armywife79

Are you having trouble getting an approval? If so, I would be happy to pass along the name and number of my advocate. They are not free, not super expensive either but they will bend over backward to work with you on payments, they want to help anyone needing help first and foremost. They will let you know if you truly have a good case or they don't feel they can help right off the bat. Let me know, you don't have to struggle alone as I tried to do. Once I had a team, that fought like hell for me, and kept in touch, were good listeners, understood my worry and pain and were GB patients themselves, it was such a good feeling. I felt that win or loose, I really had given it my best shot! Please let me know if this is going on for you, I know they can help, even if just to inform you better.

Well, they did in the end. I had two denials first, then hired and advocate group out of CA who really knows their stuff and conversion denials are their strong suit. After a few months of fighting, they got it passed. As far as issues, I sited, constant vomiting, a hernia that developed after the band, GERD, constant fills and deflations, unable to take my anti convulsives and still remain in the GREEN zone and just overall mental anguish over the lack of success of the device and all the while being told it was my fault, not my TOOL. I was being seen and medicated by a psychiatrist by the end! It was one on the worst experiences of my life, so deflating, and heartbreaking and really shook my self confidence so much that I am second guessing my decisions about the GB. Im gun shy about making up my own mind about anything having to do with weight loss. It was really awful.

I also agree with Wildgoose totally. My old surgeon actually TOLD me, he felt the GB was barbaric! However, this was a totally biased opinion because he only preformed Lap Band! So, I took him at his word, struggled like all hell for three years and now finally have the correct team and believe I am on the correct path in having the GB on the 11th Only YOU can decide if you are really ready but, this is no way to live. You and I both deserve better don't you think?

Wow, you all look great! and I'm so glad it has it has gone so well or you! I think I am just having a bit of cold feet! I guess you don't get to the size we are or (were) because we are always full of confidence all the time! I just need to stop second guessing my own decisions and just know I'm on the right path. Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences, it really means a lot to me that you took the time.

Thanks guys for all the feed back. It's such a huge life change, it's just hard to get your head around the perminance of it all. Also, at the pre option diet stage, it seems like your just huddling toward your destiny like some chubby whirling dervish ! I always feel I must be missing something, forgetting a question. Underestimating the charms of size 20 jeans and work clothes that cost ungodly amounts of money? Then I try yo just relax an meditate on why I wanted this so bad, and I believe, I still do.

I agree with James (obviously a Bypass ROCKSTARR in his own right!!..AWSOME job on your WL James!) It will pass, I has that with the band and now with the pre op diet. My heart goes out to you , but just hang tough, and keep reaching out to others who understand, just like you have been. ALL of us have been there, feeling like we would be the only zombie on the walking dead to ever raid the hostess factory and never eat anyone's face! lol You'll get passed this and do great and Ill be right behind you in about a week and you'll have to talk me down! lol

Thank you both so much for being so honest, I know being in my shoes is far apart from being in yours so, thanks for shedding some light. I have a few nay Sayers in my life and like the comedian with a Colosseum full of laughing people, I am focused on the one person in the crowd who is stone faced! Why do we always do that? Have a hundred supportive people on our side and one negative Nancy but that's voice we cant ignore!? Its giving me a bit of cold feet but, I know, I have tried it all and I don't want to be trapped in this massive tomb of a body anymore. I want to live, just like both of you decided to do. Thank you both so much for your input!

HI! I am an ARMY wife too! Even almost the same handle too! lol I am in the middle of going from a bad band experience to Bypass in about a week. I'm nervous because I lost about 80lbs on the band but, it was SO hard and I gained it all back. Do you ever regret doing the bypass? I'm In FL but would def keep in touch and help prop you up when you are in a slump! God knows I need that too, I know quite a bit about some meds that could help you. they helped me after I went into a tailspin with my band and saw a psychiatrist who is a specialist in addiction, compulsion, and eating disorders. It gave me the first bit of actual control over eating ever in my life. It might help you too (and counseling as well). The drug helped me at least only put back my pre band weight and not an additional 100lbs! Look forward to chatting with you!

Dear Starbucks, my heart goes out to you, I can feel that terrible feeling as I'm reading your post. I was a raging food addict with zero control to the point of distraction all my life. It wasn't until I was experiencing these same feelings after my surgery, that I knew I needed to deal with This issue. I found a psychiatrist that was adept at dealing with eating disorders and compulsive behaviours. I went on a drug called Topamax. This is often used in addiction therapies. I was very sceptical,as I have tried many things but, I no longer feel that screaming food monster in my head any more! It just shut it up! I still have cravings of course, but, I have control, something I never could have dreamed of having in my lifetime! Do yourself a favour and have a talk with your doc about maybe considering this as an option to add to your treatment plan. It changed my life, and its such a blessing to not have that monkey on my back now and hate hearing of your struggling as I did so long. Good luck and hang in,keep talking ,were all here listening.

All docs are different but, mine did allow either plain egg whites or white meat chicken. As long as it's not extra carbs, they will usually work with you since the idea is mainly to shrink the liver by mass carb reduction. Just ask but, this should be a reasonable compromise until the actual surgery. Good luck!

I actually had the band myself in 2010. I am now readying for Bypass in less than 2 weeks. I went to many of that doctors support group meetings and out of all his patients over 3 years post op, only 2 were not still obese. I would sit in the waiting room for my appointments and listen to person after person be told they were "up" so many pounds this week again. It was heart breaking after all we had gone through. My surgeon is actually a friend of my family and his partner preformed the sleeve on my little sister not long ago and he agrees that the band is a waste of time. Its a pie in the sky pipe dream and actually caused me alot of emotional and physical pain. Its a flawed system and most doctors are phasing it out of their practices all together due to poor all around results. These are not just my opinions but , there are statistics out there on all the surgeries for success in long and short term and the bypass does have the highest long term success rate. Having said all that, I agree with Cupcake, ALL WLS, are a tool only, not a magic trick as the general public thinks it is, or a cop out (if you will). If you are unsure, RESEARCH! This may be your one bite at the bariatric apple so, you want to choose wisely! Talk to other Banders and Bypassers and def, keep a good open dialogue with your doctor. These offices usually have support groups once or twice a month, DEF go to one! Ask questions of the bypass patients and band patients. Nothing teaches like experience and seeing what its like beyond the next step and all the days after. In my office, almost ALL the staff, are sleeve or bypass patients so, I have alot of experienced people to lean on and as questions of and its very soothing. I think if you go mix it up with a group once or twice, it will really help sway you in one direction or the other. Cupcake is SO right that we do give up so much to shed off our old life but gain so much if we are willing to reach out and grab life and make it what we want. Its all yours for the asking, you just have to really think, and then ask, then show the world what its been missing!

GIRL, I hear that! lol I had mine out a year ago, now I am at the same weight I was when I got the band. It was a huge let down and really mentally and emotionally draining. Then to have to fight with insurance on top was a nice cherry to that poop sunday! lol I think the worst experience I had with my band was shortly after I had it in and was having some wait gain, went to their support groups. I listened quietly to all these poor people just like me who were anywhere from just out of surgery to five years post op. All but two still morbidly obese. Seeing that this was my future after all I had just undertaken was heartbreaking. I am scared and trying to mentally prepare again for the huge life change but I know this is the real deal. My sister had the sleeve and lost 93lbs since September. Its too bad we didn't know more the first go round but, better late than never! Ill be thinking of you on your date and saying a prayer to the skinny gods for you!

It always is ok to make your health a TOP priority. I had to hire a wonderful advocacy group to help me navigate the muddy waters of insurance to get my date but his letter to my carrier was so eloquent in pointing out the ongoing prejudice still out there and very much thriving against the obese in society today. If you had to have a coronary bypass, they wouldn't DARE stand in your way or throw up an obstacle for fear of be sued but, people don't treat obesity as a REAL illness. In the letter my advocate wrote for me, he reminded them that obesity is now nationally recognized by law as a real disease and should be treated as such and the people in need of treatment should be treated with the same respect as all ill people receiving treatment for a disease. All these posters are right, don't sink to his level by being angry or rude but do remain firm in your rights and convictions and forge the trail for your own health. You are your own best advocate. However, if you have continuous issues, I would be more than happy to pass along the information on the obesity advocates who did this amazing work for me. They are well known all over the country for their work, seminars, work in congress to change healthcare laws and advocacy. The husband of the team is a bariatric patient himself as well. So, he gets us. Keep your chin up, your doing all the correct things, don't let this guy guilt you. Keep on the right path and good will win out!

Yes! I'm on the beloved pe-op diet! lol Since I have had the Lap Band and now going bypass, This is my second time around! lol I fully plan on documenting this whole next year in pictures! You keep us updated too, I'm so glad they didn't give you some co-insurance, didn't meet your deductible NONSENSE! Rip off artists!

OH PS...SUPER congrats on the 9 lbs! your a rock star already! lol Keep up all the hard work, your doing great!

Dear Sweatheart, I have NONE of the issues you are describing (a few minor ones for sure) but, I can tell you, you are right to be cautious and thoughtful and ask MANY questions. Questioning all this and doing your research does not make you a loon! lol It makes you an informed, smart patient. While I cant guarantee you that the waters will be always smooth, I can say that my father is a doctor in this area and was instrumental in developing the bariatric program here so, when I decided I wanted this, I GOT AN EARFULL!! I could go on for days about stats, case studies etc! lol Even in saying that, HE was concerned about me making such a permanent, life altering decision too. this is a BIG deal.All your emotions are the right ones to have , because they are yours. Its your body, your life, your feelings and your doctors and support staff should answer them all with patience and understanding. If you don't feel you have the right team, you can always stop and begin again with another. This is not my first surgery, I did have the band, now I am having the bypass. I will say, I lost almost 100lbs and for me, it was life altering. My health improved, my self esteem rose up off the floor for the first time in years, and I felt like a light, happy confident women just like all the other women in the room for once! Unlike some people will think of us, this is not magic! I worked VERY hard at this, I ate right, and worked out hard, and it paid off! I was my own fairy weight loss godmother! lol My band was defective and my thyroid has worsened so, my surgeon feels bypass is best now so, this is the continuation of my path. Its all scary uncharted territory for you right now and its tons of information to take in it seems but, remember, its also a learn on the job sort of thing to a point as well. You certainly want to follow direction but, you can ALWAYS ask if you forget, of feel weird or confused until you are a bypass master. Then it will be as much a part of you as breathing is. As for your illnesses, they will certainly be effected by this change (most likely in a very good way) but you learned to manage them when you first became diagnosed and you will relearn as they change as you are obviously a savvy patient. The only constant in life is change! I think your making a very brave change just for you and all for the best. However, as I said, if you have lingering doubt, keep on asking, get another consult, whatever it takes until you are FULLY comfortable. This process is tough enough, you have to feel confident you have made a good and informed decision. you will be in my thoughts and prayers, please message me any time at all, good luck and feel better, stay well and think POSITIVE!

I think we all here in this little community can agree that we have bad relationships with food and don't care for us first because we care WAY too much about being too polite to others. We are people p leasers and hate for anyone to dislike us just like back in good old high-school! I agree with Crosby, you have made more than enough attempts at being polite and professional. He is asking more than is and should be expected of a college when asking for leave. Your company has guidelines in order to avoid uncomfortable situations like these. You have followed the rules, and should be afforded your due time. Frankly, if he makes it a hostile working environment after you return simply because you demand he follow the company leave rules, then HR will need to mediate or, let this sophomoric idiot go! You are about to go on the journey of your life! Don't let this guy stop or bring you down. You will see how much more self confident you will feel very soon and you will be putting up with much less of this type of non sense! TAKE CARE OF YOU! and never feel bad for that! were all behind you and cant wait to see what is coming next! Keep your head up girl and fight for whats right and fair!

That's such great news! I actually had to hire an advocacy group to have my denial overturned! I I WON and and am having my Bypass on 03/11. I feel like the temporary freekout will only make me more of a weight loss rock star and it will for you too! Just hold on to that feeling of how freeked you felt when you were on the edge of your seat and how amazing it was to know you were ALL SYSTEMS GO! lol Keep us all updated!

That's great! I'm sure you must feel so much better. After having lost a lot of weight and then, putting it all right back, I felt like gravity was tripled or something! I am looking forward to loosing all the aches and pains of an old lady and the oh so sexy sweating again! However, I am surprisingly scared now that the date is looming like the sword of Damocles (who would never need this surgery BTW! lol)

I had my lap band (now that I think of it....March of 2010!) It was a disaster from the jump for me. So, I am doing the bypass in two weeks. I'm definitely struggling a bit with self confidence this go round with one let down under my belt but, trying to keep positive!