Search the Community

Thank you thank you thank you SO SO SO SO much everyone for your responses! It really does validate sort of what I thought about her. It must be some sort of issue she has. She used to talk to me every morning but here lately - nothing. Her husband actually just came in so that they could work out together during lunch. Both of them just left in their workout clothes. I think it's one of those things where she must be insecure with her husband, in her marriage, etc. And I think because I live my life however, and made this decision, she is annoyed. Who knows? I will say, I haven't told my husband's parents about the band at all because they are VERY judgmental when it comes to weight. His sister is the worst. She was always TINY - we're talking a size 2 in high school and the past few years have sort of altered her body style. She's not as tiny but she's still petite. But, she was definitely one that would make comments to me all the time. As far as I'm concerned, they don't need to know. His dad has made his fair share of rude comments, so I'm sure that more would come and they would definitely be the food police. I told them that I'm having hernia surgery. I wouldn't have said anything but our daughters stay the night with them every Monday because his mom keeps my kids on Tuesdays since my husband and I both work. They live nearby (as does all of my family) so I had to have some sort of excuse. Plus, yesterday we had my youngest daughter's 4th birthday party and they had pizza, fried chicken, cake, ice cream, etc. I had NONE of it. I stayed on my low-carb pre-op diet and had turkey and grilled chicken breast. I guess I'm just fed up with society's opinion of overweight people. :smile2: I have dealt with it so much that now I'm fed up. I did ask the co-worker "What makes you say that" so I know that she knows I was not pleased with her "suggestion" or whatever you want to call it. Her excuse was "You'll be miserable". Actually, I don't think (I hope I won't) be. Once again - thank you SO much! I swear, I LOVE this board!!!! :thumbup:

Have you tried the 5 day pouch test? It is possible that you have stretched your pouch out and are eating more than you should be. That could be part of why you are not losing. If you have 10ccs in a 12cc band you should be feeling a pretty great deal of restriction. Day 1 & 2-The first two days are all liquids. You can have as many low-carb protein shakes as you like to satisfy hunger or cravings. In addition drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water each day. The purpose of all liquids is to break any snacking, grazing or processed carbohydrate habits. In addition the liquids will work to cleanse your system and prepare you for the following three days. Try to reduce your caffeine intake as well, but do not stop caffeine cold turkey or you will feel sick and frustrated potentially losing the desire to continue with the pouch test. It is very important to drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day. This will prevent dehydration, will help curb cravings and will flush your body of toxins and fat. Sufficient water intake improves kidney function and cell processes. Day 3: Soft proteins- The next three days you get to eat as much as you want as often as you want! But there's a catch: it has to be solid protein and you only get 15 minutes each time you sit down to eat. No drinking 30 minutes before or after meals and no drinking with your food. A dry pouch will hold your soft protein longer helping your to feel full and fed longer. Protein Recommendations: canned fish ( tuna or salmon) mixed with lemon and seasoned with salt and pepper, eggs cooked as desired seasoned with salt pepper and/or salsa, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy), baked or grilled, and lightly seasoned. This starts your program with "soft" protein. Measure your portion (1 cup volume or 4-6 ounces weight) and eat only until you feel full, not overfull. Remember, no water for 30 minutes before or after you meal, and no fluids with your meal. We are going back to the beginning and fluids will prevent you from feeling the pouch. If you need to add a moist condiment ( Miracle Whip or mayonnaise) to the canned fish I understand, but keep it to a minimum so the meat is not too moist. One reason we lose the sense of tightness in our pouch is that we eat "slider foods" -foods that are too moist and do not stay in the pouch very long, they slide right through the stoma. Cottage cheese is a good protein and you can include it on Day 3. To firm it up a bit you could add a chopped hard cooked egg to your cottage cheese. And yes, during the liquid phase chicken boullion with added protein is great. Day 4 Firm Protein- Protein Recommendations: ground meat (beef, turkey, lamb) cooked dry and lightly seasoned, shellfish, scallops, lobster steamed and seasoned only with lemon, salmon or halibut steaks, grilled and lightly seasoned. By now you should be experiencing that familiar tightness that will reassure you that your pouch is working. Remember to drink plenty of water between meals. Take some time to meditate and rediscover the wonder of your pouch. Often we don't like that uncomfortable tightness of the pouch, which is why we gradually move toward slider foods that don't make us uncomfortable. It is always my preference to eat moist protein so I don't get uncomfortable, but doing so allows me to consume more than I should. Rediscovering the pouch with this 5-day plan reminds me of how the tool really works. I hope by now you are rediscovering your tool and enjoying the hope and excitement because your pouch still works. Day 5 Solid Protein- Remember to chew chew chew. Measure your portion (4-6 ounces) and eat only until you feel your pouch tighten. Remember, only 15 minutes per meal, so you'll have to work fast to chew your food completely. By now you should be out of any carb cycle you were in and perhaps you have lost a pound or two. You will have new confidence in your pouch and your ability to work the tool for your health and emotional well being. Don't go hungry! Remember, you can eat as often as you want as long as it is solid protein, consumed without liquids and measured in 4-6 ounce portions.

I have Highmark BC/BS and the surgeon's office submitted my paperwork in early October last year and it took almost a month to approve. They said this time of year it takes longer because people are trying to get it done while their deductibles have been met. Good luck to you!!!

I was put on Yaz for my pcos and it didn't do a dang thing. When I talked to a medic about it she was surprised I had been put on Yaz at my weight. She said she wouldn't suggest Yaz for pcos for anyone weighing more than 130 pounds! My acne wasn't improved and I was constantly spotting and cramping so she switched me to Yazmin instead. It improved my skin (not the scars tho) but I'm still spotting and cramping. The surgeon told me to go off BC pills now, two weeks prior to surgery, and that I can go back on them a month after surgery. But is it worth it? Is clear skin worth constant cramping, spotting, and a seemingly constant state of pms? :lol0: I've heard that PCOS symptoms can be greatly reduced after vsg. Has anyone experienced this?

They keep asking for a rational as to why i have to be out that long. my dr has :no more information to give. On top of that they told me after i was alreaddy out 4 1/2 weeks that they would only approve 3 weeks... so now im without pay fr a week and half.. horrible. and now im leaving the er bc my potassium level is low and my bp went back up i have numbmess and tingling in my face and major headache. Thanks metlife..

hi manaia84...9 days before i head south...surgery in 10 days... im nervous and excited as well... im glad i found this site and also looking for pre..and post surgery support. as an lpn but non smoker i wanted to maybe help exlplain why quitting smoking is sooooo crucial. when a person smokes and introduces all those chemicals and toxins into your body it causes your immune system to go into overtime to rid all that crap...it continues on 24 hrs as even when u arent smoking theres lots of crap to process...then your body needs to heal and cleanse your kidneys and liver...lymphatic system.. so now you know why when u get a cold or flu smoking delays the normal immune response bc you continue to add junk to the body...so thats why it takes sooo long for you to get over thay cold or illness...nm...adding unnecessary antibiotics...lol...so now you are undergoing a Major and invasive surgery... our body is literally cut open..susceptible to foreign matters...even internal mixtures so naturally the body will undergo pain..new changes in it routine..route...swelling from surgery...potential infection control alert is heightened...do you want your body to have to continue to clean the toxins chemicals from smoking while under going the knife... then get a surprise shit something ugly and strange is happening here and leave the toxins and chemicals to deal with surgical ivasion...expect a long healing..recovery time from surgery if you arent able to quit... surely you will be highly tempted to smoke after your surgery and the viscous cycle in your body begins again ..smoking is a killer... theres sooo much more negative you dont cant see..i hope i somewhat positively...persuaded you to quit now...for life...you can do it!!

mine said no gummies. I can tell you they don't make a gummy that contains iron bc I was always looking for one for my daughter who needed iron. But I was told that I had to take chewable for the first 3 months for proper absorption. HW: 280 SW: 231 CW: 203 GW: 140 Sleeved 5/31/17

here is to 2021!!! I live in a very small town and I am not much on social media. I have kept my WLS on the down low, not because I am ashamed but because I am not looking for support or BS from anyone. My husband we into town today to the local cafe (gossip central) to pick up eggs that I forgot to get on my regular grocery run and the old gal who runs the place announced to the whole joint, during the morning coffee run, how sorry she was to hear about my illness. My husband said "she is feeling good but I will tell her your thinking of her" she carried on to ask him how many rounds I would need. He replied " I believe this will do it". The word is I am going though chemo, LOL. I am not telling them any different......let them talk. Chemo or weight loss surgery regardless, I am getting thin!!!! LOL

Insurance paid for my vsg and pre- op clearances. I had to pay my deductible then everything was covered at 100%. If you have insurance through an employer, It will depend on the specific policy inclusions/exclusions that are chosen by your employer more so than the insurance carrier that you have. For instance all Aetna, bc/bs, tied healthcare etc policies are not the same regarding coverage.

