Kamie

Hey everyone! I had my surgery on November 17th 2009 and hit a bump in the road when my incision tore open and took an extra month to heal. I am now pretty much healed and I just got my first fill on Tuesday. I have been pretty much following the restrictions of 2 days liquid and now I am on my 1st day of mushies. I understand a little of what you are going through because I have spent everyday since my surgery (except maybe 4 days into healing) wihtout restriction. I had lost seventeen pounds and then gained three. Now I have lost 2 again and I am struggling to maintain healthy eating. I am working out, counting calories, and keeping proteins high. I am just glad to be through my last holiday with no restrictions. Luckily my doctor has me come in on Monday or Tuesdays so that he can be a little more aggressive with my fills. I have a 14 or 16cc band I think and my first fill was 4cc, I have another appointment in 2 weeks so I will just keep plugging away, knowing that as someone else put it, though this weight is tough to lose it won't come back once there is restriction. Lets keep our chins up!

This is my first Thanksgiving, I am 9 days out of surgery. I am looking forward to my 2 oz of mashed potato dinner, and my mom is using skim milk and light margarine for me. Being without food is really allowing me to think about what I am thankful for this year instead of how high I can pile my plate with food. There is so much that is good in my life and I am thankful for this tool in getting happier and healthier. Thanks for all the support here on LBT and good luck to everyone through the day. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hello dowhatitdo1! I was banded last Tuesday, and coming from someone exactly one week prior to your surgery, don't worry it will all be alright! Best of luck and just know the recovery is day by day, but I am never gonna look back now! A new day is right!!!

Don't forget me! Kamie 5'2" 11.17.09 269 264 258

So, it is day 1 of my 2 week pre-op diet and I have got so many things going on in my head. I am hungry... both head and real hunger. I have never enjoyed that hungry feeling and I am doing a decent job reminding me that even though it feels totally wrong, being hungry is good for me these 2 weeks. I had my protein shake for breakfast (vanilla isopure with berries and water), an orange, and then a protein shake for lunch (vanilla isopure with SF lemon jello pudding mix). I just got home from school completely ravenous so I had a reduced fat string cheese and now I am thinking I may have the whites of 2 hard boiled eggs. The yolks are just way way too bad... so much fat! That will leave me still with 736 calories for dinner. I am going to have chicken with vegetables and maybe some rice which should get me right around my calorie goal. I wasn't feeling too good, but now I am looking at my day so far and feeling really successful. I just keep thinking of the consequences if I don't work these 2 weeks completely. I want the lap band, I want this change. I am deciding, no one is forcing me... this is the choice that will get me the life a want!

So, it is day 1 of my 2 week pre-op diet and I have got so many things going on in my head. I am hungry... both head and real hunger. I have never enjoyed that hungry feeling and I am doing a decent job reminding me that even though it feels totally wrong, being hungry is good for me these 2 weeks. I had my protein shake for breakfast (vanilla isopure with berries and water), an orange, and then a protein shake for lunch (vanilla isopure with SF lemon jello pudding mix). I just got home from school completely ravenous so I had a reduced fat string cheese and now I am thinking I may have the whites of 2 hard boiled eggs. The yolks are just way way too bad... so much fat! That will leave me still with 736 calories for dinner. I am going to have chicken with vegetables and maybe some rice which should get me right around my calorie goal. I wasn't feeling too good, but now I am looking at my day so far and feeling really successful. I just keep thinking of the consequences if I don't work these 2 weeks completely. I want the lap band, I want this change. I am deciding, no one is forcing me... this is the choice that will get me the life a want!

Wow, it surpirises me that you were told this. I have been told that everyone is different with what they can and can't eat. For example one person I talked to said she can't have bread, even toasted but can have rice or pasta. Another lady told me she can't have pasta or rice at all but can have toast. From what I have heard there are some things that many people find difficult to eat such as corn or fruit with skins on them, or yes starches. But I haven't been told of anything that I will for sure never be able to have again. I am going into my band on November 17th knowing that I may never be able to eat dry meat or bread or corn or really anything, but I have not been told that I definitely won't be able to have any starches at all. If anything, I was told that I should utilize mashed potatoes during my mushies stage. Anyway, this is what I have learned... maybe your doc thinks differently, anyone else have info?

We are band mates haha... I just found out that my surgery is on the 17th also. Yay to all of us Novembers! My pre op diet is similar. Two weeks before surgery I have a 2 Protein shake dealio with 1200 cal total everyday. I want to start a little early too just to get a jump start and be on the safe side!!!:seeya: YESSSS to all of us for coming this far!!!

Too true! Everyone has some cross to bare, some of mine are just shown on the outside. Luckily I get this chance to change that.

