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I didn't realize I would have to give up soda forever :party:. I thought I would be able to have some from time to time a few months after the surgery. Oh well! It's a small price to pay for loosing weight and becoming healthy. Ice tea (with splenda) here I come!

I had my appointment to meet up with my surgeon on base. It was actually a class full of people sitting down at desks while 2 surgeons talked and explained everything. it was very informative and we filled out a booklet of questions.. which asked about previous diets and stuff like that... N e ways the surgeons were really laid back and supportive towards everyone getting the surgery.. which was a surprise because military docs can be real stuck up a holes that judge... but these were understanding and supported the surgery all the way. They want me to log everything that i eat from now on... yea soo im gonna start tommorrow.. they also said that it is reccommended that we go on a high protein shake diet 2 weeks prior but they were really laid back about it. They basiclly said we could eat too but the surgeon would appreciate the protein shake diet for a smaller liver.. basiclly they didnt even really care they just suggested it.. i dont know if they are being laid back now because its just the begining and they dont wanna scare me away....and then they will snap the whip and make me go through hell at last minute... but whatever it takes i am ready for. if im gonna go all out and get this surgery done I will be sucessfull and be an allstar and loose the weight... im just soo excited and driven to get this done... So basiclly the next steps will be to go to a nutrition class :scared2:and have a psych eval and then back to the surgeon for a second visit and to schedule an appointment. :thumbup: The surgeon said it would be about a month and a half to two month wait to get everything done and get the band put it... to me thats fast and i cant wait... :thumbdown: IM SOOOO EXCITED AND I JUST CANT HIDE IT!!!! I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW IM GONNA GET BANDED!!!!! WHOOOO HOOOO....

I had my appointment to meet up with my surgeon on base. It was actually a class full of people sitting down at desks while 2 surgeons talked and explained everything. it was very informative and we filled out a booklet of questions.. which asked about previous diets and stuff like that... N e ways the surgeons were really laid back and supportive towards everyone getting the surgery.. which was a surprise because military docs can be real stuck up a holes that judge... but these were understanding and supported the surgery all the way. They want me to log everything that i eat from now on... yea soo im gonna start tommorrow.. they also said that it is reccommended that we go on a high protein shake diet 2 weeks prior but they were really laid back about it. They basiclly said we could eat too but the surgeon would appreciate the protein shake diet for a smaller liver.. basiclly they didnt even really care they just suggested it.. i dont know if they are being laid back now because its just the begining and they dont wanna scare me away....and then they will snap the whip and make me go through hell at last minute... but whatever it takes i am ready for. if im gonna go all out and get this surgery done I will be sucessfull and be an allstar and loose the weight... im just soo excited and driven to get this done...:sad: So basiclly the next steps will be to go to a nutrition class :scared2:and have a psych eval :tt2: and then back to the surgeon for a second visit and to schedule an appointment. :thumbup: The surgeon said it would be about a month and a half to two month wait to get everything done and get the band put it... to me thats fast and i cant wait... :biggrin: IM SOOOO EXCITED AND I JUST CANT HIDE IT!!!! I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW IM GONNA GET BANDED!!!!! WHOOOO HOOOO....

Girl I'm taking some vitamins, I only gained 3 lbs. Any tips you all have for me to gain extra weight. Oh yeah Nikkee has lost some more she is down to a size 16 and its almost too big..HAHA She is going to put more pics up soon.

I working on getting my approval. I'm diabetic also. Do you still take your meds. I'm on Lantus and Actos. I want off the Lantus as I have gained since starting it. My A1C is 6.5 with all the meds.

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/squelching-myths-about-weight-loss-surgery.html I like this web page. A lot of good thoughts on it.

Actually, I'm the opposite... I'm trying the vegan lifestyle for a while. I've eaten meat and fast food all my life. No medical conditions other that being overweight, so insurance wouldn't pay. I was banded 3 years ago. Lost 50 lbs (goal was 75), weight loss stopped then reversed and I've gained most of it back. So, I'm going to try vegan eating. I'm considering going in for an unfill just so I can eat salads and pastas again.

Hi. I'm almost 8 months post op, and I went in for a physical last week. Apparently my cholesterol levels came back high. I was never a big meat eater, but I have been eating more meat because "Protein first." I do not want to take medication. I was able to get off pre diabetic meds and high blood pressure meds. I have never had high cholesterol or have been on meds for it? could it be my age? I just turned 49. I don't know. But I want to cut down on animal protein and get my protein from other sources. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. My weight loss is going great though. It has slowed down a little, but I am happy. I have not gained, some weeks no loss but I am still losing. I was self pay, so I am going to look into seeing a nut. My health insurance might cover that. If not, I will just pay. thanks guys.

