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PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrom (PCOS) counted as one for me, as well as being borderline diabetic (another symptom of PCOS). If you have ANY family history of weight-related health problems, make sure your Dr puts it down in the paperwork he sends to insurance. Mine put down my dad's diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which helped form my "case" for surgery.

My carrier, Independent Health does cover Vertical Sleeve, and my BMI is certainly high enough (50+). They do require a pre-surgery weight loss of 5% starting weight. Last time I was at the surgeons office he gave me a hard time because I barely lost anything. I am journaling, exercising, and have been eating right. I keep getting depressed because I'm so afraid that when I go back on february 17 that he'll put me on the backburner and make me wait forever. Self-pay for this surgery, including the hospital stay and necessary consults is $29,000. If I can't lose this 5% by then (it's been 3 months of dieting like this), can I ask him to make a petition to my insurance company to see if they will cover it anyway? I've been jumping through hoops for this surgery since May 2010.

Yes! It happens to everyone. I'm 9 months out and had stalls quite a few times. I just reached my goal weight. Yay! It will pass .

Welcome and I think it is great you have so much support. And hopefully by taking this step so young you can avoid many of the weight related illnesses that plague most of us. Ask questions, share the experiences of your family members as you have seen them go through it This place is a wealth of information and a sanctuary of support. Again welcome

Hello all!! It's terribly strange for me to say that in just a few weeks I'll be celebrating my 2 year sleeve-aversery! In some ways it feels like I had my sleeve done years and years ago, and other ways it feels like just yesterday. I thought I'd pop back on because I remember reading these posts before my sleeve and wondering what I was in for. I also remember wondering why there didn't seem to be many veterans on here. If I may, let me give you a little insight on what it's like 2 years later. My highest weight was 342.2 (every oz counts right?) and now I stay between 168 and 171....if you're doing the math...171.1 is exactly half my weight. Odd isn't it? I was never one to really work out. I would walk in the neighborhood, maybe. But working out? No way. I can remember reading posts about people finding the fun in working out and I thought they must be nuts. Funny that I have now become one of those folks. I am at the Y every Mon/Wed/Fri and alternate between Zumba and a strength class. Depending on the week I'll add yoga in on Tues/ Thurs but I'm not always able to fit that in. I've competed in several 5k's and will be doing a mud run this Saturday. The most exciting thing for me is that in August I got my Zumba certification and hope to begin teaching that soon. Two years ago, had you told me that fitness would become this important to me, I would have laughed at you. As for food, I feel as though I eat fairly normal. I do stay away from breads because I don't like the way they feel in my stomach, and for me, one bite could easily lead to 7. Sugars? I do allow myself a very small dessert on Sundays only...my mom cooks a big Sunday dinner for the family and I do allow a taste. My portions are different from where they were in the first few months, but still no where near what I used to eat, or what everyone else is eating for that matter. I still measure deli meat and proteins just to make sure my portions stay in check. I can tell you that I have zero regrets, aside from the old cliché regret that I wish I had done it sooner. I'm enjoying shopping and feel pretty again...which ladies, let's be honest. Cute clothes do not come with x's or w's attached to the size. I have gone from a 26 and 28 to a 6. It's unreal! Recently I was asked by my doctor to film a web spot for him which later turned into a commercial and 3 billboards (which still blows my mind). I'm posting the link just so that, if you're interested, you can hear a little bit about my story. I'm hoping that any of you who might be on the fence, hear this or read this and trust that it's truly a life saving procedure! Little things like walking up the stairs without getting winded, fitting into a booth, tossing your meds...crossing your legs....all of this is possible! And let me also say this, I swore that even after my surgery I would stick around this board. To help and encourage others, to stay in touch...but let me tell you. I am no longer a sit in the chair and surf the web kind of girl. Our tv is rarely on. I think, the reason why you don't see many old timers on here is because they've found their energy...they're out and about. We haven't left you and we certainly haven't forgotten where we started from....but life is now night and day better. I wish all of you luck in your journey and pray that you have successes beyond your wildest dreams!! The link to my story is : http://www.srmconline.com/weightloss/Pages/My%20Journey.aspx Click on hear my story, I'm Kristin Wishing you all the best!!

a 2 year weight history seema a bit extreme. I would get ahold of them and ask questions. I was told to do the 6 month diet like you're doing because I didn't have a bunch of papers on past weight loss.

