Lizandrk

Surely though you can just go to your doctor and have a swab taken?. That will diagnose staph or any other infection quickly and simply. Forgive me but it seems nuts to be trying to figure this out online when you sound like you've never had these looked at by a doctor?

I know that we all do this, try to manage these things - I remember my son having things that looked like cigarette burns on his legs, and he had horrible eczema as a younger child, I assumed it was scratched lesions and left it for aaaaages. He actually had impetigo (school sores). It was an instant visual diagnosis, and responded immediately to treatment, the worst thing was he spread it to my other two and I had to tell the school too - its wonderful telling a school that your mangy child has pox. But it might be something so quickly diagnosed and easily treatment.

If embarrassment is holding you back, that's understandable but it shouldnt. I put off going to the doctor over bowel troubles for months and months, it was just too icky but in the end, I had cancer. Had I left it much longer, I wouldnt be here. So go to the doctor, if you havent already.

The ONLY reason I haven't gone to the doctor over this is b/c of lack of insurance! I didn't start having the boils on a semi-regular basis until about 9-12 mths post op from my surgery. Which also happen to be when I began to not only work out, but work out on almost a daily basis. So I assumed this and extra skin was the cause. I do not fear doctors and nothing embarasses me. My problem was MONEY! I'm a single Mom and when I lost my job in 2010, I lost my health insurance too! All I could find were temp jobs w/o benefits until a few months ago. I've worked constantly trying to find that GREAT job that gives me health benefits and it's finally here! Tomorrow, OFFICIALLY, my boys and I have insurance again! And I cannot even begin to explain how wonderful that feels!!! So I'm making calls today, my 1st one will be to a dermatologist! also b/c I'm 26 and I've never had the full body once over for skin cancer and moles before, so I'll do it all at the same time!!! And yes, I'll have them do a swap or test or labs or whatever they need to do to confirm if it's hormonal, habitual, too much yeast, gluten, staph, whatever! I'll make sure they get to the root of it (hehe, pardon the pun) b/c I'm a "pro-active patient".

Also, I'll be scheduling a fill soon, but priority #1 with my darling band, is the yearly x-ray and ultrasound test things they're supposed to do that I'm over-do for! =D

I really do appreciate everyone's advice and opinions and experiences! It's been helpful giving me ideas and options to try UNTIL I had health insurance!!! Thanks again!

While allergies to detergents and dyes can cause bumps and rashes- they are not likely to cause boils as boils are small skin abscesses/infection. I'm a nurse and I have had the same problem especially once I started working out with a trainer- thus sweating more and having alot more friction going on. Matter of fact I even mention in my profile that my lapband surgeon offered to lance one when I came in to get a fill and complained about one. I've gotten a hair bump or boil before in the past but nothing like I had issues with in the last year. =/ I had one that was so deeply embeded that it could not drain on its own and I ended up getting a systemic reaction- high fever, nausea, fainting and ended up in the hospital over it and having to have it surgically drained because I assumed like all the rest that it would jus go away on its own in time- boy was I ever wrong!! My life saver has been washing my peri area- front and back (as these can and do spread to surrounding tissue esp due to staph) with Hibiclens daily and PRN. You can buy it at any pharmacy its an antimicrobial soap (not just antibacterial), you may have used it before your lapband surgery, some pharmacies like Vons Ive found sell it from behind their counter but you still dont need a prescription. When I actually have a boil I watch it and allow it to drain in gauze instead of all over the surrounding tissue as it can spread. I also apply neosporin or bacitracin to open boils- consult your physcian on the use of those products though, some people are allergic. Also sitz baths/soaks help to bring the boil to head and drain which Im sure you know brings instant pain relief. Warm compresses then a sitz soak is my method. If you have one or feel the sensation that one is coming immediately intervene as these can go from a harmless nusiance to painful and health hazardous in the form of sepsis unbeknownst to most people who brush it off as a simple hair bump. Some people are simply prone to boils which yes can be brought on by frequent ingrown hairs but if you happen to be one of the lucky ones like me who's horomones and body chemistry are prone to them you can get them without a whole lot of instigation on your part. Definitely dont wear tight undergarments for all the reasons people listed above- not to mention they promote ingrown hairs by being so tight against them. Excess skin of course is a breeding ground for bacteria so cleanse more often than most and try keeping the peri area as clean and free from excess moisture as possible. My doctor also suggested I use baby wipes as opposed to just toilet paper- anything to lessen the chance of bacteria pooling on skin thats already prone to boils. I still get the sensation that some want to form at times but I have not had any bad ones since I started this extra clean regimen- and in the end who doesnt like a clean crotch?haha Best of luck!

