Melinco

Thanks for all of your kind replies. We did talk last night after getting back from "Connected Couples," a church related event for couples, where we talked about how communication was vital for a lasting marriage. So once we got home, he did apologize and explain that by his talking about it, he was, in a way, expressing his concerns just a bit about my going under anesthesia. The reason for this is that when we did IVF and they put me under light sedation to retrieve the eggs, my O2 levels dropped, so he is actually worried about my coming out of the anesthesia after the surgery. He said he didn't understand why I tell everyone on my blog, but he couldn't tell anyone. I told him that with the except of my best friend, and two people who also went through IVF that I have met, I don't personally know anyone who reads my blog. It's just a support group (like LBT is) of people who went through what I went through (IVF), but now are supporting me while I do the WLS in hopes of losing enough weight so that we can pursue the next option in trying to have a baby. So we did talk it through (me through tears as I am so bad about expressing my feelings and anger without shedding some tears - ugh, I don't like that but what can I do?). Maybe I will go ahead and tell people once I've actually gotten the band, but for right now, I don't want to. I think that the ladies I take a break with will be very supportive, as today one of them asked about my new "diet" and if I were doing it under supervision, and I did say yes, I was seeing a dietician. But I don't plan on divulging why for now. One thing that did come from our conversation last night was that my husband said that no matter if I'm short, tall, skinny or fluffy (we don't use the F word), he'll love me.

I wonder if perhaps they didn't say anything before was because they thought it was harder for you to find clothes and shoes that fit well, and now that you've lost weight, it should be easier to find appropriate clothes? I don't know how much you've lost, but do you think that could be it?

My husband and I went through fertility treatments in trying to have kids. It didn't work. We were open with most people about it. While some were quite supportive, others weren't, and I always felt that I had to give a play by play report to those who knew. Now that I am pursuing WLS, I have told DH that I do not want to tell anyone. In fact, the only person I have told is my best friend, as well as those who read my blog (only IRL person who reads it is my BF, everyone else are those who I met through online forums when trying to have a baby). Part of the reason I'm not telling anyone, not even my mom or siblings, is that I don't want "food police" and two, I just want some privacy this time around. DH told his mom and dad, because his mom, who is diabetic and on insulin shots, was talking about possible gastric bypass. He told her hoping she could talk with me for support. While I wasn't pleased with this, I understood why he told them, but asked him not to tell anyone else. I find out today at lunch, when I went home and fixed both of us chicken breasts over salad greens and he said he'd be going to work and eating a couple of tacos and a burrito (he runs a mexican food restaurant). He then said that he told one of his workers that I had gone on a low-carb diet. I asked him if she knew why I was doing this, and he said he'd told her about my wanting to have the surgery. I'm both really pi$$ed off as well as very disappointed that he didn't respect my wishes for not telling anyone. It's not his story to tell. Has anyone else had this happen to you, and if so, how did you handle it? Do you think I should go and ask his employee not to repeat it, which may be too late now? Ugh, I really wanted to throw my dinner plate at him today!

I am self-pay and the thought of something happening to make a revision necessary is scary! I will have coverage on my insurance if I have an emergency due to my band, but it can't be coded as lap band surgery.

You know, after reading this post and all the replies, I realized that I have been "judging" my sister in law regarding what she has done to lose weight as "cheating." She is using a prescription medication to lose the weight, and she is doing great! But I always thought to myself that by using a drug it was taking the easy way out. However, after thinking about it, and looking back at the meals we've had together, she is eating less, she has also been exercising more. So for her, the medication she is taking is a tool, just like the lap-band will be a tool for me. What will be interesting to see is if she can maintain the weight loss after she quits taking the medication. But now, rather than hoping she isn't able to maintain it, I will be cheering her on, because I wouldn't want someone wishing me ill-will. I'm glad the original poster wrote this entry. It has opened my eyes to what I was doing.

So you think that they make the men take a PG test too?

Not sure on the recovery time, perhaps a week if you have an office - sit down - job. Your surgeon should be able to tell you. Most likely, you won't need to use your STD as most policies have an elimination period of two weeks before the benefit kicks in. You'll want to check your own policy of course to see what its elimination period is. Regarding what to tell your co-workers. I'm a firm believer in medical privacy. If you think they would just be nasty, and you know them best, then don't tell them. If they questions why you are out, you can always say that you had to have hiatal hernia repair surgery. Today I told the ladies that I take breaks with that I'm starting a new diet, so that when I begin to lose weight after getting the lap-band, they'll already know that I started to eat healthier. Good luck with setting your date and everything in between. It's exciting, isn't it?

