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Just a bit of background: I was initially banded 12/07 and then needed a band adjustment surgery in 2/09. I am now 5 months out from that surgery, and I've been going every 4-5 weeks for adjustments. Obviously they are taking it slow because I had a slipped band and we do not want to see a repeat of that. At this point, I believe I'm at 5.5 or 6 (somewhere around there) out of 14cc. I don't think I should be able to eat the amount of food I am able to eat and in the time I'm able to eat it. i haven't had any issues at all with digestion, I mean not one PB or vomit episode (knock on wood, I'm trying to keep it this way!!!!) but I can eat an entire turkey burger, the whole bun, and some baked fries on the side. And i could eat all of that in under 10 minutes. I'm trying to stay healthy and I'm eating the right things (for the most part), but when I see how fast and how much I can eat, I start to worry if there's something wrong. and I know I am paranoid and I think that my band might have slipped again (because the last time I was able to eat a lot and then suddenly nothing at all). I guess I am just wondering how others with the same amount of fill did at that stage. were you able to eat so much and so quickly?

I have no idea, I have harvard pilgram and they paid 100% of my surgery - the only our of pocket i had was 500 for the education class i had to take and copays at 10 bucks.. and even then the first 3 months the fill and follow up visits had no copay just had the first one yesterday.

Melissa, girlfriend, your surgeon is right! I just made it to 'onederland' (slang for going under 200 lbs.) the past month. My surgery was Oct 11th-started pre-op diet Aug 11 weighing 278. Today, almost 5 months post-op and I weigh 197! I haven't weighed under 200 lbs in 20 years-since b4 my 2 daughters were born and they are 18&19! I never thought I'ld see the day-like you I've dieted only to stall and regain. I look and feel better than I have in many years. Is it easy? He-- no! I stll have hard days, but with my diabetes reversed and sleep apnea gone, I now have the energy and drive to live my life to the fullest. Not just being worried about having a full tummy. Good luck-we're here for you!

Hi all!!! My surgery is scheduled for October 16th at Barix clinic in Langhorne, Pa with Dr Marymor. I am very excited.. I am currently on my 10 day liquid diet. Today being the 3rd day, I am experiencing severe "cleansing" while at work. This is bothersome to say the least. I am drinking my Fuzzy Navel protien shakes but prefer something more tasty as far as protein. I made my own chicken broth as the store bought was bland. I am having a difficult time with this all liquid diet. Can anyone please tell me how many grams of protein I should be consuming daily before and after surgery???

At my highest i weighed more than most here, and never had to buy two tickets. Seats vary in width by class (1st/standard, as MariMaru said), and by plane type, and occasionally by airline. I prefer window seats, but they're no wider than the aisle seats. The only room difference you're really going to get outside of first or a specialty airline is front-back (front seats, exit aisle, etc.) not side-side. Check out www.seatguru.com. They have lots of seat specs. You can also Google and quickly find the exact width of a seat on just about any plane, as well as averages. E.g. Southwest averages seat widths about 19", United about 21" (if memory serves - I don't fly either unless there's no other choice!)

I haven't had anything fried yet but I have had some other things and I just have one bite and I am good, I am satisfied and no ill effects so far. Today I had a bite of a hot dog from SAMs club, don't ask me why I wanted that but one bite that I tore into 10 tiny pieces and chewed and chewed into nothing and I was happy.

I was thinking the same thing! I plan on making me a silver bracelet with a round charm hanging off it for every 10 pounds I lose! I'm hoping to have 10 little charms on it to represent 100 pounds some day! This way it will always remind me where I can from.

OK--we've all been banded and recovered now--who is exercising? I am fortunate that the hospital where I was banded includes an 8-week exercise program with a trainer as part of the package. I started last week (1 1/2 weeks post-op) and am up to 40 min. on the treadmill and 30 min. on the bike. I am going to start with some light weights this week. Here is the FUN thing that I am hoping to do--locally, we have several walk/runs throughout the fall/winter. The first is Thanksgiving morning (2 miles) and I am planning to walk it with my husband. There is one each month in December, January, and February. The longest is 4 miles. For each, you get a t-shirt (I am a sucker for those!). Another thing I found through the YMCA is a fall hiking challenge that has you do 6/10 different trails in the area and you get a t-shirt for completing it (yes, another t-shirt!). I just wanted to encourage you to start exercising if you haven't and maybe join a group or train for a walk or run. A friend of mine who is newly single joined a contra dancing group and is meeting new people and having a great time (she is quite overweight). I am so proud of myself for actually GOING to the gym (a big thing for me). The good feelings last all day after I work out! ~~anne

