marfar7

I actually cried the day I went into Kohls and tried on a pair of size 8 white Levi's. Never imagined myself fitting into an 8. I think I skipped from size 14 right into the 8's cuz I don't remember being a 12 or 10! In the mirror, I don't see a difference. I carry my before pic with me in my wallet, however. If I ever want to remember I just look at it.People are amazed when they see it. They say I look nothing like that. Sometimes it takes our brains a while to catch up with our bodies. You see yourself everyday in the mirror so you don't see subtle changes that other people that don't see you as often do. Did you keep an outfit that you once fit into? Try them on and see how they hang off of you. I unfortunately didn't keep my size 22 jeans - didn't think I ever needed them again. Now I wish I had kept one pair for comparison. Accept the compliments that others give to you and know that you're looking and feeling healthier. You brain will eventually catch up (no clue how long tho, mine still says I weigh 248!). (In fact, recently when I went to magic Mountain - a big amusement park in So Ca - I KNEW I wouldn't fit on the roller coaster. Was waiting for the guy to tell me I couldn't ride. To my amazement (and fear!) I fit perfectly!) Good luck and good jobon the loss!

I'm so afraid of that. My dr said he'd do it in one surgery, however if he goes in and it's not safe to sleeve me at the same time, he won't. My insurance only covers revision if it's from complications of the band cuz my bmi is 28. If I have no band, I doubt that they would pay for it with my bmi being under 40. I'm praying that my stomach is fine and he can do it at once. Please, please, please, let it be so...

I was widowed 6 yrs ago and gained from 200 to 250 lbs in 2 yrs. I had my band in 2009 at 248 lbs. Wanted to start dating but as afraid of only attracting "chubby chasers" and I wanted someone normal! LOL! I started dating (online) almost a year after and about 75 lbs lighter. Most of my dates were just coffee so it never came up. if we were eating a meal, I usually brought it up cuz I was pretty proud of losing 75 lbs and wanted them to know I'm still working on the rest. I never got a negative response. Most were interested in everything involved. I met my "now husband" 2 1/2 yrs ago online (we were chatting online at midnight and he mentioned meeting for coffee. I said "now"? He said "yeah, u gunna turn into a pumpkin?" So I showered and met him at a 24 hr coffee shop at 2 am. And the rest is history. I told him while having coffee. We had something in common. He had recently lost 80 lbs also,thru Atkins tho. He was impressed with my loss. Anyway, I guess what I wanted to say was- if it's just coffee, there's really no need to even bring it up, unless you want to. I guess I wanted to cuz I still had about 40 lbs to lose and I wanted them to know that I was working on it (for those "normal" guys who don't want a fat girlfriend.). I'm like you - very open with everyone about my band. I carry a before pic in my wallet to show everyone what I looked like 104 lbs ago. They are amazed. Don't even believe it's me. Have fun dating. I went out on about 15 dates before meeting my husband. Had a relationship for about 2 mths before meeting hubby, but he was definitely a "chubby chaser". Both (yes i said BOTH) of his ex wives are over 300 lbs. Nope, not for me.. Marci

I got back from my Alaskan cruise 10 days ago - gained 8 lbs also! I actually didn't think it was physically possible, but I guess it is. I just went all out. Didn't "watch" anything (actually, I watched it go from my fork to my mouth!). Didn't work out once (unless you count normal walking around the ports). It's been less than 2 weeks and I've already lost 4 of those lbs. 8 lbs isn't the end of the world. But, it can grow into more (ask me, I've gained 30 lbs over the past year. I blame my slip!) so I'd reign it in now. Hope you hjad fun on your cruise! I had a blast but we lost our camera the last day on the boat - so I have no proof I was even there. Good luck! Marci

This is just my personal experience with a slip: Last year, I started having severe nightime reflux - so bad I'd wake up with brown gunk (sorry if it's tmi) on my pillow. Went to my primary care and he gave me Prilosec. Finally after being miserable for 4 mths (was afraid band dr would unfill me), I had an xray - I had a slight slip. He did partially unfill me. nIn the last year, I gained about 30 lbs. 2 mths ago, I started having severe abdominal pain for 4 days. At midnight, I could't take it anymore and went to the ER. After a ct, I was diagnosed with a herniated band - wasn't just a slip anymore. My band had totally made it's way down my stomach till my stomach was protruding over it. They totally unfilled me and told me I'd need a revision. Awaiting a sleeve revision now. So, I think for a slip, you'd have more symptoms than just not being able to keep something down. But, I've heard of some people with no symptoms at all, just ability to eat more. If you don't have relief by say Monday, I'd give your dr a call. Just in case. Good luck! Marci

