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My surgeons office sent in my paperwork to Aetna on Thursday of last week and I called them today and was told I am approved! They are mailing out the letters today! I am over the moon. 2 business days, that's gotta be a record of some kind! Now I just have to wait another 6 weeks or so because I am currently in training for work through July 17th. ????

@@CardinalsGirl I also have irregular cycles, however I solved the problem over a decade ago by using depo as my birth control. If you aren't trying to have kids right now and you aren't contraindicated for any other reason, maybe ask your doctor for a switch to depo. You get one shot every three months, which you can give to yourself, and you no longer have a time of the month. While the idea is that it's for birth control, it also works very effectively if you're having extended irregular bleeding. Unlike oral contraceptives, depo is also not contraindicated for surgery so if you are taking the pill already, the switch to depo allows you to stay on birth control when you are approved for the surgery as well, so double win. I haven't had a time of the month in probably a decade. When I was in my early 20's I wasn't using depo for bc so I'd forget to take it for a month or two and then I'd have a few days of the lady friend visiting, but now that I have a doctor that prescribes it so I can just inject myself, as long as I have the shot on schedule, I no longer have any monthly cycle. I also have periodically had anemia issues, and in addition to never having a time of the month I take B12 and an Iron supplement. My values have been fine since.

Hello Everyone, My name is Odette, I am new to this fourm and I am looking to meet any banders from BC. As I am sheduled for my first appointment in 2 weeks, in victoria I would like to chat with anyone who has had surgery with Dr. Amson. I am also interested in chatting with anyone who has done their surgery in Mexico. I know I want my surgery, but I have been advised that the prices vary.

I was sleeved 4/26/2013 and I've been at a stall for 3 months. What's really discouraging is that the doctor told me 2 months ago that she thought I would have lost more weight by now, which is even more discouraging! I have been exercising. I have started Zumba, kickboxing, and walking. Any suggestions on how to speed up my weight loss. I'm looking good but the weight is not falling off as I expected.

Yikes! I've been doing okay (surgery was about 6 weeks ago) and losing, but today I just feel miserable. I got to bed late Friday night (had the extended family over to say goodbye to my son who is moving across the country on Monday) and last night I got no sleep because my arthritis woke me up in pain so bad I was crying. So all day today I'm tired and achy and miserable. So, what did I do the minute my husband left to help my son load his furniture into the moving truck? I grabbed a bag of M&Ms and ate it. And I have to go see my doc on Tuesday! I'm going to absolutely hate getting on that scale now. We all slip up from time to time, and if you're working on your master's thesis I know of what you speak. It was about 2-3 months before I finished that I was so frustrated and overwhelmed that I nearly quit. During that last semester I thought I was going to lose my mind. I was hating life: the thesis work, my job, my husband, my kids, my house, my car, my wardrobe, my hair, my cats, me....EVERYTHING! All I can tell you is that this too will pass. You will be so relieved when it's all over. And then about a couple of months later you will be bored out of your gourd.

