crystal525

See I knew there were lots of us feeling this way. I'm glad I could remind everyone to go easy on yourself--we have already done so well. Jenn--you are so correct--we need to stop comparing ourselves to each other. Now that I think about it-that was actually a major thing making me feel so inadequate in this journey. Reading everyones losses and feeling like mine were "nothing". So thanks for adding that! I think I spent so much time prior to surgery reading the PRE-Lap band posts, the Insurance Approval posts, and the complications posts that I didn't think to read the POST-Lap band posts about how people recently banded were dealing...that might be a good post over in the pre-banding area... After my little pep talk I have walked 30 - 35 minutes every night this week and logged all my foods (while eating the right way) and I'm down 2 pounds this week! Stress can add pounds too, well stress can at least make you hold onto them (did you watch TBL last night...OMG! Mandi worked her butt off and she GAINED a pound). So everyone, relax and allow the band to work with us. Crystal

I really appreciate everyone's responses. I genuinely JUST realized today that my expectations were not in-line with how I KNOW the band is supposed to work and that I needed to really put forth more effort. That I was looking at the band like I didn't know what I was in for. It's more complicated than I thought (but as with many things in life...experience is the only teacher and you will never know until AFTER banding...I read everything and still expected it to be different for me!). I was expecting too much of myself and of the band. And just like with everything else, our expectations have to be attainable or we will ALWAYS be disappointed. Sometimes it just needs to be "broken down" in a way that makes sense. It makes sense to be realistic...and healthy. We are better than we were. We are on a journey that will last a lifetime and not a year. Remember we chose to be the turtle! :biggrin:

I've been reading alot (and have posted on the very same topic recently as well) about "us" being very upset at "only" having lost 20 pounds in 2 months, or 40 pounds in 6 months. I just had the realization that I need to check my attitude. Did we get the band for a quick weight loss? No--if we did we would have gone the other route. We all know that the weightloss on the band is slower than the bypass. From what I've read, the weightloss with the bypass within the first year usually compares to the loss with the band over TWO+ years. If I'm down 16 pounds since November 13 (which, by the way, I am--very disappointing...but "I" could have done better). That's an average of 4 pounds lost per month (without being at my sweet spot) and a potential loss of 48 pounds in a year and 96 pounds in 2 years...that is 2 pounds MORE THAN my goal. How else can you do that? Okay- other than bypass or being on The Biggest Loser--which by the way me and my best friend, LBT member Shaedie, applied for? My reasoning for getting this was #1--it was not cutting anything out, less invasive, shorter surgery, etc. But #2, and just as important to me, was for the slower weight loss and trying to avoid the plastic surgery that often comes with rapid weight loss. I would have GAINED 16 pounds thru the holidays and spent January and 1/2 of February trying to take off the pounds that I put on. Then--I would have fallen right back into old habits after shedding a few pounds ... and still most likely about 10 pounds heavier than the same time last year. Happens every year. This year is different. I have a little help. I have my friend, the band. I chose him because of the assistance he can give me in conquering my food addiction. This is a lifetime plan, not another diet. I think my problem was that I began to believe in the same false expectations that many of my friends and family who don't know any better believe--that this is a quick fix. That you'll "lose a ton of weight in no time" and think that you'll lose only because "there's no way you can eat that much"--all of which I have heard. They don't know about waiting for restriction, bandster hell, and all the other issues. Until I actually had this surgery and have actually experienced it, I too am guilty of having the belief that I would be able to "eat all my favorite foods, just less of it" and still lose weight. Yep--I have been able to do just that...but my slow loss shows it. I am now working together with my band and hopefully my loss at my next dr. visit shows that as well. We all have lots of reasons for getting the band, but the one thing we all have in common is that we did it for our health. OK--Now that I got myself in check...bring on the weight loss... :biggrin: This was really a pep talk to myself. But -- I thought someone else might benefit from it. Crystal

Are you exercising harder? After shoveling snow this week, mine was sore. I was banded back in November so I thought this was odd. Told the dr. about it at my appointment today and he said it was normal--just like muscles getting sore! It's really the area around it getting sore. Hope this helps!