Paleo is a lifestyle of eating like our ancestors did millions of years ago (or so they say!). No preservatives, lots of Protein, low carb. No bread, rice, Pasta - just things that used to move or grow. I think it's low in dairy also. My stepson is into paleo. I can't go without carbs! I tired Atkins a few months ago - lasted 4 weeks before I caved. At least with paleo you can eat lotso fruit (can't with Atkins). Good luck with it! Marci

WTG! How long did u have ur band?

I thought $5,000 was alot of $! Medicare usually pays for most of the revision for me, but I cancelled my Part B a couple yrs ago (I never once used it) and thats what covers my drs charges. The insurance coordinator estimated $5,000. My PA assurred me on the way out (in tears) that he would do whatever it took (even charge 50%) to make sure I got my revision. Now the insurance coordinator said that he never got that approved and it's still $5,000. Came up with $2500 but not the $5,000. That will be impossible. Almost impossible to come up with 50%. Good luck with ur surgery!

In fact, it did. I never used to tuck my shirt in, now I do. I wear boots now too! Luv em in the winter. one thing I noticed is that I look like I'm trying to be 16 again (I'm almost 46). Last week, I bought a pair of skinny jeans that are neon pink/yellow mix. I put them on for the first time today and I look ridiculous! That was a waste of $25! They are coming off as soon as I get offline! Have fun shopping!

I agree with B52. You have to know YOUR own band and what it can and can't tolerate. I've never (in 3 1/2 yrs) had my own soda (I take a sip or 2 from hubbys when out to dinner) and since I occasionally have sips, I don't feel left out. I occasisonally have a beer (maybe twice a mth) or a margarita. I've never actually finished a bottle of beer either! Good luck! Marci

Until my 3rd fill, I didn't even feel like I had a band. I ate just as I had previously. Didn't lose but maybe 3-4 lbs in the 4 mths following my surgery. It's normal to need 2+ fills to actually feel restriction. And I DO feel restriction (well, I did until I got my band unfilled a couple mths ago). Until you feel restriction, it's just another diet (thanks B52). I decided I was thru with diets, calories counting, etc. I underwent surgery so I wouldn't have to diet again. I guess I could've lost more during that post op time, but I wasn't willing to count anything. I waited until my band actually started working and then let it work for me. Sometimes it takes a few fills for it to work. Have patience. It WILL work! Marci

I had my group seminar on Aug 10, 2009. Saw the dr on Aug 18th, nutritonist and psych eval on Sep 10th, and surgery on oct 1 (a little more than 6 weeks total). I had no insurance hoops to jump thru tho. most people have a required diet they have to complete. I didn't even have a pre op diet. Good luck! Marci

Mine is like an alien sticking out of the side of my tummy. Sometimes it aches a little. The above poster was right tho - reminds me of how far I've come (cuz you could barely feel it when I weighed 100 lbs more!) Marci

Syntrax Nectars also have sampled packs (I think there's one with 14 of em with different flavors). They also have unflavored. Good luck! Marci

I've been banded for almost 4 yrs. I lost 104 lbs in the first 2 yrs. After a slight slip and a partial unfill a yr ago, I gained back about 15 lbs. Then, about 6 weeks ago, I had a herniation and a total unfill. Gained another 15 lbs. So here I am, awaiting revision surgery at 177 lbs (got down to 144 on my wedding day in Dec 2011). So, yes, I relate. I have a bad band in me but I don't hate my band. In fact, until it started causing me much pain about 6 weeks ago, I loved my band. I attribute it to all my loss. I still love my band. I'm going to be sorry it's gone (not really, it'll be kinda nice not getting stuck and vomiting anymore) Good luck to you!

Not sure if they cover a revision if you having nothing wrong with your band. I know my insurance only covers it if I have a complication (I do - a slip). Good luck!

I live in Oregon. I was told by my drs office insurance coordinator on Monday that Medicare DOES cover the sleeve. They'll cover mine (even tho my bmi is only 28) because of a complication with my band (slip). However, last year I cancelled my part b coverage (I'm a disabled vet and use the VA for all medical stuff - cept my wls-and felt $110 a month was being wasted on drs office coverage when I never used it). Now I'm kicking myself. Part A doesn't cover the drs charges (about $5,000). I called Medicare and they said I can't add it back in till Jan and then it won't take effect till next July! Now I'm stuck with a slipped band and having to pay at least $2500 (my dr said he could do it for about 1/2) to have my revision. Live and learn... So, yes, Oregon does cover the sleeve. I think the requirements are: 1. >40 BMI or >35 with at least 1 comorbidity 2. <65 yrs old They don't have the same requirements for dieting or the 6 mth waiting period that other insurances do. When I got my band almost 4 yrs ago, I went in for my 1st appt on Aug 30th, had my nutrition and psych eval on Sep 15th and went in for surgery on oct 1. No hoops at all to jump thru. Where r u having your surgery? Dr Steven Tersigni in Coos Bay does me. I hafta drive 3 hrs to se him. But Medicare only covers Centers of Excellence. Good luck!

If it looks like coffee grounds, it could be old blood. I agree. call your doc! Marci

I never even thought of the VA paying for an outside facility. I looked into the VA paying for it (it's 5 hrs to the VA facility that actually does bariatric surgeries) and the requirements are that I be in the MOVE program for at least 6 mths (a diet and exercise program thru the VA) and that I have a BMI of >40 (or >35 with 1 comorbidity). My BMI is 28 right now. I'm going to call them today and see if they can work with the requirements a little, seeing as it's a complication from a previous surgery. Medicare wouldn't pay for it either, but since it's a complication, they will. Thanks for the idea!

The dr talked about how he was going to do my sleeve. He actually folds my stomach over the staples to prevent any leakage (the thing they worry about the most with the sleeve). Told me from my ct scan (they took a ct 6 weeks ago while in the ER for a band herniation) that I was a perfect candidate. So I was all ready to schedule my surgery for next month. Then..... He sent me to the insurance coordinator. She then found out that I had cancelled my Medicare part B last year (it's for drs office visits and since I'm a vet, I go to the VA for drs appts, I felt like I wa wasting $110 a month on it if I never used it. Medicare part A covers the hospital. Then she told me that part B covers the dr's charges, bloodwork, etc. Comes to $5,000! I can either re-up my Medicare part B or come up with 50% of the money to have it done. I call Social Security and they inform me that I can't re-enroll until Jan 1st and it won't take effect till next July! A whole year! So here I sit with a herniated band, totally unfilled. And I got on the scale today and weighed 177! I weighed 144 Dec of 2011 when I got married. I've gained 33 lbs in a year. About 10 lbs just last month. I know I can't do it on my own, I tried for 40 yrs. My husband is convinced that I should low carb it (he actually means almost NO carbs, he takes everything to the extreme) like he does. Keeps reminding me that when I was on Atkins in feb (I didn't cheat once in 4 weeks) I lost 14 lbs. Which I gained back the next month, of course. It's so easy for him to low carb it, not for me. He's very supportive of my weight loss surgery goals but thinks I could lose the weight dieting. I cried all the way home (a 3 hrs drive). I'm so afraid if I fail again, I will become a hippo and weight 250 again. I know that 177 isn't the end of the world, but to me it is. I have 1 pair of shorts that fit me this year (out of about 18 of em) I was wearing an 8, now I tried on a 12 today and it was comfy. Double digits again. Anyway, if you've read this all the way thru - thank you. I know I write novels when I write. You should hear me in person, I chatter alot! So it's either come up with $2500 (almost impossible), or diet until next July when I can have the sleeve done and my bad band taken out. I guess I hafta have it out eventually. I'm sure a slipped band isn't something that can stay in forever. And I loved my band. It made me feel "normal" for once. I didn't have to count what I was eating, I just ate what I wanted, just much less of it. I was so looking forward to the sleeve when I could have portion control back. Anyway, thanks for listening. Advise?

