renebeau

My dr.'s office says my paperwork looks good to be submitted to my insurance company. Now I have the "enviable" task of meeting the weight requirement. I need to gain about 15 lbs to meet the insurance requirements. I will wear weights of some kind, but in the meanwhile, I am "saying goodbye" to all of my fast food friends and snacking. I have been at the same weight for several years. I think my body wants to keep me there. It is hard to gain weight (amazing!) now. I am on new thyroid meds which may have something to do with it. My guess is, I will hit this weight again and plateau here when I start losing. I feel ready. All of this gorging is kind of making me sick of eating. I suppose that will help while I endure Bandster Hell! I look around me and I wonder - what is going to happen to all of the fat people (like me) around me? Obesity truly is an epidemic. Is there some biochemistry issue that is keeping all of us fat? One would think our bodies would resist being overweight - evolutionally. I know we are made to store fat for energy reserves, but this much? Maybe someday a scientist will figure it out. Until then, I'm with the band!

My dr.'s office says my paperwork looks good to be submitted to my insurance company. Now I have the "enviable" task of meeting the weight requirement. I need to gain about 15 lbs to meet the insurance requirements. I will wear weights of some kind, but in the meanwhile, I am "saying goodbye" to all of my fast food friends and snacking. I have been at the same weight for several years. I think my body wants to keep me there. It is hard to gain weight (amazing!) now. I am on new thyroid meds which may have something to do with it. My guess is, I will hit this weight again and plateau here when I start losing. I feel ready. All of this gorging is kind of making me sick of eating. I suppose that will help while I endure Bandster Hell! I look around me and I wonder - what is going to happen to all of the fat people (like me) around me? Obesity truly is an epidemic. Is there some biochemistry issue that is keeping all of us fat? One would think our bodies would resist being overweight - evolutionally. I know we are made to store fat for energy reserves, but this much? Maybe someday a scientist will figure it out. Until then, I'm with the band!

All I can say is - WOW! You look wonderful - and I am not just talking about your weight! You look so much happier in your current pictures. You are an inspiration. Celebrate your success!

Congratulations, ubermom! How awesome for you! Enjoy your success - you earned it!

Thank you, ubermom! I appreciate what you have said. I think feeling deprived can really backfire for me. In my head, I think, "I deserve to have _____" even though it is really not about that. Hopefully the portion control with the band will be my helper. Thanks for your comments!

Thank you both! Arkansas bandster - I like your attitude. I feel hopeful that I can balance what I want and what I need. Sometimes I feel like there are a lot of people who are so rigid with "the rules" that they take the joy out of eating - period. I like your moderate approach! I guess that is what I am wishing for - more MODERATE eating. ldswims - thank you for your reply - it sounds like we are at about the same place! I'm happy to hear your surgeon has no problem with champagne/beer. I will have to see what mine says. Best wishes to you both!

I've not been banded yet - I'm still exploring whether my insurance will cover it. I keep going back and forth...could I just eat like I have the band and lose weight? Of course, I know that if I could do it by myself, I already would have! :crying: Truthfully, it is my fear of giving up my food that makes me shy away from the commitment of the band. I have to admit, I am terrified to give up all of the food I love so much. I love to cook, and food gives me so much pleasure. How will it be to go to my fav Mexican food restaurant and not eat a whole basket of chips? Will I be able to? How will I cook meals for my husband and me - He eats so little anyway, and if I can only eat 1/2 cup of food, I think I will have to relearn to cook! And I am a total carboholic. I live for bread! What will it be like to have only a small bite (or worse - none at all!) of crusty french bread? And rice? How about sushi? Champagne? (sigh):thumbup: It is like saying goodbye to a friend...

I've not been banded yet - I'm still exploring whether my insurance will cover it. I keep going back and forth...could I just eat like I have the band and lose weight? Of course, I know that if I could do it by myself, I already would have! Truthfully, it is my fear of giving up my food that makes me shy away from the commitment of the band. I have to admit, I am terrified to give up all of the food I love so much. I love to cook, and food gives me so much pleasure. How will it be to go to my fav Mexican food restaurant and not eat a whole basket of chips? Will I be able to? How will I cook meals for my husband and me - He eats so little anyway, and if I can only eat 1/2 cup of food, I think I will have to relearn to cook! And I am a total carboholic. I live for bread! What will it be like to have only a small bite (or worse - none at all!) of crusty french bread? And rice? How about sushi? Champagne? (sigh):scared2: It is like saying goodbye to a friend...

