Search the Community

Ask at your goodwill in particular bc they are all different! I like to go on Sundays bc that's the day a new color tag goes on sale at half price. Mine also has a "new items" rack and they put an entire new rack of stuff daily except for Friday-Sunday so I can drop in if I'm grocery shopping next door and just look at that rack!

I completely understand your thoughts and anxiety over this. My fiancé was the only one who knew everything I was going through step by step. I stressed a lot over telling my family , mostly my parents bc my cousin had WLS (she hid it from extended fam and we “accidentally “ found out even though we all already knew she had it done) and there was some negative feedback from my family about her having it. I wound up telling my parents and siblings and have had nothing but support from them. Talk about taking weight off your shoulders ! I am glad I told the, bc it was causing me stress to hide it. Now, I’m about to start my pre op diet and need all the support I can get! Whatever you decide, I hope it works well for you.

Pre op due to be sleeved next month. My dad and aunt said they just do not understand the surgery if I am losing weight on pre op diet. Like have I ever kept it off?? It is my job to take care of myself hopefully they can figure it out. It is not a diet but a complete lifestyle change. Good luck!!! Sent from my LGLS990 using the BariatricPal App My husband didn't either until I fed him a pre-op diet meal for a day... now he does... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G530AZ using the BariatricPal App

I strained it during all liquids and was fine. Never had any problems w it bc it's so moust

Ok here goes...I just joined this forum to get answers as well but I feel unless I say something someone else won't get answers.....I had the lapband inserted march 2008....started at 237...5'8" (recorded but incorrect) so I met the guidelines. After a baby I went up to 259 then down to 193...lowest with band....I started having complications with the band....leaking....didn't feel Anything until three months in when started having severe pains. In and out of hospital resulted in the removal of my band.....we were waiting first for the insurance comp to approve fixing the band but they denied..."not medically necessary" since I was now not "morbidly obese"anymore..... Then tried for the sleeve...denied again..."experimental bc my bmi was below 35.....I had the band removed to find out the tube cracked.....the band was literally cutting up my insides. Since surgery on October 2, I have gained 17lbs and now meet the 35 bmi but the insurance company wants a letter of medical necessity. Normal you would have to go under supervised weight loss program monitoring for 3 months but my internal medical doctor is hopeful that his letter showing my past six year struggle will suffice. If I don't get approve under my insurance I will try my husbands and if denied under his ill end up paying for it.....I find it ironic that they knew I had a weight problem approved the first device, then when it became defective I'm no longer a candidate. Nothing within my control.....I'll be patient and wait my turn. Hopefully all goes well by the summer.

Hi, My name is Michelle and I am from, Fairfield Maine. I was banded Sept 22, 2006 by Dr. Mckee. I have Blue Cross and Blue Sheild of Massachusets. My journey started in May 2004 when I went to my first seminar. I then went to Augusta Surgical in June but got discouraged from the begining. My insurance then was Cigna and they told me out front that Cigna was one of the worst for them to deal with. I went to my first diatician meeting and then found out that under no cercumstance were they going to pay for me to have any weight loss surgery. My husband works for New Balance in Skowhegan and the insurance company said the insurance the company chose was not one that would pay for any WLS. So I gave up hope. Well over the past couple of years my health has gone down hill. I went from 225 in 2003 to 255 in 2004. By 2005 my weight was 267. I have chronic lower back pain and a few other health problems. I was diagnosed with Diabetes Sept 25, 2005. Well that made me more determine to loose weight. I followed the low carb diet closely and did everything I was supposed to and lost 5 pounds in probably 6 months. When they could not get my blood sugar to go down they put me on insulin which caused me to gain about 13 lbs. So then I was up to 273 and feeling very depressed. I gave up on trying and somehow over the summer managed to take off 6 of the 13 lbs I gained. Well In May we got a letter from New Balance saying that they were changing insurance June1st to BCBS. I was so excited. I called Augusta Surgical and asked for an appointment to be re evaluated because my insurance had changed. On the phone they told me BCBS is real good about approving people and if they dont the first time they almost always do the second time. That gave me hope. So I made my first call to them in May and they made me an appointment for June 16th. I had been going to the Diabetes center in Waterville for 9 months and seeing a Nutritionalist so they counted that toward my 3 Diatician visits. I got in for my psych consult the last week in June and the 3rd week in July I got my approval letter from BCBS. I cried when I got it because I was so happy. When I was going thru the process the first time they did not make you work with Nate the personal trainer so I had no idea about it. He wanted to see me the 10th of August or something like that but I could not come up with 380.00 to see him that quick esp with school shoping. So I did not see him until the third week in August. I saw Dr. Mckee for my pre op surgeon appointment the last week in August at which time they told me my surgery would not probably be before Oct 16th. Something like Sept 15th I got a call asking if I would like to do the surgery on Sept 22 and of course I said yes. So I had the surgery Sept 22 and had my first fill Nov 10th. I had lost 10 lbs since the day prior to surgery and am happy with my progress because the first month I focused on healing and trying to get my BS down. Some questions for you. Do you have any co morbidites? Diabetes, high blood pressure, joint pain, heart burn ( things that are caused or made worse due to your weight?) These things tend to make the insurance jump at it quicker. Did you go to the August Surgical web page and use there tool to calculate your BMI? Dont give up ok. It took me a while but things finally worked out. If you want to e-mail me with any questions go right ahead. my e-mail address is lambertfmly@yahoo.com and maybe we will see each other at one of the support groups at MGMC in Augusta. Good luck and keep us posted.

