Search the Community

Hi everyone, I am a Colorado resident and I have Kaiser Connections. I have called to confirm that they cover weight loss surgery but the docs keep saying that my BMI has to be at least 40. My current BMI is 36 and I have gone through the weight loss management program and they put me on meridia and it has not worked. I have finally sent in my wight loss packet and now I guess I want to know what the next steps are and a time frame that I may be looking at? It has been 2 weeks since I sent the packet in and havent heard anything back yet. I have thyroid issues and my thyroid doc is the one that recommended me to look into weight loss surgery because they are having a hard time maintaing my thyroid. Diabetes runs in my family and I have a feeling since my BMI is no 40 that I may have to fight a little to get this done so any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

I don't know that there is such a thing as normal. Everyone is different. I'm 4 weeks post-op tomorrow and I am healing very slowly. I can't eat and drink as much as some or most people at this same stage. Every thing has to be mushed up and real creamy, no chunks, and not too thick. Drinking is slow going with resting between sips. Lot's of girgiling, burping and hiccups. I believe my acid relflux is slowing things down and I take Nexium and drink Mylanta as needed during the day. My doctor does not allow coffee, says it's slows down the healing process, but I started drinking coffee with lots of milk and creamer after 3 weeks. You are only 1 week out, it takes time and make sure you get in fluids. I was not a milk drinker before this surgery, but I am now. Skim milk goes down easy for me. You're in the hardest time right now, it will get better. Good that you're seeing your doctor tomorrow. Let him know your fluid intake.

Thanks chris54, that seems like the list I heard before at doctors office in a group sign up after aproval, I speak to him one on one again next week. Also I'll consider what every else seems to like best, like gummies too and maybe not so much the bartiatric Vites.

Thank you, that makes so much sense!! I hadn't thought of it, but of course, this week on the Biggest Loser they showed Ron his internal scans, and this was what had happened...can't believe I didn't relate it to the changing feeling of restriction and need for fills.

Today is January 16th. I didn't lose anything last week, but when I stepped on the scales this week I was pleased to see a 2-3 pound loss that would put me at a 52 pound weight loss since my surgery in mid August. I am very pleased with that! I have been out shopping with my Christmas money! I can now pick out medium sized shirts and tops and need to buy some new jeans, probably size 14s as my size 16s are too loose. I have gone from 230 to 178-79. I have been using the treadmill about 40 minutes at a time about 3 times a week. I need to get on that tread mill more often as my weight loss has slowed down. I am due to see Dr. Avila on Friday for another fill as I haven't had one since mid October. It is so much more fun to shop for clothes now and I don't have to try on every little thing and I can shop the sale racks with more options, which I have done since Christmas. I even bought regular flannel p.j.s with tops and pants which I normally do not buy because the pants are too small for the tops usually, in order for them to fit my body shape. I usually buy night gowns to avoid this problem. Not any more!!! I am enjoying my two pair of large pjs, but bought a medium size for next winter as I continue to lose more pounds. I can put these large in the dryer and shrink these a bit if I need to as they are all cotton, for next winter.

Today is January 16th. I didn't lose anything last week, but when I stepped on the scales this week I was pleased to see a 2-3 pound loss that would put me at a 52 pound weight loss since my surgery in mid August. I am very pleased with that! I have been out shopping with my Christmas money! I can now pick out medium sized shirts and tops and need to buy some new jeans, probably size 14s as my size 16s are too loose. I have gone from 230 to 178-79. I have been using the treadmill about 40 minutes at a time about 3 times a week. I need to get on that tread mill more often as my weight loss has slowed down. I am due to see Dr. Avila on Friday for another fill as I haven't had one since mid October. It is so much more fun to shop for clothes now and I don't have to try on every little thing and I can shop the sale racks with more options, which I have done since Christmas. I even bought regular flannel p.j.s with tops and pants which I normally do not buy because the pants are too small for the tops usually, in order for them to fit my body shape. I usually buy night gowns to avoid this problem. Not any more!!! I am enjoying my two pair of large pjs, but bought a medium size for next winter as I continue to lose more pounds. I can put these large in the dryer and shrink these a bit if I need to as they are all cotton, for next winter.

If you suspect you are pregnant, make sure you are taking your vitamins and getting balanced nutrition (which is probably currently better than you were eating before). Then, call your Dr immediately. I don't want to scare you, but I was just reading last night that nutrition-related birth defects occur in the first two weeks of pregnancy, which is why it is so important to plan your pregnancies, and if you THINK you may be pregnant, see your Dr immediately. Don't wait. Let us know how you make out!