I'm here in St. Mary's ... grew up in good old chuck county! I work in DC and get my fills during lunch hour! I see Dr. Moazzez (in Dr. Afram's office in Georgetown). I'm in search of a local support group! Welcome all!

This is so what I'm feeling. Sometimes I just want that same old "full" feeling. I was just telling someone that I never get full. I am comfortable (or uncomfortable might be the word sometimes...), but never full. It would be so much easier if I did feel that feeling. I think I was so used to eating until I was full...not just until I was satisfied. It's a learning process. For me, I think it's mostly head hunger. It's sort of like just wanting to eat sometimes ... with no limits, like before (that would be stress eating). That's part of the food addiction that will take time to get rid of. Good luck to us all--I'm hoping my next fill will happen tomorrow and I will get to feel "full".

Hi all! Just to update you all. I had my surgery on Thursday (13th). Everything went perfectly. As planned I stayed overnight. Incision sites are not painful at all. But--I have had very bad gas pains since surgery. Other than that I am fine. Been sleeping alot and haven't really felt like doing much--but that's to be expected. My surgery was at 1:30 on Thursday and I was released after my Upper GI yesterday. I'm up and walking and the Tylenol 3 with codeine seems to help with the pain and to let me sleep. I also take the Gas X strips--those are definitely a must. I can say that the gas pains are much worse than I expected. I found a perfect description--remember when we were younger and we had to run the mile in gym class --that sharp pain under your rib when you were totally winded and couldn't do anymore? That's the pain...same place. There as well as in my shoulders. But--lots of walking helps. I finally started moving some "gas"...I won't be any more explicit... :cool: and that seems to be helping most of all! I hope all are doing well and good luck to us all on our new life journey.

51 pounds is great! I'm at about the same starting weight and I can only hope that I'm down 51 pounds by February! That's almost halfway to goal. They say 1 to 3 pounds per week depending on how much you have to lose. That would be 13 to 39 pounds for you over 13 weeks. I don't know about everyone else, but I think you are doing fantastic!!! Crystal

Haven't been on the thread in a while, but all testing done and surgery is next Thursday, November 13. I haven't seen my dr. since approval but at my first appointment he said I should try to lose 5 to 10 lbs before surgery. I haven't gained but I haven't lost. I see him Friday--I'll probably try to do 2 shakes and a protein & salad meal Wednesday and Thursday--that'll help with a pound or 2 (maybe)--tonight I'm having Chinese and watching election coverage. How are you bandsters doing that have been banded already in November? Oh--to the person that asked, I have Aetna and was approved in about 5 days. Good luck and Happy BandDay. Crystal:biggrin:

I know the feeling. I took a withdrawal on my 401(k) and by the time the check was cut the portion I could withdraw shrunk from $1600 to $1300 in just a week (last week of course)! As far as the "deductible"--I'm covered 100% but my drs. office has a program fee of $1500 which covers lifetime office visits (except fills), the nutritionist, excercise consultant, and other follow-up fees just in case my insurance ever changes/lapses. It's one of the Bariatric Centers. I questioned it at first but it's better than paying up to $20,000 and then paying for every visit I have to make. I get it -- the economy is bad --I know you didn't use your savings on fun stuff. Maybe you can make payment arrangements for 6 months to a year. They already know they will get paid thru the insurance company. Maybe they'll let you put 1/4 down and divide the rest over a few months...??? I'm very sorry--but in this day and age, I understand that everyday living always comes first. Let me know how it turns out and good luck. Crystal

Thanks to all of you! I hope my confidence in the procedure carries over to him. He has been with me through a few knee surgeries and a breast reduction so he's aware of the general surgical risks. Maybe the difference is that this is an elective procedure (necessary, but elective). I think the last time when they made me fill out a Power of Attorney and Living Will at the hospital on the morning of admission scared him quite a bit... I can understand that. Again--I am comfortable with my doctor's abilities and I'm hopeful that he can feel that. Thanks again! This site is a God-send.