Hi! I had my lower body lift (360) on July 16 so I am just under 3 weeks post op. The first few days were really painful and I opted to stay a second night in the hospital to get stronger pain medicine. Now that I'm home I'm still taking my pain meds every 4-6 hours. But I can stand up straighter now. I used a rolling walker for almost 2 weeks bc you have to stay bent over initially. I also got a shower chair and still use that bc I get tired easily. My swelling has gone down but the dr said I am still swollen several inches. I wear a garment provided for me by my dr that looks like a crotchless wetsuit. That way you don't have to take it off and on so much to use the bathroom. I'm used to it but it does get itchy. My dr was very up front that this would hurt and she didn't lie. Also I'm not allowed to use any core muscles which includes using my arms to get up and down. My family helps me every time I need to get up and/ or turn every 2 hours to prevent incision from opening up. That's around the clock. I have slept in the recliner since I got home. My girls (19&23) take turns sleeping on the couch. We set alarms to turn me every 2 hours. My appetite has been really low and I've been really nauseous. My sleeve had complications so my stomach gets unhappy easily. Plus the garment is really tight and eating just isn't comfortable. I will take some more pics tomorrow and post. I've been taking them daily but they show a lot lol. Oh, one surprise is that my "lady part" got a lift as well. Lol. Even though I'm still swollen I can see a huge difference on how I look and I absolutely love it!! I workout 6-7 days per week normally and the extra skin was making frustrated that I didn't look how I felt. My dr removed about 6+pounds of skin. Stats: Pre weight loss wt 275lbs Pre plastic wt 135lbs I weighed last week 130lbs I'll be curious where my weight settles once the swelling is gone. I don't really want to lose any more. Yesterday was my first day to venture out of the house and go to a movie and walk around a few stores. I was exhausted when we got home and more swollen today. The hardest part is getting in and out of a vehicle. My husband is really strong and can easily lift me but he's on crutches w a broken leg bc we had a motorcycle accident 2 nights before my surgery. Stupid plan to go riding so close to a non refundable surgery lol. I'm lucky I have adult kids to help me. Good luck! Holly

My surgeon says this exact same thing. And he said while protein is critical the first couple of weeks and can lead to hair loss 2 months later if you don't get enough, some people like me who did get in all of their protein during that time (and on an ongoing basis) still have hair loss--most likely bc of the shock of the surgery, anesthesia, etc. For me it happened about 2.5 months after surgery. it has lasted a few week and is already starting to dissipate, thankfully. It's not like my hair looks thin, but I definitely notice a difference.

I think you and the gadget think that being a libertarian thinker means spreading the wealth. No that's not what I interpret this ideology to mean. To me, I think being a middle class citizen, I have supported the richer getting richer just by me getting up every day and going to work. They are the ones who benefit by the tax breaks me and so many people like me should be receiving. Instead, the people who benefit from my efforts to make a living are going to large corporations shipping my job overseas. Padding the pockets of corrupt companies who have already shown where their loyalties are. It is capitalism at its best. Reduced unenforced government regulation, to protect me and my family against China and the crap that we are seeing that has come out there. The current government has slapped me in the face as far as changing the constitutional laws to accommodate their corrupt agendas. No one has stood up to oppose these atrocities against our country. Only the people who are not affected by these issues are the ones who are motivated to reason with this madness and try to appeal to others to buy into this imbalance (not all of them though). People are fed up with this way of thinking. Your thoughts are to protect your wealth, sure but not at my expense. When I vote, I am voting for someone who will be for all people in this country, not just for the wealthy. Obama’s agenda on not giving vouchers so people can give my tax payers dollars so they can send their child to a private school instead of a public school is not something I agree with either. If I decide to bring a child into this world and I am able to provide them the privilege of going to a private school then that’s on me, not the taxpayer. Public funding is for those who need their children to be educated and are unable to provide that extra level of education. Not everyone can go to college. I want my taxes to go to bringing the public school system up to a better standard. This, I think will benefit us all. Again, I don’t want my taxes going to pay for someone else’s child going to private school. I don’t even have kids so don’t put that extra elite tax on me. As far as McCain’s heath care policy, if he has his way, not only will the illegal immigrants continue to tax our health care system but regular people will be forced to practice this as well. If you think about it, you may have wealth now, but you won’t have it for long. This war and the billions funding it…that should be enough to stop you in your tracks because that is another thing that will change how many millionaires and billionaires we have in the country (I say, not for long) not to mention if McCain starts the draft again with his war mongering mentality.

