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Tips for Improving Your Body Image: Accept your genetic body type: Remember that your weight, height, and bone structure are strongly determined by your genes.. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Stop comparing yourself to others. How others look has nothing to do with you. Be media conscious. We are bombarded with media messages telling us our bodies are not perfect… Most fashion and women’s magazines focus on an ideal of beauty that is just not something that anyone in real life can be. Remind yourself that the body images you see are manufactured by make up artists, hair dressers, airbrushing specialists, fashion designers, lighting specialists, and cosmetic surgeons. Also know that many fashion models have eating disorders and are not able to maintain their low body weight in a healthy manner. Create a Why I Like Myself List. Think about all the things about you that you like… are you Funny? Creative? Honest? Intelligent? Think of all the reasons you deserve to love yourself and write them down. Remind yourself of all the things you are besides a body. Read this list daily and add to it every time you think of something else you like about you. Create a Body Appreciation List. Think about how your body has continued to show up for you no matter how much you fed or starved it, exercised it or not. Write these things down. Remember that your heart has continued to beat, your lungs continue to breathe, and your liver continues to detoxify your body. As well, maybe your body has learned a new skill, gotten stronger, taken you to the top of a hill, rejuvenated during sleep, or allowed you to comfort a child, share love with a spouse, or go shopping with friends!. Celebrate your body and the marvelous things it can do. If you’ve had Weight Loss Surgery note all the things that your body can do now that it could not do before. How has your life changed because of the changes your body has gone through? Read this list daily and add to it every time you are grateful for something your body has done. Stop thinking that thinner thighs are the answer to all of life’s problems. When you find yourself hyper focused on your body stop for a moment and ask yourself what you would be doing, thinking, or feeling if you were not obsessing about your body. What is this preoccupation stopping you from being present to in your life? Are you in anyway benefiting from focusing on what you believe to be your physical flaws? Commit to feeling the feelings that arise as you ask yourself those questions and really listen to the answers you hear/feel. “Act as if you” were comfortable in your body even If you are not quite “feeling it” yet. How would you walk, what would you wear, how would you speak to people, what kind of self talk would you be speaking, what kind of eye contact would you make with others? Use these questions as a guide for “acting as if”. Notice how it feels to carry your body with an air of love and respect. Speak (and think) only kind and loving words and thoughts to and about your body!! If you find yourself being critical of your body, stop and acknowledge that this will not support you feeling good about yourself. Then, respond to yourself as you would to a best friend. For every negative thing you catch yourself saying about your body, apologize to your body and say 2 loving/ appreciative things about your body. Make a decision to truly “nourish” yourself. Read a good book, take a bubble bath, schedule a massage, get a haircut, dance to your favorite song, make plans with a friend, take a nap, ask for a hug, give yourself permission to say “no”, meditate, pray. Make it your intention to move and enjoy your body: go walking, swimming, biking, dancing, do yoga, tai chi, etc… not because you have to but because it makes you feel so good. Your body deserves to be treated well. Surround yourself with people who celebrate and appreciate you. Say “thank you” to compliments without discounting them. Know that you can control your experience of your life by the thoughts you choose to think. How you experience your life is a direct consequence of your predominant thoughts and feelings. By making a decision about the thoughts you choose to think (which are the precursors to your feelings) you take responsibility for creating your reality. So if you decide to think about what is not good about your body you will attract to you experiences of your body not being good enough, and more than likely will live in a state of “waiting till things get better (i.e. my thighs get thinner)” before you can really be happy. If you choose to think about what is good about you, what you like and appreciate about you, you will feel gratitude and be more likely experience your life as abundant and joy-filled! The next time you find yourself being critical of a particular body part, sit down and write a letter to that body part telling it exactly what you don’t like about it and how it makes you feel. Then have that body part write back to you telling you how it felt to read that letter. Then write back to that body part…….. and just notice what happens………. If you have any thoughts or comments about this blog I would love to hear from you. You can respond below to this blog or email me at louisa@louisalatela.com.