My husband is very supportive of what I am choosing to do and has never questioned my decision. For the first time last night he asked about the complications. I've read up and know that the biggest complication is from the surgery/anesthesia itself. He knows it's always a risk to have surgery. I'm just wondering what you all may have done to calm the fears of family. I just had a breast reduction last year and have never had any surgery problems in the past. Thanks for any suggestions! Crystal

My husband is very supportive of what I am choosing to do and has never questioned my decision. For the first time last night he asked about the complications. I've read up and know that the biggest complication is from the surgery/anesthesia itself. He knows it's always a risk to have surgery. I'm just wondering what you all may have done to calm the fears of family. I just had a breast reduction last year and have never had any surgery problems in the past.

I'm with you! Got approved last week --Surgery is 11/13. Go Us!!!

Submitted September 26. Approved October 2!:tt2:

Got my approval today--calling tomorrow to confirm my date. I think it'll be November 13!!! Good luck to us all. I too am excited, scared and happy! Woo Hoo!!!!!

I was approved. I'm anxious, excited, scared, and happy all rolled up in one. My surgery will be most likely November 13--can't confirm yet because their system is down. Plus I need to make sure I can get all my appointments in! I'm trying to let it sink in. This will be a perfect holiday season. Crystal:thumbup:

Just an update! Got approval today. Thank goodness it was fairly painless. Now I have to get all my other appointments going--looking at the first Thursday in November as a date!!

So I just got back from what I thought was going to be my 2nd of 3 appointments and they told me it was my 3rd and final (they counted the presentation in July as my first visit). I did see the dr. during at that time, but I was told on my next visit (which was the first group therapy, dr., and nutritionist) that that was actually my 1st visit. I have no problem with that. It makes me happy that I'm a month ahead. Now I have to rush and get all these appointments done because the insurance lady told me to wait. Now I'm just worried that they won't have all my paperwork in line when it's submitted tomorrow to the insurance....!!!! I hope that all the requirements (sleep apnea , psych eval, etc.) were part of the clinics requirements and not Aetna (Open Access). Now I need to check that... I'm crossing my fingers. Good thing is that I should know soon about approval and any other "hoops". Crystal

Hello fellow Marylanders. I have Aetna open access. Hopefully they approve me. I know I qualify and I just need to have confidence which is hard to come by these days. I have my first nutritionist appointment on Aug. 13. I guess I'll find out then when I should start having tests... I'm crossing my fingers that the 3 months go by quickly. I've been reading and am getting more excited!!

I quit smoking a year ago when I had my breast reduction. And...gained 18 pounds in 6 months! But --YES YOU NEED TO QUIT. I had a friend that did not quite when she had the bypass and ended up in ICU because of breathing issues following her surgery. Very scary. That's what made me know I didn't want gastric bypass. That is a must for you. It's hard but easier when you know you're doing it for a reason--tell yourself you won't be able to have the surgery if you have smoked in the last 30 days. That's what my surgeon told me. It worked!

Okay--the $1500 is supposed to cover the nutritionist and exercise consultant and office visits for life (no matter if I change insurance carriers and what my coverge is) except when needing the fill. Since he wants me to have the sleep apnea test, I think that's included also. The psych consult is NOT included --the want $375 for that for their in-house therapist. I'm going to use one on my insurance plan. $375 for a 45 minute evaluation seems steep. I'm feeling like I'm getting charged this because I'm using insurance. I'll ask for a breakdown when the insurance person calls-I reallly liked the dr. but didn't seem to get along with her too well. Seemed like she didn't want me questioning what she was telling me. Oh Well... :smile2: Regarding the $40 fill--I have no clue about that. I will follow up on that too. She told me all this before calling my insurance (Aetna Open Access). I don't have a copay over $10 unless going to the emergency room without being admitted. My specialis copay is even $10!!! I hope she calls today. I was leery while talking to her now I'm more so...

Thanks! I am going to the Obesity Center in Washington DC. Dr. Moazzez. When I went I actually saw someone else I knew that lived down the street. It's the only center in DC that is designated as a center of excellence.

I was too told that I would have to stop 1 month before surgery...I have a 17 year old son and have no intentions of having another! My hubby will not be too happy but I'm not taking any chances! I have been thinking about the IUC anyway...maybe it's a good time to look into that! :cool:

Wish me luck as I start on my journey. Attended the seminar today and I'm really excited. Hopefully the insurance pulls through for me. Glad to be in the company of so many like me!!! :cool: