Jim1967

Congratulations Tracie...you are doing awesome!!

This is what concerns me the most. I lost 174 pounds between 2003 and 2004 doing Atkins. It worked very well for me but I screwed up and over the years I gained all the weight back plus an addtional 80+ pounds. Christmas of 2004 I was in Disney World with my family and I felt like I was top of the world. Fast forward to today...I am 454 pounds. I am very nervous that I am going to lose all the weight again just to fail and gain it back. I like to think I learned from screwing up the first time but it's so fresh in my mind. I had a Support class a few weeks ago and someone said "I just want to lose the weight and forget I had to go through the surgery to do it" I don't ever want to think like that. I want to be able to reach down and feel my port. I want to see my scars daily. I want the constant reminder of where I was and where I am going and how I never want to go backwards again... Sorry for the life story...but I am not nervous about losing weight...I am worried about gaining it back after I lose it.

I am going through what is called a Center of Excellence. It is basically an all-inclusive practice consisting of Surgeons, Nutritionists, Mental therapists..etc. I go in once a month sometimes more if I happen to be there for an appointment or support meeting and I weigh in. They told me to weigh in and record it and make sure I sign in on my meetings and they will put the package together to present to insurance when the time comes. You said you already spoke to your insurance rep but one thing I recommend is get the bariatric coverage policies in writing so you have complete understanding of what is needed. Some insurance companies expect certain documentation such as weight, exercise activity, doctor visits and such. It is very important you have this knowledge cause insurance companies can be very picky. Good Luck!!

Wow sorry to hear your Mom took it so bad. Seeing that she walked your (similar) shoes years before I would expect she would understand completely. Then again 25 years is a long time. Maybe she forgotten how restrictive the eating was. She also had bypass and not a band so maybe she just doesn't understand.

Welcome all!! This forum is such a valuable asset in a sense you can research, get advice and most of all encouragement!!

What's funny is when I met my Surgeon he told me if he had the choice he would schedule surgery right now. He feels 6 months is too long to put pressure on patients. They ask you to lose 10% of your weight prior to surgery and he said most people do OK for the first couple of months but tend to start gaining it back before insurance approval can be met. He went on to further say that operating at the lowest weight is beneficial as your liver shrinks with the weight loss. He said people tend to yo-yo over 6 months that he would rather just do a 3 month wait. I have lost 32 pounds since October but yet only lost 5 since Dec 5th. I never fully re-gained my motivation after the holidays. :-(

I am also lingering along waiting for my 6 months to be completed so I can move on to the next step. Center I am going through has pretty much told me I am ready. I have met all their requirements and done all testing needed with exception to a physical closer to surgery date. Now that most of the tasks are done I find myself losing steam a bit while waiting for time to pass by. This forum is such a valuable tool along with Jean's Bandwagon book. Good luck to you both.

I would love to Kayak. I tried it many many years ago when I was not so big and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I would also like to participate in some Cancer charity walks. I've quite a bit of cancer survivors and losses in my life and would like to somehow do something for them. I guess the rest of it is really everyday things that most skinny people take for granted. Like going to a restaurant or movie or a concert and not worry about seating. Being able to travel on a plane and not have to fly first class because of my size.

Wow Allision you're doing great. 7.5 months and 98 pounds gone that is awesome. I can only dream of that success if my approval ever comes. thanks

Based on my size alone my Surgeon told me to expect a night stay. It really depends on your suregon, your current health. If you have comoridities such as high blood pressure or diabetes that alone may warrant a night stay.

Good Luck to you all. I have Cigna and I am in the process of completing my 6 month supervised diet.

I think as far as number 1 question you certainly have every right to be upset. It is your news to share and if you asked for it to remain on the down low he should have respected that. As for number 2 I have not kept it a secret and a lot of people know but there are some that don't.

Thanks for mentioning this because I am still Pre-Op and this is an excellent question that I didn't think to ask my Surgeon. For some reason I didn't think they did fills at the time of surgery but if I can avoid 'bandster hell' that would be great.

I think Allison pretty much sums it up for me. It's inspirational stories like these that motivate me and give me some drive. Thanks for sharing.....

Adding a fill at the time of surgery? Isn't that a little unusual? I always thought you have the band put on and once you get through a healing process for a few weeks or a month then they do a fill this way any swelling would have subsided.

Thank you for sharing your story. You are doing fantatic. I come to this forum often as I need the boost. I am involved in a class that is 6 weeks long (1 day a week) and discusses eating. I am in with 8 other people and I am the only one getting banded. All the others are getting bypass. I find myself questioning whether or not I am choosing the right procedure.

I am hoping it wont come to knee replacement for me. Right now they crack and pop pretty good especially when I go from sitting for a long time to standing up. Once I am up and moving I generally OK unless I do something to put strain on them. I am hoping once this weight comes off the knees will feel better.

Actually you could have arthritis in those knees and if so they can pick that up on an x-ray. I have a touch of arthritis in both knees and they were able to see it on an x-ray.

I am yet to be banded..hoping for April or May so I have no answers for you but I would like to ask what was the reasoning behind the surgery to remove? Was there slippage or was it not placed correctly? And as far as trying again in a couple of months what it his plan or expectations that a second time around will be successful? Hope you don't mind my asking...your situation seems a little unique.

I would recommend locating a local seminar you can attend to hear all the pros and cons surround the various procedures. There you can ask all the questions. Seminars are free as well.

I definitely recommend you reach out to your insurance company and ask for their written policy surrounding weight loss surgery. Insurance companies can be a real pain in the butt. You and I could have the same exact insurance company but yet different rules may apply based on what your Employer purchased. That's of course assuming you are not a self pay patient....if you are then rock on!!

My Wife tells me I sometimes see things in black and white. One of them namely is cheating. Once a cheat, always a cheat. If your husband truly loved you then the weight would not matter. Love is more then just physical attraction so clearly there is something more going on with him. His insecurity issues is not a free pass to get away with whatever he wants. Try your best to move on. You've clearly spent a great deal of effort to lose the weight so why waste your new found life on a loser. Your a beautiful looking woman and time heals eventually but you first have to cut the cord in order to let the healing begin. Good luck to you. :-)

Yea the program I am in they require everyone to drop minimum 5% of their weight in order to get their approval for the surgery. Insurance is a completely different ball game.

Hi All, Thanks for the words of encouragement and advice. I guess perhaps I am being a little tough on myself and yes I am talking about the 6 month insurance required diet. Funny thing is when I saw my Surgeon last week that in his opinion he thinks the 6 month thing is far too long. He said he would rather operate on someone who spent two months losing 20 pounds rather then someone who did 6 months and loss 30 in the beginning only to just gain 10 back or more back before the 6 months is up. I think the real reason I am putting so much pressure on myself is I would like to be down to 400 before surgery day.

I actually like the Body Fortress from Walmart. You can get the 2lb jug for less then 20 bucks. I take 8oz of skim or reduced fat milk and a bit of ice along with the poweder and 1 packet of splenda and it comes out great. I sometimes add a banana or some bluberries to change it up. Good stuff. I find the unjury vanilla leaves a bit of an after taste but Unjury's chocolate is pretty decent.