livvsmum

Right now I'm training for the Hershey Half Marathon in October in Hershey, PA :-)

Alright, friends. What is the secret to getting insurance to cover skin removal? I am starting to really have some issues with the excess skin on my tummy and under my arms with all the running I do. It's really not just about how it looks (although that sucks too), it's making it difficult for me to train the way I want to..... Thoughts or tips on what worked for you if you successfully got insurance approval, recommendations for getting surgeons to code it for ins purposes, etc? I have Highmark BCBS if that matters, although general suggestions are welcomed.

The pre-op "before" pic is super painful to take. But TRUST ME....you are going to be SO glad that you did. Now my favorite thing is when I take my monthly progress pic and do my monthly before/after comparison. You will be so glad in the long run. Also, be sure to take measurements. I didn't and So wish that I would have!

I completely know what you mean. I had my first appointment in January of 2013 and was sleeved in September of 2013. What I did was start a blog to keep track of things, work through issues/thoughts I was having, made a "bucket list" of things I hoped to do after surgery, etc. It is kind of like being pregnant. You have something super exciting coming up, but you have to wait and wait. I would say just do as much as you possibly can to prepare yourself emotionally, mentally, and physcially for the changes so that you are as successful as you possibly can be. Hang in there!

I had to have one before surgery as part of the pre-op requirements. It was super easy. The hardest part was getting the IV. Otherwise I was in and out and I remember my hubby and I even took advantage of having a sitter and went to lunch after....lol

A couple of things...... First, congrats on your upcoming surgery! My username on myfitnesspal is livvsmum. I've logged my foods and exercise religiously on there for nearly 200 days now, so feel free to add me. :-) Secondly, I would start weaning off the caffeine now. I did not and it was TOUGH going through caffeine withdraw, sugar withdraw, carb withdraw, and recovering from surgery all at once. I would recommend doing as much as possible ahead of time. Thirdly, I developed some constipation issues too after surgery. I little milk of magnesium does the trick for me!

That has been the hardest thing for me. It seems the smaller I get the more "fat" I feel. It is a strange thing because when I was morbidly obese I didn't feel "that" large and when I saw pictures I was sometimes taken aback at how large I actually was. I am actually going to my first appointment this week with a therapist to start to work through these and some other "food" issues that I have. Good luck to you. You have done an amazing job so far and I'm sure that you will continue to get used to your new body.

You are welcome to add me too. I log everything religiously :-) My username is livvsmum

Yes, definitely! It was downright painful to take my "before" pictures, but now, it is my favorite thing when I get to take my monthly comparison pictures. I also would agree with taking your measurements. I didn't do that and that is my only regret.

Ok, sorry !! I'll post in the powder room! Didn't know that existed :-)

154.0 for today. That is a 1.6 loss this week. Not what I would have hoped for, but I'm out of town for work & don't have as much control over food choices as normal, so I guess I will take it.

It was difficult at first and getting in all the water was something I built up to. Now I have no problem drinking water pretty much like before. But for the first few months it did make me feel really bloated. Right now though I drink constantly (except right before or after eating). For instance, yesterday I got in 112 ounces without trouble. Just keep a tumbler full with me wherever I am. :-)

I can't say I remember specifically at 2-3 months post op, but it was definitely still including a Protein shake, greek yogurt, chicken, fish.... If you are already on myfitnesspal you can add me and go back through my logs if you want. I've been keeping them since about 2 months post op. My username is livvsmum

Thank you all :-)

....and I feel amazing!! I finished my first 5k today in 35 minutes, no walking. It was totally amazing given that this time last year I could barely walk a block, let alone run 3.1 miles! After losing 123 pounds in the past 9 months, I feel like anything is possible! On to 10k and a 1/2 marathon next!! :-) Here are a couple pics of me & my daughters who ran with me (the 2 older ones)

I finished my first 5k today in 35 minutes, no walking. It was totally amazing given that this time last year I could barely walk a block, let alone run 3.1 miles! On to 10k and a 1/2 marathon next!! :-) Here are a couple pics of me & my daughters who ran with me (the 2 older ones)

Starting challenge weight today: 155.6 Goal weight for July 4th: 145

So I managed to adjust to the gross heat & humidity & I finally feel ready for my 5k on Sunday :-) How's everyone else doing??

Checking in today because I don't want to lose the good part of a week if I start Friday. Starting challenge weight:156.6 Goal weight: 145 I'm SUPER excited because if I do this, I will be at my ultimate goal weight!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!!! I'm going to work my butt off this month & get there by the 4th of July!!!

I only lost 1 pound this week thanks to my period, but hey....that put me at my challenge goal weight.... 156.6

Good point! I guess it's good to know I'm not the only one feeling this way

Yes, I have this happen to me sometimes. I notice it more when my blood sugar gets low or maybe I havent' eaten much at all that day.

Yes! I actually did that too. Somewhere between weeks 6 & 7 the intervals got distracting to me and I just started running as far/long as I could without it.

Does anyone see a therapist regularly for their eating issues? I am considering contacting one in our area that specializes in eating disorders. I've done amazingly so far - I've lost 120+pounds in 8 months - but I feel the "honeymoon period" wearing off and I catch myself really feeling vulnerable and feeling like I could just as easily slip back into self-destructive eating patterns. In some ways I feel like it my be naive of me to think that I can do this without some support in coping with my life-long unhealthy eating. Surgery (as you all well know) does not "cure" food additions or unhealthy relationships with food. So....what do you think? Is there anyone who does or has met with a therapist while losing weight, nearing goal, after being at goal? It is crazy, but the closer to goal I get (only 12 pounds away!!!) the more vulnerable I feel.....

Do you track your foods "religiously"? That helps me. I use myfitnesspal and track every SINGLE thing I eat. I also have shared my logs with my friends so they can view them, and knowing that they see them too keeps me more accountable. Also sometimes I just have to avoid 100% those "trigger" foods (for me chips, pretzels, etc). I won't even keep them in my house. If my husband wants chips, he buys kinds he knows I don't like ....lol.