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I weigh every morning and I have a love hate relationship with the scale. I keep track of my weight with a iphone app called "target weight" and it offers tons of tools. I do hate the ups and love the downs but I can't see myself NOT weighing everyday. My husband purchased the scale about 3 weeks ago *sigh*

It depends on where you are on the sizing charts.. For instance if your mother in law where extremely obese and wearing... say a size 30? the weight loss would have to be significant to move to the next smaller size... If you are starting smaller it will take less weight to move to the small size

Thank you so much everyone for your kind words!! I am so relieved that I am not alone. My next appt with my doc is on May 9th so I am hoping to have the sleep study results back by that time. If they tell me that I do not have sleep apnea, then I will contact Aetna to find out if I could, in fact, qualify for the band with just my BMI. THANK YOU AGAIN EVERYONE. You have no idea how much you all have eased my mind. P.S. Good luck to you all on your weight loss journeys.

You should be candid with your doctor and ask. Different doctors and insurance companies have different preop requirements. If you need to have a certain amount of time concentrating on weight loss to qualify I'm guessing the time before your pregnancy may not count. Also, if you have to have a c section (you never know, it could happen even last minute) the bariatric surgeon may have a required amount of time for healing before he'd consider operating. Mine was very happy i was a year out from my emergency c section before starting the process. I dont know what the minimum time would be. Also, I'm 17 days post op and this is not easy. I have 2 kids (4 and 20 months) and the post op changes, diet, emotions, lack of energy, appointments are not things I would want to go through with a post partum body and a newborn. Also, if you plan to breastfeed I don't know if that would be ok. The tiny amount of nutrition I can tolerate would not be enough to nourish both me and a baby at this point. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but these are all things I would ask about and consider.

If you plan on having your insurance pay for your surgery they will not accept your weight during your pregnancy for the 2 yr weight history that most require. Since I had a baby in 2011, they would not accept any of my weight history from 2010 or the beginning of 2011. Even though I was morbidly obese, so I became a self pay in Mexico cause I wasn't going to weight an extra year to try to get it covered. Good luck

I'm so sorry something similar happened to me. I had a band for over six years and did great till it slipped and had to be removed. I gained a lot of the weight back and I had my sleeve done two months ago. Good luck. This really sucks but I know we can do this!

TOTALLY! Not only about your stress eating but also with your child. Mine went AWOL from the marine corps and was missing for nearly 2 years (he was 22 then) . We rec'd no call from him in 2 years. . . the military kept calling us threatening that we were harboring a fugitive . . they were so stupid, finally i threatened back with lawyers as we didn't know where he was. They backed off. . . finally they caught up to him and he was arrested and spent 1 year in jail in Camp Pendelton CA. after that he paid restitution and was handed over to me. He rec'd a bad conduct discharge and i drove to CA to pick him up. For those 2 years I was a total emotional wreck. . . every time the phone rang I thought it was the Mp's or civilian police calling to let me know they found his body. . . it was horrible. After he came home, he lived with me for about 1 year and then disaapeared again in the night. I ballooned up to over 350lbs. . . another year or so passed and no calls, not from the police or him. . then we started to recieve orders for his arrest from the civilian police. . he was wanted for a variety of reasons, domestic violence, dwi, speeding, etc. . .he was in and out of jail. . . that was then. . . . Now I had the sleeve 2 years ago. . I've lost 150 lbs and am very proud of that. . . work is now my stress point and i noticed that when i was stressed out, like you, my stomach burns something horrible. . . i make very sure i keep really busy because i was depending on junk and alcohol a lot. . . lots of black licorice pieces and pretzels. . . i gained about 10 lbs. . . i had to stop so i did and lost that plus a couple more. . . i am a emotional eater and alcohol drinker. . . i had to stop both for a while. . . it was getting bad. . . So yes, i can totally relate with you and what you are going through. . . by the way, my son (is 30 now) has straighten out his life (for the past 1 1/2 years). he works, but has a record He has a nice wife and they are expecting their first kid. . . it is very very tough when your kid gets into trouble and has legal things against them. . . but know this. . .you have done your job, you have shown him the right way and guided him to know right from wrong. . . he needs to walk his path of life and stumble and fall, then get back up, shake it off, and continue. . . they all learn from their mistakes and hopefully this scared him enough so that he'll walk the straight and narrow now. . . good luck and know that you are not alone in this. . . alot of us have gone through problems and we are here to help you, even if it's just to listen and talk. . .