Welcome! I am not military, but wanted to say that my husband and I are also doing this together! :thumbs_up: We are using our medical insurance, but have to pay over $5K in high ded. first then 10% on everything after we hit ded. My DH is about 2 months behind me in the process and all of my stuff was turned over to insurance yesterday so I'm waiting for approval and hoping to have surgery THIS month! We did the same thing, started out going for the band because my initial research on the sleeve didn't indicate that it was a stand-alone procedure, everything I found said it was part of a 2-part surgery and I immediately didn't want 2 surgeries! Thank God for this board and all the advice that the wonderful people here have given. I think it saved us both from getting that terrible band! :teeth_smile:

I have a blog, but am looking for more people going through the same things as me. Www.adorkabletreasure.wordpress.com November 13: The Major Decision Within the last month, I've decided that I needed a change in my life. This change could potentially change my life dramatically-for the better. I am terrified of what will happen, the long term effects and the process in general. However, I need to do this. I need to do this for me. I need to do this for my son. What is this change? What could possibly change my life so much? Weight loss. Yup, this is another one of those blogs. I've always wanted to lose weight. It just never happened. I think I really packed it on when I was about 12 or 13. I remember coming home for Christmas break and my mom calling my school to ask what they were feeding me. I don't remember when I passed 200 pounds. I remember passing 300 at the end of my pregnancy and being so so grossed out. I've lost about 30 pounds post pregnancy.....4 years ago. My insurance covers bariatric surgery 100%. That was a shocker. I've gone back and forth with considering this as an option for some time now, but I haven't made any progress on my own. It's time for some professional help. Hey, after the year I've had (divorced, moved to a new state, multiple family deaths, new job etc) I need to do something positive for me. And I need to do everything I can to make sure I'm around to see my son grow up. The first step that I took was finding someone who took my insurance. It's new in my area, so not many people are contracted with them. Calling my insurance didn't help, they couldn't find anyone within 50 miles of me. I did find one though! I'm set up to do the seminar on the 30th, and the first appointment with the doctor is December 3rd. I am most interested in the sleeve. Here's to a new, terrifying adventure. December 1: Today, I F-d Up. Well, yesterday and today. Yesterday, I was so engrossed in decorating the Christmas tree that I completley forgot about the WLS orientation. 6:30 came around, and so did my memory that I was suppossed to be somewhere. So it's been rescheduled. For the 10th. Maybe I won't fail at life and forget again. Todays screw up: I totally ruined my brothers Christmas. I forgot to take his Christmas present out of the car.....anndddddd he got in the car today. So his wonderful "big" surprise of an Xbox One was completley ruined. I'm thinking about putting a pair of slippers in the box instead..... On another note, my kid is back!!! December 9th: The Insurance Drama Begins.... So - I just moved to Nevada a few months ago. The insurance that I have is through Amerigroup. According to the receptionist, Amerigroup will only approve a surgery if I am on medication for high blood pressure or diabetes - no matter what the BMI is. I am on neither. Although, my doctors appointment on Wednesday, my blood pressure was 143/107. Maybe I should have that checked. My insurance that is offered through my work starts on January 1st. With Cigna. Cigna only covers 1 doctor in Las Vegas, and it's not the one I am scheduled to go to the seminar for tomorrow. So I am in a bind. Do I go to the seminar tomorrow anyway or should I just say screw it and start with the Cigna doctor? (Who has a seminar on the 15th). So many decisions!! December 11: Seminar = Completed I went to the seminar last night. There was a lot.of information given. The surgeon seems very straight forward, no bullshit kind of guy. I kinda want to know if he takes my insurance, you know sometimes the insurance sites don't list all the doctors they actually cover. I have an appointment with him on Tuesday, so hopefully I will hear good news. It did leave me debating between lap band and the sleeve though. His results from people who have had lap band are great, unlike all the horror stories I've read about it. I troed talking to my mom about it, and without a beat she said "its not like you're going to change your eating habits anyway". So I guess I can count her out for support, even though she suggested it in the first place. I'm going to try and go to the other seminar for my new insurance on Wednesday night. December 13: Officially In The Program It's official. I am on my way to VSG. I'm scared, nervous, excited, and overly cautious. I so want this, I've wanted this for years. Walking into the back office, I was shocked that I had gained 25 pounds since moving to Vegas. I had done so well, and worked so hard to lose it, and it's all back. Starting Weight: 295.2 pounds. What. The. Hell. Meeting with Dr. Teng, he told me that I was basically almost three persons. For my height, I should weigh a max of 140. Ummmm, that's only 155 pounds...no big deal... He asked me what my heaviest was - 310 at the end of pregnancy. He asked what my lightest adult weight was, from 21 years and up - lightest was 270 (I had my son when I was 20). He looked a little shocked. Then he asked what my lightest was at 18/19, which was 210. He said some things I already knew. What I am doing at home isn't working. I have to make the commitment to change. I have to work for it. Surgery is not a band aid, it's a tool. Then he told me that lap band will get me down a hundred pounds, but not much more. He is recommending the sleeve. My next appointment I make a final decision. Overall, it was just a short visit. Information gathering I suppose. The lady at the front desk, who happens to also be the dietician, said that she would discuss more about what happens at the next visit (for nutrition). My insurance (Cigna) requires that I lose 10% of my body weight before surgery. That's 30 pounds. The doctor also told ke that Cigna requires 4 months of nutrition counseling. He said that if everything goes well, I should be able to get the sleeve in March. I don't think he accounted for this being mid month, so I am going to guess April is the correct month. I am going to a nutrition appointment on the 28th. I am pretty sure she said that these were 28 days apart, but she also said something about some class being 1 or 2 times a week. I am not entirely sure what that is. Each nutrition class is $40, that my insurance does not cover. I go back to see the Dr. Teng on January 31st. That is 7 weeks into this program. By then, I should have lost at least 17 pounds to be on track for insurance approval. Here's to the most dedicated I've ever been. Last meal: chicken pot pie, ceasar salad, and lemon cream cheese pie at Marie Callendars. It was fantastic. December 21: Weigh In #1 Welp....it's been a week. I have been overly aware of what I have been eating, and how much. I've gone out to eat and ordered a salad when I wanted a burger. I stashed away the chocolate bars that were bought for me while on my period. I even went into a bakery with my mom and didn't have anything. I got on our tiny, old, hard to read scale. Its past 285, but not 290. So I'm just gonna call that a 287. Which is 7-8 pounds. Ish. Not too bad for the first week. When my new insurance kicks in, I will be able to get a wireless scale for free. Hopefully it ships quickly. I'd like to actually be able to tell what my weight is.

