danaclark2

lildarlin, I know your struggle. I really do believe it's harder to lose weight with hypothyroidism--not impossible, but harder. I'm praying the band does help me get the weight off. I believe it will! Good luck--

I'm right there with you guys--Waiting-for-the-insurance-to-respond stage. I, like you, Carroline, have BCBS of TN/PPO. I believe it's been about 5 business days for me now. I'm really anxious to hear a reply. Hopefully, it won't be long now. I'm trying to figure out--if you've completed all they require, why any insurance company would give you a "No." Any thoughts?

I wonder if I've always had thyroid problems--since early childhood, I mean. I wonder if my TSH has always been on the edge, making it easier for me to gain weight. I remember being sluggish as a child--tired a lot, too. I've been overweight as long as I can remember. I'm not blaming my thyroid for all my weight gain, but I am a very active person now--and I have such a difficult time losing weight--even when on my meds. But--with my TSH regulated, with regular exercise, and with a major decrease in calories (hopefully due to the band), I believe I will be successful at weight loss. I really don't care if it takes me 2-3 years to lose it all--as long as it happens. Blessings to you all on this weight loss/health journey.

Thank you all for your posts--This makes sense to me now. By the way, my PCP and OBGYN do not agree on normal TSH levels. My OBGYN says women my age (31) should have a TSH of NO HIGHER than 2, preferably between 1 and 2. My PCP is happy with my TSH at 2.55. What have you all been told?

Hey, Vines! I think you're right--it definitely could skew the doctors's data to have a slow loser. I just wanted to make sure that it was safe to have the surgery with hypothyroidism--not just a matter of if the band would actually work or not. Cushing's--that's when you have high levels of cortisol, right? Do they know what is causing your level to be elevated? If you get it treated, can you resume losing weight? I hope for you a solution to this--I know it's so difficult for me to lose weight with my thyroid problem--even when on my meds and with my TSH normal. It's so frustrating, but we march on. :confused: Thanks for responding to my message.

Hi, all! I'm soon to be banded (hopefully if my insurance complies), but I've been reading a lot about if you have a metabolic disorder, you may not be a good candidate for WLS. I have CONTROLLED hypothyroidsim. Presently, I'm on Synthroid .112 mgs. My doctor says I am a candidate for WLS even with this disorder. Why would all the literature say that I'm not? I know several people with this disorder who've had WLS. I'm just trying to understand why having hypothyroidsim would stop someone from the surgery (according to the literature). Any thoughts? Thanks--

I pray for you and your family peace beyond understanding. I'm so sorry.

I'd be pretty ticked off, too. So sorry about your day--I hope tomorrow's much better.

This maybe a long shot--but you might want to have your thyriod tested, too. Low thyroid hormones can cause hair loss, as well.

Tina-- Sounds good. I'll have to try those. Won't be long until I join you on the banding journey! :cool:

Illude-- Beautiful!! Just beautiful! Thanks for sharing--I'm so happy for you. :couch2:

Melissa, My point exactly!!! People on the outside can look at us--and because of our weight--judge us, thinking we are fat, blubbery slobs who eat compulsively all day long--when that's not true. We all have different body types, genetics, metabolic set-points, weight loss/gain histories, physical conditions (thyroid problems), etc. that contribute to our present state of obesity. This is what I know, though. When I do reach the promise land (of the best weight for me and health), I will enjoy it so much more than a person who's never had a weight problem. It's like this--if you never had a headache--how would you ever know how awesome it is to have had a headache and then have it leave... Without pain, we cannot fully grasp how great it is to be without pain. Onward, band soldiers! I'm proud of all of you. Can't wait to get mine.

I think it's really difficult to have hope in losing weight when you are 100 lbs. or more overweight. It's like you've reached a point of no return--a point that you really need medical, surgical intervention. Look at the statistics--98% of obese people will NEVER reach ideal weight and maintain it without surgery--not that it can't be done--but only 2% of these amazing soldiers can do it on their own. Why, oh, why is that? I've known one person 100 lbs. overweight who lost 110 lbs. by eating low-fat for a year. That was over five years ago, and now she's gained all the 110 lbs. back and more. I honestly cannot think of ONE person who has lost over 100 lbs. on their own and kept it all off for more than 5 years. Can you? Oh, wait, maybe Oprah...

rorysmom, With jogging five miles a day, and being only 21 years old--you'd think I'd make it below 175 lbs.--which I'd be jumping for joy if I weighed now. I didn't mean to come across so angrily--I just know that I've tried and tried and tried and tried to lose weight on my own, and it just hasn't happened--for what ever reason--whether it was physical or mental or emotional. Not everyone has the same body type and genetic make-up. The amount of food I eat at 270 lbs. and what my friend eats at 155 lbs. could be the same, but our weight isn't. For what reasons??? Could be a multitude of things. Not all fat people are blubbery gluttons without self-control. I have self-control in a lot of areas. I have a master's degree in Education--paid for by myself. I have three children and a clean home. I excersise daily. For whatever reason--I can't get this weight off myself. Period. I wish the best for your cousin--success like he/she has never known before.

