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Being nervous is normal. You just wait until you start to see the weight come off. I didn't have much post-op pain. I had to take one pain pill and that was because I had a headache after I woke up. It is the best decision I ever made for myself.

Hey everyone, been a long time since I have been on here, reading or posting, but have ran into a wall, it has 4 months since surgery (Nov 19th) I have lost 51 lbs, my big problem is that I went on vacation, ate things I shouldn't have, didn't exercise for 2 weeks and not I am in trouble and dont' know how to get back on track, went to local support group and found out it was more of presentation type of meetings, gee the night I went it was about plastic surgery to make us look better and the next one is on cooking classes, no one to talk to or give advise....I am not sure on how to get back on track, got in real trouble with Dr because I gained 4 lbs and he wouldn't give me a fill.....I was told I had to lose in the next month.....felt really bad when I left Dr office, sat in parking lot and cried. I am so afraid that I will resort to old behavior and have no local support group to go to. :cool2:

WOW Your weight loss is amazing! I remember how it felt to lose that much weight (but that was before my band, back when I was taking those over the counter diet pills, and of course when I stopped taking them...I pretty much gained it all back!). It must feel good to lose that much weight the right way...with propper diet and excercise, knowing that you've made a positive life change. I can't wait to lose my weight again, but doing it right this time :cool: Congratulations! You really have inspired me. ~Amber~

Congrats on your 50 lb weight loss ! Great job ! My Dr. told me my weight loss would slow down as I got nearer my goal of 85 lbs. So true ! I lost 50 lbs the 1st 7 months , and then slowly took off 15 more. Now im trying to get off the last 20 for over a year. It's not happening ! And I exercise 3-5 x s a week ! However, I noticed you dont exercise, could this be the reason you ' re not loosing ? What do you like to do ? Pick 1 or more activities, stay with them and hopefully see the weight come off ! Good luck !

Just get 'er done. You should only see a healing up line where the port is. You might have a lump underneath, sort of like ... well, took me a while to come up with something...(thanks to my DH!!) it's sort of like that little bottom rib, but generally has a bit more fat over it. Now that I've lost my weight, my port is barely visible when I stand up. When I was losing, it could not be seen at all. I could always feel it if I pressed on it. If you have true bandages on, take them off, you want to be sure you are healing ok underneath. If they are steri-strips, they will come off as you shower and wash over them.

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

Hey all, For the most part I'm handling everything well. I'm keeping myself distracted but I really can't believe my surgery is this Friday. My biggest fear is that my cute angelic chubby cheek face will get saggy. I feel pretty silly thinking that...but it is a thought and I looked in the mirror this morning and had that common fear tingle all over my body. UGGGGG! I'm not worried about the surgery at all. I'm a surgery pro. Hubby was all worried last night that I would get skinny and hotter and leave him. I reassured him that he is the only man for me...but he is still afraid. :/ I'm freaking a little....but will be OK. I've been pleasantly plump my entire adult life. Since I put on the freshmen 30. I admit I am a little afraid of what being skinny will feel like and worry about the extra attention it will bring. In the past I have sabotaged myself because of all the attention. Have lost the same 30 lbs over an over and gained it back I didn't like the attention. Anyone else...need a buddy to help work through these similar thoughts as we start getting "skinny".

This is my issue..... I switched doctors a year and a half ago.. the old clinic I used to go to, I would always 'opt out' of being weighed because I was so embarrassed about the skinny little nurse seeing my weight. So Im not sure if I can provide proof of being so heavy for so long :c(. I stopped letting them weigh me. Am I screwed? The woman in insurance coordination says that if Aetna denies me, they have a lawyer that for 1100$ will take the case and run with it. Has anyone with Aetna been denied and then had their appeal overturned? I want this so bad and will be devastated if I cant get banded because I had such low self esteem those years ago. :help:

Wow!! Your success in losing weight is VERY impressive. Please don't let the stress of this situation cause you to relapse. As others have suggested, get your Mom and go to a support group and/or counseling. That is the biggest treat you can give yourself at this time. What many people don't realize is that overeating is an addiction, just like alcoholism or drug addiction. And it is much worse in many ways - you can stop drinking and stop using drugs but you need to eat to survive. As the child of an alcoholic I grew up escaping the stress of family life with food. My father has been sober for 24 years now - but I am still struggling with my addiction to food. It has taken me years of counseling and group therapy to get to the point where I was ready to make the committment to lose weight. You have come way too far to relapse now. You are almost at your goal.

http://gastricbypasstruth.com/145/how-gastric-bypass-surgery-patients-can-lose-35-more-weight

I have an electronic Weight Watcher scale & it sucks too. I can get on it 2 or 3 times in a row & get different weights. I now just step on it once & write that weight down. These scales are so sensitive that I even put tape on it so I would stand in the same place each time. I know, weird. I'm going to get an old fashioned scale with the dial. I think those are more accurate & you don't have to have batteries. LOL

I am happy to report that I hit the 30 pound mark today, on my 3 month bandiversary. I haven't been this weight since before my first daughter was born 17 years ago. I feel so incredibly proud of myself and I want to thank everyone on this forum and other forums who've helped me along the way. Your encouragement and support are the backbone to my success.

for many of us, hunger goes away for several months. Mine came roaring back at five months out, and I wish it never had. It was SO much easier to lose weight when I was never hungry! Embrace it and take full advantage of it! This will be the easiest time in your life to lose a ton of weight since you're never hungry!

Hi there danielbyhalf and welcome to the site. I pretty much am in the same position as you statistic-wise, except a bit shorter. Just weighed myself this morning and I'm down to 290 having started a self-imposed sort of diet after weighing in at my initial meeting with the weight loss surgeon (302-lbs.). I have Type-ll diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. I attended several seminars and walked away in most cases unimpressed, except for Dr. McMahon from Swedish Hospital in Seattle, WA. There seemed to be a 'connection' established with him while making inquiries at the seminar. So at this point I've gone through most all the hoops and this Thursday I'll be going in for some additional blood tests & an endoscopy. Providing nothing negative is found, I'll be another step closer to surgery. I'm going through Medicare and the doctor assures me that he doesn't see any problems with approval. He did insist that my blood sugar levels be below 150 and would require me to bring my meter in to verify such. I've been doing really well watching my eating habits and practically cutting out carbs completely. I'm not having second thoughts about the surgery at this time, but I have been doing a lot of thinking about the diet prior to and post surgery. I'd like to think of myself as a mentally strong individual, but changing my entire lifestyle/habits is going to be challenging...at best. Been raised my entire life with the attitude of "eat everything on my plate at each & every meal". That's got to change and what I'm working on now. Best of luck on your journey and wish you the best. Stay in touch & I'll do the same.

Well I spoke to my surgeons office yesterday and they are able to use some of my documented weights from my doctors office to get me qualified. I hit 227 in January and they can use that so it should get me into the program with insurance approval. When I told my partner that I may not qualify he told me that the money we have saved for my portion of the medical expense can just be used to buy exercise equipment. Man that was not what I wanted to hear! I wish I could explain the feelings I have because of my weight....

I am waiting for my appointment and wanting to know what this will be like for me on the other side. I don't have support at home for my decision and was told I could exercise more, eat less ~ you all know the usual. It's hard when I don't over eat, my 6 year old eats more then I do, I don't have a metabolism due to my former life style. I found out the results from my sleep study (co-morbidity factor) is mild and not the moderate/severe I was hoping for. I have less then 7 days to gain 8 pounds to qualify for weight purposes only. So discouraged at this point.

I got my MRI results today and the disc is herniated. I have an appointment tomorrow to talk about the options- and will probably have a cortisone shot in the disc on Thursday in the hopes that does the trick. I am so freaked that I will need surgery- I have already had a discectomy in the disc so if I can't get it soothed they will want to do a fusion. Having back surgery before started me on the road to gaining over 110 pounds. I am in such despair at the thought of another surgery.... I am wondering if I can insist on the sleeve first. Then even on that front I have had a delay as there were negative results on my "routine" stress echo and now I have to see the cardiologist. I am freaking out about that too. I am so certain of my course in getting this surgery , just pray for me that I can resolve these issues and get my tests all out of the way and a date set!

