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For the past 6-8 years, I've been treated successfully with a combination of: 300 mg lithium (17 yrs) 300 mg seroquel 10 mg ambien 20 mg celexa The lithium influenced my weight gain, especially in the early days of treatment. The ambien caused me to be really hungry before bed. Fortunately, the band does not allow for those late-night munchies.

I have read into the Phase 1 of this book. I am impressed. Oprah does the forward. Even with the band we have issues. Right? I am involved with this new program with high hopes. My wife has joined me this time. I have high hopes. Anyone have opinions on this book? There is some solid info there. Also the best life products. Barilla has the new Pasta plus out..Its good and better for you. I hate to say it but I had a severe weight gain over the holidays. Gaine 13 lbs in the last 6 weeks, thats never happened in 3 plus years of being banded. I hurt my back in the gym and had to rest plus got the flu. You see what happened when I didnt exercise? BAM here comes the lbs. With my band restriction I can eat if I have the desire to drink with my meals. I feel Im in a good restriction when Im respecting my tools like the band to help me. Thats why I dont want another fill yet. Lifestyle changes is what I want to cure this weight gain. I completely stopped drinking alchohol. I thought this would be a definate weight loser! Nope, I gained. Maybe I replaced that comfort with food. Obviously huh? Better to not drink. Sober 5 months and counting. A record for me. Anyway I am back on track and have my wide joining me for support now. this could be the recipe for success. Lord knows that recipe has worked for everything else. Thanks folks.

Still rolling and storing data and sites: http://mcgs.bcbsfl.com/ Medical guidelines ( criteria to meet) for BCBS Medical codes and diagnostic codes Subject: Gastric Bypass Revision http://mcgs.bcbsfl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.main&stage=pub&format=cfm&doc=Gastric%20Bypass%20Revision#P24_1042 DESCRIPTION: In cases where a severe, potentially life threatening condition develops which is documented in the medical record, gastric bypass revision is considered medically necessary and may be eligible for coverage. WHEN SERVICES ARE COVERED: The following lists examples of conditions AND/OR diagnoses for which gastric bypass revisions may be covered: <LI class=bulletedList-1>Weight loss of 20% or more below the ideal body weight (based on the 1996 Metropolitan Life Height & Weight tables Men and Women) <LI class=bulletedList-1>Esophagitis (e.g., esophageal reflux) <LI class=bulletedList-1>Hemorrhage or hematoma complicating a procedure <LI class=bulletedList-1>Vomiting (bilious) following gastrointestinal surgery <LI class=bulletedList-1>Gastrointestinal complications, (i.e., complications of intestinal (internal) anastomosis and bypass) <LI class=bulletedList-1>Stomal dilatation, documented by endoscopy (not UGI) <LI class=bulletedList-1>Pouch dilation documented by upper gastrointestinal examination or endoscopy, producing weight gain of 20% or more <LI class=bulletedList-1>Stomal stenosis after vertical banding, documented by endoscopy, producing vomiting or weight loss of 20% or more <LI class=bulletedList-1>Other and unspecified post surgical nonabsorption (i.e., hypoglycemia and malnutrition following gastrointestinal surgery) <LI class=bulletedList-1>Other post-operative functional disorders (i.e., diarrhea following gastrointestinal surgery), <LI class=bulletedList-1>Severe dumping syndrome <LI class=bulletedList-1>Post-gastric surgery syndromes (i.e., post-gastrectomy syndrome, post-vagotomy syndrome) <LI class=bulletedList-1>Disruption of operation wound <LI class=bulletedList-1>Staple line failure, documented by upper gastrointestinal examination Disrupted staple line provided there has been prior weight loss. WHEN SERVICES ARE NOT COVERED: Gastric bypass revision services are not covered when coverage criteria are not met as described in the WHEN SERVICES ARE COVERED section or when the member's contract does not provide benefits for these services. BILLING/CODING INFORMATION: http://mcgs.bcbsfl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.main&stage=pub&format=cfm&doc=Gastric%20Bypass%20Revision#P24_1042 CENTERS for bariatrics BCBS To Your Health Distinction Centers http://www.fepblue.org/toyourhealth/tyhbdistincentindex.html HIPAA regulations from BCBS http://www.fepblue.org/privacyhipaa/hipaareg_mov.html Federal Employee Program BCBS http://fep.careenhance.com/portal/index.jsp

