kgloverii

It takes a long time for your head to get wrapped around the new size you are. I still have a lot of issues surrounding what I REALLY look like vs. how I think I look. There is often a big difference. And as Jacqui said, when I was really heavy, I never saw myself like that. I convinced myself that the fat pictures were usually bad camera angles, lol. Dressed, my excess skin is not that noticeable, but I DO have excess. And I may look hot in a bikini, but I have a LOT of excess skin hanging on the lower stomach. I have arms with extra skin and my thighs, well, they jiggle extra now, and dimple too. But I look WAY better now than I did before, so I am NOT complaining... Self tanner and good fitting clothes make a big difference. Jacqui mentioned the boots thing. I am the EXACT opposite. I have 'fankles' with fat still on my ankles. And my calves, even at a size 4, require big girl boots. They are ALL muscle. Its like my body is waiting for me to get fat again. But, it is a small problem to have, and even though it is out of proportion, others don't notice it, so I don't fret. You are way harder on yourself than others are on you. Promise. As you lose weight, you will be more confident. Your method of dress with change, to reflect your new body. And you'll notice people will treat you differently cause you are not overweight. Some of it is due to your new confidence, but some is due to people viewing thinner people differently. I've attached before and after pics.

They are basically looking for a complete health history. If you've had these conditions, be upfront and honest about them. This will allow the doctors to help educate you as you go along on your journey about your diet, things you may have to give up, things you might need to incorporate, etc. This will also allow you to see down the road, if any of your conditions have cleared up as a result of your weight loss. For instance, I no longer get migraines!

It is usually about 25 almonds in a serving...

These surgeries are two VERY different surgeries. The bottom line is, if you are not able to make the TRUE dietary and mental changes the go along with the surgery you have performed, you will not be successful. Before I had my band, I thought people who had RNY were dumb, desperate people who chopped their stomachs in half risking long term complications. I thought band people had it much easier... they could eat anything in smaller portions and be successful. 20 months post band, my perspective has changed. I know people with the band, and with the bypass. I see people who have had GREAT success with the band, like myself. But here is the truth... I am successful, but I do NOT eat like a totally 'normal' person. I eat A LOT less. There are a lot of foods I cannot tolerate well. And there are days I get super tight for no reason and eating most foods causes pain in my back that makes me want to rip the band out from inside of me. For the most part, I like my band, but at almost 2 years post op, my eyes are open, and I know it is not the end all, die all. I have a good friend who had the bypass. She lost a significant amount of weight with it, but never got past a size 12, even with a highly malabsorptive procedure... She was still considered obese, I believe, according to BMI charts. She has had weight regain 5 years out. She's now on diet. It is a vicious cycle. More people are successful long term with the RNY. There is also worry of weight regain with the RNY. There are a TON of people who have their bands removed within 2 years of surgery. There are a LOT of people who don't lose a lot of weight with a band. Pick your poison. I am NOT a naysayer here. I'd still get my band, even in hindsight. Well, actually I'd get the sleeve now, but 2 years ago, the sleeve wasn't very well known, so I didn't consider that option. So, with that option off the table, I've made the band work for me. I am healthier, leaner, meaner, and cheerier post band. But, I do recognize that there are both rosy and not so rosy perspectives on both surgeries.

Tons of Americans are Vitamin D deficient. Just take the supplements, even better when taken with a glass of milk, and you'll be fine. This will not hold up your surgery.

Oh yeah... I take some secret pleasure in it. Someone told me the other day that they were 'really worried about me' and I shouldn't lose anymore weight. I am NOT underweight... just a nice size 4/6. I know it was jealousy talking, and I told them as such. Usually, I am not so blunt, but this person irritated me, because they were alluding to the fact that I was anorexic. :blushing:

I agree... .5 ccs does not seem like much, but it makes a HUGE difference when you get to the end. The last fill I got was .75 ccs and I ended up having to get .4 ccs taken out, but that got me to the PERFECT spot. It is amazing how much a LITTLE can change everything...

If you are hungry every 30 mins, you need fill. If your doctor won't do it, you need to find someone who will. The band is supposed to help you lose weight, and you should NOT be relying on 'self-control' to get you there. I have 6.5 ccs in a 10 cc band. And let me just tell you, even 1/2 a cc can make a huge difference. Every single person is different. Some people need a max fill level to get that proper restriction. To be honest with you, I think your doctor and his staff are not being supportive in making you successful with your band. You need to have a heart to heart with them, or try to find somewhere else to go for that support. Working out is a VERY SMALL part of your success. Your eating is a large part of it, and right now, your tool is not helping you like it should because your doctor is being unsupportive.

I agree with the previous poster, about the plan document. Some have it readily available, and some may not, though. The typical info they give you will not advise you if they have a WLS exclusion on the plan. You can also ask HR for their group number and call the insurance company yourself for specifics.

Another pound gone today!! I can't believe it!!! These nuts aren't magical, but my gosh, they sure make a difference... and the Fiber really DOES help with keeping things on track... I bought a big canister of the Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds from Sam's Club yesterday and I have got to say, they are DELISH. No added fats, only a TINY bit of sugar, and they are divine. Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds I hope others get the benefit I get... the nuts are truly a great addition to our whole family's diet. I made a GREAT Chinese Roasted Pork salad the other night and added some crushed peanuts and pecans to the salad. The family ate it up like they hadn't seen food in days, and the nuts made it extra filling.

I lost just over 100 pounds. I am in my early 30's and have some skin issues... My breasts sag, I have some tummy issues (but a well cut bikini covers it up), my upper arms are saggy, but a typical short sleeve makes it not terrible, and my thighs, well, they could use a bit of a lift, but God knows they look a ton better than before weight loss. I will wear short shorts, because they don't look that bad... Some things I've noticed... I good compression garment is your friend, as needed. A good bra with lots of foam fixes the sags. And some self-tanning lotion makes the sagginess in the arms, stomach and thighs much, much, much less noticeable and bearable. Someday, maybe I'll spring for plastic surgery, but right now, I am pretty comfortable with my body in the **hot** shape it is in!

I just wanted to share something I've learned along the way in my Lap-Band journey, that I am hoping will help others. I have never been one to subscribe to the whole counting calories, fats, etc. while losing with the Band. I have been very vocal that I believe getting to the right fill level will make you much more successful than trying to 'have self-control.' The Band, for me, has SIGNIFICANTLY dimmed my appetite in where 'self control' is just a natural thing. I think like a thin person now. I eat when I am hungry, and stop when I am satisfied. In the past few months, I have been trying to be very mindful of what I put into my body. More fish, veggies, nuts, healthy fats, more nutrient-dense foods. I've gotten to a very healthy weight and paying myself back, by treating my body with the utmost respect, is the best thanks I can give to myself, and to my Band. One of the changes I have made is the DAILY addition of almonds to my diet. I eat a serving of almonds for Breakfast. One days when I am tight due to Water issues, or the band being fickle, almonds still work well for me, so I will choose them as a Protein source if meat doesn't agree. 1/2 to 1 serving when I eat them satisfies me, and I eat the ones without extra oils added. My favorites are the Blue Diamond Jalapeno Smokehouse Almonds, but I also like plain, ones with sea salt, and ones with cinnamon. I also make my own by buying raw almonds and roasting them with chili powder. Almonds have become a mainstay for me, and they have replaced other foods that are not so good for me like white carbs, etc. They ARE higher fat and calories than those things I am replacing. However... here is the kicker. I've lost few pound with the addition of them to my diet. I was quite happy at 138, and figured that was where I was meant to stay, but over the last month and a half, I have dropped to 133. My skin is clearer, I have more energy, and I in general, feel BETTER. I am not attributing this ALL to almonds, but I want to put this out there. If you're suffering from a plateau, want a BETTER protein source than just meat, and want additional health benefits, the addition of these healthy nuts will ADD to your health and weight loss. DO NOT be 'scared' of the fat. Americans in general focus too much on the fat aspect, when more and more information is coming out showing that fat is NOT where our focus should lie... Here's some more info I found, and I hope this helps someone... it sure has helped me!! Almonds Aid Weight Loss and Lower LDL Cholesterol

