finallyncontrol

Another thing to do is to keep all of your receipts and turn them into the insurance company after the surgery. Have the hospital try to get your pre-admittance approved prior to the surgery (even if it is denied..save the denial). Turn in all of this after the surgery. Appeal the denials...you never know...I was self pay as well. I sent in my receipts and did just what I explained...there were 3 bills...one for the surgeon, one for the anes, and one for the hosp...I got 50% of the surgeon and the anes bill reimbursed and 100% of the hosp bill reimbursed!

If you really want something don't give up...fight, fight, fight! Not all insurance companies work the same way. I fought for pre approval for 2 years prior to having the surgery..then went self pay..then for 10 months fought for the reimbursment. If they would only see how much healthier we can be they would approve it in the beginning!

Please make sure you are completely convinced this is right for you! I knew inside and out that this was what I wanted to do and I would do it over again tomorrow. The only regret I have is waiting so long. I have lost 117 lbs in 10 months. I have 9 lbs to go to reach my final goal. Everyday has not been perfect but then again life isn't perfect. I will say though everyday being banded has been better than being overweight, not being able to get up off the floor from playing with my 3 yr old, not being able to fit into clothes, being depressed and so on!! I actually think I eat a more varied selection of food now and definitely a healthier selection of food. I cook 90% of the time now..which really excites me! As I said you really need to make sure this is for you because you really have to be committed to this lifestyle change! Once you are committed..you will know! Then you to will feel it was the best decision will have ever made in your life! But please do no go into this half heartedly! I wish you the very best with your decision! I am very glad you have found this website..there are a lot of very knowledgeable and supportive people on here!! Take care!

First off you need to set a goal of when you go shopping that for every piece of black that you buy you buy 2 or 3 pieces of any other color!! I think that when we were heavier we tend to "hide" behind black thinking it will make us slimmer and we don't want anyone to look at us..yes it does make us a look a little thinner but now that we are losing our weight and have bodies that we are so proud of..we need to put some color on them! You are such an inspiration! I can't wait to see you at 175 and lower (if that is what you want!)...I know you will be there! Until your next blog...

we all start somewhere!! and you could not have said it any better..it is a reminder of where you are going!!! I wish you the very best..you are already doing so well!

Speaking from experience like Shonette said..an overfill is the worst feeling in the world! I hit 5.0...thought we should go to 6.0...took a couple of .5 and .25 and then .25 to get back to 5.0 before my brain believed me that 5.0 was the right fill amount. I think a lot of us instantly think of band slippage because of all of the throwing up but I guess it does take quite a bit to cause the band to slip. Head on in to the doc..as sandy said..That is why we pay them!! Good luck!

Yeah that needle is huge! As for not going into starvation mode..I do eat about a 1/2-3/4 cup per meal...

Shake for breakfast..200 calories..just not into breakfast..no other reason

Lunch..about 250 calories...tuna, chicken salad, lunch meat with cheese rolled up, soup..salad with chicken strips.

Dinner...500 cals: 2-3 oz of any meat..seafood, chicken, steak, hamburger..you name it I cook it somehow..1/4 cup of mashed potatoes & 1/4 cup of veggies

Snacks..sometime throughout the day, usually the afternoon and evening...apple with laughing cow cheese, sugar free Popsicles, sf pudding, 10 grapes.

I allow for about 200 calories for snacks...I probably will eat about 5 popsicles a day if not more (I live in Florida so it is pretty hot).

Anyway, that is how I come up with my calories and don't end up in starvation mode and eat a small amount. I hope this helps. I have 5ccs in a 10cc band..only once did I try to go to 6ccs and was way too tight, went down to 5.5 and now went down to 5.0.

Another thing is that I eat until I am satisfied not until I am full..that helps a lot also.

Take care and I wish you the best!

I agree with all of the above comments! Plus god forbid if you have a stuck episode..those are hard to hide sometimes. Another thing now for me is..if you were intimate your port would be very noticeable (or at least mine is). When I go to a doctor who hasn't seen me and they do an examine they always are like.."what is that" and then they what to learn all about it. Anyway, that is my two cents about it. Have fun dating!

Ask, beg, plead and pray!...do whatever it takes and most of all don't give up! There are also medical loans you can get. I was self pay all the way and have fought for reimbursement after the surgery. I have got back some of my money...regardless I would do it all over again tomorrow. Being banded has changed my life, well I should say..being banded has GIVEN me a life. Losing 117 lbs in 10 months is something I dreamed of not knowing it would be a reality! Don't let anything hold you back! Take care!

When I went on solid food I took the word diet out and used the lifestyle change. My daily goal was a minimum of 60 grams of protein a day. I tried to to 20/20/20. For me I breakfast and lunch I averaged around 250 calories each and then about 500 for dinner...leaving about 200 during the day for snacks if necessary. It didn't always work that way. I generally cook about 90% of meals except for breakfast. I am just not a breakfast person..I never was. I have a shake for breakfast. Dinner is family meals..anything from steak, chicken, meatloaf, seafood...I look for recipes that have about 350 calories in them at least 20-30 grams of protein..then I can add veggies and potatoes. I eat 3 ounces of meat, 1/3 cup of veggies and about 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes at an evening meal. This is what has worked for me to lose 117 lbs in 10 months. I hope this helps but please listen to your doctor as well. Take care and I wish you the very best on your journey.

I started at 266..and as of this morning I weighed in at 149...it has only been 10 months! Think positive thoughts and look at the big picture. Remember why you are doing this. The beginning is rough. The headache is due to a variety of things..no sugar, no caffeine, no carbs..if you are allow I would have a chicken bullion. It does get better, believe me!! I wish you the very best on your journey!

I am with you!! I was banded on 11/23 and as of this morning I was down 117. My ending goal is to lose 126..so 9 more and I will be tickled pink! The only thing I would do different is to have done it sooner! I have the strangest conversations with the doctors now.."now you can only lose this much more!" I never remember have that kind of conversations in the past!! LOL You are an inspiration! Keep up the awesome work..it is all so worth it! Put on the bikini now..see what it looks like! Take Care!

Absolutely amazing!! even my husband said so!! I am with you on the accountability part. Even though I dont blog but I feel that if I do not get on here and "connect" with everyone that I am not focused. I have enough non band medical issues that cause set backs so I need to do the "easy" ones like log on! I have 9 lbs left to reach my final goal. I am so excited! I know you can reach you 6 lbs..you have the determination. Also, if I didn't say it before congrats on the 5k! Keep up the great work..looking forward to the next blog!

Way to go! I am so glad that you shared your experience! I think sometimes we forget that we need to change up what we do and what a difference it makes! Way to go and keep up the awesome work!!

Not that I have had any problem with them but celery was on my no-no list due to how stringy they are. I also peel and de-seed my cucumbers (just always have even before surgery..my dad has a problem with the seeds). The only thing I had problems with is onions...they gave me indigestion afterwards--not sure why..so I just cut back on them. As for pureeing...I put anything and everything in a blender...you may need to use a blindfold to eat it but the way I looked at it was it all goes into your stoma and mixes up in there so as along as it tastes good who cares how it looks...and by then it had been 30 days since I had had anything to chew..I was ready to eat!! I wish you the very best!

How far along are you? As soon as I was able to eat regular foods..I took out the word diet and made my "lifestyle change". I have always eaten normal everyday foods but very small portions. I don't eat breads but only because it fills me up so fast I can't eat anything else. I knew that I wouldn't be able to "only eat chicken" for the rest of my life and I didn't want to eat only a few things so that once I met my goal that I would instant gain weight. I was banded on 11/23/9 and have lost 117 lbs so far. I have 9 lbs to go reach my goal. I feel fantastic. Whenever I "think" I am hungry I eat sugar free popsicles (sometimes 5 a day). I also get on this website, take a walk or read a book. Another thing to measure is..see if you are still hungry 15 minutes after you distract the hunger sign..it could just be in your head. Alot of the time it was only in my head and once I did distract myself it went away. Also, if you are able to eat solid proteins it will help you feel fuller longer. I hope some of this helps! Take care and I wish you the very best!!

Hello Paris! I wish you the very best for your surgery on the 23rd! The best advice I can offer you is to try a few different protein shakes..either premixed or you mix them..until you find one that you like. They are really important!! I really love the EAS Myoplex Lite Chocolate. I get it premixed. Making sure you get the proper amount of protein not only helps you keep up your energy level it also makes sure you are getting the right amount of nutrients when you are doing only liquids. Even after surgery you will have to do shakes periodically as well...when you get fills (well I should say most doctors require you to do shakes for a day or two but not all require this.) Stay positive and I wish you the very best!

Forget about the past and start fresh today! Stay focused and positive! I wish you the very best!

Excellent news on your tests!!! I agree with you..I measure ounces as well..any loss is better than a gain. As for the fill..this is what my doctor asks me..Can you eat a hot dog AND a bun? (I always tell him I don't eat bread so I can't answer that question) But I know where he is going. If I can eat a hot dog and the bun then I need a fill. He says that some of his patients will say "yeah I ate two yesterday". I eat hot dogs but I don't eat the bun. Anyway, you have done fantastic without a fill, it is totally up to you if you get one or not. I just thought I would tell you what my dr would ask me. As always...take care, you are doing awesome!!

she is beautiful!!!! I also have a miracle son..he just turned 3..he has been my inspiration now. God does work in so many ways! I wish you and your family all the very best! Try not to spoil her..it will be so hard as precious and beautiful as she already is. Take care!

I know what you mean...some days are just like that!! Just remember there is always tomorrow or the next day has a new beginning and a fresh start!! Forget what happened (besides mourning your rat) and press forward. I wish you the very best!!

With that kind of power you will be so successful!! Congrats on the 29 lbs!! Keep up the positive attitude it will take you so far!! You can do it!

LoseIt is right everyone is different. Mine was aggressive. I believe that I only got 4 fills total..the 5th one was for .25 and it put me over the edge. I was at 5.0 and add the .25 did me in. I have been at 5.0 for several months now. It worked for me..everyone hits their sweet spot at different times. I would ask them to be a little more aggressive but keeping in mind that just a little bit like .25 could be the magical amount needed.

Every doctor seems to have his own plan..mine is very strict and I will never forget his words.."Well do you want to end up in the ER?" so I follow his rules. Mine is 2 days of clear liquids, 2 days of protein shakes, 2 days of pureed and 2 days of soft proteins..then regular foods...Yes this is after each and every fill!!!

Yes Armywive I agree with Bklynike...not all losses are bad..35 lbs in 5 wks is fantastic especially with all that you just went through! I am sure your dad is so proud of you. He will be keeping an eye on you! Sorry to hear of his passing. I wish you the very best!!

Sound simple enough..and definitely yummy for my tummy!!!! Thanks!!