I am trying not to stress right now but I have to come up with a 24 month weight history. The only thing I have is only 16 months old. I have tried hopitals and doctor offices but all there records are from 01-02 and my weight was not high enough then. I only got above 40 in about 05. The doctor office said I could write a letter about my past weight, but I don't know where to start. Does anyone hava sample letter or a letter they wrote? Iam just not a writer and don't know what to put or how to start. Any Advice??

Hi~ Thanks for the reply's it is nice to meet others that are beginning this jounrey at about the same time as me, I just saw my surgeon today and did all the final pre-op testing @ the hospital. My surgeon requires the lovely liquid diet for 7 days before the surgery. He explained it to me that it is not to concentrate on losing weight it is to help your organs that are near the band placement to decrease in size to decrease the surgeon's chance of nicking them. WEll ladies here we go I hope and pray that this is a great success for all of us! Angie

Hi i am a 34 year old mother of two; I have been trying unsucesfully lose weight for about 8 years. I lose 20 and gain 30 lbs back. I see my surgeon this week on 12/3 for all of the pre-op clearances. I am really looking forward to a new healthier life style. Angie

Glad there are others! I was banded 2 months ago as well, and you've beat me by a few lbs on weight loss. I just had my first fill yesterday, so hopefully I'll continue to lose.

Hey, my name is Auburn, I'm 19, and I'm considering taking on the emotional, physical, and financial investment that is the Lap-Band system. Right now I'm in the flirtation stage in terms of commitment. I'm making an effort to learn as much as I can about the procedure and the risks and benefits of it, and for me, I can't think of a better way than to hear from those who've actually had the procedure themselves. I'll admit, there are many things about the Lap-Band journey that terrify me, but hopefully over time I can grow more comfortable with the logistics of the operation and the lifestyle changes that I would have to make. Who knows? I might become so comfortable that I'll actually do it! It's probably not surprising that my interest in this system comes after New Year's, which is a time to make resolutions. While I am not a fan of resolutions, and losing weight is not a resolution, my obesity is something I need to start acknowledging, and what better time to start? (I'm really sorry if this introduction seems impersonal or flippant or too long; I've been going through a lot of emotions due to my decision to finally do something about my weight after being a 'fat girl' my whole life, and sometimes my thoughts on the subject tend to spill out all over the page.) Anyway, this seems like a kind and supportive community, and I hope to gain some insight.

Yes thats right , I said it! I'm outraged at myself for gaining so much weight . I went from 272 last may to 232 last october. NOW, today....I'm 272 again. Back to my highest. I have been eating like a horse since i found out my surgery was scheduled and everything is a GO. Now, I'd like to lose 10 lbs before I start pre op. Does this sound stupid or logical? be honest , i love all of your honesty!!!!

I had my endoscopy today, and everything turned out great. But I took out my nose piercing and it closed in the two hours the procedure took! Only bad thing to happen so far in this journey. Losing weight > losing my piercing, though!

Nacol, I had my surgery on August 26 of this year and Dr. Hollis performed it. I had no complications and have lost 37 pounds so far. I was very pleased with Dr. Hollis and the entire experience. I got a little apprehensive about the surgery beforehand, but I think that is normal. To help get over the nerves I already had realized that the weight was killing me and if I wanted to live I had to do something. I did not do this to get skinny, I did it to get healthy. I am getting older and no matter what I did the weight would not come off. I took three blood pressure medications a day and one for high cholesterol. I was extremely tired all the time. I have a lot more energy now. My primary doctor has now removed me from one of the blood pressure medications and my cholesterol is low enough now that the doctor thinks I should just try to bring it down more now without the medication. I can not tell you to have the surgery, that is your decision. I can say this was the right choice for me and I would do it again. Dr. Hollis and his staff made me feel comfortable and had a genuine concern for me and my health and recovery. Let me know if you have any questions. Michelle

