 hour on Friday. For those that have pushed themselves exercise-wise, does this seem like a reasonable progression? There is a small part of me that wonders if this is too much exercise, but the bigger part of me (haha) figures that if those 'biggest loser' people can work out 8 hours/day, then 2 should not be a problem. I am really loving the results I am getting w/more exercise and I really do enjoy these classes too.

Hey Again! Thanks for all the replies. Its great to hear what you all are doing and your advice too. The other day I also ran across this article: 10 Minutes of Exercise Yields Hour-Long Effects (just wanted to add, read the article, don't bother watching the video, the video is just a bunch of fluff and doesn't tell you what to do) If any of you are on the Mercola mailing list, you know his advice is generally very good. This fitness routine he is recommending (peak fitness) sounds really interesting and different from anything else I do. And, it only takes 1-2 20 min sessions per week. So, I think I'm gonna give this a try (in addition to what I'm already doing) instead of adding two more one hour low impact cardio sessions. This will suck up less of my time and hopefully push me in a different way.

Who did you guys tell? Pretty much everyone except I did not post it on my Facebook status. But, I'm thinking I might do that when I reach goal. What are you regrets about not telling? Not applicable. What are your regrets about telling? Pre-surgery, I realized I may be telling too many people when I started getting a lot of stories about people who 'failed' w/WLS. A lot of these 'failures' were people who lost a huge amount of weight and then gained back some (like Carnie Wilson). I don't consider that a 'failure' anyway. Maybe not ideal, but not a failure either. What's the purpose of telling? I told because I am a really open person. Every person who knows me knows I have struggled w/my weight and gone up and down many many times. I've talked about every diet I've ever been on and been on some sort of a diet probably 75%+ of my adult life. I wanted to talk about it and, honestly, I would feel really weird if I didn't. It is a big part of my life right now and I enjoy sharing about it w/others. I also want people to better understand the challenge of obesity and that sometimes its not as simple as just changing diet and exercise to overcome it. Should I wait for results then tell? You should do what you are comfortable with. Are you able to eat in front of people without having to explain your eating habits? What do you say to explain them? Nobody would be able to tell by how I eat. I can still eat a big salad and most foods. For the things I can't/don't eat, my friends would just think I was on another diet if I wanted to keep my surgery a secret (since I was always on a diet before). The only other thing I would add, though, is that I was really surprised that EVERYONE has been SO supportive through this. I was worried that my inlaws might not be, but they've been some of my biggest supporters (sometimes better than my own husband! LOL). On the other hand, if you have any doubts at all, there's no harm in waiting it out a bit. One thing that someone else wrote on this forum before is that you can never UNTELL. So, be sure you are comfortable and confident first and then tell if you want to. But, if you aren't sure, then don't. You can always tell later.

I've just reached the same point. And, I know this will sound weird, but I'm a little bummed. I really like Lane Bryant. I told a friend this and she told me to try 'The Limited' or 'Express' because they are owned by the same company as Lane Bryant. I think I am a weird one because being in normal sizes makes me feel a bit overwhelmed by all the choices. I'm used to doing almost all my shopping at Lane Bryant, Macy's Woman, and Target Plus Size Dept. I could hit all of those in 2 hours and know all my choices. Now, there are hundreds of stores and I don't even know where to begin.

I know you work out a lot from your post on the exercise thread. I've noticed that since I've up'd my workouts and added strength training, my hunger varies a lot from day to day. And, there are some days when I am hungry every couple hours. I don't really want a fill right now because I am really happy w/my restriction level. So, on those hungry days, I try to do something that my mom's doctor recommends. Its called 'Water loading' where you drink down as much water as you can when you think you are hungry (basically, you are loading your pouch w/water). Sometimes it takes the hunger away for another half hour or so. Sometimes, I am still truly hungry again in just a few minutes. So, then I just eat. I figure my body needs it and I stick to healthy foods (mostly Protein, fruit, vegies). And, even though I'm eating more since upping my exercise, I'm losing weight and gaining muscle A LOT faster. I got one of those Tanita Ironman scales that tells me how much fat I'm losing and how much lean muscle I am gaining. Love it!

