Winegoddesstx

I hope you are feeling better today? Don't let it get you down. Cheers!

Please don't give up! We all need to be patient and not take our set backs too much to heart. I was sure I had sabotaged all my success from last week with a surprise dinner party I put on for a friend Saturday - a retro themed dinner menu with lots of high calorie items. I've been enjoyiing the leftovers since then. I waited until today to get on the scale again and, somehow, I managed to lose a pound. I'm glad I waited a few days. Onward and downward (on the scale that is)!

I hope it goes well - did you go back to the liquid and/or soft foods diet after your last fill? Cheers!

Well, it may just be water-weight fluctuation, but I'm calling it a win for today - I'm down 4 pounds this week. It's nice to see the ticker move in the right direction. I will get this turned around. I may never be the poster child for weight loss surgery, but I'm determined to get at least 60 pounds off so my knees won't hurt and my butt fits in the airplane seat.

Well, I've decided to go ahead and update my ticker with the current numbers. It's depressing, but I need to see the ticker move...so, here it goes. After looking back at my November post, I realized I've gained 8 pounds since then..geez...the hits just keep coming. I am down one pound since yesterday So, here's one more item to add to the sad state of my weight loss efforts - my initial efforts to secure private insurance now that I am self-employed have met with denials so far. One of the things no one is discussing in the big build up to getting approved for surgery is the fact that should you need to get your own private insurance later on after your surgery, no company will be willing to cover you. I was so focused on making sure I would be able to afford coverage when I was planning my new business- I never dreamed I couldn't get it! So now, not only have I not realized the benefits of the surgery, I've also jeopardized my ability to have coverage in the event of some future medical problems, much less basic preventive/maintenance care. I can only hope I find a solution before March 2012 when my COBRA runs out. Maybe by then I'll also be happier with my weight loss.... Oy!!

Has anyone been able to get private insurance after surgery? I'm still stunned that nobody is discussing this?!! Surely, I'm not the only single, self-employed person that needs to find private insurance after surgery? I can stay on COBRA until March 2012, but I'd really like to find my own insurance well before that deadline. It's not like I can't pay for it - I never dreamed there would be no insurance company willing to cover me.

I'm so glad to see folks posting on this thread again. I was dismayed no one replied when I posted back in November. I can't bring myself to change my ticker - I was down to to 251 at one point, back up to 272, and now 269 as of this morning. I can't believe it has been nearly 3 years! It is really helpful to read everyone else's comments about their ups and downs. I turn 50 later this year and while I don't expect to have lost all the weight by then, I do want to feel better than I feel right now. So, cheers to everyone getting back on track!

Hi Gwenn, I read your post earlier about the repairs. Are you getting the restriction you need yet? I can't even remember how long ago my last fill was. I think my restriction is reasonable, but maybe I should go ahead and have it checked out. I still get stuck every once in a while when eating certain things. I've just started surfing the forums again - have you found a thread yet for others from our April group that are still struggling? I hope we can inspire each other to refocus and get back on track. Thanks for your reply.

I fell off the wagon as well. I'm very frustrated with myself. 2009 was a very stressful year for me and unfortunately, I forgot to take care of myself first and foremost. I'm facing another transition in my work life right now and realized I needed to make getting back on a healthy regime part of the transition. I've been sabotaging myself by eating "around" the band, and not excercising at all. I feel just awful! Even though I never lost that much to begin with, it really made a difference in my face. I saw a picture of myself from a black tie event last week and nearly cried to see how my face was right back to where it was before surgery. My pre-surgery weight high was 282. I never got below 200 - in fact, I never got below 240. I slowly crept back up to 268 and have just managed to get down to 261 in the past 2 weeks. I decided to go back to the post-op soft food diet in order to jump start myself. So far, I think it is working. Now, I need to start walking. Like you, I came back to the sight for some inspiration. So far, I'm just feeling like a failure for not making the most of my LAP-BAND®, but I'm determined to change my bad habits and get back on track. Cheers!

Hi dle204 - did you ever find more info or get new coverage? I left my old job to start a new business and have been paying COBRA, but need to find private coverage soon. I was distressed to find out Blue Cross Texas won't cover me at all due to my lap band - even though I am 2+years post op! I can't believe this topic has not come up more in the forums - unless I'm just not looking in the right places? Cheers!

I am having the same problem right now. After all the discussions on getting approved from your current carrier, I can't believe no one is talking about how difficult it is to get coverage after the surgery. I was shocked when I called Blue Cross Texas today. I'm willing to pay cost of coverage, but I'm wondering if anyone will cover me. My surgery was two+ years ago!

I'm glad I checked in and caught up on all the posts. I was feeling a little frustrated and it's good to know I'm not alone. I had my second fill and feel a little closer to my sweet spot but I'm not loosing as fast as I would like. Of course, I have no one to blame but myself - I get zero excercise, I drink wine every day and dine out easily 4-5 times a week (work related). I expected my weight loss to be slower than most but have been a little discouraged lately. It's pretty clear the key thing missing for me is exercise - I guess it's time to suck it up and make it my top priority instead of my top excuse. Cheers!

I finally got back on the scale for the first time since Jun 1. I haven't gained weight but I certainly haven't lost any either. I was traveling so much (vacation in Italy, and then work stuff) and eating out that I just knew the news would not be good. I'm going to try and get my second fill in this week since I will be able to stay at home and better control what I'm eating/drinking. Time to get back on the program!

Well, sorry for this much delayed response - I never did go in for my second fill before my trip to Italy. I got back on June 10 and I'm affraid to get on the scales! I did lots of walking during the trip but I certainly ate more than I should have. I've been trying to scale back the eating to something more normal this week, but I had a hormonal ice cream craving on Thursday that resulted in a pint of Blue Bell Carmel Turtle Fudge going down in one sitting. I'll probably step on the scales tomorrow to see what the damage adds up to and face the music. I really need to schedule my next fill, but I'm back on the road Monday - Friday for the next two weeks! I'm in the wine business and work for an importer. I manage our business through our distribution network in five states. I'm usually travelling 3 days out of the week, but lately I've been gone more than that. Italy was definitly pleasure - a long planned vacation with friends. Cheers!

Hi Mamakatken, I'm glad to hear your weight loss is progressing again. I had my first fill on May 5. It was a little tough at first because I did not realize I'd be back on liquids and mushies for a week. I had business travel scheduled for the next day and was on the road all week. The only time I have problems eating a particular thing is when I'm not paying attention and don't take the time to thoroughly chew whatever I'm eating. I finally had a PB/sliming experience 2 days after my first fill when I ate a roasted chicken leg too fast. It really scared me and it hurt! I don't think I'll let that happen agian....My weight loss has been slow but I knew that would probably be the case. I'm not getting any excercise and I'm drinking alcohol in moderation. I've got to start getting in some walking. I think I may go in for a second fill next week - I'm still eating more than a cup and a half too often. I'm going to Italy on June 1 and I'd like to be settled with my next fill before then. Thanks for sharing your progress on this board - it really helps discussing this with people on the same surgery/fill schedule. Cheers!