Well I've had a few Starburst here and there... had two today actually but I'm diabetic and its to keep my sugar from bottoming out. I had a bad episode of low BS the week before my surgery because I was still taking my medication on the pre-op diet which was very low carb and I didn't actually need my meds. Well now since the surgery, I've had a few way too low BS days so I carry a pack of Starburst in my purse just in case and today was one of those days. I can't wait to start eating food soon so that I can get my levels back in order... good thing is no more meds for me :smile: Don't punish yourself for cheating... we all got this way and needed surgery because we've cheated on our diets. Just remember what your goals are... health, family, swimsuit season 2010, lol... whatever yours might be and I personally did not go through all this to not reach my goals but I'm sure I'll have some bad days, I'm only human

Yeah that's a really long time. I was sleeved on the 13th, my first was 12 days later, and second was 6 days after that. That nothing is there because you're on liquid is BS, there's plenty there. Especially if you've been eating anything with calories (and reaching your protein numbers) Per my surgeon I was taking colace twice a day, benefiber twice a day and nothing happened. I went out on a limb and took miralax two seperate times (both times led to my only BM). It's something you need to get ahead of or it'll get worse, and approaching 3 weeks without a BM is scary stuff. I would absolutely invest in some colace (stool softener) to help make your inevitable experience less uncomfortable

I think I have to get past my anger before I can have any of those types of conversations with him. I thought things were getting better last night, but this morning, I tried talking to him three times and got the silent treatment. Which apparently was set off by me asking him to change the baby's poopy diaper, because I was running late for work. It's the only thing I can think of. Before that, he was fine. After I asked him to do that, he stopped talking to me. He's great with the baby and the baby adores him. It's just me who feels like I'm walking on eggshells. Other than making faces and snotty comments, he's a good man. He's not abusive. He's fairly tolerant. He just doesn't seem to like me all that much. And I just get fed up about that.

Good for Rex! I applaud him for taking the step. As for those commenters...WOW! :wub: I don't understand how people can judge others without ever walking in their shoes. What kills me is that automatically obese people are labeled as lazy and "eating 10 tacos". I mean, come ON. It amazes me how society still accepts the commentary regarding obese people but it's forbidden to comment on any other characteristic. Why is that? It should be that way for EVERYTHING - not just age, race, gender, socio-economic status, etc. I'm so fed up with society right now. Ugh.

Good morning, I am just 9 days post op. Up until I added the Protein shakes in-they have just 3 carbs, my BS was running from 129-159. Now I can't get them back down under 200. Even before surgery-it was never that high. I am taking a sliding scale of insulin 3-6 units. Will this ever go down? I am frustrated as insulin was the big reason I did this surgery-I want off of it! I went back to work on Wednesday-I wear a FitBit to see how much I walk during my work day-that's about 1 1/2 miles daily. Anyone else having these issues? I think I am going to switch also back to plain Water. I wonder if the Crystal Lights are adding to it too. It just doesn't make sense to me. Nell

Hello, I am 6 weeks post op and have no idea what to eat. I was so nauseous for the last 2 1/2 weeks and now I'm starting from scratch. I am scared to eat anything bc I throw up so easily. I am having a very hard time with fluid intake also. Nothing tastes good, even the flavored water I drank with no problems before surgery. Any advice is appreciated!!

Go to your HR office and ask them where to go with the insurance company. I waited until I had the "Your surgery is approved" letter from BC/BS in my hand.

