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OMG, I am also feeling this way! I was banded five weeks ago and can eat anything!!! I stopped losing weight two weeks ago and am freaking out. At least I haven't been gaining, but I feel that same out-of-control feeling that I did before surgery. Thank goodness I am not the only one. My fill is in two weeks, so I'm trying to hang in there until then.

This happened to me. Did all the testing day prior to surg cancel insurance denial And I did 3 appeals and lost I had proof of weight watchers. Diet pills etc. they wouldn’t take. I have Cigna. 2/10 I am leaving for Mexico ! I have no choice

this is a very good point :smile:i'm sure that alot of us are very good [and used to ] at beating ourselves up about our weight !!:rolleyes:now is the time to let ourselves heal and have a bit of faith in the future

Hi babyka16, I started a Thread to show my story and my process into getting the Lapband to help people that are just starting out at (http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f18/introducing-myself-my-story-so-far-98091/#post1276858). I've searched Lapbandtalk.com and other websites to try to find out as much info as I possibly can and I'm still confused sometimes, lol. I posted steps on how the process on my thread and I've also included it below. I hope this helps you and wishing you luck on your process. I also have tricare prime with triwest... So for people who are just starting out I'll give you the rundown of what to do so far so your process will run more smoothly. **Remember: some doctors and different regions might run differently from mine but I'm sure the whole process is very similar (I have tricare prime with triwest)** 1.First: See if you fit tricare’s criteria for bariatric surgery... TRICARE defines "morbid obesity" as meeting one of the following conditions: a. The body weight is 100 pounds over the listed weight for height and bone structure (according to the most current Metropolitan Life Table) with one or more of the accompanying severe medical conditions which are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, pickwickian syndrome, hypothalamic disorders or severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints—conditions shown to have higher mortality rates when associated with morbid obesity b. The body weight is 200 percent or more of listed weight range for height and bone structure (according to the most current Metropolitan Life Table) Example: if your ideal weight is 112 and your weight is 224 or more than you are 200% over your ideal weight. In addition, TRICARE will cover the gastric banding surgery if a patient has had an intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and, because of complications, requires a second surgery. **Note: Tricare does not require a 6 month diet plan but you primary care physician might require it before they will give you a referral** 2.Second: 1st If you haven’t already, sign up for your region’s online service so you can know if your referrals have been approved (I’m triwest so my website is triwest.com if you don’t know your region got to tricare.mil and find out). 2nd If you think you fit one or more of the above conditions for tricare, go to your primary care physician and ask for a referral to a lap band surgeon. Your best bet for getting the referral is to show and tell that you’ve tried everything to lose weight and have dealt with weight for many years (usually 5 years or more). 3. Third: When you get your referral and get approved for your first consult, which you can check online to see if your approved at triwest.com, make an appt with your surgeon of choice and print or bring the approval letter to your surgeon’s office when you go for your appt. **Some people have to see a base doctor for their surgery so you don’t have to wait for approval from tricare if you have a base doctor doing your surgery, you would have to wait for approval from the base doctor them self’s** 4. Forth: After/during making your appt make sure to ask what tests (blood tests) and classes (seminars, pshyc eval, ect.) do you have to have or can have done prior to your visit to your doctor so that after you see the doctor it won’t take longer to get approved for your surgery. The blood tests usually include (some doctors might want more blood work done): CBC & differential count, CMP, TSH, and H-pylori blood test. · A CBC is a complete blood count that is a series of lab tests that measure the amount, shapes, and sizes of red and white blood cells in a sample. The differential is a blood test that measures the different types of white blood cells and compares their amounts to the total count. · The CMP is a comprehensive metabolic panel blood test that provides information about: how the kidney and liver are functioning, sugar (glucose) and Protein levels in the blood, and the body's electrolyte and Fluid balance. · The THS is a thyroid stimulating hormone test that is a common blood test used to evaluate how well the thyroid gland is working. · The H-pylori blood test tests are used to detect a Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. H. pylori can cause peptic ulcers; however, most people with H. pylori in their digestive systems do not develop ulcers. The Blood antibody test for H-pylori blood test checks to see whether your body has made antibodies to H. pylori bacteria. If you have antibodies to H. pylori in your blood, it means you either are currently infected or have been infected in the past. 5. Fifth: After your doctor’s office has all of your blood work, their required classes and evaluations in and you’ve been cleared by your surgeon as a good candidate for the surgery (which usually you will be cleared by your surgeon if you have a BMI of 35+ with a co-morbid OR have a BMI of 40+ and have been cleared by an nutritionist and physiatrist). The nurse or staff at your surgeon’s office will fax all the documentation to your insurance company (which would include your blood work, doctors notes, your comorbids (if any), weight, height, and bone structure, ect.) 6. Sixth: After your doctor’s office faxes your documentation to your insurance company the wait begins. For tricare I’ve heard all different things but most say they were approved within 24-48 hours. If you just can’t wait for a letter to come in the mail for your approval I would suggest to check online to see if you are approved (triwest.com or tricare.mil). If you see that you are denied don’t be alarmed just file a appeal. From what I’ve read most of the time the reason for denial’s are because your doctor’s office wrote down the wrong information (e.g. your weight is 250 but they put 225 or your height is 5’4 but they put down 5’7, ect.) or the doctor’s office left out information that is crucial to getting approved (e.g. They left out your weight or height, ect.). Just call tricare and ask why you were denied and have your surgeon’s office change what was wrong and re-fax it in to tricare and usually you will be approved if what was wrong was changed and it fit tricare’s conditions. 7. Seventh: After you get your approval your doctor’s office should get notification and so should you, either through the mail, a phone call, or you tricare region’s website. If you find out off the tricare’s website you most likely found out before your doctor’s office, I would suggest you call your doctor’s office and tell them so you can schedule your surgery. If you are anything like me when I get my letter of approval or see that I’m approved online I will first jump for joy and second call my doctors office to schedule my surgery, lol. I’m probably leaving something’s out but this is an overview of what you will have to do in trying to get approved for the Lapband. I hope this helps some of you just starting this process. I’ve looked high and low and it is really hard to find a “one stop” list of “how to” on the lapband process with tricare. I will say again that some procedures are a little different according to what region you’re in with tricare, if you have a base hospital that does Lapband there, and if you have tricare standard instead of tricare prime. But overall the process is kind of the same and will at least give you an overall look at what you have in store. I’m by far not an expert on this but I’ve read and lerked around these and other forums to get informed on the subject. I’m still on step number 4(blood work)/6 but I’m just a little step closer to my goal. I’ve been dreaming of having this tool to help me change my life I’m hoping this is it for me! I’ll keep yall updated on my progress, and I hope this helps anyone considering this surgery. Much love for you guys, wish me luck!!! :smile:

I'm going to be banded the day before you. I didn't have a pre-op diet, so I imagine that I will lose a lot of Water weight the 1st month. Are you on a preop diet? Also, I will avoid all 4th of July bbqs. I think you have a legit reason not to make an appearance. Good luck!

I haven't tried to do any liquid diet or anything like that. I have to weight till June 6th to see the surgeon, so for the next month I can't lose any weight. I am 103 lbs over weight and can't go below 100 lbs. Insurance doesn't go by BMI. Anyway, what I have done though is like taken really tiny bites and chewed the crap out of them. It is actually hard because I really wanna swallow them before they are ready to be swallowed. I have also been trying not to drink so much when I eat. I know that will be the biggest problem I will have post-op.

I've had 5 c/s's...two have been post RNY ~ I haven't had any issues with losing weight anywhere.

I check in once a month for weight and to tell them what I'm doing to loose weight. They like to hear that I'm cutting back on intake and excersizing. Congrats on the start of a new life.

Yay!!! Come over to the fabulous February pre-op group, we'll add ya to the batch!!!! HW 312, pre-op (lap-band) 294, pre-op (RNY) 251, surgery date 2/11/13, goal weight 154, current weight 248

Hi. I haven't had my lap band yet. I go to see th coordinator tomorrow. I am 5'4 and weigh 203. I'm worried that I'll be the one not to lose weight or I'll never have goo restriction. I am paying oort of pocket and I don't want it to be a waste of money. When are you getting banded?

I originally wanted the sleeve because I've seen & heard so many success stories, but I became worried about not being able to take MS Meds. Good luck to you on your weight loss journey! Keep me posted how your progress is going!