and more............ http://mcgs.bcbsfl.com/ THIS MEDICAL COVERAGE GUIDELINE IS NOT AN AUTHORIZATION, CERTIFICATION, EXPLANATION OF BENEFITS, OR A GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT, NOR DOES IT SUBSTITUTE FOR OR CONSTITUTE MEDICAL ADVICE. ALL MEDICAL DECISIONS ARE SOLELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PATIENT AND PHYSICIAN. BENEFITS ARE DETERMINED BY THE GROUP CONTRACT, MEMBER BENEFIT BOOKLET, AND/OR INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIBER CERTIFICATE IN EFFECT AT THE TIME SERVICES WERE RENDERED. THIS MEDICAL COVERAGE GUIDELINE APPLIES TO ALL LINES OF BUSINESS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED IN THE PROGRAM EXCEPTIONS SECTION. Non-Covered Billing/Coding Reimbursement Program Exceptions Definitions Related Guidelines Other References Updates DESCRIPTION: In cases where a severe, potentially life threatening condition develops which is documented in the medical record, gastric bypass revision is considered medically necessary and may be eligible for coverage. WHEN SERVICES ARE COVERED: The following lists examples of conditions AND/OR diagnoses for which gastric bypass revisions may be covered: <LI class=bulletedList-1>Weight loss of 20% or more below the ideal body weight (based on the 1996 Metropolitan Life Height & Weight tables Men and Women) <LI class=bulletedList-1>Esophagitis (e.g., esophageal reflux) <LI class=bulletedList-1>Hemorrhage or hematoma complicating a procedure <LI class=bulletedList-1>Vomiting (bilious) following gastrointestinal surgery <LI class=bulletedList-1>Gastrointestinal complications, (i.e., complications of intestinal (internal) anastomosis and bypass) <LI class=bulletedList-1>Stomal dilatation, documented by endoscopy (not UGI) <LI class=bulletedList-1>Pouch dilation documented by upper gastrointestinal examination or endoscopy, producing weight gain of 20% or more <LI class=bulletedList-1>Stomal stenosis after vertical banding, documented by endoscopy, producing vomiting or weight loss of 20% or more <LI class=bulletedList-1>Other and unspecified post surgical nonabsorption (i.e., hypoglycemia and malnutrition following gastrointestinal surgery) <LI class=bulletedList-1>Other post-operative functional disorders (i.e., diarrhea following gastrointestinal surgery), <LI class=bulletedList-1>Severe dumping syndrome <LI class=bulletedList-1>Post-gastric surgery syndromes (i.e., post-gastrectomy syndrome, post-vagotomy syndrome) <LI class=bulletedList-1>Disruption of operation wound <LI class=bulletedList-1>Staple line failure, documented by upper gastrointestinal examination Disrupted staple line provided there has been prior weight loss. WHEN SERVICES ARE NOT COVERED: Gastric bypass revision services are not covered when coverage criteria are not met as described in the WHEN SERVICES ARE COVERED section or when the member's contract does not provide benefits for these services. BILLING/CODING INFORMATION: CPT Coding: 43848 Revision , open, of gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity, other than adjustable gastric band (separate procedure) 43850 Revision of gastroduodenal anastomosis (gastroduodenostomy) with reconstruction; without vagotomy 43855 Revision of gastroduodenal anastomosis (gastroduodenostomy) with reconstruction; with vagotomy 43860 Revision of gastrojejunal anastomosis (gastrojejunostomy) with reconstruction, with or without partial gastrectomy or intestine resection; without vagotomy 43865 Revision of gastrojejunal anastomosis (gastrojejunostomy) with reconstruction, with or without partial gastrectomy or intestine resection; with vagotomy 43886 Gastric restrictive procedure, open; revision of subcutaneous port component only 43887 Gastric restrictive procedure, open; removal of subcutaneous port component only 43888 Gastric restrictive procedure, open; removal and replacement of subcutaneous port component only ICD-9 Diagnoses Codes That Support Medical Necessity: 530.1 Esophagitis (esophageal reflux) 536.1 Acute dilatation of stomach (documented by endoscopy, not UGI) 536.1 Pouch dilation (documented by UGI or endoscopy; producing weight gain of 20% or more) 537.6 Stenosis of stomach (after vertical banding documented by endoscopy; producing vomiting or weight loss of 20% or more) 564.2 Postgastric surgery syndrome (i.e., post-gastrectomy syndrome, post-vagotomy syndrome, severe dumping syndrome) 564.3 Vomiting following gastrointestinal surgery 564.4 Other post-operative functional disorders (i.e., diarrhea following gastrointestinal surgery) 579.3 Other and unspecified postsurgical nonabsorption (i.e., hypoglycemia, malnutrition following gastrointestinal surgery) 783.2 Abnormal loss of weight (20% or more below the ideal body weight according to the 1996 Metropolitan Life Height & Weight tables for men and women) 997.4 Digestive system complications (i.e., complications of intestinal (internal) anastomosis and bypass) 998.11-998.13 Hemorrhage or hematoma complicating a procedure 998.3 Disruption of operation wound (i.e., dehiscence; rupture; staple line failure documented by upper gastrointestinal examination; disrupted staple line, provided there has been prior weight loss) REIMBURSEMENT INFORMATION: Refer to section entitled WHEN SERVICES ARE COVERED. PROGRAM EXCEPTIONS: Federal Employee Program (FEP): Follow FEP guidelines. State Account Organization (SAO): Follow SAO guidelines. DEFINITIONS: No guideline specific definitions apply. RELATED GUIDELINES: Surgery for Clinically Severe Obesity (Bariatric Surgery; Gastric Bypass Surgery), 02-40000-10 OTHER: To view the Metropolitan Life Height & Weight tables Men and Women, see Surgery for Clinically Severe Obesity (Gastric Bypass), 02-4000-10. REFERENCES: <LI value=1>American Medical Association CPT (current edition) <LI value=2>Florida Medicare Part B Local Medical Review Policy # 11920: Cosmetic/Reconstructive Surgery (01/01/02, retired 02/01/04) <LI value=3>Florida Medicare Part B Local Medical Review Policy # 40000: Digestive System (01/01/02) <LI value=4>Medical Practice and Coverage Committee (BCBSF) St. Anthony’s ICD-9-CM Code Book (current edition) COMMITTEE APPROVAL: This Medical Coverage Guideline (MCG) was approved by the BCBSF Medical Policy & Coverage Committee on 09/23/04. GUIDELINE UPDATE INFORMATION: 10/15/99 New Medical Coverage Guideline. 01/01/02 Coding changes. 12/15/02 Reviewed; typographical corrections. 10/15/04 Scheduled review; no change in coverage statement; added 43848. 01/01/06 Annual HCPCS coding update (revise 43848; add 43886, 43887, and 43888. Private Property of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. This medical coverage guideline is Copyright 2006, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF). All Rights Reserved. You may not copy or use this document or disclose its contents without the express written permission of BCBSF. The medical codes referenced in this document may be proprietary and owned by others. BCBSF makes no claim of ownership of such codes. Our use of such codes in this document is for explanation and guidance and should not be construed as a license for their use by you. Before utilizing the codes, please be sure that to the extent required, you have secured any appropriate licenses for such use. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) is copyright 2006 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. No fee schedules, basic units, relative values, or related listings are included in CPT. The AMA assumes no liability for the data contained herein. Applicable FARS/DFARS restrictions apply to government use. CPT® is a trademark of the American Medical Association. Internet Privacy Statement | Terms of Use © 2006 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. Date Printed: January 5, 2007: 10:48 PM