Hi: Joine the BC WLS website. This site is mainly for BC residents who have had gastric bypass or gastric band. Just post and you will get all sorts of information. You have to apply to be a member. Also, there is a monthly meeting of Gastric by pass patients all over the lower mainland and one monthly meeting for gastric band patients at the Lions Gate Hospital. You have to be very agressive with the BC Government. If you doctor recommends it, you could also be sent to Washington State. I know of a gastric by pass patient that went that route. By attending these meetings you will get all the accurate information your require. I had a BMI of 50 and now down to 40.5 and I could not get help so went private. If I waited any longer I would have died. Since the band, I have a cleaned our RRSP but I also have had my medications reduced considerably. You may want to try going private. Doddie

I would have to say I haven't had much of any experience with the insurance co. I called to see what was required back in May 07 and they said they covered lapband but had to be done at a center of excellence, they required a psych consult and nutrition consult. I didn't think to ask them about the BMI since mine is well within and I have diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and asthma. (they probably HATE insuring me). Heck they would have don GB on me in a heartbeat. The program at SRMC did the insurance paperwork for me. I have not heard a peep. I still have my surgery date, and they just called yesterday to confirm the date and tell me they were sending the preop diet and prep instructions in the mail. I guess I am approved??? I have dual coverage (thru my hubby) it is BC also. All BC's are not created the same...for instance mine (primary) won't cover out of network AT ALL. Wheras, hubby's will at the "usual and customary" fee. So it all depends on your plan. Call em, find out, get a plan summary book. I may be jinxing myself but I haven't heard peep one from them.:zip:

hi and good luck, I am also interested in your journey thru the insurance jungle, bcbs fed myself, wondering the ins and outs., good luck and love to hear your story along the way. cindy

Hi, I am also in Regina, Sk. I am pre-surgery - getting my surgery in Mexico so that I can skip the waiting. I am curious to know what kind of help you are getting from the bariatric program? Is it the same old "eat less and exercise more" kind of bs? Cuz we all know how well THAT works! But seriously, I would love to know what kind of diet they want you to follow, since I don't get any pre-op assistance at all. I think I have to do fluids only for a week before surgery, but that's all.

I know everyone's surgeon/nutritionist's post op/lifetime eating plans are different. I see most folks are told to eat 3 meals plus snacks in between and second most popular seems to be ~6 small meals a day. My plan is 3 meals a day no snacks and to only supplement protein with protein shakes if need be, not on the regular. I admittedly have been having snacks in between meals like a cheese stick or something strictly high protein, everything I consume has protein, no empty calories. I cannot fathom how to get the required protein in only three post-op sleeve size meals a day. The only way I can imagine is if you eat something every meal that you add protein powder to. My manual even states that at the point I am now I should be able to get in all the required protein through food alone. I say BS if you aren't allowed a snack in between. I was curious if anyone else has this type of plan and what you think, even more curious if you follow it and how you do it? I am still losing and just had my first stall the past two weeks which broke this week, even during my LB stall I was still losing circumference so I know I'm doing OK I guess I want reinforcement. My surgeon's office also said they expect their patients to eat 600-800 (which is where I'm at) calories a day and after everything I've been reading and from this forum I think that is wrong. It seems the most successful of the bunch are into the 1000 cal/100gms protein range. My surgeon and his handiwork are excellent and I'm very pleased, but the nutritionist and bariatric nurse I feel are not progressive sticking with older ideals. I didn't go through this and pay all this money to have a couple of thin years then not be able to keep it off because I can't stick to starving myself! Just a little frustrated!! =/

It reinforced what I thought about fast food. I'd go so far as to say that letting your kids eat McDonalds several times a week ought to be a crime punishable by law. The absolutely MOST horrifying thing about that movie though was the school lunch thing. Please tell me that wasnt typical of what kids in American schools get fed for lunch? Did you see that muck - all that neon yellow and orange food and barely a vegetable in sight and that stupid stupid moronic woman trying to argue that it wasnt their responsibility that if they served poison that kids chose to eat it. Somewhere there was a bowl of sad, tired fruit hidden away and she had the gall to suggest that the kids could choose that if they wanted to! We dont have school lunches provided here, they either bring from home or have a lunch order from the school canteen. The government has just banned soft drinks from ALL school canteens which I think is a good thing but I"m disgusted by the options offered by our school canteen locally, its run by a business separate to the school and they have no care in the world for children's health, just in selling what kids will buy. I still let my kids eat Maccas of course, but we've actually never really touched KFC or Subway or any of that, it looks too disgusting for words, I havent eaten KFC since I was a kid myself. But I swear there's something addictive in that stuff that makes kids want it more and more. Its a constant battle. Now, I'm all excited this mornign because we have our first local farmer's market down at the football oval near the shopping centre this morning, loads of lovely organic produce from surrounding Gippsland. My kids actually do get excited about organic fruit because it tastes so good.

