Thats All Folks

Yup I've seen the same. I used a cane all the time when I was at my heaviest. Thankfully, as I've lost weight I've been able to build the strength in my legs so that I no longer need the cane. But, I have Multiple Sclerosis and this past May I had a bad relapse and needed the cane again for a couple weeks. The difference in how I was treated with it was nothing less than astounding. People were eager to offer help, hold doors, and give me empathetic kind smiles. When I was over 400 pounds and used the cane, I swear people would just let doors drop shut in my face and no one cared. No one offered to help and people would look at me with disdain. ...but in all fairness, I'm treated very differently in all aspects of my life since losing weight, not just when I had to use the cane. It's awful but people very much judge on appearance and make assumptions based on it.

Mine was covered but that is because it was deemed medically necessary. I've had a history of very large hernias for the last decade. Last August I even had one become strangulated. Because of the severe damage to my abdominal wall due to the recurring hernias, losing 200 pounds, and the fact I had excess skin that hung below my pubic region my insurance covered a full tummy tuck combined with hernia repair. From what I understand, my case is definitely the exception not the rule. Most people struggle just to have their excess skin removal covered by insurance. It's extremely rare that a full tummy tuck is covered. Best wishes.

I eat the 100 calorie packs, too. Never had a problem with it. Btw, it is a slider for me. Big time.

I would call your doc ASAP. Do you know if he put fluid in your band during surgery? I suspect he did and it's too much.

20 pounds in a little over a month is a lot of weight to lose. Your body needs to recover and stabilize not only from the rapid weight loss but from surgery itself. Weeks, even months, with no loss is a normal part of the weight loss process. Just keep doing what you're doing and the weight will start coming off again. Remember, you didn't gain the weight overnight and it won't be gone overnight, either. Best wishes.

Heh, get used to it! It will be like that until you reach your goal weight. I've actually bought clothes for special events and completely missed the size entirely because by the time it came to wear it, the outfit was already too big. If it's something special that I really want to look good for, I wait until a week or two before the event to buy clothes. It's the only way I can be sure it'll still fit. ..but...it's a great problem to have You're almost there. You'll do wonderfully, I have no doubt!

Honestly, it sounds like you should consider counseling. food addiction is real and sometimes we need very real help to overcome it. The problems you describe are psychological not physical. There is a saying we have around here "the band goes around your stomach, not your brain". The band is great at dimming our hunger and helping us need less food to be satisfied, but it can't and won't change unhealthy relationships and addictions to food. You can do this, you just may need a little professional help to do it. Best wishes.

I actually wondered if my cup size is bigger than a DD. It's just so awkward because of the skin. My daughter thinks I should get professionally measured and the more I read, I think it's probably a good idea.

My doctor has no problem with non-carbonated alcohol once in awhile (after healed from surgery) but says it shouldn't be a regular thing. I do have a drink once in awhile but I'm always careful to count the calories against my daily allowance when I do.

So I just got back from Kohls. That sucks so hard core! They had a huge selection of bras on sale but it's freak'n impossible to find 36DD! There were a ton of smaller sizes, and even 40-42DD, but I was lucky to find one 36DD in each style. I tried on at least 8 different bras. Platex, Maidenform, Warner, Olga, Vanity Fair and Bali. The problem I'm having is the dang excess skin. I am finding if the bra cuts too deep between the girls, I just icky skin squishing up the middle. If they don't have good side support I have skin hanging over the bra. UGH!! I did get one made by Bali with light padding, no underwire, but good lift. It's not the best in the world but it's still a lot better than what I was wearing. I'm definitely going to keep trying others on this thread, too. Thank you ladies!! <3

Excellent article, Jean. Yes, being successful with the band is work but it's definitely not "too hard". I personally think our society has gotten very lazy as a whole and we all want immediate gratification without having to do anything to get it. Well, no matter which way people to choose to lose weight, there is no immediate gratification and it is work. The band is no different.

Very normal. Banded tummies are notoriously loud tummies. I think the biggest adjustment is realizing that grumbling doesn't mean hunger once you're banded. Too often people hear their stomach rumble and assume they're hungry- but their not.

