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Whatever you are looking for you will see… AND... When you change the way you look at things the things you look at change! Tips for Improving Your Body Image: Accept your genetic body type: Remember that your weight, height, and bone structure are strongly determined by your genes.. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Stop comparing yourself to others. How others look has nothing to do with you. Be media conscious. We are bombarded with media messages telling us our bodies are not perfect… Most fashion and women’s magazines focus on an ideal of beauty that is just not something that anyone in real life can be. Remind yourself that the body images you see are manufactured by make up artists, hair dressers, airbrushing specialists, fashion designers, lighting specialists, and cosmetic surgeons. Also know that many fashion models have eating disorders and are not able to maintain their low body weight in a healthy manner. Create a Why I Like Myself List. Think about all the things about you that you like… are you Funny? Creative? Honest? Intelligent? Think of all the reasons you deserve to love yourself and write them down. Remind yourself of all the things you are besides a body. Read this list daily and add to it every time you think of something else you like about you. Create a Body Appreciation List. Think about how your body has continued to show up for you no matter how much you fed or starved it, exercised it or not. Write these things down. Remember that your heart has continued to beat, your lungs continue to breathe, and your liver continues to detoxify your body. As well, maybe your body has learned a new skill, gotten stronger, taken you to the top of a hill, rejuvenated during sleep, or allowed you to comfort a child, share love with a spouse, or go shopping with friends!. Celebrate your body and the marvelous things it can do. If you’ve had Weight Loss Surgery note all the things that your body can do now that it could not do before. How has your life changed because of the changes your body has gone through? Read this list daily and add to it every time you are grateful for something your body has done. Stop thinking that thinner thighs are the answer to all of life’s problems. When you find yourself hyper focused on your body stop for a moment and ask yourself what you would be doing, thinking, or feeling if you were not obsessing about your body. What is this preoccupation stopping you from being present to in your life? Are you in anyway benefiting from focusing on what you believe to be your physical flaws? Commit to feeling the feelings that arise as you ask yourself those questions and really listen to the answers you hear/feel. “Act as if you” were comfortable in your body even If you are not quite “feeling it” yet. How would you walk, what would you wear, how would you speak to people, what kind of self talk would you be speaking, what kind of eye contact would you make with others? Use these questions as a guide for “acting as if”. Notice how it feels to carry your body with an air of love and respect. Speak (and think) only kind and loving words and thoughts to and about your body!! If you find yourself being critical of your body, stop and acknowledge that this will not support you feeling good about yourself. Then, respond to yourself as you would to a best friend. For every negative thing you catch yourself saying about your body, apologize to your body and say 2 loving/ appreciative things about your body. Make a decision to truly “nourish” yourself. Read a good book, take a bubble bath, schedule a massage, get a haircut, dance to your favorite song, make plans with a friend, take a nap, ask for a hug, give yourself permission to say “no”, meditate, pray. Make it your intention to move and enjoy your body: go walking, swimming, biking, dancing, do yoga, tai chi, etc… not because you have to but because it makes you feel so good. Your body deserves to be treated well. Surround yourself with people who celebrate and appreciate you. Say “thank you” to compliments without discounting them. Know that you can control your experience of your life by the thoughts you choose to think. How you experience your life is a direct consequence of your predominant thoughts and feelings. By making a decision about the thoughts you choose to think (which are the precursors to your feelings) you take responsibility for creating your reality. So if you decide to think about what is not good about your body you will attract to you experiences of your body not being good enough, and more than likely will live in a state of “waiting till things get better (i.e. my thighs get thinner)” before you can really be happy. If you choose to think about what is good about you, what you like and appreciate about you, you will feel gratitude and be more likely experience your life as abundant and joy-filled! The next time you find yourself being critical of a particular body part, sit down and write a letter to that body part telling it exactly what you don’t like about it and how it makes you feel. Then have that body part write back to you telling you how it felt to read that letter. Then write back to that body part…….. and just notice what happens………. If you have any thoughts or comments about this blog I would love to hear from you. You can respond below to this blog or email me at louisa@louisalatela.com.

