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Focus on healthy lifetime habits. Whole foods you make yourself are best. Exercise daily. Lots of water. As soon as you can, get off the protein powders and bars and eat real food. I had surgery at BMI 30. I am 6 months out and over those months lost an average of 10 pounds per month. I am in the exact center of the healthy weight BMI now, have tons of energy, look great and am super pleased with my progress. Don't worry about speed of loss, focus on how you will live for the rest of your life.

I have found this Band to be a self-motivating tool. I am a professional dieter. Basically, I have gone on a major diet every year since my drastic weight gain about 12 years ago. I have managed to lose countless number of pounds over the years, and have dieted myself down to as low as a size 4. Unfortunately every time I dieted, all the weight would go back on plus more. In 2006 I became so discouraged that I just gave up, and in 2007 my weight reached an all-time high. All I was really missing was a tool that would guarantee me long-term success. Once it became apparent to me that this Band was actually going to work (which was after my first fill), I became highly motivated and have stayed that way ever since. As far as the exercise, well... I really can't explain it, but I absolutely love it now. I have no idea what caused this or how it happened, but I am totally hooked on working out, so motivation is not much of an issue for me at this point in time. A rather simple story, but there it is................... Crazy Ates January Exercise Challenge 2/30 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

By the way Candle, with the amount of weight you have lost, I would say that you could teach us a few things about motivation!!! :clap2::clap2::clap2:

On Monday Jan 2nd I will have my first initial consult with my surgeon to start my journey. My appt is with Dr. Troy Glenbot of Winchester baratric center in Winchester Va. I would love to find someone who has dealt w Dr. Glenbot( or his associate Dr. weidower) or who is going thoroughly there process there now! I currently weight 393lbs my ideal body weight is supposed to be about 130-140 but ive been heavy for so long I just can't picture myself that small. As of right now I have a goal for myself of 150-175 so we shall see what the doc says

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top> <TABLE class=tborder id=post808534 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=alt1 id=td_post_808534 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d9d9d9 1px solid">Believe it or not I rushed into this <HR style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #d9d9d9" SIZE=1>It's taken me almost a year and a half of work but it's over at least. This...meaning insurance approval with Cigna. I was Denied because I was shy a 40 BMI by 10 -12 pounds when I submitted everything they were looking for I jumped thru every hoop and paid out every last cent to docs. etc. but I should have know (and not listen to people on this site that said Cigna does cover with no co mobidities - NOT TRUE) they clearly state that they do not cover those under a 40 BMI unless you have grave illness that don't respond to meds.. Not only that but they will not approve any claim even related to this one in the future. Meaning if I gain 10 pounds in the next year.even if I maintain that for a year and..easy to do at my age...they won't even consider it. My fear is of dying of a heart attack like my twin sister did of obesity last year. My chest is so huge it strangles me at night and causes sleep apnea that doesn't appear on the "test" ...another few hundred bucks there. My warning to those seeking insurance approval with CIGNA....if you're not starting out with a 40 BMI save your money until you are or get a loan unless you can clearly prove a comobidity. __________________ financing </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tcat style="MARGIN-TOP: 3px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center width=7></TD><TD class=tcat vAlign=center width="100%">food and Nutrition</OPTION> <OPTION class=fjdpth2 value=82> Cooking, Baking and Recipes</OPTION> <OPTION class=fjdpth1 value=81> Fitness & Exercise</OPTION> <OPTION class=fjdpth1 value=11> Doctors and Hospitals</OPTION> <OPTION class=fjdpth1 value=20> Fill Doctors</OPTION> <OPTION class=fjsel value=8 selected> Insurance & Financing</OPTION> <OPTION class=fjdpth1 value=12> Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery</OPTION> <OPTION class=fjdpth0 value=122>Lap Band Support Groups</OPTION> <OPTION class=fjdpth1 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Hi Juju, I don't know about the "majority" of people getting tummy tucks. Certainly some do, but it's by no means universal. The amount of hanging or loose skin you will have is unpredictable. Exercise will help tone the underlying muscles but can't do anything about skin elasticity, which is more related to your age, heredity, and the speed with which you lose weight. So it's a wait-and-see proposition. I've lost 120 lbs since my heaviest weight and don't need a tummy tuck. I know people who are about where I am who have had plastic surgery already. I'll see what happens in another 50 lbs, but so far the only area I'd really like to see tightened up is my upper arms, and I'm not going to have surgery just for that.

I don't have multiple years since my surgery, mine was in July of 2012. Weight loss has slowed down but not stopped. Are you exercising? That is what is helping me. I also use this App on my phone called Lose it ,its also available online. Its a very useful tool. I always remember what they told me "gastric bypass is a tool, It's not a miracle cure". So I have to keep going and watch my portions. Especially now that Im being able to eat more than I used to.