I'm thinking...beer or champagne slushy? 8)

Hey, JoJo I am type 1 diabetic and want to be banded. Like you, I will be on insulin forever, but I look forward to using less of it. Has it taken you longer to lose? Was post op difficult with your blood sugars? I'm worried I'll get low, and not be able to ingest enough sugar fast enough to get it back to normal. Any advise? renebeau

What an inspiration!!! You make me more sure than ever that getting banded is right for me! I, too, love to cook. I was afraid I wouldn't want to cook anymore. Now I think I can. Keep up the good work, you lucky dog! :thumbup: And continue to share. I really enjoy reading your posts.

Hi all, I'm a "low BMI" candidate, also. I'm 5'5" at 200 lbs. This is the heaviest I have ever been, and I feel at times disgusted with myself. Isn't that a good enough reason to want to be banded? I am diabetic (juvenile) and am constantly hungry. I eat large amounts of food, fast. I am hoping I can let go of the feeling "will there be enough food for me" and thinking about food all the time. My husband is not in favor of the band. He's always been thin. Just because I don't express my feelings about my weight to him, he assumes I am not struggling. I will have to self pay, since a BMI of 33 doesn't qualify me for insurance purposes. I agree with everyone who says that they need help keeping the weight off. Anyone can diet in the short term. Long term success is much more elusive.

Thank you for your post. It is good to hear about someone who is not suffering! 43 pounds is fabulous! Keep up the good work!!!

One day at a time, girl! You are doing great!!! Keep up the good work!!!

Hi Laura. My mom was 68. She fell last October and broke her hip. She had "failure to thrive", according to my sister (an RN) for awhile before that. X rays showed lung cancer. It was a tough time traveling from Texas to Colorado. When she finally passed away in February, I hate to say, but it was a relief. She had vacated her body much earlier. I felt guilty for not feeling sadder, but I realized I had been mourning for her for a long time. I am glad your mom still has her wits about her. Enjoy that time with her. If you want to talk privately, I'd be happy to. I do not know much about how to do private messages on this site, but would be happy to correspond w/you. I wish you the best. Rene'

Thanks, Redbone and Janet! My husband thinks he can "help" me, too. I don't need/want a policeman watching everything I eat. I don't want to sneak food in the middle of the night. It's not helpful knowing someone is always watching you. I want it to be MY decisions about what/how much I eat. Of course, if I was good at that, I wouldn't need a band - ha ha. But I think it strains a marriage. I am 46. I don't want to wait anymore! I want to travel and be comfortable doing it. I want to look good going out to dinner. I want to shop and not feel like everyone else is thinking, "Why is she even looking in here - she should be at a plus size store." I want to lie flat on my back and put my arms at my sides, not sprawled out. Sorry - I guess I needed to vent.

Well, my husband thinks I am "throwing money" at my problem by getting the band. I want to be free from my compulsion to over eat. As a type 1 diabetic, my endo is all for the band. It will bring down my A1c, my weight, my lipids, my blood pressure. Of course, hubby thinks I should "just eat less and exercise more". Why is it that thin people think fat people don't know what to do to lose weight! I only need to lose about 70 lbs. I have been successful losing weight in the past, but it always comes back and then some. The thing is, I can afford to self pay. I want to do it. How do I convince my skinny husband?:thumbup:

Well, my husband thinks I am "throwing money" at my problem by getting the band. I want to be free from my compulsion to over eat. As a type 1 diabetic, my endo is all for the band. It will bring down my A1c, my weight, my lipids, my blood pressure. Of course, hubby thinks I should "just eat less and exercise more". Why is it that thin people think fat people don't know what to do to lose weight! I only need to lose about 70 lbs. I have been successful losing weight in the past, but it always comes back and then some. The thing is, I can afford to self pay. I want to do it. How do I convince my skinny husband?:cursing:

Way to go! Enjoy that new size! You earned it!

Lauraq - this is the first time I have encountered your posts, and I want to say how sorry I am about your mother. I lost mine in Feb., and I understand how terrifying it is. Just know that it will get better with time. You are already grieving. Give yourself permission.

I think you have the right idea! You do get to start over each day. Keep up the good work! You can do it!!!!!

OMG you are too funny! think of these new compliments as not negating the previous ones, but instead, you look even better than before! Keep writing - you help us all feel better!

Add me to the list of people who think you should write your own book. I think your "voice" sounds funny, natural, thoughtful. I enjoy reading your posts! Thank you for sharing!

Thank you, AngieB2009. I guess if it was easy to picture giving up the foods I love I would have already done it! Maybe it's natural to feel scared...

I am a type one diabetic since age 30 (16 years); my BMI is 32. I attended a seminar with Dr. Matthew St. Laurent last Monday, and I am trying to decide if surgery is right for me. I am wondering if I'll be able to give up all of the food I love...bread especially. It is hard to imagine feeling satiated after a few bites of food. Also, being insulin dependent, how will I manage a clear liquid diet? I am afraid my blood sugar will drop and I won't be able to ingest enough carbs to get it back to normal fast enough. Anyone else have these issues?:huh2: