GoingforGoal

lol Nana, I have this saved on my desktop lol

Hello, By your own admission, your insurance just permitted coverage as of July of this year. Unfortunately, EVERY insur. co. has different requirements and those requirements need to be verified and met by the doctor's office. Typically when the docs office has been working w/ certain insur. companies they know by hard what they expect and can get the ball started much earlier. I hope that he was able to get the first steps started (ie maybe an assessment etc). But be ready to get patient because your actual surgery may not be for months (some even have to undergo a 6 month medically monitored diet prior to surgery). If I were you, I'd look up the requirements so that you have a good idea what to expect and won't be too shocked at your next doc appt when he tells you what your steps will be. Congrats on choosing the band...it will come SOON

Oh I know your pain. Never before in my life would I go up to a fellow obese person and suggest what they should do about their weight haha. However, after the band and losing heaps of weight I cannot help but sympathize and want to help. But than I step back and I think to myself..what if someone did that to you. Out of the blue just said, hey I see your overweight, you should get the band. Oh boy. That's as bad as someone asking you when you are due when you are not pregnant LOL. If someone asks, please do help and share your story. If someone brings up the topic and share they are struggling/failing, share. But if they don't ask... I think I would refrain from bringing it up. It is indeed a sensitive topic. Unfortunately I know that means we have to accept this person may never lose weight, or maybe they'll gain even more before getting started on the right path, or perhaps they'll get conditions as a consequence of their obesity making them suffer even more (ie diabetes). Sigh, but it's the onus of the person to be ready and to make the decision. All your comments may solicit is embarrassment and anger and that is the opposite emotion the person needs and certainly won't encourage surgery. Patience

Thanks for the citation. Much appreciated. Want a good laugh..at the bottom of your post is your dates/surgeons. We were banded by the same surgeon Dr. Moazzez (crazy small world ey) lol

Sorry Sojourner but Nana's description is medically based. Indeed when you lower you caloric intake and do not compensate w/ exercise, your body does adjust and lower's the metabolism. There's no need for it to spend all that energy when 1) you are taking in insufficient energy and 2) are not burning significant energy. Also, as you lose weight your body adjusts to the new demands to sustain that new mass, and again, this can result in a lowered metabolism. If you do workout, exercise is a known metabolism booster. Obviously, because you are burning energy and it works your metabolism more than a sedentary individual. Mind you, this is all based on consistency not the once in awhile workout. I'm uncertain if nana's statistic that 95% of us who get unfills will gain weight rapidly. I am not disagreeing as that is the typical experience. However, I haven't seen this statistic published is all. I think her point is that because our metabolism has lowered because we are eating (let's say <1000 calories), when we get unfilled we are no longer maintaining a 1000 cal diet and thus we are overfeeding our metabolic needs and thus rapidly gain weight. No denying that's precisely what is happening. As for MrShep, its impossible to gauge what is happening w/out knowing things like how many cals he eats, how much you lost, how much you workout etc. But the lowered metabolic rate is of no shock to me. Meds are very commonly described and can only help.

Checking in 149.2 (GOAL)