<p>Hello Everyone. I was interested in gastric bypass but after doing research, I don't want it at all. The lap band looks like a good option, at least from everything I've read so far anyway. The problem is my insurance doesn't cover it and I don't have a lot of money. </p> <p> </p> <p>I've been overweight since I was about 20. Several years ago I exercized really hard and lost 50 pounds over a few months. But I've gradually gained it all back plus, and now I weigh about 350. I've recently started getting chronic lower back pain. It seems like the least effort makes me sweat... Needless to say, it's no fun. </p> <p> </p> <p>What I want to know is, where can I get a quality lap band surgery at the lowest price? I live in OR. I am willing to travel to Mexico but if there's a place of comperable price here in the US, I'd rather go there. The sites advertising lap band surgery in Mexico sound good. But I'd really like to hear from those of you who got it done there recently and a year or so ago. Did they do a good job? Where did you go? What Dr.? How much did it cost? </p> <p> </p> <p>If anyone got it done locally in OR, where did you get it done? If it was covered, what insurance do you have? </p> <p> </p> <p>Another concern I have is about obstruction. A few months after you get the surgery and you're back on solid food, what happens if you eat a bite of something like meat that doesn't easily dissolve with water and you forget to chew that one bite really well? Will it almost definately obstruct the band? </p> <p> </p> <p>Does anyone know if medicare will cover lap band surgery?</p> <p> </p> <p>Sorry this is so long and thanks ahead of time to those who respond!</p> <p> </p> <p>Emily</p>

How long did you give it? At your height/age/weight 1200 a day should NOT put you in starvation mode unless you are exercising like a maniac every day. But you know your body best. You tried eating all the calories from your exercise and that wasn't working.

I really hate the ones that say I have had family that has weight loss procedures done and they really messed up and died because they couldn't control their eating. What the hell!!! You know I have been doing research on this subject for about 6 months. People got to understand that we as people are all not doomed to failure. I am fully aware that If I don't follow rules of pre op and post op especially. I am opening a really big big can of worms. I know that I probably land myself back in the hosptial with a leak or worse.. I just don't get that people just can't be there for support. I talked with my boss and he told me that I should tell everyone at work. I just don't know if I am comfortable with this.. I just don't want to get back from sugery with a million of questions of people asking me if I am sick or dying..I Think I am going to write a letter the day that I leave and tell everyone at my plant so they will all know what is going on.. I have picked my best friends and I am going to tell them personally. They just don't understand that we don't really want their opinions we just want to be heard and understood.. Nothing more!!!

Today is Feb 2, 2013 how is everyone doing on their personal journey. I reached my personal goal last September and have managed to maintain my weight now for 5 months. I am still working out with my trainer 2 days a week and doing some cardio off and on. I have not had a fill since Jan 30, 2012. I can't believe I have made it a year without adding to my band. I do have days when I feel hungrier than others but those days are few and far between. Hope everyone is doing well. Check in and let everyone know how your doing.

I don't know if I want to tell or not. My mother, boyfriend, and three closes friends know. But if they weight falls off what am I going to tell people? I don't mind being honest about it. What scares me the most is if I tell someone (some people can be very rude and gossipy) and they make it sound like a bad thing? I have always been big and worked hard on being invisible. I never really stood up for myself. Can I do that now? I know that this is just a tool and a tool I want. But others might not see it like that. How so I handle the opposition when I've never had to really face it before and instead turned the other way?

Hi Renee and welcome to the group!!! Wow you are tackeling alot!!! A great big pat on the back for giving up the smoking and making yourself a priority!! I have 2 boys myself and we are the same height and only 5 pounds off in weight. My DH is also very supportive of my decision. I started back in January (it was my bday gift to myself) joined the gym and started going 2-3x per week. It is a 30 minute circuit workout that is MY time, even when the boys say to me "mom do you have to go today?" my response is yes, it is for me and my health. I am only a week post op, and would I go back??? NO, I have lost 20 pounds since the end of January, only 2 since the surg. but I feel great about my decision and I know that I am on the road to a happier, healthier me. I am only having a problem getting in the 64 ounces of Water every day, not drinking 30 minutes before or after meals, it does take some doing getting the fluids in. I have found myself up in the middle of the night having a glass of water when I put the dogs out. Again as a mom myself we often put ourselves on the backburner, making everyone else the priority-congratulations on putting yourself to the top and taking care of you. Keep us updated on your progress. Best of luck as you continue on your journey.

