Violet953

My dietitian is really nice ...I'm thankful that she is ..listening to some of other peoples stories about theirs, and I'm really sorry you don't have the same experience. However, my dietitian is part of the whole "lap band" team that my surgeon has for the program...is that how yours is too? Because if not, you need to tell your surgeon what happened and have them transfer you to somebody...tell them you need support not criticism. I would not put up with that.

I too have had the same exact thing happen...these past 2 holidays were awful to me...I ate so much stuffing/corn/mac and cheese with butter all over it I was ready to burst and wanted more and more later that day but luckily I didn't take any leftovers home and didn't have it. I gained as well...3 or 4 pounds I think and I'm disgusted with myself. I am so angry with myself and feel terrible about it. I also didn't excercise those nights because I didn't have the time. So the past 3 nights I did 2-3 miles everyday and pushed myself as hard as I could...lost 2 pounds already! You just gotta get back into it and keep going!!!!!!!

I've had exercise induced asthma all of my life....In grade school I always had to see the nurse before gym class so that I could use my inhaler first. My asthma got much worse over the years though since I gained all of this weight. I would wake up needing my inhaler. Its gotten a little better but, I most definitely have to use my inhaler before every work out because if I don't, I wind up needing it midway through and I don't do as good...so I know exactly how you feel!

awww I'm sorry Brandon, I just noticed this! I'm really glad I could help...please let me know how its going!!!

Ugh Jesus....I am really nervous about this...is there any possible way to avoid this so that it never happens at all? Is there anyone out there that made sure they chewed thoroughly and ate slowly so well that they've just never gotten stuck? I bought baby spoons and forks and have small plates ..and I already eat slow anyway, I just need to focus on chewing like crazy.

Ugh that really sux I'm so sorry! Did you appeal it yet? I hate how they make you go through all that just to find out you are denied.....why can't you find out beforehand?? Its just not right to waste your time like that...and if you really aren't covered, maybe you could try to get medicaid...that's what I have and they cover it no problem.

That's so awesome! That's actually the same exact thing that happened to me...it took me over a year to get where I am right now..because I didn't know I had to have 6 months back to back appointments documented...and I had to cancel an appointment and start ALL over again...I was so upset...but here I am 3 months later and doing GREAT...I started at 329...now I'm 304. I feel just like you...can't wait to just get banded..I am so ready for this! I REALLY can't wait to be under 300 right now...we are both so close! We need to def. stay in contact, we can help each other through!! I am pretty sure I will be getting my surgery in the same week!

I can't stress this enough- EXERCISE! That's what I did to loose almost 30 pounds! I ate less, but I ate what I wanted prettymuch...and the exercise was the key to me loosing this weight so far. The first 3 months I don't know how but I lost like 5 pounds...which surprised me cuz I wasn't taking it seriously at first..but after I saw my doctor and was told I NEED to loose 50 pounds before they consider giving me the surgery ..I buckled down and started moving every night...little by little I started doing more and more...now they are giving me the surgery ASAP as soon as I get my approval! They just wanted to see that I can do it...You gotta move to loose!

Oh no need to apologize! Nothing to be sorry for....All your blog did was make me think..and do more and more research and I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to do this no matter what and I have faith in myself and that's all that matters. Its sad though that the show had to make the surgery seem like some horrible thing because of a few patients who had bad experiences. I've had 6th other surgeries with no issues and I know I will be fine....but I think you just need to do some positive research with your mom maybe on the computer together? And let her see all of the success stories on youtube and on here...might make her come around! Obviously shes just worried about you and loves you, so you might need to ease her fears a bit and she'll be rooting for you in no time! Good luck

You know what is so funny lol...after I read your blog about what your mom said, I spent the entire night looking up youtube videos and posts about the negative effects of wls...one of which with somebody that died, and the persons family member that died is really trying hard to talk people out of getting it...a lot of the comments though were geared toward the person probably not doing what they were supposed to, and that they were a success so they don't know what they are talking about. I am getting mixed signals everywhere I turn.. My mom had gastric bypass over 10 years ago and kept her 100 pounds that she lost OFF..so obviously she is totally % FOR me getting the lap band...because she had complications, and this is safer...shes my biggest supporter..my whole family and boyfriend is. We know people too that had gastric bypass and the lap band done and it didn't work for them at all...they lost some and then gained it back..so I think for some people who aren't all in it, yeah thats exactly why it doesn't work for them...but it doesn't mean I'm not having second thoughts...because I am...even though I'm still doing every single thing I need to do...I'm just one step away...but after reading that blog I just got terrified and then reading all of the other awful things..I think it will be worth it in the long run. I see soo many people on here and all over who have had so much success with it and its changed their lives...so why wouldn't it work for me when I'm % in it, and I've already lost 30 pounds on my own?

20 Minutes is definitely great for you to do a day..its better than nothing! I've been trying my best to do 2 miles a day or more, and some days I slack and only do 1 but I think of it as, at least I'm getting some exercise in for the day. Do you know what I do everyday? Not the treadmill, nope! Its Leslie Sansone! I don't understand why you guys don't like her so much- you should focus on the EXERCISE and not judging the person...I take offense to that because I love her so much, she helped me loose just about 30 pounds on my own and I haven't even had the surgery yet. She's just trying to help everybody loose weight and get motivated...which is what you need. Plus..you could always listen to music instead of listening to her if you wanted to!