I was worried about having to explain why I wasn't eating, and do you know that not a single person noticed! I was so surprised!! Let me say though - I did carry a plate for a few minutes while I fed my son. There were a couple of things that I had that weren't the best choices, but overall I didn't do too bad.

So here it is...two days post op and I'm doing great!! Its been very manageable with pain never going above a 6 for me. The hospital docs and nurses were amazing and I truly think it couldn't get any better than that. At home in some pain but walking around. Mourning the loss of food but celebrating the five pounds I have already lost!! Maybe it's bc I've had two c-sections but this is truly a piece of cake. So excited to have made this choice!! May 7...here I come!!

This is a rant and a rave. Firstly I would like to say that I have always found the people here to be in the most part helpful and supportive. The same cannot be said for all other sites. Some of the sanctimonious BS from some peeps is unreal. Example Wow reading this thread is depressing. So many people saying never to drink alcohol again. Absolutes ( never )are very hard to accept. I got my band 9 years ago and was never told I had to give up alcohol. I enjoy a glass or 2 of wine a couple of times a week. Maybe I'm lucky I didn't become an alcoholic! Now looking at revising to RNY so I understand that I am going to have to give that up, at least for the foreseeable future but I would hate to think that I could NEVER have a glass of wine again. alcohol is pure sugar. The body uses that pure sugar to function instead of burning your stored fat for energy. Maybe ifvyou had not used alcohol you would be at goal weight and not looking for a revision. You are a perfect example of the truth of what those who are saying about alcohol use are saying. Alcoholics and drug abusers in recovery use the never absolute every day. They have to, no other choice. Not using absolutes, like never is often just an excuse.

B52 So glad to read this..... I too had soooo much additional weight that I couldn't even consider jogging. I started off on the bike seven months ago (bc I didn't have to carry my own weight). Eventually moved on to elliptical ...now I'm up to 60 minutes , 6.2-6.3 miles, 6 days/week . But I really want to start jogging...... You can't elliptical a 5K or a 10K...... And I want to experience these things. I think I'm going to have to try starting at our neighborhood walking/running/biking path because I LOOK LIKE A DUCK trying this on the treadmill. Anyway, that's my new fitness goal..... TO RUN!!!!

Thank you for the suggestions BigViffer they all sound good! I do wear my fib bit every day as well and the machine monitors my heart as well and usually puts it about 130 during my work outs so I will scrutinize it to see if my Fitbit agrees. As far as salt it is possible that is an issue I am on lithium as well which can cause water retention. But since starting the medication I have notice no real changes lucky for me my blood pressure is usually quite low so I don't have to worry about that so much. I find I just can't relate to other weight loss patients though bc my weight loss was better pre op than post talk about worst nightmares realized! Lol

Anyone have to have 5 years consecutive medically diagnosed o morbid obesity?? I have anthem bc/bs and my policy now says nothing about the 6 months but the 5 years which I don't have as I've only had insurance since march1st...am self employed and could never afford it prior

Hi Kristie, I had the gastric sleeve on July 4, 2011. I flew to Tijuana on the Monday and back home on the Thursday. I live in Vancouver, BC, and I was scared to death. I did a lot of research... My doctor was Dr. Ponce de Leon and Dr. Frayre, they are 2 of the nicest caring people I have met. My whole experience was great. I am going to try and post some pics...... If you have any questions just ask away. The second pic is 119 days post-op. Darlis

Well, after searching high and low I have finally found out that Kaiser does cover the lap band surgery. :clap2: My PCP referred me to the bariactric surgery center and I am now waiting for my appointments to start. They set you up for all the necessary stuff like physc evaluations, nutritionalists, etc. According to what I was told by the referral coordinator it will take 4 - 6 weeks for me to get into my first appointment and surgery will be approximately 3 - 6 months out. Now most people would be upset about the time table for surgery but considering I was going to have to change my insurance to CalPERS BC PPO and wait to even get started until after Jan. 2008, I'm pretty pleased. My daughter also got her referral from a doctor who was not really happy about giving it even though her BMI is 47 with LOTS of comorbitities. She had to get pretty graphic about what living as a super morbidly obese person was like. So Mom and daughter are on their way. Anyone wanting answers to Kaiser can contact me. I will be happy to share as I go on my journey.

