Christina T.

Also, my mom is cracking me up. She calls my spirometer a horn and texts me from work constantly asking if I'm blowing my horn enough LOL! She is so worried about Pneumonia but I can get all the way up now and am not coughing as much so I know I'm fine! Just thought I'd share a funny with you guys

Bs you can't appeal it
Of course you can. What state are you jn?
Appeal it to the insurance commissioner
State that insurance prohibited you appeal rights
Then clearly state why you need the surgery all he medical reasons why.
Do not refer to prior complications they paid for
State where and how you meet today's medical guidelines
Before you appeal request a copy of the medical policy so you can attach it. Make sure you meet every required point in it

I am sure I gained weight for all of the reasons that you mentioned.
It's so easy to just join right in and eat when everyone else is eating junk. There are days when I am tired of it all, like Rosey mentioned, and I just don't care. I want to eat what I want. Then there are those 100 calorie packs.
I can start in the evening with one of the planned Snacks and go right on all evening long eating one thing after another.

If the rash is under your breasts, it can be a type of yeast or a type of heat rash. I had this issue during the summer when I was running a lot a few years ago. It was bright red and bumpy and a little itchy. I of course became moderately freaked out because it can be a symptom of a rare form of breast cancer (obviously probably not your problem and it wasn't mine either, lol). With a bit of research I started putting the Dove solid roll on deodorant in that area. I did that for probably two years before my lift and augment this summer and I never once broke out in the rash again. The deodorant helps keep the area dry and prevents any chafing that may also be irritating the skin.
Ask your doctor though- it's his job to know what's going on and worst case he can refer you to a dermatologist. Try the deodorant thing though, I swear it was the trick to fix my issue!

Probably fungal. I use a topical cream for symptoms similar to yours.

Is anyone having their surgery December 30th ? I am looking to buddy up .

I have posted this before, but it really illustrates this point....

I am only three months out and I weigh myself every single day. There are times when I weigh in about 3-4 pounds more than the day before. But then one random day I loose it all plus a bit more. I have very irregular periods and I notice that when I am spotting or about to get it my weight fluctuates even more. For me, I think the unsteady numbers have to do with my hormone imbalance.

I was 2 years post op at the end of April. I go up and down 5 lbs depending on if I am going out to a lot of social gatherings where there are Desserts that i can't resist. Sweets are my downfall. I keep them out of the house.
For the most part, it's easy to stay at goal.

I am four months out and am so worried that I seem to be able to eat way more than I expected. My sister had the sleeve over a year ago and she still can hardly eat anything whereas I find that unless I make a conscious decision to stop sometimes I could just keep eating. I'm so scared that I could have already stretched my sleeve even though I don't eat like I used to and there have only been a few times when I have been in pain from eating to much (quickly learn that's not advisable lol). I have also realised that some bad habits are already showing their ugly faces again. I guess I thought that even though I would still struggle mentally with food issues I assumed that like my sister I would at least not be able to eat much. I have decided that I need to go back to basics and really concentrate on getting in my Protein and Water. I also think I have to toughen up and stop feeling sorry for myself and take responsibility for what I am eating and I have to realise that like any addict I cannot have even a bit of any thing unhealthy as that is all it takes to start me off again. I guess though I'm just really really scared that this early in the picture I don't seem to get full and seem often to be hungry. I really struggle with depression and have done so for many years and have found that this has been much worse in the last couple of months which of course being an emotional eater doesn't help. Have other people had any of these issues if so did anything in particular help. I'd really appreciate any advise or encouragement thanks.

I had the same 'OH MY LAWWD I CAN EAT A TON' freak out this week!
I have been using those super cute baby bowls with the lids (the colorful ones) and baby spoons. The bowl is 8oz, so I know half is 1/2c, or a full is 1 cup, etc etc etc. I usually eat about 1/2c or a bit more and am full or at least satiated. However, I think because I am used to the small bowl as 'normal' now, I wasn't computing that my normal portion now is pretty tiny compared to everyone else's normal portion size.
But I do see FB posts from some of my surgery buddies-- they are eating 1 shrimp and then they are full. Then I am left wondering 'Seriously?!' because I can have 4-5. Then I wonder for hours if my surgeon maybe tested out a new, larger sleeving tool on ME and I ended up with the almost normal sized stomach....LOL paranoia at its finest.
I guess we are lucky in the fact that the restriction isn't super severe, and we aren't throwing up all the time, right?!
Hey- now at least I know I am not alone! Thanks buddy

I felt the same way in the beginning. At about day 5-6 post op I was able to get in my liquids and most of my Protein shakes. As time went on and I progressed thru the stages I found that I didn't have any issues with anything I ate. I measured and weighed everything but I was able to consume easily. I was worried too. I would read on here people struggling to get in 1oz and was able to do 3-4oz.
Well I stopped worrying and thanked my lucky stars that I was able to do that. I still at 4 months post op weigh and measure my food. Some foods I can eat more of (but I don't cause I weigh it out) and some I can't. I have learned where my fullness is and I stop. Every once in awhile I forget and I drink to fast, I don't have to sip anymore but I cannot gulp or chug either.
I just feel like this is my new "normal" and I am just living my life. I bet you are fine and have not stretched anything out. But it is always good to check with your doc. If nothing is wrong be happy you can consume what you can and work that tool for all it is worth!!

Sleeves are unique, and rate of healing is, too. I doubt you've stretched, but I do believe it can be stretched. I have never thrown up, never slimed, and can eat a lot more at 2 years than I wish I could. At six weeks out, I could also eat more than many people report, but it was still very little, as you are describing.
My advice is measure your food. I was supposed to be eating no more than a half cup per meal at that time. Just because we can eat more than that does not mean we should. It's important to eat slow and pay attention to signals you get that you are becoming full - and then stop. That is definitely a hard thing to learn, at least for me, but it is critical.
I would not be too alarmed at the quantity you can eat. There are many of us who are like that and do succeed. I do think a larger capacity is both a good thing and a bad thing. I requires us to work a little harder to control portion sizes, but it also means less/no vomiting and sliming. I can now eat roughly 8-12 ounces, depending on what it is. If I allowed myself high calorie foods or ate to capacity or grazed, I'd weigh 300 pounds again. I saw my surgeon yesterday, and he said that capacity is pretty normal for 2 years post op. So I still have the tool, it still keeps hunger controllable, and the capacity keeps me from going off the rails, but now I'm putting in a great deal of effort to stay on track.

CTron83

I know that with the Unjury, the temp needs to be under 140 degrees. Herr is my Water bottle, a friend made it for me.

I made this water bottle to help me drink more... I fill it up twice a day & sip all day

@@ProjectMe You've lost 76 lbs since December? Wow..good for you.
Can you tell me what your daily intake is (menu if you will) I had my surgery on Nov. 24, and I am struggling at 30 lb loss and started at pretty much what you did.
I get busy during the day and find myself not eating and then at night I can only eat a very little, I'm not even getting my Water in.
Please help me...If I can get a good plan (menu) I will do everything..but kinda confused.

I'm 5'3". I'm getting my clothes at Goodwill because I'm going through them so fast, and some of them I have to have the lengths altered. Should only cost you about 7-8 bucks per pair.

Retail Goodwill stores. I've started buying my blue jeans there ($5.99 in Florida). I've gone down two sizes in 10 weeks and refuse to buy new clothes until I stabilize. I've also pulled out my sewing machine and figured out how to take in my dress slacks etc.
I did have to buy new bras and underwear. Amazing how 39 lbs can change your sizes. But its all good. Try the Goodwill or consignment stores.
Good luck on your weight loss journey.

Another added option unless your picky and $ is no option on buying clothes try the good will or a second hand shop. Sometimes u can find a large variety of clothes that might just work for you. If not it can be fun trying on smaller sizes. You might come across a good deal on something that's a tiny bit snug knowing that your shrinking and bam in a couple if weeks it fits perfect! Hugs of support on your happy shrinking!

In the checkout line area of old Navy they have little elastic doodads that pull in the waist of too-big pants.
I found I was able to stretch out my time on larger pants with these really well.
I think it's called something like "Hollywood Secrets".

I'm in between a 16 & 14 and having been toying with the idea of going to a tailor. I just don't have a desire to spend money on clothing I won't be able to wear in a month...tailor or not. So I bought cardigans during old navy's big sale to go over too big shirts & dresses. And I bought two belts to cinch my pants. It'll do for a month or two. Then the cute spring stuff will be out

Same here. Depression PLUS insomnia and terrible, terrible anxiety.
Admittedly, I take medications because for the time being it is the catalyst that helps me gain control.
But at the end of the day I try to keep in mind that when its all said and done is it better to be happy or better to be sad? Once I understood what happy really meant, I choose happy and I find I stress a lot less.
I am an agnostic but there is a saying that goes something like, "no weapon forged against thee shall prosper" (Isaiah, I think.) I use that as a mantra when anxiety kicks in. I guess that's CBT? Anyway, the weapons are anxiety and stress and depression so I try to picture myself using a Jedi mind trick to make those weapons benign.

Alrighty. It's been 4 days without seeing much change on the scale. I've stalked the bulletin boards enough to have read about the mysterious 3 week stall but didn't expect it at 2.... At first I thought it was because things weren't moving through and Miralax and prune juice assured me that wasn't the problem. I started looking for more "sciency" reasons other than some magic weight loss elf taking the 3rd week off. This is the best sciency reason I could find. I found this http://bariatricfacts.org/threads/the-three-week-stall.743/ - A nice lady named Diana Cox wrote that:

I didn't meet my first real boyfriend until I was 24. And he was my first at everything. He made it very clear that he preferred bigger girls so I felt comfortable with him. It was the first time I ever let my guard down and enjoyed my body. He told me something I will never forget and I keep in the front of my brain. We were talking about my past insecurities with guys and he said "Did you expect to shock them when you got naked? That they would jump up and yell "You're fat?!"? As if they didn't know when they laid down with you?" He's right. And as a now 39 yr old engaged woman I can tell you, there are men who like heavy women. They love it. We all have our standards. I prefer tall, thick men. I ended up with a tall, skinny one, but I haven't had the chance to fatten him up yet. =) But I will once we are married. There is a key for every lock girl. Love yourself, and love your body. Even the part you hate most might be what your dream man has been looking for all along. Embrace it!! =)