terry1118

I didn't need to do a letter but my insurance required a documented failed weight loss. 5 years ago I did Optifast through Miriam Hospital in Providence RI. I was in the program for 10 months and lost 80 pounds. BCBSRI paid my biweekly copays with the doctor so that was my documentation. Within one year I had gained it all back, plus a little more. Over 28 years of being obese I had tried and failed at every weight loss attempt I ever made, proving that I am very good at losing weight - but I am terrible at keeping it off. I think they just want proof that WLS surgery is not your first weight loss option, and that you've tried other ways that didn't work. Ultimately, permanent, successful weight loss saves them a ton of money by limiting or eliminating future long-term weight-related health problems.

I bought a strapless bra! I have not used it but the fact that I CAN just floors me!!!!! :-)

Very true! :-) The end result is the important thing. I was willing to sacrifice a little hair for being healthy. And it's true - we notice it way more than others do! :-)

I've been married for 32 years. I love my original, very simple, gold band.

I had mine resized last winter after almost losing it. I had been stacking firewood on my porch in preparation for a snowstorm and I was wearing leather gloves. At the same time my pants were falling down so I yanked my glove off to pull up my pants and I heard a 'ting' as my wedding band flew off, hit the porch railing, and flew off into the yard, goodness knows where! My hubby and I crawled around on our hand and knees for an hour looking for it with no success. I was devastated. It's just a simple gold band but it was MINE and it meant a lot to me. I had to get groceries but coming home it was getting pretty dark. My headlights caught a flash from something shiny on the side of the road and it gave me an idea. When I got home I took a flashlight and began shining it around the yard. Within two minutes I found my ring when the light flashed on the gold!! Less than a half hour later it began snowing - I never would have found it again! The next day I had it sized to fit better...

I've heard grapes were a no-no because they contain a lot of sugar. Also, it seems to be common for RNYer's to become lactose intolerant - maybe that's why cheese is bothering you? I'm watching my sugar intake much more carefully, now, after my lapse resulted in dumping. :-)

Thank you. :-). I'm 15 months out and still in the 'honeymoon stage' - that first 18 months when the most weight is lost. I'm nervous about after but my team says if you continue to make wise choices and your lifestyle changes are permanent, you can keep from regaining. Everything they told me has worked up till now so I have no reason to doubt what they say. In all the reading I've done there are many who keep the weight off and they do it by doing what my team has said. Weight loss surgery is only a tool to help us lose. That tool, combined with making smart choices for the rest of our lives is what will ensure our continued success. So, I think the hardest work is yet to come. I am ready for it. I love where I am right now. I NEVER want to go back to the miserable, unhappy life I had before....

Thank you. :-). I'm 15 months out and still in the 'honeymoon stage' - that first 18 months when the most weight is lost. I'm nervous about after but my team says if you continue to make wise choices and your lifestyle changes are permanent, you can keep from regaining. Everything they told me has worked up till now so I have no reason to doubt what they say. In all the reading I've done there are many who keep the weight off and they do it by doing what my team has said. Weight loss surgery is only a tool to help us lose. That tool, combined with making smart choices for the rest of our lives is what will ensure our continued success. So, I think the hardest work is yet to come. I am ready for it. I love where I am right now. I NEVER want to go back to the miserable, unhappy life I had before....

As long as you don't have any complications or have underlying health issues, a week should be long enough. Best of luck to you! :-)

That is exactly what they told me at my follow-up. :-)

I felt the same way after being obese for 28 years (since my first pregnancy). I was miserable and desperate. A lifetime of being obese and eating badly was beginning to affect my health (metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol, back and joint pain, borderline diabetic). I went from a 2X/22-24W to a small/6P. I'm only five feet tall so 240 pounds made me look like a weeble (anyone remember those toys?). My weight has stabilized between 115 and 120. My only goal was to be healthy and be able to live my life instead of watch it go by. At best I hoped for a sz14 or 16. I never in my wildest dream thought I'd ever get smaller than that! It DOES work - how well it works depends on how well you do your part. Making real lifestyle changes and developing good eating habits are the key to keeping it off. Follow your doctor's instructions as closely as possible and you will be successful too!

Good advice. I quit caffeine about two months before my surgery. I also had a miserable headache for about a week and a half. Not even nsaids could ease it. If I had a headache for my post op recovery period I would probably have felt quite a bit worse than I did. There ARE reasons for everything your doctor tells you to do. If you trust him/her and want to be successful then follow them as closely as possible.

My team said that if you drive to your first post-op appointment and they find out they will not clear you to drive so I chose to follow their instructions. I am a rule follower - what else can I say? :-)

Your welcome! I recently have been able to tolerate Dunkin Donuts Wake-up wrap (eggwhite, ham, and cheese with very little bread). I get one maybe twice a week.