Weight loss happens in funny places, huh? Sometimes I notice saggy skin, but a couples of weeks later, it looks better.

The standard for calculating BMI is (weight in pounds*703)/height in inches squared. You can also visit online calculators like this one. Your BMI registers as 32.8. Unless you have two or more significant medical issues related to your weight, you're probably going to have a tough time getting insurance to cover your surgery.

Years ago I joined weight watchers. They had this beautiful woman stand up and announced that she had met her goal weight that night. She looked like a size 0 so I was impressed until they said she had joined 9 months before and had lost 14 pounds. My mom and I didnt really know what to think. I told my mom that I had lost that much with one bowel movement. Needless to say we were cracking up. Not meaning to imply that I was not happy for her weight loss. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G750A using the BariatricPal App

I wouldn't have had any other surgery but the sleeve. After researching it so much and reading the stories and actual personal experinces that people post on here. I've heard of people who have GERD get the sleeve done and as long you find a PPI that will work for you. My Suregon said in the seminar that most people will have heartburn for about a year after surgery. I'm 7 weeks out and have only had it once and that was because I forgot to take my PPI. And Ive seen many people regain weight with RNY because they are still hungry, with the sleeve for the most part we are never hungry. I'd check around for another DR who would do it. I know mine in Dayton OH would. So if you don't live that far, msg me and Ill give you his details. Kelli

Congrats on your date! It is my understanding that the pre-op diet is more to shrink your liver before surgery than for you to lose any weight. Often times the two go hand-in-hand. It's generally a high Protein, low carb (under 30 g) diet -- like Atkins -- that they put you on. I found it quite easy to follow and although I didn't lose all that much weight, apparently my liver was in wonderful condition! Hope that helps!

Hi Bandsters! I just joinned today! I've been doing alot of research on the procedure and after struggling with it I decided last month to get the band :Banane37:. This is against the wishes of my mom, best friend and rest of my family. But I know whats best for me. Soooo...I've completed all my tests and evals and am now waiting for insurance approval. Anyone have any exerperience with getting approval from United Healthcare? I didn't go through a six month WL program but had alot of Dr's recommendations and paperwork so I'm hoping for the best since I have a WHOLE lot of weight to loose! P.S. I'm exited to be here!

Elivia- My advice is do your research, but don't do what I did and wait five years to make the jump. I only gained more weight. I'm still new, but I have no regrets with getting my band. It definitely is a tool, not a quick fix. As, you'll read some people fail, but most of the time when you read their back story they didn't treat their bands right. Good Luck!

Hi, all. I'm in Northern California and working with Kaiser. My doc was great and gave me a referal to Bariatrics. I was assigned to the Richmond facility and attended the orientation today. At the orientation were also provided with our next appointment date, either Psych or Surgeon. I got the Psych first. So, I have a start weight to work with and know where I need to be. I have perused the forums for about the last 2 months and figured I'd say hello when I actually started the process. I figure there is a lot to learn here and wanted to learn and share my experience. As for my screen name, I'm also a SCUBA Diver. Regards

Had my last appointment Tues and they are submitting the paperwork. If UHC replies back in a timely manner I could have surgery on March 27th!!! I'm nervous yet excited. Hope I get approved. I feel like my body is giving out on me due to the excess weight I gained. I'm ready to change my life and get healthy. I do have a question about getting approved.Do I wait for them to call me or should I call after a certain amount of time?. Also anyone who has UHC how long did your approval take? Thanks!

Hiya Melissa, Thank you for responding to my post. I am happy to know that there is a great doctor to see out here. I really didn't know where to begin and so I figured going to a seminar to get info would be a great first step to a better life. Right now I feel my body slowing down almost giving up on me when it comes to losing weight. Truthfully I have been thinking about this for a cpl of years but before I never saw it as a problem. I was the type of person who always thought if I want to loose it I will. Now that I want to I can't. I can't continue to be hard on myself for something I try very hard to control. So 4 weeks ago wow! Congrats..... Whats it like so far? I know such a broad question... :thumbup: Do you feel very much pain if any at all? Thank you for the info on the meetings. Did you go through your primary doctor, and if so are they through lovelace. My primary is with Pres and I am wondering If I should change to a lovelace doctor just to keep it all within the same place. You have a great day. TTYL -Jessica

This could be a case of you losing body fat and not weight. Which happens more often than people pay attention to. Your water intake needs to be higher, I can bet your sodium intake is through the roof and you are retaining water like a dam. You **REALLY** need to start doing your own prep, Restaurants nutritional information is notoriously wrong, always WAY under what it really is. Frozen pre-preped meals are great for on the go and pinch situations but *SHOULD NOT* be your first line go to... again, sodium and lots of other things are WAY TOO HIGH! It's great you are trying to track your intake. And you say you work out, but. Is your caloric burn higher than your caloric intake? So... You need to almost double your water intake. Ensure you are working out for at least 60 mins a day (Not including anything you do at work) stop with the take out / frozen foods and start prepping your own meals. Start taking chewable or drinkable fiber daily, sounds like you aren't even close to getting your daily required fiber intake. And lastly *STOP WORRYING ABOUT YOUR WEIGHT* Weight is only 1 number in this whole equation. Your body fat % can drop and you still not lose weight. I'm down .8% body fat over the last week and I haven't lost a pound. Stay focused, do not give up.

Gazebo, I've just finished reading all your post and I must say you've had a ride....lol possible pregnancy, while going through the pre op liquid diet, I think I would've been a wreck. Well, I'm Pam, and let me tell u my story.... Former flight attendant for 18yrs, my roommate died on sept 11, on the 1st American flight that crashed so I've been emotional eating since then. Have 2 sets of grown twins so I've always maintained a 145lb weight. I'm 5'8. 7yrs ago working a flight we hit some horrible turbulence and dropped 500 ft in the air and I was thrown. I broke my back and neck and have been disabled since the surgeries. They found out I have multiple sclerosis also. Then, arthritis, depression, fibromyalgia....to name a few other things set in and with all the steroids they were feeding me, I ballooned up to 303lbs. Within 15 months. I went from traveling the world, to walking on a walker. I live in Pensacola FL., and there's the most beautiful, gentle, patient staff of nutritionists, and drs where I was referred to that they feel like family. My dr even gave me his cellphone number and said to call him if I ever just needed to VENT. I went through the 6 months process of relearning how to eat right. I lost 15 lbs cutting back to 1500 calories, 65oz water and my protein shakes, and oct 4,2016 was my surgery day. That morning I weighed in at 289. The liquid diet wasn't my hardest thing because I lost my appetite for food. Once I put it in my mind that I wanted to get this weight off, it melted off. When I went for my 3 month, I had lost 65lbs. My walker was gone, the pain in my knees was gone. The dr had to look back at my last photo to make sure that was me. He literally cried because I came to him almost dead. I wanted to die the way my life had changed. I never thought I'd see myself under 200lbs again and like you, I didn't set a goal weight. I wanted to get to whatever looks good to me. And I have stopped at 160. I like me curves. My breast had gotten up to 52DDD. But now my dr has referred me to a plastic surgeon for a reduction and lift because of back and neck pain and insurance is paying. That's my only issue now and I'm done. We all have stories and you will to. It maybe hard for the next couple of days. My surgery was quick, he repaired a hernia I didn't even know was there, but painless. My ONLY complaint now, which is the biggest 1, is I've developed chronic constipation and it is horrible. I've been to specialists and they've tried almost everything. Nothing works, and I may need a corrective procedure. But everyone is different. You're in my prayers tonight. I am in Paris at the moment, and it's 250am here. I know without this surgery, I would've never gotten the chance to travel again. God's got your back. Bless you

The stomach flu visited my house this weekend. 1 child, my hubby and me, all while planning a birthday party. I managed well, trying to stay hydrated and sane and it all worked out in the end. I had my follow up appts today. My endo jad to lower my synthroid..it seems I'm slightly over active. But I have no negative symptoms, sonwe came to a compromise. I get skip 1 day of dosage. Saw mu surgeon today. Ive lost 52lbs since surgery. (My scale says 60 :-) ) His scale 230 My scale 227 we also started counting at different times. He says I'm halfway there which would put me at 178? I read the weight chart in his office and "ideal" weight range for me would be 132 ish to 144. But I would be more than happy at 175. Anyway for those counting (me) Highest weight 287 Current weight 227