This was very thorough and helpful, thank you very much! Yes, I've mostly been doing the whole extra clean routine like you said the last few months. I do still wear Spanx, but I use the anti biotic soap (hadn't ever thought of anti microbial) and I do the same things you said when one is going to pop. Yeah, I've asked all these questions because I was curious if "SOME PEOPLE" are just prone to them OR if it's a lifestyle or habitual thing I'm doing to CAUSE it. B/c if I can get to the cause, I can stop/prevent, ya know! So yeah. I will def be seeing a dermatology in the next few weeks just in case!

What they cover will depend on what your employer group wants them to cover. I have UHC also and mine does not cover plastic surgery at all but yours may be different. The premiums are based on the options the employer group chooses. Our employer group chose to cover bariatric surgery with very few requirements but no plastic surgery.

As for the thigh lift, if you are planning to have a baby I would NOT get it done until afterwards. I only say that because when I got pregnant the first time my thighs were fine and normal sized but by the time I was 9 months preggo they were stretched out, saggy and full of stretch marks. I've been wanting my thighs done ever since then. When you are pregnant you tend to hold a lot of weight from Fluid retention which can settle in your thighs.

Does your BCBS cover plastic surgery? Is the United Healthcare coming from that same employer?

Thanks for replying! No, my BCBS was through a different employer. My UHC goes into affect 10/6/11, yayyyyy!

I have 2 boys already and I'm about 80% certain I won't have anymore kids. And if I did have the thigh lift and had another pregnancy, it wouldn't be more than 1 more kid, AND I have much better control (mentally and psychologically) over my weight now so I'm optimistic I wouldn't gain a lot. Plus if I did choose to have another child, I would wait until after I got to my goal weight anyway.

I just feel like I NEED this thigh lift. I talk to other women in my life and it seems like the issues I have with them are abnormal...and it's such a hassle. Also a constant reminder of the size I used to be. =/

this is really a long shot but i am assuming when you wear a dress you are not wearing panty hose right? if you are./. or even if youre not.. im slightly suspicious that you may have a slight latex allergy. Or an allergy to the laundry detergent? In grown hairs.. always keep coming back in the same place just fyi... notice if they are always in the same place. its a problem with the hair folicle so the whole folicle needs to be removed..( or lazered) so the easy way would be to do one and see if its gone.

but with no insurance; im afraid it might be too expensive.

now i gotta lecture you like a mother.. most insurances are not going to cover a fill period. especially if it was a pre-existing condition. if youre still losing weight then thats cool. but if you arent .. Girlllllllll.. go get a fill!!! . ) you know it wont cost as much as a brazillian wax.. ( ok that was a text book mother type guilt trip )

LOL! Actually...right now w/ no insurance, a wax costs me $50 and a fill costs me $250. Once I have my insurance my fill will only be $45-50 (depending) for a Specialist Office visit. I will NOT put off getting a fill SCHEDULED the same day my new insurance goes into effect!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the detergent thing, I never thought about it. I do always get them in my panty line...maybe I'm using too much fabric softner or something. I do have somewhat sensitive skin, I am allergic to band-aids and surgical tape, but not latex....

I had this same issue for almost 2 years, then my 18 month old daughter had it. They immediately diagnosed her with staph. A light bulb went on and I knew thats what I had to. The doctor had me bathe my entire family of five including babies in a bleach bath for 2 months. It worked! Like a half a cup of bleach per bath.

