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You got some great advice here and some great encouragement. You can never do enough research to decide which WLS is better for you. I do honestly believe in the saying "you get out of it what you put into it". Like others have said above it does require a lot of aftercare and you have to be willing to follow through or you could just wind up being your own worst enemy. For me I liked the aftercare because it always keeps me actively involved with my band and it motivates me. I also agree with the others calling BS on your Doctor. My Doctor was a huge supporter of my decision to go for the band and did not once try to sway me in another direction but did warn me of the constant need to follow up as well as slower weight loss. I started out with a BMI of 78. I was 488lbs at my consult and 450 on surgery day. Monday will be my 20th month anniversary and as of today I've lost 227lbs post op. Whoever says you cannot lose a large amount of weight with the band clearly has not met me!! I am not trying to brag and I have no agenda to sell you any type of WLS BUT don't believe the "You can't lose weight with the band" crap.

Good luck. I finish my 6th month this month and I too have bs ppo. Lets hope all goes well. Tamara

My stomach isnt rumbling but i dont feel the food sitting there..let me explain this..when i was originally banded the surgeon tightened me up so much that i used to feel the food sit there or back up..once i get up and move around it would feel like the food dropped..I now have a new surgeon because he is inn with the insurance and he is closer to where I live..I am now adjusted to 6.5cc and dont feel what I felt in the past with the previous surgeon..I am sticking to the diet..I am not cheating..I am tempted but since my new provider advised me that I could be diabetic within 5-10 years..that was my calling to stop and stick to this..I have a 2 year old daughter that is my inspiration to get this damn weight off..I am fed up..I feel disgusting because I let myself get this heavy...

Hello, saw your above note. BC/BS that covers the Auto plant here in Kansas City HAS started covering lapband here. Unless your particular policy has an exclusion I would start the fight.

I actually have Aetna right now and am on my 2nd appeal with them... July 1st we are switching to Anthem BC California. I don't know what else to do with Aetna before switching, cuz they are one of the 2 that pay for VSG! I live in Louisiana.

