Keeper

Thank you so much, everyone, for your comments! It's hard to put yourself out there sometimes, but this is worth it. @MissMeg, you look great! When you take your measurements, you will be so surprised! It's one thing to see a number on a scale or the difference in a photo, but seeing that you lost 5 inches off your waist is really something! @@GingerLeAnna, you made me smile ear to ear! Hubby loves me as I am and has supported me and my efforts for many years, but he says he can't wait to see my true figure come alive - perfect hour glass. Thanks again!!

I know this is a few months after the fact, but I thought I would add my two cents. I have an 11 year old and I am pretty sure I went un-diagnosed as having gestational diabetes (GD). He was born at 10 lbs. 2 oz. I also gained 40 pounds during that pregnancy. With my second, 7 years old, I wanted to make sure that I got tested earlier. My sis had a baby between my oldest and my second and she was diabetic and she was fit and healthy. Had a new doc the 2nd time who told me I almost certainly was GD the first go-round and he tested me early in my 2nd trimester. Def GD. I ended up on an insulin pump during my 3rd trimester since I was giving myself around 4-5 shots of insulin every day. Having said all that, I saw a maternal dietitian and had bi-weekly sonos and what not to make sure my son was measuring properly. She told me to follow the diabetic diet (high Protein, lower carbs, etc). I, too, was heavier, and this was way before getting banded, so I know this is different, but I lost weight while pregnant. The day I found out I was pregnant and the day I gave birth I weighed the exact same. Don't get me wrong, there were definitely fluctuations, but to answer your question: yes, it is possible to be pregnant and lose weight and still be healthy (both you and baby). My youngest was a perfect 7 pounds and did not have any issues postpartum. My hubby and are talking about maybe having another so we'll see how it goes!

@@PuraVida37, how has it been since you last posted? I hope all is well! Also, how do you feel since getting completely unfilled? I know pregnancy can cause us to feel and feed all sorts of cravings, so I was just curious. Take care!

Congrats! That's awesome. I know what you mean about taking another look at who you eat. I have had only 2 stuck episodes. The first wasn't so bad, just very uncomfortable and hard to breath for a minute. the second one, just a few days ago, was so painful! So not fun, but in a weird way I am grateful for it, too. It is a reminder that I really do have this tool inside my body now, and it really is working. But I definitely want to take it to heart and not do that again if I can help it!!!

I was never a big soda drinker. Drinking Water was one of the few things I did right! But lately I have been craving one. It's so weird. My hubby drinks diet root beer and there are days that I just want one! Cracks me up. I have had a few sips here and there. It does sate the craving but if I were to have more than a sip I feel boated. And that isn't worth it.

I am the kind of person that likes to weigh every day (for good or for bad) and am very results-oriented. So sometimes it is hard to look at the scale and not see a change and yet think in terms of NSV's. Taking some before and 'after' pictures for me has been very rewarding! I couldn't believe what a difference just 20 pounds made. Also, my mother-in-law called me quite some time back and asked what bra size I wore because she was at a department store and they were having a mad sale. I was so embarrassed to tell her the truth (band size, not cup) that I told her 2 sizes down. and of course I couldn't wear them. That was probably over a year ago. But guess what?! I can fit into them!

I agree that everyone is different! I, too, have a 10cc band and I am at 5.5cc and I have my next fill next week. I am not yet to green although I think I *might* be with this next fill, depending on how much they put in. I have not had trouble with any food or liquids, except one stuck episode with bread and on that I should have known better. Hang in there and make sure you are communicating with your doc's office. Good luck!

It is conversations like these that make me glad I live 2 states away from family (my sisters know I had WLS and are EXTREMELY supportive of me. If anything, I am running to them to share my success) and only see them once or twice a year! And I don't work so I don't have to deal with comparisons or questions. For the most part I get to hide in my own little world and keep losing weight. I know at some point it will become very obvious, esp with the aforementioned family since I will see them this summer. I am looking forward to their "wow's and you look great's" but not the questions. But for what is worth, I hate that people feel like they are entitled to information, even when it is out of interest and support. I am definitely going to remember some of your responses when it is time for me to deal with it!!

When I met with my nutritionist pre-op, she told me that I would basically be doing (should do) Atkins for the rest of my life because of its emphasis on high protein/low carb. I've never done Atkins before so that was a bit scary to hear! Fast forward 3 months post-op and for the month of February, my sister and I have committed to doing Whole 30. It is stricter than paleo but it isn't meant to be forever - just a 30 day system reboot. I am doing this because you have to give up ALL sugar, in any form including sweetners. Fruit is the exception but I am limiting my fruit intake as well since I do not want to encourage my sweet tooth. I am so tired of having a sugar addiction and I think if I am going to be successful long term then I need to be done with this. Today is only day 2, so of course I feel optimistic, but I really am excited to be doing this. I would love to know if anyone else has done this.

