lose2regainme

Being able to find a new pair of frames for glasses that fit. Having a neck again. Not having to take all the prescription medications. I could go on and on and on........

Due to my weight history and health issues (co-morbities), my GP suggested it about six years ago. I was at first insulted that she thought I was "that fat". I didn't know much about BMI or the connection between the weight and the health issues. I balked at the idea and begged for one more chance at diet pills. Lost over 40 pounds in about six months and then the pills lost there effectiveness. I then had to have three wrist surgeries (for a total of 4) over a period of two years and gained it all back, plus some. Struggled to lose on my own again with very little loss, always regaining. About a year ago, I told the GP I was ready.. She referred me to the surgeon and it took almost a full year to get insurance approval, which I just got. I am scheduled for June 19, 2009. Over the past year I have done an enormous amount of research and preparation. I am ready!!!!! I am not nervous, I am excited that I am getting this chance, finally! I intend to work really hard and work this "Tool" for all it's worth!!

Awesome comic relief with a bit of truth thrown in to (hopefully) kick start the common sense function of the brain! I look forward to more PSA's!! I also agree with MELLIECAT about the "Political Correctness" in some posts!

UPDATE TO MY UPDATE ! MY SURGERY DATE IS JUNE 19th!

From one military wife to another, IMHO this sounds more like he's trying to keep up with you (or surprise you!), compete with his "co-workers", fill his down time with something interesting and productive, and maybe even a little bit of an age thing (especially a macho military type). Even with today's technology, long separations are still hard. (My DH has had his DD-214 for many years) Your mind will sometimes play tricks with your emotions, as a coping mechanism. It is easier to deal with being so far apart when you feel a little irritated with them, as apposed to sobbing and worrying all the time. I recall my first 6 month separation as a young wife. I went out and bought this really HOT outfit to wear for his home coming (I was a size 5/6 back then). Short skirt, low cut top, etc. A couple of days before his return, I panicked and returned it and wore something old and way more conservative. I thought he wouldn't like the "NEW" me, or would think I looked trashy and that my personality had changed while he was gone. I wanted him to come home to the same me he left back at the home base. Also, I can remember when my DH would come home, it was like a first date at first. It would take a while for the closeness to return and for us to feel like normal again. They smell different, they look different, they act different than the little memory movies you've been playing in your head while they were gone. Continue to be supportive, loving and encouraging to him. When he gets home you will both enjoy the others hard work! Also, thank you for what you go through every day to support your husband in his serving and protecting of our great country. The military wife and family is often not thought of as part of the "Corps", but they SO are!!!!! It's a tough job. Give yourself a break on the emotional craziness and just look forward to his triumphant return and how good you will both look together!!!

JUNE 19th!!!!!! I can't wait!! This has been a very long frustrating journey to get an approval from my insurance company. It took surgery for a torn meniscus in my knee for them to get a clue that my weight issues were affecting my health. The list of comorbities, medications, BMI 41.2 and being pre-diabetic weren't enough. But, wow, a torn up knee! Then they decided it was a good idea. (Please excuse my sarcasm, I am still a bit bitter, in spite of my elation over finally having a green light.......and my knee still hurts!) I also have a dislocated vertebrae (L-5) that will have to wait till I get some weight off. I've got to be in better shape than this to recover from back surgery. I am so looking forward to starting this journey!!!

A pound of lead and a pound of cotton balls weigh the same, but take up a very different amount of space. Same concept with lean muscle mass and fat. Also, when you first start exercising and losing, your muscles have fat in them, like a marbled cut of meat, that fat is very dense and burns off more slowly, but once its gone, leaving the lean muscle, the lean muscle burns other fat more quickly and more efficiently. That's why it is important to do a little weight training also, not just cardio.

I am so glad you found a group. I really love the Lap Band support group at my surgeons office. It has taken me a full year to get an approval from my insurance company, and I wouldn't have gotten through it without them. Set lots of small goals, so you can experience the uplifting accomplishment of meeting them more often than the disgouraging feeling of "not yet". Mix up your exercise routine, do something different. Don't skip meals, make sure you are getting your 50-60 grams of protein. It is hard to believe, but skipping meals slows down the loss because your body goes into self preservation/starvation mode. Also when you're not getting that protein and all of your water, you are hungry and more likely to make the bad food choices. Best Wishes! You are a strong beautiful young woman who has already made a very important decision in the right direction.... you got a lap band! You can do this!

Congratulations on your surgery! I will have mine within the next month, but do not yet know if I will be a May 09 or a June 09. We were just talking about your question topic last night at my Lap Band support group. If you should still be on liquids, then stay on liquids. Even for small pieces, your stomach has to "churn" to digest and could hinder your healing process. We were told that cheating on the post op liquids phase will prolong and worsen our recovery. If you are hungry, you're not drinking enough. Be creative with juices, broths, SF popsicles and of course those Protein shakes and lots of Water. Add Protein powder to your broth, or mix your Protein shake mix with skim milk in the blender with a few ice cubes to make more of a "milk shake" consistency. But, stay on liquids until your mushy stage, then stick to mushies. It might seem hard, but you will heal better and faster if you don't cheat. Best wishes for good results from your band! I hope to join you soon!