Well Tuesday, after posting my garden pics blog after dinner, things got a little crazy around here. One of the couples going to the concert with us/old neighbors that moved close by was in the area (birthday dinner out for one of their teens). They called us and we invited them over. We invited another couple (going to the concert) over, had drinks on the patio (perfect weather) and discussed our plans while all the kids visited. The last couple (going to the concert) was returning from vacation that evening and we got a call that an Uncle in their family had died (expected, Hospice had been there). After about four more calls back and forth we found that the viewing would be during the concert, so they couldn't go. Then we got a call from DS1, that he'd been in an accident; no injuries. I always hesitate to share negative things about my kids here, but I will just incase it keeps someone else from having an accident (or your kids). He works with one of his good friends and after work his friend was performing in a band at a local bar (they have events scheduled on occasion just for underage teens, no alcohol). He was following his friend's car through the parking lot to park (probably too closely) and looked down 'for a second' to tune his iPod…friend stopped, DS1 didn't (even with hands-free phone calls there are too many distractions in cars these days with all the electronics...FYI we've always limited the number of kids he can drive and he's supposed to set the iPod to a playlist before he leaves and phone is supposed to be on speaker and only for important things). Bottom line is the friend's car had a higher bumper with a long/large trailer hitch and my minivan's front end (must be made of cellophane) was no match (minor damage to friend's car). He was going between 2-5 mph at the time (that was the prediction of the auto-shop manager the next day, as the airbags would have gone off if he was over that for the kind of accident he had, and they hadn't deployed). So that evening we spent some time sorting that out. Somehow (LOL) we also ended up with everyone's kids spending an overnight at our house, so there was popcorn to be made and sleeping bags and fresh pillowcases to be rounded up after the parent's left. We spent yesterday morning getting kids fed/home, then lunchtime calling; insurance, the friend's father (DS1 called to apologize, etc.), the rental car place, and we took my minivan to the car shop (5-6K or possibly totaled; and yes, DS1 was there at each step to hear it all); the hitch punched into my minivan killing the radiator and A/C fan (maybe more) and wrecking the hood, front end/bumper and front side panel…ouch! DS1 is going to be paying what the insurance wont (we made a deal with our kids that we'd pay for their first accident only). He had a similar wreck just about 8 months ago at the stop-light right in front of his workplace. DH's car that time…a bumper miss-match with a tall SUV in front as they were all stopping for the light "she made a hard stop sooner than he expect" and even though he was down to under 10mph DH car went under the other car's bumper (can you say TAILGATING!). Again, the SUV had hardly a scratch, but they almost totaled DH's car. Insurance yesterday said 'Didn't he just have this same kind of accident?' 'Ummm, yes, just a different car.' AHHHH! I know some of you'll think we're the strictest parents (we all do the best we can), but I'll tell you anyway (and no, he didn't get any consequences other than a long talk for the first accident, but the second time it becomes carelessness)…we'll only be letting him drive to/from work, but with us in the passenger seat for awhile to 'coach/tune up' his driving skills (punishments always seem to punish the parents too don't they...can't wait for the late night pick-up when the restaurant closes), and no, he won't have the iPod (or even the use of the radio or phone) in the car for awhile even when he returns to driving…we need this one to 'hurt' as he doesn't really have an appreciation for just some money coming out of his savings account. We'd also had already been talking to him about getting a second job as he wasn't getting enough hours at a restaurant, so we forced that issue yesterday and he called and got rehired at his old job (retail store). Of course it's not the hassle or insurance rate going up (it will) that we care about; he just needs to learn the lesson now before he or someone else gets HURT or worse…that's our real worry. Driving is a privilege and he's gotten over-confident in his abilities (we've seen that watching him drive recently…he started off as a careful driver, but now he's gotten complacent after driving for 3 years and needs an attitude adjustment). He needs to take it seriously and understand the responsibility of driving. We've had several sit-down discussions with him and I'm sure well be talking more about it on the way to PSU tomorrow (fun, fun, fun...NOT). In the afternoon we ran and got things for our tailgate and got ready. We thought we had someone set to take the now extra set of tickets, but that fell through less than an hour before departure. So more scrambling with others trying to find friends to go and finally the concert attendees suggested we take our daughter/BF (about 10 min. before departure). I grabbed DD some clothes in case they could come and off we went (the neighbors picked us up and had fully decorated the car and had bought us all kinds of whacky stuff to wear and display at the tailgate. We had a great time people watching (a major spectator sport at this concert) tailgating with the neighbors (I ate some sub (VERY carefully) and none of the sides we took, but I did have a two Corona's/Lime as it was all we had there (with some Gas X, and yes, my doc says carbonation is OK after a certain point post-op...and I nursed them forever...the tailgate is longer than the concert at JB). DD/BF got to the concert about ½ hour late (she had to work until 7pm), but they had a great time too (virgin Parrotheads). We danced, we sang, we had a blast…Buffett was awesome as always! What a way to celebrate our 50th birthdays! TERRIBLE phone-camera pic attached of us doing the Big 5-0. We picked up a rental car for me today and I'm off to pack for our orientation overnight at PSU tomorrow…it's been a busy, sometimes very stressful 48 hours. *Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

Lauren, I have Anthem BC of California. My husband works for FEDEX out here in PA. let me tell you, they are a joy to work with. I called them after my info session to see if I was covered. I was. I asked them what I needed to do in order to get approved. Was told that with a BMI of lower than 40 I needed two comorbids. Needed just one over 40 BMI. I didn't need to do a doctor supervised diet. They just wanted certain tests done and a recommendation letter from my PCP. I took care of EVERYTHING Anthem wanted and then took care of all the tests my surgeon required. My whole process took just under 3 months. I was sleeved on October 22, 2013 and haven't looked back since. Good luck!!

nickname, several years ago when j.lo came out and p.diddy my friends and i were making fun of it and all made up names. k-woo, j-gill, shelly-j i go strictly by michelle but most of my old friends from the BC still call me 'shellyj'! they are nuts. i just visited them while in TN.

