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Most insurances will not cover a tummy tuck. Some will cover a panniculectomy with certain requirements. Most post weight loss plastic surgery can be very difficult to have insurance cover unless there is a documented history of rashes, infections, or hindering movement. Exercise can help, but some skin will be too far gone to ever snap back. It just depends on the degree you can live with. I can live with mine. Shapewear is a great thing.

Everyone has different time constraints. Fantastic that you are getting your workout 2X a day. What are your fitness goals? What types of exercise do you find interesting? Do you need something easy on your joints to begin with? Do you work out at home or a gym? Do you need to buy equipment working out at home? You get to decide how much time you are going to invest in yourself. The weight loss is just a perk of the work you put into this. Here are some links to give your some fitness inspiration: Just google for more! Home workouts: dumbell workout Phala B fit training website - level one to level 5 programs Gym or home weight lifting exercise database. choose the muscle you want to work on. It will give you a video of how to use the equipment and perform the exercise. Three months : Cardio and adding weight lifting into my program. I work out at a gym in the evening. Over the years my fitness level and goals have evolved and changed. It's always a work in progress.

Does anyone else use this? I signed up yesterday, since I now have a little less restriction than normal (in order to let my stomach recover from too much restriction). It will calculate your daily calorie needs based on height, weight, and your goals. I chose "lose 2 pounds a week", and "light activity" for my exercise. The site gave a rather high calorie count, however, so I plan to stick well below that. One feature I like is the fact that you can add users' recipes to your food log. There are some tasty-sounding recipes on the site, and everything is calculated for you.

I just got the call from the Nutitionist at my Dr. office. She asked me my current weight and starting weight. Since I've already lost 9 lbs she said I don't have to do the liquid diet for 7 days. She said just stick to a low calorie (1000 cals) diet and drop a few more pounds that way! :clap2: That was great news for me as that was a daunting prospect for me - being only on liquids pre-band for 7 days! WHOOHOOO!!!! She suggested a low fat breakfast like Special K and low fat milk, a shake at lunch and 250 cals for dinner. Hot damn. I'm thrilled. Then she warned me - some people lie about their start weight and have problems. Not a big deal for me since I know I'm not making it up - I just thought it was interesting that someone might lie about it....

No, I don't think so. I see a slight upward slope for those in the 90th and 95th percentiles, meaning that the weight loss continues for these high achievers, albeit at a slower rate. You beat the odds. You're doing great! Now please share your success factors.

You sound A LOT like me. I, like you, have been big for what seems like forever. I too was around 250 when I graduated high school and I haven't been under 300 pounds since I gave birth to my daughter almost 18 years ago. I hovered around 380 for many years, then gained even more when my health took a turn for the worse the last couple years. I maxed out at 421. I know you're scared, but if you are willing to make the necessary life changes to be successful with the band, you will be so glad you did it. I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd lose weight. I still have a ways to go, but I've already lost 96 pounds in just under 5 months. I was hoping to have lost 100 pounds by my birthday in a couple weeks, and now I'm sure I'll actually surpass that goal. I LOVE my band!! This is by far the greatest thing I've ever done for myself. Hang in there, you will do beautifully too

I know just how you feel. I am 2 years post op and oddly enough I didn't have these fears before my surgery. I had waited and wanted it for so long that fear wasn't present on the surface. Now however, 2 years later, and not having the success that I thought I would...I do have fears everyday. The band did allow me to lose enough weight that I'm now expecting my first child so for that I'm thankful...but I'll be honest with you...everyone's experience is different. I attend a support group through my physician's office of 35+ people twice a month...no 2 stories are alike. There are people in there that are dropping weight like nobody's business and have no problems. There are people that are miserable and can't tolerate any foods. And there's everything in between. As much as you prepare and as much excitement as you may possess, there's only one way to know how it will work for you and that is to take the huge leap of faith required to do it. I know it isn't easy. And I would definitely encourage you to talk to your surgeon about which WLS option is best for you and what they offer in terms of post-op support. It shouldn't stop with surgery... Best of luck to you.

The thing that bothers me with weight is airline travel. Im to the point of barely fitting in the seat and getting a seatbelt on. I PRAY nobody has to sit with me. Once I was put in a seat beside a guy who was actually bigger (ironically from my same office), and it was actually comical because it was so bad! We both agreed to compare our tickets in the future and adjust!

You are losing at a fantastic pace for you!! Don't worry about what anyone else is doing. You will lose the weight, at YOUR pace. Congrats on your weight loss so far, it is phenomenal!!

Almost two months since banding and well the weight loss is so wonderful a few big burps and occasionally a bit of discomfort from eating too fast or two big a bite is a small price to pay for how I feel otherwise. Don't worry too much but remember to chew, chew, chew and small bites all the time.