Bariatric surgery should be compared to being pregnant!!! 1. My taste have changed not a good or bad thing 2. My belly feels like 80pounds 3. My moods are here and there 4. My cravings are outrageous 5. The worst is smells, they make me sooo nauseous Thought I'd put up how I have felt today bc it's been a trip of gas more gas and nausea. I didn't do anything out of ordinary but walk two times around the house and sip sip sip which I could have done to fast. Happy weekend y'all!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm from Cleveland and was sleeved on 12/20 at UH. Surgeon was wonderful but after surgery sucked bc I did not have a descent nurse. Sent from my VS986 using the BariatricPal App

Tips for Improving Your Body Image: Accept your genetic body type: Remember that your weight, height, and bone structure are strongly determined by your genes.. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Stop comparing yourself to others. How others look has nothing to do with you. Be media conscious. We are bombarded with media messages telling us our bodies are not perfect… Most fashion and women’s magazines focus on an ideal of beauty that is just not something that anyone in real life can be. Remind yourself that the body images you see are manufactured by make up artists, hair dressers, airbrushing specialists, fashion designers, lighting specialists, and cosmetic surgeons. Also know that many fashion models have eating disorders and are not able to maintain their low body weight in a healthy manner. Create a Why I Like Myself List. Think about all the things about you that you like… are you Funny? Creative? Honest? Intelligent? Think of all the reasons you deserve to love yourself and write them down. Remind yourself of all the things you are besides a body. Read this list daily and add to it every time you think of something else you like about you. Create a Body Appreciation List. Think about how your body has continued to show up for you no matter how much you fed or starved it, exercised it or not. Write these things down. Remember that your heart has continued to beat, your lungs continue to breathe, and your liver continues to detoxify your body. As well, maybe your body has learned a new skill, gotten stronger, taken you to the top of a hill, rejuvenated during sleep, or allowed you to comfort a child, share love with a spouse, or go shopping with friends!. Celebrate your body and the marvelous things it can do. If you’ve had Weight Loss Surgery note all the things that your body can do now that it could not do before. How has your life changed because of the changes your body has gone through? Read this list daily and add to it every time you are grateful for something your body has done. Stop thinking that thinner thighs are the answer to all of life’s problems. When you find yourself hyper focused on your body stop for a moment and ask yourself what you would be doing, thinking, or feeling if you were not obsessing about your body. What is this preoccupation stopping you from being present to in your life? Are you in anyway benefiting from focusing on what you believe to be your physical flaws? Commit to feeling the feelings that arise as you ask yourself those questions and really listen to the answers you hear/feel. “Act as if you” were comfortable in your body even If you are not quite “feeling it” yet. How would you walk, what would you wear, how would you speak to people, what kind of self talk would you be speaking, what kind of eye contact would you make with others? Use these questions as a guide for “acting as if”. Notice how it feels to carry your body with an air of love and respect. Speak (and think) only kind and loving words and thoughts to and about your body!! If you find yourself being critical of your body, stop and acknowledge that this will not support you feeling good about yourself. Then, respond to yourself as you would to a best friend. For every negative thing you catch yourself saying about your body, apologize to your body and say 2 loving/ appreciative things about your body. Make a decision to truly “nourish” yourself. Read a good book, take a bubble bath, schedule a massage, get a haircut, dance to your favorite song, make plans with a friend, take a nap, ask for a hug, give yourself permission to say “no”, meditate, pray. Make it your intention to move and enjoy your body: go walking, swimming, biking, dancing, do yoga, tai chi, etc… not because you have to but because it makes you feel so good. Your body deserves to be treated well. Surround yourself with people who celebrate and appreciate you. Say “thank you” to compliments without discounting them. Know that you can control your experience of your life by the thoughts you choose to think. How you experience your life is a direct consequence of your predominant thoughts and feelings. By making a decision about the thoughts you choose to think (which are the precursors to your feelings) you take responsibility for creating your reality. So if you decide to think about what is not good about your body you will attract to you experiences of your body not being good enough, and more than likely will live in a state of “waiting till things get better (i.e. my thighs get thinner)” before you can really be happy. If you choose to think about what is good about you, what you like and appreciate about you, you will feel gratitude and be more likely experience your life as abundant and joy-filled! The next time you find yourself being critical of a particular body part, sit down and write a letter to that body part telling it exactly what you don’t like about it and how it makes you feel. Then have that body part write back to you telling you how it felt to read that letter. Then write back to that body part…….. and just notice what happens………. If you have any thoughts or comments about this blog I would love to hear from you. You can respond below to this blog or email me at louisa@louisalatela.com.