April 8, 2010 Today I had a visit with my pcp. We were on vacation in Gatlinburg the week before. I felt terrible the whole trip...headache, nausea, shortness of breath. I made an appointment the day after returning home. I had already decided I would ask his opinion about weight loss surgery as an option for me. He was not against it, but he did not offer much encouragement. April 15, 2010 Today I had the test done that were ordered by my pcp. First was an intensive stress test. He said no surgeon would operate without it. I doubted this and should of let the surgeon decide if it was necessary. This was the second time I've gone through all these tests. I had to have a cardolite IV. It involved walking on a treadmill and pics taken by a machine that gives images of the arteries in the heart. The images take 20 minutes (two sessions) of laying completely still. Then it was on to the echo cardiogram. Basically it was an ultrasound of my heart. It's interesting to watch the screen and see the valves in my heart working! Next it was on the lab to have blood drawn. The tech was a newbie and since my "good" vein in the right arm already had an IV in it (for the stress test) she called a veteran tech to poke me in the left. It hurt like heck...she said she must have hit a nerve...I'LL SAY! My loving hubby came into town and took me to breakfast, then I went back for the second injection of cardiolite and the second set of images. It all went really well. The tests results showed no problems. Later in the day I called a nearby hospital in Bowling Green Ohio that has a well known weight loss program to register for one of their seminars. They were totally booked for the two seminars in April. I am registered to attend the one on May 15th. I'm hoping my hubby can go with me. They are a Center of Excellence hospital so I feel confident with them. Also, I know of at least 3 people who had bariatric surgery done there. April 21, 2010 Wednesday morning I got my test results. All the heart and stress tests looked good. The stress test tech noted that I tired easily on the treadmill. (I would of liked to put her on there with her smokers breath to see how she would of done ) My blood test came back alright, but my BP was up a little more. He had suggested in Jan. that I add a 3rd BP med and I had resisted. Now, I'm ready...bring it on! Add another co-morbidity link to the list. I called Anthem yesterday and grilled them to see if they covered the Sleeve Gastrectomy. The rep said it is included along with all the other WLS as long as the diagnosis is morbid obesity and I meet all the criteria. Looks like I may be on the way! I registered and got the ball rolling with the surgeon by going to the seminar at Wood County Hospital. May 15, 2010 Today dh and I went to the seminar in Bowling Green Ohio. It was held in a meeting room at Wood County Hospital. The surgeon, Dr. Lalor, was the first speaker. He explained all the different surgeries he preforms, sharing all the good and bad. After the seminar we got to talk to him one on one. It seemed to me that he really is sold on the sleeve gastrectomy. He likes the fact there isn't any malabsorbtion involved. He even mentioned that BC/BS is not approving many sleeves, but since I've had 4 open abdominal surgeries and already had surgery on my colon that they might consider the sleeve for me! Then the dietition spoke and lastly the ins rep for Dr. Lalor's office. Doc answered every single question he was asked through his whole presentation, which impressed me! He stayed and answered questions till the last person finally left. I have my surgeon's consultation on June 17th. I feel really good about him, his staff and the facility!! May 24, 2010 I decided to attend one of the support meetings at Wood County Hospital Mon. May 24th. I was waiting outside with some supper when hubby got off work and I kidnaped him and took him along. Bless his heart! He just finished a 12 hour shift, was tired and dirty, but he seemed anxious to go. The meeting was okay, it was sort of disorganized. They sometimes have guest speakers. Two women took control of this, meeting talking about all their personal problems. [Note to me: Remember to talk with the appropriate person at the appropriate times about personal problems.] Nothing to do but wait and worry till my surgical consultation June 17th! June 17, 2010 This was my first surgeon's visit. The nurse took me back and had me step on the scales. Then she had me take my shoes off to measure my height. So, I got to weigh with my shoes on, but measured with them off, making me weigh heavier and measure shorter! YEA!! I was worried about my BMI not being high enough so this was important to me! She asked me a ton of medical questions and we talked a little about which surgery I was leaning toward. I said the sleeve I thought was the best choice for me and that I would not have gastric bypass, due to the malabsorbtion issues. Next the doc came in and he asked me some more medical questions and questioned me alot about my previous surgeries. Then we discussed the sleeve and he said he would fight BC/BS if necessary to get me the sleeve. He said if they tried to push gastric bypass he would tell them that he felt it would be alot more risky for me. My impression of him is that he is very careful and very honest. He took all the time I needed to answer all my questions, which were numerous! He took me to the front desk and went over all the paperwork that included the tests I needed to schedule, the visits with the nutritionist and the visit with another doctor, who interprets the tests results and does a more thorough medical workup and physical. Next I went down the hall to have my first visit with the nutritionist. I will have a total of 3 visits, to satisfy BC/BS for a 3 month surprised "diet" to satisfy their requirements. I was really impressed with Beth. She gave me alot of information, answered all my questions and we worked on goals. They like patients to lose 5% of their weight before surgery, which is 10lbs for me. Doesn't sound like much, but I have so much pain in my hips and my feet that it will be a struggle. July 13, 2010 Today I met with the shrink. He basically had me go through my whole life history starting with when and where I was born. We discussed my weight issues along with family and even school issues. Then I had to do a personality test with over 100 questions...it took forever! Oh well it's done and over with and I think I did well. Next I went down to Dr. Lalor's office (same building) and met with Beth for my second nutritionist visit. That went really well again! I find myself becoming obcessed with WLS websites (this one and Obesityhelp.com). I am reading stories and looking at before and after pictures. I think it helps keep me going until I am approved and get a surgery date. Looks like the end of September or October would be the earliest I could have surgery.

