mrsto

Wow - I'm getting banded next Monday, and I hope I come through it like you! Congrats on the surgery. Wish I could comment on your question, but I'm still in the pre-op stage. You're on your way - good luck!

I kind of figured that. And if a rash is what they require as medically necessary, then I'll make sure I get a rash

Fabulous! I can't wait to reach a milestone

Rosie - there are some clear liquid Protein drinks in fruit flavors. The brands are Isopure and Cytosport. But I'm sure there are more. If you have Vitamin Shoppe where you live, go in a check it out. They have a lot of stuff to pick from. Other than that, I feel your pain. When I do even one day of clear liquids for a colonoscopy, I'm SO done. My doctor has us on clear liquids the first three days, then we switch to full (creamy) liquids. That lasts up to day 10, then we can add mushy foods. But is sounds like your doctor is conservative, and wants to make sure that you are healing properly before adding any extras. That's not a bad thing!

I read your profile and applaud your success. Though we all may have different demons, the common thread is using food to cope with life. It's a curse, and I feel hopeful that this time around will be very different. I'm 57 years old, and my body cannot take it anymore. I too feel that I sold my husband a lousy "bill of goods". Though my weight was on the upswing when we met (had already gained 25 pounds) I was still exercising and wearing a single digit size. Little did he know that I was on my way up, which continued to where I am today. We've been together for close to 8 years, and even though I'm a larger version of the me he met, he loves me for me. His concern is my health, because he wants us to live a long life together, and be able to enjoy an active lifestyle. He NEVER rags on me about my weight or what I eat. And he still thinks I'm beautiful, in spite of the excess baggage. As wonderful as the love and acceptance is, I still beat the hell out of myself. We are our own worst enemies, and I too struggled with serious depression at many different times in my life. I can't help but think that it comes with the territory. But as long as we stay true to ourselves, and get through each day doing something positive for our health, it can only improve.

Jim - I know all of those feelings; sitting in a chair....not squeeeeezing into it. Jeans fit, rings fall off, etc. When I lost close to 100 pounds 15 years ago, I experienced all of that. One would wonder how I could let it slip away, but that's why we're all here, now.

Jim - I think it's great that you and your wife will both be on the same track. It really helps, and will open the door to many new "healthful" things you do together; walking, hiking, biking......whatever you like to do. But it's great when shared together

Thanks for the explanation.. I hope to be writing about some NSVs very soon!!!

This may be a dumb question, but what does NSV stand for? I've seen it in different forums, and I can't quite figure it out.

I keep telling my husband that eating with me is going to be very different. He tends to eat quickly, and when we go out he's going to either slow down, or sit there & wait for me to finish. He knows it's healthier for him to eat slower, so he's looking at this as a way to improve his own health. When he was young, his family had very little money & food wasn't always plentiful. Though he does not have a weight issue, he cannot waste food; can't throw it in the trash, no matter how bad it is. With my upcoming surgery, I'm preparing him that some food might be left at the restaurant, or some might go into the trash. Though I do not like to waste food either, I'm okay with it....sometimes. Struggling with my weight most of my life, there have been MANY times I'd stuff myself silly & throw the rest of whatever (the evidence) away. Excess food is better in the trash, than inside and out of my body

I would call your doctor ASAP and let them know what's going on. I haven't been banded yet, and can't comment from experience. But what you're experiencing doesn't sound normal, and all the vomiting can cause the band to slip. Best to get it checked out sooner than later.

My neighbor told me that insurance will pay for one plastic surgery after WLS. Does anyone know about this? She had a gastric bypass, and is now funding the north wing of her plastic surgeons home - LOL! But she did say that her insurance paid for the first surgery. She's had it ALL done; arms, legs, hips, face, breasts..... A little over the top, but it makes her happy :-) She is in her mid-60s, though.....and I can't think going under the knife so many times can be a good thing. But I'll tell ya, if insurance pays for one, I'm SO there!!!

Congrats to both of you!! I love reading these posts! With my surgery just around the corner, it's so helpful to hear of great success with the band

I'm going to have the plication done with my band a week from today. I'm doing it for this very reason. From what they know at this point, it dramatically minimizes the potential for slips, and fills are less frequently needed. That, and that it reduces the stomach capacity to 1/4 of normal capacity.

The band will help with how much food you eat at one time, but it will not help you make the right choices of what to eat. Can you eat a pint of ice cream with the band? YES, you can. Can you eat two slices of pizza? NO, most likely, not. Band or no band, it's up to you to do the work. There aren't any guarantees, so if this seems like an easier avenue to get to where you want to be, you may want to re-think it. I don't know where you are located, but Overeaters Anonymous may be a helpful venue for you. I totally understand the head trips, and issues of distorted body image. I've been very thin; actually a bit too thin at one point. Even then, when I looked in the mirror I saw more weight to lose. For your sake, I hope venturing out into something pretty extreme for where you're at, doesn't bring on more serious issues for you down the road; physically and emotionally. I wish you all the best.

I know that some other countries do not adhere to some of the strict criteria we have here in the USA. Though the LB is the least invasive weight loss surgery out there today, it's still surgery, and comes with risks. Any doctor, no matter where they are from, who would consider surgery on someone with your stats, should have their medical license revoked. That's just my humble opinion.

I'm not a doctor, but going through surgery and such an extreme life change, seems like a lot for a relatively small amount of weight to lose. I don't know how tall you are, but unless you've been ALL over the map with large weight fluctuations, I can't imagine that a doctor would perform this surgery on you.

Is 150 the highest weight you've ever been?

