NYTeacher

Thank you to all the bandsters who started with high initial weights and are sharing their success stories here. Because we are just at the beginning of this process,,it is really inspiring to hear these stories.

That must be disappointing Mara. I know in the scheme of things one day is othing, but when you are psyched to get it done, any delay is frustrating. Having my surgery at NYU.

I'd love a NYC get together. The only thing is, and I know it shouldn't matter, is that I will be the heaviest one. That said, I'd like to meet you all.

Hi Karie, I gave to agree this board doesn't get much action. My BMI is 64---anything over 60 means I have to get cardiac clearence before the surgery. Since I have arthritis in my right knee, they are going to have to chemically "stress" my heart. Ugh!

Hey NYC girl--- I'm nowhere near those sizes but I both live and grew up on the upper west side. It's strange, but its comforting to know my neighbors include bandsters. Congratulations on your losses. Where we're you banded, and how long ago? My surgery date is October 15 at NYU.

Although my TSH level is only slightly elevated, 5.06, the insurance coordinator has said she has seen the insurance company deny approval. I guess they use the excuse that the slightly off level indicates I could lose the weight without surgery if only I had a normal thyroid. I am now on medication with a date set for 10/15. Does anyone else have experience with trying to quickly ge their thyroid under control?

I start October 1 with 1000 calories made up of prtein shakes and 2 CPUs of vegetables. I've been trying out various brands and flavors. I'm really glad I'm doing the taste tests.

Just got an October 15th date!

I just finished a really great book called "Drop Dead Healthy" by A. J. Jacobs. In the book he described how he broke a habit of eating sweets. He made a contract with his wife that if he ate sweets, she would send his money to a group he hates. In his case, it was the American Nazi party. He said it completely broke his habit be because even looking at sweets made him think about supporting them with his money, and the thought repulsed him. I've made a similar deal with my husband, using a different group. If I cheat at all, the check gets sent. I know I can't live the rest of my life like this, but in the future I'll have the band to help. I'm afraid if I don't do this, I'll rationalize, a little of this or that....

Thanks for the answer. I've already done my six months. My appointment is tomorrow and in my dream world my surgery would be two weeks from tomorrow.

Love reading this. My surgical consult is next week. Can anyone tell me the amount of time it took from consult to surgery?

I am so glad I found this bit of the forum. My highest was 401 in March. I'm now at 385. My surgical consult is next week and as I have been following all my insurance protocols, I hope I don't have long to wait. I feel very selfishly grumpy at those who are starting kind of near my goal. I would truly love to get under 200! I haven't been there in 22 years. Also thanks to those who have posted about their ongoing successes!