Kate rules

My insurance covered just about all of my expenses. But my surgeons office requires you to do nutritional counseling and of course they require up front payment and insurance did not reimburse. Think total out of pocket was around 400. Yeah it is crap.

May I add heating pad? Saved me on a few dark days

Ah, I have a line for you and it works great at work or anywhere: I'll tell you something if you promise to keep it a secret. (of course they lean in close). I have figured out how to make every food in the world half the calories they usually are. (this is when they look confused). Then throw out half of whatever is on your plate. "just eat half of what you think you should.". People just look and don't question after that

I reported for fills every 4 to 6 weeks. I felt good restriction after 3rd fill, probably 5cc, then I lost more, so had to get more put in, and have stayed in green zone by going to appointments. Currently have 7.2 in 10cc band. Feeling really good restriction. Around 400 calories and food no longer any interest to me. My PA said decent amount if back pressure this time during fill, so if lose restriction by next fill on July 6 we will do upper GI.

How often do you go back for fills? If you are super filled, you may wish to request an upper GI to check for pouch dilation. On the behavior/psychological side: are you stressed, depressed, etc? I was not successful until I started seeing a therapist to help me work through extreme stress due to work and my mothers cancer. I even did Prozac for a while and that actually helped me lose weight. Usually has opposite side effect. Logistic things: start using my fitness pal now. Track everything you put in your body. I have a high stress job that is unpredictable at best. So I carry emergency rations of food I can keep at roon temperature and is palatable. Protein shakes are great if you can keep in cooler throughout day between meals. This helps me when I'm wanting crappy food I like to eat. Food wise: reduce bread/pasta/ carb intake to as low a level as you can tolerate. Start each meal with veggies, then do protein and then have a little bit of carbs. There is science behind not having that initial insulin rush. Not that I understand it at all. Hope this helps. I have my bad days too, trust me.

Take off as much time as you can and then work your way back to returning early. I returned to limited duty after a week.

My favorite expression of screw them was helpful. I work with men who now are more open with their assessment of women's bodies when I'm around. At least they were sensitive when I was fat. No one I told about surgery was critical of my decision. But I am insulted sometimes at the number of compliments I get about how good I look now. Wasn't I pretty before? No, as my coworker told me. I had a cute face but too chubby. Thanks man.

I get pain there sometimes. I found changing sleeping position helps and putting pillow under rub cage helps as well. Baby it and see how it goes.

Start day off with "im not feeling well." that sets the stage. Then at dinner say this looks amazing. In just not as hungry as I thought I was. May I will try the (whatever) and see how I feel. Then have your serving and start picking with fork. Say delicious but feeling iffy and going to stop. Darn it. Hare when I feel that way. But everyone understands and no one really wants details,. Particularly if you rub intestinal area. LOL

5'3.5" and have revised goals several times. Started out wanting 118. Then realized I was a too darn skinny kid at 118. So I moved to 125. At 142 now and realizing that if I only go to 135 I have a chance to resurrect my wardrobe via the tailor. Otherwise it will be an expensive 5-10 pounds and I really like my skinny clothes. FYI that I'm a small 8 / large 6 now. So no smaller than a 6 on bottom. I will probably stay a 10 on top.

I can relate, for sure. I love carbs. I struggle everyday with it. I lose, often. My nutritionist said carbs beget carbs. The more you eat the more you want. Something about insulin response. Dunno about the technical part of that stuff. My blood sugar is way better now - completely normal as opposed to diabetic levels. PM me if you need a sponsor. I have "sponsors" whom I can call/text/pm if I'm feeling weak.

My efforts have paid off. I have majorly cut intake of red meat and proof is in the sewer. Thank goodness. Not sure how long I could deal with the uncomfortable nature of this issue.

At consult 205 size 20 low rise pants. Would have been higher if regular rise. Currently rocking a size 6 at 142 pounds. Again, low rise because I have a big waist.

I don't like doughnuts anymore. I can't stand the greasy taste. Which is good because they are terrible for you and hard to get down. And there's a Krispy Kreme factory 5 minutes from work. Two bites and I feel sick. Thank goodness. I actually crave Protein now. Didn't do that before. Still have weakness for carbs that is my on-going struggle. Sal - sorry for your situation and the grief you and family must be dealing with as this illness progresses. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I am an emotional eater too. I lost only 12 pounds in 6 months due to my mothers struggle with cancer and work stress. Take care of yourself and don't beat yourself during this time of turmoil. There will be a time when you can focus on losing. Your band will be waiting for you when you are ready.

Glad you are doing better. Just a suggestion: try cutting carbs for next week or so. It will boost your effort and hopefully be a kind of detox from carbs. If that's your weakness, that is. I'm a cereal and milk kind of girl. :-)

Fill sounds good. My PA told me today that as you lose weight you lose fat around stomach and so band loosens up, hence the need to report for monthly fills. Are you using my fitness pal? It has helped me through last 10 pounds. It is now a battle for me, even with band. And I think it is only natural for us to struggle. But the band brings me hope and a little extra strength to power through those times. But don't get me wrong, I had a major meltdown last week and gorged myself on 2100 calories in one day. Great job on your loss so far. Best wishes for happy losing soon!

I hated sleep study. But a small sacrifice since I've lost a middle school child worth of weight since last May. Can't believe I passed psych exam. My endoscopy and abdominal US were already done before first consult due to hernia. Yea. Busy month of tests and appointments but glad I did while I was still having the nerve to get banded.

Not sure what your insurance co is but many post their medical policies on the web. I came to my meeting with bariatric surgeon armed with as much info as I could get. I created a special binder for my project so I could be squared away. I had been on supervised diets for months so I was good to go from that standpoint. I live in Virginia but my health plan is administered through DC. I could do either one six month diet or combine two 3 month diets. That included my efforts with phentermine and b12 shots. My approval wasn't really an approval. My plan doesn't need approval for outpatient surgery, just be aware that they will hold you and docs office accountable for adhering to policy. I had diabetes as my co-morbidity. My insurance required a psych eval. I somehow managed to pass. Haha. PM me if you want more info or encouragement along the way. Kate

My pre-op diet was pretty easy goings because I really embraced a lower carb lifestyle. I could have solid food up until one day before surgery. If I had not rocked my weight loss I would have done medifast diet with no other intake.

How fast is fast track at your center? I was 6 weeks because of a slow shrink and insurance company who didn't clearly articulate policy to doctors office.

I've started having this issue as well. I'm trying to cut back on red meat and increase intake of fiber rich food. It is uncomfortable especially by day 3 when intestines start to move mass. I just started chewable benefiber as well because it is unpleasant. Never had this problem before but beats being overweight.

My periods were fine but my doctor said not uncommon for periods to be messed up for a few months following surgery.

I don't do protein shakes anymore. I make sure that I get as much protein as possible by having meat and certain veggies. I keep a few shakes at home around fill times or if I'm tight.

I just say excuse me, I'm not feeling well. I hold my intestinal area, and no one wants to follow THAT into the restroom. Never had anyone ask if I'm ok in stall though. People have seen that I obviously puked because I tend to get bloodshot eyes when I throw up. So I make a point to splash Water in my face before I go back out. Breath mints help too!

I had almost no restriction and very little weight loss until fill #4. Only 10 pounds in first 5 months. Then I started losing. Have lost 28 pounds since then - which has brought me to a BMI of 24.9. I lost a lot of weight before surgery. Perhaps you are on a plateau, as I was. Don't worry, the band will help you break it. Until then don't stop protein shakes.