sorry my mistake Was you a big baby and a chubby child then a over weight adult? Or was you always very slim untill you reached a certain age or had a baby or something along those lines? I have had a lifetime of weight issues i am finding it harder and harder to lose the weight. It it true yo yo dieting can mess your body up and effect the weight loss prosess? The above was my origional question, I was a healthy attractive athlete until my mid 40's. I developed Type 2 diabetes and things exploded after that in huge weight gains that I did not monitor. By the time I had Band surgery in 2005 I was 58. My brain remembered the good old days, so I started behaving like that again. The weight peeled off. I started by training and completing a half marathon. Now, after plastic surgery, my old self is coming back. I still have more surgeries and work to do, but I'm now on a positive roll that will not quit. My heart breaks over obese people who have NEVER been popular, had lots of dates, rode a horse, ran a marathon, etc. It's never too late to learn and go on. That was the reply, I feel OUT OF CONTEXT i asked if yo yo dieting made weight loss harder. The person who replied was on about how fab they was and how so call heartbroken they feel or unattractive unpopular no life obese people. I was posing a question as to wether years of serious obesity and life time diets (yo yo) dieting can effect the ability to lose weight. So i was trying to find out the differnece between people who were always slim and peeps who have always struggled. Most of us n general can lose weight only we reagain it. And this happens over and over again. But if you have been slim all your life then suddenly gain weight what changes to make you gain weight? and how hard is it loseing is it as just as hard as us people who have struggled all our lifes who do generally just find it harder and harder? Does yo yo dieting effect the ability to lose weight.

I have been stuck at minus 40 pounds for two or three months now. Part of the problem (I think) is that I am on a lot of insulin for my diabetes and insulin acts as a growth factor, promoting weight gain. I have also not been exercising as much as I should. Cheldex, I lost 30 pounds on Nutrisystem before the band, but kept getting hungry. I am trying it again with some of the food I have left and find that the band makes me actually feel full with the small portions. Most of the food is okay, but a few things are nasty. You have to experiment. The message board a nutrisystem.com is very helpful. I still lurk over there sometimes for inspiration. Good luck to all of us!