Thank you! I will try this! All the talk of staph is REALLY starting to concern me b/c the newest THREE I have, I've had for a week now w/ minimal change even after me trying different things, all things that have been suggested so far.

You know what's odd? I've noticed that last week I didn't wear Spanx much because I was wearing dresses and that's when I started getting them more, or just worse. This week I've worn my spanx because I'm wearing my normal dress pants for work and they're GETTING BETTER! So I'm thinking normally the spanx is a barrier between my skin and sweat or something...oddly they're better. But I will go out asap and buy that Caldescene powder b/c I've never been able to buy ANYTHING that works! I hope that sure does!!! I think I'm just going to do laser hair removal in the very near future so I don't have to worry about it anymore. thanks everyone for all the opinions!

I do sleep almost naked at night, so I think that helps a ton! I know the Spanx probably aren't good, I've been wearing maxi dresses more often (feeling thinner and more girly, yay) and I dont' wear spanx with those so it feels VERY freeing! I just need to buy a few more...! Yeah, I've done a little more research the last few days and I AM now convinced it is totally the ingrown hair thing. Because I never used to wax but the last year I have and I've had way less issues (boils). However, I haven't done it in the the last 2 mths and I've had so many it's been a MAJOR ISSUE! So I resolved I MUST continue the waxing and do it regularly!

So question though, if it's all MOSTLY b/c of my high liklihood of having ingrown hairs, would you assume I could do laser hair removal in problem areas and never have the problem again???

I am about to get United Healthcare Insurance at work, and I don't yet have all the documentation and resources to figure out what they may or may not cover. I had Blue Cross Blue Shield a few years back that paid for my Lapband surgery. I'm wondering if United pays for plastic surgery, and if they do what do they consider medically necessary???

Here's the situation:

-I have backpain because of my chest, even after losing 75+ pounds.

-I get rashes, spots, sores, boils, etc on my inner thighs because they got WORSE after losing weight, just sag and rub!

-I get rashes and "acne lookin' spots" under my lower stomach "hang".

I have not told any doctor about these problems because I haven't been going to the doctor regularly (no insurance) but I have been documenting it all in pictures. I don't think I'll be having ANY surgery until a few years from now...(I think) because I hope to lose a little more weight and we may decide to have a baby...so surgery would be have that, at least the Tummy Tuck. So if I could do the thigh lift now, it wouldn't affect a pregnancy AND I'd be able to run more, maybe even faster!

My doctors DO know that I'm an athlete, I've been working really had to get/stay active and that I (feel like I) have to wear Spanx during workouts to keep my skin all in one place so it isn't bobbin' all over the place.

So I will see my family doctor AND a dermatologist as soon as my new insurance goes into affect, tell them what's going on, show 'em the pictures and have them document it all for me. I'd just like to be ahead of the game if I can. If they'd pay for part of it, I'd do the inner thigh lift in the next 6 mths!!!

Oh and also, I HAVE photographed all of these issues and occurences in hopes that I may be able to someday get my insurance to pay for either the Tummy Tuck or the inner thigh lift, based off of medical need...

Ok, so I'm not at goal yet but I began having this problem when I began working out 18 mths ago! I get boils! I've tried to research them and see if it's something I'm maybe just genetically prone to, if it's because I have the excess skin, or if I'm doing something wrong. They are painful, embarassing and hard to get rid of. I get rid of 1 and another one comes up. I've been told by a dermatologist that I'm prone to in-grown hairs...but I can't conclude if boils are a result of that or not, I don't think they are. (And no I haven't seen a dermatologist for the boils because I haven't had insurance, I was told that about my skin a few years ago, I will have insurance in the next 30-45 days so I WILL see a dermatologist then.)

