BABEwiththePOWER

Thanks Gamergirl. I wanted to do that, but I don't have enough posts to get access to that forum. Lame rule in my opinion. It shouldn't be about number of posts, but about how far out post-op you are. I only have like 20-something posts, and it says you need 100+. Guess I won't be getting access to that forum for a while =(

Can you cold turkey it to cleanse out your system?
When I did Atkins, I always went cold turkey for 3 days to kill the carb monster and it always worked. To do it, I had to Protein load with some fat...but it worked.
How about some PB on celery stalk for a Protein snack or some SF Jello or pudding to kill the sweet tooth at night...or maybe even a cup of Decaf tea with Torani flavoring?
You did a wonderful job...you're such an inspiration... I know you can do it.. it is folks like you that give me hope, much to look forward to...and work for...

Hey April buddies!
Just wanted to post my 9month pics. These are a good side-by-side comparison from day of surgery until now. It's been really helpful to see the progress this way. I've been in a stall for the last 6 weeks or so, but I'm still losing inches, so that's good. I'm training for a sprint triathlon on April 27th (1 year and 1 week from surgery date), so I've been working out a lot. It's a little frustrating that the cellulite is still so prevalent, but hopefully that will go away soon. There's also a lot of loose skin to work around, but hey, better than the fat it once covered, right?
Is anyone else training for an athletic event? I'm having trouble keeping the carbs to a minimum when I'm working out so much. I'd love some sports nutrition ideas if anyone knows of any.
Thanks! Hope everyone is well!!

Ok April buddies... here are my 6 month before and afters! Holy moly, I never thought I'd be posting these!
It's a little strange though, psychologically speaking, to look at these pictures. On the one hand, I feel like I look totally different, but on the other hand, I don't see much of a change. I know, I'm crazy, but seriously, the emotional/psychological side to this whole experience is really intense!
Hope everyone is doing well!

I never thought I'd be posting these photos, but here I am! These past 6 months have been amazing. I'm down 76lbs since my surgery day, and 83lbs total. Ive gone from a size 22 to a size 12... and I'm still going strong!
The only hard thing at this point, is that I'm working out so much, and weight lifting, etc. that the numbers on the scale dont move as fast as I'd like. For instance, I've only lost 4 lbs in the last 3 weeks. But, my clothes are fitting better, and I can see a change with my eyes, just not as much on the scale.< /p>
I met with my dr on Friday for my 6 month post-op follow-up, and he told me to pull back on the carbs... I admit, I've been eating more breads, etc since increasing my workouts. But, I'll try and do my best to keep that under control. I'm trying not to enter into the "diet mentality" with this process, so I'm just eating in moderation and making good choices when I can. I'm not getting down on myself if I have something sweet or starchy, I just get up and MOVE. I have so much more energy since I started working out again, and I love it. It's ok with me if I lose lbs slowly, so long as my clothes are getting smaller and I am gaining energy and HAPPINESS!
Hope everyone is well, just wanted to give an update

I never thought I'd be posting these photos, but here I am! These past 6 months have been amazing. I'm down 76lbs since my surgery day, and 83lbs total. Ive gone from a size 22 to a size 12... and I'm still going strong!
The only hard thing at this point, is that I'm working out so much, and weight lifting, etc. that the numbers on the scale dont move as fast as I'd like. For instance, I've only lost 4 lbs in the last 3 weeks. But, my clothes are fitting better, and I can see a change with my eyes, just not as much on the scale.< /p>
I met with my dr on Friday for my 6 month post-op follow-up, and he told me to pull back on the carbs... I admit, I've been eating more breads, etc since increasing my workouts. But, I'll try and do my best to keep that under control. I'm trying not to enter into the "diet mentality" with this process, so I'm just eating in moderation and making good choices when I can. I'm not getting down on myself if I have something sweet or starchy, I just get up and MOVE. I have so much more energy since I started working out again, and I love it. It's ok with me if I lose lbs slowly, so long as my clothes are getting smaller and I am gaining energy and HAPPINESS!
Hope everyone is well, just wanted to give an update

Congrats, great job!