My weight has been the one thing I can't really control in life. I come from a long line of tall, big-boned giants in my family. (Seriously, my dad is a non-athlete and needed a knee replacement the size of a football player's.) I am 5'9 and have always had long legs and curves, even at my highest weight. I developed earlier than other girls when I was in my teens, and owned a size 12 (Between 165-185 lbs) until my sophomore year in college. I've always loved my body and felt that it was beautiful even if I was more voluptuous than other girls in school. During college I ate more. I discovered that beer and wine were good. (You know, before you realized they contained boat loads of empty calories?) My sleep patterns changed and the stress of tests, papers and social life added up-- and so did the pounds. By the time I graduated I was larger (Size 18-20, 240-260 lbs) but still had my curves. Dieting became more of a priority now, but the dieting almost made it worse. I would lose weight, regain. Cut carbs, try intuitive eating, then go to a doctor, go to the gym and try to get on a new plan, try the South Beach Diet, Eat Vegetarian... you get it? Right? I felt like my energy was sucked up with trying to lose the pounds and it was discouraging thinking about it. I worked hard at my career while still trying to work out and eat less carbs. I was supervised by a doctor, personal trainer and nutritionist-- but somehow I just couldn't stop the lose and regain cycle I had started. Every time I stepped on the scale, I was more than 20 lbs heavier than the last time. I wore nice clothes to the office, but as my weight creeped higher and higher-- my heels got lower and lower-- because my sitting and walking posture were losing strength. I felt my muscles weaken and it was weird for me. (By this time, I was about 300-320 lbs.) I added more time in the gym to help keep me active and to prevent myself from becoming completely glued to my office chair or in meetings. I gave up alcohol and only drank water.For a year and a half before my wedding, I worked out 4-5 days a week (cardio and strength). My diet was balanced, (whole grain, lean meats, vegetables, occasional treats) but between working out, going to work 40-55 hours a week-- I ate way more when I came home. Not out of stress, but because I felt HUNGRY. No fast foods, no crazy fried foods-- just balanced meals choices... but HUGE portions. I ended up losing 5 pounds in a year and a half for my wedding. Then gaining 15 while on my honeymoon-- my highest weight. (376 lbs.) So let's fast forward to today: I am a successful profession in marketing. I have some competitive skills and work well with others. I am able to look people in the eye with the same confidence I have always had. I love myself, and I love my life. I just want to be a winner of my own health, too. I am working out in the gym still, eating a balanced diet, now reducing my portions and I weighed in today at 358 lbs. I am currently at a size high 24 and low 26. I still wear heels to work, but low ones. I am at a point where I can walk up and down stairs, quickly through hallways and to my car with a bit of a heavy breath-- but still doable. My chair is snugger than I would like it to be, but it works. I pass on the endless parade of employee birthday cakes, but still participate in the celebrations. My struggle now is trying to control the urge to eat at night and keep my calories in check. It's hard. It's hard not to be tired after work. It's hard to be as focused on my duties, be a leader and ensure I take care of my body with the proper nutrients and exercise it needs. I have some aches that I didn't have before. My lower back gets tight and my joints crack more. This is a new development and one of the reasons I am moving forward with the VSG surgery. Working out IS HARDER at this weight, and it still feels like I am not getting anywhere. However, I am staying positive no matter what. I have decided that I am going to take control and apply this tool (the VSG, is a tool-- not a cure-all) to my gym routine and eat like my nutritionist instructs. Protein, small amounts, stay away from those starchy carbs. I only drink water and iced coffee with a little light cream in the morning. I am already learning to love my scale and thinking of it as a unit of measurement. (The same way I would measure success at work.) I can still be my big-boned, tall self at work-- I just need some help and taking these next steps will help me do that. Anyone else struggle with the weight and work? (In the office or at home?) I'd love to hear about it. I will continue to write more. The good, the bad and the UGLY It's here we can all share these experiences and learn from each other.

haven't had surgery yet IM wondering the same thing. I work on a Busy tele floor some days I don't pee for 7or more hours let alone drink. I asked my doctor for 8 weeks off to hopefully make sure I have all the kinks worked out for my new lifestyle. Surgery date is 9/30 we shall c! good luck to u

Wow I can hardly believe we only have two weeks left!

I can't believe it's the day before surgery! Six months has flown by. As of this morning (according to my scale) I am at 262. Today is clear liquid only and if I thought the past week of two protein shakes and one meal was hard and I was hungry all day...I woke up hungry and can't eat anything for the next two weeks or more depending on when my followup appointment is. Ugh. At least after tomorrow morning it shouldn't be too bad from what I've heard since my tummy will be so much smaller. I hope everyone's right. LOL! I'm just looking forward to more energy. That is the biggest thing because for the last week I have had zero energy. Anyway, short entry for now. Talk to you laters!

Hi SD Flores... My name is Deborah.. I just found your post because I googled ....looking for bariatric sleeve friend..I'm 3 weeks out tomo... Would u want to talk.on facebook messenger? If so I will give you my info...my drs office is short on mentors... So maybe we could support each other... Let me know what u think...☺☺

9 days post op. Feeling weak, any suggestions? I was fine until last night touching through the liquid phase like everyone one does while cooking yummy food for everyone else in the family, ????and then it hit me. I truly am not getting enough proteins in I know for a fact, I hate all 22 of the protein drinks I've tried. But will stomach about 25 grams a day, to today I got in 45g. But I walk slow, there's nothing wrong with my legs! Lol! I don't talk to the kids, In fact I answer everyone pleasantly but with a three four word answer max. I am so weak. Now everyone goes through this two week liquid phase, but I don't understand why I was fine and chugging along until last night and then boom! I'm done with it. I don't even care about the soft food stage at this point , which before was my goal! Strange or normal?