I started using my-calorie-counter.com today to track my weight and what I eat. I'm in my pre-op diet stage, where my surgeon wants me to eat high Protein (105 g) and low carb (about 150 g of carbs, which doesn't seem very low to me, but that's what the dietician said to do). So I'm using the website to help me keep track of everything. Did you figure out how to keep your ticker in your siggy without doing it each time?

Hi Kells, I'm from Pueblo. I haven't got a date yet, but am shooting for next month. I just finished my psych and dietician consults yesterday. By early next week, we should be able to schedule the date. Let's hope that time flies so we'll have our surgery before we know it. What type of pre-op diet is your doctor going to have you on? Mine is having me do a solid food high Protein low carb diet that I started today.

I had my psych and dietician consults yesterday afternoon. They each went well. The psychologist had the lap band done in May. He's lost about 27 pounds so far, with about 25-30 pounds more to go. While it was nice to get first hand information from him, I'm not too sure he is a great example of how to work the band. He admitted to still eating McDonalds (although not very much) and not exercising. And he still drinks soda. He had me do all the questions (like 5 or 6 different tests). But he didn't ask me about whether I had a support group (like family or friends), which I thought a bit odd. Then, I went and met with the dietician and she is promoting NO BREAD! She did say if you have to have bread, make it well toasted wheat bread. That's not a problem. But when talking about starting the high Protein low carb diet right away, I forgot to ask her how low I should aim for the carbs, and how much protein I should get. I'll have to call her this afternoon and ask her as I started a nutrition tracker and want to make sure I'm get the amounts I need. It is quite possible by early next week, I'll have a surgery date! I'm getting excited. I told the ladies at work that I take a break with that I'm starting a diet so that when I finally get the band, it isn't odd that I'm losing weight. However, at this time, I'm not telling them about the band. From what I've read, having to do the Liquid Protein diet can be hard, so I'm glad my surgeon is having me do a solid food high protein diet. At least I can still eat. Oh, and it's interesting, he doesn't want me doing any liquid protein supplements. When I was over at WalGreens buying some Protein Bars for Breakfast, I saw that Special K has a protein supplement drink (sort of like Crystal Lite) but I didn't buy it. Today is the first day of my new life style.

If I attend the seminar, my first consult with the surgeon is free, otherwise it would cost $200. My pysch consult runs from $350 - $275 (depends on who you see - I'm seeing the dr. that costs $275). The dietician consult is $75. The rest of the fees are for the surgery, the surgery center, and the anesthesiologist (or however you spell that!). All follow up care and fills for the first year are free. After that, fills are only $50 (which around here, can be a specialist copay - but I don't have insurance coverage for this so I'm out of pocket). I would definitely shop around, but sometimes if you are in a particularly large city, or only have one "premier" center, they will charge you an arm and a leg and get away with it. I would have had the same thing happen if I went to a "premier" fertility clinic in Denver (CCRM). Their program fee (basically if you want to see them) was ridiculously expensive, and not covered/reimbursed by insurance.

I don't think I'd take nude photos, but perhaps in bra and underwear? Or even bathing suit. Maybe do like they do on Biggest Loser, with a sports bra and spandex shorts. One thing that also helps is if you take all before and after pictures in front of the same thing, and at the same distance, so when comparing, you are not distracted by the background or close ups.

I'm also thinking, as some of the others said, that when you are heavier, your weight presses down more on your feet, perhpas flattening out the arches (in addition to the width of your foot). Then, as you lose, there is less pressure on your arch, therefore it goes back to its normal shape, thus the smaller shoe size. Sounds like good logic to me!

Jeni, If you use a doctor from Mexico, you may want to find a local doctor for all of your fills and follow up visits. From what I've read on here, having a physician from Mexico - while great for the pocket book - can be hard in terms of follow up care and fills. However, you may be close enough to Mexicali that it won't be an issue. Good luck.

I have my first dietitian appointment tomorrow and I think what I want to know includes: What exactly does the pre-op diet consist of. My surgeon wants me to do the solid food high Protein low carb diet, so I need to know what I can and can't eat. What does the post-op diet consist of. How soon do I progress through the stages? What, if any, Vitamins should I take? Can I drink coffee with my flavored liquid creamer? What kitchen tools will make life easier during the post-op stages of healing? (Will I need to buy anything other than the blender and food processor that I currently have?) What happens if I cheat on either the pre-op or post-op diets? Just how bad is a carbonated drink? I love my diet pepsis, and although I only have two (sometimes three) a day, if I need to give them the axe, I will. Does protein have to be eaten first the rest of my banded life, or can I eat a bit of everything until full? I'm sure she'll have lots of information that will generate questions too, but these are the ones that I'll be asking tomorrow. Hope this helps!