Losing my hair is my fear too. I googled it and the explaination I found was that ANY stress to the body can trigger hair loss... like surgery, weight loss, illness, emotional stress, etc. You've had two of those causes. Hair loss occurs several months after the stress/cause occurs. It'll fall out for a short time and a person can lose prehaps as much as 50% of thier hair (worst case). Once it starts there is nothing you can do to stop it because the stress that triggered it occured months ago. The important thing to remember is that IT WILL GROW BACK. It is only temporary. I talked to my dietician and she confirmed what I read. With proper diet (protein and vitamins) you can minimize hair loss. Some people will lose hair no matter what and some will dodge the bullit. Creative hairstyling can help it to be less obvious. IT IS ONLY TEMPORARY. You'll get through it and it too will be worth it! Hang in there!

Running, boxing, kickboxing, biking, and swimming. Weights are good for you, I just hate them, lol.

Hi Shayne, One of the really cool things about banding vs. other types of WLS is that it's really easy to keep it to yourself if you want to. The surgery is relatively minor, and it shouldn't take more than a week for you to feel almost 100% recovered. It can easily be accomplished during a short vacation from work, for example. Personally, I took three days off--back at work on Monday after a Wednesday surgery. As for people looking down on me, well, anyone who would hold such an opinion isn't worth my worrying about. My friends and family who know have all been supportive. Those I haven't told have no idea anything was done. Like you, I have been big my whole life. The band presented my best hope for gaining control over what's so long controlled me. Justifying it to other people wasn't something I felt necessary.

So for the last month I went up 4 pounds and then took a month to get down to 191 where I was when my weight shot up. Now the last week I have seen 188,189 and 190 on the scale different mornings,. Well as of today I had to ask for smaller pants in my work uniform as the waist and butt where clearly starting to hang all of the sudden even though the DAMN scale is not giving me any encouragement. While it feels good to know my pants got too big, it is till a mind mess to deal with the numbers on the scale.

Thanks so much fitblab - I know, I've been reading up on this thing, and I know that building muscle is important and its leaner than fat. I know that I am losing fat, and gaining muscle. I just wish the scale would cooperate a little more. lol. I think I'm going to take my measurements tonight and compare them with where I was 6 weeks ago.....I think that will help me realize I am losing, and eventually the scale has to move, right?

dont forget weight training adds muscle its a great thing like horse power for a engine. But the down side is you gain weight or maintain before the muscle starts burning fat ect im soooo proud of you

Hi, I'm Veronica. I am 32, 5'7 and currently weigh 255 (BMI: 39.somthing). This is the heaviest I've ever been and at 32, I can actually feel it now; its a bit scary. I recently went through a break up and when I tried to get back on the horse and started hiking again, I noticed how sore all my joints were. I wake up and I'm sore. I worry this is going to get in the way of my weightloss process, WLS or other. I'm here because I'm considering WLS/VSG and have Kaiser and in insurance provider. I'v been perusing forums, Instagram, and YouTube vlogs for the last couple weeks and haven't really found much on the process for Kaiser. I realize everyone's plans are different but I was hoping to find someone close in age, insurance and location to share this journey with. My first appointment is scheduled for 12/8/17. Its a "physical" and I'm hoping they'll give me a referral. I have a general idea of the hoops I'll have to jump through to make this happen. I guess my questions are: 1. I'm a hair under the limit to be considered without a second diagnosis (I don't think I suffer from any of the listed illnesses). Do people ever put on a couple pounds to cross that threshold? is that a thing? 2. There is a weight loss plan leading up to the surgery, right? Does anyone know if my starting weight is taken into account for approval or the weight I'm at after the 6 months of weigh ins? I know these are all questions for my doctor, and I will definitely ask them in two weeks at my appointment but I'm anxious and like to be entirely prepared. Thanks!