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I almost reached that weight and I realize how fortunate I was to have a second chance. BMi is based on height and weight and at 5'6 488lbs my BMI was 78.8 the day I walked in and met my Surgeon. He told me if I could lose 5% of my weight and put the work in and if insurance approves it he would give me a tool to use to help turn my life around. It is unfortunate help is not easily as accessible for others as it was for me. I think all insurance companies should cover bariatrics but I agree with educational side of it. Blindly approving people for it without proper education would be a huge mistake. Fear of death is a huge motivator it is just unfortunate it came to that but it also taught me a life long lesson that there is no "fix" for obesity and it will forever be work in progress until the final day of my life. Edit: Not a complaint but rather an observation....I have lost 325+ pounds and I am still in the overweight category. I am sure if I had all the loose skin removed I would be in the norm but let's face it those BMI charts are a joke. My Surgeon even told me they're BS.

That won't hurt you like popcorn or fried chicken... Though I'm two months out and still don't eat popcorn to scared haha.... But anyways it's head hunger and i believe it has to do with hormones bc the other week allllll day I had the munchies of course I ate my Protein n veggie but still. So don't beat yourself over it just get back on the right path Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My insurance changed! I started my journey November 2018, with a consult with my (then) surgeon at Riverside Medical Clinic. With my (then) insurance, Anthem Blue Cross ***, I only needed 3 month (12 continuous classes) supervised nutrition/weight classes. As of now, I finished 10 out of my 12 classes. Last week I found out my insurance changed to Anthem BC PPO and they now require me to go to a Dignity Health Facility to be covered 100%. Well okay... I call my nearest Dignity Health bariatric surgery center to find out more. I was told at Western Bariatric (St. Bernadine -- San Bernardino, CA) that I needed 6 months of classes and basically restart my journey. I started to bawl my eyes out! I'm 25 (November birthday) and I'm getting real close to end of my insurance coverage under my parents. When I had started my journey, I was hoping to have my surgery by March or April. So, I'm worried about having my surgery before my cut off. Anyway, I sucked it up and started making calls. I attended their Seminar, where we filled out new patient packets and made copies of our insurances. The next step is to wait for a call to schedule my consult with their surgeon. I was told that the consult would count as 1 of the 6 months of weight classes. Does anyone believe they will accept my 3 months of classes Ive already taken? (and maybe only need 3 more months to meet the 6mo requirement?) Will they consider the original surgeon consult from November 2018 too (as part of the 6 months wight management?) I'm honestly hoping that Western Bariatric will consider my start (Nov.) to my current (Feb.) for a total of 4 out of the 6 required months. I didnt want to be set further back, but ill take whatever they'll take and Im hoping for the best! Can anyone can give me some insight? Similar situations? Anyone go to Western Bariatric? I'm really anxious.

I had mine done on 6/25 and for some reason I have taken it harder than the band surgery. I went back to work at two weeks but should have waited 3. The happy news is that I can already tell a difference. I get a real full feeling and have not vomited all. The awful pain I had in my chest from the band was gone right after te surgery. Weightloss is slower than others but I expected that bc I could not eat much before surgery either. So far so good!

Your story is powerful and relatable to me... I got lots of resistance from friends and at first from my mom but in the end it was about me and what I know about myself I did start seeing a psychologist twice a week for my eating and other emotional issues including PTSD and bipolar which was recently dx after over 10 years of a mislabel of major depressive disorder The one thing that concerns me is tge type of surgery your getting.... I was originally going to get RNY but got cold feet, ended up psych hospital and many other health flare ups. My BMI was 52 so rny fit however when my surgeon saw me again a number of months latter, he was vety reluctant to do rny due to the realization that my depression issues are severe and I need so much meds to manage multiple medical and psych conditions. He totally said gastric sleeve was best because the RNY malabsorption can really screw up your maintenance medications and is more complex them sleeve in terms of care. My psychiatrist also shared with me that he has a really hard time adjusting medications in his bypass patients So, I'm not sure why your surgeon hasn't brought this up...maybe he doesn't realize that you have clinical depression...I told my surgeon originally but he still didn't get it until he saw my record in the computer system around a year latter, he got to see the extent of my medical and psych issues and I had been cleared by their psychologist too!! So I'm just being super candid, vulnerable and open sharing my sensitive history with you bc it concerns me a lot My surgeon acknowledged that RNY was ideal for my BMI but not for my mefical/psych history He also asked for a letter from my mental health ppl about my readiness for weight loss surgery. I'm really glad he was through in the end and my mom felt better and supported me too. My therapist knew I read, researched and was more then ready and I have his support along the journey I think your sister and mom have genuine concerns even though loosing weight tge " regular" way is not research supported for really overweight people but you do need to be emotionally prepared for it. Good fortune

It could last at least 6 weeks. I went to the ER bc I thought I had a blood clot but didn't, and the ER doc told me I was gassy (listening through stethoscope) and may have a leak. I though WTH? It wasn't he just didn't have any experience with bariatric surgery.

Polly - my heart goes out to you. I recently had my band removed due to a slip. I had horrible pain, vomiting blood - just awful. Like you, I was discharged and sent home without a real plan. The comment - "well, you know how to eat now, so this should not be a problem". HAHA..BS..I knew how to eat when I got my band, I just chose to eat too much and the wrong stuff. My band stopped me from doing those bad things and now it is gone. I feel empty (and not from food). I am trying very hard not to put weight on, but it is impossible. I am walking, writing down what I eat, not drinking with my food...the whole deal, but I am up about 5 or 6 pounds and I don't see an end in sight. It has been less than a month since I lost my band and I feel lost ! I don't know if I will be able to get any revision since I am not exactly fat anymore. I do still have the plication that I got when I got my band and that is supposed to help me..so far. My stomach feels bloated and I am not being a good girl in the food department. I see my doctor again next week and I am really hoping he can give me some type of guide to get me through this dark tunnel I feel I have entered. I had my band almost 3 years and it did work..now, I am not sure what lies ahead. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. You aren't alone in this one. Melinda in Florida

This ought to keep everyone in stitches: Hypocrisy Alert: 71 House Republicans Take Credit for the Economic Bills They Opposed Welcome to the Hypocrisy Hall of Fame!The DCCC has kept a House Republicans Hypocrisy Hall of Fame, which has now grown to over 70 Members. These Republicans have been caught trying to Celebrate the benefits of projects they opposed in President Obama's recovery bill, the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill, and the Omnibus Public Land Management Act. It's bad enough House Republicans want to go back to the Bush Administration policies responsible for the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, but they’ve also tried to get away with taking credit for the economic benefits in their districts they tried to prevent. House Republicans need to immediately let their constituents know the truth – will they come out in favor of canceling funding in their congressional districts from President Obama’s economic recovery policies or will they continue taking credit for jobs and local projects they fought against? house gop hypocrisy hall of fame Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02) – "Rep. Joe Wilson, South Carolina Republican who became famous after yelling, "You lie," during Mr. Obama's addresses to Congress in September, voted against the stimulus. Nonetheless, Mr. Wilson elbowed his way into the rush for federal stimulus cash in a letter he sent to Mr. Vilsack on behalf of a foundation seeking funding. 'We know their endeavor will provide jobs and investment in one of the poorer sections of the Congressional District,' he wrote to Mr. Vilsack in the Aug. 26, 2009, letter." [Stimulus Foes See Value In Seeking Cash, Washington Times, 2/9/10] Representative Mike Castle (DE-AL) – Castle touted the benefits of Economic Recovery projects in Delaware even though he joined every House Republican in voting against the bill when it was passed last year. [In the crosshairs, Politico, 2/1/10] Representative Patrick Tiberi (OH-12) – "I am sorely disappointed that the Cherry Valley Road Interchange will not receive stimulus funding." [News Release; 3/26/09] "Also facing a competitive race, Rep. Pat Tiberi, Ohio Republican, in October called the final Democratic stimulus bill 'loaded with [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi's grab bag of big spending wishes' and that it 'saddles future generations with mountains of debt.' He struck a different tone in a letter to Mr. Vilsack. 'While this project is intended to expand rural broadband in Alaska, I understand that the project could support businesses and jobs in communities across the country,' Mr. Tiberi wrote, citing one such company in his district." [Stimulus foes see value in seeking cash, Washington Times, 2/9/10] Representative Geoff Davis (KY-04) - On the same day Representative Davis issued a press release calling the recovery bill a failure, Representative Davis also issued a press release praising his work in securing over a million dollars from recovery funds for the Carroll County school system. [Rep. Geoff Davis Takes Credit For Stimulus While Baselessly Claiming It "Failed", MediaMatters, 12/21/09] Representative Bill Shuster (PA-09) - Representative Shuster attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a sewage treatment plant that was only possible because of Recovery funds. [Blairsville Municipal Authority launches plant expansion, Blairsville Dispatch, 11/25/09] Representative Shuster asked Governor Ed Rendell to use Recovery funds to reopen Scotland School for Veterans' Children, noting it could save about 134 full-time jobs. [Shuster wants to use stimulus money to reopen Scotland School, The Herald-Mail, 11/4/09 [*]Representative Eric Cantor (VA-07) – "Nearly half of the 30 organizations participating in a job fair Cantor is holding Monday in Culpeper were recipients of the stimulus." [Dems call Cantor a hypocrite on stimulus, Washington Post, 11/18/09] [*]The Culpeper Star-Exponent (Allison Brophy Champion) reports that Democrats are calling out Republican Whip Eric Cantor for what they claim is contradictory support of federal funding for high-speed rail in Virginia. The funding would be part of President Barack Obama's stimulus package -- the same stimulus package Cantor vehemently opposed earlier this year. [Dems: Cantor a hypocrite on high-speed rail, Culpeper Star-Exponent, 6/24/09] Representative Pete Sessions (TX-32) - Representative Pete Sessions showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Jack Kingston (GA-01) - Representative Jack Kingston has announced federal funding for his constituents without mentioning that the money comes from the stimulus program. [GOP won't turn down stimulus spending, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 10/18/09] Representative Michael McCaul (TX-10) - "I didn't support final passage but at the same time I wanted to make sure if we are spending that kind of money that much of that gets directed to Texas." [KVUE News; 2/22/09] Representative Michael McCaul showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Joe Barton (TX-06) - Representative Joe Barton showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Michael Burgess (TX-26) - Representative Michael Burgess showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative John Carter (TX-31) - Representative John Carter showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Mike Conaway (TX-11) - Representative Mike Conaway showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative John Culberson (TX-07) - Representative John Culberson showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Louie Gohmert (TX-01) - Representative Louie Gohmert showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Kay Granger (TX-12) - Representative Kay Granger showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Ralph Hall (TX-04) - Representative Ralph Hall showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Sam Johnson (TX-03) - Representative Sam Johnson showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Kenny Marchant (TX-24) - Representative Kenny Marchant showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Randy Neugebauer (TX-19) - Representative Randy Neugebauer showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Pete Olson (TX-22) - Representative Pete Olson showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Ron Paul (TX-14) - Representative Ron Paul showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Ted Poe (TX-02) - Representative Ted Poe showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Lamar Smith (TX-21) - Representative Lamar Smith showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Mac Thornberry (TX-13) - Representative Lamar Smith showed his hypocrisy after asking the Obama Administration for three billion in funds for NASA from the economic recovery act, which he voted against. Members of the Texas delegation signed the letter, including two Republican Senators and 19 House Republicans who all voted against the recovery act in February. [Texas delegation wants stimulus money for NASA, Houston Chronicle, 10/5/09] Representative Frank Wolf (VA-10) - Representative Wolf recently blamed Gov. Tim Kaine for being slow in spending economic recovery money allocated to their state. Wolf told reporters, "We could use that money desperately," however if he had his way, the money never would have been allocated in the first place. [GOP Blasts Kaine on Transportation Spending, Washington Post, 10/5/09] Representative Phil Gingrey (GA-11) - Earlier this month, Gingrey presented