There you go! Another great alternative. People have to be on liquid diets for awhile after surgery. It's hard enough then, and that's when it's really important. It's very important for the band to heal properly on the stomach and it can't heal properly if it's bumping and grinding trying to digest solid food. I think it's too much to ask that someone be on liquids only before surgery and then when it's most important to be on liquids after surgery, the patient is just fed up with liquids. After surgery is when you can't afford to vary from the post op diet.

I have used Dr. Marsden as well. He is really a great doctor and has done well over 500 lapbands. He used to be a heart surgeon and won many awards. He has skills that are unbelievable. I am only 3 weeks out and 4 of my 5 scars are almost gone. He is really easy to talk to. I also had my surgery at Wise Regional bc of insurance, which was like an hour away for me, but the hospital is really nice, cleanand the staff were great! The only advice I have for you is to take it easy. Don't be expecting to run a marathon the day after surgery, your body will be healing so take it easy while you can. I really thought that I would be back to "normal" after 2 days and I was depressed when I wasn't. After surgery you will have to call and schedule your post-op appt, which is 2 weeks after your surgery. He will talk to you about how you are feeling, check out your incisions, etc. You might also be surprised at how liberal his post-op diet is. Days 1-7: liquids, Days 8-14:mushies Day 15: all food as tolerated. Just take it easy when introducing new foods. And also schedule your fill by calling SCOR the same day as your post-op. They are running about 3-4 weeks for the earliest appt for fills. My first fill is scheduled on Oct. 18. I can't wait!! PM me for more info and don't worry, you will do great!!!

