chasingadream

….and yes, I agree, buying clothes now is sometimes daunting…especially when you were only used to wearing elastic….

…but if this is our new concern and worry…I AM ALL FOR IT!

Good job everyone…guess this makes us a big bunch of LOSERS!

I love putting on my makeup now and looking in the mirror before I head out the door for the day.

Before WLS…i got dressed and left …what a difference 92 pounds makes!!

I love shopping in the same store where I get my kids clothes (old navy a fav these days)….i love searching through the 12's-14's and not the 22 and 24's.

I love walking past a mirror and looking at myself and saying "hmmm….good job girl"

I like when people notice me….ME…and compliment me on my success. I'm learning to graciously accept compliment and not fumble out a response.

So if I'm VAIN……i'm all for it! Loving my band and plication!

Those are great questions…..

but only your insurance company can really answer those specific questions. They are the ones that are ultimately going to approve or deny you.

If it were me, I would call and ask to speak to someone who can help you with YOUR specific questions. I would get their name and ID # or any other pertinent information that you can refer back to if needed. I would also call a 2nd or 3rd time and ask the same question to other reps to make sure all of their answers are the same.

Everyone on here has had such different requirements with insurance companies that any answers would just be conjecture or guessing on what exactly YOUR insurance company is going to require.

And I agree with you…you don't want to go through all of this and then be denied which is why I think you should contact them and be as transparent with them as possible. I know dealing with insurance companies is VERY ANNOYING but better to know what is expected of you up front.

Just my opinion and advise…wishing you all the best….

Let us know how it goes.

Congrats and hang in there….

It is a tough period. If you are not getting your Protein in, be sure to call your docs office and find out if there are other options for you….must keep your Protein up as much as you can especially in the beginning….plus those shakes will help you feel full….water and coffee is not going to help you with the hunger…it will help with hydration as long as your coffee is Decaf.< /p>

As far as feeling miserable each day you will begin to feel better and better…you are only 3 days out of surgery…give yourself and your body a break…it will come….one day at a time.

Feel better and call your doc…thats what they are there for!

Hello all….

Hoping you can answer some questions for me….

I am interested in any information you can give me on DS from your experiences (good, bad and possibly ugly)

What is the protocol to get to surgery?

Pre-op and post-op diets/experiences (I know this will be different for all depending on doc)

How long is the surgery?

How long were you in the hospital?

How was your recovery? How long before back to work?

Are there foods you can/cannot eat?

Side effects from surgery?

Why did you chose this surgery?

This surgery is the one I know the least about and I have a family member who this procedure has been recommended for.

I had WLS surgery back in Sept (lap band w/plication) and am looking to find out more.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

You just had surgery…give yourself time to heal and readjust….it took about 10-12 days before I was really feeling like my old self. I was tired after returning to work….I spoke to my doc about it and they said it was normal….part of the healing process.

If you still feel this way be sure to check in with your doctor…they are the ones who will know best if it is normal or if you need to be seen or what you can do to help yourself get through it.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Worms, I hate worms.

LOVE IT …LOVE IT ….LOVE IT….

YOU KEEP ME LAUGHING OUT LOUD…THANKS FOR THAT!

Happily no vomiting here!

Welcome…wishing you all good things to come.

Keep us posted on how your are doing to get ready and approval.

This is a wonderful place with lots of great people sharing their stories (good, bad and sometimes ugly).

But we all have a story to tell.

Thanks for sharing yours!

Love that and much needed as of late…thank you for sharing that!

HI,

I've had what sounds similar happen 3 times since banding…Im thinking for me it was some heartburn (it was a burning sensation in my stomach area). Twice was after eating tacos…which i think was just spicy. Last week it was after some avocado (high in fat)…a glass of milk seemed to work for me…some say it coats your stomach from the acid. Don't know the specifics but it worked for me.

I will be speaking to the doc when i go for my monthly appt next week.

Interested to know what your doc says…please post when you know anything?

Don't worry…you reached out to your doctor…that was the best thing to do!!

Good luck to you…..

The past is the past and you cannot correct your mistakes….look forward to tomorrow knowing that you WILL succeed and follow your doctors orders to a "T"…so that you heal properly and see the success you are looking for.

After surgery I always remembered why I really chose this route…it was the hardest decision I've ever made and one of the best. Not everyday is peaches and cream but I take it one day at a time and success has been on my side so far.

Remember no one is perfect. We just have to do what we can to be personally successful….for in the end, no one will be accountable for you BUT YOU!

Your abdominal area was puffed full of air….gas pains happen different ways to different people.

If you are that uncomfortable be sure to check in with your doctors office…they will know the best ways to help you….sounds like you are following all your rules (good job!!! ) That is so important….so is being in contact with your doc if needed….thats what their job is all about!

My one piece of advice…don't worry about the scale and do not be a slave to it. My doc told me the first 6 weeks is ALL about healing properly and getting your mechanics down and if you lose weight…BONUS.

You just had surgery…give yourself some time to heal physically and sometimes emotionally. The weight loss will come….it will….just relax and feel better.

Best of luck to you!

Holy heck BATMAN ….you look amazing!

Way to go! What a wonderful accomplishment….thanks for sharing!

I agree with @@2muchfun speak to your insurance because each one has their own requirements.

I had 6 mos supervised diet….then 2 week liquid pre-op and 2 week liquid post-op then 2 weeks mushy foods then finally back to solids.