Ok ladies, after losing 227 pounds I've gone from a 52G/H to a 36DD bra. The problem is, my girls are awful. No really, they're very droopy and sometimes I swear there's more skin than breast tissue. They need some serious help so I don't look like an issue of National Geographic gone horribly wrong. So, I'm looking for your input. For those of who have bigger boobs, like a D cup or more, what bra do you prefer? I need something with lift but also some light padding in the cup so the girls don't look odd shaped. But, not too much padding because I don't want to look bigger and not "push up" because I'm not trying to be cleavage queen, either. Just some shape and to hoist the girls back up where they belong. Thanks ladies!!

If you can't keep liquids down, you can't wait until Tuesday. You will become dangerously dehydrated long before then. I'd call your doctor's after hours number ASAP. If he doesn't have one, I'd go to the ER of the hospital he works at and have them call him in to unfill you.

It depends on your anatomy and how tight your band is. But, it's important to remember the band's job isn't to physically stop you from eating and if you're eating until you feel full you're likely eating too much. The band is meant to allow you to feel satisfied on much less food for a much longer period of time. If you listen to your body and the band, it'll tell you when you're no longer hungry but it won't act like your food police. It's your job to stick to band size portions and not over eat. Best wishes.

Definitely meet with a nutritionist. It's crucial for success with the band to have a good nutritional understanding. Plus, weight loss and diet isn't "one size fits all". What works for one doesn't work for all. A nutritionist helps you find what's best specifically for you. Not everyone restricts carbs, btw. I've lost over 220 pounds and I don't restrict or even count carbs. I make sure to get at least 60g of Protein in and never exceed 1200 calories daily but I don't track my carbs. Like your doctor said, I just stay away from white carbs or any label that say "enriched" or "bleached". Best wishes and good luck on your journey.

Everyone is different so no one can answer that for you. Unfortunately, for many of us it never departs, especially if it's already hanging down. It turns into a skin apron that continues to hang and is the reason many of us (myself included) need surgery to remove it. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones, though. Keep your fingers crossed.

It won't hurt you per say, but it 1 tablespoon of regular creamy peanut butter is about 95 calories. That could add up REALLY fast so if you eat peanut be sure to add against your daily calorie allowance.

Talk to your doctor. It could be one of a thousand different reasons.

Once you're safely past surgery and your doctor gives the ok- yes.

Oh that is complete crap!! I can't believe they'd deny you for such a small gain. I mean, you're trying to get bariatric surgery for a reason. Obviously weight is an issue, what do they expect?! Stick with it. I know it'll be hard but you can do it.

Holy cow, those pictures left me momentarily speechless. My heart truly goes out to you. You offer very wise words of advice. You're totally right, even with the most routine surgeries when absolutely everything is done right, things can go wrong. I think too often we go into elective surgeries without realizing there is always a risk involved. I never had to deal with what you are, but I too came out of an elective surgery that ended up in hell. To make a long story short, I ended up with life threatening blood clots and 8 days in the ICU after having a tummy tuck/hernia repair. Like you, I did everything "right". I didn't smoke, I was very active, I even had blood thinner shots after surgery. But, it wasn't enough and it almost took my life. I will definitely be keeping you in my prayers.

Plateaus are normal, however my experience is that I have to eat more to lose. I usually keep my calories at about 1200 a day. If I eat less than 1000 calories my weight loss slows.

I won't lie, I seriously hated the sleep study. They stick the little sensors everywhere, wires hanging off all over the place, hook you up to a machine, then tell you to sleep. If that wasn't bad enough, they tell me I can't sleep on my stomach and that is how I usually sleep. They also tell me that while I can sleep a little on my side, they need me primarily sleeping on my back. I swear that was the longest night ever. Every time I started to actually doze off I knocked a sensor loose and had the nurse hovering over me in the dark to replace it- which in my groggy state always scared the crap out of me. I didn't feel like I slept a wink but apparently I did sleep enough for them to get some results. I did have a sleep apnea and had to do it again with a CPAP. That second night was even worse than first because now I had a zillion wires and the mask to contend with. I won't even lie, the entire experience sucked hard core. I'm not trying to freak you out, but you asked so I'm just being honest. At least it's painless.

Congratulations!!! That's awesome!!