May 2007 Banders

[kaylali 0]

So I havent posted on here for a really long time, however I am feeling really great about where I am currently at with my weightloss. I do still want to loose another 15-20 pds. but I know that will come off. I have accually develped a love for running ( very hard to get to that point) and that is when the weight melted off. I am 4 weeks post op for getting a TT and breast reduction. And I feel so great! I am so glad that I started this journey, to look back not even a year ago and see where I started is amazing. I started at 230, I am currently at 170 I am 5'6" with a flat belly and super cute boobs:)) I have to say that because it isnt somthing i have been able to say in a long time. good luck everyone.

[mandyjo 1]

I Would Love To Pics Of People That Were Band The Same Time...(before And After). Is Anyone Up For That? I Am Not Down To My Goal Yet But I Think We Are All Doing So Well That We Need To Show It Off. And When It Is With People That Have Been In It For The Same Amount Of Time We Understand Each Other!!

[Melissa S 1]

Manatee-

I'm SO sorry to hear that... I do however remember reading on this site of another patient needing a revision when she was VERY close to goal... she was too denied.. but then was approved on her first appeal after writing a LONG letter explaining how she would end up gaining it all back (and then some) and the health risks involved. KEEP ON IT!

Are they at least going to approve the removal.. I mean, they cant expect you to go on living with a slipped band!

[Manatee 4]

I will never understand insurance companies.

Today I got a call from the doc, and they've approved the revision. It's the exact same procedure -- cut the holes, remove the band reposition the stomach, place a band, and suture. The only difference is that he can't replace the band with a new one. As long as he reuses the existing band, all is well. A new replacement band will not be allowed because it then falls under the obesity guidelines.

Bizarre. I asked the doc, and it's literally a matter of a few minutes to use a new one vs the old one.

In any case, I'm scheduled for this coming Wed.

[Melissa S 1]

VERY happy to hear that Manatee!! Best of luck!

[METALBAND 0]

Good Luck Manatee.....I just started reading and I was getting so upset for you. I am glad that your doc was able to convince the stupid insurance company that they need to get their out of their ass and do this!!!!

[METALBAND 0]

I went to the doc today....we weren't sure if I should get a fill or not but he put in another .2cc. I am up to 1.6 cc in a 10 cc band.

After the fill, I stood up and had to lay back down because I almost fainted!?!? I have no idea why??? Has this happened to anyone else. The doc thought maybe since I hadn't eaten and I stood up to quick but it scared the crap out of me!!

On the good side...I am down 63 lbs, and the best part is 64% of my excess weight. He said that people with the band lose between 30-70% usually so I am heading to the high side which is what I wanted!!! I am close to being overweight and not obese....another goal of mine. Much better than being morbidly obese like I was! I have been kind of down lately because the scale is not moving and I am not doing what I am supposed to do to help it move but todays doc visit got me really pumped up again.

Thanks for listening.....sorry for the long post!

[cindyluhu 0]

Metalband, good for you! and don't apologize for the long post. That's what we're here for. (although I have not been here in a long time, just busy I guess). I have, however, missed LBT and am back!! I now have to go back many pages to catch up on all my May Banders!! Manatee, just read a little about what's going on with you, a slip I guess. I have to bo back and read about it. I hope the best for you.

Cindy

[METALBAND 0]

Glad you are back!!!!!

Metalband, good for you! and don't apologize for the long post. That's what we're here for. (although I have not been here in a long time, just busy I guess). I have, however, missed LBT and am back!! I now have to go back many pages to catch up on all my May Banders!! Manatee, just read a little about what's going on with you, a slip I guess. I have to bo back and read about it. I hope the best for you.

Cindy

[Wenjea 1]

mandy Jo - I would love to see before and after picks if I could just figure out how to put them on here. For us computer challenged, we would need help in a big way.

Manatee - yea!!! I'm sure if you need a new band that the doctor could have an 'oops' and accidently cut the band and replace it for a very small fee for the two minutes of his time. Is the insurance company going to come in and watch to make sure he doesn't use a new band? Who do they think they are!!!!!

[METALBAND 0]

So third fill....three days of liquids, not weight loss ARGHHH! and now no more restriction than before!! Oh well, maybe it will kick in later like everyone says....delayed restriction.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Manatee.....any more news?

[Manatee 4]

Need a second or third opinion I'm getting closer to goal, and feeling pretty good about it. However, I'm starting to get a lot of flack about wanting to be "too skinny". I think I still have a good 20 lbs to go before I will have a stomach smaller than my chest.

My original goal was 'healthy', and I've done that. Now I want 'concave'.

Look at these pics, and the starting one, and let me know what you all think. Am I fine where I'm at?

Current is 5' 9", 174 and a 34" pant. Start was in the 280s (260 in that pic) and 46-48" pant.

[METALBAND 0]

Manatee....you look great!!! I said in a post a long time ago that I thought your goal weight was LOW, however you need to do what is going to be the best for you. I know for me that it would be way too much work and too much worry to be a the low end of my normo weight and I would stress out trying to maintain it. So I am going to be happy in another 25 lbs or so. But if you feel the need to be concave, go for it!

Back to you.....you are such an inspiration. You look like a new person!!! Good luck with the upcoming surgery. We are all sending good thoughts your way.

[mini 0]

Manatee - You look great! My own personal choice if I got to pick for you would be to stay where your at...I'm not a big fan of tiny little men that wght 140's or 150's. I like the 170's- 180's (height into consideration of course). But, if you want to go lower..do it for you. It's not about other people. This is for you and most importantly for your health. You look great. You looked great before you lost the weight. Now you look even better. Stay healthy.

Weazer

[Mischievous1 6]

Need a second or third opinion I'm getting closer to goal, and feeling pretty good about it. However, I'm starting to get a lot of flack about wanting to be "too skinny". I think I still have a good 20 lbs to go before I will have a stomach smaller than my chest.

My original goal was 'healthy', and I've done that. Now I want 'concave'.

Look at these pics, and the starting one, and let me know what you all think. Am I fine where I'm at?

Current is 5' 9", 174 and a 34" pant. Start was in the 280s (260 in that pic) and 46-48" pant.

YOU ARE JUST FINE where you are at!! If you stayed there for the rest of your life you would be fine! I personally like my men with a little bit of meat on them and I already think you are too skinny for my taste (that's supposed to be a compliment) :shades_smile: LOL