Clinically, HFLC diets are used for non-WLS gastrectomy patients who need to avoid weight loss and ultimately regain unwanted loss and indeed, this does present one of the challenges for WLS patients who adopt this approach. During the early weight loss months (when we are relatively insensitive to diet due to the enforced restriction courtesy of our WLS,) many will proudly proclaim that they "do full fat everything". This works fine when we are largely consuming "condiment" amounts of fats early on, but often bites people when they carry that practice into maintenance and allow the higher calories to get away from them. It can be done for whatever reason you may want to do it, but you do need to be watchful of your overall consumption to avoid regain. Philosophically, in the absence of a specific medical condition that warrants it, I'm not a big fan of diets that are "low" or "high" of anything as that implies deficiency or excess. One might do a short term very high or low diet to counter an existing imbalance (such as treating insulin resistance with a very low carb diet,) and then moderating that extreme to a more balanced state as the body's chemistry corrects itself for the long term.

I am 29 going on 30. Got banded in August. Weight loss has not been rapid one because not in the green zone and secondly I'm only 5' 0 so they said it will lose at a slower pace. I just wish there were monthly meetings for people that have had this done. If anyone knows where there may be one please let me know extra support never killed anyone (isn't that the saying) Thanks everyone

This post is just minutes after yours....must be fate! I had the same problem when I found out my surgery date. I had already made up my mind that the only person at work I would tell would be my boss....I didn't want her to think it was some kind of debilitating or heart surgery. Also, for the same reason as yours.....well-wishers who unintentionally sabotage our weight loss...and lead us to the path of gaining it back again. I could lose weight.....but keeping it off was impossible...because people would say how nice I looked and how thin I looked...so I figured...if I looked that good I didn't need to follow the diet anymore! End of success! So I know exactly what you are going through. I had my surgery on 9/24/04 and just about a month ago started telling others about my surgery. I have lost almost 70 pounds and now that people are asking "how'd you do it"? I have to be honest and tell them...have to give credit to the band and me! I tell them exactly how I did it....with the help of this great tool. We all have been told over and over that the band is NOT a "magic cure"....that it will still take OUR hard work and a definite change of lifestyle. It's a "TOOL" to help us lose the weight and keep it off. You need to face the scale, for yourself. You need the accountability, and the Dietitian is there to help you if you have a problem with your diet. The surgery, I feel, is the easiest part of the whole process!!! It's the follow up and support that is VERY IMPORTANT afterwards!!! This is what helps you get used to your new lifestyle. You can only tell people about the surgery when you have come to terms with your success first. I was not ready.....not right away....but now I am a speaker at the Lap Band Seminars at our hospital and I am not afraid or ashamed or embarrassed at all to tell everyone that I lost the weight with the help of the lap band. There are always those who will say, why couldn't you do it on your own? But they don't understand, because they have never tried. Having the surgery is the BEST thing I have done for myself in my life!!! There is nobody that can convince me otherwise. It will take time; but you will see the changes in yourself, in the mirror, and gain your self-confidence back. It didn't take us overnight to gain the weight....so it won't happen overnight that we get used to the wonderful changes in us!!! I've been fat all my life....so it will take a while for me to think of myself as otherwise! I can bet in a few months you will be your surgeon's best advocate!!! Bring out that scale....or go to the doctor's office to get weighed....just only do it once a week or every two weeks, so you are not checking all the time. Hang in there....you'll start to recognize that the person you are seeing in the mirror is YOU....inside and out!!! Take care, Nancy* huggggggggsssss

Hello All: I have been banded since Nov 24th 2004 - When I was looking for a weight loss surgery I read about the band and immediately knew this was for me. I orignally was to go Mexico but with the concerns of my family decided to stay close to home. So here I sit 3 months out...I have lost weight but I'm so afraid to weigh myself or even think I'm losing weight. I have had so much disappointment and frustrations with diets before the band that I'm afriad to think positive only to be disappointed again. When people ask me how much I lost I just make up a number or just say I don't kn ow. I'm even afraid to call my doc for an follow up appointment in fear the scale will increase instead of decrease..and get a lettuce on what I'm doing wrong. I've started exercising and I eat less then 800 cal. and 70 grams fo protein a day. What If I fail:nervous what will I do, how will I feel? :ermm I so much what to be a success but afraid it won't happen. I can not picture in my mind me at a normal weight I only see FAT...... Am I being silling?

I dont know if I am posting in the right section but I just had to share that I am shocked and so happy that I have lost 13lbs in ten days! I stepped on and off the scale about ten times to make sure that it was true. I havent lost this much weight in over ten years. It is so awesome, everything Ive been through thus far is so worth it!