I'm just afraid of bringing it up with my bosses... I don't want to get a lecture or that psuedo-helpful "advice" we've all gotten a zillion times. heh. I took a snoop around the BC/BS website which we MAY go with, and it looks like they'll cover GB, but I don't want that... I wonder if it includes banding? Hmm.

Don't worry, you will forget this post soon :thumbup1: I tend to believe the resolution of the sleep apnea will improve your mental sharpness far more than hunger hormone could affect it. I'm sure there are plenty of well fed scholars that could agree. Also do a search on medical studies on how exercise effects memory. If I can get down to a "running weight" again I may enjoy some of those benefits as well!

I heard that is BS since that part of your stomach that usually stretches out is cut off.

Whatever you are looking for you will see… AND... When you change the way you look at things the things you look at change! Tips for Improving Your Body Image: Accept your genetic body type: Remember that your weight, height, and bone structure are strongly determined by your genes.. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Stop comparing yourself to others. How others look has nothing to do with you. Be media conscious. We are bombarded with media messages telling us our bodies are not perfect… Most fashion and women’s magazines focus on an ideal of beauty that is just not something that anyone in real life can be. Remind yourself that the body images you see are manufactured by make up artists, hair dressers, airbrushing specialists, fashion designers, lighting specialists, and cosmetic surgeons. Also know that many fashion models have eating disorders and are not able to maintain their low body weight in a healthy manner. Create a Why I Like Myself List. Think about all the things about you that you like… are you Funny? Creative? Honest? Intelligent? Think of all the reasons you deserve to love yourself and write them down. Remind yourself of all the things you are besides a body. Read this list daily and add to it every time you think of something else you like about you. Create a Body Appreciation List. Think about how your body has continued to show up for you no matter how much you fed or starved it, exercised it or not. Write these things down. Remember that your heart has continued to beat, your lungs continue to breathe, and your liver continues to detoxify your body. As well, maybe your body has learned a new skill, gotten stronger, taken you to the top of a hill, rejuvenated during sleep, or allowed you to comfort a child, share love with a spouse, or go shopping with friends!. Celebrate your body and the marvelous things it can do. If you’ve had Weight Loss Surgery note all the things that your body can do now that it could not do before. How has your life changed because of the changes your body has gone through? Read this list daily and add to it every time you are grateful for something your body has done. Stop thinking that thinner thighs are the answer to all of life’s problems. When you find yourself hyper focused on your body stop for a moment and ask yourself what you would be doing, thinking, or feeling if you were not obsessing about your body. What is this preoccupation stopping you from being present to in your life? Are you in anyway benefiting from focusing on what you believe to be your physical flaws? Commit to feeling the feelings that arise as you ask yourself those questions and really listen to the answers you hear/feel. “Act as if you” were comfortable in your body even If you are not quite “feeling it” yet. How would you walk, what would you wear, how would you speak to people, what kind of self talk would you be speaking, what kind of eye contact would you make with others? Use these questions as a guide for “acting as if”. Notice how it feels to carry your body with an air of love and respect. Speak (and think) only kind and loving words and thoughts to and about your body!! If you find yourself being critical of your body, stop and acknowledge that this will not support you feeling good about yourself. Then, respond to yourself as you would to a best friend. For every negative thing you catch yourself saying about your body, apologize to your body and say 2 loving/ appreciative things about your body. Make a decision to truly “nourish” yourself. Read a good book, take a bubble bath, schedule a massage, get a haircut, dance to your favorite song, make plans with a friend, take a nap, ask for a hug, give yourself permission to say “no”, meditate, pray. Make it your intention to move and enjoy your body: go walking, swimming, biking, dancing, do yoga, tai chi, etc… not because you have to but because it makes you feel so good. Your body deserves to be treated well. Surround yourself with people who celebrate and appreciate you. Say “thank you” to compliments without discounting them. Know that you can control your experience of your life by the thoughts you choose to think. How you experience your life is a direct consequence of your predominant thoughts and feelings. By making a decision about the thoughts you choose to think (which are the precursors to your feelings) you take responsibility for creating your reality. So if you decide to think about what is not good about your body you will attract to you experiences of your body not being good enough, and more than likely will live in a state of “waiting till things get better (i.e. my thighs get thinner)” before you can really be happy. If you choose to think about what is good about you, what you like and appreciate about you, you will feel gratitude and be more likely experience your life as abundant and joy-filled! The next time you find yourself being critical of a particular body part, sit down and write a letter to that body part telling it exactly what you don’t like about it and how it makes you feel. Then have that body part write back to you telling you how it felt to read that letter. Then write back to that body part…….. and just notice what happens………. If you have any thoughts or comments about this blog I would love to hear from you. You can respond below to this blog or email me at louisa@louisalatela.com.