I had the same dilemma haing been approved by Harvard Pilgrim in November 07 and finding out my company was switching to BCBS Jan 1, 08. I lost the required amount of weight preop and was able to be scheduled for surgery the day after Christmas with the insurance company that had approved me. There has been no problem with BCBS picking up the cost of the fills; I jus get billed a co-pay like any other office visit. And...I love my band!! I've lost 73 lbs since starting the preop diet! Best of luck to you!

Well I completed my six month medically- supervised weight loss through the hospital where I'm having my surgery....my coord. Got everything together on last visit for weight loss and faxed it to the ins co the same day....in addition to the six month diet, I had to have: a letter of medical clearace fromy pcp, a psycological evaluation and 5 years worth medical records to prove that I've had a BMI of more than 40 for 5 years consecutively....whew! So glad it's finally over

I'm still waiting for approval. I've tried so many diets, it's insane, but none have been long term successful. The Scarsdale Diet, Atkins, paleo, etc, and no luck. The only time I lost weight and kept it off (for a time, anyway), was when I was taking Adderall for my ADD. When I could no longer afford the psychiatrist visits, no more prescription and my weight went from about 235 up to 299 at its highest (I'm at 283 and holding right now). Anyhow, you shouldn't have to take drugs to lose weight. That's nothing that's going to last in the long run.

I need some help! I'm about 5 weeks post op and about 3 days ago I started feeling pretty yucky. The sight and smell of food really makes me nauseated. I've only been able to take in a few protein shakes, water, and some soup. I was doing really really good up until now. Monday, I started taking birth control pills again at the request of my surgeon. I know my hormones are already out of whack from the weight loss and surgery. When I try to take in something solid, it's hard to get it down, swallow, and keep it down. Has anyone experienced this? Could it be my hormones trying to figure out what the hell is going on? Or something more serious like a stricture or leak? My husband also had the surgery about 11 weeks ago and never experienced this.

Mine was eleven years old and even though I had no fill in mine and was still vomiting almost every time I ate. I could only get things like ice cream, pudding and yogurt through it. I went to a different surgeon (the one who did the band moved away about 5 years ago) and said it had to come out because eventually I wasn't even going to get water through it. During the band removal and revision to a RNY they discovered that the band had slipped, and the slip caused a hiatal hernia. I had this done a bit over 4 months ago and weigh less than the lowest weight I ever got with the band. If your surgeon doesn't want to consider removing it, maybe you should consider finding another surgeon who will work with you before it gets worse.

The process for working toward WLS can definitely be a long one. Insurance companies are very specific with what they require of their patients, as bariatric surgery is costly and requires a lifetime commitment on the part of the patient. Many of us have problems that could easily be related to our weight, but I'm not surprised that insurance companies want to have documented medical files that these issues factually exist and that other measures have been taken to try and resolve them. It can try your patience with all the steps you have to take, but you're on the right path to a better overall health- keep us posted & feel free to ask your questions

Well done so far. The big weight losses will slow down and there will be stalls along the way. Weight gain after surgery is usually due to iv fluids and inflammation and then the fluid retention usually goes within a few days, hence the big losses. Just checking you are getting plenty of fluids and the required amount of protein??? What food stage are you at?

From what I've read, a small amount of regain after a few years is pretty normal. If you feel that the amount gained is outside of "normal" (I would say 5-10 lbs), then the first thing you need to do is write down everything you eat in a day. If you're not someone who wants to carry around a notebook all day, go ahead and find a note app on your phone and try tracking that way. Another question I would ask is: are you grazing all day, or are you having separate meals with one or two snacks during the day?

Hope everyone has a great new years eve. Here in Australia we did new years eve last night it was great listening to music and stuff. It's currently January 1st 2020; felt I should do a weight check in today. Woke up today feeling good. Weigh in today 204lbs Thats 118lbs GONE. Feeling confident and that 2020 will be the best year ever. GW 185 😀 thanks Mike

Hi all.. so glad I came across this website. I am from the UK and it is soooo hard to get your Operation done on the NHS that I have to pay, this is what has stopped me for several years, but I refuse to wait any longer.. So., I am borrowing the 6000 pound and going ahead with it. After reading all the forums etc, realised that it is not going to be a walk in the park.. going to need hard work and dedication but no pain, no gain. Just wanted to introduce myself anyway.. anyone else in a similar position, get in touch... be nice to have someone to talk to as I am not telling my close friends... they are overweight too and they will not like what I am doing.