<TABLE class=ThmBgStandard cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>I was a healthy attractive athlete until my mid 40's. I developed Type 2 diabetes and things exploded after that in huge weight gains that I did not monitor. By the time I had Band surgery in 2005 I was 58. My brain remembered the good old days, so I started behaving like that again. The weight peeled off. I started by training and completing a half marathon. Now, after plastic surgery, my old self is coming back. I still have more surgeries and work to do, but I'm now on a positive roll that will not quit. My heart breaks over obese people who have NEVER been popular, had lots of dates, rode a horse, ran a marathon, etc. It's never too late to learn and go on. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Just i came across this i found it offencive, May be i read into it to much but to me i read that Obese people are unatractive cant or dont gets dates. dont have lifes and that the poster didnt have a lifetime battle with there weight so in my opinion WLS was very much a first rather than last option, Were as MOST of us who are big try every other available method of weight loss before resorting on surgery. The person who posted that didnt try anything just gained weight and had surgery to fix it. And while they claim to be heart broken for obese people they have some very derogotary opinions of obese people. Thats how i read it. I feel there is a huge difference between suffering a lifetime of true obesity and just gaineing a few lb's in later life. We all hear that years of yo yo dieting can mess up your matabolism. So may be the person who posted that found there banding jurney fairly easy because there matabolism had not been shot to peices like most of us who have tried basically everything else all our lifes.

You are not alone in the weight gain Makemelean, lots of us gained over the holidays, do not beat yourself up over it. You will not have much restriction until you have your first fill. No you are not alone lots of us have gone through the same thing, and you will be okay, just hang in there, let us know what the surgeon has to say, and please do not think of yourself as a failure. :hug: Good luck Maria

Dear Fellow bandits has any one but me gained weight over the holidays? I was banded 11 21 o6 and have never felt any restriction at all to this date. I feel like I never had surgery and never went into the pureed form of foods and never felt any ill effects from this. I see my surgeon today and I am scared he is going to say I am a failure. I am scared to be weighed but I have to face the music for failing myself, could anyone relate to me on this? I feel so alone in this matter and defeated. Thanks for having this site so I could vent my frustrations and anxieties.

Goals for 2007 I've been a very slow loser since banding and it is due in part, I think, to my anti-depressant cocktail, lack of exercise and not enough Water. The good news about increasing exercise is that it guarantees increased water consumption. The bad news about exercise is that you have to do it. :faint: You see, I deeply believe that if you have enough time to be exercising you have enough time to sit down and read and/or go on-line! It would be wonderful to have someone to buddy up with at the gym... So, here are the goals.... Have a strong "heart to heart" with my doctor and tell the truth about the effects of my medical cocktail on weight gain and difficulty in getting the weight off. Have her get in synch with me to make choices that support my WL goals. That appointment is tomorrow. Get back into the gym and make appointments with my trainer so I will have to go there. In addition, take advantage of classes that are favorable to my knees and back; water aerobics and stretching. Increase cardio drastically. I re-signed with my trainer yesterday and we get started tomorrow! With Nos. 1 and 2 accomplished I feel it might be achievable to have a projected weight loss of 5-8 lbs per month. The last is a goal that I share with DH-- supporting our highly dependent teens (17 and 14 ) to become more self sufficient and personally responsible. Part time jobs and driving lessons for the older one. Whew! I'm exhausted. This is the first time I have shared my goals with anyone outside of of DH. But not to worry, I only told "a couple" of my best friends, right?? Jo Ann

Tanya, I'm not sure that I'd consider 60 lbs a lack of weight loss. But I know what you mean...I've hit times where I'm so frustrated because it seems like the scales aren't budging. When that happens, I put them away. Well, actually, I let DH hide them. It might sound kind of silly, but one way I lose is to NOT weigh. Here's why. When the scales aren't moving, I get frustrated and stressed. Then, I want to eat more. If I don't let myself eat more, then I get more frustrated if the scales STILL aren't moving because I feel like I'm being so "good." Eventually, I say "to hell with it" and eat something I shouldn't. If the scales ARE moving, then I'm much happier, so I want to Celebrate. Even though I don't mean to, I have a tendency to eat more because in my mind, if the scales are moving, I can "afford" to indulge a bit. I also think that, since stress raises cortisol levels, and higher cortisol levels have been linked to weight gain, that the less stress, the better. So when the scales are gone, I try to follow the guidelines. I focus on eating only when I'm really hungry and NOT because of emotions. I try to stop when I'm satisfied. I don't eat just because I think I "should" be able to eat more...I try to see how little I can eat instead. I eat Protein and veggies first, take a multi-Vitamin, and drink lots of Water. I also exercise regularly. On the days that I'm "panicking" because I just know the scales are going up, I find my "skinny" jeans and try them on. Most of the time, they feel LOOSER, not tighter, so I know that, whatever the scale would read if I found it (and yes, sometimes I go looking...which is why they're hidden...I'm a scale addict), it's not true. If the pants are looser, I HAVE to be losing weight. Then, I try to weigh about once/month (after TOM). That way, I avoid the awful scale fluctuations from Fluid retention, the emotional ups and downs, and I just keep doing what I'm supposed to do. :eek: Eventually, the weight DOES come off. Cindy