a giant check of $625,000 in stimulus funds to the city commission of Cedartown, Georgia, to help fund the installation of new sidewalks and infrastructure - funds he voted against in the economic recovery package. [Cedartown receives federal stimulus funds for Streetscape project, Cedartown Standard, 10/13/09] Representative Eric Cantor (VA-07) - The Culpeper Star-Exponent (Allison Brophy Champion) reports that Democrats are calling out Republican Whip Eric Cantor for what they claim is contradictory support of federal funding for high-speed rail in Virginia. The funding would be part of President Barack Obama's stimulus package - the same stimulus package Cantor vehemently opposed earlier this year. [Dems: Cantor a hypocrite on high-speed rail, Culpeper Star-Exponent, 6/24/09] [Dem's High Speed Hit, The Huddle, 6/24/09] [Cantor criticizes stimulus package, suggests alterations, Richmond Times Dispatch, 7/7/09] [Cantor blasts stimulus, defends rail request, Politico, 7/6/09] [DCCC sets sights on Cantor for 'hypocrisy', The Hill, 7/6/09] Representative Bill Young (FL-10) - Rep. Bill Young of Florida's congressional Web site contains a page with dozens of links to help Floridians "take advantage of federal stimulus money." [GOP opposes plan then seeks money, AP, 8/27/09] Representative Judy Biggert (IL-13) - Last Thursday, the House passed a $123.1 billion transportation and housing appropriations bill that included an 8 percent boost for the Section 8 housing voucher program and $4 billion for President Obama's high-speed rail initiative. It also included $1.5 million in funding for two projects requested by Rep. Judy Biggert -- a Metra Station in Tinley Park and freight-related traffic relief along Ogden Avenue in Aurora. ‘These important investments will create local jobs and help keep our area's road and transit systems working for commuters,' Biggert said in a statement Friday. ‘I'm very grateful to my House colleagues for recognizing the rapidly growing transportation needs of communities and centers of commerce in our suburban area'...one tiny detail -- along with the rest of Illinois' Republican delegation, Biggert voted against the bill. [Progress Illinois, 7/28/09] Daily Herald reported on Congresswoman Biggert’s hypocrisy in applauding recently awarded funding for Naperville to make infrastructure upgrades, when the money came out of the economic recovery package she voted against. [Stimulus Foe Biggert Supports Naperville's Use of Funds, Daily Herald 10/28/09] Representative Mary Fallin (OK-05) - Oklahoma Republican Mary Fallin asked Army Secretary Pete Geren to use $8.4 million in stimulus money for repairs to buildings at two Oklahoma National Guard sites. Fallin had called the stimulus a "Big Brother spending program" that didn't do enough to finance needed infrastructure projects. The money she and Boren sought isn't in the Pentagon's spending plans. [GOP opposes plan then seeks money, AP, 8/27/09] Representative Patrick Tiberi (OH-10) - "I am sorely disappointed that the Cherry Valley Road Interchange will not receive stimulus funding." [News Release; 3/26/09] Representative Don Manzullo (IL-16) - "Don Manzullo announced today he has secured $714,000 in federal funding to help improve health care services and higher education opportunities for residents at three institutions in Rockford." [News Release; 3/2/09] Representative Kevin McCarthy (CA-22) - "I applaud this funding for the Bakersfield Federal courthouse. Over the years, we have faced many obstacles related to this project, but worked together as a community to ensure that this project remained a high priority and would come to fruition." [KERO 23; 4/1/09] McCarthy uses events like the one at Cal Poly to give lip service to renewable energy. [For Congressmen thinking green at Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo Tribune, 5/29/09] Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) - Representative Ed Whitfield sent out a press release calling himself "a tireless champion for community health centers both in Kentucky and throughout the country." Yet, Representative Whitfield voted against the economic recovery package which provided more than $10 million to meet demand at Kentucky health centers and to build new ones across the state. [News Release; 3/26/09] Representative Mike Rogers (AL-03) - Representative Mike Rogers voted against his own legislation to protect the Little River Canyon National Preserve in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act. [Roll Call Vote, 3/25/2009] Representative Dan Lungren (CA -03) - Lungren's change of heart might be related to the fact that the Democratic Congressional Candidate (DCCC) has identified that Lungren as vulnerable to defeat in the 2010 congressional midterm elections. [Elk Grove News - Sensing Vulnerability, Lungren Backpedals on Stimulus Vote, 8/6/09] Representative Dan Lungren sought millions in earmarks for projects in his district, then voted against the legislation to fund those projects. "I would not apologize for any of those (earmarks), but I would give them up if the president had vetoed the bill." [Amador Ledger-Dispatch; 3/17/09] As California's economic woes continue to threaten public services to the point where 47 pink slips were recently issued to Stockton police officers, Congressman Dan Lungren is coming under fire from the blue side of the aisle in Washington for his April 23 vote against "The COPS Improvement Act."[Dems, Lungren clash on COPS funding - Amador Ledger-Dispatch, 5/29/09] Representative David Dreier (CA-26) - Representative David Dreier said, "The nation relies on Southern California's infrastructure and innovation. Strategic federal investments in these areas will yield tremendous returns from coast to coast." However Representative Dreier voted against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which will provide $13 billion in tax cuts, nearly $4.5 billion in infrastructure investments, and billions more for job training and education programs in California. [Southern California on the Hill; 3/10/09] Representative Jerry Moran (KS-01) - "Four Kansas Republicans had earmarked requests in the package, but voted against the overall $410 billion package... Not only did Moran and Tiahrt vote against the spending bill when the House took action in February, they also voted last week for a measure that would have removed all earmarks." [The Hutchinson News; 3/13/09] Representative Todd Tiahrt (KS-04) - "Four Kansas Republicans had earmarked requests in the package, but voted against the overall $410 billion package... Not only did Moran and Tiahrt vote against the spending bill when the House took action in February, they also voted last week for a measure that would have removed all earmarks." [The Hutchinson News; 3/13/09] Representative Shelley Moore Capito (WV-02) - "Capito informed the group that roughly $1.5 million in neighborhood stabilization funds have been made available to West Virginia, and she said the situation that many are facing in the current financial times is heartwrenching. ‘It's just breaks your heart,' Capito said." [The Journal; 3/10/09] Representative Steve King (IA-05) - "Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, announced today that $570,000 for the U.S. Highway 20 widening project has been included in the federal stimulus bill signed by President Barack Obama earlier in the week." [Sioux City Journal; 3/13/09] Representative Elton Gallegly (CA-24) - "Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley, announced Thursday that Thousand Oaks will get $182,881 in community development block grants through the stimulus package... In addition to the stimulus money, Gallegly's office said money for other local projects has been included in a separate funding bill the House passed Wednesday." [Ventura County Star; 2/27/09] Representative Howard "Buck" McKeon (CA-25) - "Rep. Howard P. ‘Buck' McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) called the bill ‘not the example of fiscal restraint that we need right now.' Yet it includes McKeon earmarks such as $333,000 to assist Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in designing and building a helipad and $167,000 for the Autry National Center of the American West to help pay for a new Southwest museum facility." [Los Angeles Times; 3/5/09] Representative Jerry Lewis (CA-41) - "Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) declared: ‘I'm embarrassed by this omnibus spending bill.' Yet the top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee secured more than $18 million in earmarks." [Los Angeles Times; 3/5/09] Representative George Radanovich (CA-19) - "Rep. George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) issued a statement on Feb. 4 declaring that he would forego earmarks... Three weeks later, Radanovich submitted a statement to the congressional record listing nearly $6.3 million in earmarks in the omnibus