The changes in band tightness with stimulants are not just due to blood pressure issues. It also has a direct correlation with changes in water retention... i.e. dehydration. I can pump fluids all day long with my Adderall but still lose fluids and this, in effect, tightens my band. As a fellow bandster who **cares** I really caution you on the long term use of phentermine... I hope that you can get the restriction you need so that you can be successful without the medication. Warmly,

Water should ALWAYS go down... If you are having issues with liquids, you need to get a slight unfill. that is NOT normal. Your weight loss is slow because you are only able to eat 'slider foods' and not real foods. People who are too full often have problems gaining weight or not losing. You should be able to eat all sorts of foods, just in small quantities.

The phentermine is not safe for long-term use, and most doctors will stop usage after 12 weeks. If you choose to continue after 12 weeks, you need to know you are putting your health at risk. Keep this in mind. As some of the other posters have said, the amphetamine WILL mess with the tightness of your band. I take Adderall for ADD, and my band tightness fluctuates GREATLY with when I take it. There are some days that I can barely eat anything, and other days I can gorge, if I wanted to. The band allows me to keep this in check, as well as some willpower. But there are some days when I can barely eat ANYTHING and it gets VERY frustrating... Just some things to keep in mind as you go along on your journey.

How long ago was the revision? Could you have a stretched pouch? Have they done flouro on you?

Are you experiencing good restriction? Are you consuming empty liquid calories? Are you drinking when you eat? Are you getting enough sleep?

Your cycle can get messed up from surgery and weight changes... if there is any doubt, I'd get a pregnancy test though...

Depends on the doc. My doc says coffee is cool, 6 months post-op. I gotta have my daily fix...

If there is a WLS EXCLUSION, then there is no way to appeal around it. If it was a denial based on other factors, then you may have hope. Aetna policies are different for each company, and just because someone was denied and eventually was approved does not mean that it is something that can/can't happen in your case. I truly feel for you, and if WLS is indeed an exclusion, I am sorry. I too had to self-pay. Of all of the different insurance policies that DH and I have had through different employers, we've never had a policy that has covered bariatric procedures....

A band restricts your portions. It limits your intake. And as you get your fills, it helps with the constant hunger and food obsessions. I chose my band so I could eat like a 'normal' person .... just not so much. I no longer count my calories, limit my fat, or eat anything 'fake' like sugar free or low-fat. I eat everything that has the 'regular' amount of fat, not the light version. But I don't gorge myself like I did before. Ice cream is one of those things I enjoy. I eat full-fat varieties, but no longer the whole carton, but instead a small bowl. The band is all about having a normal relationship with food and not obsessing about everything you put into your mouth. If people start obsessing for you, tell them to take a leap... in the nicest way possible. it is SERIOUSLY not anyone else's business.

I love popcorn. But it is a 'slider food' for me, so I have to watch how much I consume.

As you get your fills and your restriction, your relationship with food WILL change. For the BETTER. I promise. You'll stop thinking of it so often and not have such a fondness for eating to fill up. I LOVE MY FOOD and am quite the foodie, and have learned to cook DELICIOUS meals, and am a MUCH better cook post-band. But now, I don't obsess over what to eat. You'll get there too.

We love using our salad plates... Everything is supersized, and I like the IKEA idea a lot. Another idea is to visit a Salvation Army or thrift store and get some antique china someone has donated and purchase that. The older stuff is much smaller in size...

I went from a 40DD to a 36 c 1/2. I look pretty deflated. LOL. But foam is your best friend. A good bra makes all of the difference in the world. I've attached a pic to show how my boobs are **GONE**. But I'd rather be thin with no boobs. No regrets.