GREAT NEWS! Today I got word from the surgical center that they ran my insurance and Aetna will pay for Bariatric surgery. :thumbup: I will have a 3-6 month "processing" (ie: jumping thru hoops) time. I also found out that the facility is on my insurance providers "in network" list, so I'm covered @ 85%. *sigh of relief*

Now, my goal is 75-100lbs, BUT my Dr’s recommendation is at least 150lbs based on my height. (Im still in my feelings about being smaller than what weight *I* personally would feel comfortable at) Good thing is that factor is exactly why he said he’ll push the surgery for me should any roadblocks arise, even if to just get me to MY target before he continues working with me to get to his. I’m hoping that little detail works in my favor.

If I’m forced to take the 6mnth route, I will be able to knock off some out of pocket expenses for sure, but that means that surgery won’t take place until around October. THAT, I'm a little disappointed about. I really was hoping to be lined up for surgery 90-120 days from now.

For the first time EVER I can “see” my success. I’ve never been at that place before. So, if I just take it one day at a time, its easier for me to see it thru. I’m committed. I’m excited. I’m ready to get it in, and get this weight OFF.

Portion Control is a B!t@h!!!

Although I technically don’t start on the “Dr. observed diet” for a few more weeks, I figured I needed to be proactive so that my Big Girl stomach doesn’t go into shock. As of yesterday, I started being mindful of control my portions – which for me is going to be the hardest. That, and pulling out my “sweet tooth” :thumbup: Decreasing the fatty foods and increasing the Water will be a cake walk, in comparison.

Now, until my stomach begins shrinking on its own (which will undoubtedly take a few weeks), I need to figure out how to eat enough of the right foods to leave my appetite happy without obliterating what it is that I’m trying to do. I’m looking at adopting some good recipes & such, as well as food journaling. But I’d like to hear from the good people that have been successful. Particularly in the area of portion control.

What say you??

Welcome!

I started my LAP-BAND® journey on September 18, 2009 and had my surgery yesterday, March 2, 2010.

During the wait I lost 95 pounds and attribute almost all of it to Portion Control.

I was basically eating the same things I always ate. I was just eating less of them. Just 20 - 25% less. But I did cut out soda and fast food

If I snacked between meals I wasn't the health freak just eating fresh fruit and other rabbit food. I ate Cookies, chips and I ate chips and ice cream but never more than 150 calories at a time or 400 calories a day of this crap.

I followed the following rules very closely:

• Drink at least 64 ounces of clear Water a day
  
• Always eat breakfast
  
• Stop eating when you are no longer hungry. There is no need to clear your plate!
  
• Journal EVERYTHING that passes your gums
  

I also started walking a lot more. At least 3 hours a week. This was usually 30 - 45 minutes 5 days a week.

I was not hungry and it didn't even seem like a diet.

I did have another tool. My Bodybugg but this just told me how many calories I was burning and gave me a place to journal my food.

Another tool I used and probably the most important was a positive attitude. I never once thought, "I can't do this" or looked back at what I wasn't eating. I focused on what's ahead for me.

You can do this but you have to want to. My initial motivation was my approaching 45th birthday but a I had a heart a week after I started my lapband journey and 3 days before my birthday.

Hopefully, you can find other motivation.

I'm glad I got the lapband in before my motivation and attitude dwindled leaving me to rely on will power alone.

I also enjoyed the wait time and it flew by. I spent it reading every post on this site, read hundreds of blogs and making sure I knew exactly what I was getting myself into.

Good luck!!

Thank you SOOOO much for this post. It gave me some much needed encouragement and inspiration! Best of luck to you!!

Edited March 3, 201016 yr by vanishingvixen

I am happy to hear that you are a "portion control" girl, I believe this group of people have the best result from the band.

The great news on the Dr goal vs your goal, you are in control. If you get to 100 pounds lost and thats all you want to lose, you just eat the number of calories that you need to to stay at that weight. You get to pick. I will tell you this though, I told myself that my goal was to be 150 pounds, "I will be happy at 150!" but now that I am 154 I am thinking that the doctor's goal of 135 is reasonable. I just couldn't accept it from the beginning because it seemed un-do-able. I haven't been below 150 in 15 years, but now I see it as a possibility.

Good luck with the process, take the advice given by Bob (btrieger) to heart, it is all good, especially the part about the food journaling.

I definately appreciate the encouragement. I am littereally so excited that I have been on a high all morning. I feel like this is possible for me...So many years I've felt like "I can't do it"...but now, I'm determined. Not just for me, but for my family. My life depends on it!

I did leave out one part.

If this is too overwhelming to do all at once; take it slowly and only cut down one of your meals at a time. It is not a race and if you want it to last forever, it shouldn't be a chore.