spending bill." [Los Angeles Times; 3/5/09] Representative Tom Latham (IA-04) - After voting against the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill, Representative Latham issued three press releases congratulating himself for securing funds for projects at home. [Representative Latham's Press Release; 3/2/09, 2/27/09, 2/27/09] Representative Tom Petri (WI-06) - Representative Petri is a "strong supporter of the allocation" of $754,000 to restore and maintain navigable channels in the Two Rivers harbor, as "maintaining navigable waters in the area is essential for the local economy." [Manitowoc Herald Times; 2/27/09] Representative Petri voted against the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill. Representative Steven LaTourette (OH-14) - According to a press release from Representative LaTourette's office, LaTourette said, "I know our local departments are facing rough financial times, and there have been some department layoffs and hiring freezes across the state." It then continues to say that he "is pleased that some departments will benefit from this new COPS program." [Representative LaTourette's Press Release; 2/27/09] Representative Dean Heller (NV-02) - "We can ill afford to lose any jobs in Nevada, or anywhere else for that matter." [Elko Daily Free Press; 2/27/09] Representative Aaron Schock (IL-18) - "The biodiesel plant is ready to go. I want to call for a meeting with the state to guarantee $20 million in loans for the building of the plant. This could produce real jobs and a real stimulus in the next 30 days." [Peoria Journal Star; 2/17/09] "Last week, U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock was in East Peoria to award the city's Police Department a $410,000 federal grant to update its aging in-car video camera systems and portable radios... that money was included in the FY 2009 Omnibus Spending Bill that Schock, a Peoria Republican, voted against. [Peoria Journal Star; 6/29/09] Representative Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) - "This funding will provide much-needed assistance to local residents who are at risk of losing their homes or experiencing homelessness... I am pleased that our community will benefit from this funding." [Representative Bono Mack's Press Release; 2/25/09] Representative Dave Reichert (WA-08) - "Reichert acknowledges that the stimulus bill will deliver tangible good news to his constituents... ‘I feel a responsibility at this point to make this still work.'" [Boston Globe; 2/24/09] Representative Mike Coffman (CO-06) - "I see myself in two roles as a congressman. I think the first role as a policymaker in Washington and the second as an advocate for people inside this district and there are elements we'll probably be discussing - the mortgage proposal - there are probably elements that I disagree with that but if there's somebody in my district eligible for that, I'll fight to make sure they get them." [KUSA-TV; Your Show; 2/22/09] Representative Glenn Thompson (PA-05) - Thompson "said he hoped the residents within the county would benefit from the plan's massive spending and tax cuts." [Daily Collegian; 2/19/09] Representative Denny Rehberg (MT-AL) - "I'll do anything I can to make this work." [KULR-8; 2/17/09] Representative Frank Lucas (OK-03) - "We all need to work very aggressively to make sure that every community that qualifies should be a recipient of whatever we can find in that bill." [Edmond Sun; 2/18/09] Representative Chris Lee (NY-26) - "Rep. Chris Lee was opposed to a $787 billion stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama on Tuesday but said he would now fight for funds included in the bill for his district... ‘Now that the bill is passed, I obviously want to ensure I do fight for projects in western New York,' Lee said." [Democrat and Chronicle; 2/18/09] Representative Adam Putnam (FL-12) - "Nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no's, joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash." [Politico; 2/19/09] Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18) - "Nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no's, joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash." [Politico; 2/19/09] "'Just because you vote no, doesn't mean you don't get the money,' assured Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.). ‘We will fight like tigers for us to get our share.'" [National League of Cities; 3/2/09] Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL-21) - "Nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no's, joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash." [Politico; 2/19/09] "Miami Republican Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Mario Diaz-Balart also voted against the bill but secured funding - from $600,000 for Hialeah's police department to upgrade equipment to $6 million for the University of Miami's William Lehman Injury Research Center." [Miami Herald; 3/3/09] Representative Tom Rooney (FL-16) - "Nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no's, joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash." [Politico; 2/19/09]"'The money's coming, Rooney said. ‘So I can sit on the sidelines or I can advocate for my constituents. I think it would be irresponsible of me not to fight for what I think is important in that money.'" [Palm Beach Post; 2/22/09] Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) - "Nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no's, joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash." [Politico; 2/19/09] "Miami Republican Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Mario Diaz-Balart also voted against the bill but secured funding - from $600,000 for Hialeah's police department to upgrade equipment to $6 million for the University of Miami's William Lehman Injury Research Center." [Miami Herald; 3/3/09] Representative Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) - "Nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no's, joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash." [Politico; 2/19/09] Representative Cliff Stearns (FL-06) - "Nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no's, joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash." [Politico; 2/19/09] Representative Bill Posey (FL-15) - "Nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no's, joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash." [Politico; 2/19/09] Representative Pete Hoekstra (MI-02) - "If you know of someone thinking of buying first home, now may be the time. Stimulus incentive is very generous! Up to 8k! Check it out." [Representative Pete Hoekstra's Twitter page; 2/18/09] Representative Leonard Lance (NJ-07) - "Officials are hoping more federal money will soon be flowing to the Green Brook Flood Control Project. Under the terms of the stimulus plan signed into law Tuesday by President Barack Obama, infrastructure projects that are "shovel-ready" could be the first to be funded with economic recovery money. That's the hope of Rep. Leonard Lance, R-Clinton Township...'This is a classic example of a ‘shovel-ready' project,' Lance said after the tour." [mycentraljersey.com; 2/17/09] Representative Greg Walden (OR-02) - "I figure my job is to try and do whatever I can to clear the hurdles and get the projects going and the people back to work using these funds." [Mail Tribune; 2/19/09] Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-09) - "Luetkemeyer said the project is considered ‘shovel ready' and that's what the economy needs. President Darrell Krueger and Luetkemeyer discussed the educational benefits of the economic stimulus package." [KTVO-TV, 2/16/09] Representative Luetkemeyer referred to a loan and grant from the economic recovery as "critical." "Clearly, the 328 residents of Frankford will benefit from this grant and I appreciate the USDA's willingness to help this community." [The People's Tribune, 12/22/09] Representative Don Young (AK-AL) - "Alaskan Congressman Don Young won a victory for the Alaska Native contracting program and other Alaska small business owners last night in H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. [Congressman Don Young's Press Release; 2/13/09] Representative Ken Calvert (CA-44) - "All of us in the Inland Empire will do what we can to direct as much money as we can." [The Press Enterprise; 2/13/09] Representative John Mica (FL-07) - "I applaud President Obama's recognition that high-speed rail should be part of America's future." [Congressman John Mica Press Release; 2/13/09] Mica was also one of "Nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no's, joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash." [Politico; 2/19/09] [*]McCain said during the campaign (about earmarks) that he would not allow them to happen and if anyone tried to get them he promised "We would know them by their names". [*]Well now you have the names of some of the biggest republican hypocrites.