I belonged to the CPC (Clean Plate Club) for over 50 years, so I consider myself something of an expert on it (and I am, after all, The World’s Greatest Living Expert on Everything). I thought it was a lifetime membership, but my bariatric surgeon rescued me from the CPC Cult – oh, excuse me, Club - and deprogrammed me so that I’m able to function more or less like a normal person now. Here’s my story. I was inducted to the CPC as a child, when I was too young to realize that the promise of going to heaven if I always cleaned my plate was a bit more complicated than it sounded at the time. All I wanted to do at the time was to please the cult leaders: my mother and my grandmother. I have reason to believe that my grandmother, whom I called Dranny, was the original founder of the CPC. Orphaned as a small child, she was passed around the family like a piece of unwanted furniture, and she raised her own children during the Great Depression. Through the combination of those circumstances and her own peculiar (and wonderful) character, Dranny was a pack rat. She didn’t live in filth and disorder (just the opposite, actually), but she couldn’t bear to throw anything away, especially not food. If three green peas were leftover from a meal and she hadn’t been able to persuade someone to eat them, she would lovingly place them in a custard cup covered with a shower-cap style cover (this was in the days before Glad Wrap), and store them in the fridge, where they would remain until someone ate them (or my mother threw them out while Dranny was in another room). I’m a lot like my grandmother in various ways, and also something of a pack rat. So after eating my way through hundreds of childhood meals with Dranny and my mom (who was not a pack rat, but who was offended by the idea of wasting food that she’d worked so hard to procure and prepare), I emerged into adolescence with warring impulses – part of me still wanted to clean my plate, and part of me wanted to starve so that I could lose weight and be as skinny as the British supermodel, Twiggy. 101 WAYS TO CLEAN YOUR PLATE One of my problems with meal planning and storage is that it's hard for me to predict how much food I'll be able to eat at a future meal. Often I don't know that until I've eaten several bites. My basic strategy for dealing with this unpredictability is to keep my plate clean from the very start so that the food I leave behind doesn't overwhelm me or provoke an attack of guilt that could bring down Dranny's loving wrath upon me. A simple way to keep your plate clean is to prepare smaller batches of food so you won't be tempted by serving dishes overflowing with food or burdened with an excess of leftovers. I can't speak to recipes for baked goods (not my department), but most other recipes can be easily cut in half, thirds, or even quarters through the use of simple arithmetic. Sometimes I prepare the whole recipe, subdivide into 2 or 3 batches, serve one batch immediately and freeze the other 2 for future use. When we lived in the northeast, the elderly widow who lived next door was delighted when we shared excess food with her. Sharing food with family, friends, and coworkers can yield multiple benefits. When I'm craving a food or recipe whose leftovers would be a problem for me to store (or resist), I prepare a big batch of it for whatever social event is on the horizon and keep only one or two portions of it at home so that we get to enjoy it without having to worry about to do with all that food. I use cheap, recycled, throw-away packaging so that no one can insist that I take my corning ware, Pyrex or Tupperware container of leftovers home with me. You can also keep your plate clean by using the portioning technique I recommend for bandsters who are still learning their band eating skills, food portion sizes, and stop signals. Here's how it works for me. When planning my day's food (which I commit to my food log and my accountability partner every morning), I might decide that I'll eat 4 ounces (by weight) of chicken thigh and 1/2 cup of barley and veggy salad for dinner. Come dinner time, I grab my small plate (a salad plate) and put half of my planned meal on it: 2 ounces of chicken and ¼ cup of the salad. If I'm able to finish that, great. If I'm still physically hungry when I'm done with it, I go back to the kitchen and dish up the remaining 2 ounces of chicken and ¼ cup of salad. At the end of the meal, I'll probably have only 1 or 2 tablespoons worth of food to save or throw out instead of a plateful of food, therefore much less guilt to deal with. When I do have a plateful of food leftover, I usually scrape it into a small plastic container that I can quickly grab and stick in my lunch bag when I go to work the next day. Fortunately, we actually like leftovers at our house, and arguments occasionally break out over unauthorized consumption of leftover food ("Who ate the rest of the eggplant Parmesan?!?"). The same approach works with restaurant meals. We're happy to take leftovers home in what used to be called a doggy bag (as if I'd share my Maryland crab cakes with a dog!). My sister-in-law used to scrape leftover food into a bucket to add to her garden compost pile. I have no idea if that's a good practice. We'd have to have a 40' high electrified fence dug 20' into the ground and topped with razor wire in order to keep dogs, cats, deer, rats, raccoons, and other critters out of that kind of compost pile. I've also known people (including my mother) who fed leftover food to their 4-footed garbage disposals (dogs & cats), another practice that we avoid because why would you want to cultivate a fussy eater? Our pets have survived eating (stolen) candies (complete with foil wrappers), latex paint, and kip tails (fishing flies), and at our house, a fussy eater will end up starving because someone else is always willing to clean your plate for you, sometimes long before you've decided you're finished with it. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE STARVING CHILDREN? After over 6 years of post-WLS life, I'm now better able to detach myself from my emotional attachment to the food on my plate enough to throw out what's left. If it didn't taste right because my tummy was in an odd mood, if it caused me eating problems, if it wouldn't reheat or store well, I let it go. I haven't been struck by lightning for doing that, nor has God punished me with plagues, floods, or infestations (apart from the dog infestation, that is). Like many, I was raised to eat every meal while listening to a chorus singing the Children Are Starving in (fill in the blank) hymn. I agree that in world where so many children (and adults, and animals) go hungry, it is just plain wrong for an overfed middle-class person like me to waste or throw out food. But the fact is that me eating more food than my body needs (rather than throwing out) is not the solution to the problem of world hunger. The solution to world hunger, and to diminishing global food resources, is far, far more complicated than that. Working in your community (be it a village, a city, a country, or a planet) to solve that problem is a worthwhile effort, but you taking personal responsibility for causing the death of a starving, unknown child in India or Appalachia because you threw out a chicken wing and 5 green beans last night is (in my opinion) a misguided and foolish use of your energy. And you eating that extra bite of food just because you can't bear the thought of throwing it away is also foolish from a medical standpoint. If that extra bite causes you to PB, get stuck, or over-pack your pouch, it could lead to messy and expensive medical complications like esophageal or pouch dilation and/or band slips, especially if you eat that way on a regular basis. Finally, as long as overeating endangers your health through co-morbidities and through disrespecting your band, you may never be able to help deal with the hunger problem, whether on an individual, local, or global basis. So, first things first: make a top priority of eating sensibly for your own sake before you tackle the rest of the world.

See- that is a similar thing- making the issue YOUR problem due to a "low tolerance". That is BS. This is major surgery- there are incisions into your abdomen through muscle- there may be intense pain and it needs management. Addiction? Baah- more BS. Pain management after surgery is not something to withhold due to fear of addiction. That is absurd. I am starting to wonder if there is actually access to the medication needed for surgery of this type. Expecting you to just bear it is barbaric. The chemical changes your body undergoes while in pain are harmful and can affect your recovery. This situation is serious IMO and needs addressing.

Well, I'm Kelly I turned 30 in september. I have three kids two girls 11-9 and a boy 3. Since having this surgery my life has become surreal. Two months after having surgery I served my ex-husband with divorce papers. I made the decision that day on that gurney that when I woke up that Kelly would be gone. Since he cheated and kept at it and after that surgery I thought what's divorced verses major surgery. The funny thing about GB is the tricks it plays. You go from going the girl who's EVERY guys friend and fixes them up but secretly you wanted it to be you. Your so use to being ignored and looked over you attach to the first person to come into your life and call you "beautiful." I fell victim to that and wound up in a severely abusive and dangerous relationship. The last night he hit me it was with his iphone and when he left for work I started packing bags. I took all of my kids clothes and couldn't bring all mine bc they wouldn't fit. Needless to say just a few months later my ex took everything I owned because I literally fled to another state to get away. Took me a while to accept losing precious antiques, but their materials and cacn be replaced my life can't. So we left. After leaving and settling in the new state I tried to figure out what to do. My bestfriend said I had been through too much to not have my fairy tale. So, on her she set me up an acct on christianmingle. I sent out a few messages and sat talking to the screen that I was stupid for doing this lol. While looking through some of the eye candy and some of the well duds. lol I seen a Marines' page and Lord was he cute. I messaged him and we talked for a long time and finally met. Funny part is I drove him to a park where the local cops had a sub station there LOLOL... we walked what seemed like forever and for whatever devine reason i felt comfortable to tell him about the surgery/s. After talking to him for what seemed like forever I came home one night to find my apartment had been broke into they had stole my bed, jewlery and most importantly my kids birth videos were in my camera case. I felt like life was punishing me and literally threw my hands up and said I quit. Then he called I told him what happened and he said pack your stuff your all coming to live with me. We did and we're just a few months shy of a year. He's the greatest man I've ever met. My kids are his kids and is fully willing to adopt if the non-existent fathers would sign documents. For the first time in my whole life I'm the girl introduced to his friends as his "hot girlfriend." I wish I could see what he see's because I don't see it what so ever. I wanted to share with yu'all bc I wanted you to know there are men out there who are good and you don't have to stay inside that box you built while being obese. Love should never hurt and it should always inspire.

@@BCs 1000 - if you just ran 10.5km, in my book, yes that warrants a kiddie size Rocky Road

you may or may not have to get this shot. i guess i got it bc of my size but i really have no idea. its a wee wee needle and couldnt feel it at all...getting your ear pierced was worse or breaking a nail for realz. so dont spazz over things that havent happened yet (or may never happen). wont help anything...hang in there

I was reading through the binder I was given on Friday at my consultation. There is mention about stopping all medications...including Birth Control??? :biggrin::eek::biggrin: WAIT WHAT??? Did anyone else stop taking their BC for 90days before and after their surgery? I NEED my BC otherwise I am an emotional train wreck plus the stress of the surgery and new life style... Please please please tell me I don't have to give up my BC....:biggrin:

I was told to stop BC prior to surgery (instructions were "stop now" at my consultation). So, I was off of it 2 months prior to surgery. At my one month follow-up/first fill, I'm going to ask if I can get back on it...I've got a boyfriend 2,400 miles away that I'm seeing again at the end of March!