So, I wear Spanx a lot, almost everyday. This seems to make it worse, but sometimes it doesn't. I get them mostly in my groin area! Soooo embarassing! Either at the top, on the side, in my bikini line, on my inner thigh, just all around that general area. And I KNOW I need a Tummy Tuck, but I'm waiting to finish losing weight--having another child--lose weight again...before scheduling a tummy tuck. I hope this problem would be resolved by doing that, because I'm considering an inner thigh lift too.

But in the meantime, I don't know if I need to stop wearing spanx do something different, or what? I always shower right after working out, take good care of my skin (washing, exfoliating, hydrating daily) I don't wear jeans that are too tight or any of that jazz, I just can't seem to keep them at bay.

However, when I'm getting a brazilian wax regularly, they seem to not show up AS OFTEN...but then, when I have 1 I don't want to get a wax because it makes them more noticeable (to my boyfriend) Ugh! Help!

Thanks so much for any input you may have!!!

Great questions, I wondered the same thing. I assumed when they cut out the section of skin, that they pull the tummy down and pull the cooch up, lol! I'll be SPECIFICALLY covering that as well...in the future! I've got 20 more lbs to lose before doing a consult!

Haven't seen any posts on this thread in a year! Now that we've celebrated our 2 year anniversary, how is everyone doing? I managed to loose another 10 lbs this year - down a total of a little over 60 lbs. Goal is 80 lbs. Still a way to go, but very happy with the results.

Its been a constant struggle with the band, and I have had difficulty with solid food for months. But recently I couldn't even handle soft foods. I had been hesitating on going to the doctor, as I don't have medical insurance, but when it became a problem to even keep liquids down, I knew I had now choice. I was happy to learn an esophagram was only $175. It showed that the band had slipped slighly, but the NP said by removing 2 cm's it should correct itself. It is so great to be able to eat solid food again. I am afraid I have been going a bit wold all week - cheeseburgers and chips 4 days in a row. Have to get serious again, before I start putting on weight again.

Hope you are all having success with your band.

Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for posting this! I swear =( I'm ashamed I lost touch with LBT. Pre-surgery, this website was my life line, peaking into what everyone was going through, asking questions, getting honest answers. It was such a help! And I believe I was on here daily until about 4 months post-op and I found 1 woman with a Lapband Blog! From there, I found the whole WORLD of lapbandster bloggers! I made my own blog and the rest...is history! But I have def. missed this place!!!

So for my update:

First year banded; I lost 84 lbs!!!! I got down to 211 by May actually, so 11 mths. First, I had a hard time eating right. It took me until Nov '09 to feel restriction. In the beginning I did light workouts maybe 2 days a week, tops. After getting the first 30 lbs off, I felt totally empowered and no longer embarassed to go workout at the gym IN FRONT OF PEOPLE, lol! So I got a membership at a gym that was open 24 hrs a day, so it'd be easy....no excuses! I started going 3-4 days a week, began "jogging" for the first time. The day I walked my first mile it took me 18.5 minutes to complete it. By November I was jogging at a rate of 12 min/mile. In January, I signed up to complete a half-marathon. After being down (no training) for 6 wks due to asthmatic bronchitis, I got back up ready to fight! I trained every day, ran every day, ate perfectly, filling myself with Protein Shakes or Protein Bars 2 meals a day, to make sure I didn't run down my body. Then in March 2010, I completed my first half marathon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN YOU FREAKIN' BELIEVE IT???!!!?!?! Seriously...some days I still can't. I still am the same ol' Liz, same fat-mindset, and looking back I'm just amazed! I did not have wonderful time but honestly, my goal was "completion" b/c I didn't know what was really fair to expect of myself. But I was/am proud of how it turned out!

Then in May 2010, I had gotten bored with the running and didn't have any upcoming challenges, so I began hiking more. I went from "easy" to "difficult" trails. I'd push myself and go the hottest time of the day, I'd go alone, I'd do anything to make it more challenging for me, to be MORE of a workout. Because hiking is something I enjoy mentally and spiritually, it never felt like a workout unless I pushed myself. I was doing SOOO good!!! May and June of 2010 I began adding weights to my workout routine too and during those 2 mths, the lowest I ever got was 211, never dropped another pound BUT I've always done my measurements and I continued to SHRINK! (I was putting on muscle, yay!)