As far as the church bull****, what if, what if, what if! Go to Saudi Arabia or any of these countries who preach the "religion of peace" and try to build a Christian church, If your a women you'd be buried up to your shoulders and stoned to death, if your a man you could just blame it on a woman! Please with the Christian terrorist bs already. If Tim Mcveigh's family wanted to put a memorial in his remembrance at the fed building then hell yah it would piss me off! Its neither here nor there but the building was struck by the landing gear of one of the planes if you want to get technical. Again this country was founded on Christian beliefs, not Islamic. The argument really isnt whether or not they have a right to build, its whether they morally should as a Muslim people, seeing as how the fact that 19 islamic extremists(at most according to Velvet)killed 3000 innocent people on that very spot! Then add to that the theory that Islam builds places of worship at sites they conquer,(conquer just doesnt look spelled rigt, Im having a brainfart) My theory on that is, it was started by the extreme, scaremongering right wing republicans like Rove, Hannity, Beck. OK, maybe we do have Christian extremists!, forget everything I just typed!

So still having the issue. Way less diarrhea (probably 3-4x/day) and not to have TMI but it's not all watery persay but it's very soft but still feel pressure and have an urge to go with very little coming out. And it's an urge... I mean I pretty much run! I did do an enema, drank some m of m, taking marilax, sitz bath. Still no solid poop but maybe I'm expecting too much? I did go in yesterday for blood work and give urine sample. Dr office is closed today but I was able to see my results online and all my numbers seemed to be in the normal range. I have zero pain(more pressure then pain) other then in my butt. I know I have hemorrhoids so I'm wondering if that is my pressure feeling? I was reading online and it (butt pressure) can be brought on by anxiety which I have horribly. It almost seems if I'm busy I don't notice it. I'm going to go back on my anxiety meds and see if that helps. Going to try to start back on some mushies (I have been on them for a week but haven't eaten any bc I didn't want to get backed up more) to see if that helps with the loose stool. I'm going to call Monday and insist on X-ray or u/s if I'm not better. And maybe this is all a "normal" feeling after surgery?? Don't know. Just frustrated! I felt like my old self (minus the 42lbs) last week and just want to feel like that again!

The kids were complaint so we googled and that one was a natural way to deter mosquitos... Haven't got any fed back from the kids if they tried it yet... We're just starting to mosquitos season here in NY... They have been doing lots of aerial spraying as there is a fear of Zika virus being spread so maybe that will cut back on them... Keep me posted if it works... Happy dog walking, my dog loves walking too Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello everyone. I got word from my coordinator at my doctors office that my paperwork will go to submission within 7 days and then it may take 2-3 weeks for the approval. Does anyone else have any experience with BC- BS NC? I am getting RNY gastric bypass.

Thanks so much! I love Vega Vanilla and chocolate protein powder as well as PB protein powder each mixed with almond milk. I also just discovered Ghost protein powder which is amazing! Literally tastes like cereal milk, chips ahoy etc.. and you can buy samples! You definitely want broth and sugar free popsicles. Both we’re life savers! In the full liquid stage any cream soup you like will be your go to… get a strainer bc you will use that a lot! Also get a few protein shaker bottles! A scale is a must have! Order your vitamins and protein ahead of time for sure! I bought but don’t use baby spoons or anything like that bc you can judge how much a tiny bite is. Look up lots of full liquid and purée recipes especially the ricotta bake for purée! I don’t feel like my tastes have changed and I have no cravings! I have gone out for pizza with my family and it did not bother me at all. There are times I literally have to remind myself I need to eat! Plan to walk a lot it helps so much and fills the food void. My biggest problem was over preparing and being hard on myself, it helped but I literally thought I had control over this process and I have very little. I just go hour by hour, day by day as far as what I need to be doing. Good luck to you! It’s so worth it! Keep the questions coming!