Hello Mike, You sound like my husband, ironically also named Mike. His highest was over 500, he is now 300 with a goal of 260-270 due to his larger/muscular frame (ex fb player). Anyway, your progress is mindblowing and what a huge accomplishment. When you look at the numbers, it's so easy to say "but you ONLY have 40 more to go" "and if you can lose hundreds why not just 40" etc. There's certainly a rational point there. But as you mentioned, and as most of us have lived out, maintaining the loss is what becomes the bigger obstacle. Not certain how you gained your weight, but I know that life in general can really sway us from out dieting efforts. Anything from holiday cooking, extended vacations, a loss, stress (good and bad) etc. It's inevitable and can really get you off track real quick. This is where the band helped me the most. I had gotten pregnant (I know a nonissue for you lol) and suffered a serious MVA that led to 8 months of rehab (I was practically immobile). I was able to gain a mere 20 lbs (opposed to the 60 with my first child) and lost it within 1 month postpartum (unlike with my first child lol) and I maintained my weight during the entire rehab period. Remarkable, yet impossible without the band. I am now at goal and I can speak to how much MORE energy I put into maintenance than I did with wl on the band. But unlike gaining a lb or two on bad cheat days/weekends etc I would have gained 5, than 10 etc. I am able to turn things around much more readily and I'm almost hardwired now to not gain. Big difference from before. (And I had lost 70 lbs once in my life as well just to gain it +50 back). And than I don't want to point out the obvious..age (eyeroll). But it is a factor. Yoyo diets are truly detrimental to your health. With age comes lower metab and thus wl is harder. etcetc Now I know I sound like a huge band advocate (because I am lol) but the call is yours. Having been on both sides of the fence I certainly would to the band. Knowing you were at 620 is probably the leading reason for encouraging the band. Only because if you were to regain.how far would you go? Best of luck Mike. Again congrats on such a great loss! ^5

Pura Typically they will give it to you via IV once you are checked in and assessed prior to going into surgery. I know you want something beforehand, however, they are equally concerned that they assess you nonmedicated for your baseline as well as to get consent and do Q/A's while you are coherent. But it never hurts to ask. You are by no means inappropriate nor the first person to be anxious for surgery. Just ask Let us know what they say

I love that you took a pic of that ahhaha ^5 Congrats

Oh Heccat....I'll pray for you (remember that line, let's see if it works on you)

This is my favorite quote: "The doctors from Prince Sultan Military Medical City at Riyadh were unable to ascertain whether the child's parents stuck to the diet." So let's see here... child goes on diet. Child gains weight. Noone cares to investigate if extrinsic factors like the actual diet the child is receiving is the issue. So let's just cut em up lol. And let's carry this logic forward, if the parents were indeed noncompliant, what convinced the surgeons they'd be compliant with an even more intensive diet? This is why child obesity is being labeled abusive. I'm not talking baby fat and extra pounds, but down right morbid obesity in young children. I can understand if the procedure is to save his life (for example the kid with the Prader Willi Syndrome) but this doesn't appear to be the case. Parents make medical decisions starting with neonates. The goal is to save their lives and give them the best quality of life. But when the parent is the cause of their medical issues, it's just time to remove the child period.

::holding adriennes hand:: (See, I can do this) All you have to do is take their hands like this (one hand in the other) and say..it's ok..I know your insides are split in half and your feel hell's burning you inside and out. But we all make mistakes. And I'm sorry your esophagus has stopped moving, you managed to erode the band into your stomach and you are unable to eat. (Hands person a feeding tube) Maybe this will help? No, you don't want to resort to more surgery or other invasive devices??? You are afraid it'll hurt your body? I understand, it's scary to put foreign objects in your body and place your lives in the hands of a surgeon. Who would do that? Besides, why would we do that when they KNOW we will screw it up. Yeah! It's the doctors fault afterall, not ours. Who do we sue???? Someone owes me something. Oh wait, those damn consent forms, and sign in sheets at the educational seminars and nutritionists meetings may pose a problem. I KNOW! Just tell them somebody on LBT said what I was doing was no big deal and I followed their stupid hand holding advice. BINGO! I don't mind people getting educated, just don't do it while driving the car in reverse people.

^5 Ad <hugs> my lil fiery friend ahhahah

Hi Bk, From what I am reading this doesn't sound like a pouch/band issue. Rather, that you have slacked off your rules and have taken some backward steps. I don't mean any offense btw. In January 2013 I had to get back on track myself. I weighed 195 and am now 149. It was a matter of revisiting my band rules, clearing out the pantry, eating the same staple foods until I got back into the swing of things. Like you, I am an old bandster, which means you are probably due for some fill tweaks as well. Remember one of the top indicators for needing a fill is hungar between meals. It won't hurt to get the flouro and rule out any physiological issues. But definitely followup and get a fill and pull out the labpand rules book. Come frequent us, I have found daily visits to help me at least focus on myself and staying strong. HOpe this helps.