I hope you weren't on hold for 10 straight minutes without the customer service/advocate checking in with you! If we did that, oh would we be in some trouble! That's not good customer service at all. Sadly, I do know (at least where I work) that the department doing preauthorization has 30 days to review everything since they have so many things they work on. I rarely see it take that long. Hopefully they get it together and get your approval to you ASAP!

:unsure:I am 10 days post-op and at first, i could not drink and eat anything because i was under so much pain and discomfort. now that it is gone, i am sooo soo hungry! what to do? anyone else had this experience? i feel like i can eat anything, even though im going into "mushies" right now, i feel like i want a burger NOW!:smile2:

Ugh...I have been trying again this morning. I made a Protein shake and added Lactaid 2% milk. I have been sipping once every 5-10 minutes for the last 2 hours. I now have that back of the throat feeling again. Do you think it is best to stop trying for about 20 minutes and switch over to my apple juice or just leave it alone entirely? I'm going to email Gaby about it today too just to hear her thoughts on it. (The silver lining is that I haven't brought anything up. Knock on wood!) Thanks! HP

I recently saw "My 600 Pound Life" for the first time, featuring Melissa Morris. I was flipping through channels and I stumbled upon this and I couldn't look away. I watched the show with a mix of astonishment, disgust and yes - recognition. I am not 600 pounds. No. I am *only* 275 pounds. But let's be honest: during the first 10 minutes of watching, you're sitting there thinking, "Oh my gosh, how did she get like this? How did she let this happen? What a tragedy." And for the final 50 minutes you watch in a sickened sense of recognition. Recognition of the same focus on food, the same addictions, the same shame and the same feeling of helplessness to really fix it all by yourself. I won't watch the show with my husband or kids because I don't want want them to recognize me in those behaviors. I don't want to see the thought dawn on them - somehow I want to keep up the delusion that I'm not that bad. But I could be. It makes me grateful that I'm getting help and support. It strengthens my decision to have surgery (12 days away!!). It keeps me out of denial. Let's face it - I'm not just a few Weight Watchers meetings away from a healthy weight anymore.

That WOD's in Crossfit were named after women..my trainer this morning says..we are going to do a Cindy. I just looked at him like he had lost his mind. So he explained they have Girl Names because only a woman can make you feel like that after the workout. I was like wtf sexist! So I did AMRAP of 5 pullups (banded), 10 push ups and 15 squats for 15 minutes..so I don't think it was a full Cindy. He asked me after how I felt..as I laid there in a puddle of my own sweat trying to control my quivering forearms..I said "F CINDY...SHE IS A W*ore!!!" He started laughing and said..I told you so.

In on there too. Anyone can ad me. Banded in 10/2007

Hi! I had my surgery 10/17. I went for my first fill on 11/1 and ever since then I have the should pain. Do you have it?

Just in case anyone wants to take a copy of the Changes regarding Lapband to their Dr.s appointments, here is the link to the PDF file - it is quite awkward to manipulate - so I copied and pasted the text into this post also. Tricare Manual Once it pulls up, choose "Section Affected by Change 66" Then Download the one named "C4S13_2". I also saved it as an attachment at the bottom - I hope it works. TRICARE POLICY MANUAL 6010.54-M, AUGUST 1, 2002 SURGERY C-66, December 10, 2007 CHAPTER 4 SECTION 13.2 SURGERY FOR MORBID OBESITY ISSUE DATE: November 9, 1982 AUTHORITY: 32 CFR 199.4(e)(15) I. CPT1 PROCEDURE CODES 43644, 43770 - 43774, 43842, 43846, 43848, 43886 - 43888, S2083 II. DESCRIPTION Morbid obesity means the body weight is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure, according to the most current Metropolitan Life Table, and such weight is in association with severe medical conditions known to have higher mortality rates in association with morbid obesity; or, the body weight is 200% or more of ideal weight for height and bone structure. III. POLICY A. Gastric bypass, gastric stapling or gastroplasty, to include vertical banded gastroplasty is covered when one of the following conditions is met: 1. The patient is 100 pounds over the ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated medical conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome (and other severe respiratory diseases), hypothalamic disorders and severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints. 2. The patient is 200% or more of the ideal weight for height and bone structure. An associated medical condition is not required for this category. 3. The patient has had an intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and, because of complications, requires a second surgery (a takedown). B. In determining the ideal body weight for morbid obesity using the Metropolitan Life Table, contractors must apply 100 pounds (or 200%) to both the lower and higher end of the weight range. Payment will be allowed when beneficiaries meet all requirements for morbid obesity surgery including the ideal weight within the newly determined range. 1 CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government use. TRICARE POLICY MANUAL 6010.54-M, AUGUST 1, 2002 CHAPTER 4, SECTION 13.2 SURGERY FOR MORBID OBESITY 2 IV. EXCLUSIONS A. Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction. B. Biliopancreatic bypass (jejunoileal bypass, Scopinaro procedure) for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven (CPT2 procedure code 43645, 43845, 43847, or 43633). C. Gastric bubble or balloon for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven. D. Gastric wrapping/open gastric banding (CPT2 procedure code 43843) for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven. E. Unlisted CPT2 procedure codes 43659 (laparoscopy procedure, stomach); 43999 (open procedure, stomach); and 49329 (laparoscopy procedure, abdomen, peritoneum, and omentum) for gastric bypass procedures. F. Adjustable gastric band (open or laparoscopically) (CPT2 procedure codes 43770 - 43774, 43886 - 43888, and 90772). V. EFFECTIVE DATES A. Laparoscopic surgical procedure for gastric bypass and gastric stapling (gastroplasty), including vertical banded gastroplasty are covered, effective December 2, 2004. B. Laproscopic adjustable gastric banding is covered, effective February 1, 2007. - END - 2 CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government use. C-66, December 10, 2007

No I dont. I dont believe in Protein as the be all and end all of everything, to me its just one of the macronutrients we need - of the same importance as carbs and fats, not more. I dont count protein grams, I dont eat a ton of protein (probably average out 40 to maybe 60 grams most days for my 5ft 10, 168lb frame) and I have not had hanging skin, nor did I lose my hair. I think a well balanced diet, with plenty of the good fats can help, and taking a Multivitamin supplement is good insurance for everyone. I guess the only thing I could say that has perhaps helped is that I'm an exercise fanatic. I run looooong distances and I lift very heavy weights. I work very hard, at least an hour of really hard stuff most days. No namby pamby walking for me, lol. But I really think its luck of the draw. I also had 3 huge 10 lb babies and never got a single stretchmark, and I did not carry weight on my stomach but more, all over, stretched over a tall body. I also was overweight/ish most of my life, but not severely obese for more than about 4 years. Simple as that.

My pre-op diet is for 10 days & consist of this BREAKFAST: 1 high Protein shake LUNCH: 1 high protein shake AFTERNOON SNACK: 1/2 cup non starchy veg. DINNER: 1 high protein shake EVENING SNACK: 1 high protein shake and I can have all the non carbonated sugar free beverages I want.

@RJ'S/beginning I am definitely researching stuff! I lurk and read a LOT here and have read over my packets from the NUT several times. Originally my EGD was scheduled for November 19th, but they had a cancellation and I got in on 10/8, so I know I should just be grateful I am at this point. I am just looking forward to starting my new life!

HOWDY - Internet Pals, My name is Sherry and I have decided to blog my Journey with Weight Loss Surgery. I’m not the greatest at wording stuff, but will do my bestest *wink* Here is a recap up to now. My actual weight history started 21 years ago with the birth of my first daughter. I gained quite a bit and just never lost it. It crept up over the next 21 years. I did have two more children but they were both boys and well I was sick the whole time and actually lost weight with them. J I do have multiple issues including – Fibromyalgia – DJD – Diverticulosis – Borderline hypertension – Borderline Diabetic – Hypothyroidism and chronic anal fissures. I was constantly on the work out roller coaster. I’d work out and then the next day I would hurt so bad I’d miss a few days. So walking was about it for now for exercise. Till the weight gets down. Many of these will be much better if not cured by weight loss. I’m looking forward to less pain. Oh man am I. Any hoo - I was introduced to bariatric surgery about 5 years ago and was like, “No Way. I can do this on my own.” So I did try. Of course right after that, I was inspired, and I did lose 45 lbs. with Somersizing, but only to gain it all back. Plus some of course. I have tried so many diets. Atkins, Somersizing (which was my most successful), Juicing, Vegan, Vegetarian, and so many more. All leading to a small amount of loss just to gain it all back, with its little side package. Always a side package. (that would be lovely extra you always gain back with what you lost) - So I’ve slowly over the last 5 years hit my max weight of 315. I was shocked and just gave up. But then stuff started getting pretty bad. My low back pain was getting worse, plus now I had numbness going down my right leg. Couldn’t sleep due to hip, shoulder and back pain. Shoulders were horrible and my anal fissure went on high alert and has been for about 2 years now. I had to do something so I started going to docs to get myself taken care of. I had a new sleep study to make sure my pressure was good – it was upped from 10 to 16. Colonoscopy to make sure all was okay there. Just the anal fissure and internal hemorrhoids, no cancer or anything like that. Yay! Then I had my low back evaluated. Bad Bad. Denerative Disk disease in lower back…and pretty badly. This was the doc who referred me to the Weight Loss Center at Centennial here in Nashville. And so the journey began. I called the Center and a week later they called and got my information. They returned my call a few days later saying my insurance required a couple of things before approving. A pre-op Nutritional eval and a Psych eval. These were taken care of within the next two weeks. Then they sent my information off to the insurance. Within the week I was approved. Then we scheduled my first consult with the doc. Went well. Then I received my surgery date. Boom Bam Boom. So now I’m three weeks pre-op and today I started my liquid diet. I have started this three weeks pre-op due to I have a very fatty liver and edema. I’m required to do two weeks but added another week to make sure things are good and down. We want no problems – nope nope. I attached the liquid diet the doc gave me below, in case you wanted to check it out. The crossed out stuff is stuff I don’t like or wont use. Not big on flavored water. But who knows after this that might change. Heard taste and stuff change after WLS. Well I'm off for now. Thanks for coming along on my journey and I’ll post often to let you know how all is doing. Blessing to you all on your own journeys and would love to hear from you. GrInS Sherry

I am about 7 weeks out. So far, I lost 10 lbs on the pre-op diet and 29 lbs since surgery. It is working for me! Good luck tomorrow!!!!