Hi Nina, Although I'm from a Turkish background, I didn't have the courage to go overseas to get this surgery done bc if any complication arises the doctors here in Australia are hesitant about treating somebody else's mistake. So I just bit the bullet and decided to have it here in Australia, I've heard a lot of success stories from people who have had it in Turkey. It's good to hear yours whent well too! Hope everything works out for you in the long run, 🙏My surgery is tomorrow I have butterflies in my stomach nerves are flying high lol I'm hoping it goes well as I'm having a hiatal hernia repair and a gastric bypass. All the best to everyone🙏🙏

What are your symtoms or signs of hunger? I'm asking bc I'm 4 days post op and I'm always hungry too but I realize it's only head hunger like I'm hungry all the time bc I want food bc I want to eat things that I used to eat or like I used to eat... But at the same time I can only fit 1oz of water and I'm having full pains... If it's head hunger u have than that will take a while to subside bc you have to train ur body not to crave these things! Hope that all makes sense!

vanilla Coke Zero was my drug of choice and I still crave it! I tapered off slowly about 6 weeks before my surgery bc I knew I'd have a hard time. My mom still drinks it all the time and my mouth waters when I see it!! LOL It'll all be worth it in the end!!

Hi Morningoasis, I'm glad you're going to get this taken care of. I forgot to mention that some of my pain was very simular to yours...I couldn't take a deep breath either. I'll be interested to hear if your insurance will pay for this. I looked up my policy with BC/BS and it states: "No coverage for bariatric surgery including reversal, revision, repeat and staged surgery, except for the treatment of sickness or injury resulting from such bariatric surgery, or unless required by law." I'm hoping they consider abdominal pain when eating sometimes a "sickness" . If not, then I'll have to go back to Mexico and I'm not looking foward to that with all the killing going on there. Ofcourse, I could always wait until the band causes me a "sickness" :thumbup: I am also worried about living without my band. Although I never got to goal, my band has kept me from gaining it all back. I hope that repositioning is all we'll need. Take Care, Marsha

I am fed up.. I am gaining weight cuz my fill isnt tight (and I dont follow a diet consistantly)........ I need a fill, but even with one, I HAVE to restrict myself in calories, carbs ect.. OR i wont lose much more.. I am NOT happy about a approximate 75 pound loss in 18 months... I lost pre-op and I lost during a few winter months, ever since I have been gaining and loosing the same 10-15 pounds... but I dont see anymore loosing of those pounds, only more gain. I struggle with extra tightness.. often enough and I respect it.. .. but its inconsistantcy is really annoying, cant plan my diet....have ups and downs with emotions with eating food.. all cuz I just dont know whats ok. I hate that. When I am well restricted and I know basically how restricted I am, I accept it and I dont have all the concerns about food. I dont crave what I know I cant have. (its great) But there are enough times when I am not so tight to allow in too many calories....... and I need a fill... for those times.. I dont want to deal with the times I will be extra tight.. twice as much. I fear I may send myself into a too tight situation like I did a few months ago... and have to accept that my restricition level now is where I have to be.. and where the weight is coming back on. I will get a fill as soon as I have the money.. I wish I could do it now! IF I JUST DIDNT HAVE a SENSITIVE BAND.. IF I was just more consistant.. EVERYTHING would be perfect. If this is it.. I have been left with a smaller scale weight, a flabby nasty body that cannot be contained and maked me look fatter everywhere but the shoulders back and face.. I deal with skin infections now, and lower self body image. The changes, the flab is sooooo different and soooo ugly and sooooo bothersome and so apparent that my weight loss does not seem worth it. My sciatica is worse,.. ewww one day, I feel a rash between my legs, on my inner thighs and buttocks near the gina... it just showed up that big, nothing gradual at all.. I have never in my life had a rash down there... !! I have been 400 pounds and I have been laid up and unshowered and it never ever happened... I have got small rashes of 1/4 the size.. under my belly many times, I soak in a tub and wash those and they go away by the next day.. This rash was NOT like those ones.. this rash was like a burn, raised and leather like, and hurt. Truth is I know about how fat people get rashes.. once I was browsing through a web site of gross pictures and saw two naked ladies about 250 to 300 pounds bending over to show their asses and there huge infected rashes that seemed to me to be untaken care of.. (real bad) I didnt understand it at all.... I felt that anyone could control such a thing if they tried hard enough. I knew that I would never be able to live with such a problem. soooo.... I dont freak out.. I soak in the tub and wash and wash it and assume it will go away after a few soaks... and then I guess I have to take extra steps to keep my new massive flabs clean and tidy. (like I dont have enough to do to keep it all clean down there, I use about 5 wet wipes everytime I pee, and need to..) The next time I soak..... My rash is peeling off in brown skin chunks... I peel and peel and it never ends.... the skin underneath is raw and not healed. I begin to cry my head off. (never had a yeast infection or anything happen down there.. plus my odor has always been faint) I am scraping off skin from that area... unreal. I worry that there will be lasting effects (like i wasnt ugly enough down there)... its like sinking a level of obesity I didnt count on everr.... Especially didnt think of it as an affect of weight loss.. NOW its happened obviously cuz of all the excess flab from my weight loss. I cant keep my thighs from touching in the tub, they float together... and out of the water I have to spread my legs real far before they dont touch.. I would guess the flab added about 6 inches to the size of my inner thighs.. I get up the nerve to take some pictures.. I have to ask my daughter to do it.. and she is nice of course... but after wards I cry for like an hour.. I dont cry alot.. It was really humiliating.. I have took pics of every rash i got so far, but this isnt something I want to tell anyone happened to me.. and how gross to have photographed.. BUT.... I have to think of my future and do all I can if and when I have to fight for my skin cut off as a medical nessesity. My worst fear is that who ever I am talking to about that issue, tells me or implies that I am not really doing all I possibly can to keep clean, or I am lying about never having had any rashes when I was over 400 pounds. and that those are regular rashes that are trypical of obese and nothing extrodinary .. bath more, wear cotton undies.. etc... Deal with it. My flab is so horrible.. I HATE IT.. I dont see why it changed sooo much at so little loss.. GRRRR IF I knew i was going to lose another 150 pounds, and most likey get it all cut off, I wouldnt be so upset over it.. but all I see is.. I am not going to lose enough weight to cut flab off and I now have this deformed body that I hate more than my 400 pound body. Plus if I gain weight and I get to 400 again... OMG, I cant imagine how bad that would look.. Why isnt all of this an incentive to DO WHAT I NEED TO DO...