Haven't been on the boards in a while, and thought I'd check in with my fellow April sleevers! I was sleeved on 4/19, at 281 lbs, and I'm fluctuating in weight between 216 and 212. It's so hard right now because I'm doing bootcamp and pilates and in better shape than I've been in since high school... but I can't seem to get the weight down in a consistent way. I feel like it's lose 2 gain 3 lose 4, and on and on. Admittedly, I'm not counting calories, but I'm certainly not eating much at all. I do get more hungry and tend to snack more when I'm working out, but the weight should still come off, right?!? I mean, I maintained my previous "big girl" weight without working out, and eating WAY more food, so why am I not losing more now?
I'm nervous to see my doctor for my 6 month check up. I'm only down 11lbs since I saw him last, and his goal for my next appt was to be down another 40. There's no way I'll get there in 3 weeks for my appt. I suppose I could go back to all liquids, or no carbs, etc, but I really don't want that diet mentality to resurface. Nothing good came of it. I'm just trying to live a more moderate lifestyle. I'm ok if the weight comes off slower, but I feel like this is getting pretty ridiculous.
Anyone else feel like that?

Thanks for the great advice! I'll definitely be aware of the carbs and where they come from, and I'll work out a plan to have scheduled "me" time daily. My husband is amazing, he's super supportive, he's just also super busy with work, and his schedule isn't always consistent. But, if I can get my a#@ up early, maybe I can start doing yoga or the gym in the beginning of the day. I know I just need to shut up and do it. And I know I'll feel better when I do. I'm sure the endorphins will also help counteract the hormone issue

Thanks everyone for your insight... I know this is a very common topic, I myself have even posted on it before =)
UPDATE: I spoke with my Dr, and he said I could try sips with meals. He said it may give me heartburn if anything, but probably wouldn't make me throw up. Yesterday, I tried a few small sips while eating egg salad and again while eating cottage cheese. No heartburn, no nausea! Wahoo!

I posted another thread on this a while back when I was awaiting the decision from Cigna on my first appeal... well, that appeal was denied...on the basis of me "not providing documentation of a physician supervised 6-month weight loss program." Funny thing about that is, I DID! My doctor's office even kept records of what they sent, and it was part of the packet. In fact, I waited to resubmit my appeal until my 6-month program was completed and documented.
After going round and round in circles with literally dozens of Cigna people, my doctor's office got a fax number of someone in appeals who was willing to look at just the "missing information." So, they faxed it over, and were told it would be another 2 weeks before we would hear if they accepted the documentation...Well, when I called to check in on it, they said it was pending, and to call back the next week. I did. That's when things got crazy.
They told me it wasn't pending at all, and in fact, it had already been elevated a level, and they were waiting on ME to sign an IRO form (Independent Review Org), so they could release my records to the external reviewers. Seriously. Just because they SAID they didn't receive the info the first time, and they apparently couldn't just look at the information when sent to them AGAIN... holy crap.
Anyway, I finally got in touch with the woman who sent me the IRO forms, (to the wrong address, no less), and I immediately emailed the signed docs back to her. She said this was the final final final verdict, and whatever the IRO decided, was what Cigna would have to uphold. Oh yeah, and it could take weeks before I heard back.
Luckily, I had this woman's personal Cigna email, so I was able to "check in" with her every few days. I had just basically given up on all of it, even though I rescheduled my surgery for 4/19, for other reasons, I didn't think Cigna would pan out in time, or even at all. On Monday, I emailed the woman there, and didn't hear back. Well, Tuesday morning, at 4:35am, she emailed me and said I was approved.
Seriously. APPROVED. I couldn't believe it. But man, am I glad I jumped through all the hoops. I really think they expect you to give up, after they deny you for whatever arbitrary reason, even a reason that was completely false, like mine. I took this thing all the way. Even though it was a pain in the butt, in the end, it worked out. And, I saved myself $17K. whew.
Long winded story, but really, take it as an inspirational one. Cigna has the worst reputation when it comes to VSG approval, but just don't let them off the hook. Take it all the way. Make them do their job. Make them pay!
Good luck to all the others out there going through insurance approval hell. I hope for a good outcome for everyone.