This is making me really nervous now- I don't want to become bulimic! My mom had gastric bypass and she had a bunch of complications..including having 9 surgeries to open her esophagus I believe. Shes been doing okay for a few years, except for the fact that she has fibromayalgia now...but for a long time she would have to throw up when she got stuck so she would feel better. I would always say WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?!?!!? This shouldn't be happening its not normal mom! It needs to be fixed...and that kept leading to her esophagus being widened. But I thought that her surgery was a lot more complicated and more severe so I wouldn't have to deal with anything like that with the Lap Band...and now I'm finding the more I read on here, that's not true!

I have medicare. I will call them tomorrow and see what they say...but my surgeons office did tell me that they said after I'm seen by the cardiologist they will approve me..you'd think they would tell me everything that would need to be done if there is more...who knows!

Thanks everybody! And yes, they do take medicare. They told me that at the seminar last year. I've done everything they've told me to and I'm very close to getting my surgery!!!!!!!

I'm surprised nobody has said this yet seriously... But the reason they tell you not to drink alcohol after surgery is because of the pain medication...if you drink while on the pain meds it could be a deadly combination. So, if you are done with the pain meds then by all means, drink on your birthday, but if you aren't done with the pain meds, just don't take them that day...and have fun...as you already read, people still drink after surgery, just not in excess...so it doesn't effect you calorie-wise. Oh yeah and Happy Birthday!

MrsMoretti, it depends on the doctor ...because when my doctor saw I wasn't loosing weight fast enough, they told me I had to wait until I lost 50 pounds before I could get the surgery! Luckily after I lost almost 20 pounds they were ready to schedule me. They just need to see that you CAN diet and loose the weight for the surgery...because you still need to follow all of their rules after surgery..you don't just get it and loose all of the weight instantly...they just want to see that your serious. They don't want to give the lap band to somebody who's just flubbing along. And Shawna, I had to cancel one of my appointments and I had no idea that it meant I had to start ALL over! I was so upset, I had 2 months that I had to cross off, and start all over again with just 1! It was awful, I cried and cried..lol. But I have to say it went by quickly..and I'm in the 6th month now with my surgery happening in the next few weeks. And the bonus is- I lost just about 30 pounds pre surgery!

You must be so relieved! I can't wait until I hear that news too...I have to go to a cardiologist next week and then they said they would approve me..I had to postpone it because of my insurance but I just got it back today! I am on my WAY! Makes me a little worried tho because what if they say they need something else all of a sudden after that, u know? I guess I will find out.

Hey Everyone, I've been reading old posts and saw somebody say that Medicare doesn't pay for fills...but that was in like 09 I think...Does anybody know if that has changed? And if not, do you know how much it usually costs for a fill appointment? Up until I joined this forum, embarrassing as it is I actually had no idea there were fills! I just thought my insurance would pay for the follow up appointments and I'd be all set...Also, I live in Connecticut and I'm having the surgery at the Backus Weight Loss Center. Thanks in advance. -Stephanie

Well I would ask your doctor but my doctors care instructions say to start walking as soon as you possibly can- granted you feel ready ...and it says that even vigorous workouts will not effect the incision. I plan to start my workouts ASAP after mine is put in!

I would think yes, just don't overdo it you know? You should be okay just for that one night...especially since its before surgery.

OMG- Catherine, you look SO GOOD! I read your blog a bit and totally agree with you when you said you didn't exactly "feel" as fat as you looked in the pictures....(actually you don't even look bad in that pic either) because that is how I feel! When I look at myself in the mirror and make myself look nice, I look so much better than I do in a photo. I see the picture and I'm this huge round blob and can't even understand how that's me! Did you get any loose skin? My mom had gastric bypass and pretty much had the same success you did except I think she was a little bigger before, and she got a bit of loose skin that insurance won't cover, and she can't pay to get rid of, and it makes her self conscious. Its not terrible though...she looks a lot like you do in your after photos!

Thank you! I can only hope I am as successful as you were when I get my band put in..I'm 24 years old and very excited to live life as a thinner person! (not too thin, but thinner..lol)

I'm doing the same thing actually although I haven't made myself one yet...lol. I just bought the Whey Protein at Wal Mart it was $15 for a huge tub of it...the brand is Body Fortress and its vanilla flavor. I'm also planning on getting the chocolate flavor too.. I plan on trying it tomorrow and if I don't like it I'm just gonna get the Sugar Free Carnation Instant Breakfast...because I know I like those....even thought they will probably be more expensive.

Well when I was thinner years ago I was a size 9 or 10...but since I've gained so much weight I am now a size 11 or 12! And my feet are SOO wide too! I feel like my feet are humongous compared to other people. Once I loose the weight I'm sure I will be back down to my normal size that I used to be...and my mom had gastric bypass and said that it will, it happened to her too!

I haven't had the band yet but I'm terrified of loose skin for one. For two I've been a little freaked out about not being able to eat pasta for a very long time.. anything Italian is like my favorite foods ever...I eat it almost every single day and its what made me fat I'm sure... of course the insurance denying me is another thing I'm afraid of...but I'm sure that won't happen since I have multiple things wrong with me because of my weight, including an APAP machine for sleep apnea.