Wow what’s good people… It’s been a couple days since my last post and wow you guys almost left me in the wind I guess… well Let me respond to some post that caught me and get back in the thick of it. Plain Yes I do thing that with the passing of generations that the problem will diminish but not though silence it will take people havening adult style conversations and really listening to each other and yes over years and years after issues are addressed and addressed not ignored and I whole heartedly believe that we will eventually get past it all. Jack I agree it’s a catch 22 not all of the black people who make it out of impoverished conditions realize the impact of what they are portraying. They sell those images and that life style because its what appears in their windows and its what sells. The problem lies when kids from that life style look at them and thing they came from where I came from and had to deal with the same things I did and then they try to emulate the results. They need someone to show them unequivocally that there is another way to make it out there is a way for me to be something in this world. Gloucester To answer your questions I’m and fine and you…lol That is the million dollar question but let’s face it the failures of slavery are not what black America is most angry about to day… This country is in many cases blatantly biased against blacks. In the communities and in the judicial system, and in some state the laws themselves. What I get from some of your statements is that after slavery was abolished that issue was resolved and the fact of the matter is that today there are still policies and practices that discriminate against blacks. Yes slavery is in the past but injustice, prejudice, and angerhated isn’t in the past it is in the present. In my life time I have witnessed, felt, and watched racial based injustice happen all over this country. As far as can it happen today… it was only about Id say 3 or 4 years ago a cute little white girl came up to me and asked me … did that hurt? I asked her what she was talking about and she replied When your skin got all burned. That being said I think there is still enough ignorance in this country that that could happen again maybe. Hopefully the kid will be smarter than me at the time and not drive a staple through his finger. No my mother never really had to deal with is and my father said in more words than I will say. I should know my place. Meaning as a black adolescent I am not permitted to make the same mistakes my white adolescent friends were able to make and get away with just a slap on the wrist. The fear for me didn’t come until my first year in TN were the hast by police where I fit the description turned into being drug outta my car and cuffed gun drawn with a knee in my back cause I was a black kid in a Mercedes in a doo rag in a white neighborhood. That’s where my fear came from. That and other events that happened to me personally I was weary before that because of my father but after that I had a hearty fear and productive anger. But that’s the thing you can’t defend America cause it is America I love my country both the good and the bad and what pisses me off. I won’t stop arguing the case of the black community to my country just like I won’t stop arguing my patriotism to people who criticize my country. And I am not trying to move backwards but the fact is that this country has been recently on the verge of a new civil rights movement and the only reason it has yet to come tom ahead it lacks a leader. Research the Jena6 situation is you don’t already know about it. Ok chat feels good to be back …. Im sick of writing papers …. Only 6 more classes till my BS though so oh well. Looking forward to all your guys post l8ter

Well, I did the right thing by bucking the system and forcing an appointment with my surgeon prior to insurance approval. One of the documents I need to have completed in order to send off to the State Insurance Board needs to be completed by my doctor... the one I have never seen, yet. YAY - I have an appointment with him on Tuesday and I can have him complete it then. So, I will be all ready with the paperwork completed and copied and ready to put into a fed-ex envelope and ship to the insurance board the day I get my answer. Can you say OVERNIGHT 8am delivery? Sure you can. I WILL get a band - and my insurance WILL pay for it. (See my cynicism and my optimism walk hand in hand on this little journey. They are becoming best friends). Way to go on the Chip Betty! I must confess that I ate of the evil corn only today. Eileen - you still down from that cold? I hope you get to rest some this weekend. How's the whole Band thing going? Everything healing up well? Cheated on the liquids!! ooooooo, I'm telling your doc! (lol) I just don't know how I will manage that whole thing - but I have always said that I could do ANYTHING for two weeks... It will just be nostalgia for those long ago times when I was young and poor and occassionally hungry. (Thank goodness I worked at a restaurant - I knew I would get at least one meal a day, no matter what!) Cindy, I understand your fear of the dreaded PB - but I hear that they CAN be avoided with care. I have been sort of observing myself lately when I eat. Chewing is going to be the hardest part for me. When I get hungry, I INHALE the food... I am trying to work on it now - but it is hard to do if there are no consequences to worry about. Well Folks, I have to run. Another glorious night on the Dreadmill.... I tried the bike, I really did - but I could only hack it for THREE minutes. My knees just would not take it. Plus, they kept hitting my big ol' belly - pretty demoralizing, and even painful. *sigh* I guess tonight I will have to embarrass myself on the eliptical machine... Just be sure and watch the late news... I might be on it as a point of humor... :]

I take Prozac in liquid form, chew 2 calcium Viactiv and 1 Multi-Vitamin Viactiv and use BC powders for aches and pains or Tylenol liquid for adults....so far I haven't had to take anything else.