Sunshine2: Here is the website http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/syn/nectar.html I did buy myself some QuickSlim30 just in case from my chinese herbalist. The ingredients are so natural. I see it as just taking a weight loss supplement since the ingredients are beneficial to general health. Here is some info on it: <TABLE height=166 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=409 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=header_title style="WIDTH: 363px; HEIGHT: 47px" vAlign=bottom>Introducing QuickSlim-30, the healthiest diet pill on the planet. </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 23px; HEIGHT: 166px" rowSpan=2></TD></TR><TR><TD class=header_text style="WIDTH: 363px; HEIGHT: 28px" vAlign=center align=left> What's so special about QuickSlim-30? Its combination of twelve herbs together achieves weight loss by balancing and nourishing your body. Is your weight gain due to stress? Poor elimination? Low energy? Poor digestion? A build-up of toxins? Slow metabolism? Let QuickSlim-30's twelve herbs work together to address any or all of these issues. The result is whole-body balance so you reach your desired weight --- quickly. There's no other formula like QuickSlim-30. As the most nutritious diet pill on the planet, QuickSlim-30 contains 12 healthful herbs that together balance your body, provide you energy, and help you reach your desired weight quickly. QuickSlim-30 contains these nutritious herbs for weight loss: Alisma - diuretic Aloe Vera - relieves constipation, cleanses internal systems, aids in fat and sugar metabolism Fo-Ti - promotes internal cleansing, detoxifies and strengthens the blood, invigorates kidneys and liver, increases vitality Fructus Mori - improves digestion, increases energy Goji Berries - increases energy by improving blood circulation, provides nutrition to kidneys Grape Seed Extract - strengthens blood vessels, reduces inflammation Green Tea - aids digestion, detoxifies, reduces cholesterol and triglycerides, enhances immune function Hawthorn Berries - strengthens the heart by enhancing enzyme metabolism and oxygen utilization in the heart muscle Lotus Leaf - improves urination Reishi Mushroom - improves energy levels, reduces cholesterol and blood lipid levels Spirulina (Blue-Green Algae) - increases energy and mood, provides carotenoids and other nutrients beneficial to those who don't consume several servings of vegetables each day, is a complete source of protein, especially helpful in obesity Sweet Tea Vine - improves protein metabolism, detoxifies, improves immune-system functioning <TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=10 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>Directions for Use: Before breakfast, simply take one tablet in the morning with an eight-ounce glass of water. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications or under 18 years old, do not use this product. Discontinue use and consult a physician if any adverse reaction occurs. Most customers report low appetite while taking QuickSlim-30.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> I took them before and I felt really good on them. It does a lot more than just suppress the appetite. I am just going to have my bottle on hand if I feel I need it. I may just take them to detox and do all the other stuff it says. It also gave me energy to work out. Audree </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Carlene, I'm glad you mentioned that you have to work to maintain your weight loss. I read so many posts where people say they got the lapband because once they lose the weight it won't come back, but that's not necessarily the case. If you're not careful about what you eat, you'll gain it back. I worked with a woman who got the lapband, lost over a 100 pounds and gained back 50 because she kept eating candy. I think we will always have to fight our weight, but it sounds to me like the band helps us if we make good food choices. Do you think you have the ability to gain back the weight as easily as you did before the band? Do you feel the band keeps you somewhat in check? I was surprise at my former co-worker weight gain, but she's a candy nut. Her name is still engraved on our vending machine.

I keep losing and gaining the same damn 3-5 lbs. I just don't get it. I get down to 237 and the next day I can bounce back to 241! Then it will come off and then back again. I get the salt thing and have stayed away from it. I assume it is not actual weight gain because I could not have possibly eaten enough to warrant that much of a gain. The holidays were hard and yes, I ate more than I should have but not that much. I haven't had a fill yet and hopefully that will make the difference. Will the doctor be disappointed that I haven't lost anything in 4 weeks? banded 11/29

Happy Wednesday! I don't know if it's the new year or having my husband with me for another day or being able to eat since my unfill, but I wake up each morning with gratitude and excitement. Yes, I have been eating too much and yes, the scales have tipped a couple pounds in the wrong direction, but I'm ok with that for now. I need time to mend both physically and mentally. It is so great just knowing that I have this band and that I can control the weight gain at anytime I want! I plan to make an appointment today for another fill. I know it will take a week or better to get the appointment and I will be ready by then. All you Junbies seem so happy. Losing pounds, exercising more, stopping smoking! Just think how we all felt last year at this time when we had just come through yet another holiday with the usual weight gain. What a life changing year 2006 was for all of us. Anytime any of us wants to beat ourselves up for an occasional hot fudge sundae or whatever vice we encounter, we need to look back a year and Celebrate our successes. Just think what a group of wild and crazy Junbies we will be in Vegas in a few months. This trip needs to be a celebration of life and good health for us all. Everyone needs to really, seriously consider this trip and do whatever you can to make it. You deserve to celebrate your success. You have earned it! Ok, where's Pinkylee? I haven't seen her on here since the new year. Pinky! Come back, we miss you!

