want2bthin

I had 2 oz of Boars Head Honey Ham slices. Cut 1/2 oz slice of Swiss cheese in half and rolled it up inside the ham to make 2 ham n cheese rolls. Quick and easy and goes down very well.

Thanks everyone for all of the nice compliments and your encouragement. To those of you who haven't had surgery hang in there. The physical, emotional and mental processes leading up to surgery are tough. I was where you are not long ago so I know. I learned so much on VST and am happy to answer any questions. Most of all be encouraged and keep a positive attitude. The first month was the hardest for sure but each day gets better and better.

Could I look any more miserable in my before photo? It was taken February 22 the day I started my preop diet and surgery was on March 7. Very happy with my results and feeling great!

I am five months out and I have never had a stall. For a long time I was losing half pound a day like you. Now it's slowed a little bit to on average .4 pounds a day which I'm still very happy with that. I usually only weigh myself once or twice a week and to those who have stalled if you're weighing yourself daily I would strongly discourage that. I also think that other reasons I haven't had a stall yet is because I eat very low calories – on average 500 a day even though my surgeon would prefer that I eat 800 cal. Also his postop diet is pretty strict compared to most. I cannot have any carbs other than fruits and vegetables until I am six months out and even then it will only be one serving a day. The only Carb I can honestly say I miss is pistachio nuts. One month more to go before I can have them :-)

Just make sure that you have proof of monthly weigh ins with the diet doctor and that he's not the same doctor has your gastric surgeon. Sounds like you have everything you need and I'm sure you should be approved quickly.

I have United healthcare too and they consider them two procedures. There are two different procedure codes. I was approved immediately for the band removal due to complications. I was denied by them twice for the sleeve surgery. I appealed a third time to my employer and finally won. I am thrilled with my sleeve. What a major difference over the band. I wish you all the best in getting your approvals. If they give you any problems appeal. Don't give up you won't regret it.

I also have United healthcare PPO and I was denied and lost two appeals with them. I submitted a third appeal to my employer. Since my employer self funds the insurance they eventually overturned United's decision. United did approve me right away for the lap band removal but they denied the sleeve surgery. Their main beef was that they wanted me to do a six-month preop diet again and I thought that was ridiculous since I had already done that to get the lap band, I had the band for six years so to me I had been on a diet effectively for the last six years. Thing is that just be safe I started the six-month preop diet and it was exactly at the six-month mark that the appeal was finally overturned. So if you already completed or are on the way to completing a six-month preop you'll probably be fine. If you run into problems and want more information on what I did to win, contact me by the message feature in VST I hope for your sake that you get approved quickly and don't have to go through what I went through. It was emotionally and mentally exhausting.

The best book I have ever read on this subject is titled "Shrink Yourself" by Dr. Roger Gould. Similar to the article above it captures types of food addictions and really deals with the psychological side of things. He also has a website with lots of free info as well as a 12 week program that you pay for and costs around $100. I went through the 12 week program and I never finished it but I found it very helpful. You have to finish it in a year or pay more $$ which is the reason I didn't finish it. It asks all kinds of questions on how you would handle different situations and then returns suggestions on what you should work on, stories of others who have struggled with the same thing, etc. So it is pretty personalized which is what I really liked. I still have the book and refer to it now and then. Another book which I learned about here on VST and downloaded the Kindle edition is "The End of Overeating". I think it cost $7.99 to download and it's been a good investment. I am almost finished with it. It deals with how today's food industry has evolved and essentially made us 'addicts' to ensure their company profitability, etc. Fascinating read... and really made me think. I highly recommend Shrink Yourself which I'm sure you can probably also download an electronic version of if you have a Smartphone, Kindle or Nook - or use those programs on your PC. Try Half.com for a used copy at a lower price. Hope this helps....

Congratulations to my sleeve sister since we had surgery on the same date this year. I'm so happy for you. I have 4.7 more pounds to go to join you in Onerland.

I couldn't agree more. I took my measurements the day I started my pre-op diet (2/22/12) and posted them on my VST blog for all to see. I have been doing very well on my program with what I eat and exercise, including going to a gym. When I was at the gym last night they took new measurements for me -- overall down 44 1/2 inches!! 2/22/12 7/5/2012 Weight: 286.2 214.3 - 71.7 LBS. Chest: 53.5 47.5 - 6 inches Waist: 49.0 43.75 - 5.25 inches Hips: 60 52.5 - 7.5 inches Bicep ® 21.5 17.5 - 4 inches Bicep (L) 21 15.25 - 5.25 inches Thigh ® 32 24 - 8 inches Thigh (L) 32 25.5 - 6.5 inches Calf ® 18 17.25 - .75 inches Calf (L) 18 16.75 - 1.25 inches TOTAL INCHES LOST: - 44.5 INCHES I am really amazed by this and would never know if it I hadn't taken those first pre-op measurements. So no matter where you are - if you haven't taken your measurements previously - do it now so you can compare against your future progress. I'm sure it will be especially helpful when and if I hit a stall (so far I've been fortunate that I have not yet). Thanks for posting this important reminder!