I am new here! I didn't know where to begin with this whole process! I called the bariatric center 8/21 and asked them if I could just 'stop by' to get weighed and measured. I figured I needed to know how close I was to meeting the requirements for bc/bs il before I got all excited. They said to come right in! So, I did. I just made the 40 bmi ! They scheduled an appointment for me to meet the surgeon for 9/19. got home, called a recommended pcp and got appointment for the next next 8/22. They weighed and measured ( actually just asked for my height), gave me the ekg,and confirmed the bmi! So relieved! They gave me the orders for the lab work and I will go Monday 8/25 to have blood drawn. I am not sure what happens next, actually, but I will call the center to find out. Nutritionist? Psych eval? Whatever! The ball is rolling and I am hopeful that bcbsil is as good to me as they seem to have been with so many of you! Wow. I had more to say than I even knew. Pardon.

I was not told to stop the pill...? hmm weird, he actually said you might want to double up on bc because you will become more fertile!

I have Fed BC/BS of Colorado. I received my denial letter yesterday. Is there any chance I could get a copy of your approval letter? I would certainly appreciate any ammo I can get! Thanks so much! -Lisa dentonpl@aol.com

I hate Dr's like that. One at my Dr's practice was similar when I was still in the weight loss phase. At one point she told me that I had lost what i was expected to with the lapband so I was successful. Yes maybe I had but I was still either overweight or right at the top end of normal at that point and I certainly didn't go through surgery to settle for that. I hate the way they have so much power over fills and yes I know they don't want people to be too tight but I only had just over 3.5ml at the time and I have a 10ml band. What is the point of having the band if they aren't going to let you use it properley. She was also skinny and I mean skinny in the true sense not what a lot of banders consider skinny which is often normal weight. After that I always asked for the other Dr when I went for my fills and she was so much more understanding. I eventually got fed up of travelling so far for followups and managed to swap Dr's last year to one a lot closer to home.( Not sure how I managed it as generally he doesn't take other Dr's patients). He is great. I actually get to see him and not an assistant and he always seems to have time to talk and discuss how things are going.

I too have BC/BS of Illinois. I was denied the night before my surgery. My Dr.s office called them multiple times and they never called him back, so the surgery was cancelled. But the third day the ins. Dr. did call and when they talked the ins. agreed to pay. So now it's done and I am so thankful! Keep pushing!

Hello hunni, I'm having my band out on Monday. I've had it for 8 years and for the last 4 I've been the same as you and no proper food will go down. chocolate and biscuits will go down but Protein and all fruit and veg get stuck. I'm so fed up and have got chronic IBS and I'm sure it's because of the band. I burp all the time and have trapped wind constantly. All people be aware that there has been a study and after 5 years 50% of bands will fail! This is scary stuff, when I got my band I was told it would last over 10 years at least. The last 4 years have been hell!!!! I'm hoping that when I get the band removed there will not be too much damage to my stomach. Sending best wishes on your band removal. xx

Actually getting in protein as early on as you can after surgery is very important, according to my surgeon. He says that the biggest reason for hair loss later on is not getting enough protein the first 2 weeks. Protein is essential to the healing process. Also, protein shakes/powders are very bio-available, so your body does not need to do much to break it down (that's actually why Protein shakes are discouraged vs solid food protein sources later on, according to my medical team). My surgeon does encourage Fluid first and then protein during the first couple of weeks bc fluid is so essential, but protein is important too. This is just my experience based on my surgeon's advice--everyone is different! But I wanted to share another perspective.

I will be using Ajay upadhyay at Alta bates summit medical center in Oakland. I do not know if they take bc or not but he has come highly recommended.

Hi..... I too am new to this forum as of today. I have my Dr appt on 26th Sept. I have been researching and umming and arrrhhhing for the last 3 years but have made the decision to have the sleeve. I'm thinking about doing the endoscopic sleeve.... does anyone know anyone who has had it done this way?? I'm in the Newcastle NSW area. I had a lap band in 2005 but after 3 years had it removed. As most have done, I've tried every diet I could find and fed up with the yoyo so here goes! Sending my best wishes and thoughts to you all Warm Regards Rainbow Gypsy