Hi! I read different comments about what model Lap Band different people have. How do I find out what is the newest, most up to date version? How do I make sure that is what my surgeon uses? I just got approval, but do not yet have a surgery date. I start the nutritionist class next week, which I think is two weeks, and everything else is done, I think. (I have been working on the approval for a year!!) I hope to get a surgery date soon.

The "surgical information kit" I have is for the Lap Band AP System, I just wasn't sure if that was the newest. The rep from Allergan Health (the company that makes the Lap Band AP) came to our support group and brought us the kits a couple of months ago. I didn't know how soon a new model would come out. Thank you! :grouphug:

I am so happy that you found another doctor!! That is exactly what I was going to tell you to do when I started reading your post!! You may want to go ahead and call and talk to the surgeons office. Different surgeons and different insurance companies require different things. I was able to do most of my six month thing with my doctor before seeing the surgeon, beacuse we were already working really hard on the weight issue before I finally gave in and said I was ready to go this path. I just got insurance approval after fighting with them for a year, and I hope to get a surgery date soon. I hope your process goes quick and easy!

The support group I attend is about an hour and a half. From 6pm to 7:30pm. It is quite common for someone to have to leave early, and they just tell the fascilitator when they come in, and just sneak out when they need to. Part of a meeting is better than not going!

I worry about all of this too. I have a lot of serious health issues due to my weight. Nothing else has worked for me. I feel like this is my last chance and I am doing it! I have done the research, I have been going to support group at the surgeons office for nearly a year, and I have LapBandTalk.com. There's always going to be someone to give me encouragement when I am down and Celebrate the ups with me, too. You and I are not alone. Use your support system, and take one hour at a time if you need to. then one day at a time, then a week at a time, etc. I have 100 pounds to lose, and I have made up a goal chart with 14 mini goals, because I knew the bigger ones would discourage me. I am going to celebrate all fourteen of those goals. Some represent dropping to a new BMI category (Morbidly Obese to Severely Obese, for example) or my "halfway" point, etc. Figure out what your motivation is, use that to determine your goals and USE YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM!!!! You won't fail if you don't let yourself lose your motivation. Best wishes to you!!!

Katie- The Dr. Pepper is the hardest thing for me to do without, too!!! I just got my approval, no surgery date yet, but I am trying to get off the Dr. Pepper now. I have gone two days, and last night (the end of day one) I got a stomache, cramps, cold sweat, a really bad headache and diarrhea. It continues today, and I'm just not sure if I have a stomache flu or if it is just the withdrawal from Dr. Pepper? How was your experience? I am actually so sick I may miss my son's baseball game tonight. I have gone to games one day after surgery more than once!!! If it is withdrawal, I am really glad I am doing it now and not along with the pre-surgery diet!!:grouphug: -Melissa

I also hate artificial sweeteners. They give me headaches, especially in something hot. I have been using Stevia and really like it. It tastes better and I have no reaction to it.

OOH! RAH! MARINE CORPS!!! My husband is a former Marine. I never went to a prom or anything. The only formal I ever got to attend was a Marine Corps Ball! It is still my FAVORITE Picture of the two of us, even twenty years later. We didn't have children yet, married less than two years, and I was almost twenty (my b-day is later in November). I was a SIZE 5/6! I Wore a short black strapless bustier type dress with black patent stilletto heals, had a gorgeous southern California tan, my sunbleached natural blond hair done fancy.........I looked like a blue eyed Barbie Doll next to my gorgeous husband in his Dress Blues.:thumbup: I would just like to have a tiny sliver of the confidence I had that night back. That pretty much sums up my "Bucket List". To have some self esteem outside the walls of my home again. I thank God every day that I do still have the awesome husband. Twenty three years, two kids and one-hundred-twenty pounds later.

Remember ~~ there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I finally have an approval letter!! It took almost a year!! I am finally moving forward and going to "LOSE 2 REGAIN ME" !! YEA!!

i finally got an approval letter!!!!! Iam so excited!!!!!

UPDATE!!!!! I FINALLY GOT AN APPROVAL LETTER!!!!!:mad2:

Has anyone else had issues with ins. not wanting to cover when you clearly qualify? My case is now with the advocates. I was wondering if anyone could share their experience with them so I might know what to expect.:thumbup:

Finally, Finally, Finally!!!!!!! Got my approval letter today!!!!!!:w00t:

I finally got an approval letter!!!!! After almost a year, I can't believe they finally said yes!!!!!

I am waiting for my insurance company to OK my surgery, so I do not yet have a lap-band date. Right now I am attending support group at my surgeons office, and taste-testing protein powders to get ready. What I would like to know from you more experienced banders is "What item were you so glad to have during your recovery?" AND "What was your favorite liquid or soft food item?" ALSO: Any advice for me on what to acquire before the surgery, to do before surgery, or anything else? Looking forward to hearing from you all!!!