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Birdy18

LAP-BAND Patients
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  1. Like
    Birdy18 got a reaction from nglalainenin in One Month Out Today   
    Amazing update and congrats on the weight loss - that is so fantastic! I grew up as a competitive swimmer, so it's encouraging to know that you're swimming so quickly after surgery! One thing I always associated with swimming was being absolutely FAMISHED afterwards.. do you find that you're still (relatively) hungrier after swimming a few laps?
  2. Like
    Birdy18 reacted to PJ_Sleeve in Food Mourning   
    Hi Birdy18, I went through this before when I initially got the lap-band. I have to agree with EmyWemy...it is weird when you try some of your "favorite" foods again, you may realize they may not be your favorite's anymore. Also, keep in the back of your head that you will eventually be able to eat with your family again. You may just make some different choices. Now that I am scheduled for lap-band to vsg revision on September 17th, I have to go throug this whole thing all over again. :0) Looking forward to reading more of your blogs!!! It sounds like you are doing great!
  3. Like
    Birdy18 reacted to SleeveandRNYchica in Food Mourning   
    Hang in there! I totally understand the cultural and social aspects. It is the center of my world. It is sad but true. It will get better. From what I have read on here so many people go through the same thing. You are doing great and should be very proud.
  4. Like
    Birdy18 reacted to EmyWemy in Food Mourning   
    Hi Birdy18...After reading this I can understand your anguish and disappointment on not having a 'last hurrah meal'. After being home from surgery it was somewhat hard for me to watch others eating the very foods that I loved to eat, especially at family get togethers where they are always based around food. As soon as I was able to eat/chew on protein I got my hands on what I thought I felt I was missing out on, but you know, it wasn't as fabulous as I thought it was going to be. That's just my experience with it, but still have 'head hunger' issues that I deal with from time to time. Hope you're coping with it as best you can...
  5. Like
    Birdy18 reacted to phoenixgen2 in Three Weeks Out...   
    You will be able to enjoy those events again. You will be able to go out for dinner with friends and family and still have a wonderful time. My biggest fear what thinking that I would never enjoy wonderful holiday meals or birthday cake, or sushi ***ht, etc again, but I realized that I will. I can still eat those things, just in much smaller portions. If anything I think it will make me savor and appreciate the food that much more and be able to focus on the people around me at these times.
    Just remember that it is not about the food that you eat, but the company you keep.
  6. Like
    Birdy18 reacted to jennrus in Three Weeks Out...   
    I like how you explained it as your relationship to food. I find myself feeling loss of a relationship and sadness and I haven't had surgery yet! I keep thinking about events where food was the center and how I will no longer enjoy those events. I'm trying to give myself talks about the things I will be able to do instead. It's definately tough.
    Thank you for such an honest and personal share.
  7. Like
    Birdy18 reacted to tarakuk in 1St Day On Pre-Op Diet   
    I had to do liquids pre-op for 2 weeks and felt HORRIBLE for the first 3-4 days. Then, all of a sudden I was so energized and felt great for the duration. Hang in there....it gets better!
  8. Like
    Birdy18 got a reaction from ho11ieberry06 in Need Motivation   
    I get the feeling! I go in and out with struggling to get myself to go, and it's all a head game for me. I read something once that helped to make the head battle a little easier... just make your daily goal to just put on your gym clothes and get to the gym.. don't think about being miserable once your'e there or how much time you have to put in. Get over the hump of just getting dressed and going - that is totally doable! Then, once you're there, chances are you're going to do the rest.
    Sounds stupidly simple, but it worked for me!! Good luck!!
  9. Like
    Birdy18 got a reaction from ho11ieberry06 in Need Motivation   
    I get the feeling! I go in and out with struggling to get myself to go, and it's all a head game for me. I read something once that helped to make the head battle a little easier... just make your daily goal to just put on your gym clothes and get to the gym.. don't think about being miserable once your'e there or how much time you have to put in. Get over the hump of just getting dressed and going - that is totally doable! Then, once you're there, chances are you're going to do the rest.
    Sounds stupidly simple, but it worked for me!! Good luck!!
  10. Like
    Birdy18 got a reaction from Gijane2012 in Vertical Sleeve Talk - Thanks Alex   
    Hooray! Same doc and our surgeries are three days apart. I start my pre op diet next Monday - yikes! But you're right - I feel stronger and more confident in myself because of this site and people like you!