I'm almost 3 weeks out and these last 4 days have been hell. I'm ok where meeting my protein goals. Water is definitely #1 and I drank 2 small V8's to help with electrolytes. My friend also suggest smart water, so doing that too. Dr says my sugar is going high to compensate for the low potassium. Good news, my bs is only 178 tonight as I'm getting ready for bed, so hopefully that means my potassium is coming back up. 4 days practically in bed all day=no fun. Granddaughter came to visit and set up all her dolls on my nightstand,so we could play. Gotta love her for being creative. Lol

Im a mom so the complications of surgery always scared me. Thats why i opted for the sleeve..bc it has very little complications. I put it off for long enough and came to a realization that i cant loose all this weight on my own. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...tVXcwd0E&hl=en Hello Everyone, Yay it's Friday!!!! and our second week of weigh in. As usual I didn't log my weight loss at home...alway rushing to get to work, but I did do well. I lost 3lbs. Kept it high protein and very very low carb this week!! Didn't really exercise this week bc TOM was here.(excuse, excuses!) How was ur week?

OK ..HAD MY SURGERY DEC 5TH EVERYTHING WAS GOING GOOD TILL I WENT TO MUSHIES...THAT'S WHEN ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE. IT SEEMS THAT I CAN EAT AND EAT AND EAT AND NOT GET FULL. (WILLPOWER NOT WORKING) PLUS, I CAN'T FEEL MY PORT SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S MY FAT STOMACH GROWING OR WHAT. I HAVE PEOPLE AT WORK ASKING ME IF I SHOULD BE EATING THAT. I DON'T GET MY FIRST FILL TILL JAN 10TH SO I'M HOPING THAT WILL HELP. IS THIS ALL WORTH IT?? PISSED OFF PERSON IN CALI

I've been on a bit of a hiatus the past few months. The process takes sooooo long I'm beginning to lose heart. I've been at this since February and it's wearing on me. Since my last post, I have only had the psych consult. I'm waiting on the next appointment (whatever and whenever that is). The gals who answer the phones in Richmond Kaiser are probably pretty fed up with me calling every week to see if there's any open appointments due to cancellations. I've just about given up on the band ever happening. Got any words of wisdom for keeping my spirits up and the my willpower focused. I can't be the only one who has been this frustrated by hanging in limbo.

Fear of loosing the Weight Loss Battle You wont lose the battle if you are willing to work with the band and do Your part:) But I can almost guarantee: ·You will have plateaus when you first switch to solids until your body gets used to being fed instead of starved (most likely 1-2 weeks but could be 3 like mine was) ·During many plateaus you will loose inches not lbs and finally a larger loss. ·Your loss in the first 30-40 days is a never to be repeated experience so enjoy it Then you begin the long slow journey downward (not upward) ·You will learn the fine art of PB's and what causes them for you is it swallowing air when you eat. Eating too fast.. Not chewing well or too big a bite.. Eating the wrong food for you...and not recognizing the no longer hungry after 1/2 cup (satiation) versus an I want to eat more cause I can or it tastes good or I crave (head hunger). ·You will watch your body shrink and will walk a bit taller literally and figuratively... Start slipping into booths in restaurants. Sit in chairs with arms .. Stop worrying about how strong the chairs are...Not having to ask for an extender belt on airlines.. Finding it is easier to and you have more energy to walk / go up stairs/ Clean house and do a million other day to day activities ... Slip in and out of bath tubs where the Water goes all the way around you instead of damming up and it doesn’t kill you to stand up from sitting on the floor ...Wipe yourself easily in the bathroom.. Watch the years fall off your face and drivers license picture .. Go to a restaurant and order an appetizer and still end up with leftovers to take home.. ·Go through doubts and several fills/defills until you hit the sweet spot fill level for you. ·Will have to stop several times along the way to reassess your eating habits (I could eat certain foods and get away with some cheating a bit quantity wise at 359 and still lose .. That had to go at 250) ·I have also found that I have to keep reminding myself 1/2 cup of solids 3 times a day only and drink my water (1 hour after meals until the next meal but not with meals) ·Eat Protein first ..Fruit and veggies second and non-complex carbs last. (Keep the fats, sugars and non-complex carbs low ..Still have them but keep em low). And believe it or not a plateau that indicates that you need a fill is 1.No weight loss for 4 weeks. 2.You are following all the band rules (8 times out of 10 we want to be able to break the rules and still lose.figuring if we get a fill it will miraculously start us losing without us having to do our part). 3.You are eating foods that are hard and stick in your band for the 3-4 hours not drinking your calories- You are hungry an hour after eating (really hungry not cravings) and the 1/2 cup doesn't stay in the band for 2 1/2 to 4 hours. 4.You are drinking your 60+ Fl oz water a day and not drinking with your meal or for at least an hour after. 5.Once you move from mushies to solids.. As much as possible get your nourishment from food that is solid. If you have problems with it sticking in your stoma.try it again chewing it well..Cutting it up finer or chewing it with other foods to keep it from recombining in your pouch and forming a plug (e.g. potatoes).. 6.Try to avoid Soups and or Protein drinks if possible (if you are able to eat your protein you will be full longer - some people have tight bands in the morning and cant eat so have a protein drink) 7.Whenever you hit a plateau.. Keep a food diary and log everything, including water, which goes in and measure the 1/2-cup of solids. Mine grew twice from 1/2 to almost a cup without my noticing lol. 8.Try weighing in once a week to begin with not daily. Later move to once every 2 weeks or once a month. When you are losing slowly weight fluctuates daily with hydration levels etc. At least this way you normally will see a loss and not a fluctuate on or gain. Yes the loses are smaller but they are down not up. 9.Measure yourself monthly ..Often you lose inches before you lose lbs. 10.Don’t compare yourself to others.. We all lose at different rates based on age/metabolism/food choices/ activity level.. But we can all lose Hope that helps