Kathy, Does your surgeon approve of BC powders? I work in an emergency room and see lots of bleeding tummies from those boogers.

My Dr. told me not to try to swallow anything larger than a birth control pill. They advised me to crush pills and open capsules so that is what I have been doing but I don't take medication daily outside of bc. I take Nexxium occasionally but haven't since being banded. My pain med after banded was in liquid form. I have heard from other bandsters that once you get filled that you can't swallow pills but usually can before but I never tried it!!!

I'm thinking of getting banded by dr Almanza. Anyone in Vancouver BC had dr Almanza do their Band? Thanks

Hello, I am hoping to be banded in Jan also....I have been trying to get the lapband since 2006. I started with Humana then after stringent testing and lots of out of pocket expenses that I just paid off in 2008 I backed out because there was more testing that the cardiologist wanted me to do that was going to cost over 2K out of pocket...so after 2 years and I weigh almost the exact same thing I did then and taking phentermine still with no noticeable weightloss I am back on the lapband wagon. I really really want to have it done in Jan but my pre auth is all on hold with the surgeon's office because I have new insurance effective 1/1/2010 so we are waiting until that goes into effect. It is with Anthem BC/BS so I'm hoping the criteria will be a lot easier to get through compared to Humana's in 2006. I filled out the registration paperwork at Dr.Charles Morton's office Dec 16th, but the nurse could not schedule me for anything else until the new insurance goes into effect. I desperately want it done in Jan so I can be in class the first week of Feb...but if not I will just miss class for the surgery...I desperately want it!

1.What is your current and goal weight? C-249, G-145 2.What is your surgery date? Hoping for mid Jan 2010 3.What is your age? 61 4.Where do you live? Northeast Georgia 5.Where are you having surgery? Emory, Atlanta 6.Who is your Doctor?? Srinivasin (sp?) 7.Insurance or self-pay? Ins (BS/BS HMO) 8.What was you "deciding factor" for having this surgery? I am so tired all the time and want to be healthier (PS: I'm not getting any younger!)

I had my EGD at Victory and my surgery at FP Dallas and I prefer FP Dallas. Beautiful rooms. The nurses and aids were all fabulous. And the cool thing about FP Dallas is Daugherty's pharmacy. Thy have a lot of the stuff bariatrics patients need and some things that are hard to find. Also you can sign up for them to bring your prescription meds to your room before you leave he hospital. It is a free and awesome service bc trust me, you do not want to have to fill prescriptions on the way home. I don't know if Victory has this service. Great overall experience there. The only hiccup I had there was that a staff member in the OR that sets it up was out sick that day, so they took longer than they should have to set up the OR so I did not go into surgery on time. Dr Nick was probably mad about that lol

@@McButterpants Yes, I agree. I should perhaps edit original post bc I think I am not asking what I want answered correctly. I am going to talk to my doc and nutritionist tomorrow (and before eating anything new) but was curious if others were as hungry as I am and craving real food this early.

My heaviest weight is 386.4, my starting weight when I began the VSG journey was 381.6. I had to do a 3 month supervised weight program bc of my insurance. The day of surgery 10/14/15 I weighed in at 348.1, this morning I weighed in at 332.5. I have a bad habit of weighing in daily. It is what it is. It keeps me on track. Im well aware of stalls but I like seeing the numbers go down!

Hi there everyone Today is the first day I've felt a bit more like myself, managed to have a decent sleep last night which has obviously helped! I really am so surprised that this op has taken so much out of me, I didn't expect to feel this wiped out - just as well I'm off work for the week, how can anyone go straight back to work after having this done?! Coco, hope you're well, stop beating yourself up about the eating, like you said, if you'd excellent willpower you wouldn't have been banded - I hear that!! Allure, it was good to read your posts, sounds like you've had a bit of a battle with the band. Still, look at what you've achieved in spite of it. Scrambled egg for me today - yum! I was so fed up just with the lack of texture of the yogurts and soup of the past few days. Can't wait to get these stitches out on Sunday and then back to work on Monday... well, not really too enthused about going back to work on Monday, but will be nice to get back to a normal daily routine, the daytime tv is doing my head in! Keep strong Debb

Hello everyone. I got word from my coordinator at my doctors office that my paperwork will go to submission within 7 days and then it may take 2-3 weeks for the approval. Does anyone else have any experience with BC- BS NC? I am getting RNY gastric bypass.