PattyGirl66

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Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Congrats that is good news

Dear candy Bowl,
I noticed this morning that you've been refilled by some well-meaning member of my team.
I also noticed that shiny Cadbury Creme Egg sitting there in the midst of all those other naughty treats.
And I walked right past you. Sure, I may have glanced your way for a minute, but don't misread that as a sign of weakness!
I don't need you any more. Yeah, you heard me.
I've moved on, mister. Edamame may not be as flashy as you are, but he's reliable and has always treated me better! I'm better off hanging with him and his friends Almonds, tuna and Yogurt - they might not always take me for that wild sugar-rush ride, but they're dependable and they don't drag me down! They make me feel better about myself - you never did that for me and you never will.
Goodbye, Candy Bowl. It's been nice knowing you.
I feel sorry for the next silly girl that falls prey to your good looks and fast moves!
Sincerely,
Eye on Onederland

Called my insurance today. It does cover lap band!

Congratulations on even being here and asking questions. I spent a lot of time on these boards before registering. Definitely go to a free seminar in your area... I did that and it was a great first step. You ask all the questions you want and more importantly there are (typically) people there who have previously been banded or had bypass. They were more resourceful than the doctors and I found they loved answering questions and offering encouragement. I'm not sure if insurance will cover me but I'm prepared to self-pay by financing over time. That's another option for you to look into. Good luck to you!

One thing to consider with a band and no insurance is after-care. With a band, you have to have fills or the band does you no good. Many surgeons offer fills for a period of time in their fees, but after that, you are on your own. Fills can cost a few hundred dollars per. My surgeon wants me to have an Upper GI each year. That would be another cost. Bands are not a set-it and forget-it procedure like bypass is.
Should you have a complication down the road and need the band removed, such as erosion, it is another full surgery. If your band should slip, treatment starts conservatively, but can end up back in the operating room.
If all goes well, banding is cheaper than bypass. I've seen amounts around 10K in the states for a band, I don't know what after is included in that price. Bypass would be substantially more as the procedure takes quite a bit more time to complete.
There are many self-pay people here who are extremely happy with their choice. But be sure you can afford the aftercare. If you cannot have fills, then it isn't worth it. And empty band is like an empty gas tank...it just sits there going nowhere fast.

@JME, I fully agree with the poster above. You need to go speak with a bariatric surgeon, ask tons of questions. Do a lot of research on what surgeries you are thinking of having. It really is a personal choice when it comes to weight loss surgery. I am the same weight as you and I am a woman!!! I am happily married and my husband married me at 280 and I have only gained since. I can't live like this anymore, I can't move around freely, the struggling just to do simple things like walk, bend, is so difficult.
You came to the right place to start, stick around and read and ask as many questions, there are so many supportive people on this site. You will learn so much!
Keep us all posted on your progress,
-Patty

Agree with both posts your surgeon is your best bet for which will work for you. There is also a third option you did not mention, Gastric Sleeve. I strongly suggest you attend a WL Seminar in your area so you can make an informed decision. Meeting and talking to experts can help you make the right decision for your personal weight loss journey. This is a life changing decision and you need to make it with your doctor. Good luck to you.

@JME, I fully agree with the poster above. You need to go speak with a bariatric surgeon, ask tons of questions. Do a lot of research on what surgeries you are thinking of having. It really is a personal choice when it comes to weight loss surgery. I am the same weight as you and I am a woman!!! I am happily married and my husband married me at 280 and I have only gained since. I can't live like this anymore, I can't move around freely, the struggling just to do simple things like walk, bend, is so difficult.
You came to the right place to start, stick around and read and ask as many questions, there are so many supportive people on this site. You will learn so much!
Keep us all posted on your progress,
-Patty

Your best bet is to find a surgeon who does both surgeries and speak with him/her about your medical conditions to help you make an informed decision. Some surgeons prefer bypass for someone with a BMI as high as yours, but there are bandsters here who were around that BMI and have done well.
Most surgeons offer an information seminar. That is a great place to start. Mine offers side-by-side comparisons of the procedures to help you determine which is best.
Every person here has their own reasons for choosing to be banded. But I made the decision I did with the help of my surgeon based on my medical needs. There is no one size fits all for which procedure is right.