Everyone has such good points! I know how it is to feel this way too and living in a college town with a huge amount of gorgeous people I have gotten into some introverted habits as well. I have a wonderful boyfriend, but I give him so much credit for not being a shallow man. He has had friends (well now not-so-much friends) that have given him a hard time for being with me. He won't say it, but I can tell it is because if my weight. At first I would let this get to me, like I felt sorry for him when we were out, but he has made me feel so much better. While I am so happy I will be getting banded soon because it will help me be so much healthier and open my world up, we are beautiful people at our weight. I just can't wait to feel more of that confidence on my own and then to have others just telling me what I am already seeing in the mirror. I am a happy person and my weight has covered some of my smile and laughter. I think that as I am making this decision to really care for myself through a drastic process and hard work the confidence and inner happiness will shine even more brightly because there will be less to fight through. Hope that makes some amount of sense.:cursing:

Welcome!!! It sounds like you really care about yourself and your family. That is great that you love them enough to take this step. Thats one of the reasons I am doing this also, and of course the legs/feet hurting, etc. You have definitely come to the right place for support. I am going to get my surgery date soon and I have gotten so much support and information from everyone on here. Best of luck!!!

Kristin- Thats all I was here for also... just some friendly relation to know that I am not alone because feeling like I was the only one feeling this way is what got me to the point of needing weight loss surgery. So yes I hope we do better, but don't punish yourself with guilt in the meantime because you are not alone out there. Colorado- If it was all about simply being able to stop then why did you need the band? It sounds to me like you are strong enough to do it all on your own. Go you. I have tried to "STOP" eating about a million times in my life thats why I am lucky there is a tool. You can disagree all you want, but sometimes people just need to know they are not alone, thats why they offer support groups etc. All the more power to you if you don't need that connection but support is what I need right now. Not anyone telling me to continue eating badly, which by the way no one on this post has said to anyone, but support in building relationships. Thats all. Congrats on all your success though.

AL- I am already feeling some hesitation in responding to your comment, but I feel that there should be some clarification on a few things. So obviously if we are waiting for approval then we have seen our surgeons, done psych evals, etc. Those seem to be the most basic requirements for everyone that I have spoken with. With that said, we (or at least I) know that the lap band is not a magic wand that waves the fat away. Honestly, if it was I wouldn't have thought about and researched it for over 2 years before making a decision. Secondly, I feel like there will always be cravings and head hunger and all the triggers that caused the weight gain everyday. But you know what I have really found from all of the people on here is that the lap band is a tool to help you so that you are not running into battle without a weapon. While the throwing up and being uncomfortable may not seem to be a good reason for you to avoid cravings, it is for me. When I do have unbearable cravings I will vent here, just like we are now. Thank you for your input and response, but I guess I didn't appreciate the negativity you brought with it.

I am still waiting for approval also. I finished all of my nutrition visits and other paperwork stuff. My packet got sent to the insurance company about a week ago and the lady at my surgeons office said it should be 4-5 weeks until I hear anything. I can relate so much to what you are saying though. For the past few months I feel like any ounce of control I had before deciding on the surgery is gone now. I am having a really difficult with this. I just want to eat fast food and sweets and everything. I am trying to figure out why also. I am thinking that it might be the "last chance" feeling, but even when I think about how much time I have to eat these things before the surgery it doesn't help. I would love any info about whether these cravings subside a little or anything. Has anyone who has had the band been through this too? I think it will be a little different once the band is in and the real journey has started Kristin. At least I am really hoping too. Thanks for the post!

Congratulations! I am still waiting for insurance approval. I have United Healthcare and they told me it usually takes 4-5 weeks to hear anything. How long did it take everyone else to hear? It has not even been a week yet since my information was submitted. I hope it is soon and I hope I am approved. I have met the requirements that were presented to me. Congrats again and good luck to all the October peeps! I wish I was going to be one, maybe new life in november =)

I have UHC also, and I am just getting the final information put together at the surgeon's office that they will send in. I hope it is that quick! She told me 2-12 weeks, the doc told me about a month to do everything before surgery. I will keep my fingers crossed for you, do it for me too haha. I called the insurance also and that was basically what they told me too. Just medical necessity and I feel as though I have that...all docs have backed me up on this too so. We can hope hope hope for each other!

