MsShay

Congrats, you are doing great! :smile:

What is the pouch test? Please explain.

I have found that people keep telling me to stop losing weight or I will be anorexic or sickly but those were the same people who believed I did not need surgery. People have their sly ways of taking jabs but I try not to let it bother me. Its their problem. For instance, we were at a family reunion and my five sisters and I posed for pictures. The heavier sisters commented, "Look all the skinny sisters are on one side and the fat ones are on the other. I had never even thought about it or noticed it but they did. Again, its their problem.

I did not start back drinking coffee until two weeks post-op. I start off my day with one cup of regular coffee. However I never finish it and wind up throwing it out. So I probably do a half a cup a day. My nutritionsit has no problem with it as long as I limit it to one cup.

My local VA has a bariatric program and when I approached my primary care doctor about getting the lapband outside of the VA she was upset. She stated that one of her other patients went through the VA program and had lost 20 lbs prior to his lapband surgery and then hadn't lost any more weight after that. I told her that I was not that patient and that I had done my homework. A month after surgery I went to see her and all she could do was parade me around and call me "her success story/" I just have to laugh about it. My only complaint is I am tired of people telling me to stop losing weight before I start looking sick or too skinny. These are the same people that tried to talk me out of it when I was big.

Even thogh I told the doctor that I would compromise and only weigh myself twice a week, since Thursday, I have continued to weigh myself. Old habits are hard to break. I just want to make sure I stay on track. If I go up then I think back about if I exercised or what did I eat. I want to stay on track. :thumbup:

Hello. For me its been weird in that every five pound increments I lose and then gain back, lose and then gain back. I am now in the high 160s and want to see if I do the same thing. I weighed in with my doctor on 4/8 at 178 and kept going up and down the entire month of May. When I saw my doctor this past Thursday and weighed 173. He told me to stop weighing myself every day and only weigh once a month. I compromised and now will only weigh myself twice a week. The ups and downs really get me. :thumbup:

Its sad but its true, I weigh myself the first thing in the morning every day. Although its crazy sometimes I weigh myself at nite too but not that often. Its just nice seeing the changing of the scales. :scared2:

Congrats to you. And to think I complained because my insurance took me through hoops and it took 4 months. I am happy for you.

I had the same issue with Triwest and I appealed and was banded on `12/28/09. You have to fight with them. It seems like they deny first. :cursing:

I spent 20 years on active duty in the Air Force (retired in Januar 1998) and then went back to work for the Government (Feb 1998). I am a contracting officer for the VA and love it. I buy goods and services, anything from hospital beds and equipment to lawn care services. Plan to retire again in 3-5 years.

I am Tricare (Triwest to be exact), I just had my lapband surgery on Dec 28th. I did not go through my PCP. I went directly through the surgeon. For now Tricare does not deal with BMI but they are in the process of changing it. It appears from your height and weight you woud probably meet the 100 pounds of your ideal weight according the Met Life charts. I say go through the surgeon. My PCP was against the surgery however when I had a follow up appointment with her last Friday she was excited and was showing me around. Its your decision and make sure you are doing what's best for you.

Each surgeon is different in what they require pre-op. I had to have protein shakes and drinks for breakfast and lunch and for dinner I could have chicken or fish, vegetables, salad or broth. It might sound easy but it was not. However it was only for two weeks prior to surgery. I am 6 days post op and on liquids but then again. its well worth it.

As far as telling people about being banded, I honestly chose to keep it somewhat private. I have had people tell me that I did not need it (35 BMI with multiple co-morbids). I carry my weight well but am in bad shape (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholestrol, etc.). People come at you with their opinions. The people that mattered understood and supported me. Its a decision you have to make for yourself. I thank God I had the love and support of my family. I had my surgery Monday and feel its been the best decision I have made for myself in a long time. I want to be around a lot longer and live a healthier life.

I am doing ok. Still taking Gas X and on clear liquids, doing a lot of walking. I did not sleep too good last nite but read that a lot of other bandsters had the same problem. I have been cat napping today. Overall the experience was not bad. Feel free to ask me any other questions.