I am so happy with my band. I have just come back from the dentist and while I was there I received big compliments for my smaller body. I do think that banding can be a wise move for us older women. I know that I started to gain weight after I hit menopause. This happened to me when I was 41! The weight gain happened slowly and at first I was kinda relaxed about it. A year or so ago I woke up and realised that I had become quite large and that this was a one-way street going in the wrong direction. Indeed it was! The following year I continued to gain weight. I was giving away pants that I had recently bought and I was truly in despair over my body. Joining a gym did not help me lose weight and I had heard that diets could have long term negative effects. (Believe it or not, I have only once in my life been on a diet and that was in my early 20s. I put myself on this egg and grapefruit diet and lost weight off my boobs. lol) I had been fantasizing about massive liposuction when a friend of mine heard about the lap band on a local television morning show. She told me about this procedure and told me how to access a local website. My concern was that I wasn't heavy enough even though in Canada we usually are required to self-pay. I met with the surgical team and was approved pending the results of my physical tests. I cleared those and the rest is history. There were a number of things that I found reassuring about this approach to weight loss. I liked the fact that the surgery is minimally invasive compared to many of the options out there. It is day surgery and the recovery time is quick. I also liked the fact that it is reversible. I am one of those people who tend to see the glass as half empty. I know that if I should have a serious illness and need my appetite back, I can get it. Weight gain is a side effect of ageing. The lap band is a tool which can help us fight this.

GREAT TOPIC!! Isn't everyone different? There is NO way that I could fit into a size 5 bottom at 136. The only benchmark that I have to try to set a goal is from my past weight. My entire teenage and adult life, my body naturally wanted to weigh 125. I'm scared to admit this, but I actually worked as a swimsuit and fitness model for several years in ads and television. Even after having my babies, my weight was down within 6 months or so. It was just part of my life, and I never knew how much positive feedback I received because of my looks. Like Julie, I had some devastating circumstances and ate myself into oblivion. (I can relate!) Every diet I tried was followed by a rapid, uncontrollable weight gain that led to self-doubt and loathing. The band is not only a tool for me to lose weight, but is also forcing me to live again. I'm starting to believe in myself again socially, instead of letting others walk over me. So my goals are a bit unsure. I definitely don't want to EVER forget where I have been. There is a compassion for this illness that I could never have realized without this experience. A year ago, I would have given anything to drop 42 pounds. Now, I want it all, great physical condition, positive attitude, outgoing and caring personality, AND ideal weight. My ultimate goal is to be in the thirties, but I may be happier in the forties or twenties...? So for now, My goal is 156 by April and 142 by the end of July. After that, I'll take it as it comes! The BIGGER goal is to continue to exercise and be active, and to confront the emotions that eat me up inside.

I walked right by that issue and never looked back! I'm happy for them--they did it their way. I think it's one thing to become heavy at one time in your life due to major surgery that keeps you from exercising, a pregnancy, etc. and quite another to have fought weight gain since childhood. I didn't read their stories, so I don't know why they said they were overweight. I do know from a lifetime of experiences that there really is something wrong with the "wiring" in my body. The band is a tool that will help me outsmart my "short circuit." I'm not embarrassed that I got the band at all. I know it was the right thing for me to do!

Wecome home Barbara4. Glad you had a good time without much weight gain and hope you get over the colds quickly. Of course I'm all for the Vegas trip. I looked at the calendar and I have three thoughts. The first weekend is close to the Memorial Day holiday. The last weekend is close to the 4th of July holiday. The 17th is Father's Day. These are just observations and may not make any difference to anyone but thought I would point them out to anyone who might have family obligations on those dates. That would leave the weekends of June 9th and June 23rd. Is the plan to get a group of rooms at one casino? Or let everyone get their own rooms? It's such a big place with so much to see and do it will take an organized coordinator to keep us all together. Sounds like a good job for a trained "project manager". Just kidding you Barbara! I think we should have scheduled things together and plenty of free time to do things on our own. At this point I'm not sure about my husband attending but I'm sure there will be plenty of gals that will go single so I think we should keep that in mind and not plan lots of things that include husbands that might make singles feel left out. At his point I am thinking a weekend away with the girls (without husbands) sounds really good! These are just a couple of my thoughts. Let's hear from others. Do we have any idea how many are planning to attend? Happy New Year to everyone!