My plan would be: commit to weighing myself every day get or re-establish a Myfitnesspal.com account and log everything I eat, every day weigh or measure everything I eat, but don't focus right now on limiting amounts. Just to be aware of exactly how much I am taking in. No guess work! limit my food choices to high protein/high restriction -- basically meat, fish, and eggs -- and green vegetables. Eat that way for a week to see how I do. Good luck!

Well, I am doing really good, feeling good and been told that I'm looking good also:tongue2:. Yes, I did beat my husband in the weight loss challenge!!! I got below 200 before he did, although he really did not try. I know if he would have tried he could have beat me, but he loves his junk food too much. Plus, I think he wanted me to win, thank you dear. I now weigh 196 and feel soooo good. I feel good physcially and mentally. I did try the pills from my MIL for about one week and I hated the way they made me feel. They made me feel...well, NOTHING! And I did not like that feeling. I love to play and loving on my kids and feeling alive. I have been going through my closet and cleaning out alot of my fat clothes. I can now wear an XL, how exciting is that. I used to wear a 2XL, so yeah it feels good. My principal told me the other day that I was looking good and I said "I know!" So, things are going really good and I'm very happy.

I don't know about you, but food has long been a best friend to me. When my "real" friends weren't available or when I just didn't want to bother them with why I was depressed/sad/lonely/stressed yet again...I could turn to food. Always there to support me, numb me out to all feelings, and help temporarily turn off those damn self-critical voices polluting my brain. I knew I had a lot of food head issues going into this surgery. Accordingly, I have been seeing a therapist for eight weeks, twice a week. I am now moving to once a week. I started at my therapist's office thinking we would work on behavioral changes...you know, distraction and healthy habits to avoid bingeing. What I've found is that we've barely talked about food at all. Instead, we speak about WHY I turn to food...you know, core issues and all. For me, it's about loneliness and self-criticism. I am, as most of us are, my own worst critic, and I exert so much energy trying to control how others perceive me that I'm left exhausted at the end of my day...and food is there to nurture me in a way I haven't been nurturing myself (and in a way I haven't let others nurture me either). Enough of my psychobabble. I really wanted to start this thread to offer a safe place to discuss the emotional toll food has taken on us. And a place to discuss how our disordered eating is really a parallell too, and extension of, or disordered thinking/feeling. And further, to offer each other support as we grieve the loss of our good friend, food. I grieved super hard core last Wednesday at my therapy appointment. I was a hot freaking mess, and my therapist was the one who pointed out it sounds like I'm grieving. And she was right! I was so upset because I was feeling isolated from my friends and family AND didn't have my comforting binge foods to soothe me either. So I had to soothe myself (read a book, took a hot shower, wrote down my feelings). How do you get through hard spots without food to lean on? Wishing you all a nurturing day and hope to hear how you have dealt with the loss of your old best friend. Courtney

I am 2 weeks post op and got clearance from surgeon to start doing things physically. I bought a 3 wheel bicycle last week and rode it a few times but today I really went for a 12 minute fast ride. Now, I feel like I could take a nap....ugh Is this normal...to be so fatigued in the beginning? If you were and you felt like napping, did you nap?? Yes, I know its going to take time to build up but god....I am really tired. I have not been active in many years.... I'm just looking for some words of wisdom and someone who's been there... Thanks, Meg

Hello all, My Dr. has me on a liquid diet for two weeks prior to surgery...you know the typical high protein shakes and clear protein drinks, water, jello, popsicles, etc. I have been on it for 5 days now and feel terrible. I feel thick headed, mildly nauseous and feel like I could sleep my day away because I am so tired. I know I am getting enough protein because I am not hungry...but feeling like this for another 9 days is not appealing. Am I detoxing?? Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks! ~Kristen

I think you just ate the shrimp too soon. At one week out, your sleeve is really not very far along in its healing yet. My plan doesn't allow solid food like shrimp (or anything solid) until at least 30 days out. At 7 days I was still on clear liquids, then full liquids (cream soups, etc) for ten days after that. If you take it slow and don't eat things that your stomach isn't yet ready for, it won't hurt as much.... and someday after you're totally healed, you'll be able to eat "normal" food again... just alot less of it. The stage you're in now is temporary.... try not rush it.

A lot of people think that you can't dump with the sleeve. But you can! Your body is changing so much and you should make a list of the things you are eating and then delete them from your diet when you have this issue. Would be a good idea to check it out though....15 weeks is a good time out for you to have this non-stop.....

