Robin Bird

Hi all, This may sound weird to most of you, but I battle the "overwhelm-ies" by not weighing myself. I weigh in at my surgeon's office once a month. It's so much more encouraging to see a bigger number of pounds lost after a month, as opposed to smaller numbers lost (or heaven forbid - gains!!) when you weigh more often. No offense to anyone, but I think it's nuts to weigh every day, ESPECIALLY multiple times per day! I think that's self-defeating. Just my $0.02 worth. Best of luck to all. BTW, I have lost about 65 pounds since pre-op diet beginning Oct. 26, 2007. Sugery was Nov. 2, 2007 (my birthday!). Robin

afisher, I did not have "preapproval" for the band either, which was hard for me to understand. The bariatric coordinator at my surgeon's office told me that there is really no such thing as preAPPROVAL, and what you do is gather all your materials/records and proceed with the surgery "in good faith". That scared the heck out of me! I kept worrying that after I went ahead with the surgery they would decide not to pay! I do not recall pre-approving the hospital myself (my surgeon requires a one night hosp. stay), so perhaps my surgeon's office did it. The bariatric coordinator sent in my materials for me. I never once spoke to BCBS. Things went pretty fast after I had handed in all my requirements. If you have other questions, let me know. Robin

Congratulations! 142 pounds in 6 months is amazing!! Keep up the great work and you will be at goal before you know it! Robin

Snuffy, I have BCBS of Michigan (I live in Wisconsin) and they paid for 80% of my band surgery. Best of luck to you! Robin

Angelyco, I am already taking Wellbutrin (along with Lexapro, Seroquel and Trazodone). I think the problem may be the Lexapro, but I cut my dose in half and it hasn't seemed to make a difference. Thanks though! Robin

Gee, I wish I had the "problem" some of you have: insanely high libidos!! I'm sure my husband wishes I had that problem too!! I posted about this on the Lounge forum (I think that's where...), but I have basically no sex drive due to anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medications :thumbup:. I wish I could just go off them all. Any tips for me?????? Robin

Hi there, I know exactly what you mean about not being able to sleep because EVERTHING is flying through your mind at warp speed. I used to be the same way. I take Trazodone about 1/2 hour before bed and I sleep like the dead. I also take meds for depression and anxiety (Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Seroquel). Ask your Dr. for something for sleep. And by all means bring up the anxiety. You have physical signs of it along with the mental ones. Your Dr.'s job is to help you - make him/her do it! Robin

I'd say as long as you're getting proper nutrition, start counting those stars! Robin

Kendra, I'll say it - this totally sucks!! It's a testament to your incredible strength that you are so calm and collected. You obviously have the kind of strength that will carry you through anything. And it will. God bless. Robin

Gwen, I have not spoken with anyone from my insurance company. I imagine my best bet is to make an appt. for a consultation with a PS. Thanks for the info. Robin

Pix - congratulations! Robin

Pam - you made me laugh out loud at work with your story about "de condiments"! Thanks for the laugh! Robin

Good wishes to ya', Karey! Robin :biggrin:

Kendra, All my best thoughts are focused on you right now. Robin

Thanks, again, everyone for your thoughts on the matter. I've been wishing for reduction surgery for a long time. In my research I, of course, came across the factor that was pretty much universal : surgery won't be done/covered if you have a substantial amount of weight to lose; the rationale being that you will lose breast size also. In college I lost 100 pounds and my cup size went from DDD to DD. That's it. I guess I am willing to wait until I am at goal, but it's just such a nice thought to be rid of them to HELP with the weight loss (i.e. ease of exercise). Perhaps I will make an appt. with a PS to just get the ball rolling. For now I guess it's "cast-Iron sports bra, here I come"! Thanks again! Robin :biggrin:

My fellow Wisconsinites; 'Tis truly a sad day for Packer fans everywhere, with the retirement of Brett Favre. Let us all bow our heads in a moment of silence to acknowledge the passing of a great era... Robin :rolleyes2:

Kat - you're such a hoot! Robin

Thanks to all of you, for your input!! Robin

Karey, Thanks for responding! Robin

I guess I have lost an elephant's penis! The next person to ask me how much weight I've lost had better watch out!!! Thanks for the laugh! Robin

Jack, Thanks for your reply. Who'd have thunk the only person to reply to this would be a guy?! Thanks again and have a great day, Robin

Hi all- Question: when would be the appropriate time to go for a breast reduction consultation? I was banded 11/2/07 and have lost about 60 pounds, with approximately 60 more to go. I imagine that the right time would be when I reach goal, but I can't help thinking how nice it would be to have them reduced now so that exercise would be so much easier! I want to run! I really can't do so for fear of black eyes (or concussions) for myself and those near me! I'd need a cast-Iron sports bra to stop the bounce. I am a 40DDD now. Anyhoo... if I had the BR surgery before I hit goal, would they shrink and be too small/deflated?? What do you all think?? Thanks in advance, Robin

I don't have any helpful information for you, but I have to tell you I laughed out loud at work about the heads banging on the cement! Robin

AndreaL, Thanks for the compliment! You are doing very well also! I'm not sure what my surgeon is doing differently. The 6.5cc apparently has been his experience so far. As I mentioned, I just may the exception to his rule! Best of luck to you! Robin

Previously mentioned jeans - I can pull them up or down without undoing the button or zipper! Robin