Parisshel - LOVE your post Articulate and OH so true! I especially love the comparison to the nicotine patch, and how a LB is the patch for the obese. I will keep that in my back pocket, and use it when negativity comes my way. And you are so right about suffering not being virtuous. A very close friend of mine's husband lost a lot of weight; exercises on a regular basis, and is obsessed with staying on his program. I applaud him for what he has achieved, and though he's become a zealot, I totally get it. What I DIDN'T like, was his comment to me to "do it the right way". This was before I seriously considered WLS, but he was eluding to my previous use of diet pills. My last comment in my above post about the "sanctimonious", was a direct response to that interaction with him. 15 years ago (and other times as well), I dropped 90 pounds with diet pills. I maintained that loss for a good 5 years, but let it start slipping, blah blah....we all know the story Though I had great success (to me, 5 years maintaining a size 6 was great success), it was still "the wrong way" to him. Though I have not mentioned this surgery to him, I'm sure my girlfriend has, and I'm sure he has strong opinions about it. He told me that he will NEVER be fat again, and I told HIM that his use of the word "never" was scary to me. How many times have any of us lost a lot of weight & thought we had it licked? With this disease, we're NEVER (I'll use the word now) cured; we can only take it (not to be cliche) one day at a time. Thanks again for your post.....it really hit home.

I looked on the main page for people in Southern California. It seems no one has posted in those location specific forums in over two years. Or, at least not in California. Oh well......

Sandiburn - I use the MFP application on my phone, and love it for tracking my calories, Protein intake, etc. One day I went on the site & checked out the forums. Like you, I couldn't relate to much of it. Of the millions of people in those forums, not all have a serious weight issue. Some struggle with only 10,15, 20 pounds. In the WLS forums, you don't find any of those people, and who participates here are those who share the lifelong struggle with obesity. I found this forum last week, and now check in every day. LOVE the support, and it's so helpful to read of others struggles AND success. Welcome aboard!

Rosie - BRAVO for you! There will always be people who absolutely don't get it, and have strong opinions. But these are people who have their own agenda, and their judgment is based on ignorance. When I first started seriously exploring WLS, I didn't tell anyone except my husband (of course), my immediate family and my best friend. Part of me was embarrassed that I couldn't take control & handle this without surgical intervention. And most certainly, there will be people to mirror that self-judgment. I had this very same conversation with my best friend, yesterday. My surgery is a week from tomorrow, and I told her that I wasn't going to discuss it with anyone. Her feeling is, why not? You are taking control of your life, and what you're doing is a very brave thing. I told her that I felt that people would be watching me under a microscope, and I can't handle that. It's already a lot to deal with, without having all eyes on me. The reality is, I'm self employed......work from home most days, and who is really watching??? All that being said, I mentioned to one of my clients, that I would be off the radar the week of 3/25. I told her that I was having surgery. She asked, what, and I told her. She was very supportive; told me a couple of her friends had WLS, and both are very happy. When I went to the Vitamin Shoppe to pick up my Protein, Vitamins, etc.; as I was standing in front of ALL the protein powders, the woman helping me already knew what I was doing, based on the criteria of the protein I was looking for. I told her that I wasn't really talking much about it, and she said "WHY.....you're taking control of your health, and should be proud of what you're doing". After months of preparing for this life change, I'm now getting comfortable with the idea of being open about it. And as everyone in this forum stated above, we are taking the bull by the horns in doing what we need to do for our health. And anyone who has already had the surgery knows that it is NOT the easy way out! The band doesn’t do the work, we do! And anyone along the way with the "do it the right way-do it my way" attitude, can take their sanctimonious attitude & stick it.....(I'll stop here) LOL! Rosie – thanks for this post. It was very timely, as I’m right along side of you Please let us know how you’re doing after your surgery. I wish you ALL the best of luck!

Froggy - there is a new procedure that they can now do along with the band. It's lap band with plication. It's where they fold the stomach in on itself and stitch it with non dissolving sutures. Without cutting, stapling or rerouting intestines, they make the stomach the size and shape of the sleeve, then put the band on top. I've talked with many people who have had it done, and I will most likely have it with my procedure on March 25th. It's been shown to reduce various issues with the band (slipping, less fills, etc.) and gives that second tier of restriction. The beginning weight loss is suppose to be better than with the band alone. It's been done for about 3 years, but not currently approved by the FDA. Therefore, insurance does not cover it. But you may want to ask your surgeon about it. Just another option that isn't invasive, like the bypass, sleeve, etc. Of all options, the gastric sleeve seems the most dangerous, especially in the beginning. As mentioned by SashaWLS above, if those staples leak, you could be VERY sick and in the hospital for months. That's I risk I cannot afford. FYI - I was scheduled for a bypass last month, but freaked out ten days prior. TOO extreme, and since I have less than 100 pounds to lose, I feel that the less invasive procedure is the way to go (for me).

For 2012, unreimbursed medical expenses are deductible on your taxes, but only if the medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. For instance.....if your adjusted gross income is $50K, then you could deduct medical expenses over and above $3,750. Given this, if you were out of pocket $6K on the surgery, you could deduct $2,250 of it. When you figure this out at year end, make sure to pick up all of your copays, prescriptions, eyeglasses, contact lenses.....ALL medical that was not reimbursed by insurance. Your accountant would be the best source to advise on on this overall.

d9leigh - how many nights total were you in the hospital? I'm scheduled for the 25th, and my doctor says it's outpatient. If there are any issues, I can stay one night, but they don't expect that. But I have to wonder, since I'm doing LB with plication, gallbladder removal, and a repaired hiatal hernia, is it really a good idea to send me home after all that?? I'm most concerned about the nausea I keep hearing about. To me, there is nothing worse than feeling that way