hi all this board moves so fast when i come back and check how your all doing i have to read at least two pages..lol and today was three pages!!!! my fill is 20th of january:) sweethot....i can feel my port but thankfully cant see it it also still looks a little swollen but maybe i was always that swollen..pmsl i think i have noticed my weight and the bits i hate even more since having band as i now dare to believe that these wobbly extras will be one day gone:) i was really upset when i took b4 pics (in my underwear on boxing day not great idea)i was sooooo upset i couldnt believe thats how i really looked i guess i had a different view of me. stephc..i had my first meal out two nights ago in chinese resteraunt it was m8s birthday so felt like i should go i had a great time...ok food not succesful i had wan ton soup and it lovely but hubby ate half dumplings as they gave me 5..and i tried a duck in black bean and duck tough so i just chewed three bits and then politely got rid in napkin..ewww it felt great i was like anorexic chick...pmsl but my point was i have 4 glasses of wine and a cocktail and was fine and my surgeon french and is a great believer of having fun,his exact advise is you must try very hard to eat all the right things for this to work but if you are at party you must have fun and a few glasses of good wine is absolutely fine:) dont think he would recommend lots of partying though but at least he understand it party season !! blackbutterfly & stacey &denise congrats and welcome vabandster...i cant wait for all the visiting and party food to leave the house as i dont mind my diet but you cant help feeling a little dismayed at tins of sweets and fancy biscuits and a whole cupboard full of nice treats ,if i had no children i would throw it all out .:faint: also first week i lost 14lbs then throughout last week the scales were moving up:mad: and finally when i weighed in on saturday 2 weeks i was back down so im still at 14lbs lost but im not worried at all because i know im not eating enough for any weight gain and it will move and besides that my clothes are getting baggier it looks like im shrinking in height because the trouser legs are too long now i must have been holding them up with my tummy :embarassed: slnp..when did you get banded ??saw your quick message you sound great dieselangel...geez that sound awful about stitches why cant they put paper stitches on now or glue i think that seems so strange just to leave opening wounds as your scars surely will be wider than neccesary if they heal opened ,i think i would kick up a bit..good luck il be worrying for you tonijo..i think it be great to have a target for whole of dec bandsters i wonder how many of us there actually are ??? beversman...hi honey you doing really well your dr also seems really happy with you and im glad you getting fill quickly you can tell me what its like ..lol also i think you be great diplomat...i think it important in this type of group were we all have varying advice and ideas and opinions that we dont condemn someone else because they do things differently or their treatment is different ,as you said "lets keep things positive " your a great girl !!!! kay...those scales will be moving really well when you get back to gym ,but i understand how you feel patience is not a virtue i posses as far as weight loss concerned i would have like to have band on and then lose 102 pound ,seems i will have to work at it after all....lol carol..what a wonderful support your daughter is she has no doubts of your abilty to lose the weight clothes swap is a great idea but im so lucky im a hoarder and i have in my wardrobe descending sizes im a 22 now a baggy one though yeah!!! and i have 20s 18s 16s all awaiting me after that il be sooooo happy to shop til i drop as last time i was below that i think i was 14 years old .

I am going to make the call on Tuesday. WAHOOOOOO!!! All they can do is say that I don't qualify for the insurance to pay right? If that is the case then I will just have to go out of pocket. I am waiting for more blood work to come back. Checking the thyroid (again). I honestly have not been eating enough to cause this weight gain. I didn't even do Christmas Cookies this year. I know you must be excited about your appointment in a few weeks. Wish I were where you are know. The last few weeks will fly by so don't stress. Talk to you soon Jeanette

Hi Jason, welcome to the nursing profession. You are so right to want to get control of things now...I love my patients and I know how hard it is for them, thus my decision to get the lapband since nothing else was working, and my weight continued to creep up with every new diet. You bring up an interesting point that some prebanders need to know. The lap band isn't only a tool to help you lose weight, but it also helps prevent or reverse some of the comorbidities that come with the weight gain. I have had my lap band now for 3 and 1/2 weeks, so am still new at this...but I am happy with my decision. I have healed quickly and am getting ready to take a long walk in the park...I think this will be a good tool for you to help you take back control of your life.