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

I had my two month anniversary, and second post op exam/meeting. Bloods good, I lost 35 lbs so far, but one of the drivers for me was Barrett's and the GERD I was experiencing is largely gone. I still take an H2 blocker as a precaution and got cleared for real exercise, not just walking. (Had a hiatal hernia that got repaired). I gotta say, having done this, I couldn't be happier. Yes, I'm still trying to draw lines but the surgeon said to measure portions, even though his dietitian does not address portion size. I think it is important to have resources as you go through this, not just for support, but for info. I consider this such a place. I'm far more mobile and agile, can do stuff I couldn't before because of oversize/bloat/weight. I'm fitting into clothes that I couldn't. Not that this should be a reason, it's just a benefit.

My doc recommends 7-800 calories. To tell you the truth I am not happy with my weight loss rate. I have heard upping calories can help you loose weight but I really don't know how to get in more calories with out bad carbs or fats and I just cant eat that much.

I was a skinny teen. Size 2, typical cheerleader, big boobs, skinny waist, big hair. I swam and played soccer so I was fit. I had stretch marks on my breasts, hips, thighs, and stomach despite never being fat. My 16yo is 5'6", has never weighed more than 110 pounds, wears a size 00/0 in teen sizes and is very active. She is a martial arts instructor and goes to the gym daily. Guess what? Stretch marks. Don't fret it. Be proud of your success. You've done great! I know it's easier said than done, but learn to love the body you have, the body that can do all sorts of fun and healthy things that it couldn't do at it's highest weight. You are a true success story and a few battle scars to prove it aren't the worst thing in the world.

As has been stated on several posts on this site, the surgeon operated on your stomach, not your brain! Those feelings and insecurities don't go away just because you lose weight. Take time to get to know and love that person in the mirror. If you can afford it, counseling may help. I have been a nurse for a long time and I have seen one illness destroy peoples appearance, whether from cancer or some other terrible disease or surgery. After observing this over a number of years, I realized that our appearance just doesn't matter all that much. A cancer patient with no hair and 90 pounds was still an attractive human being. why? Because she was a caring and loving person. Looks fade, skin sags, and stretch marks linger. But they have nothing to do with how beautiful someone is. That comes from WITHIN. Good luck on this journey...

I heard recently that they have changed their requirements and no longer require a 6 month weight loss period. Has anyone else heard this or been approved since this? I have a friend who is waiting on her approval thru BCBS and is wanting to know what to expect. thanks all.

From everything I've heard, BCBS NJ is one of the worst to work with, as is BCBS IL. I have a coworker who had to spend months getting her husband's pacemaker approved because they kept giving her the runaround! I found out that they wanted "more details" on my 6 month weight history. I am trying something that may work, but from what I've heard BCBS IL will find any excuse possible to not approve the surgery. So if it gets denied this time, I will have to start my 6 month history over again, and this time I will keep so much documentation it'll take a box to mail it in. :angry

I too am very nervous about having this surgery done. On some days I'm convinced that because I have a thyroid problem, not even this will work. But then I go through my mental list of all the things I look forward to after the surgery and it helps!! I look forward to: 1. getting in a canoe or kayak with my husband to go fishing 2. fitting in a movie theater seat without the armrest up 3. getting the seat belt on an airplane to fit and buckle safely 4. reaching to clean myself appropriately 5. walking upstairs to our guestroom without being completely winded 6. not having to lean over to drink out of a glass with a stem because my boobs are in the way 7. not covering my double chin with my hand when my picture is taken 8. dance the night away like I used to 9. not snoring worse than my husband 10. not being paranoid about what people are thinking if I catch them staring 11. my bras lasting longer instead of the wires popping out because of the added weight 12. buying pretty underwear instead of basic white or black 13. wearing short sleeved shirts again 14. not bruising my arms walking through a narrow doorway to quickly 15. not having the steering wheel touch my stomach 16. being "on top" for a change 17. enjoying walking the mall again and going shopping 18. painting my own toenails 19. getting down on the floor to play with my dog 20. Crossing my legs. 21. Wearing my hair how I want. When I think of all these things, my fear just disappears. I plan to have surgery in September and look forward to a new life. What do you look forward to?