First, I want to say that I am happy with my weight loss so far (23 pounds in 7 weeks), although it is slowing significantly to less than 1 kg (2 lb) per week the last three weeks. Next, I want to say that I understand that there seem to be as many diet plans after the sleeve as there are dietitians. I actually have an appointment with a different dietitian who was recommended to me by a friend who has also had VSG, as a "second opinion" on what my primary dietitian (who works with my surgeon) has told me. When I spoke with this other dietitian on the phone she agreed with me that the diet my current dietitian has me on might not be the best choice for me. My current dietitian also uses basically the same diet for people with the band and sleeve, just reducing the calories a bit for the sleeve versus the band. The liquid stage was fairly standard. In the puree stage I was told that half of every puree should be lean Protein, a quarter should be non-starchy veg, and a quarter should be grain-based starch (rather than potato or other starchy veg), because the grain-based starches give us B1 and other important Vitamins. OK. This worked fine, even though it seemed a lot more specific than most people have for the puree phase. Then, he didn't really have a soft food stage, but just moved me straight to full foods, giving me some advice about things that I may have trouble tolerating at first. It turns out I haven't had trouble tolerating anything. The thing I am having trouble with is the composition of the full food diet. His advice is a lot different from almost everything I see here. Here is the guideline he told me: 1. I am to have a balanced meal, not particularly high in protein or particularly low in carb or fat. This is to make sure that I'm getting all the nutrients I need. 2. I should be eating around 1000 calories a day. He reckons I am burning around 1800 calories a day and this will promote a 2-4 kg (4-8 lb) loss per month. 3. I should not count calories. Instead I should be using an exchange diet as follows: a. 3-4 servings a day of grain-based carbs. A serve is one slice of bread, 1/2 cup rice, 1 cup Pasta (1/2 cup if it's dense or small), or 2-4 whole grain crackers depending the size. b. Max 1 serving starchy vegetables a day. A serving is 1 medium potato or 1/2 cup mashed potato c. 4 servings other vegetables a day. A serving is 1/2 cup cooked veggies or 1 cup of salad d. 1-3 servings fruit a day. A serving is 5-6 strawberries, 1 medium apple, 1 medium orange, 2 small mandarines, 2 plums, etc. e. 4 servings dairy a day. A serving is 1/2 cup milk or yogurt, or 1 slice of cheese (like the Kraft slices) f. A palm-sized 1 cm (1/2 inch) thick amount of protein, spread over 2-3 meals, per day. g. One teaspoon of fat or oil per day, or 1/8 avocado h. A max of 2 alcoholic drinks per week, and a max of 2 Desserts or other "treats" per week I am nervous that this diet has too many calories and too little protein. I am also nervous about the idea of not logging my food (he is strongly against logging and counting calories, because he doesn't think it is a natural behavior for live). I am also nervous that it is so different from what most people seem to be doing. Is anyone else here on a similar "exchange" type diet, instead of having a set number of calories or protein per day? Is anyone else on a diet that is radically different from the high-protein low-carb low-fat diet that most people seem to use?

Good to see she has a good plan! What multi are u taking? Oh and by the way I'm 4 weeks out now and have lost 6.7kgs but 14.1kg in the last 6 weeks. Oh and down 27cms overall

I am feeling the same you are! I was banded July 30th and have lost 40lbs..I have had 2 fills and my third is scheduled for Nov 30th on my 4mnth anniversary. Right now I have VERY little restriction. I can eat normal and never had any issues with eating anything, pbing, sliming or getting stuck. I am very frustrated. I have been going to the gym 4x a week taking 2 hour long classes back to back. I hvn't lost any weight in several weeks. Now, I have to admit a day here or there I have eat things I shouldnt have or eat alot more than I should have but I cannot wait to have restriction!! I know that will make the difference in my weight loss and help me out. I too fee like Iv lost about just as much weight as I did when I was on Weight watchers....people do keep telling me I will get there and it will get easier once I have good restriction but it just seems like its taking so much longer than I expected to get to that point. I think to answer your ultimate question, once you have good restriction the point is you will more than likely keep it off unlike all the times we have dieted in the past. Not to mention if you dont really have restriction its easier to fall off the wagon and eat alot more than you should or can! Hang on girlfriend..your not alone!

I wish I could say something to make you feel better, but I am only in week three at this time. I'm sure there will be someone who has had your experience and will be able to say something to you. Don't stress too much, not that you want this, but unlike a RNY, you could always reverse it. Let that be enough to help you keep moving ahead. I find I don't stress so much if there's a way out.....and because you want this to be successful, you really have no intentions of reversing it anyway. Most likely nothing is seriously wrong, you just have to deal with the changing pains.

