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Orgain Grass Fed Protein Chocolate.

So I went to my doctors yesterday and got on the subject of birth control. I originally started taking birth control because I have PCOS and thought it would control my symptoms and horrible headaches. Turns out it hasnt fixed my headaches and according to my doctor birth control is probably what is making my headaches WORSE. (JOY)..Im debating on after getting my surgery if I should go off of my birth control ( Ive been on it for over 2 years) Maybe it'll be good for my body? Im just worried about possibly gaining weight from the pill after being off of it for 2 months and getting back on ,. Also I never had a regular period until I went on BC cause Im over weight, but I wonder if my body will equal itself out from me losing weight gradually with the sleeve...then I worry about becoming extremely "fertile" (OH MY LANTA!!) That would be horrible haha...Is there any ladies out there who decided to stop taking the pill after the sleeve and had good results or vise versa?! Thanks gals

You're right. that was a guess...everything i eat in essence is very lean and very low fat to no fat. I pretty much eat a lot of leaves and lean grass fed meat. In any sense, you're right. I started using my Baritastic app again and ive been feeling better about everything. The headaches are coming on but nothing im not used to thanks for your input. its appreciated.

Today was the big day!! Hubby and I arrived at the hospital for 7:30am, and about 10 minutes later I was taken to pre-op to change, get hooked up to all the lovely machines, etc. The nurse was incredibly sweet and gentle, but she couldn't get a vein. My veins roll and hide a lot, and today they were on their worst behavior. She used a numbing agent first so she could poke around without hurting me too much, but I now have 3 bruises on my hands and arm! There were two little surprises- a shot of blood thinner in the belly (which I'd read about on these boards but my surgeon never discussed- thank you for the warning everyone!) and a creamer-sized dose of a nasty antacid. Hubby kissed me goodbye, I got the relaxing agent in my IV, and I was off to the OR just after 9am. I remember my arms being strapped down away from my body and breathing into an oxygen mask, and I woke up in recovery around 11:30. The pain was a little more than I expected, but not nearly as bad as my disc surgery a few years ago. Another lovely nurse fed me ice chips, got a bedpan under me because I thought I needed to pee (didn't happen), and got my pain to a 2-3 before I went to my room. I was slipping Water slowly, drifting in and out of sleep, and got up to take a walk not even an hour later. It took me 4 hours of repeatedly walking and resting before my body was ready to pee. I guess the pain meds can sometimes slow down the bladder (as well as other things), and I'd get the urge but nothing came out. Once I finally peed, I was in my clothes and out the door 15 minutes later and home by 6:15pm. Hubby got my pain meds from the drugstore and helped me into bed after a walk with the dog. Our couch is too soft and deep, and we don't have a recliner, so our high bed is the best option for me as long as I'm really propped up with pillows. I just have to get in quickly and not stop or it hurts too much. Now I'm sipping water, taking brief walks to relieve the gas discomfort, and peeing quite regularly :tongue2: All in all, a great day. The staff at Baystate Medical in Springfield, MA is exceptional- every single person I was in contact with was friendly, helpful, and excited for me. This weekend is supposed to be 95 degrees, so hubby has one more task- getting the AC unit in the window! These stories really helped me before my surgery, so I wanted to give back, too. Feel free to ask me any questions, especially if you're going through PVSA and Dr. Fiallo. Oh, one more thing. I was on liquids for a week before and didn't weigh myself because I figured they would weigh me the morning of surgery- they didn't! So I don't know my pre-surgery weight. Not the biggest deal, but I was curious.

I haven't met him yet, but he is going to do my band surgery. The Pinehurst Center is a BC/BS center of Excellence, if you BC/BS you get a discounted rate. I believe it is also a Bariatric Center of Excellence. Everyone I have met so far is super nice.

Those commercials bother me too. Just creepy, sappy BS.

I have a friend who is set to have the endoscopic procedure in July. We are in boston and there is only one surgeon who performs this procedure and her insurance has denied coverage bc they say the procedure is still experimental. She had rny about 13 yrs ago and had success but weight regain after two pregnancies. The dr explained that the outlet (stoma?) was significantly enlarged and food was just washing through leaving her always hungry.