Have You Ever Had a Situation in Your Life When You Wanted To Do Something But, People Try To Make You Think Their Way is Correct; buy a home, get a new career, leave your husband or wife, go back to school, loose weight their way,start your own career, buy a car, Spend your money, have a child, think your bosses way is correct, when he or she is not or what ever it is!! And people can't figure out why you won't listen!! John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:05 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice. Love You!! Happy Thursday!!

Hello, I have finally decided that I NEED the gastric sleeve after a lifetime of dieting...getting to my goal weight and then putting it all back on again! A workmate and his wife, who had the proceedure were kind enough to share their experiences with me. I have taken the bull by the horns and decided on my surgeon and have now commenced the pre surgery process. My surgeon doesn't have any free appointments for a first visit until September this year!! What does that tell you about the obesity epidemic LOL. So I am now just getting things done so if he has a cancellation I am well placed. It's hard waiting now I have made the decision...I want it NOW, but I am also a little scared and hope everything turns out well.

Most of the folks closest to me know that I've had the sleeve surgery so they know I will be eating much less at meal times, and that my husband and I now share a plate when we go out to eat. When others who don't know about my surgery comment on my weight loss, if it's a compliment, I simply say "thank you" and don't feel the need to go into any further detail. If they comment about how little I'm eating or drinking, I simply say I've changed my eating habits. I'm not rude about any of it. And some folks who don't already know I will sometimes simply say I had to have surgery because of various health issues. It all depends on who I'm talking with as to how much information I feel like sharing. I'm not ashamed of having the surgery so I'm not trying to hide that fact; I just don't feel compelled to explain to everyone I meet who notices the significant weight lose how I lost the weight.

So I'm not off the rails by any means, but struggling to get even a few lbs off. I'm 2 yrs & 8 months post VSG. And 4 months post LBL. Up until my LBL I'd consistently maintained a 130 lbs weight loss. Maintaining that loss was not without effort. My diet in check, track everything I eat, exercise 6 days a week. Immediately after LBL I feel like a switch got flipped. My weight bounced around a bit with the expected weight loss with my skin removal (which was minor as it truly was just skin being removed) and then the expected gain with swelling and of course lack of activity while I recovered. Nothing that concerned me. But now I'm up 7 lbs and I can't seem to shake it. I've locked down my eating, increased my water intake, I've been back to previous amount of cardio for over two months, I'm keeping a tight control on sugar and carbs which is much harder these days, getting in all my protein and still the scale isn't moving. It's like my body is intent on holding onto the extra weight. What gives!!!! I feel like if my calorie intake goes above 1,000 a day, I gain weight which is crazy. I was able to maintain eating 1200-1400 a day before. I know it's just 7 lbs, but 7 becomes 10. And fear of returning to old habits and regaining weight is always top of mind with me. I'm sure I'm not alone. Hoping this is just part of the recovery.

To shape my body while losing weight . I got my sleeve 2014 and I didn't lose weight. This time im optimistic that I'll lose weight . Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using the BariatricPal App

I don't know who all Diane may have contacted, but I heard from her today. She has successfully gotten through 2 surgeries to the brain and is recuperating in San Franciso where the work was done. She will be returning home on 9/9. She is doing very well. Because she has been on steroids during all of this, her weight loss has been put on hold, but she has a wonderful attitude and is going to do just fine. Just wanted to let those of you know who might have been wondering.

Love how you post in the Mens Room and get mostly female answers? Upper GI endoscopy is probably the test. (The tool is an endoscope, the procedure is endoscopy, and upper GI is where they're going.) You'll most likely be in twilight sleep for it, and completely unaware - or maybe slightly aware. I can remember being wheeled into the room. I remember them telling me "We're going to stick this in your mouth" and it looking like a big beige Tylenol with a hole in it (they thread the camera through it), but I don't remember it going in my mouth. I also remember them telling me they were going to spray the stuff that numbs the throat (limits gag reflex) but I don't remember tasting it or anything. I just remember these things as snapshots after the fact. It's truly no where near as horrible as I expected it to be. Usually insurance companies are wanting "documented" weightloss attempts (e.g. those mentioned before, for which you would have a receipt, or log, or weigh-ins, or could somehow verify you really did it). But not always. Write down anything you can think of: what you did, what you lost, etc. In my documentation for my first bariatric surgery (lapband) I included a crazy, but successful diet I did ~1995 where I ate whatever I wanted but no more than 10gm of fat a day. I also documented my Atkins diet attempt, for which I printed out logs I'd kept on an Atkind diet messageboard. DcMak72 - it indeed will be here like *that*. Use the time to get your preparations done - find a few Protein powders you like, start making the behavioral changes you'll need post-op (e.g. chewing everything to goo - breaking bad chewing behaviors is harder than it seems it would be), if you don't yet start ensuring you're taking in 64 oz of Water a day, at least -- if you're going high protein use 64 oz as your base, and add 8 oz for every 25 lbs of weight you need to lose. I had to wait about 6 mos between my band removal and my sleeve (insurance fiasco), and about 1.5 mos between being scheduled and surgery date. At the time it seemed impossibly long, but overall it flew by. Best of luck!