Then I don't really know what happened.....

I lost focus, I hit a road block, the scale not moving deterred me, and I think mentally, I couldn't keep up the fight. I met a new guy then and began dating him. To this day I'll tell you he taught me SO MUCH about myself. He Enlightened me to some issues I had no clue I had. I was with him for 6 mths. During those whole six months...I made no PHYSICAL progress. I did gain up to 215-ish, but not bad considering I cut my workouts probably in half, just because of a new job. So I continued to workout but my eating was poor. I was back to emotionally eating because all these issues and childhood memories coming up for me were so much to handle. But I KNEW if I didn't handle them, I'd continue to be fat, carry weight around, blame myself and think poorly of myself. So I just figured...deal with these issues, if I can just maintain for now, then I'm ok with that. So I did just that. I maintained 215 throughout the rest of the year, got into counseling, confronted some major issues and made true progress on the ME on the INSIDE.

This year...in March 2011 I felt that relationship had ran it's course. We didn't want to still be together, but I have much love for him...we just knew it wasn't working. So I broke up with him. And although I'm the one who made that decision, I packed out a good15 lbs the few weeks following, overwhelmed with sadness trying to detach from him. At the same time, my counselor had recommended I be tested for ADHD and/or ADD because she was certain I had it. So back up to 230-ish lbs, feeling HORRIBLE because at that point my whole wardrobe was SKIN TIGHT and disgusting on me. I was officially diagnosed with ADHD, which I've known since I was a teen that I had, but I had been against medication. Well...I finally thought, why not give it a try and see if it helps my work performance and helps me to focus on school work. So I started medication for it and it's REALLY turned my life around!!!! I'm so thankful! Getting "focused" and back on track, I lost back down to 220 fairly easy. But, the job I've had the last 4 months, doesn't allow me much time to work out. So I've gotten to the point to where I haven't worked out in months, I miss it terribly, and eating OK I can maintain 220. But a few weeks ago I didn't want to maintain anymore. I finally got motivated to get back on the losing track and get down to my FINAL goal of 185. My surgeon says I'll be a knockout at 185! haha! I am only 5'5", but he says I carry a lot of muscle.

So today I'm at 217! I started focusing on food again a week ago and went from 222 to 217. So it's possible. Replacing 1 meal a day with a Protein Shake and no snacking, my band even feels tighter. Oh and that's another thing, I haven't had a fill since May 2010!!!!! Not by choice, I lost my health insurance! BUT......praise baby Jesus, I got a job offer 2 wks ago that I start in a few weeks and I get insurance again....so by September I'll be at the doctor for all my official check-ups!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =D Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so that's where I'm at today, pretty much took the last year off of focusing on weight loss to try to stay/get mentally healthy! Although I do wish I was smaller, I'm so grateful for all this last year has taught me about myself. It's been completely necessary for me to be successful!!! I'm proud! Today I can at least say I'm 78 lbs down in 2 years....most people just don't know that I lost all that the first year, lol! I think I may need to get back to running....that seemed to be a key factor in my success and motivation! Wow, that was long! I'm glad everyone is doing ok, still gettin on here, and keeping in touch! It's so great to hear everything everyone has to say. And even the people who have had some set backs, I think that's TOTALLY NORMAL! I really do! And we are ALL here because we can relate and because we don't judge!!! Virtual hugs for everyone!!!!!!

My my Cheri, you do look marvelous!

Geez, I haven't been on here in forever! I don't know if my "signature" is right or wrong or even on there...but I've lost 68 lbs and my 1 yr anniversary is on the 19th!!! It's been the best year of my life, best decision of my life, and I wouldn't take it back or do any of this last year differently. I'm such a happy person now it's annoying!!!!

Oh and almost forgot, I bought my first dress in probably 10 years. It's an XL from targer, purple comes just to my knees. I'm in love! I've been looking all over for more dresses as soon as I can blow the dough! haha!