I have BCBS of TX as well. They told me it was typically 4 weeks to get insurance approval and that was pretty much spot on. But I was able to do all the other pre-op stuff they required, nutrition, psych, and pre-op appt with the surgeon, as well as get my blood work turned in. I did call every week but once i got approved, my surgery was scheduled a week later. I agree with Bandista, use this time to really get your head in the game. Because my process was so fast I felt almost behind when I actually had the surgery. I am sorry that this is frustrating, though! We have enough on our minds already, don't we? My frustrations have been with my after care center. They, too, have upgraded/switched their system and the 3 fills I have had, there has been some small issue every single time. Good luck!

Mine was quickly approved and my surgery was scheduled a week out. Good luck! Keep calling them and bugging them! :-)

@@RWM i sent you a msg but I can't tell if it went through - it looks like something funky happened. If you are interested I'd be happy to resend.

I am so sorry you are going through this - it sucks. I take one medication that doesn't have a liquid alternative. At first I was able to take one pill but then I had to lower the dosage by now taking 2 pills to equal the same amount. But I haven't reached green yet so I am afraid I will have to go smaller once again. I feel lucky to not have any medication get stuck but I did experience one time where my med wouldn't go down at first. And these are the most bitter things you have ever tasted - NOT fun! I hope you have a favorable diagnosis and I do hope your docs can find out what is causing your headaches. I am sorry this isn't more helpful!

I am so sad for you. I can only imagine what this loss feels like, but I wanted to encourage you to grieve for this, but to also accept that sometimes you have to be proud for yourself when others can't (or won't). My husband's grandmother had dementia pretty bad at the end of her life so I do know what that is like. Hang in there and know that there are plenty of people who DO care and who ARE proud. Just remember to keep following your plan and not use old coping methods to soothe your hurt. You are amazing and 39 #'s is nothing to shake a stick at. ♥

I only had surgery 3 months ago, so I am very much still on this journey. I used to go to therapy quite a bit and I love my therapist to death, but she doesn't take insurance and I am no longer working so I only go in when I really need to. Also in the past, I had to get my medication figured out in order to live and feel like a "normal" person. I tried so many anti-depressants that didn't work and it wasn't until I got on a mood stabilizer that truly helped me. Almost two years ago I did an intensive outpatient program with an eating disorder clinic to see if it could help me with some of my food issues, but to be honest, I actually feel like it made me obsess more than I already did. All that was pre-surgery. Post-surgery has been a challenge, some days, so for me I kind of just go back to basics. Figuring out the difference between real hunger and head hunger or if I eating for emotional reasons. I live in my head and that is really hard to break out of. One of the things I have done is start a blog about my experience. Not many people even know it exists, but for me it is a way to express where I am at or what I am going through. Plus it will be a neat journal to look back on when I have several months or years under my belt. Last but not least, if you are a reader, I have some suggestions that you may be interested in. All of these have been recommended by my counselor at various points and have been very helpful to me. The Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee - Christian based. Designed to discover self-worth. Healing the Shame That Binds You by John Bradshaw - also Christian based. Helps identify and heal by releasing the known or unknown shame that holds us back from recovery. Especially helpful for anyone who has experienced trauma. The Artist Way by Julia Cameron - this is a book that talks more of a 'higher power' and is intended to help with spiritual/self healing using an individual's creativity. For example, I am a writer who is forever not allowing myself to write thus blocking myself emotionally and spiritually. I linked these to Amazon, but that is just so you can read the blurbs about the books. Anyway, just a different set of tools that I use. :-)

I had thin (and fine) hair to begin with so this was something I was really worried about. My doc told me Protein, protein, protein. Our nails and hair are made from protein (keratin) so it is vital to make sure we are getting enough. With both of my pregnancies, my hair stopped shedding and I was ecstatic, but after they were born the shedding resumed. I went to a dermatologist a couple of years ago and he recommended women's rogain. Well, I am horrible about using it every single day so I never really noticed a difference. I had heard a bunch of people recommend Biotin for nails and hair even before surgery and the doc mentioned it as a supplement so I thought 'why not.' I am also a pretty skeptical person, but I have to say, the biotin has worked very well for me. I do still shed, but it isn't a big increase over what I experienced before surgery, so I am happy!

I have BCBS (of TX) and I was approved for surgery. I feel like my process was super quick - from the first 'info' meeting, psych appt, nut appt, pre-op surgical visit, and surgery was about 2 months. The longest part of that, however, was indeed getting insurance approved. My dr's office told me from day 1 that insurance usually takes between 6-8 weeks to process, so my guess is that this time frame is "normal." Sorry it is frustrating, though! I highly recommend that you take this time to ground yourself. I don't know if that makes sense, but because I feel like my process was so fast, there was a point post-surgery where I was like "what the hell did I just do?" Also, I only had one week for the pre-op diet. Are you on that yet? But I only lost a couple of pounds during that period so I felt like I was "behind" everyone else post-op. I know that is stupid, of course. Everyone is different, there is no point in comparing yourself, etc., but that is where I was. Anyway, this was just my experience but I hope it helps give perspective. This is an incredible journey you're about to go on. Good luck!