Praying for you a complete recovery!!!

rorysmom, Then obviously you do NOT think obesity is a disease, do you? Have you ever been obese? I certainly understand what you are saying about the other problems I mentioned--that they are things you can't help--like losing your eyesight, etc. I'm really passionate about this, so forgive me if I get slightly angry in tone... I have been overweight all my life. My mother tells me that she put sugar in my baby food (because my ped. doc. told her to). Along with this, she gave me honey Water as an infant. From studies I've read, all the fat cells that one will have in life is determined as a child. You cannot get rid of fat cells (unless you go the liposuction route); you can only shrink them. I believe that I obtained many fat cells as an infant. I exercise daily. In fact, in college, I jogged five miles/day and could never get below 175lbs. (I'm 5'5). Now, I jog 1-2 miles per day and take a powerlifting class 2-3 times per week. Along with this, I have an autoimmune disease, called hypothyroidism which makes it really difficult to keep weight off, much less lose it. I am not making excuses for all my weight gain--I have eaten too much in the past--and too many wrong things. BUT THERE ARE OTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO WHY I AM OBESE--MEDICAL FACTORS--THINGS I DID NOT ASK FOR IN LIFE--AS A PERSON WOULD NOT ASK FOR CANCER. Please understand that if you have never been obese (which most doctors say is a DISEASE) then you really can't give any valid comments. Have an eye-opening day!

Amen, brother!

If we truly believe that obesity is a disease (which I do) then how is WLS an "easy way out"? Are c-sections an "easy way out"? Are open-heart surgeries? Are wearing eye-glasses? Are vaccinations? Are gall-bladder removals? Are hearing aides? Are chemo/radiation therapies? I could go on and on. Are all of these things "taking the easy way out" in order to lead a healthy productive life? Why doesn't the woman who has a weird shaped uterus (like me) just do things the natural way and push her breech baby out? So what if it kills her and her baby. C-sections are the "easy way out." Why doesn't the man who has a clogged artery just let nature take its course--and die. Why have open-heart surgery? After all, it's the "easy way out." Now, Now--don't wear those eye-glasses--though they make you see better, you're taking the "easy way out." And please don't give your children vaccines. I'm sure they were supposed to get polio (?sp). If they get the vaccine to prevent a life-threatening illness, it must be the "easy way out." And have your gall-bladder removed? Heavens, no. Remain in pain, please. Having it removed would just be the "easy way out." Hearing aides? Don't regain your hearing--you'd just be taking the "easy way out." And finally, why go through cancer treatments and fight for your life. That would just be taking the "easy way out." Sorry to ramble--but since I've embraced the fact that my obesity problem is not 100% my fault--true it is some my fault--but not 100%, I've accepted that I need medical help--WLS--to combat the demon of obesity. I'm so thankful for modern medical advancements. Aren't you?

I work part-time as a conservator representative (legal guardian) for twenty mentally-handicapped individuals. I mainly work from home (receiving emails, faxes, phone calls that require me to make medical and financial decisions for my clients since they have no family members to make these decisions for them). I also work VERY hard as a mother of three: Caleb Michael (almost 5), Samuel Taylor (almost 3), and Hannah Grace (almost 1).

I know you're excited!!! I'll be right behind you. Thinking I'll have my surgery in March 2006. Good Luck!!! Keep us posted.

With all this talk about band erosions, port infections, etc. and people second guessing themselves: Should I have gotten the band or not?, I'm slightly unsure now which WLS procedure to pursue. Anyhow-- Haven't they (bariatric surgeons) been doing Lap Band surgeries in Europe for years now? What do the studies/statistics show there? All the Lap band literature says that the band (ideally) should be left in (forever, if possible) to prevent weight gain. Are the Eurpoeans having these same issues 1-2 years down the road. Has anyone had the band in for over 5 years? 10 Years? If these procedures have been occurring for a long time--longer than in the US or Mexico--what is the consensus among European doctors? Just wondering if any of you had any info. on this. I want so badly to be successful...

Hi, all! Waiting to be banded, here. Just wondering about the first six weeks. My doc. has us on liquids for the first two weeks, then pureed/baby food consistency for the next four weeks (having about 1/4 cup of food 6 X/day). I've read that during the first six weeks, many are hungry because they have no fill. This worries me. Are you a little less hungry than before being banded? I can't imagine not being hungry on liquids. Your stories are welcome!!!

Jacilyn, I've completed all the requirements for my surgeon and insurance company (endoscope, psychological, nutrition and education class, gall bladder study (I have no gall bladder), etc.). Now, I just wait to be approved. I've been told it takes 2-3 weeks. After that, I wait for a surgery date. If all goes well, it'll be sometime in March. I CANNOT WAIT!!! I'm ready to get this weight off--of course, I'm trying now--but I really need an extra "push" that I'm hoping the band will give me. Thanks for asking, Dana

Kathy-- 34lbs in 10 months is still not bad--I was always told that 1/2 lb to 2 lbs. per week is the best way to lose weight. 34lbs. puts you at above 1/2 lb. per week--more like .85 lb per week--almost 1 pound per week. To me, that's great!!! Yes, it is French. I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me!!!

Pre-bander, here! Just wondering how much weight you have lost in one year. Some are trying to convince me to get the RNY because "you lose weight so much quicker." I don't mind losing slowly; in fact, I prefer that. BUT--I'd like to at least lose 40-50lbs in a year. If it takes me two-three years to get to goal--so be it. What's the most you've lost in one year--the least? Thanks!!!!