-A pair of "way too tight" 20 dress pants are officially too big. I got about 3-4 wks of wear out of them and now they need to go or be altered.

-Men are looking....hmmmm!

-My skin is fabulous as well, that's nice!

-No longer crave or even think about sodas, I never thought this would happen!

-I don't FEEL like the fat girl. I feel like the thin girl striving to show it and break out, and just be noticed. In fact, sometimes I think I'm even "seeing" myself smaller than i am. But I take pics often to bring me back down, haha!

-Bought blouses on sale at old navy in XL. figured they'd fit later if not now, they all fit perfectly!!!

It'll come. I'm in Onederland, baby.Two days in a row so its official.

CONGRADULATIONS!!! *golf clap* *golf clap* YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AkYQ5YZkmOeIdE14aUJDSWs5RDFmRHgxZHVBR1JNdnc&hl=en

Thought I'd attempt to repost the link. Hope this works!

Just added my info. Stoked to participate in my first challenge, banded on 6-19. My goal might be alittle lofty but I'm hoping and shooting for 3 lbs/wk about. This will be fun!

Yeah, you're doing good. This is the more difficult part people refer to as "bandster hell" but I hate to be so negative. It's a transition period when your body is healing and needs time. I stalled for 6 weeks after the first few weeks. It's normal and your md expects you to stay the same or VERY slowly lose. So don't get discouraged w/ your loss so far. After you get going w/ the fills it will get easier and easier. Good luck!

Wanted to post an update real quick. I haven't been on here much b/c I have found a ton of answers and support through the blogspot community, awesome ladies!!!

I was stuck at 260 lbs for probably 6 wks, it was hard mentally and emotionally. I finally started losing again 8-16 THANK GOD! I am down to 255 which much excitement!

My fill seems bigger than other people's, which is cool, I just don't know how normal it is. First fill was 4cc and 2nd fill was 3cc so I'm at 7cc in a 11cc realize band. I don't know about restriction yet b/c this am is my first time on solids since my 2nd fill. I just had eggs and they say if you have "heartburn" you are full and it's wanting to come up. Well I have hb and I never do so I'm guessing 3 eggs filled me up. lunch is a BBQ at my moms for her bday and I'm planning on eating a soy burger pattie and some veggies so that should give me a good idea on my restriction!

I miss you ladies, hope all is well and everyone is doing good. Seeing all your posts brings me back to reality when I'm being too hard on myself.

Everyone,

This morning I was down 2 pounds which puts me half way to goal. Whoo hoo. I also have dropped 3 and 1/2 meds and 2 supplements. Hooray for me!

Cheri

Hell yeah! So proud that you get to come off meds, this is why we do this!

My port is NOT flipped after all!! I had been waiting for the insurance company to approve a "port revision" surgery after being told by one of my doctors that my port was flipped. After almost 2 weeks one of the girls in the office told me that the other surgeon in the office would like to see me and told me that he was confident that he would be able to get to my port. I decided to go ahead and let him try... HE GOT IT ON THE FIRST TRY!!! I don't know why the other surgeon had so much trouble.

Anyways, I now have 3cc's in my band and I do feel a little more restriction. I go back in 2 weeks for another fill.

I am so happy that I don't have to have another surgery!!! Thank you to my new doctor!!!

Oh that is soooooooooooo exciting!!!! :glare: I'm so happy for you! Catastrophe avoided! yay! :tt2:

I'm dealing with Constipation. Have been since my surgery and I'm sick of it. I'm trying to add some fiber but not stretch my tummy with expanding fiber that might cause me to bp the way the pita bread did. I called my most recent blog: Getting Rid of the Crap. You can read it at IF YOUR STOMACH OFFENDS YOU, TIE IT OFF

I know this is kinda late but a natural way to "loosen" stuff up is to eat a few bananas and/or drink a few glasses of fruit juice. It may be just what you need to get it goin' through! Good luck!

