BigDennis

Yep, we are pretty much a matched pair of drama kings and queens! I've only experienced yours though email, so I can only imagine what your hubs experienced! LOL Big hugs CG!!

Now, that is funny coming from you Ms. CG! LOL I'm just sayin...... What, I don't get any sympathy for being sheared like common sheep? LOL I hate it when you are right CG, I am definitely a Drama King!!

CG, one thing you can always say about BigD is that he is one truthful guy! I looked a little weird, once they shaved my tummy and chest for the surgery, but Mother Nature is slowly putting things back the way they were! LOL You know, I could actually be that "missing link" they've been looking for!

You are so welcome Deborah! If you are even a little bit insecure about how your incisions and resulting scars may look in the future, I would highly recommend using Mederma. Women tend to be a little more sensitive about these things, especially since certain outfits and bathing suits will not cover your surgical incisions. You've invested so much into becoming healthier and looking great, you should use the Mederma to maximize your progress! Dennis

My doctor highly recommended Mederma, so I used it often in the first couple of months. I probably should be using it now, but I simply have not replaced the empty tube at this point. It seemed to soften the scar tissue and fade my scars quite a bit. I'm kind of a hairy guy, so between the Mederma and my ape-like appearance, my scars are not that noticable. LOL Like CG said, if your incisions are a little on the large side, I would highly recommend using Mederma, but if they are already not too noticable, you could probably do without it. The stuff is a little on the expensive side, so you may want to look at some of the generic products that do the exact same thing, at a greatly reduced price too! Yep, I'm a penny pincher!! LOL

Once again, you are correct TX! This is just a phase you are going through and you will need to determine what is best for you during this phase. Trust me, soon you will soon be able to eat many of the foods you love and enjoy, so don't put to much effort into this regretting phase! It may be in much smaller portions, but the beauty of the band is that it will allow you to eat many of things you desire. This is a healing time for you, so take it slow and easy for now. Do the best you can to consume the required amount of protein and soon you will be well on your way to enjoying the foods you enjoy and living a much healthier lifestyle. Smile TX, you have a lot to look forward to!! Dennis

Happy 4th of July TX! I learned a little secret from my nurse brother that might help you immensely. It sounds like you are doing well with Soups, SO he recommends adding flavorless whey powder and boosting the Protein level! I love those EAS shakes as well, but the protein content is minimal compared to whey. Remember, look for something that will not affect the flavor of your soups to a great degree and you should do well. Sounds like you are progressing well!! Dennis

WOW, I just got my shot of motivation for today! That is wonderful that you have been able to drop 149 lbs and are living a much healthier lifestyle! I am adding you to my friend's list as we speak! Congratulations once again! Dennis

Excellent point! Our society, as a whole, refuses to accept the fact that obese people are absolutely the most targeted group for "legal" prejudice! You can see it in people's eyes when they believe you are 100% responsible for your body type, although genetics, biology, and other factors are key players. Humankind is the only species where we dictate everyone should fall within a certain height and weight category!

Drasan, I still meet folks who believe gastric surgery is some kind of miracle and it somehow removes all responsibility to eat properly and change the habits that got us here in the first place. The key word is "TOOL"! A tool is only useful if it is implemented and used safely and properly. I wouldn't expect to purchase a hammer and believe that nails would magically be driven into wood. I have to research new tools, understand their capability, understand my responsibilities, and then make the decision to move forth, based on those facts and data. The most important thing we can say to others considering the surgery is for them seriously determine exactly why they are overweight and the obstacles they face in becoming healthy. Unless those issues are understood and addressed, banding, gastric bypass, and other options simply will not work by themselves.

CG, You are awesome girl! I have to agree with you 100% on this one. I had lost all hope of every feeling good about myself and my weight was controlling my life. I was banded on April 26th, but I am feeling much better, have more energy, completely off blood pressure medications, and looking forward to the future! To summarize, I agree with CG, my life is better and would do it again! Dennis

It sounds like you've made up your mind to get healthy and do the right things for YOU! The reality is, you probably have a lot of family, friends, and other depending upon you right now and you are feeling the pressures. I am absolutely sure you will do fine, because you actually have a game plan to get back on track and deal with the stresses in your life. I am definitely looking forward to hearing about your successes soon! Take care bkmom! Dennis

BK, You will be just fine! You have the right tools, know how to lose the weight, and you know what your goals are. Sure you have to work through the mental part of losing weight and the issues with your new braces, but I am more than confident you will come out the winner! Thank you for sharing! Dennis

I think you hit the nail directly on the head! Our medical system is driven more by greed than any concern for the American people! Nothing is standard, nothing is managed, and they are free to charge anything their little hearts desire! The checks and balances for this industry is need of some serious overhaul!

Congratulations Jean! You are doing awesome and definitely have the right attitude too! Keep us up to date on all your successes! Dennis

I definitely cannot digest dry meats of any kind, whether it is chicken, fish, or other meats. If it is not fresh and moist, I either have to figure out a way to make it moist again or move onto something else.

When it comes to "party food" I usually start looking for the veggie and fruit trays. The downside is they usually have regular dressings and nothing fat free. I have been known to purchase those small restaurant sizes pouches and take them with me! Restaurants, I can usually depend upon baked chicken or fish, steamed veggies and a small salad. Sometimes the chicken may be a little dry and cause issues, but fish is always a GO for me! It will definitely be trial and error for quite some time, but you will figure out what works for you and stick with it. Good luck and let us know how the party goes! Dennis

I know how you feel kwood! My past two employers carried insurance that would not cover gastric surgery at all. I had actually stopped thinking about it when I discovered my present insurance did cover all types of surgery! That's the downside of living in a society where our healthcare is employer-based! I'm not a big fan of other country's systems, but I do know this one is broken!

I have BCBS of Texas with the 80/20 plan. The medical center billed BCBS a total of $65,000 and the negotiated or actual cost ended up being approximately $25,000. My total out of pocket cost was $1,150.00. So far, everything that has been billed since the out of pocket was met, has been paid at 100% by BCBS. I keep hoping there will be no "surprises", but so far I have been very pleased!

Keep in mind that for many of us, losing weight is a daily battle in the war against genetics as well. Some folks can eat 6 ounces of chicken breast and be fine and others may eat 4 and gain weight. What works for one person, may not work as well for you. You will eventually find that perfect combination and see results very quickly. Dennis

Tabitha, Weight loss surgery is only a tool to help us lose those excess pounds. You also have to learn how to eat the right foods and in the proper amounts. Most surgeons work in tandem with hospitals and offer support groups lead by nurses, dietitians, and other experts. I would highly suggest joining one of these groups or start seeing a nutritionist on your own. You will be surprised how well the combination of being banded and eating the right foods really is! Take care and I am looking forward to hearing about you successes soon! Dennis

You will do great! You've done your homework and know MOST of what you need to be successful. Just like anything new, you are simply getting a case of butterflies and uncertainty is setting in! Once you get into the swing of things, it will become the norm for you and the pounds will melt away! Can't wait to hear about your successes! Dennis

Dacoop, Congratulations on your weight loss! I once lost 135 lbs on the L.A. Diet and know exactly how you feel! You will definitely become more confident and it will show in everything you say and do! The most important thing to remember is never lose sight of who you are inside. Your family and friends love you for that person. Be sure to ensure your hubby how much you love him too, because he might feel a little threatened with other men taking notice!! LOL Dennis