@Vicki, I know how you feel. I know that I need to make that call and say OK, Let's do it! But my legs and arms are skinny already LOL. I'm afraid of losing too much but I've gotta do what I've gotta do for my health.I am still obese. My family have a bad history with diabetes. I have a brother in the hospital right now due to it. As my weight start to creep back up, I'm worrying again because I was taken off two medications. I'm thankful that BC/BS will give me another chance to get it all the way right this time.

I don't have a lot of all over facial hair but I do get them under my chin like crazy and have one or two random super long hairs in my cheek area. I'm almost 40. My mom gets the single long hair too so it's genetic I'm sure. I finally got fed up and decided to dermaplane. I do it myself with an eyebrow razor called Tinkle you can buy cheap on Amazon. There's a few great YT videos with 1 million+ views that show how to do it. No shaving cream, just damp skin. Never looked back. It also is a great way to exfoliate. Sent from my SM-N981U using BariatricPal mobile app

I also have Capital Bc/Bs and honestly can you call them and find out before you go through all this. I was told it has to be 40 with no other health problems. Mine is 38 but I have high blood pressure so I am good. That is alot of money to put out for them not to approve you. I would call the insurance co. and ask them before you even start. Hope that helps a little. Good Luck!!!!!!:w00t:

hi lekekari, Today was my first day of munchys, to tell you the truth i was scard bc i had Soup and i was hoping i had chewed everything down. Really, this is a learning event all over again. No pain in the shoulder area, but I do have a back dull pain Like in the mid back area. I also get side pain on my left side obviously bc of the band.

I really don't want to come across mean but just know that after surgery you will have to watch what you eat and restrict portions very carefully. You may still want to eat certain things but can't bc it will make you sick. I actually haven't had solid food since last month bc I'm not allowed. And won't be able to for as out six more weeks. And the things I drink are only Protein drinks and crystal light. And after surgery, walking will be one of the most important things you can do. It will help your pain and prevent blood clots. Going for walks is basically mandatory.

I'm going to do the mud run this year on fort Gordon, but all my friends who do runs are moving by that point, so it's just me and my husband right now. I'm under the under standing ill need a team of 3 or more I believe. We want do it comp just for fun, at lest not this year bc it's my first one. Just thought I'd ask on here this is the only social media I use. Lol yes I don't even have a Fb! I'm old school

I live in BC, Canaderrrrrrrrrrrrrr, so I joined the online program for the Vancouver Sun Run. Well laid out and easy to follow. I did it in 1997, and I have the shirt to prove it. I am now training with my daughter and in spite of the snow and icy conditions, it is a great program and I am excited. Absolutely, you should do a 10K program. I kinda wish I had found a 5K lol! But so far, so good. I will be joined by about 50,000 of my close friends and running partners in Vancouver on April 18.

There is hope for some BC/BS patients in Ohio! I had my first visit today and doc told me that he is going to submit my paperwork for the sleeve. (This is will be after all my testing is completed.) He recently had a BC/BS patient that had certain complications that would have made GBP more risky. He submitted a request for the sleeve and they approved it. He said since I've had 1 lap and 4 open abdominal surgeries he is going to include in his notes to BC/BS that if he was to do a GBP on me it would need to be "open", which means a longer surgery with more risks. He told me if they don't approve me, then he will appeal, if they still don't approve me, he will go to the peer medical review board. He seems to be a real pit bull when it comes to getting his patients approved! :001_wub:

Hey all! I have made the decision to get the band and I have a few questions for any fellow Canadians that have already had it done. 1. How long was the waiting list for your surgery? 2. Was your surgery covered/ or do you know if it is even possible to have it covered by MSP? 3. If you live in BC, where did you have your surgery done? I know I can ask the doctor questions too, but I would like to hear from 'normal' people first, lmao! Thanks in advance!!!! Jeanette