Search ketosis on google. Your liver holds the body's short term energy resources that, if we were still hunting for our food, would see us through those no food days. It depletes fairly quickly, causing the liver to shrink. A lot of the pre-op weight loss is actually Water loss from the liver, not real weight. The pre-op diet is simulating the famine time. After the surgery when you start eating carbohydrates and sugars again, expect your liver to plump up again, and expect that you may gain weight as your liver stores lost water.

Hi, I have my first appt with the orientation I already have my referral so my surgery date is about 6 months out. Now I'm suppose to lose my 10% or more so I'm figuring 30lbs I haven't lost 30lbs at one time in what seems like forever i"m good at the 10lbs then gain. Any ideas?:thumbup:

welcome nae ... im abt 3 mts into my 6mts supervised medical diet.. so has it really been hard for you to lose the weight? was it a struggle or did have the band help. i have lost alot of weight and always pt it back on.. what was ur starting weight

I was almost 45 when I had my sleeve done on July 8th, 2011. Let me start off by saying I did have regrets the first month, as I think most of us do. I, probably like you, didn't have the healthiest relationship with food and that all changes (whether you want it to or not) after you're sleeved. At least, it did for me. Early out, it is difficult while you are learning how to eat anew. Taking smaller bites ... chewing thoroughly ... making healthier choices ... in other words, eating like non-obese people eat. This is a change and it takes a bit to adjust and there is some mourning that takes place as food no longer comforts the way it used to. So, now I'm going on a year and a half out and like your friend, I always feel satiated with my meals and do not have the cravings like I did prior to surgery. Sure, I'll still think, "Oh, a Peanut Butter chocolate chunk cookie sounds good", but there is a difference now. Before, that would be all I could think about until I got some. And not just one, for sure. Now, the thought ends at that. If I do find one, I eat it and am happy eating just the one. I don't have to make it the day's mission to find that cookie, which I would do before. I can eat anything and everything now, just like your friend, but just in smaller quantities. Far smaller. Check out my profile and take a look at the pictures in my gallery to see where I came from and where I am now. I would highly recommend the surgery to anyone who has struggled with their weight and health and need a long-term, more permanent solution. But do know that this is not a magic bullet. It is a tool that you must work in order to make it work. You can still sit down to a tub of ice cream and polish it off. If your issues with food run deep, counselling may also be helpful.

The chances of having gall bladder issues after WLS are quite high. Obese women are at higher risk to begin with as estrogen appears to influence the development of stones and obesity is thought to cause reduced bile salts in bile, leading to the formation of stones. Add rapid weight loss (when cholesterol is concentrated in the bile due to weight loss) and the risk increases again. Older people tend to have more gallbladder problems, as well, simply because there is more time for stones to develop, and a diet low in Fiber and high in fat also can lead to stones. About 1/3 of WLS patients will end up having gallbladder surgery. If you're experiencing pain in your abdomal area or it you notice yellowish tint to your eyes that could be a sign of gall bladder issues. Having said all that I did end up having my gall bladder removed after I had my WLS it happened to me the day of my release appt with the surgeon post op. I was having trouble staying hydrated and I was very weak and had a yellowish tint in my eyes so when I went to see my surgeon for follow up they ended sending me to the ER for fluids, X Rays and observation. To make a long story short I was admitted and ended up staying eight (8) days in the hospital. I had two (2) GI that were unsuccessful in removing the stones (which turned out to be more sand like then stones which made removing harder) so they decided to remove my gall bladder all together. In my opinion it should be removed during WLS. Just my opinion..

Yes, I am on liquids. Mostly Protein shakes and broth. sugar free Jello and Sugar Free Ice Pops in between. My reflux is getting better. Even though I have lost some weight I still feel bigger than before because of everything being so swollen. About how long does that take to go away? I feel so bloated all the time. I was going to put decaf instant coffee in the Protein drinks. My doc has had me off caffeine forever now. Any advice that you can send along would be great. Thanks, Kim PS - how do I add a ticker to my post?