Im 5 wks post op. Ive lost 36lbs. But im feeling the blues. I feel like i should have lost more. I still cant eat more then 3 rarely 4 oz at a time. Now certain foods make me sick. Foods i ate LAST WEEK. Im not getting enough protien im stuck at 30-40 per day. Im SICK of protein shakes so i stopped using them. I cant get them down because im always feeling over full. I just dont no what to do. Any help or suggestions? I want to drop more weight i have another 110 lbs to go to my goal. But it seems so far away.

My thoughts tonight After the comments back and forth surrounding the Dr. Ortiz thread I felt the need to vent some on a separate thread. I won't rehash what was already said on that thread. I will simply state my thoughts and how I am dealing with it all. I was very offended by the comments of both Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Pleatman. I addressed those on that thread. When thinking about my own personal demons I reflect on what got me so mad and upset over those comments. I realized it was one more thing telling me that no matter what I try it won't work. I will forever be fat. My insecurities came out when both their comments seemed insensitive and detached. This pissed me off as an RN and it pissed me off as a patient. This anger does me NO GOOD. I just need to redirect these feelings of failure with the band in a more positive light. I know I have lost weight with the band. I see this. I feel this. But I am focusing on now that I don't have the band anymore what will I do to keep off what I lost. It is hard to see past one minute of one hour of one day. I come here for support and understanding and compassion to get through the rough times. I don't come here for seemingly uncaring surgeons to suggest I 'get over' losing the band. Yes it might have been an unfortunate mistake for him to have said that and he might truly be sorry for the comment. But I just simply don't think he gets how damaging that statement could be. So, I am rambling here and alot of this might not make any sense at all. This is more for me than anything else. Sort of a cathartic exercise. I am really struggling on a day to day basis. I get up and eat my breakfast and do really well till around 2 or 3 pm. Then it all falls apart. I am travelling right now and that makes it harder to stick to the Nutrisystem diet. I am struggling to get in my water. I was doing so well the first two weeks. I even lost 6 lbs on it in the first two weeks. Now I am away from home and really worried I am gaining back the weight. I am so upset with myself right now. I have struggled to keep honest and to be accountable. That is hard to do. I eat really good then I screw it up. So I start the day all over again the next day telling myself "today will be different" and it isn't. The one thing that worked for me was having the Band. Now that is gone. So, I am on this roller coaster of eating right and eating junk every day. My body is not liking it either. My joints are aching, my back is more sore than usual, headaches are returning, I have noticed my ankles are swelling more along with my fingers as well. All this was going on before I was banded. So does this mean I am regressing? YES!! And this is what scares me. I am so happy for Michelle that she has moved on and facing her demons as best she can. I am struggling with this same issue. To those that supported and said such sweet things on the Dr. Ortiz thread I am proud to call you part of my band family. To those that expressed a differing opinion, I respect your statements but walk a mile in my shoes first before making a suggestion that by me raising a couple of questions and making a couple of comments would run off any doctor. To those that have had really great experiences in Mexico, I am truly happy for you and I pray that you continue to have those great experiences. I would not wish what I have gone through on anyone friend or foe. To those that are new and just starting the process, do your homework. Know that if you chose Mexico please have local aftercare set up. Otherwise know that if you have an emergent situation you will need to go back to your band surgeon. This could raise some difficult issues you will need to face rather quickly that you hadn't thought through. I really care about each and every one of you guys. I would offer my support and understanding and can assure you of me being non judgmental. The only thing I ask in return is that I receive the same of which I have on many occasions and most likely will in the future as well. G-nite family.

Does anyone know how much weight loss is typical ? I'm three months and one week post op and I'm down 80 lbs since surgery is that considered good or not enough?

You lose the most weight on clears. But yes, I hear you. Just please make sure you take it slow and follow dr's orders. I did and got a leak and an abscess..... even following orders. I was the freak 1 percent in nature that this happens to. I had to stay on clears for like 5 weeks I think it was. I ended up loving those durn Cytomax drinks and yes I post it everywhere trying to help ppl that are on clears and might be struggling with their Proteins..... Good luck ladies!