I was the same way Mona. After I graduated from college, I dedicated my life to working out. I went from 220 to 170, however I had also been on phentermine as prescribed by my old(slave to the drug company) doctor. Low and behold, I had to have surgery (unrelated) and in recovery they could not get my heart down to a normal beat. It scared my so bad I was off for good...ballooned back up and past my first highest weight. Oh and PhotoNut..I hear you. I plan on getting back to the gym and getting a head start, but I AM going to treat myself on the cruise. It was preplanned, surgery or not. I will get it together though...just to make myself feel good :-D

I am new to this site, I am hoping that I will gain the support that I have seen many others gain here. So far I am encourage through what I am seeing from others. I will be attending a seminar on Sept 22,2012 which I guess is the first step to this journey. I am so excited about this life change and upsetthat arrived to the first seminar that I had scheduled late and they would not let me enter. But I am 26 years old weghing 268 and stand 5'5". I normally wear like a 14-16. I am just simply tired of being over weight. Please share you ensight with me

Date Printed: January 5, 2007: 10:48 PM Supplemental Letter for January 9, 2007 January 3, 2007 Dear Review Panel: Presented to you for review is my case for a gastric procedure known as a laproscopic banding procedure or "Lap-Band". In a lower review, BCBSFL did not dispute that I meet the criteria for the Lap-Band procedure. There is no dispute that I would benefit from weight loss surgery and there is no dispute that losing weight would be beneficial to my health. At issue is the coverage of this surgery and the exception I am requesting for this exclusion. Ironically, I received a phone call a few weeks ago from BCBSFL's new Diagnostics Program that offers support to wellness. Through this program, I gained beneficial information in the form of a booklet, catalog and DVD on the very weight loss surgery I am requesting. There is evidence in my medical records that I have tried for years multiple weight loss regimens and used pharmacotherapy for obesity under the supervision of my physician, Dr. Alan Sichelman. For my mental state, it is documented by my therapist, Jane Fenby, that I have a full understanding of what this procedure entails and that it will be a lifetime commitment on my part. There is no indication that I am unstable, misinformed with perceptions of unrealistic expectations; Rather so, that I have pursued this avenue under the direction of my primary care physician and other medical personnel, with cooperation, information and education; That I am laying the course for my surgical event and post surgical life by the compass of these individuals and their combined medical expertise demonstrates I am an individual who very much wishes to be healed. Unquestionably, I am ill and feel I am fighting for my life. As a result of my severe morbid obesity, I suffer from sleep apnea, diabetes, depression, back problems, joint pain, hypertension, migraines, Pictures will show my condition and the severity of my obesity. It is true that my life is endangered. This procedure will prevent the worsening of my condition, alleviate present harmful medical conditions and perhaps cure them. It is the conclusion of my physican(s) and myself that I am in need of this operation. Please authorize my surgery. Additional: As providers of health care coverage, Blue Cross and Blue Shield has historically authorized weight loss surgery. Currently, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina cut in half hospital re-admissions "by the twelve surgeons in North Carolina that are designated as centers of excellence for bariatric (obesity) surgery." Additionally, BCBSNC was one of the first insurers in the nation to officially recognize centers of excellence for bariatric surgery. Illinois also follows this model as well as South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan and several other states. In recent publications in the Tampa Bay area, BCBSFL appears to be using bariatric surgery denials as a financial decision rather than one in the best interest of patient care. I must express my concern that with sufficient evidence from their medical providers and informed decisions with which they move forward, it is very troubling that patient/physician decisions of health necessity are disrupted, ignored and denied, superceded by a focus on cost. It is hoped that Florida will soon follow the successful excellence practice as established by Blue Cross and Blue Shield in other states. Patricia Reeves