susi1662

Hi everyone, I used to read the forums a lot back in May/June, when I first started my wls journey. I kinda slipped away, and here I am again, with quite a dilemna. Since I made the decision to have the lapband, I have not wavered about it. Recently I have been thinking about the band vs. bypass, mostly because almost all of my online friends have had the bypass, and are very happy with their decision. I have started to doubt myself and am worried that I might not succeed with the band. I don't like the idea of having my insides rewired, but I see that so many are having such great results. I don't know any people who have the band, in person and online. I would like to hear from bandsters who are having success with it, especially those are recently banded up to 1 year out. I need some support, help!

Well, I made my decision after a lot of reading and soul searching. I decided to do the bypass. I didn't make this decision because of my online friends. I know it's more drastic than the band, but I really think that I'll be more successful with it. I did research on the sleeve, but my insurance doesn't cover it, so that's a closed door. Thanks for all of your oppinions and advice, I do appreciate it very much! Sincerely, Susi

Thanks for all of your advice and encouragement. I do appreciate it very much, but (I'm not trying to be rude, really!) the last thing I need now is to hear/read about horror stories. I have read/heard many; and it's not a help to me at all. Please don't take me wrong if you told me about something that happened to someone else. I know that you are just trying to help. I am still wavering, one day going for the band, the next for the bypass. I am trying to be calm about this, and be reasonable about it, instead of stressing myself about it. I made an appointment with my surgeon to dicuss it with him, we'll see what he suggests. He himself has the band, so I know that he'll be more in support for it, than the bypass. But hopefully he'll also listen to my concerns, and respect my decision either way I go. I am doing a lot of researching and reading about both proceduree, and I feel that I have a good handle on the pros and cons. Now it just comes down to me. I know that my online WLS friends will also support me in whatever decision I make. I will post my decision when i am feeling confident about it. As for now, I thank you all for letting me vent here. It's good to have a place where I feel I can do it, without being judged. Sincerely, Susi

Hey y'all who may remember me! I haven't been in the chat or on the forums in a few months, but now that it's getting closer to surgery time, I thought I'd come back to get back into the support system. I started my journey last April, but I don't have a surgery date yet, due to an insurance issue. Mt paperwork will be submitted the beginning of January, so I am really close! Things have changed a lot since I started this, my fitness level has risen greatly, and I have lost 35 lbs so far. (I don't know why, because my eating habits have still remained about the same) As I said above, my eating habits are still pretty bad, and that worries me a bit. Hopefully having the band will force me into eating right. For right now though, I think my exercizing is what is helping keep losing weight. I know that will continue! Anyway, I just wanted to po in to say hi, and I hope to get into the swing of things here and start posting again. Susi in AZ

Has medicare changed recently? I know that a few weeks ago, I was looking for approved physicians and facilities for AZ, and I found several listings, but now I can only find one facility in the entire country, which is in MD. I called CMS to get information, and they told me the same thing. Was bariatric surgery taken off of the approved benefits? Right now I am using my private insurance to pay for my surgery, but I was hoping the medicare would be there to help with some of the costs. I was even thinking of changing to a different doctor that takes medicare. Now I am freaking out, because I will have to pay a HUGE copayment for the hospital. Does anyone have any info on medicare benifit changes for bariatric surgery?

I started my journey in April, and I still have a long way to go (due to ins. issues I can't get my paperwork submitted until Jan 2011). I am on my required 6 month diet, and am not doing so well. The first six weeks, I lost 14 lbs, but in the past 2 months, I have neither lost nor gained. I know that I am not eating like I should be, I am falling back on bad habits; but I am now more active than I was before. Maybe that's what's got me maintaining, I don't know. I feel like I am not taking this seriously, since I have such a long time before I get banded. Is anyone else experiencing the same type of thing? I really want to get banded, and I know that once I am, I will be forced to change my eating habits and lifestyle, but I need to start that now! Am I sabotaging myself? Please help!!!

I am sort of having the same dilemna. I am currently doing my required 6 month diet, and even though I lost 14 lbs the first 6 weeks, I have not budged since then, neither last or gained. I know that I have not been eaing like I should, but am maintaining this weight because I am doing water aerobics regularly (6 days a week, plus 2 evenings). I just saw my surgeon this past week, and he suggested that I try the atkins or south beach diet to kick the process forward. I am not trying to sabotage myself, but I know that I am not taking this as seriously as I need to. I still have 6 months to go until my paperwork will get submitted, and hopefully will get approved shortly afterward...I'd better get on the ball.