Yes, I just joined the YMCA about 2 weeks ago and go every other day. You are right it has helped alot. I wasn't ready for excerise until some of the weight came off. Now I am up to 2 miles on the treadmill Thanks!!

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Well, on April 3rd, 2007 I was banded!!! Its been a little over a week, and im starting to feel hungry again. I have another dr appointment in 2 weeks the 24th I think--when I will recieve my first fill...Im down 12 pounds so far! Im thrilled, I feel better already. Its just a psychological roller coaster. Am I physically hungry?? Emotionally hungry? Or just wanting to freaking eat??? Thats where Im at, I just want food. This mental thing is getting at me. uggh. Though, when I do eat, I can now tell when I am full. LOL, I dont think there ever was a full stage before. lol. So, heres to my new life, my new me. :biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1:

My name is tracie I am 32 and live in Brockton, MA I am going to Dr. Glasgow next week.

To a new life! :biggrin2: Greetings from Western MA (Amherst to be exact). During my yearly physical last week my PCP mentioned that I might be a candidate (...for President -nah!) for weight loss surgery. 245 5'2". Yeah, she's right! So..right now I am reading a lot, learning what I can and getting ready for the best part of my life! Anybody else from Western Mass? I guess I would be going to Mercy Hospital or Baystate?? I've got an appointment w/ my PCP on the 1st (April Fools Day...how appropriate LOL!!) to get the ball rolling. I look forward to sharing my journey. OceanGal aka Meg

Hey Kelly......Know how you feel. Went through the same thing. I've had 3 fills and still can eat quite a bit. Not as much as before but more than I thought I would. I am going Tues. for another fill and hopefully this one will do the trick. My Dr. allows us to get a fill every 2 weeks as long as we meet 2 of the following criteria. We don't lose any weight, we are hungry between meals, or we are able to comfortably eat more than we should. I know that I am close because I can't eat some foods now that I could 2 weeks ago. Hang in there and ask your Dr if you could get a fill sooner. Best of luck.

i have been stuck at the same weight for coming up on 4 weeks. i really dont know what to do....i just had the surgery done may 9th and i thought for sure i would be dropping alot at first. what should i do.....i am gettting so down and depressed about it...i know people stall but for this long???? i would just like to know if anyone else went through this and started losing.

Have you been measuring yourself? I've only lost 3 lbs in the last 2 weeks last week I lost none, but I started measuring myself and I've list 4 inches in the bust and 3 in the waist. Even if your not losing weight your losing inches. Try that to keep from getting frustrated about the weight stall.

It's the week three stall! Almost universal! Do a search for it here and relax it passes :-)

I was banded on June 17th,08 and am scheduled for my first fill July 29th. I lost about 25 lbs in the first 3 weeks post-op, then it just stood still for a couple of weeks and now I have gained about 4 lbs. I can't actually say you feel hunger, as I never let myself get to that point and that is my downfall. It isn't that you actually feel hunger, it's more what they call "head hunger" I think. I know I am definitley ready for some adjustment, as I can eat almost everything and way larger amounts than when I had restriction after surgery. I beleave if you stick to the 3 meals a day and get exercise when you can and don't let the head hunger get in your way, you won't really feel hunger. Believe me this is one hell of a trip we are on, but I am so glad I know I am heading in the right direction. My best wishes to you. The surgery is easy and I am sure your recovery will be as well. Just follow Dr.s directions. Your baby is adorable! Kerry in Oregon:thumbup:

I thought this would be a good idea! I already keep a journal, just for myself. But maybe this would be informative for someone else. I am 41 yrs old, housewife, mother, massage therapist. I have been on the weight roller coaster for many years now, ever since I got married at age 21, which will be 19 years this July! I gain, I lose, I gain back...usually more than I lost, but not always. Over the years my "top weight" had gradually increased. Eventually I went up to 260. I was miserable. I wanted to go to massage school. I worked hard again, and dropped 65 lbs by the time school started(thanks to Quick Weight Loss Center). I maintained well through school, being busy helps! But during my internship, which was spotty as far as time, I started gaining again. By the time I had my license and was out working, I had gained 30 lbs! I was barely hanging on until I got very sick. I got walking pnuemonia, which set me back. I also gained a lot of weight. Then I was in a car accident, hurt my leg real bad. More set backs, more weight. Got sick again with the pneumonia and several bouts of bronchitis. More weight, less motivation, less physical strenth. It went up from there, finally topping out at my most recent highest ever-- 293.5!! . So then I had the mentality of "Why fight the battle when I am going to lose the war? What incintive do I have?" Just get used to being fat, and eat what you want. Why bother? Ok, fine... but.. being at that weight was ruining my life. I was only operating at 50%. I did not have the energy or motivation to go out and find work (self-employed). This hurt my relationship with my DH. He wants me to work and bring in $$, especially after all the $$ I spent in school and CEU courses afterwards (I had 52 CEU hours in my first year of license, I was a real go getter at first, before I gained the weight). I also had several other things be affected... my sex life (almost non-existant), I could not run and play with kids, I was too embarassed to go swimming with the family and would sit out. I used to ride horses all the time, my life passion! Nothing occupied my mind more over the many many years more than horses! Now I was too fat to ride. I would have to ride a draft horse! Even when I did ride a horse that could handle my weight, I felt too unbalanced, unsafe. If the horse was to take a quick turn, being spooked or something, I would come off, hit the ground HARD! I ride on streets. Asphalt is NOT forgiving! I stopped riding when I was about 260. I wound up driving miniature horses. They can pull me in a cart just fine down the street! So I have been doing that for a couple years now. However, if there was to ever be an emergency, and I needed to hop out of the cart... good luck with that! My weight prohibits me to act fast and quickly, safely. So I got scared about that, and eventually quit driving as well. And of course, there is the usual depression. I started hating myself, hating any skinny woman I saw, hating that even at Walmart I was having trouble finding the size I needed.. XXX. I had to go to specialty stores. Myfeet gave me major problems, which lamed me up more. At one time I was borderline diabetic, according to my doc. I started to explore differnt ways to get rid of this weight more permanetly. I came across the LAP-BAND®®®®. I ray of hope entered my life! Could this be the magic bullet? I have used tools in the past to lose weight, like the Metabolife, Weight Watchers, QWLC, etc. The support and help I got from these really helped! I needed soemthing like that again, but something stronger, something that would stay with me always. A constant motivator. The Band seems to be it. I had to give it a try. The big things that were holding me back to get it was money, and pursuading DH to let me get surgery. He is very protective of me and highly values me. Dosn't want to lose me to some complication and be left raising my now 2 kids alone. My insurance would not pay for it. I dropped that insurance and got another that the sales guy told me they would do it. I let almost a year go by, and then I tried to do it. They would not, he lied to me! Luckily I had gotten some inheritance from my grandmother this past year. Now was my chance! I decided I could pay cash for half, and Care Credit the other half. Now DH had to be convinced. By this point, he realized I am so affected by the weight, something has to be done, so he finally agreed after I educated myself and him about the whole thing, and the risks. I met once again with True Results (I I talked with them a year ago when I was first intersted). On the scale I was 293.5. I commited to doing it. I came in for the pre-op talk with the surgeon. I had already dropped about 10 lbs, because I was now determined I was going to do this one last time, and was eating better. He told me about the pre-op diet. I had 3 weeks before surgery. I was very faithful to the diet and had no regrets or strayed from it. Once I set my mind on something I want, I go get it! I just had to mentally prepare myself for this battle and war, once again, hopefully for the final time. Itwas working! Ilost a total of 30 lbs by surgry day.. April 14th 2010. I was already feeling better and stronger. I started working out again at Curves (I had a membership that I had carried for a year without going!!) Then the big day arrived! I did not think I was nervous. but apparently I was. That morning I felt shaky, and a bit light headed, some nauseousness. I thought I was sick, and would not be able to go! But then I figured out it was nerves! I settled down a few hours later. I took the kids to school, came back, and showered with the special soap they required. I was there by 9:30am. The hardest part was not drinking! My mouth was very dry. I would take baby sips of water, just enough to wet my mouth. I filled out papers, gave a pee sample (to prove I was not pregnant), got the IV in, the Heprin shot, the wonderful gown on, all that. Then I said goodbye to DH. I woke up in the recovery room. Very woozy, and sore. They had me get up and get my clothes on, quite a chore! Then they got me inot the xray room and swallow barium. The xray showed that the band was too tight, nothing going through! So I had to lie on a table while they pushed around on me (OUCH!) to find the port. Then I guess they took some out. Did the barium again, now it was fine. They finally got me into the car on to the house, DH driving. I was quite sick at my tummy by then, and dry heaved a few times (ouch!). I could not drink anything. DH called the nurse and they called in a prescription for a supository. He also got the liquid Vicodin. The Vicodin would not stay down. I just had to deal with the pain until the next day. I eventually felt better by nightfall. I just went to sleep. It wasn't the best night sleep, but it worked. Next morning I felt Ok for drinking something. I had a protiend shake, and some broth. Then I took some pain meds. They stayed down, but did not do any good. Call the nurse! She said to take liquid Motrin in between doses of Vicodin. Eventually that worked, by nightfall, the pain was getting less. I forced myself to walk around the house off and on. I took the Gas X. Next day I was walking around outside in the yard. Next day down the street to the stop sign and back, a couple of times! I was still quite sore. Rolling over at night in bed was painful too. I could only sleep on my right side for a while. Then I could tolerate my back. Now I am about to be able to sleep on my left, but it still pinches and hurts sometimes. Getting up from achair or bed was very painful too for a while. Now it is no big deal, just some minor pain (I am 8 days post-op today). My shouldr has started to hurt again. So that bugs me. Today though, has been my most painfree day! But 2 days ago, it was a bad day! I was hurrying out the door to take kids to school, now that I could drive again. I must have drunk my smoothie too fast, something. I got on the road and felt nauseous, weak, yucky. I started thinking about the surgery. Thinking about the pain i was experincing, and how I was stuck with this thing inside me, unless I got another operation. I do not know if I somehow psyched myself into feling like this, or what. I tried to think of other things. After dropping the kids off, I hurried home (2o minute drive). the feelings of sickness got worse! I really thought I would have to pull over and either puke or call for help. I was really scared. I did not know what was going on!:sad: It was a real mental battle for me to get home OK. Then I ran to the bathroom. I never threw up, but I did have loose bowels. I took a supository and went to bed. Two hours later I was OK. I was weak, but not sick at my stomach. I took it easy the rest of that day and the next. I was worried the next day if I would start feeling like that again. I did not drink a smoothie before leaving. I just took water with me. I was OK, just drained. Now today I feel great!:wink2: Better than ever! I also got to start soft foods, like soup, and yogurt smoothies! That has also helped the stomach rumblings I sometimes have, hunger pains! I was not really hungry, but my stomach said it was ! That feeling of your stomach turning in on itself, growling, squiching around! Not fun! Anyway, I am glad I have done this, so far. It has been a bit more of a recovery than I was thinking it would be, unexpected pain, soreness, etc. But I have been assured by many that this too... will pass... and be a memory. So I hold onto that and continue to follow instructions closely and try to not over do anything. This is a good excuse to pamper myself and take the time I need to heal properly. Until next time my friend!!:smile2: ps.. my goal is 170!:wink2:

You're not alone! We must have been banded on the same day. I thought my hubby might go on a supportive diet with me during the fasting, but if anything he's bringing pizza and fast food into the house more because I'm not cooking. He's a great guy, but he has no idea how close I've come to strangling him these past two weeks. :-) Anyways, the thing keeping me going is definitely the scale, even though most of it is probably Water. I try to make sure I'm full with a Protein shake when my family is eating, and I just keep counting down the days to mushies. I keep telling myself that soon this will be a distant memory, and it will, so hang in there. We can do it!!

That was me like four days before my Sleeve'n, I even got really emotional and upset and tried to get my husband to talk me out of it. But I'am worthy and so are you, we need to be healthy so we can do the things we want to do with our kids and so we can see them grow up and have grand kids for us to spoil! You are WORTHY, AND YOU DESERVE THE WORLD, THIS TOOL WILL HELP YOU BECOME THE YOU , YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE! I'm 3 weeks out today and have never felt better, keep your head up and all will be well !!!!

I am three months out , and I feel fantastic! I have lost 55 lbs and I wouldnt change anything about this decision !!! I am not breathing heavy anymore , my aches and pains have subsided, I am not sufferig from edema like I used to , my blood pressure is normal again , I no longer wear size 18 I have reversed the scales and am no longer in jeopardy of hitting 300 lbs for the first time in all of my adult life my weight starts with the number 1! So no , I dont feel an ounce of guilt, shame or remorse!!!! You are worthy as is anyone who wants to take control of their destiny and protect the temple God has given them !!!! Two fingers, One Love! CAMMYD*:-)

Sparkey..these are questions you should ask your surgeon especially since you had additional surgery besides the band. I know I wasn't able to get up and move around like that my first day. My doc said to take it easy. I definately couldn't get back to work right away, I needed that week off and I have a sit down job. I can tell you it took me about 2 weeks to feel back to normal but, I went back to work after 1. There was one area that was painful, the top (my) left side surgery wound. My surgeon said that's because thats the hole they used for most of the manuvering of the band around my stomach etc. That took about 6 weeks to completely go away. I was able to sip water right after surgery. If you did too much too soon maybe you caused swelling to go up a bit more causing the liquid not to go down? Definately call your MD.