Hey everyone! I am excited to be a part of this community as I am very active in forums all over the net. I am a 23 year old college student at Winona State University, MN. I am in my 5th year, completing a BSN Nursing degree with a minor in Psychology. I will be graduating in May and will be working in a hospital in the Twin Cities. A little hx of me... I was a swimmer from kindergarten until 8th grade. When puberty hit during my 7th-8th grade years, I could not get over my large size and could not feel comfortable in a speedo. I quit swimming and joined football from 9th to 12th. During my junior year in high school, I was at my largest weight... 320 lbs (I am 6'2"). Because of this, my senior year I worked hard and hard with a Body for Life program my coach recommended to me. For the three years I worked hard with the BFL program (from senior year in high school to my second year in college), I lost 80 lbs.! I was at the happiest point in my entire life... 240 lbs., met a beautiful girl, changed my major to Nursing (I wassss computer science), and felt that I could conquer anything in this world! I even got a chest liposuction to make my chest tighter/form-fitting and I looked great! Things quickly turned around. Our bodies loooove homeostasis and so when I reached my low weight, my body did not want to stay there. I started gaining weight slowly but surely. It was a process that took another 2 years (to where I am at now), but I am now 321 lbs. again. During this weight gain period, I have done everything under the sun to stop the weight loss and reverse it. Instead, I only slowed the progression at times, but my body kept gaining and gaining. This summer I discussed with my family doctor about my options. He mentioned gastric bypass and I about jumped out of my seat. I left not ever thinking I would get surgery at such a young age to lose weight that I had already loss before. But because I have tried everything, I looked into what options I had. I did not want a "cure" or a "last resort", but something that would WORK for me... and also is not so drastic as to cut and re-shape my stomach (the bypass). Hence, I discovered the LAP-BAND. I have since done a lot of research on it and feel that this may be my best option to aid in my weight loss efforts. My family hx includes everything... heart disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, etc. etc. I already have hypertension (on Lisinopril when I was 22) and mild sleep apnea (dx 2 weeks ago and am using a C-PAP). My father is on a heart transplant waiting list and is in very poor health in his 50's. My relatives are all extremely obese with already five of them having a gastric bypass already, and unfortunately many more who could use that sort of surgery. I know I will have heart disease and will die at a young age if I do not fix my problem now. Being in the health care field, I have seen people in poor health and I know I want to do everything in my power to prevent being sick at an early age. When I talked above about how happy I was at 240 lbs., it was truly the best days of my life. I miss that time. My girlfriend and I have been struggling a great deal in our relationship because of my weight. My activity level is horrible, our intimacy is shallow, and I can't do many of the things I used to do with her. We had broken up once before, but I do not want to let it happen again. She is extremely supportive of me getting this surgery and hopes that my struggles and our struggles together will be solved. I hope this forum will be a great way to tell my story and document my journey through my weight loss. I've already got the wheels rolling and getting all the pre-op stuff out of the way. I am hoping to get my surgery scheduled in March, during my spring break. I would be sacrificing a free Washington D.C trip for this life-changing event. I will be doing my surgery at HealthEast (in St. Joseph's hospital in St. Paul) and am choosing to do it with Dr. Michael Schwartz. I hope to hear many responses from people who are understanding and can help me in any way through this process. Thank you everyone! I look forward to the future! -Jason

Hi Butterflysc, I know the feeling of weight gain...I will be banded on 1/11 and I can't wait. After much deliberating I chose to go through with it. I thank the Lord for this opportunity. Be Blessed, Sheila

hiya all ive been catching up on your posts bman....my hunger returned quickly too i was so pissed off,but then when you think how little we are eating now its amazing and i eat when im hungry a little bit of Soup or small yoghurt drink satisfys hunger and im feeling much healthier now im eating better last week i felt so weak and exhausted.dont worry about weight loss we all differ i had great loss last week but have gained 2lb back today but i know im not eating enough to gain so it just fluctuating and im not stressed i will have normal weigh in on saturday and that the one that will count it not a race for me i have target of 12 months and if it happens b4 its a bonus karen....im in ireland andwe at same stage even xmas dinner similar..lol the advise you have been given sounds very similar to mine (i didnt get my own needle though:confused: )i have phone number for nurse 24/7 but i think its for advice really and the clinic about an hour from house so im hoping i never have to be rushing to them im hopeful for no problems..but then im an optimist kay...you sound like you doing great sweethot....as i said to bman i have the hunger too but remember whilst you are letting your band settle and heal you should have the things you are allowed if you really hungry ...im still trying to work out difference between head hunger and body hunger though:confused: i think it hard to stay positive if you so hungry you feel like its torture. bkwalling...well done on weight loss thats fab, i lost 14lbs first week but now it fluctuating but i know whats going in and its not alot so im not worrying...congrats im wishing you well you doing great :clap2: mypov..well done on those jeans honey nothing feels quite as good as zip going up without a fight..lol i have four decreasing sizes waiting in bottom of wardrobe,my jeans that were tight fit now but its not as glorious as the realisation that you dropped a size . transformer....you are sooo right about this being first xmas without the real chance of big weight gain we may all be losers for the new year its great being a loser eh!!! oh and about excercise hubby bought me a twist stepper to tighten my ass and tame those flabby thighs:rolleyes although when i have money again probably end of january i will join gym and swim loads. kathyb...fab weight loss whoo hoo !!! carol...size 24 ...to size 20 wow 2 sizes down way to go girl:clap2: nathalie......hope you doing ok babes thinking of you