I cleared a hurdle today that could have thrown things way off. Last month, I had my routine wellness mammogram and they saw something. Today I went in for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound and they said that they didn't see anything that was a huge concern, but we'd do a follow up in six months. I was a bit concerned, as most people would be. But now I can go ahead and proceed with this with no issues. I'm excited for my psych consult and dietitian consult tomorrow!

I hope you don't mind if I join you. I don't have a scheduled surgery date yet, but we are definitely shooting for December. I am self-pay, so I don't have to worry about jumping through any insurance hoops. I've already secured the financing. I'm financing about 1/3 of the cost, taking a loan from my 401(k) for about 1/3, and withdrawing the rest from my IRA. Since my surgery is totally out of pocket, I won't get hit with the 10% penalty of the IRA, as the total cost will be in excess of 7.5% of my adjusted gross income. Next Tuesday, 11/10, I have both my psych consult and my dietitian consult. My surgeon should have the results from both by 11/13. Then it's just a matter of scheduling the surgery and making sure I can get the time off work (which shouldn't be a problem considering it's a medical issue and not a vacation request - although I may just use my vacation time). My dr. doesn't require a liquid pre-op diet, but to follow the Atkins diet isntead. I'm going to start to do some research on it, as I figure there is no reason not to go ahead and get a jump start on it. Now if I had to do the liquid, I'd wait until absolutely necessary! lol I look forward to getting to know all of you better and being a source of support. Thanks!

I've been thinking about this too, how to start making these changes. I've become more aware of what I'm eating, I've been trying to take smaller bites and chew chew chew. Sometimes I'm successful, other times, I'm not. But I guess the first step is awareness of what you're doing and then the change. I've always been a big drinker during meals, not unusual, especially if out to eat, to drink two or three glasses of iced tea or diet pepsi. Those days will soon be gone. My only concern is what happens if you eat something really spicy! Am I going to have to give up my Mexican food, especially the salsa? I'm not concerned about making it healthier, as I think that will be easy to do, but I don't want to give up the flavors. I guess I'll just have to adapt.

Oh, I forgot to mention that when I asked him about the pre-op diet, he said that he doesn't do the liquid Protein diet, but a solids protein diet, like Atkins. He said that the key is low carbs, high protein, to reduce the fat around the liver to make it easier to do the surgery. That should definitely help in keeping up the energy levels and the general blah-ness away. He also is pretty aggressive with the fills, meaning he doesn't have set times between fills, but instead goes by your hunger level. Assuming I can get in to the psychologist within the next few weeks, I'm hoping for a surgery date in December. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well.

Yes you can.

I had the consultation today with the surgeon. It went well. I had lots of questions and he was able to answer them all. I've got the appointment with the dietician next Tuesday afternoon and tomorrow I'll set up an appointment with the psychologist. I'm really hoping I can have the surgery before the end of the year. I have a question for those of you whose insurance didn't pay. If your psychologist was in network, were you able to get that covered, or would it be billed as related to the lap band surgery and therefore not covered? Thanks for your input. ETA: When I weighed in at their office, the scales said 288. I used my weight from my GYN's office as my starting weight. So I may not have actually lost anything so far, as it could just be the difference in scales.

If you have a Goodwill store available near you, I'd say go and check it out. Many of them have work out gear available, such as hand weights, elastic bands, yoga mats, and even work out videos or DVDs that you can buy for CHEAP! If you can do a work out tape at home, just add hand weights to the exercise. Or see if you can find ankle weights to add while walking. I love Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds videos. You can choose from her 15, 30, or 45 (1 mi., 2 mi., or 3 miles) minute work outs, all low impact. She also has a kick/punch work out that is low impact. I love that one when I feel the need for some extra sweat. Gym memberships aren't needed. They're nice, but not required.

I'm not banded yet, but I know back when I was trying to lose weight, I'd only weigh myself once a week. Doing it daily can really get us down, because we may retain Water one day or have eaten something heavy the next (even though not calorie laden), making our weight fluctuate daily. Shoot, even not having a BM can making us go up a pound. Perhaps you should try that so you're not beating yourself up so much.

I just thought if you had a blog such as through blogger, I could follow it in my reader. But I'll follow it here instead!

Italics, are you using the LBT blog or did you set up a blog through blogger, as example. Will you share your blog address? Thanks!