  11. Like
    Birdy18 reacted to traceyinflorida in Are Others Out There So Hesitant And Confused?   
    I went through similar journey of starting out planning on lap band a couple of years ago, changing my mind, trying diet and exercise again for a year (unsuccessfully) not wanting to do bypass (for same reasons you stated) then deciding on sleeve. I do not have all of your health concerns other than a very lumpy bumpy thyroid with very little function, but so far it does not have to be removed. I did have several scares with chest pain (one that scared me enough to go to the emergency room) that turned out to be nothing, but it was enough to remind me that I want to live to see my children graduate college, get married, have grandchildren, travel etc....but if I kept on my current course, I was surely decreasing my chances of making it that far. Then my friend, who had the RNY operation four years ago, ran the NY Marathon. She looked great, she felt great and now she had accomplished something as incredible as that! Where was I, I was at my highest weight ever, 272 lbs feeling fat, tired, uncomfortable, embarrassed and miserable. I decided enough was enough and I got started on the journey to have the sleeve. It took 8 months of meetings with NUT, getting all the required work done etc, required by my insurance company. I had many moments of second thoughts, especially when I had to go for tests and things I would have otherwise never done in a million years. When my surgery was finally set, I almost cancelled about 100 times, I was so scared. BUT I went through with it on June 4th and I can honestly say it was the best thing I ever did! There were a few times in the hospital and during my first week home that I questioned what in the heck did I do to myself, but now I am getting used to the plan and I am down over 40 pounds since surgery and have never felt better!
    My point in telling you all of this is that it is human nature to cling to our old way of life because we are scared and it is what we know. It is really scary and hard to face the unknown of how things will be after surgery (and for me I had NEVER had surgery of any kind, so I was also really scared of the unknown of what that would be like). The tests and all the visits are a pain, but need to be soldiered through with your eye on the end goal...YOUR HEALTH! In the end, this surgery has helped so many people improve their health and their lives in unbelievable ways. I just read a post of someone who after 9 months is down 90 lbs and off of her 12 meds! With all of your health issues, imagine what life would be like for you if losing weight nullified or at least alleviated most of them! It is normal to be scared and uncertain, but in the end, don't let that get in the way of taking control of your life and your health. YOU ARE WORTH IT! Good luck to you. My prayers are with you that you can find peace and calm going through this process and that you have a safe and successful surgery.
  12. Like
    Birdy18 reacted to Gijane2012 in It's Official... I'm Neurotic   
    Hey,
    I have BCBSIL/PPO too. You could not be as bad as me. I called them every other day (would've been everyday to check status). A little exaggeration there but I was on them. One thing I did and I am not sure if it helped at all but I wrote a letter and had it notarized and titled it an "Affidavit of My Experiences." I initially wrote letter June 25th and had it notarized. The insurance company had rec'd the info from my doctor's office, however they quickly responded requesting more information from provider. I wanted to at the time to send my own response (affidavit) but I held back because I thought I was being "neurotic." As time went by was becoming impatient and fixated on this (totally not my personality). Sherri was off work during holiday and insurance company stated they had not rec'd a response. By the time I talked with her and she indicated she had submitted papers to them, I did not care, I faxed my letter to them. It was 2 days later I called and found out I was approved to have defective band removed and to become Sleeved.
    I was the person who believed in natural progression and the journey. I am learning things are imperfect and I need to be more proactive. I thought to myself if the insurance company is going to "deny" me, I needed to feel I did all I could for them not to deny me. I don't know if the letter made a difference or if Sherri's submission did it alone. I know I will no longer take a back seat to things I have for so many years. I've always advocated for others (family, friends and clients at my job) and it is time I advocate for myself.
    Don't doubt yourself. Be ready for your next move. I called BCBS more than I called any entity. I thought they would be irritated but I realized "they" is an "entity" and entities have no feelings. I was like, it is not like the same person answered the phone.
    Hang in there and believe. I get the turmoil though so how you feel is natural. I have used this site to calm me down. I try not to overwhelm my friends that know of my new surgery. (I felt like a public failure with band so I limited those who know of impending Sleeve). Be encouraged and believe you are already approved.

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