You know I don't know if I realized I had it so good in regards to the amount of support I have received in having lap band. I was shocked to read other people's posts about not telling people because of them not being supportive (whether actual or perceived). I have had nothing but support from every aspect of my life - family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, church members, etc. UNTIL this random experience I had the other day. A person, who will remain nameless that I know (don't even know that well but they know I had the surgery) made a comment that just set me off. A group of us were discussing the People issue where they show people who have lost 1/2 their size - I love reading that every year - I find it inspirational. This person simply made the comment "yeah - they were able to do it on their own, not take the easy way out" and then looked in my direction. Now I am a God-fearing/loving woman - but my thoughts became nasty at that moment. Now I bit my tongue - but didn't want to. SO instead I'm releasing the steam here! Don't ever tell me I took the easy way out! This is a fight! I realized that I was no longer at a place where I could do it on my own. I graciously took the help that was made available to me to make my life healthier - I took back control! I don't care if you lose the weight by doing weight watchers, slim for life, surgical intervention, south beach, diet of the month, jenny craig or dammit - just eating less and exercising more - congratulations on however you do it and the positive influence it will have on your health and I pray you keep up the success and the weight stays off - GOOD for YOU! Don't tell me I failed or took the easy way out - I'm glad someone else had success without surgery - I did not feel that was the best decision for me since it hadn't worked so far. Ok I feel better - Thank you!

5 and a half months and 48 lbs seems realistic. That is just over 2 lbs a week. I think most PS will do surgery on you when you are 10-20 lbs from goal. I'm 216 and my goal weight is 185. My goal for surgery is 200. That would put me 15 lbs from goal. Let me know what your surgeon thinks.

This is my plan. Please tell me if it is totally unrealistic. I have around 48 or slightly less to my goal, which is 10 lbs. less than my doctor’s goal. I have lost a little over 1 lb/week. I was averaging a little more weight loss until the last month. I got out of the routine of logging my food. As a result, I have not lost as much as I could have this past month. I’m logging again now and working on making it a routine. I’ve started looking into PS and have been following many of your journeys. I am planning BL with TT or possibly a LBL. I was originally thinking I’d like to have it done in December. I’m now thinking I’d like to have PS in August (around mid month, which is 21 - 22 weeks away.) I have met with one PS who thinks it is realistic if I can get closer to goal. I meet with another this coming Tuesday. Obviously, PS in August would require me to plan and get serious about what I eat as well as to substantially increase my exercise. For those of you who have PS experience, is August too soon for PS with the amount of weight I still need to lose? Any insight is appreciated.

The first doctor came very highly recommended as a plastic surgeon, he does very well for himself in the "Main Line" which is french for old money around the Philly area. I met with him twice and was disappointed not only in his before and afters but also his bedside manner. Now, geniuses don't have to be all friendly and extroverted, but I just got a discordant vibe from him. Like a robot. Plus he'd never done ANY weight loss patients, and no idea what my port would end up looking like and had no suggestions. The other lady completely turned me off. She wasn't just cold, she was rude to me. She actually reprimanded me for not losing all the weight, and to "lay off the cookies" and that I might need a lower body lift because "when you balloon out to a beach ball shape there's bound to be flappy skin in the back." I almost killed her. Like I don't have enough fledgling self esteem! Sure, maybe I was oversensitive, but her bedside manner was extremely condescending. She said "I can't give you ANY kind of waist, you know." Just so negative!!! I may look to NYC where my band was done. I'm SURE they have great PSes up there

I have been thinking about this situation (because I worry that I will share it) and have two thoughts: (1) Perhaps you need to increase your calorie intake to get your body out of starvation mode so that it doesn't feel the need to hold onto every single calorie, or (2) Maybe you were such a weight loss pro before you got the band that your body needs something more to get it kickstarted. Are you exercising?

Monica - forget the shame and take the glory for the fact you stopped yourself in your tracks and made the decision for the surgery - a wonderful gift to yourself and those that love you. I know if we could all turn the clocks back then I'd certainly have stopped myself becoming overweight all those years ago ..... but we can't look backwards - we can only look forwards. So take the positive route and be proud that you have saved yourself from any future anguish from weight problems.