HOW LIKELY IS IT FOR INSURANCE TO PAY FOR SKIN REMOVAL....IF....U LOSE 200BLS. N HAVE SKIN PROBLEMS BC OF WT LOST? ALSO I HAVE BCBS

I will start by saying everyone is different when it comes to what their new stomachs can tolerate. I have never had any issues to date with any types of food. With that said the times I have indulged and had a coke I had zero issues drinking it and it taste the same to me. I am 4 months out and had my first carbonated drink at 3 months... would not have tried one shortly after surgery. If drinking a carbonated beverage will lead to you continuing the habit I would advise not drinking them. I can have one once and awhile and it really doesn't effect my diet and It really is once in a blue moon... probably have had 3 cokes since surgery. I personally don't believe it when members states that you can never drink a carbonated beverage again... thats BS IMO.

I was banded in June 2011 (NWWLS Dr. Michaelson in Everett, WA). I never was able to lose more than 20lbs. About a year ago I had finally gotten fed up with the acid reflux, stuck food, and vomiting so I had it almost all unfilled. I've gained about 30 lbs back and am above my prebanded weight now. Recently I've become very interested in getting a revision done but my insurance doesn't cover it so I've been researching Mexico Does anyone have recommendations on a surgeon? I'm also interested in the pre-op process for having it done there. What do I need to have done in the states prior to arriving in Mexico? Any advice or personal stories is appreciated.

I've been getting mine every 3 weeks since surgery (I'm usually exactly 28 days) and they have been really heavy. It's a bummer bc the 10 days of fluid retention comes more frequently and makes it difficult for the scale to move during almost half of the month.....

I had a fantastic experience with Federal BCBS. My BMI was 43 BUT I was figuring my BMI based on me being 5'8" with gave me a BMI of 40. Once the doctors office measured me they said I was 5'5". This put me at BMI 43. Fed BCBS will approve you as long as you have a BMI of 40 OR if you have other comorbities - Sleep appnea, diabetes, acid reflux. i did not have any problem except being fat. The insurance did not cover the dietitian - the fitness Fed BCBS.. The fee for my fills will only be $30 copay. Good Luck hope this helped! Feel free to ask any questions!!

I just had an upper g.i. 2 weeks ago but I am 4 weeks post op. I kept feeling like something was lodged in my throat but the dr says there isn't. They're going to now do an endoscopy to see if my pouch is too tight bc I'm vomiting a lot and at this stage I shouldn't be

My name is Amy. I have been on this site for 2 years, and posted more than my profile says. For some reason I had to create a new account. I am 35 years old. I live in BC, Canada. I have lost 80 pounds so far. My goal is to lose another 10. I don’t want to be ubber thin; I just want to be happy in my skin. I am married to my first love, we have been together for 19 years. (He is cute!) We have a daughter who is 12, and going into middle school. My whole family is supportive of my decision to get a lapband. Currently I am on leave, so I am available at anytime. (I have a BlackBerry! And I love to email from it, so communication is easy for me.) I was banded almost 2 years ago. At first I had dreams of going from 250 to 125! I am not saying that I won’t get there, but I am willing to take my time, and enjoy the experience. I understand it isn’t a race. I am well versed in many stages of the lapband journey. Before I got my lapband I was fearful of actually losing the weight. I hid behind my fat. What was I going to do without my shield? I also had feelings of failure, because I was not able to lose weight on my own. I was also scared to give up food. (I love food.) I went through ‘Bandster Hell’, and I remember it very well. I did everything I could to take care of myself, but nonetheless it was a difficult ride at times. Getting fills and losing weight. This is the fun part, but it can also be the most frustrating part. I know I have been there, and continue to visit at times. Can you say: ‘Slow loser, no loser, reverse loser’? I understand what it feels like to have a band complication. My band has flipped over. I am going in for surgery on September 23. I am totally at peace, because I know it is going to be okay. I was mentored when I was first banded. I just want to give back.

I had surgery November 19th 2013 and I've lost 100 pounds the more weight I lose the more pain I have in my back! It's terrible I cry eveynight bc of the pain it's located where my bra line is down to my lower back! Does anyone else have this problem?