It is very individual according to your surgeon and insurance.

Good luck…keep us posted!

Definitely worth talking to your doctor about again and if he won't seriously listen to your concerns then I would try to find a new doctor.

Tell him YOU WANT the blood work done….its not costing him anything!!!!

It could be anything to nothing….band related or not….but you know your body and yourself best…and your doctor should be listening to your concerns and since you are obviously not feeling better you need to go back to him or find someone else.

No one here can diagnosis you or should be trying.

We are here to listen to you and provide support…please go back to the doctor and keep us posted as to what they find out.

Wishing you all the best…hope you feel better soon!

@@Galaxy Sorry you had a bad experience right from the beginning.

Any surgery should have a lot of research and questions asked prior to going through it, in my opinion. From your description you didn't meet the surgeon until you were being wheeled in for surgery--that is unfortunate especially since that is the person that should have been answering all of your question and concerns.

As far as scarring goes, I would think any surgery would leave some type of scar. Laproscopic procedures tend to leave much smaller and not as noticeable scars.

As far as not having the right procedure in regards to WLS…different surgeons will consider/recommend different procedures for the same exact person.

I was a food grazer….I didn't even know what hungry felt like anymore until I started on my pre-op diet.

Any WLS can be a success if the patient puts the work into it. I work hard and listen to my hunger signs more now. Do I still graze all day, no --my band and plication have helped to curb those habits. Do I still eat treats now and again, yes…even when I may not be hungry. I watch the # of calories going in and the # of calories I expend. I walk and walk and walk some more!!!

This surgery (lap-band) has been a success for so many people on here…people who are grazers, emotional eaters, high BMI'ers…all sorts of shapes and sizes with all sorts of emotional, personal, and health issues…it can be done….but work MUST be put into it.

This surgery has been a tool for me…and one that I work day in and day out and it IS working.

Wishing you luck and hope you find the peace you are looking for.

The port site can be sore for a while…my doc said it takes a good year for all that to fully heal up.

I was only allowed walking in the beginning so I can't really speak to the working out you are doing.

What are you allowed to do as per your docs orders at 3 weeks out? If in question give your doctors office a call….they are the best ones to answer your concerns.

Wishing you the best….let us know!

Your so welcome Chasing... Some people don't like them but I love them. They re truly a Protein bar not a candy bar with Protein.

Got my order from Quest and am working my way through them….LOVE LOVE LOVE the cinnamon roll…and the chocolate chip cookie dough was good. You are right they are not "candy-bar-ish" like the pure protein. Something new to add to the food pantry. Always good to add to the good food list arsenal!

Congrats to you….can you explain a vertical extension…thanks

@@wadeg7 What a wonderful job you have done and not just at losing weight!

You have changed your life in such amazing and powerful ways and I loved reading your story.

You are truly an inspiration….not just for the pounds you've lost but for the attitude you have developed towards eating and giving yourself a break on some days. I feel like you were speaking to me…so I thank you for that!

You look amazing and yes, seeing the pics always adds that element of WOW…..

Continued success and happiness!

Yup…rule follower here!!!!

Stop 15 minutes before and 30mins-1 hour after….

NO EXCEPTIONS! I don't even bring a glass to the table anymore…that ends that problem!

I don't really track (except in fitness pal-but thats more what i eat for the day) but I don't "count" my carbs for the day. I have some crackers with lunch and maybe a little bit at dinner. Hasn't had an impact on weight loss for me.

I try to concentrate on healthier choices….protein first always…and VARIETY….after all it is the spice of life…lol

For the first time in forever I don't feel like Im on a diet so Im with you @@enjoythetime i don't really focus on counting and tracking it!…and we've done okay!

@@JustWatchMe So happy for you…to be reunited with your daughter…having wonderful family time together….living your life….getting yourself healthy…and truly enjoying life as it was meant to be.

Congrats on enjoying and handling all of those wonderful food experiences in such a positive and exciting way.

Look forward to hearing more chapters in your adventure abroad.

Having fun and living life to the fullest…YOU GO!

Congrats…you are doing awesome…and the pics definitely help us see it when our own eyes don't!

Some days are harder than others but you can get through this...

Look how far you have come…you have had a great weight loss and stalls/plateaus whatever you want to call them are going to happen at times…especially when you arent making the best food choices.

I know for myself, in the past, when I hit a bump in the dieting road I would have gained weight back….you said you have at least held your own…that is an accomplishment all by itself. Would the pre-WLS you gained weight in a situation like that?

As for making poor food choices, I understand. I had surgery in september and some days I get a little complacent…lets see how far I can "push" things. Noone is perfect…each day begins anew for a reason. Just take one day at a time and do not beat yourself up for the past. It is over with and cannot be changed but you can focus on the here and now and make the best decisions you can.

As for the Protein shakes…I know my nutritionist says to get rid of those, I know many people use them, I do not. I eat all solid foods and it hold me so much longer. If you are exercising that much more maybe you need to up your Protein a little more…could that be why your hunger is worse. It sounds like you are still trying to find the green zone…..I hear it takes time…and patience. You can do it.

Look how far you have come…I always say to myself…"go ahead and go back to old ways….see where that will get you….how happy will you be then?". I hung a before and after pic on the kitchen refrigerator and in the bathroom….sometimes I just need to see it and remind myself how far I've truly come.

Hope that helps you in some way…keep us posted…good luck!