no private ins. I did have to pay for an ins called blis which was supposed to cover any post surgery complications. That fee was compiled into what my surgery was though. The nurse coordinator said this..."here is your policy number for you blis." "You will use this if you have any complications after surgery just give the hopital this paper". so I didn't give it to them bc when I had the complications I was in the hospital for the surgery itself. So I am hoping I just have to bring them the form.

I was a cash pay my total surgery was 13,658. I was very sick in the hospital after surgery so I just assumed the extra charges were billed to the insurance that I had to purchase bc I was a private pay. I got a bill in the mail this afternoon for 33,000. 9,000 was deducted bc that is what I actually paid the hospital, the other 4,658 was the surgeon fee, ins and anesthesia, which I paid directly to them. The remainder of the balance is 24,124 and it says this is a bill. So my question is...... Do I have to submit this to the ins company and they pick it up...... or do I submit the ins info to the hospital? I am freaking out! There is no way I could pay 24k to this hospital. Does anyone have experience with this or know what I should do? please help....

Have you tried tracking calories? That's what I do to keep myself in check. I was banded Jan30 and have lost about 30 lbs since then, but it has not been bc of the band! It has been self control and fear of eating too much...so I guess some of it is the band, then I have had one fill of 3 cc in a 10 cc band...looking forward to my next one for sure!

I've been sleeping in the recliner so I wouldn't have such a time getting in and out of bed. I think by tomorrow I'll be good to sleep in bed. As far as the bed and jeep being high... I would think that would be better! I have a grand prix and a tahoe and even with gas being $3.50 a gallon, we drive the tahoe right now bc it's easier to get out of by just stepping down.. not having to pull yourself up. Good luck!!!

I was sleaved 11 days ago, and I've been having diarrhea (about 4 wattery BMs a day). My surigical team keeps everyone on clear liquids for two weeks after surgery. I called them over this weekend because I was so frustrated, and I was told to take a little benefiber with my liquids. That's doing nothing. Anyone else experience this after surgery? Sorry about the rant, but I'm just tired, annoyed, and feeling lots of other emotions.

I'm a newbie. From wayne co ga. A friend and I are going to memorial 1st wensday of august for the informational session. I hope to learn more there however I have read so much in the past 2 weeks I feel like a pro. Never thought I would consider any wls but I am getting desperate I have always stayed at 215-220 on a 5'10" frame I carried my weight very well. But this past year I have put on extra 40 lbs not to include those I've lost and gained back. I'm so fatigued and unmotivated to even move. Having 3 kids is a challenge for me and I want to be the mom that will go outside with them and play. Has anyone dealt with bc/bs ga? I have called them and asked if they will cover the Lb. They said yes if I was at 40 bmi. I'm not I'm 37 but I have maligment high blood pressure and without lots of meds my blood pressure is around 180/120 to 220/140 easy. I read that if you have 35bmi or more with another life threating disease you could get the Lb. Dont know if the ins com. agrees. I'm not much of a pusher not sure how I would react if I get turned down. Great site love the encouragement and true compassion for oneanother.