I refer to bread as my 'other' lover. LOL I know once I am banded I will probably no longer be able to eat it, but to be honest i don't care its what got me to where I am So, I shall have my last affair with bread before I am banded and say my goodbyes and we shall part forever...

Yes, my nutrionist affiliated with my surgeon also recommended Bariatric Advantage. Really I had no clue and purchesd a large bag like a fool $59 and don't like it. Through trial and error I have found so many other Protein powders out there that are delicicous (to me). I really perfer "UNflavored" Protein Powder because I can mix it with anything. I found unjury and Now's unflavored protien powder is the best for me. Now, I have found for myself that "Pure Protein" chocolate Protein powder is very good and at $17 for 2 pounds of it you can't go wrong. The nutrional value is great, and you get lots of protein in a scoop.
Honestly, it is going to be through trial and error you will find your favorite, best of luck

This is a great story ... Had you not called who would of known! Best of luck to you and keep up the great job you are doing great. 20 lbs down in one month is a huge deal, congrats!!!

@Choy, congrats!!!!
Keep us all posted on your progress, and the best of luck to ya!!!!

I was thinking of when I weighed 169 pounds right before I had my daughter, although I was only 17 I remember being very firm and very athletic. I would deff describe my built as a large frame. I haven't been under 200 pounds in over 29 years so I have no clue what it even feels like. The closest I ever got down to was 259, I have to say I really felt good and comfortable even at that weight, even though it didn't last long before I would jump right back up to 300. This is my heaviest ever right now, i had gained 70 pounds in 9 months of 2011. I was soon diagnosed with having an underactive thyroid and I don't know if that amount of weight gain contributed to it.
I think out of everything I learned with my ups and downs with the weight is how tiring it becomes, the feeling of being so uncomfortable has to be the worse. Moving, simple things like bending and just getting around is complicated at this weight.

for me, i am setting mini-goals. For my overall end-goal, I would love to get to 160 which i think i could maintain...if I get to 150 that would be AMAZING...I ended up putting 135 as my goal...135 seems like a far-fetched dream to me, but it would get me right in the range for a normal BMI. So, after I hit 160, we'll see how I feel.

2 1/2 yrs ago when I first had my surgery, my doc gave me a goal of 150. Than when I started going to the gym about 6 mths later, my trainer gave me a goal of 165 (she wanted something more realistic). The closer I got to either of those goals, the more I wanted to lose. I'm now at less than 150 and trying to get to 135. That's my new goal. I wish we could take pounds off where we needed to lose them - as my legs are so skinny they barely hold me up. I look like a marshmallow being held up by 2 toothpicks! The last time I saw my dr was in Jan - and I weighed 155, so this next appt (Mon) he will finally see me at HIS goal.
GOOD LUCK!
Marci

@eyeononederland - I really came up with a number that was realistic, although when I met with the psycologist he told me I would still be obese at 190 for what my bmi would be. Well, I will take 190 compared to what I weight now anyday. To me that is realistic, if I can get lower that would be awesome.
However, I will just take it one pound out a time

I originally set my goal to 160 because I thought that was what I realistically could get to. Once I got there I set my goal to 150, then to 140. Once I reach 140 I will see how I feel and will prob aim for 135 just to say I lost an even 100. But honestly, I am happy where I am at and to stay under 160.

Thanks, Patty!! South Jersey/North Jersey- we aren't that far apart.

I take liquid vitamins and Calcium. I get them at the Vitamin Shoppe and my coop. Be aware that the flintstones and Centrum may contain artifical sugars, which are thought to cause and continue belly fat.
It costs more to get the liquid vits. but I know I am getting "the real thing" with no added sugar.

whooohooooooooooooo great reason to Celebrate

While I was losing I only plateaued two months in a row. I increased my Protein. I snacked on turkey with homemade low cal dip and it really helped.
Tom, Toronto
Banded July 6 06
Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

i EXERCISED ALL THE TIME. mAINLY WALKING. iT WILL BE UP TO YOUR DOC WHEN YOU CAN DO IT.
My mental status was terrific. and so should yours. Stay away from Jealous people and people who will try to sabatauge your sucesss.. Also dump your soda and get rid of the bread.rice, Pasta.

To all the moms like me working hard to be healthier for their families! Enjoy your day! We have struggled and are giving our all to be better examples and to live healthier, happier normal weight lives! Now that a reason to celebrate!