I feel like I've been seeing the changes all along, even in the first month post-op. But, I also am doing a weightloss scrapbook. I do a page for every month w/pics and the printouts from my doctor's scale. Sometimes I write NSVs in there too and printout entries from my blog. I know it probably seems a little self-centered, but its fun to go through and remind myself how far I have come.

I have purged my closet once already of things that were way too big or I knew I would not want to wear again. It was hard to get rid of some things, though, that I really liked, but were getting too big. But, they will go w/the next purge which I am really due for. Half my closet is too big for me again so its time. And, if I haven't worn it in the past two months this time, its going! I'm actually a little superstitious that if I get rid of the fat clothes, then I will regain the weight (kind of the opposite of what most people think). But, that's what has happened to me every time I have gotten rid of fat clothes before... I gained the weight back and had to buy new clothes. But, the reality is I've always loved buying new clothes so getting rid of fat clothes has never been a deterent to regaining the weight. I just buy new fat clothes. And, I actually have fun buying fat clothes. Never really bothered me. LOL But, this time it is really just a matter of needing to get rid of the clutter. It makes it hard to decide what to wear or get ready when half your closet is filled w/stuff that doesn't fit and is unflattering.

I wasn't a cash patient, but just to give you some reassurance I know that w/my surgeon that when you pay the cash price, it definitely DOES include the hospital fee. Then, the surgeon pays the hospital a negotiated rate which is much much less than what they would bill you for separately. So, my guess is that there was a mix-up and they billed you instead of going to your surgeon for their share of the cash fee.

Juliansmom, I get what you mean about it not being fun because it really does eat up a lot of time between getting there, doing it, and then having to shower and get ready to do all the other things you need to do. I'm lucky right now that I have the time to commit to this. Really, its the first time in my life that I have time like this. I'm not working and have two children, but my son just entered Kindergarten last year and my youngest starts Jr. Kindergarten (5 hours Mon-Fri) starting in August. Exercise will eat up a lot of that time because I drop them off by 9am, first class starts at 9:15, second class starts at 10:30 and is done by 11:30. By the time I get home, eat, shower, and get dressed, it will be 1pm and I have to pick up my daughter at 2pm. There is no way I could fit this all in if I had a job. So, I don't have any advice for you except I understand what a time sink it is.

Thanks for all your replies. Its inspiring to hear what others are doing. Jachut, I get what you mean about intensity. My strength training class is intense. I feel like I'm gonna die during the class and am sore for days afterward. I could take that four days a week instead of adding two more days of the regular class, but I'm not sure if my body is ready yet. And, trust me, the regular class is no walk in the park for me yet. Maybe one day it will be. But, I am huffing and puffing and soaked through w/sweat by the end of it. Another option is for me to start taking tennis lessons when the weather cools down. I live in Arizona (Scottsdale area) and we hit 113 degrees yesterday so it will be a couple months at least before I would think of taking tennis lessons. But, I used to play when I was much younger and it would be fun to start up again.

Its crazy how much the sizes have changed. The sizes get bigger EVERY year. I've gone up and down so many times and every time I compare an old item of clothing (something that may only be two years old) to the current sizes, the older item is always smaller. Its really really crazy. I think this is why they have size 0 now, because a size 0 is really what a size 4 or 6 used to be.

Oh, I also have a little tip for all of you coming up on onederland. I changed my screensaver to '199' (3D text that just spins around). I think it helps keep me focused on my goal.

I am at 201... so close I can taste it!!! 199 is also a major milestone for me because it marks 50 pounds lost and halfway to goal. I'm really hoping to hit it by the end of this month. :->

With my last fill, I got 1cc, taking me from 6.5cc to 7.5cc in a 10cc lapband. When I went back the next day because I was too tight, she took out 0.5cc. So, I have 7cc right now. Sometimes I feel like I could go back for 0.25 now. I am getting hungry sooner between meals. But, at this point, I'd rather focus on exercising more than restricting my diet more. I like that I can still guzzle Water. I get really thirsty when I work out. And, I like that I can eat pretty 'normally' (much less than I did before, but not itty bitty portions either).