18-20,000 in Canada?! :smile2: Where do you live?! In BC you can get it done for $14,000. An alternate suggestion would be to check out Dr.Kirschenbaum in Denver, CO - I believe he is approx $9,000 and has done MANY MANY bands.

I hear great things about those Premier shakes from Costco! Think I will swing by there tomorrow. Yes, my breath has been kinda bad too. My mouth constantly feels Clammy. Glad I'm not the only one! I'm not up for sex, but that cld be bc I had a hernia repair while doing my sleeve. But my doc said, I cld start whenever I was ready.. I know my husband is VERY READY! LOL

@@CardinalsGirl I also have irregular cycles, however I solved the problem over a decade ago by using depo as my birth control. If you aren't trying to have kids right now and you aren't contraindicated for any other reason, maybe ask your doctor for a switch to depo. You get one shot every three months, which you can give to yourself, and you no longer have a time of the month. While the idea is that it's for birth control, it also works very effectively if you're having extended irregular bleeding. Unlike oral contraceptives, depo is also not contraindicated for surgery so if you are taking the pill already, the switch to depo allows you to stay on birth control when you are approved for the surgery as well, so double win. I haven't had a time of the month in probably a decade. When I was in my early 20's I wasn't using depo for bc so I'd forget to take it for a month or two and then I'd have a few days of the lady friend visiting, but now that I have a doctor that prescribes it so I can just inject myself, as long as I have the shot on schedule, I no longer have any monthly cycle. I also have periodically had anemia issues, and in addition to never having a time of the month I take B12 and an Iron supplement. My values have been fine since.

