Boo_68

Every Surgeons office is a bit different...as well as Insurance Companies (some require a percentage of weight loss to show your commitment to the process) Once I went to the seminar and scheduled my first appointment I had my Psych Eval, Nutrionist Consult, Official Weigh In and Pictures along with my first visit with the Surgeon...all in the same day. I had a 3 month wait in between the Seminar and Appt...but was scheduled for my surgery within one month afterwards. I had all my blood work about a week prior to surgery date. It might be a little different, I didn't have any co-morbids...but started with a BMI of 44.5. Good luck with your journey!

Also...My surgeon was telling me at my last appt, they changed the BMI requirements. 30 BMI with Co-Morbids and 35 BMI without.

It is a decision that will forever change you life. Going into this knowing that you still have to do the work, but its a "tool" that makes what seems impossible a reality. I had my surgery almost 2 years ago...and there isn't a day go by that I am not greatful for my new life. I also had your outlook many years ago, and finally realized having weight loss surgery would help me keep the weight off...I don't consider myself weak, but quite the opposite for taking control of my health. I only wish I had done it sooner. Best wishes to you and good luck on your journey!

Since my last update....My #6 on my list came true. I'M GONNA BE A GRANDMA....baby is due July 28th )

Very Cute and so true Let the baking begin...hehehe looks like you have a handle on temptations!

Christy,

I am being banded 11/23. I see how much weight you have lost and I would love to hear your suggestions and tips to make my journey positive! Thanks!:smile2:

Sorry its taken me so long to respond...this new site has me all confused. I figure by now your banded Congrats and welcome to the journey. Hmmm suggestions....1. Stay Hydrated...Water is so important 2. Protein Protein protein 3. Excercise is good for the mind, body and soul 4. Support System, whether it be friends, family, support groups or here ) The band is a tool, use it...and it works. You may not see alot of change the first few months until your filled....be patient and compassinate to yourself. I also suggest taking measurements...I can't tell you how much it helped to know I was shrinking, when that scale wouldn't budge. Find a routine...write it down...for me it keeps me honest and accountable to myself. Best of luck to you. I look forward to hearing your success!

My band is at 5cc's...the most was 5.9cc's. Everyone is different though, and feels restriction at different levels.

For me personally....this is the first time I'd ever had the Flu...and I'm almost 43 yrs. old. They found my slip by doing a Barium Swallow....Day 1 I was fine and by Day 3 it showed the slippage. I know for me, I have Phenergan (anti nausea) meds on hand now if I need them, and I will go for an immediate Unfill (complete untill) if I ever get that sick again. Surgery of any kind is a risk...a risk I don't want to take again....5 days total in the hospital, thank God for insurance!

Boo, I should have my band surgery near the end of December. I would like to get the low profile port now that I know it exists. I have a BMI of 44 as of today. I'm sure by surgery date it should be down at least 1 or 2 more points. Do you think I would qualify to get that type of port? Also I have Humana Select Insurance. Is there anything I should be aware of so that I get my approval? I would sure appreciate anything you could share with me. Thanks Linnie

Definetely express your desire to your Surgeon...I don't believe it makes any difference when it comes to insurance paying for it. I also have Humana. Even when I was heavy I did have a waistline, so my surgeon was more than happy to follow through with my wishes. GOOD LUCK Sorry for the slow reply, having a hard time navigating through the new changes to the site.

Had a question.. I have long hair (past my bra), Thick(well used to be), Do you think cutting it would help reduce the Hair loss? I am 8 months out and its still falling out at a good rate.. I have a follow appt at my surgeon Thursday so I am going to see if they could do blood work.

I actually did cut my hair and it did help the hair loss. I also donated it to "Locks of Love"....wonderful program if you have at least 10 inches to spare and now letting it grow back out...seems to be going good so far.

I want to thank you for your post and reading through all of the responses....I realized I missed my husband, just as much as he missed the "old me". We now have set one night a week for a "date night" to relearn the so-called dance steps of life...and pleased to say its AMAZING

http://chat.lapbandtalk.com:35555/123flashchat.swf

Here is the link to ad free chat....of course its down right now...Ughhh I hate the new site!!

I'm early in the stage of maintaining (4 months)....1100 calories seems to be the approximate appropriate amount for me. I still fluctuate within a 5lb range. Its tough trying to find this friendly balance.

I completely understand you not wanting to go to a hospital and aftercare where you aren't comfortable. On a more sensitive note, our economy has fallen on hard times and I think if people would take time out of their personal more fortunate lives to volunteer....they may find some amazing, wonderful, talented, loving and educated people that are trying to pick themselves back up. You can't always judge a book by its cover. I personally was a single mother of 3 children, escaping an abusive husband...who found myself living in a housing project. I fought my way back up, and met some amazing people along the way...teaching my children to appreciate the little things in life, LOVE being the most important. Most people are literally 2 paychecks away from being able to fall homeless, this does not make them bad people. I also agree with one of the other comments, you find "scandalous" people in every neighborhood.

Very sensitive subject for me personally...I did not chose the life I was thrown into! I also wouldn't change a thing, my children are better adults for the struggles we had to overcome as a family. Especially now through the Holidays, we take time in our more fortunate lives to "Pay it Forward"....reminding ourselves that someone once helped us.

My situation is just the opposite...My husband was was supportive in the beginning, and now that I'm here and have lost the weight, it all gone downhill. I liked dfav's comment about the dance steps....guess we need to learn the steps again. Communication is key...I feel like I have to stroke my husbands ego by telling him I'm not going anywhere, which I feel is ridiculous. As I've said many times before, sometimes I wish I wouldn't have told anyone....not even him.

It definetely sounds like your too tight....and vomitting of any type can and will cause a slip. I also wonder if your trying to eat too fast after your fill (and I question why your band was so tight to begin with also) I'm 20 months out and 5.9cc's was my sweet spot. After fills also, I have to take it easy...because of swelling. 2 days liquids, 2 days mushies, 2 days soft then normal diet. I found this out through trial and error. If your throwing up and your doctor is out of town, go to the hospital for your band to be unfilled.

Best wishes, hope you get better soon!!

Restriction is the feeling of being satisfied between meals. If your getting stuck....chew chew chew. I really had to teach myself to slow down my eating habits in the beginning. I used baby silverware so I would take smaller bites. You also may still be swollen from surgery.

Best of Luck!

I'm in Bellevue, coming up on my 2nd Bandiversary. I'm new to the area and also looking for support to keep the motivation going. I found this site to be absolutely wonderful. I'm going to a local support group at Overlake Hospital here in Bellevue next Thursday night 6-8pm....let me know if your interested. I have a hard time finding these threads, so if you post on my profile...

Oh I could go on and on...but here are a few!

1. Going from a size 24 to a 10

2. My knees don't hurt anymore

3. I'm healthier than I've been in 25 years...

4. I CAN PAINT MY TOENAILS AGAIN....LOL:lol:

5. Loving who I see in the mirror )

6. Knowing when I finally get grandchildren, I will be able to run and play with them.

7. Renewed lovelife with my husband. :smile2:

With Humana you have to have all documents sent from your PCP also (showing your 6 months) they also want to know that you have a PCP on board after surgery, not just your Bariatric Surgeon...sounds like all the paperwork wasnt sent. Hopefully you can get this corrected soon. Best Wishes

Have you had any blood work done through your PCP? After having a full workup done my whole routine changed. I now take 4 Childrens chewable Vitamins, B-12 Shots (once a month and I LOVE THEM) calcium citrate and I found out I was extremely low in Vit. D...which is linked to Obesity. I encourage everyone to have blood work done, our bodies all vary so much...best to only take the supplements we need...rather than guessing.

Best of Luck!:smile2:

I also was able to get the low profile port...and my surgery was 2/5/09. Ask your doctors...:smile2:

I completely agree with all the prior posts, but wanted to add that you are still in recovery. You may be feeling better, but allow this time for your body to completely heal. The weight loss will come in time. I remind myself that it took a lifetime for me to gain....I can't expect it to be gone overnight. Slow losses are usually permanent ones...with the occassional bump in the road....4 lbs a week leads to 16 a month to 192 in a year. Just a different way to look at things. Stay positive...Oh' and are you doing measurements?? I literally saw inches melt away when the scale wasn't moving....muscle weighs more than fat. Good luck on your continued journey. YOU CAN DO THIS!!:eek:

Welcome to the journey Korilynn...this is a great site for information and support. Good luck to you as you begin your new life. I can't say its been easy, but getting the Lapband saved my life and changed it forever. Its helped change my 3 grown childrens habits...so hopefully they will never have to face the same problems I had prior to surgery. If you have any questions this is a great forum. Best Wishes, keep us informed of your progress!! ~Christy :frown:

I lost alot of hair about my 4th month....I would talk to your Doctor...maybe even do a Blood Draw to see where all your Vitamin levels are at. Most likely your not getting the proper amount of Protein though....very common.

Not everyone "fits" into the broad spectrum of the BMI Chart. My Doctor took all my physical attributes when deciding what weight was good for me. I'm 5'8, and with the help of my Lapband have lost 130 lbs. I'm a very lean 168 lbs...according the Charts still overweight, but my Doc says I don't need to lose anymore. I recommend to everyone to not define what your ideal weight should be, just by the BMI Chart...but also consult your Doctor. Best of Luck!!