WEll, I am at the 5 year mark on May 31, and I just recently had a band slip and am scheduled for a band revision or removal on the exact same day at the exact same time. At this time, my hopes are for a revision as my doctor is planning on putting a new band in place which he feels is going to do a better job and have less risk of slippage than the one I currently have. I have been back and forth with my decision and think that if its possible that is what I am voting for. This is a way of life for me now, has been for over 5 years, and I just cannot think of living any other way. I am happy to say that I started my journey at 368lbs, and am down 173lbs. On surgery date I was 321, so from 5 years ago, I am down 126lbs and are within 30lbs of my goal weight of 165. I am hoping that when I report in next year at this time, I will have lost that 30 and be in maintence:) Just wanted to share, and say hello to all the 2007 May Bandsters. Traci

Geez, I feel awesome today. I read this forum pretty regularly. Probably on a daily basis, provided that work permits... Ive read so much, seen so many attitudes, seen alot of pain and hurt over being overweight, alot of triumph over losing weight... I did something this week that I am proud of. My dating life, its bad. I started talking to an ex boyfriend of mine called Raul.. Raul, hes, difficult to describe. He possesses a brilliant criminal mind; and uses it to his advantage. Hes involved with some sketchy things, most of which I am not fully aware of. He came back around, and started talking to me about how he liked me, and he wanted to see me, eventually I invited him to my new apartment, and we talked. He started persuing me really aggressively. I sort of went along for the ride, but started to realize that it was his actions, and some of the things he does to earn a living that will prevent me from being able to be with him. He did offer me some really good advice on my current situation, and he did help me see a way out of my current situation. To me, his exploits are that taboo, because my father did the samething, so I just sort of learned to live with it, however, the more I begin to enjoy my life due to this weight loss, the more I smile, the more I find value in myself, I realize, I dont want to go down that path, and I dont want to be involved with someone who does. I have always pictured myself to be somewhat of a mastermind as well. I'm a natural born leader, I keep my head above water always, and I have struggled in my life with doing the right thing. Its just like eating well when you have the band, its hard, but you do it, because you know the outcome is worth the small amount of inconveince for you. my point is that I managed to stand up for myself, and tell him I wasnt interested, I broke it off. Hes steady telling me its because I cant handle a real relationship, that I cant deal with someone who truly cares about me. Maybe thats true right now, but its not the right time for me to dedicate myself to a man, I need to stay focused on myself, and keeping up with the progress I am making in my life. I dont want to hurt the dude, but I have to stay focused. I went and had a fill under floro about 2 weeks ago. It was pretty awesome. I had never seen the floro screen before, the first fill I had had the screen pointing towards my back. My port is a little twisted, the doctor said, but easily accessible, so no real issue. My band is placed well, no slips, no nothing. It was a little loose, so my doctor added 1 cc, that brings me to 8.7 ccs in a AP band. it was bizarre watching the swallow and how my stomach reacted. I really liked it, keeps pushing me towards a medical career, which honestly, would be pretty amazing for me. I think I would make an excellent nurse, or doctor. I will be ready to go back to school again soon, and knock it out of the park. Anyway, I SAW what kind of restriction I had, which has really helped me understand the chewing and so on, so forth. Should you have a fill under floro, you should ask your doctor to watch the screens, its really incredible. I have been doing well, and I know I am losing weight because I can see it, but I havent weighed myself, because I dont do it unless I am at the Doctors office, but I might invest in a nice scale soonish. I feel good today, life is good =) -A

I was 2 weeks post op yesterday and am a total of 24 lbs down! 8 lb loss before the surgery the rest after :-) I am ready to be in the next food phase as I am super bored with liquids. I see the surgeon tomorrow for my first post op. Visit. And the nut, so hopefully I can begin soft foods. I'm excited for eggs! I also can't wait to really begin to exercise, just doing as much walking as I can right now. Still a little sore in places but excited for when I can kick it into high gear and really get on the weight loss train!

I don't like that you are grazing with the trail mix. You may be eating more than you realize that way. Grazing is one of the easiest ways to bypass the restriction of the sleeve, because you never truly get "full". So it can be a slippery slope. Much better to eat on a schedule and have a specified amount of something as your "snack" between "meals". I am not a breakfast person AT ALL either. I never ate breakfast until I started trying to seriously lose weight. Even still, my "breakfast" is just a Protein bar. You could try a Protein Bar or shake, since those are easy to eat "on the go" or at your desk at work. I always eat mine first thing when I get into work, because I love my sleep, so my pre-work routine is waking up at the last possible moment, rolling out of bed, hopping in the shower, getting dressed quick, then usually getting to work 5-10 minutes late. There can be NO DOUBT that eating breakfast helps with weight loss though. So it's worth squeezing it in where you can. Even on weekends, when I sleep in, I wake up at my normal time, eat my protein bar, take my Vitamins, then go back to sleep! So my suggestions are: add a protein bar or shake for breakfast cut out the grazing and instead have scheduled, pre-measured Snacks try tracking your food for a week or two just to make sure you really are where you think you are with your calories and macros, then maybe try adjusting up or down as needed

I lost around 50 kilos i was 115 then i reached 65 then i bounced bk to 81 im so depressed and tired being through alot this past year im also bipolar and have borderline personality disorder im so tired and in pain i lost my father and my boyfriend i jus dunno whats going on !! Why this weight is piled up !