The dr talked about how he was going to do my sleeve. He actually folds my stomach over the staples to prevent any leakage (the thing they worry about the most with the sleeve). Told me from my ct scan (they took a ct 6 weeks ago while in the ER for a band herniation) that I was a perfect candidate. So I was all ready to schedule my surgery for next month. Then..... He sent me to the insurance coordinator. She then found out that I had cancelled my Medicare part B last year (it's for drs office visits and since I'm a vet, I go to the VA for drs appts, I felt like I wa wasting $110 a month on it if I never used it. Medicare part A covers the hospital. Then she told me that part B covers the dr's charges, bloodwork, etc. Comes to $5,000! I can either re-up my Medicare part B or come up with 50% of the money to have it done. I call Social Security and they inform me that I can't re-enroll until Jan 1st and it won't take effect till next July! A whole year! So here I sit with a herniated band, totally unfilled. And I got on the scale today and weighed 177! I weighed 144 Dec of 2011 when I got married. I've gained 33 lbs in a year. About 10 lbs just last month. I know I can't do it on my own, I tried for 40 yrs. My husband is convinced that I should low carb it (he actually means almost NO carbs, he takes everything to the extreme) like he does. Keeps reminding me that when I was on Atkins in feb (I didn't cheat once in 4 weeks) I lost 14 lbs. Which I gained back the next month, of course. It's so easy for him to low carb it, not for me. He's very supportive of my weight loss surgery goals but thinks I could lose the weight dieting. I cried all the way home (a 3 hrs drive). I'm so afraid if I fail again, I will become a hippo and weight 250 again. I know that 177 isn't the end of the world, but to me it is. I have 1 pair of shorts that fit me this year (out of about 18 of em) I was wearing an 8, now I tried on a 12 today and it was comfy. Double digits again. Anyway, if you've read this all the way thru - thank you. I know I write novels when I write. You should hear me in person, I chatter alot! So it's either come up with $2500 (almost impossible), or diet until next July when I can have the sleeve done and my bad band taken out. I guess I hafta have it out eventually. I'm sure a slipped band isn't something that can stay in forever. And I loved my band. It made me feel "normal" for once. I didn't have to count what I was eating, I just ate what I wanted, just much less of it. Thanks for listening...Advise? Marci

Taco Bell is definitely my downfall. I luv their nacho bell grandes. I can only eat about 1/3 of them now. A whole taco salad? I'd say you're definitely in bandster hell. Thats the time from surgery till the time you reach perfect restriction (which was my 3rd fill, 4 mths post op). Even after a slipped band and the ability to eat MUCH more than I have in the past 3 1/2 yrs, I can't eat a whole taco salad from Taco Bell. Be patient. You WILL reach your perfect point sooner or later. And those of the "perfect banders" who NEVER eat a fast food or "cheat" I say "PHOOEY". You are either lying or didn't need wls to begin with! You still live in a world that revolves around food. You need the restriction that the band provides otherwise it's just another diet. And we all know how those work out.... Good luck. And give yourself a break. Truth be told, I'm sure most of us has eaten too much of/wrong foods during the early parts of surgery... Marci

I'm doing just about the same thing. My band was unfilled about 2 months ago and I'm awaiting a late June (find out exact date on Monday) date. Over the past year, since I started having band problems, I gained back 30 lbs (8 just last week while on a 7 day Alaskan cruise). I swore that wouldn't be me, I would never gain my weight back. Unfortunately, it didn't work that way. I'm embarrassed to be seen by my dr on Monday so I'm being very good food-wise until then, but I know I'm going to be hosting "food funerals" probably daily until late June. I don't fit into many of my summer clothes and they'll be even tighter by surgery date. Why do we do this to ourselves?

3 1/2 yrs ago I was banded. I told everybody, including my mailman! This time (awaiting sleeve revision due to a slip), I made the mistake of telling my family and best friend. They all think that wls is too severe for having 30 lbs to lose and that I should do it on my own. I tried that for 40 yrs, didn't work for me.I do think that GB is too severe for 30 lbs and they don't see a difference. To non-wls'ers, wls is all gastric bypass or "stomach stapling". I wish I had just kept it a secret. A few friends also know, but it's hard to describe what you're doing. Good luck!

I don't recommend using crystal lite however. I made homemade ones last year and they're like a rock. Not like a popsicle. These r a very good idea!