So I visited my regular doc today and she was so much cooler than I thought she was gonna be. Everyone has been really supported (everyone that I have told that is, which isn;t many). I know it is such a good thing, but then it also makes me think, "wow, okay, so how long has everyone been thinking I am an obese mess?" But then I know, probably not nearly as long as I have been thinking this about myself. Anyway, the medical records are sent to the surgeons office, should take about a week to get all there and in my packet and stuff. Then another 3 days the office staff said it would take them to highlight and prepare the insurance stuff. Then anywhere from 2-12 weeks until I hear a yes or a no. Please please please, if anyone is reading this hope, pray, cross your fingers, etc. for my approval. I am ready to get on with this. I am working on it on my own now with working out and trying to stay in control with eating, but I could really use this tool so I don't drive myself crazy. I don't have a whole lot to do this summer and I am sure others can relate-sitting around in an empty house is not the best medicine for weight loss. I would go for a walk with the doggies, but oh wait it is only 110 degrees out there, hah. I have been singing and dancing around the house. I am just waiting waiting waiting. I make lists almost everyday as to why I want this and what my life would be like losing weight. I recently rubbed a hole in the inner thigh area of my work pants and my next shift was only 3 days laway. Of course there are no big lady stores in my area that are currently carrying khaki pants appropriate for my unifrom. I had to pay old navy $20 extra to get pants in time. Then they were still too long. What a bummer! This was a really nervous situation for me and I hate to say it, but I had an exrteme breakdown in front of my beautiful boyfriend who is training to be a fire fighter and is just about as healthy as they come. He was so great and he even offered to pay for the $20 shipping so I wouldn't be so sad. It is the most frustrating kind of sad because I know I am the one who continues to make myself awfully distressed. Luckily it worked out...this time. How much easier would it have been though to just go to the mall and grab some new work pants and a cute summer dress just for kicks haha. I never want to spend another summer in Tucson at this high of a weight. It is just too damn hot here. I really want to work at my boyfriend's aunt's summer camp up in Wisconsin next summer. Swimming, camping, skiiing, boating...all sounds a lot better under the plus sizes, right? Have I pled my case enough, haha...are you crossing your fingers for me yet? Well I guess thats it. I know I am just at the base of this mountain I will climb for the rest of my life and it is only going to get harder before it gets easier. But i gotta start somewhere. I can use as much support as possible though! I have hit so many lows, now it is time for some more highs!

So I visited my regular doc today and she was so much cooler than I thought she was gonna be. Everyone has been really supported (everyone that I have told that is, which isn;t many). I know it is such a good thing, but then it also makes me think, "wow, okay, so how long has everyone been thinking I am an obese mess?" But then I know, probably not nearly as long as I have been thinking this about myself. Anyway, the medical records are sent to the surgeons office, should take about a week to get all there and in my packet and stuff. Then another 3 days the office staff said it would take them to highlight and prepare the insurance stuff. Then anywhere from 2-12 weeks until I hear a yes or a no. Please please please, if anyone is reading this hope, pray, cross your fingers, etc. for my approval. I am ready to get on with this. I am working on it on my own now with working out and trying to stay in control with eating, but I could really use this tool so I don't drive myself crazy. I don't have a whole lot to do this summer and I am sure others can relate-sitting around in an empty house is not the best medicine for weight loss. I would go for a walk with the doggies, but oh wait it is only 110 degrees out there, hah. I have been singing and dancing around the house. I am just waiting waiting waiting. I make lists almost everyday as to why I want this and what my life would be like losing weight. I recently rubbed a hole in the inner thigh area of my work pants and my next shift was only 3 days laway. Of course there are no big lady stores in my area that are currently carrying khaki pants appropriate for my unifrom. I had to pay old navy $20 extra to get pants in time. Then they were still too long. What a bummer! This was a really nervous situation for me and I hate to say it, but I had an exrteme breakdown in front of my beautiful boyfriend who is training to be a fire fighter and is just about as healthy as they come. He was so great and he even offered to pay for the $20 shipping so I wouldn't be so sad. It is the most frustrating kind of sad because I know I am the one who continues to make myself awfully distressed. Luckily it worked out...this time. How much easier would it have been though to just go to the mall and grab some new work pants and a cute summer dress just for kicks haha. I never want to spend another summer in Tucson at this high of a weight. It is just too damn hot here. I really want to work at my boyfriend's aunt's summer camp up in Wisconsin next summer. Swimming, camping, skiiing, boating...all sounds a lot better under the plus sizes, right? Have I pled my case enough, haha...are you crossing your fingers for me yet? Well I guess thats it. I know I am just at the base of this mountain I will climb for the rest of my life and it is only going to get harder before it gets easier. But i gotta start somewhere. I can use as much support as possible though! I have hit so many lows, now it is time for some more highs!

Oh Chefla, you said it! These are the things that my skinnier family and friends just don't understand. I either want to be able to see it to shave it or not be too embarassed to get a bikini wax. Haha...thanks for putting it out there.:tongue_smilie:

Meagen don't worry girl! You have lost a lot of weight already! Of course it is our nature to always want more, but just think of where you might have been had you not gone down the path of the lap band. I know I haven't gotten my surgery yet, but from reading about it there seems like you can have that kinda stuff happen. You know what you are eating has the added benefits as being really healthy for your heart, skin, and overall body. Working out will make you strong and athletic. Keep up all the great work! Even with the stall, you are still a huge mentor and inspiration for me!