My name is melynie and I'm new to this group. I'm 32 years old married with two daughters. My oldest is 13 and youngest is 2. I been struggling with my weight all my life. I've tried different diets and some worked while on diet pills but as soon as I stopped taking diet pills the weight came back with a little extra added. My highest weight have been 330 and that was being pregnant with my youngest daughter. I dropped 30 pounds some months after delivering. I had tons of fluid. I'm going for lap band hopefully in 2013. Don't have a date yet. I'm still in my manditory 6 month weight management class. I graduate from class on feb 14th 2013. I've had my psych eval and my dietician appt. my insurance requires 2 dietician apps. So my last one is scheduled jan 23rd. I'm so excited and can't wait to have my surgery. I have a lot of support from all my fam and friends. One of my aunts is getting the lap band surgery also. So it's good to be her cheerleader and she can be mines. I've been reading over a lot of post on this site and I love how everyone motivates each other. Oh and I'm from Baltimore Maryland.

Hi there- I'm new to these boards...I've been lurking a bit, but just joined. My surgery is finally scheduled for 12/21. I'm nervous, but excited about the possibilities. How did you guys go about choosing your goal weight? I know that the numbers aren't that important and how you feel and how your clothes fit matter more etc. etc. BUT... I'd like to have a number in mind! I was thinking the mid-way point between the recommended BMI, but that's smaller than I could ever imagine! Any pointers? Thanks!

I couldnt stay faithful to my preop, had alot of problems with the shakes but I would substitute by having maybe egg whites or grilled chicken one time a day and a shake. Weightwise suprising I didnt drop alot of weight even though it was a huge calorie defficiency. But almost a week out of surgery surprising I did ok. No I dont expect this number every week but thank god the scale did move. Stick to your plan your weight will come off at some point. It has too, the science is all there.

I felt like you. I got down to 150 and ran a half marathon. After a few years of starving just to maintain my weight, I eventually started gaining. Unlike you, I gained it all back and then some. I hated myself, felt weak, felt like I was a complete failure. I was ashamed that I turned to surgery (am getting ready to turn to surgery). Then I decided that it's unproductive to keep punishing myself. Who cares how I am successful as long as I'm successful. I could hold out and try to show my strength by trying to do it without any tools like surgery or pills but likely I'll just stay fat so that's a dumb idea. I'm going to do whatever it takes to lose weight and keep it off and I'm not going to feel one bit bad about it. Everyone who goes through this works their tush off (literally) so it's not the easy way out. Stop wasting time on feeling bad about yourself and start thinking about how great it will feel to easily keep that weight off next time.

I have been lurking on here for the past month & thought its time to join!!! I like reading all the encouraging helpful posts. I started my appointments back in December & all my documentation was sent in to the ins company last Thursday! My date is set for March 28 BUT I could possibly reschedule for Mar 21 IF I get my final approval this week..needless to say Im really stressed:( I left a message for am & I hope she still calls today. My last apt I had gained 4lbs so Im kicking myself & I hope & pray they don't get finicky! Im so ready, I have been doing the liquid portion here & there....not full speed ahead until I get the day in stone but today Im having a hard time & just want to eat eat eat. My reasons for doing the surgery beside the weight which has been a struggle all my adult life..the usual, I lose 20 lbs, gain it back etc.....I am an avid exerciser, I LOVE working out!! I tend to get obsessed with it at times. BUT I have a knee issue, I have had 4 surgeries & I will be faced with a replacement some day if I don't lose weight & keep it off. Also, I have high blood pressure (1 med), high cholesterol (2 meds) & I am borderline diabetic. I really hoping for a complete lifestyle change & I cannot weight!! In fact, I haven't bought any clothes in months because I want to buy a smaller size:) Anyway, I think you will see me here, asking questions, seeking advice & sharing my progress etc. Im excited to be a part of this group!!!