bwaydiva

You can apply for Obamacare any time you have a "life changing" event... Like becoming pregnant. Best of luck to you and your baby.

I am too! Where did you have your surgery done? I have so many questions!

Hi team! I'm moving forward with a revision surgery (lap band to sleeve) but will need different insurance. I have a small business and already have an out of network PCP whom I ADORE. Does anyone have any recommendations about insurance through the exchanges? Or an insurance they wouldn't recommend? I'm looking specifically for an insurance that has the "fewest hoops" to jump through. I live in Northern California and will be having the surgery with Palo Alto Medical Group. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!!!! Sheila

Thank you everyone for your encouragement and thoughts! I've actually decided to go with the sleeve. We need to change insurances (I'm posting a question about that in the insurance forum after this) but I'm very excited about the potential of the sleeve. Thank you!!!!

Thank you @@Texasmeg for taking the time to read and respond! My nutritionist and my PCP both said nutrition was a challenge during pregnancy with VSG and RNY. The stomach is already pushed up and gets smaller and with VSG the concern was with an already small stomach it would be too small to ensure adequate nutrition. The band can be tightened or loosened depending on the needs of myself or the baby. I really like the idea of VSG though. I'm so happy you've been so successful with it. Congratulations!!!

Hello! I haven't been on here in years. It's nice to see some familiar faces and soooo many new folks! Here's my story: Banded in 2007. Lost 140 pounds and maintained that loss until 2011. In 2011, I had a series of very unfortunate events happen and started to believe the toxic voices in my industry (performing arts) I went to food for comfort and with a cross country move, a wedding, having the moving truck stolen with everything we owned... Well, it was a very stressful time and I got through by using food. I'm not proud and I gained almost everything I had lost. In 2013 my band slipped and was removed. I was 308 pounds. Fast forward to 2014. Years of therapy and nutrition. I'm at my highest weight ever (330 but I lost 8 pounds in the past two weeks!) but I'm also the healthiest (mentally and emotionally) and happiest I've ever been. Two weeks ago, I had an appointment with my PCP and he said that without losing weight I won't be able to have children. The endometriosis and extra fat will make infertility treatments unsuccessful. I just got off the phone with a bariatric doctor who said that he won't put in another band because of the risk of complication and scar tissue. To be considered for another surgery, he says I have to get down to 250 (an 80 pound loss) and then "maybe" he'll consider me for bypass or VSG. Can anyone advise? Has anyone been re-banded after a slip? I'm so discouraged and would love to hear some ideas about how to move forward. Thank you for taking the time to read.

Wait til you have the right fill... My weight loss was super slow and almost non existent the first six months. It helped me get my head on straight but once I got restriction things really started to move. Sure I had some restriction before but once I found my sweet spot things started to be well... SWHEEEEEEET!!!! =) Hang in there. ~ Sheila

Hello Fellow Banders, I've been away for a long time. I've tried to do this on my own and I've finally accepted that I need your support and help. You are all amazing women who are soooo inspirational. I'm sorry that I just disappeared and that I didn't respond to any private messages. I'm doing okay and now that I've finally have some restriction I'm starting to lose weight. People are starting to notice that I'm losing weight but whenever they make a comment, I react by eating foods that will slip through the band. Does anyone else have trouble taking a compliment? You were all so wonderful to me pre-surgery and I would LOVE an opportunity to help you all. I want so badly to succeed but I need your help to do it. I'm seeing a therapist, I'm exercising and for once in my life, I'm actually hopeful about my weight. You were all so helpful and kind to me and you all offered wonderful and practical wisdom. I'd really appreciate your help. I hope that all of your are well and happy. With love, Sheila PS I need to update my ticker and my signature. LOTS of things have changed. =)

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I swear in my day to day life, I'm never in crisis like I am on LBT. I don't live my life like this. Posting... well it's like therapy or something. By telling you guys about my food issue or "confessing" to you all about it, I actually acknowledge what's going on and I can see the big picture. Once I post, I begin feel better. And then your phenomenal responses! Seriously, I couldn't ask for better group of wonderful, wise women. Not to mention skinny! Thank you all so much. Today was so much better for me. I discovered that I REALLY like refried beans. Those are definitely mushie!! I also got on the scale and discovered that in one week I've lost 9 pounds. Definitely water weight but still helpful in lifting my mood. Talk to you all soon. Thank you. I'm truly so grateful.

Sorry I've been away. Dealing with family stuff, new job and the reality that I AM actually banded has kept my head full. Guys I have not been doing well. I'm a week out from being banded and I'm already back to eating crappy foods. I'm supposed to be on mushies for another week. I'm so disappointed with myself. I'm still eating significantly less than I used to.... but snacking? I can't believe that I just gave up going back to school for another year for this band and I can't seem to only eat three meals a day?! Ugh!! I am thoroughly disgusted with myself. I know it's all head hunger but I don't know what to do. I have NO willpower... just like before surgery! I am so sorry to hear about Alan's problems. I hope that those resolve within the next few months. We're all sending positive thoughts your way. Tracy take loads of Airborne and Zycam. That combo always does the trick for me. A food challenge sounds like a really good idea. I haven't been keeping track of my exercise but I have been doing it every other day. Doc said no biking til after my first fill so I've been doing lots of walking with my ipod. You guys have been so supportive. Hope everyone is doing well. Sheila

Angie that web page is really neat! I'm feeling so much better today after sleeping with my heating pad on my tummy. Mmm feels so good. Anyway, off to work! Hope everyone has a great day!!

I REALLY do think that being younger has it's advantages. I had my surgery last Wednesday and, except for some port pain, I feel good. I'm self pay so I'm REALLY hoping that my skin will just firm up naturally and no TT will be necessary. However, I would like to have decent legs at goal and right now... well that doesn't look too promising. Ladybug I totally understand the Old Navy and Gap dilemma! It's so frustrating being able to only buy earrings or a scarf. Shopping will be FUN!! (I'm a girl, I get excited about things like that...lol) Best of luck on your surgeries and let us know how they go.

You look amazing!