The past 2 weeks have been so hard! I haven't had surgery yet it isn't until september or october but I am trying to stay on track with weight loss and working out and I've been cheating several times ....like last night I went out and got a huge ice cream Sunday and felt horrible afterwards. I feel like a failure. My husband has been laid off here and there for about 2 to 3 days a week for the past 2 months and it has been very stressful. I decided to let my gym membership go because I couldn't afford to pay for it anymore. I have a horrible problem with binge eating. I use to be bullemic (sp) a long time ago and every now and then I binge eat and want to do it again...obviosuly I don't bc I know its not the right thing to do or healthy. I just keep wondering if I can really make these changes and do this. Im feeling kind of lost and sad lately. Has anyone felt like this before surgery? Idk maybe its because it is still so far away that im feeling this way. I just want to be able to change my life. Im only 22 ...I have alot of years ahead of me...hopefully. I just wanna live my life and be able to do more things with my 4 yr old daughter. I need some advice Sent from my Verizon DROID3 using RNYTalk

My surgery was 12 days ago so I am still on protein shakes. Every single time I take that first sip and it hits my brand new baby pouch, the old stomach growls and growls, then it stops. My kids say it reminds them of our obnoxious cat that meows and meows until he's fed. LOL

I was told no Advil (ibuprophen), Tylenol (acetaminophen) or aspirin. You can use Aleve or call your doctor for a liquid prescription pain med. My headaches seem to go away much faster now and they are fewer than before I was banded and I have only had to use something once (BC Headache Powders) I'm not sure what medication is in them, but I needed something and knew that this would go down easilly. It helped almost immediately.

Yes! I was always a big meat eater, particularly red meats. I can tolerate most but I have found myself much less interested in meat as my post op life continues to unfold. It really started when I was on solid foods, and following my surgeons advice eating the most Protein dense food Per ounce: meat. 3x a day. After doing this for a month I noticed I felt like crap. That I was feeling sluggish physically and emotionally and mentally. And I started to feel kind of sick at the thought of eating meat. I still use it to supplement my protein, but only a few times a week. When I listen to my body, it seems to prefer cheese, particularly grass fed raw organic. It prefers organic fruits. It prefers nuts and seeds. On a day when I eat meat, it's usually just once and my other meals are based on the foods I already listed. Blindly following the direction of so-called authorities, including our surgeons offices, can lead to problems. Most people who have the surgery are doing it as a way of taking responsibility for their own health and well-being. The critical part of this is being educated from more than one point of view. Another critical part, is learning how to listen to your own body. What do you need, to be healthy and happy and fulfilled. In my personal opinion, it is a huge mistake to assume that all bodies respond the same way to the same things or need the same things. We need to learn how to talk to our bodies and how to listen to them when they talk to us. My body is intelligent and so is yours.

You have been doing your pre-op diet for FOUR months? My hat is off to you. You and I actually have the same starting weight. I was 291 when I first saw the surgeon last June. I'm down to 243 now, which is awesome bc my surgeon didn't think I was a great candidate for laparoscopic at my starting weight. He now feels I should be able to have the surgery laparoscopically without difficulty. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I guess bc of what I do everyday, I just wanted to remind everybody of some things about insurance. 1. Two people can have a united health care plan ( or bc bs or whatever) and those two plans be VASTLY different. I see people ask all the time " anybody have so and so insurance ". What really matters more is who s the employer? Especially in the case of major companies, they may be self insured ( they pay all the bills, not UHC. For example). In this case, the write the rules of the plan. If not self insured, there are a gazillion plans they can choose offered by bc bs for example. 2. Your employer hr dept should be able to provide you with the SPD for your plan ( the huge booklet that comes in the mail but gets misplaced . That is the " bible" of the plan and geared toward your employer. Great to use and quote if an appeal becomes necessary. 3. Call the number on the back of your card and the representative can be very helpful. 4. Open enrollment is coming up in most companies. If your spouse plan covers lapband and there are no exclusions ( and the plan allows spouses). why not consider getting on their insurance at least long enough to get it done. Just a thought.

hello all, alabama here. thinkin of getting the lapband. can someonr give me names of good surgeons. are there any in montgomery. i have bc/bs thats pays for this. need info, all is welcome. thanks

Hi Bandsters... :smile2:I was just wondering the longest anyone has been banded with no problems.. and if you don't mind, who was your surgeon? I am working on my six month requirements for BC/BS so I don't have any statistics to offer. For those of you who do.. thanks for your information.

Ok I think mines is different. BC when I do that it just say "edit"....then, I can.only edit.bb original post only Sent from my SGH-T989 using LapBandTalk

Great to hear all! I think I hit a stall or something—- or def possible that I’m overreacting . I haven’t moved the scale since Friday. I started more exercise yesterday and upped the protein/ calories to 700 so hopefully that helps?? First stall for me. @Lilly... not sure other than only eating protein even though cleared for all foods. I heard advice to stay at this stage for as long as possible bc you can’t go back once you start with carbs and sugars etc?? Don’t know- making it up as I go along . Haha HW 242 SW 236- December 20, 2017 CW 196 GW#1- 199 GW#2- 175 5’6”

I am so sorry you are having so much nausea. I did too the second day but everyday after that felt stronger and when I started nexium everyday and gas x strips I felt so much better! Plus that is a lot of meds on your new tummy, just my opinion. But the shakes don't go down with me either, every day a struggle to try something new. Hope this resolves for you soon, bc when things start to feel better and the tummy is happy, life is good and you are on your way.