FLORIDAYS

I would wait until you attend the seminar. You may not find this Dr is the right one for you... or you may be rethinking your decisions after you go to the seminar. I was self pay so didnt need to get a referral from a Primary Dr.. if you need that you may want to schedule that appointment.

I eat soup alot. I just make sure to eat an amount appropriate to the calories I have slated for that meal. I find if I eat it too fast... its just like drinking too fast... it may come up. You should take 20 minutes to eat. And this includes soup.

I didnt exercise.... so I am proof that you can lose with out it. SInce you are aware of all the typical responses... I wount give you any of thoise either. But I am going to ask you a few quesitons. You can answer if you want. Do you track your calories? If so... How many calories do you eat every day. And lastly.. do you eat more than 3-4 oz of protien, 1/2 c veggies and 1/4 starch at your meals?

I admire you for your courage... you are tackling some big projects in your life in an effort to gain control of your life. Someone who judges you should not be anyone you concern yourself with.

My goal was not to be fat anymore. I was over it. It makes everything difficult... getting in a car... airplane travel, buying furniture (chairs specifically) , walking, shopping, standing, finding clothes and shoes to wear....... ..... you name it ..... it was such a chore to just live . And I turned 50 and my mother had just died at 79 of complications from being obese the last 20 years of her life.... She hated that she was a burden on me. I decided that wasnt going to be me in 30 years.

I wish you success on that phase of getting healthy. I havent tackled that project yet... I know I need to... but my head isnt there yet. I justify it with being a very light smoker... which I know is lame. But after losing all this weight I know when I am ready... I will do it.

thats good... I will do this. My focus is on the breast since that is really an issue for me. I feel that one I really need. The rest would just be superficial and I am not really sure I am willing to do it... thanks for the suggestion

They didnt pay for my surgery...but you never know. I will most certainly ask.

Validation

My dr recommended a plastic surgeon he trusts to me... I am very seriously considering having my breasts lifted and filled. If it were not for a padded uplift bra I would be flat as a pancake. That would not be so bad but there is so much skin they resemble shriveled up eggplants... I look great in a bra... But I am married and not dead yet... So would like to feel comfortable naked! Additionally I could use a tummy tuck, a thigh lift or whatever they do to get the wrinkles out... Probably a butt lift as well.... And the skin on my arms is pretty jiggly. That said I doubt I cannot imagine i can afford the time or money do do everything, and I am not sure I am willing to go through with any of it. But I made an appointment for a consult on Friday and now I am confused as to what to ask him. That's where you come in... I am thinking he'll take one look and say....we can do this, and this, and this etc and it will cost you.... X. Or he will say we can do the breasts but you really should do the tummy which will enhance it.....I am open to that but do any of you have some questions you asked or wished you asked you would like to share with me? I figure a fact finding mission cannot hurt..... Thanks for your help.

The above posts are excellent. When I was considering the surgery the first thing I did was call my health insurance and found out I wasn't covered for any wls. Because i felt this might be the thing for me I decided to go to a seminar anyway and find out just how much it would cost, and get all the details. I went to the seminar... Then I went to see 3 different surgeons. The one I selected was the first one I visited.... He wasn't the one with the seminar. I researched my self pay options and talked to my spouse and made the decision to do it. That was 215 lbs ago and almost 2 years. It was the best thing I ever have done for myself.... But not without sacrifice and commitment. Best of luck as you consider your options.

People fear the unknown..... And try to make light of it. I would forget it for now but if when you return he contiinues the inappropriate discussion I would let him know you are offended. If he doesn't stop get HR involved. Best wishes for a happy surgery day!!

377 was the weight I was when I went for my first consult so I use that weight. I hadn't weighed myself I almost fell over dead on the floor... I was expecting 100 lbs less then that. I am also 5'9. Based on a healthy BMI my dr picked 150. I picked 160. I am i162 today with a healthy BMI of 23.5. I am in a size 8/10 bottoms and small 4/6 tops. If I never lost another lb I would be happy. But I want to see what 150 looks like so I am slowly trying to get there. My hubby btw has expressed that he thinks I am done..... He is afraid I will start looking gaunt. We'll see....

Exactly... I have learned that food doesn't have to equal fun which goes against 50 yrs of lthinking..... It seems you can teach an old dog new tricks. If there are no options then I wouldn't tempt pizza so early on in the mushie stage so I would just eat a head of time... Then you could assist the hostess and busy yourself while people are gorging in their pizza

eat before you go.... then just enjoy your friends company

Be careful with beer...beer has carbonation and most doctors advise no carbonation for the health of our bands

wonderufl news! Best wishes for a successful surgery!

I wasnt allowed them for a few weeks after surgery...6 i think. But thn Dr said OK as long as I sip and dont gulp

I am not a fan of oatmeal unless its a cookie which defeats the whole sugar thing....LOL so I can't help you there... But I eat starch at every meal...equal to 1/4 c. If its bread its whole wheat only. I havent had white bread in 23 months, I do miss that.

The port is sewn to the inside wall of the abdomen. As you lose weight the port looks and feels more prominent and in some cases you can see the bump it makes on your skin from the surface. My Dr just last month told me he can replace my port to a low profile port at the same time I get my tummy tuck ....if I decide to do that. He said its a perfect time to do it because the plastic surgeon is already making the cut. I should have asked him why they just dont put in a low profile one to start with but I didnt think to ask. If yours is bothering you I would discuss your options.

other than natural sugars in foods... I have selected sugar free products since I started my journey. I do not find it necessary to not eat fruit or other foods because it has natural sugar in it... I just do not add it when I have a choice. Like I choose sugar free syrup, jelly, popsicles etc.....

I have said it before but the only thing that makes me less than a good bandster is that I didnt exercise. Granted I walked but honestly until I lost the first 150 lbs...not much. I am trying to improve on that front.

I am in HR and deal alot with insurances....Not sure what type of policy you are trying to get but something sounds off... People are denied for private life insurance for being overweight. I get that... What does the band have to do with your life expectancy? Is this through your work or a private company? I would check into other companies and see what your options are. There is someone out there who will be able to advise you.

Not sure how to post pics in the thread... Mine are on my ticker and profile. I am 2 lbs from my original personal goal.

I am hoping you wont have this issue but Mine was simple. I was denied by Aetna even tho I needed to lose over 200 lbs and had a BMI of 55. I guess because I had no other comorbidalities I wasn't sick enough to warrant the surgery. Never mind I was a heart attack waiting to happen. So I got creative, negotiated a cash price with the hospital and went out on a limb and became a self pay. I think I would have been successful either way but it would have been nice to have used some of the insurance benefits I have been paying into forever. Hopefully you will have a better story to tell us soon.