Hello - Let me start with I'm a slow loser. The surgery is the EASY part. The hard part is getting the band to work for you....figuring out the right fill, lack of structure, you are kind of on your own, etc... That's just me. I have found this website and links to blogs have been the most helpful. If I hadn't had access to this site - I'd be MORE crazy. (Consider the source.) The band is truly a tool and I'm a little over six months out but am finding it to be more of my friend. Some have had an easy time...GOD bless you..mine has been a struggle..but I am getting there. Almost feeling like myself. Still glad I did it but again it's a tool. The surgery is the easy part. I wish you the best of luck and encourage you reach out to this site. It's probably made me semi-successful. I don't have much to offer but bc it's given so much to me, i.e.; questions to ask dr's ofc, what to eat, how much, etc...I've been able to work with it. I am a fairly private person but feel to post these thoughts bc I have received so much from the site I hope it helps you. Some of my fav sites are: Chronicles from the Band and Once Upon the Time..in the Land of Cheese and Sunkist. I hope I am not offending anyone by posting the names of their blogs...but thought I would point them out on how they have helped me. I was banded on Feb. 16 and have lost - well I'm hovering around 55 lbs. Good Luck!

I am a total sweet person, loveeeee sweets. Love my Dr Pepper, love anything sweet. My husband too. I have been told by multiple people that sweets taste horrifically over sweet after surgery. Even on the pre op diet (day 6), this SF jello is starting to taste über sweet. I don't drink the mio, or kool aid, but I can imagine those would taste awful. Funny thing is, as much as I love sweets, I can take them or leave them, I don't HAVE to have them. For me, I haven't mourned the loss of anything, bc I know that the majority of what I eat, I will be able to have again, just in a smaller portion. My daughter is lucky, she's 9 & bc of my surgery when we do go out to eat we will get an adult sized meal, but we will share & take the leftovers home. :-)

Well, Aetna's requirements to have WLS is that you have to have had a BMI over 35 for at least 2 yrs. My BMI in 2007 was 36, but I lost a little weight within the 2 yrs bringing my BMI to 34 off and on.. Now they are saying my BMI was not >35 consecutively for the 2 yrs, but what upsets me is you have to prove you tried to lose weight!!!! Well, I did, but gained it back every time!!!! So anyway, I have been denied twice and sent my last appeal last week. On July 1, our insurance changes to Anthem BC Calif. and I will have to start dealing with them. They do not have all of the requirements Aetna has, and should get approved a little easier, but then they don't cover VSG! They cover lapband and gastric bypass, which I really don't want. So, I am in the middle!! Thanks! I appreciate any advice!

I am doing well. Wednesday was my 3 week mark. My clothes are already feeling better I went to my first support group meeting last night and am still learning how I feel and how this process works for me. Congrats on your loss so far!!from my pre-op start on 10-16 I am down 25 pounds so far. I hit a little stall when I was moving in to week 3 but the NUT and Bariatric Coordinator says that's natural bc your body is adjusting. Thanks for checking in!

I do not vomit or pb, I do not keep my band so tight that I have any problems. I dunno that I have ever really gotten anything stuck. sometimes if i eat too fast I can feel it going down very slowly, but it never stays for more than 5 minutes. LOVE MY BAND!!! I think bc I don't over tighten my band is why I have such an easy time of it. I try to eat slowly, small quantities and chew chew chew! good luck!! amy

I have B&BS and I am with true results. So you should be fine.

One friend of mine, who is 3 years post op, said the girls were finally beginning to look normal! She's never breast-fed so she hasn't experienced the deflation. Yours might not get smaller...some would be very envious of you. When you reach your goal weight, and have been there for a year or two, that's when you should consult a plastic surgeon and talk about breast reduction. Me? I'm definitely looking into having the girls put back where they should be and maybe even implants! But that's YEAR'S down the road!!