So I got banded on monday. Today is Friday. I was discharged Tuesday from the hospital in TJ. I had a feeling that what I am about to write would happen. Since Tuesday, right after I left the hospital I had one more question about the cream they prescribed for me and when I can take the bandages off...The hospital (though I have emailed 3 times and called) have yet to get back to me and answer. Instead, the MedToGo coordinator called some other doctor in the business and got the questions answered. Here is my point for those thinking about Mexico...what you get is what you pay for. They told me up and down at the hospital, "just call" "just email" if you have anything...what a crock of BS. I understand these doctors are busy and have busy days, however, responding to an email like that takes 3 minuts tops. It is a clear case of I paid them to do a service and they did...well and the business transaction is over. If any of this is something you don't want to be involved with rethink going to Mexico. In other news all is well (regardless) and I am under 200#s YAY!

So I got banded on monday. Today is Friday. I was discharged Tuesday from the hospital in TJ. I had a feeling that what I am about to write would happen. Since Tuesday, right after I left the hospital I had one more question about the cream they prescribed for me and when I can take the bandages off...The hospital (though I have emailed 3 times and called) have yet to get back to me and answer. Instead, the MedToGo coordinator called some other doctor in the business and got the questions answered. Here is my point for those thinking about Mexico...what you get is what you pay for. They told me up and down at the hospital, "just call" "just email" if you have anything...what a crock of BS. I understand these doctors are busy and have busy days, however, responding to an email like that takes 3 minuts tops. It is a clear case of I paid them to do a service and they did...well and the business transaction is over. If any of this is something you don't want to be involved with rethink going to Mexico. In other news all is well (regardless) and I am under 200#s YAY!:frown:

My diet is not plant based but I do eat a variety of foods and happy to eat vegetarian or vegan when I visit my sisters (one vegan, the other vegetarian) or go to their preferred restaurants. As much as possible I will buy free range and locally/grass fed and the local farmers market is excellent. Fortunately where I live is a food bowl.

My naturopath recommended Garth Davis as a resource, but I’m struggling with the idea of being 100% plant-based. We buy organic/grass fed meat from small farms and I’m okay with it - we are not huge meat eaters anyways. Anyone strive for a balance? I’m starting my pre-op diet in a week and I ordered Pirq and Iconic, one is plant based protein drink and the other is grass fed.

I have CA BLue Shield through my employer. I am in the last 3 days of my 6 month supervised diet. I have completed all of the tests. I am battling BS about one test that my surgeon required and BS does not want to pay for because they say that I did not have pre approval for tests required for Barbaric Surgery. I believe once I am approved they will pay. We submit Wednesday for approval. I will post when/if I am approved .

Hi there, I am from the lower mainland here in BC. I just turned 40 in November and I am 5'4" tall and my weight currently fluctuates between 195 and 198. This is the highest I have ever been and I am scared too death that I will get bigger if I don't do something. Getting this surgery is my last resort. I am considering getting the Lap Band Surgery and was excited to see that there are options in Vancouver with the SWLC group and had my consultation with Dr Coburn over the phone today. He was very nice and patient with my questions. He did say that due to the regulations of the College of Physicans in BC, they will not consider someone with less then a BMI of 35 in their Vancouver clinic. I am at 33 BMI currently. I laughed because I thought it was funny that they wanted me to be 'more fat'. He agreed and said that it doesn't make sense but did say that I can always go to their clinic in Ontario and the Vancouver clinic can do my after care. Has anyone had any experiences with the SWLC Ontario clinic or any problems with doing their surgery elsewhere and their after-care in another province? Also has anyone used the financing option by the clinics? Is it easy? I have tried WW, Jenny Craig, numerous of other fad diets and the last one I tried was Dr Bernstein. Although I lost weight on Dr B very fast, I gained it right back even faster. I can kick myself for all the money I spent on Dr B and wished I just used the money towards the Lap Band Surgery. Thank you in advance for any comments, advice and input that can help me with my decision and journey.