August 23, 2012: Still trying to figure out how this Blog works but figured it was time for another update. As of yesterday, I am down 90.1 lbs!!! Adding a Before/After photo and am updating my "Ah Hah" moments below.... Feeling 'on top of the world'!!! July 13, 2012: Achieved another 'Ah Hah' Moment today - under 210 lbs. Now down 77.6 lbs - WooHoo!! Happy July 4th to all. Figured it was time to update these again. Currently down 72 lbs since the start of my pre-op diet on 2/22; surgery was on 3/7. Check out my Photos for updated 'After... So Far...' pictures. Feeling great!!! Updates to my "Ah Hah" moments that I am looking forward to - in relatively random order: Weigh under 280 lbs -- Achieved -- 2/29/2012 - 10 lbs lost during 2 week pre-op diet Surgery complete -- Achieved -- 3/7/2012 Weigh under 270 lbs -- Achieved -- 3/14/2012 Weigh under 260 lbs -- Achieved -- 3/31/2012 Size 2X clothes fit again -- Achieved -- 4/4/2012 Weigh under 250 lbs -- Achieved -- 4/18/2012 Weigh under 248 lbs (personal significance) -- Achieved 4/20/2012 Weigh under 240 lbs -- Achieved 5/9/2012 Start Jazzercise Classes -- Decided to join LA Fitness and work with a Personal Trainer instead -- 5/23/12 Weigh under 230 lbs -- 5/29/12 (228.9 lbs) Weigh under 229 lbs (lowest with LapBand) -- 5/29/12 (228.9 lbs) No longer have to wear airplane seat belt extender -- Achieved 5/1/2012 - WOOHOO!!! Flew on six planes (different models) over the next three weeks with no Extender!! Size 1X clothes fit again -- 6/13/12 - some fit, not all - varies by brand of course Weigh under 220.2 lbs -- 6/18/12 (219.5 lbs) BMI less than 40 - graduated from Morbidly Obese to Very Obese -- 7/3/12 -- 214.5 lbs (BMI 39.9) started at BMI of 53.2 Weigh under 210.2 lbs -- 7/13/2012 -- now 208.6 lbs -- WooHoo I'm more than half way there! Weigh 206.2 - 80 lbs lost! -- 7/21/2012 -- @ 205.7 lbs Weigh under 200 lbs -- ONEDERLAND! -- 8/4/2012 @ 199.9 lbs Size XL clothes fit again -- approx 8/4/2012 Weigh 196.2 - 90 lbs lost! -- 8/22/2012 -- @ 196.1 lbs Sit with legs crossed - comfortably! -- 8/15/2012 Weigh under 190 lbs Weigh under 188 lbs (lowest while on WW in 2001 after losing 105 lbs) BMI less than 35 - graduated from Very Obese to Obese -- started at BMI of 53.2 Weigh under 186.2 lbs -- ONE HUNDRED POUNDS LOST!! Able to wear one of the cute sundresses I see at Flea Markets Go bike riding -- Achieved 5/20/2012 Bought a new bike and took it for a spin. Weigh under 180 lbs Size L clothes fit again -- 8/15/2012 and wear Size 16 tops/bottoms Weigh under 176.2 lbs -- 110 LBS DOWN Weigh under 170 lbs Weigh under 166.2 lbs -- 120 LBS DOWN Weigh 163 lbs or less - Wedding Day weight in 1983 BMI less than 30 - graduated from Obese to Overweight -- started at BMI of 53.2 Weigh under 160 lbs Size M clothes fit again Weigh under 156.2 lbs -- 130 LBS DOWN Weigh under 150 lbs Weigh under 146.2 lbs -- 140 LBS DOWN Weigh under 140 lbs Weigh under 136.2 lbs -- 150 LBS DOWN Go rollerblading Size S clothes fit?? Reach Goal Weight - 134 lbs!!! -- 152 LBS DOWN

Thanks so much to all who replied. I thank you for the compliments and loved seeing NSVs added from others as well. Your responses are so encouraging. To those who are still pre-surgery; it won't be long before you are writing your own NSVs. I was on this board for 6 months or so before having surgery and it was a great resource so I know where you are coming from. RosieSweetie - I loved your NSV about not having to worry about losing luggage since you can shop anywhere now. My husband and I love to cruise and we go on at least two a year. Of course the shops on board probably carry XL at the most. I've never been able to shop in them. We are going on our next cruise in August and, if things continue to go as they have, I should be able to pick up some cute top or something. In fact, now that I think about it I am going to make it a point to do so (even if I think the price is ridiculous which they usually are As we continue this journey together, please continue to share NSVs. I love reading them too! Susie

I'm on a business trip - the 2nd one I've taken since surgery and losing almost 67 lbs. - When I went to pack my suitcase I found that the majority of my suits no longer fit; fortunately I had two that fit nicely - looser than I ever remember being able to wear them. One of them has always been my favorite. - Wore a favorite suit today that, as best I can remember, I have not worn in 8+ years. Felt great just walking around in it and when I looked at myself in the mirror from the side I saw nice curves - instead of bulges - Before I left I realized it was time to buy new underwear - two sizes smaller - let alone a new smaller slip too. Both fit nicely, thank you very much - went out to eat and my napkin did not fall off my lap! Seriously this is huge to me. I've got to believe others can relate to this. Before I would go through numerous napkins when going out to eat. It was especially embarassing when with a group. My napkin would fall off my lap very shortly after placing it there; then I couldn't reach down to pick it up. So I'd ask for another or take an extra from the table only to have the same thing happen again. Of course, no one ever said anything and I tried to act like nothing was wrong but this really bothered me. I guess I finally have a lap again - am enjoying compliments from many people who I haven't seen in a month or so and who can't get over how much weight I've lost - it's just so great to be able to sit on the plane and not use an extender belt. I even bought my own years ago since I was always embarrassed to ask for one. - caught myself just naturally crossing my legs the other night; whoa didn't even know I could do that again I hope you guys don't mind me sharing these with you. I always enjoy reading everyone else's and 'm looking forward to lots more to come. Susie