Hello Kevin, Welcome and congrats on your decision to get banded. I too have been overweight all my life and have finally reached goal. You have alot to look forward to and we'll help you get there. I also have 3 young children (10, 6 and 2 yr olds) and just want you to know that not only is it possible to succeed being a busy dad, but both you and the family will benefit from this decision. If you have any q's just ask Best of luck on your new journey

Good job Mystic. Keep it up ^5

Sleeeeeep lol They are monitoring you while you sleep to observe for sleep apnea, duration and what stage of sleep you experience it. It is awkward sleeping with all the wires but not to the point you can't sleep at all.

Good Luck! I go in for CS on Oct 8th. Let us know how you did and def send pics

Thanks Dylan, hope it helps someone

That's a bummer. I know the feeling. I am going in for some major cosmetic surgery and of all the surgeries I've had, this is the only one that puts me on edge (I think because it's a 8 hr surgery). Anyway, because of circumstance I am going alone and won't see my husband for 2 whole weeks. Stay strong, bring a picture or something that reminds you of him. And remember he'll be home soon Congrats on your decision to become banded

Hi Renee, Congrats on your wl. It's not atypical for everyone to start out with quick and large wl in the beginning. But eventually our bodies adjust to the new lower calories and volume of food we are eating and it becomes predictable. Our metabolism shifts and adapts to the 'fuel supply' we give our bodies and thus, we have to reevaluate and switch things up when we hit this stall. It either requires more exercise or less calories. Without knowing what you take in or do, it's hard to make a suggestion. But I hope this helps. See you at the goal line!

Hi Ellie, Congrats on your fill and your great wl thus far. I just got a fill yesterday. Granted it was only 0.3cc and I'm 4 years out. But the experience is the same nontheless I usually do liquids the first day (lots of drinks, Protein shake, maybe creamy soup). Because I've done this for awhile and know precisely how to listen to my band, I'll usually have something soft in the morning the next day than gradually transition into solids as the day passes on as long as I get no kickback from my previous meals. Examples include banana and yogurt in the morning. Super mushy, easy to pass. lunch would be something like Soup with soft veggies, cheese slice etc. Again, easy to pass but getting a little firmer with things that need to be broken down. dinner will be chili perhaps. Chili is great becaue it's already broken down but it's a true solid that can be chewed down to mushy. The key now is to go slow. Eat and appreciate how your band feels w/ each food and each bite. Do you feel restriction or are things just passing through? Either is good. If you are feeling restriction, learn to feel a sense of satiety with your meal. Don't force yourself to eat everything on your plate if you are getting signals you are done. This will fluctuate during the day most likely. Another thing to remember..what worked before your fill may not work after. Some people can eat eggs for 6 months after even their 3rd fill..but than fill 4 BAM eggs are an issue. So just don't assume anything...experiment with each food every time after a fill. Hope your fill keeps you happy until it's time for your next one. Keep going and think green

Or when someone in the family is banded and is failing and you want to support them. Instead of them listening, they just wave you off..probably originating from the same place of competition vs partnership.

Thanks again, you are all so sweet

Debbie, Hello...let's see... I started w/ zero cc's. I say that because some are prefilled during surgery. I started my first fill at 6 weeks postop with 3cc. I got maybe 3-4 additional fills to get to 5ccs within the first 5.5 months and I was green. Fast forward 3 years... I got a tweak 0.5cc fill in May, than 3 weeks ago (another 0.5cc) and today I got a 0.3cc and I think I'm back at green. So I am at 6.3cc right now. The reason for tweaks is because with major changes, like large weight loss, pregnancy and just time (because some of the Fluid can indeed evaporate) you'll need to refill. 1.3cc isn't bad in 4 yrs ey? Hope this helps