I'm so happy, I just had to give an update. I am 5 weeks post op as of tomorrow and up until Saturday I was really starting to question whether or not this surgery was a good thing for me. I can now happily say it is. I woke up on Saturday feeling great! The pains, the nausea, the overall YUK feeling seemed to of vanished overnight. I was feeling so bad the week prior that I went in to see my doctor and they rushed me in for a CT scan. Turns out everything was good with the sleeve, I was taking longer to heal and that last stitch, the big one they talk about was giving me all the pain. Every time I moved, stretched, sat, stood or did anything it hurt like hell. It would literally stop me in my tracks. Turns out I also had a kidney infection so a round of antibiotics knocked that out. I kept reading peoples posts here about having patience and that everyone is different and most were feeling great by week 3. I was confused, I just seemed to be feeling worse as the weeks went on. Well I can say now, just listen to your own body! I have felt great these past 3 days, no pain, full of energy, able to get all my pills, potions and liquids in and I am starting to lose weight again. I was so happy I jumped on the scale this morning and I am down 53.5lbs from the start of my journey. I am also so happy to be off the Clear Liquids. i did that for 3 weeks pre surgery and for 4 weeks post surgery. i have completely indulged in creamy Soups, yogurt and Jello this week! Just remember if you hit a wall, slow down, listen to your own body and just be patient ...... this is a great thing we are all doing.

I started this journey years ago, but started the Lap band Journey as my 2008 New Years resolution. The year was trauma and drama, I fought BCBS of Arkansas all the way to the Arkansas Insurance Commission, who would not even acknowledge I existed, much less assist me. Moved my insurance to United Health Care and changed my Lap band doctor and today I got the call that I have waited 14 months for, I AM APPROVED. So here I am 51 years old male at 320 pounds. I go to the Shrink on Monday, not a insurance requirement but a doctor requirement since he had to remove a band from someone who was not prepared. I will then go on two weeks of liquid diet and Monday we will set a date. This may sound odd, but I am excited that someone is going to invade my body and implant a foreign device,but I am. I appreciate all of your entries since that has got me though this process. Thanks to all....:cool2:

Today I had to run by my doctor's office to give a final blood panel meaning I had to fast all day. Two weeks from today I will be home from the hospital, counting down the day. Told my friends by next summer vacation I would be wearing a thong :smile:, ya me 50+ in a thong.

Well, I have already stopped eating with a nice Lean Cuisine as my final pre-ban meal. The two week diets was not that bad. I shaved my chest today in prep for tomorrow. Yes, I know they would do that, but I had a dry shave for my EKG las week and I thought this would be better. An interesting experience I must add. That had be a a pound loss :thumbup:. Anyway I am surprisingly not nervous. The only thing that was pressing was getting everything I wanted to do done before the surgery. I have my bag packed and will leave about 6am for my 2 hour drive. I will post again as soon as I am able. Thanks for everyone's support and this site.

Good news to report today. I was able to sleep in the bed some last night, only about two hours at a time,then I would have to get up and walk around to get the gas off my stomach. But this is a huge improvement and I feel much better today. Yesterday evening I begin to belch a lot and begin taking Mylanta. Not sure it is working but it helps, yesterday the belching was painful today not so much. I was also about to go to the bathroom for the first time since the band. So it looks like by body is beginning to adjust and get back into the norm. The best news of all is this morning my scale was below 300lbs for the first time in a long time. :sneaky: My abdomen no longer hurts like it did the first couple of days when I would get up and down out of the chair. Looks like a brand new day to me....

Hi, I am three days post band also and doing pretty well. Today is my best day. Still on clear liquids and carnation breakfast. No too gassy; passed alot yesterday and other body functions too. LOL So, everything seems to be in working order. I am actually starting to feel a little hunger today, where the last few days I drank something because I knew I had to or get dehydrated. Take care and good luck.

Two weeks ago today I had my LB. Now I am treating my scars with Mederma and pretty much life has returned to normal other than I am still off work, won't go back till the 13th, (I have great benes). Today I begin to incorporate LB into my life, I bought a container for my counter to put my protein shake mix in, yes my doctor is a fan of the shakes past recovery. I made room in my spice cabinet for my supplements and made room for my scale. The interesting thing is I still have no desire for food. Two weeks ago that was all I thought of. Tomorrow I see the doctor for the first post-op check-up. I will update after that visit. If you are thinking about this surgery, stop thinking and do it. I believe I am down about 30 pounds, but will give the official weight tomorrow.