Alexandra

So saith my darling husband when he saw me in my new party blouse. This is not, shall we say, my usual style of dress. And it's a size 16. ETA: Now that I've seen it online it doesn't look as cool in the photo as it does in person. There's a line of sequins along the neck and the ribbon is shiny satin. Y'all probably wear girly stuff like this all the time, but it's sorta new for me.

Hi Hefftynetty, Welcome! Sorry I can't answer the first question, that would be one for the surgeon. But as far as Synthroid goes, that's not a problem. The only issue would be if you had uncontrolled hypo- or hyperthyroid function, but if you're well controlled on meds that's no worry. Good luck and keep asking questions!!

The words "Alex" and "sexy" sound very jarring to my ears when used in the same sentence. Really. Give me another three or four years getting used to being a size 16 and ask me again then.

That is so cool! Doncha love it? Pat's right, you daughter is proud of you. And so are we!! My daughter said to me a while back that I was "medium" (as opposed to "huge"). Daddy's the biggest one in the family now, and all is right with the world.

Hi Katie's husband!! Thanks so much for letting us know how she's doing. Our fingers are crossed for a quick resolution and a fast trip home for her. Give her a kiss and tell her we're thinking about her!!

Hi Tammy, The good news is that if your company changes from one insurer to another and there are no lapses in coverage, nothing can be excluded as a pre-existing condition. So you don't have to worry about that. And your current carrier can't make decisions based on whether they will have your business in the next year or not. The medical department has nothing to do with the sales department anyway, and one hand won't have any idea what the other hand is doing. In any event, it sounds like you're close to an approval and once you get it, surgery is usually scheduled pretty quickly. The bad news is that if you don't get this handled by your current carrier, you will have to start all over again with a new one. At this point, what you should do is stay on top of your carrier and make sure they have all the documentation they need. If you appealed without adding any new information to your case they'll probably come back with the same denial. The new information you can add is a letter from your internist detailing your concern and attempts to control your weight over the last six months, which can be written up in such a way as to meet the requirement. But it sounds like he may have already done that? Don't worry, but don't let more than a couple of weeks go by befor calling your carrier again for a progress report. You should always have an answer to a precert request or an appeal within 30 days, and it's usually faster than that. It would be great if you didn't have to start all over again with a new carrier. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

Thanks, Jenna!! Very helpful info.

Wow, Babs, you are doing great! I have a good feeling about this--persistence can pay off well in these cases. Good luck, and keep up the fight!!

I just went to a new dentist and it didn't even occur to me to tell him about my band. No issues at all.

I have no problem at all with crunches, except that I can't do them on the floor. My back bones hurt! I do them on an exercise ball and don't have any port sensation at all. Maybe I did when I started but now I don't remember. You're not hurting yourself, I'm sure, so maybe the sensation will pass?

Thanks, everyone! Now I need to go find another party to go to. Paula, my hair waffles between shoulder-length and a little shorter. In that photo it's longer than it's been since the post-band chop job. I want it to grow a little more and then I'll keep it at that length. Time to attend to the color, too. :rolleyes

So glad to hear you sounding happy, a bit pink!! Be careful with that restriction, you've clearly got some. Now the trick is getting used to those smaller portions in your head, as well as your stomach. Good luck with the fill!!

Thanks! I sent this pic to my brother who hasn't seen me in several years. He said "Cool. I'm trying to think of an insult, but I really can't." (You'd have to know him to know that means he's utterly astounded, to the point of speechlessness. THAT'S a ginormous NSV right there, actually!!)

I'm sure someone else knows more than I do, but I seem to remember reading that sugar alcohol is metabolized differently than regular sugar. It doesn't seem to count as "carbs" in the same way--though that may be a manufacturer's sleight-of-hand marketing trick. Calories are calories, as we all know.

After a conversation or two like that you'll start thinking maybe it's better not to mention it at all. We know exactly what you are going through, and the fact is your friend just doesn't understand. THIS 1-2 lbs per week is going to STAY OFF, and that's the difference. That's all that matters.

Hi there, and welcome! We can't predict with any accuracy how much you can expect to lose, since that's completely within your power. I can tell you it will NOT compare in speed to your sister's weight loss, under any circumstance. Banding results in slower weight loss over time, though the amounts lost do compare favorably as you get 3 years out. How much do you want to lose? What's your BMI?

Chatting instead of eating sounds like a great idea! Try doing it late at night, too, when you're alone. That might also help somewhat. I'll also admit that being banded hasn't changed me at all. Lots of people talk about having renewed confidence, even undergoing total personality changes, but none of that has happened to me. Personally I think that's a good thing--I liked myself before (except for my weight) and I still do. It's certainly changed my eating habits but only those in the "too much/too fast" category. The band can't make me make the good choices about what to eat, and so I fail at that all the time. The band helps with the physical side of overeating. It can't do anything about the mental challenges.

Donali, I'm printing out your beautiful post and keeping it with me at all times. Love the color scheme!!

Holy cow, you're all so creative! Someday I hope to (again) take up photography, macrame, volleyball, and singing. For now, here are my hobbies:

Yep, it's a lifestyle change. I've changed my style of eating with some help from a little plastic band. And I've changed my style of moving: much easier to do with 100 fewer pounds to move around. Let's hear it for lifestyle change!!

Here's hoping for a quick recovery, Val!! This will all be behind you soon and you'll be on your way for real.

I so SO JONESING for a vacation. Betty, you're not helping. Looks beautiful!! Who'da thunk there was so much Water in Texas?

Annette, being banded can indeed create changes in one's bathroom routine because of the smaller amount of bulk in the diet. Getting enough fiber is a bandster challenge indeed. A lot of people take to adding fiber with supplements, but you have to be careful not to choose one that bulks up in the stomach. Benefiber is a good brand, because it doesn't thicken and can't clog the stoma.

Hi there, don't mind me, just following Donali and Zoe and Babs around and vigorously nodding my head!! I completely agree with everything they have said. My own approach was to throw the "rules" out the window before my first fill. Being hungry or obsessing about calories doesn't work for me in my life, so I picked the one rule I could live with and not feel deprived: Protein first. That was it. And it worked! Protein really DOES keep you full longer, so it works on all levels. And even without a fill I simply couldn't eat as much as I'd been able to preband (which will likely be the case for most people), so I wasn't gaining. It's not a race, and the idea of getting a quick start out of the gate is meaningless. Sadly, that's what many people think is going to happen after surgery. If you don't want to diet, don't diet! When you have restriction you will discover the miracle of being full on less, and then even less. There's plenty of time.

Brenda, you've done wonderfully!! And what a blessing to have a second chance to start again. However long this interim period is, it will be only a blip on your journey to whever you are going. Congratulations on being rebanded and welcome back!! :)