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone! I've actually been doing alright - not too hungry, bit of a gas pain everyonce and a while still but I also know I haven't been walking as much as I should (and to top it off it snowed today lol). But I'm doing alright! Looking forward to moving onto the full liquids stage as the Clear Liquids is starting to get a bit boring. Today was a quiet day so even for day 3 post surgery, it wasn't too shabby. I did however get to take a shower today - first day since surgery that I was allowed and well - that was quite the experience. We just have a stand up shower stall so DF stood at the open door and took a wash cloth to all the iodine, etc on my belly. The Water wasn't super hot the way I usually like it as I thought it was probably not a good idea on my tummy. I had just finished washing my hair and rinsing it when I knew bad things were about to happen. I think it is from a lack of calories/nutrients and the hot water as I opened the door and told DF "must sit now" (he was waiting outside the shower for me in case I needed him) as I knew if I didn't sit down I would have passed out in the bathroom (which isnt very spacious). So dripping wet I made a beeline for the toilet seat and had to sit there, leaning against him while the dark cloud came over me (I don't know if any of you have ever passed out before or almost passed out - but it's not fun). This is not a feeling that I am a stranger too and I knew the signs that it was coming - I've had issues with this since I was a kid (blood tests come back fine though everytime and it's VERY sporadic and occasional). I was leaning against him and I think I did actually pass out (wasn't from pain as I wasn't in any) leaning against him. When I was able to we got me to the bed, I lay down and just chilled there for about an hour. So note to everyone, if your low on your calories/blood sugar, careful with warm showers as that is usually what triggers me on my "near black out" moments, and post-surgery was no exception. On an exciting note - my official "weight day" isn't until Wednesday so I am not updating or putting it on my tracker but so far - down 8 lbs since surgery on the 23rd. I realize that I will likely gain some of this back once I start mushies but I'll be so damn happy to have mushies I don't think I will care!! Hope everyone is doing well! *big hugs and well wishes to you all* It's actually been my experience (as well as that of friends) but also what has been told to me on more than one occasion by doctors. Thank you! If you check out the Canada boards there is a group that posts under different threads related to BC Bandsters, you should check them out some time. None of the lapband procedure is covered by BC Medical unfortunately, and likely won't be any time soon. Gastric Bypass is covered but I believe the waitlist is about 6 years now for it if you have it paid for by medical. I don't know if he does bypasses or not (I don't think he does though) but he does do the "sleeve". His cost is $400 consulation fee (first time you meet with him) and the cost of the surgery is $14,000 (includes free aftercare fills no charge for them). I believe he is accepting patients you just have to call and ask how to go about getting a consult (they send you a questionnaire to fill out) - I'll pm you his number. I will say though - if you are seriously considering the band and have the money to self pay - give it great thought before going to Mexico or the US at this point. Not due to lack of great surgeons but due to there not being very much aftercare options in BC right now. Dr.Leung in Surrey also does the lapband and WILL NOT accept any other surgeons patients. Dr.Woodhead *may* and I say that with great emphasis as I know he prefers not to as well. Other than that, your only other option for aftercare would be to travel to Everett area in Washington to one of the fill places there. So be sure you check out all of your options before settling on a location/surgeon. I would have loved to go to Dr.Kirschenbaum in Denver for a cheaper price but figured by the time I have to go through the hassell and paying for fills (most places charge $150-200 in the states , per fill) that it wasn't worth it and that it was worth shelling out the extra $5000 up front. Good luck on your journey and decisions, feel free to message me at any time. :cursing:

ok so i reallllly need to vent and im so lost and confused. so i have insurance through my mom. My surgery is scheduled for May 10th. She just text me letting me know her company had a meeting today and they will be letting 24 people go and they will receive their notice of who it is on April 26th. april 26!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why?! i dont know how all this works. will her company give her a "grace period" of coverage and if so how long? im so frustrated. i called the surgeons office and explained to them whats going on they said if i need to schedule it sooner they can move up and just to let them know asap. bc if i get it done on the 26th id have to start my liquid diet asap. im so unprepared for things im gonna need. my boyfriend was going to help me out with things and hes busting his butt as his job trying to get overtime in. and to top it off the reason y i scheduled it for may 10th was to give me time bc the insurance will pay 90% and im responsible for 10% upfront. so now im like great. and bc im getting this surgery i might lose my job. i took me 2 yrs to find a job and now i got a great one but ive only been here 2 months and i doubt theyd be ok with me asking for 2-3 weeks down time.

Rebecca thanks so much for the info! He seems great and I can't find anything negative about him. I found out that dr. Deibler and Kelly are not in-network so id have to pay out of pocket : ( I've been searching for someome in network with no luck....I don't know what I'm gonna do I might just end up going and paying myself or asking my boyfriend if it can be my christmas present...lol. So you go Monday...that is awesome! You'll have to keep me updated. if u don't mind ill inbox you my email bc I'm sure ill have questions I meant to ask...btw I'm Jamie

I just got approved from BC for a revision from sleeve to Rny