This is so fascinating to me! I am actually a triplet but only identical to one sister (plenty of photos in my album on my profile). My identical sis and I have almost always been overweight, but I've always been a bit heavier. there was one point about 10-12 years ago where she lost all of her weight because she contemplated joining the army, but that didn't happen and getting married and having four kids did. She supports me and my band journey but I don't know that she would ever do it herself. Did your sis having it done motivate you? But as for feeling stuff, there are times we will have sort of premonitions (probably too strong of a word, but or lack of a better one) if one of us is feeling off or something, but our periods are still in sync, even 2 states away from each other!

I had my surgery in Plano and there are support groups in that area. However, my husband and I share a car and Plano is a little too far for frequent trips. I am interested in a local group in the Irving/Dallas side of DFW. I have a friend who is a therapist who had bypass done in 2002, and she would love to facilitate a support group. I just had lap-band this past November. If interested just let me know, either here or by message! Cheers.

hi @@Dolores33778 - just had my 3rd fill. I think I am finally getting closer to green! I have "only" lost about 15 pounds, and that keeps fluctuating a bit. I know I shouldn't use "only" or "slow" or other ways of not recognizing progress, but it is hard not to sometimes! Having said that, I am still so glad I had the surgery and I am still really looking forward to the success that I know I will have. Even if it isn't tomorrow. My next fill is in February. And yes! Our state is too big! I have noticed that seems to be hard to get DFW-ers (esp the Dallas side) together. I am really surprised by that since it is such a metropolitan area. @@Redroses63 I let my friend know. She said we would need a minimum of 4-5 people to get a successful group going. I am still putting feelers out there. I live in South Irving and her office is on Preston Road in North Dallas, about 30 minutes from me, fyi. But that is still closer and a heck of a lot easier to get to than Plano!

I agree with what everyone else is saying as far as not (or limiting) drinking your calories, but I will be totally honest and tell you, I love my Starbucks. I love a frappiccino and I love their holiday lattes. Having said that, I am a coffee drinker. I like cream and sugar in my coffee (occasionally I will do the flavored ones). My coffee has been one of the things I have held onto, something that is mine. I recommend reading this post, though. I loved the perspective on how we are each different, for right or wrong: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/330351-im-not-right-youre-not-wrong-we-are-different/ but, now I am going to contradict everything else I just said :-) Sugar is my weakness. My progress since getting banded has felt very slow to me. I just had my 3rd fill and I am hoping that this puts me a lot closer to my green zone. But I know my band is just a tool and that for it to be its most effective, then I have to make changes in my life. Starting in Feb I am going to challenge myself to cut out sugar, not even sweetners. We'll see how it goes! Looks like I'll be joining you tea drinkers. I don't mind black tea. :-)

cross-posted on a couple of threads: I had my surgery in Plano and there are support groups in that area. However, my husband and I share a car and Plano is a little too far for frequent trips. I am interested in a local group in the Irving/Dallas side of DFW. I have a friend who is a therapist who had bypass done in 2002, and she would love to facilitate a support group. I just had lap-band this past November. If interested just let me know, either here or by message! Cheers.

I had my surgery in Plano and there are support groups in that area. However, my husband and I share a car and Plano is a little too far for frequent trips. I am interested in a local group in the Irving/Dallas side of DFW. I have a friend who is a therapist who had bypass done in 2002, and she would love to facilitate a support group. I just had lap-band this past November. If interested just let me know, either here or by message! Cheers.

I feel like I could quote JustWatchMe exactly, lol. I appreciate your post - your honesty and your story. So many of us look to other people to figure this journey out (when we are getting started) and have yet to learn that our story is our own and that it can look so much differently than someone else's. But I think we do it because we believe inspiration will beget inspiration. And your story is inspiring. This might sound awkward but there are a lot of vets who come off as super heroes: I did it, I conquered, you can do it, etc., but sometimes that isn't helpful. Hearing about real struggle and hearing that it might continue to be hard is helpful. For me anyway. Thank you for sharing.

to be honest, I didn't ask. I had my fill just a little while ago but I didn't see the dr - just the techs. Basically I've been sick this last week. I can't tell if that was because I threw up or if me getting sick just triggered me getting a cold. I'm still coughing and have some chest congestion, but my throat is not hurting anymore (a couple of days ago i woke up with a very sore throat) so I'm happy. I feel like I'm just getting over a cold without all the nose issues.