I guess I hadn't searched the site enough, and just now found this social group. I am glad to see that there are are people who understand mental health issues and having or getting banded! I have bipolar ll and adhd, and take a bunch of meds both morning and bedtime. I have just barely made the decision to get the band, and won't get it til around november, but that will give ne time to start eating healthier, and motivated to exersize. I will be telling my psychiatrist at my next appt of my decision, we'll see what his reaqction will be. My former case manager was all for it, but she has since retired, and I will be getting a new one. Anyway, I am glad to be a part of this group! susi

Hi all! I have a question.... I am preband, and am currently on my 6 month diet plan. I have been doing water aerobics evrday morning and twice a week in the evenings, but am worried if I am doing enough exercise? I have been pretty sedentary for the the past 3 years, and the water aerobics are pretty much the only type of of exercise that I can do successfully right now. I can feel that that I am getting the exercise, because my muscles are telling me, but is it enough to help me lose weight? Is there anyone out there that does only water aerobics, or any other simple exercising routine, and finds that they are losing weight?

I got a sample pack of syntrax nectar and I hate them! Maybe mixed with juice they would be better, but mixed with water thay are horrible! I was so disappointed because they sounded like a good alternative to always drinking the other kinds of shakes. I did like the cappuchino and vanilla creme flavors that were sent with the fruit flavored shakes.

you can find a bunch of good recipes on recipezaar.com. Good luck!

I had my EGD done on the 3rd of may, to check for hiatal hernia and other stomach issues. They did find that I have a hernia, but no other problems, thank goodness, so I am okayed for that test. It's great that you and your husband will be doing this together! Good luck!

I am not banded yet, but I know that it's the best decision for me! I am tired of being overweight, and being afraid that I will reach 300 lbs before I am 50 yrs old... (only 2 years away!). Ever since I made this decision, I have a much more positive outlook on life, I am more active now, because I have something to look forward to! I know that I am going to love the new me, and I am sure that you will too! susi

Great blog! :cursing: I won't be banded for a while, so I will probably be subscribing to it, so I can see how you are progressing. It's good to hear someone elses story, and see that it is a positive experience! Thanks for sharing!

I love, love, LOVE my magic bullet! Works like a charm!

I am so excited about this life change that I am making that I am telling everyone that I know who will listen to be anyway! I just posted in my status message on Facebook that I have decided to do it, and how positive that I feel ever since I made the decision. I am on disability right now, and all I did for the past 4 years is sit around and become a hermit. I never went out unless I had to, and that was even a struggle at times! A lot of the weight that I have now has been gained in those days. I am now eating better, exersizing and my outlook on life is changing for the positive. I don't care what other people think, as I am doing this for me, and for my personal well being! I am on a journey towards a new life of being healthy!

In my last post I was complaining about my exersize woes, and now I have great news! I started water aerobics 2 weeks ago, and am doing the exersizes that I was given by the physiologist, and I feel great! I love the aerobics, they have really motivated me to keep going and even go to the pool on the off days just to walk laps! I never thought that this would happen! Horray for me! Life is good..... :smile:

sorry that you are having problems, sandi. I wish you good luck, and hope that all goes well for you!

I have to be on a 6 month supervised diet, but due to an insurance issue, I will be stretching it out to 8 months. My diet is more of a practice diet to learn how to eat after being banded, not so much calorie counting and weight loss, but I should be losing something if I follow the guidelines, and am exersizing. I have strated replacing Breakfast or lunch with a Protein shake, and that hasn't been too difficult. What I find most difficult is trying to eat slower, and taking smaller bites, and chew chew chewing! Drinking at meals isn't bad at all for me. Anyway... you said that you don't want to be drinking milky, creamy things, you can try Syntrax nectar Protein drinks. They have fruity flavored ones. I personally don't like them, but you may. You can get a sample pack at bariatricpantry.com that comes with 11 single serving packets for 15 dollars. Good luck to you! Just remember that this is only temporary and that it is starting you out on the best journey of your life!

Good news to report! I am making progress! I started water aerobics two weeks ago, and I am doing great with an hour workout 3x a wek! I also go to the pool just to walk laps as you suggested, and have been able to walk 15 minutes at a time, then go to some of the exersizes from the aerobics class, then going back to walking. I am also doing the exersizes with the exersize band recommended by the exersize physiologist, and I bought a fitness ball yesterday! You are right, baby steps were all it took for me to get started. Thanks for your encouragement!

I just started water aerobics two weeks ago, and I love it! I feel very welcome there, and the instructor is great! The interesting thing is that she is overweight, but is full of energy and gives susch a good workout! The other members of the class are older than I am (I am 47) and have varying body shapes and abilities. I agree that it's not so much cardio, but I do feel the resistance of the water is ging me plenty of a workout. You should really try it, if you have access to it!

I was worried about my psych eval because I have bipolar disorder and ADHD. When I had the eval, he really focused a lot on my mental health issues, and I wasn't sure if I passed or not. But I did! Don't worry, it should be ok. We are all human, and have our moments. Just be honest with the therapist, it's the best thing to do. Good luck!