So I haven't weight trained since my VSG on January 8, because I didn't want to do it until I'd gotten clearance at my three-month post-op checkup, which was last week. (I've been swimming and walking for exercise since surgery, but no weight training.) I got clearance from my surgeon to resume weight training last week, so I went to the YMCA (where I work out) today. The YMCA has a computer system called ActivTrax that will generate weight-training workouts for you so you don't work the same muscles all the time or get bored, and I wanted to have a trainer re-evaluate my ActivTrax weight stats before I just went back at it willy-nilly. I did the re-evaluation today, and I am right where I was before surgery. The last time I weight trained must have been December sometime, but I guess the swimming helped keep my muscles strong, because the trainer didn't have to adjust any of my weight levels. I can pick right back up where I left off. I am so happy I haven't lost any strength. I love weight training (cardio bores me but I do it anyway), and I am just tickled pink that I can still do what I was doing pre-op. YAY!

There is no need to feel any shame what-so-ever about having this procedure. For what ever reason, diets did not work. Period. This surgery allows you to get your life back. It's a difficult decision to make, and you should be proud for doing so. It took a lot of guts (no pun intended). The sleeve allows you to have a normal life after it is healed. You can eat almost everything you had before, but in smaller amounts. You won't be bitter about having smaller amounts, because you will feel full. It will get better each month, and you will not gain the weight back, as long as you don't abuse the tool by eating high calorie carbohydrates. If you stumble, no need to worry, you just start eating right again, and the weight will still come off. This is the best and safest bariatric surgery. Stop the pitty party and begin enjoying your new life. You will be thin!!

I would think that maybe a weight gain of 10 or more lbs could trigger a denial, but a persons body weight usually shifts by a few pounds up or down, and for a woman especially. maybe they just don't want to give the insurer any reason at all to deny coverage? Best of Luck to you!

I have a good friend that does approvals for BC/BS. While they are not my insurance carrier, it was interesting to see the process from her perspective. She said that she rarely if ever denies bariatric surgery if the BMI is over 35. The rest of the hoops you jump through are just a formality. My surgeons office knew exactly what I needed to do and how to submit each part of the requirements. I needed a letter from my primary doc stating she had supervised my diet and exercise for at least 6 mos. They didn't require a log or any notes. There was no minimum weight to be lost prior to surgery either. Your surgeon's office should be your best resource.

Hello I had my surgery done two years ago and meet the requirements through a army hospital. At time of surgery I loss weight and was down to a BMI of 33.8 and I had two co morbidities. Fast forward to today and I need a revision because my sleeved failed( doctors error). Tricare denied me and my appeal because I don't meet the civilian standards from my original surgery. I meet them now though but because at the time of surgery I was under BMI. I am going to do an external appeal because I need a revision. Any help on what I can do or add to my appeal would be great. Also if you had an external appeal with Tricare could you let me know how the process was! Thanks

Wow you lost 90 pounds in 9 months. I just got banded on Sept. the 8th and I hope that I can have results like yours. My goal is to be 150 and I started at 264 then pre diet weight 245 now I am 240. Tell me some of your tips that has gotten you to this point.

Hi Chris, first you should call Aetna Customer Service and tell them that you need to check your contract for bariatric surgery. Make sure you plan does not exclude this procedure. Also, ask your doctor's office to give you the CPT billing code for the surgery and double check with your insurance carrier on the rules associated to receive approval for this code. Aetna tends to be one of the insurance carriers that requires you to jump through alot of hoops to get approved so be prepared. That's why we call it a journey. Visit your PCP and make sure he/she can document your weight progress over the past two years. Then document all your attempts at losing weight utilizing OTC pills, Jenny Craig, WW, etc. This should give you a good head start on your road to insurance approval. Good Luck!

Thank you so much for the stories. I am in encourage. I think I will build up endurance by walking as I have been doing. Weight training in 2 weeks. Then start yoga. I did the hit yoga too and I loved it. The heat made my body so much more supple and flexible.

Hello and I am a college student who is looking to start working overseas in China or South Korea. I have been wanting to get gastric sleeve for about a year, and I have medical assistance that allows for me to have bariatric surgery. However I want to start working early 2017 and I want to do the surgery now but my insurance guidelines is for me to have weight loss program or nutrition counseling 6 months before the surgery. Is there a way where I can file an appeal to my insurance company and show proof that I will work next year abroad so can expedite the process for gastric sleeve surgery. Thank you so much for your input. Feel free to post anything.

I'm 6 weeks and I feel like I can eat a house at times! With my first pregnancy I wasn't this hungry at all. I'm scared that I'm going to gain all my weight back or a good piece of it (I'm 15 mos out and lost 150lbs during my journey). My go to foods that I eat for my protein heavy foods make me sick...I want carbs lol. anyone else having this issue?

I used to be a size 8 then with weight gain I went up to a 9 1/2 and now back to an 8

I agree with Kat...there will be fluctuations with your weight. It's important to be aware of everything and how much you eat, and not become obsessed with your scale. Stay the course; you have already proven you can be successful with loosing weight...and this is definitely a journey, and not an event! Best wishes as your successful journey continues!