I had been flip-flopping on the decision for 5 years... I would convince myself to do it and then I'd talk myself out of it. My loved ones would tell me they loved me how I was, they would worry about the risk. And so I'd put the idea aside for awhile until it came up again.

What finally got me off the fence -- my company was being acquired. I knew my existing insurance would cover it, but the new plan was an unknown to me - maybe it wouldn't.

That is what got me moving. I had planned to have the surgery before my insurance changed, which was due to happen Jan 1 of 09. I started in April of 08 thinking I had plenty of time. I jumped through all the hoops but in October Aetna denied my request. I was devastated and thought it might all be lost.

Fortunately, my new insurance covered it and I switched surgeons and jumped through more hoops and had it done in May - over a year from when I made the decision.

This was almost the same thing for me, haha! I'd been looking into WL surgery since I was a teenager. I heard about the lapband in 2005 and started considering it. Big thing for me was I am not done having kids. I saw the great WL from Carnie w/ the gastric bypass, but then she got prego and put all the weight back on. That scared me! So w/ the band you can have a baby after they just adjust your fill to accomadate for the pregnancy. Sooooo, fast forward to 2007 when I joined my current company, I found out they approved it. I dragged my feet and then in May of '08 I did a seminar. Loved it! Dragged my feet some more and in Oct '08 heard we were switching to a new insurance carrier in jan '09. I knew my current insurance covered it but was afraid the new one wouldn't and I'd lose my chance. But I just called the new insurance and asked and found out it actually covered more AND covered the best surgeon and hospital in the whole phoenix metro. So it was fate for me to wait! So then oct '08-jan '09 I had to wait, to start my process. On 01-03-09 I went to a class, and it progressed from there. BCBS approved my surg in just a week!!! So glad I finally did it, wish it was sooner b/c I'd be skinny by now. But I guess the process went at a pace I could mentally and emotionally deal with. I love my band! Working on a name for her currently, the top 3 choices are up on my blog! haha!

We've all been had our weight loss surgery the obvious health reasons. and a lot of us probably kicked the idea around for a lot of years. but at what moment or event did you decide.

last august was the 9th anniversary of my mom's death. god i cant believe tuesday will be 10 years since shes been gone. my mother spent her life battling weight loss and depression . she was 52 when she died and she was only 5 ft tall and well over 350lbs. my mother was an amazing person, smart , beautiful, kind. . she hated being heavy, the staring of strangers, not being able to walk more than a few feet at a time. she had rheumatoid arthritis and was in constant pain. but in the end the struggle was too much for her. she committed suicide, august 4th 1999. well i was devestated at the time, my sisters were only 8 and 15. ive raised them the last 10yrs.

well back to the point , when i looked at her picture. all i could see was my face looking back. no i wasnt as heavy as she was, but i was well on my way. i was 33 with extremely high blood pressure. the reality of my weight problem ending my life just kind of smacked me in the face. my sister that was 8 when my mom died has never gotten over her traumatic death. the idea of leaving my children and sisters over being obese scared me to death. i made an apt with a barriatric surgeon the next day. so far i've never regretted. and i often have to think how different the life of my family would have been if my mother would have had more options to her.

sorry to ramble on, i guess my moms been on my mind a lot lately. but i guess i was just thinking about my break through moment and wonder what kind of things finally motivated others into action.

omg your story breaks my heart! My nanny (grandmother) was the same size as your mom, a wonderful person, an excellent special ed teacher, and just a blessed person to be around. i loved her as a second mother. she died in 2001 when I was 16 from cancer, and she was only in her late 50's. I was overweight from 8+ so she always told me, "Liz baby, please don't eat like that. I do not want you to end up like me. You are so young, get this under control." My nanny never lived to see me do so. I know she can see me now of course, and I talk to her all the time, but I wish she had the resources and help I have. I wish she could've done something, anything to still have my nanny. I'm sorry you had to raise your sisters but it shows how awesome of a person you must be! I'm going to pray for you guys today near the anniversary of your mother's death. xoxo, Liz