I accidentally posted this blog 2 times and I can't delete it?

I accidentally posted this blog 2 times and I can't delete it?

So I went to my consultation with Dr. Schwartz on Monday morning and it went pretty well. I have completely decided that this is my time to make a change. The lap band will be a great tool for me. I need to stay inspired to change though and I am hoping that LBT will really help with that part. My boyfriend says he is going to help me with working out and making sure to stay very diligent. We are going to make sure to photograph all of the various stages so that I can realize what a drastic change I am making. The changes that I have seen everyone making here have given me the strength to know that I can do this too. Next up I have some steps to take for insurance approval. I have United and whast the doctor says that they are requiring is a note of medical necessity from my PCP, my medical records of weight for the last 5 years, the psychological evaluation, and my most recent blood work. I have scheduled my appointment with my PCP which is on 7/22. Seems like a long time to wait to me, but my doctor's office is sort of a pain. My doctor is very, "you can just do it one your own," so I actually think this could be the most difficult step. I have called my doctor previously to get medical records and I just need to go in and fill out some paperwork. I don't know whether I am supposed to send the stuff to the surgeons office or keep it myself? The surgeon uses a specific psychologist that does not accept insurance payments and it is $150 for the visit. I can go to a different one, but he says it may really save me some time this way. This entire process is just a little confusing still. I do not have to do a pre-op diet except for the week before which is a protein shake for breakfast, one for lunch and a dinner that is 1000 cal or less. I guess the hardest thing for me right now is just to try and still eat well. I really have been doing a great job at least maintaining my weight this past year. I lost about 15lbs at the beginning of 2009 and have kept it off, which is abnormal given my past 5 year trend. But now I am just trying not to let myself get the whole idea of eating my last meals that I will never have again. I mean I don't even have a surgery date yet so this could be a really scary thing since it could be months and months until I get approved and get banded. I would love to start losing weight now and that would just be a bonus and then a tool with the lap band just when I need it. I guess I do want to have a few things that I will be missing, but lets not get out of control considering it is not all systems go yet. I was d=following Dr. Ian Smith's 4 day diet and really feeling great so maybe I will do that for the time being as best as I possibly can. It would be nice if I could get down another 20-30lbs before my lap band. You know...get the ball rolling!

So I went to my consultation with Dr. Schwartz on Monday morning and it went pretty well. I have completely decided that this is my time to make a change. The lap band will be a great tool for me. I need to stay inspired to change though and I am hoping that LBT will really help with that part. My boyfriend says he is going to help me with working out and making sure to stay very diligent. We are going to make sure to photograph all of the various stages so that I can realize what a drastic change I am making. The changes that I have seen everyone making here have given me the strength to know that I can do this too. Next up I have some steps to take for insurance approval. I have United and whast the doctor says that they are requiring is a note of medical necessity from my PCP, my medical records of weight for the last 5 years, the psychological evaluation, and my most recent blood work. I have scheduled my appointment with my PCP which is on 7/22. Seems like a long time to wait to me, but my doctor's office is sort of a pain. My doctor is very, "you can just do it one your own," so I actually think this could be the most difficult step. I have called my doctor previously to get medical records and I just need to go in and fill out some paperwork. I don't know whether I am supposed to send the stuff to the surgeons office or keep it myself? The surgeon uses a specific psychologist that does not accept insurance payments and it is $150 for the visit. I can go to a different one, but he says it may really save me some time this way. This entire process is just a little confusing still. I do not have to do a pre-op diet except for the week before which is a protein shake for breakfast, one for lunch and a dinner that is 1000 cal or less. I guess the hardest thing for me right now is just to try and still eat well. I really have been doing a great job at least maintaining my weight this past year. I lost about 15lbs at the beginning of 2009 and have kept it off, which is abnormal given my past 5 year trend. But now I am just trying not to let myself get the whole idea of eating my last meals that I will never have again. I mean I don't even have a surgery date yet so this could be a really scary thing since it could be months and months until I get approved and get banded. I would love to start losing weight now and that would just be a bonus and then a tool with the lap band just when I need it. I guess I do want to have a few things that I will be missing, but lets not get out of control considering it is not all systems go yet. I was d=following Dr. Ian Smith's 4 day diet and really feeling great so maybe I will do that for the time being as best as I possibly can. It would be nice if I could get down another 20-30lbs before my lap band. You know...get the ball rolling!