grandbaychick
I think I'm starting to get it
Sep 17, 2009
It has been 3 1/2 months since my surgery and I'm down 27 lbs. When I lost 9 lbs before my surgery and 10 more lbs right after surgery I thought I had it made! But once I started on solids everything came to a screeching halt. For over the next two months my scale did not move but up 2 lbs and down 2 lbs....over and over again! It was soooo frustrating! I keep telling myself I was in bandster hell...and I was...to a certain extent. Yes, I had no restriction. No, I did not change my old nasty eating habits. My thinking was I want to eat what I want, when I want, just in smaller portions. I was eating things just because I could and that, my friends, is not good.
I've had 3 fills so far. I now have 6cc's in a 9cc band. Most people would think I'd have some sort of restriction. I don't know what I was expecting to happen but I guess that I would eat and feel that typical fullness I used to feel before surgery and I didn't....so I'd keep eating.
I think my brain and my stomach finally had a conversation and I think it went something like this:
Stomach: I'm still hungry...feed me!!!
Brain: No, baby, you ain't hungry...if you would just slow down and assess you'd see that you are SATISFIED.
Stomach: Oh....yeah. Well I guess I am. How bout that!
Since this conversation has taken place...I've lost like 5 lbs
Also, I've noticed that they had a conversation about how often I must eat. I don't feel compelled to eat at certain times a day (except lunch due to having a certain lunch hour). But I don't feel like I must snack. I'm trying to listen to my body signals, like stomach grumbles and whatnot.
I hope this is going to start a new beautiful relationship with food that I've never had before. One that does not involve thinking about it so much.
1 comment
I've had 3 fills so far. I now have 6cc's in a 9cc band. Most people would think I'd have some sort of restriction. I don't know what I was expecting to happen but I guess that I would eat and feel that typical fullness I used to feel before surgery and I didn't....so I'd keep eating.
I think my brain and my stomach finally had a conversation and I think it went something like this:
Stomach: I'm still hungry...feed me!!!
Brain: No, baby, you ain't hungry...if you would just slow down and assess you'd see that you are SATISFIED.
Stomach: Oh....yeah. Well I guess I am. How bout that!
Since this conversation has taken place...I've lost like 5 lbs
Also, I've noticed that they had a conversation about how often I must eat. I don't feel compelled to eat at certain times a day (except lunch due to having a certain lunch hour). But I don't feel like I must snack. I'm trying to listen to my body signals, like stomach grumbles and whatnot.
I hope this is going to start a new beautiful relationship with food that I've never had before. One that does not involve thinking about it so much.
One month out!
Jul 02, 2009
I really still cannot believe that I made it to the other side! I'm down 20 lbs and already feel so much better! When I had my surgery I weighed 313 lbs and now weigh 293!! The lowest I have ever been for the last 12 or 13 years was probably 290 lbs. I will probably jump for joy when I reach the 280's LOL I just wanted to say thank you for everyone's support! OH has definitely gotten me through alot.
2 comments
It's done!
Jun 05, 2009
I did it! I finally did it! Had my surgery on the 3rd of June and now I'm home and feeling GREAT!! I can't believe how good I feel. Yes, I feel soreness but it's nowhere I thought it'd be like! I can't believe I'm on the loser's bench!!!! 
Thank you all for the kind words and prayers!
Liquid diet...
May 28, 2009
I'm 5 days into my pre-op liquid diet 
I'm so ready for this part to be over with! I did aight with the 1st 2 days and these last few days I've been doing great....but I'm missing my food!!!!! I've lost 4 lbs so far so that's a plus. Just can't wait for this next week to fly by and be on the loser's bench!
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I'm so ready for this part to be over with! I did aight with the 1st 2 days and these last few days I've been doing great....but I'm missing my food!!!!! I've lost 4 lbs so far so that's a plus. Just can't wait for this next week to fly by and be on the loser's bench!
I AM....
May 01, 2009
APPROVED!!!! I can't believe it!! 
I should get a call within next week to set up my appointment with the surgeon and the BEGIN class. I should get my date on that day! I'm sooo excited!
Thanks to all of ya'll that have helped me along the way!!
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I should get a call within next week to set up my appointment with the surgeon and the BEGIN class. I should get my date on that day! I'm sooo excited!
Thanks to all of ya'll that have helped me along the way!!
This time it's for real!
Apr 17, 2009
I've completed my six month supervised diet yesterday! YIPPEE! I called my surgeon's office and the insurance lady, Caroline, said that once she receives the info from my dr's office, she'll submit the paperwork and will do a predetermination (s?) online. She said that she'll know right away if I've been approved or denied. I thought it would take around 30 days like last time...I guess things have changed...in a good way!
Then if there is no problem I should hear from them within the week to schedule my BEGIN class and my surgery date! HOLY CRAP! I'm actually getting closer to what I've dreamt of for several years!! It's unreal! Ya'll pray for me please!
Love,
~Brandi
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Then if there is no problem I should hear from them within the week to schedule my BEGIN class and my surgery date! HOLY CRAP! I'm actually getting closer to what I've dreamt of for several years!! It's unreal! Ya'll pray for me please!
Love,
~Brandi
My 6 months are up!
Mar 17, 2009
**EDIT** I got a call from my surgeons office and she informed me that indeed I have another month to go! 
I'm thinking that my PCP was thinking the the office visit in October was month numbero uno but technically it was the initial visit before starting the supervised diet. Oh well...one more month won't kill me!
Well my 6 month supervised diet is over finally! I thought I was only on month number 5 when I checked in yesterday, but my Dr. says that it was my 6th and that he was going to forward my records to my surgeon's office!!!
I'm so excited! I sure hope that me doing terribly during the last 6 months doesn't effect anything with my insurance approval. I think I gained and lost and gained and lost (mostly gained though)...so we will see. I guess I need to call my surgeon's office and found out what to do next. Now it's time to pray that when they send it to my insurance company that it'll be approved!
I went to my first bariatric support group last Thursday and it was very informative! I met some nice people who had both the RNY and the lap band. I was explaining how I was still on the fence about having the RNY or the lap band and one RNY'er said that if my insurance only covered the surgery once in my lifetime that I should go for the more permanent procedure. I didn't understand what she meant, but it was time to go so I didn't really get to question what she meant. Either way the surgery is permanent!?! I'm gonna try and keep going to the meetings because it's nice to have someone face to face explaining how it went for them and what to expect on both procedures. Ya'll pray for me! I know this is what it's going to take to get this weight off!
~Brandi
0 comments
I'm thinking that my PCP was thinking the the office visit in October was month numbero uno but technically it was the initial visit before starting the supervised diet. Oh well...one more month won't kill me! Well my 6 month supervised diet is over finally! I thought I was only on month number 5 when I checked in yesterday, but my Dr. says that it was my 6th and that he was going to forward my records to my surgeon's office!!!
I'm so excited! I sure hope that me doing terribly during the last 6 months doesn't effect anything with my insurance approval. I think I gained and lost and gained and lost (mostly gained though)...so we will see. I guess I need to call my surgeon's office and found out what to do next. Now it's time to pray that when they send it to my insurance company that it'll be approved!
I went to my first bariatric support group last Thursday and it was very informative! I met some nice people who had both the RNY and the lap band. I was explaining how I was still on the fence about having the RNY or the lap band and one RNY'er said that if my insurance only covered the surgery once in my lifetime that I should go for the more permanent procedure. I didn't understand what she meant, but it was time to go so I didn't really get to question what she meant. Either way the surgery is permanent!?! I'm gonna try and keep going to the meetings because it's nice to have someone face to face explaining how it went for them and what to expect on both procedures. Ya'll pray for me! I know this is what it's going to take to get this weight off!
~Brandi
Holding myself accountable!
Jan 28, 2009
I have started walking during my lunch at work. I work in a very large building that has a ramp for wheelchairs. It goes up about 30-40 feet and then you turn and go up another 30-40 feet. I walk up the ramps and walk the small flat area it leads to and then go down again. I do this for about 15-20 minutes. My calf muscles and the bottoms of my feet start hurting and makes it hard to continue but I do anyway. I know that this is something that I have to keep up to reach my goal!
Also, I've been trying to stop myself from eating any further after I'm full. That has always been a problem for me. Sometimes I can eat, and eat, and eat and not get that full feeling. I do fine during the day at work unless someone brings sweets which are hard for me to resist so I bring a few 100 cal snacks and gum to keep my mouth occupied when I'm hungry. But when I get home it's alot harder. Having two small children makes it pretty hard for me to spend time on dinner, especially since I don't get home til after 6pm, so I usually throw some frozen entree into the oven or something easy to make like spaghetti. I have made myself a new rule: I cannot eat seconds. No matter what. But I do reward myself with a lowfat, low sugar ice cream pop before I go to bed.
Tonight is my husband's birthday. Ya'll wish me luck not to eat too much b'day cake!
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Also, I've been trying to stop myself from eating any further after I'm full. That has always been a problem for me. Sometimes I can eat, and eat, and eat and not get that full feeling. I do fine during the day at work unless someone brings sweets which are hard for me to resist so I bring a few 100 cal snacks and gum to keep my mouth occupied when I'm hungry. But when I get home it's alot harder. Having two small children makes it pretty hard for me to spend time on dinner, especially since I don't get home til after 6pm, so I usually throw some frozen entree into the oven or something easy to make like spaghetti. I have made myself a new rule: I cannot eat seconds. No matter what. But I do reward myself with a lowfat, low sugar ice cream pop before I go to bed.
Tonight is my husband's birthday. Ya'll wish me luck not to eat too much b'day cake!
Half way there...hopefully
Jan 20, 2009
Well I went to my 3rd doctor's visit last week. I've got 3 more to go! I'm half way there!
Everytime I've gone to my appointments though, I've gained more weight!
I know it's because I wasn't following my diet and exercise regime during the holidays...why?...cuz I love food!!! It's so frustrating!
I am finally getting serious this week about counting my calories and exercising. So keep me in your prayers cuz boy, I need them!
~Brandi
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Everytime I've gone to my appointments though, I've gained more weight!
I know it's because I wasn't following my diet and exercise regime during the holidays...why?...cuz I love food!!! It's so frustrating!
I am finally getting serious this week about counting my calories and exercising. So keep me in your prayers cuz boy, I need them!
~Brandi
Seen my bariatric surgeon yesterday.
Dec 24, 2008
Went and seen my bariatric surgeon (Dr. Weinstein) yesterday. Fast is all I can say. Not necessarily in a bad way though. He remembered me and my husband from the last time I'd seen him almost four years ago!! My chart was all pretty much the same and I was maybe 5 lbs heavier than when I had seen him last. He asked what had changed since I last saw him and I said that other than getting denied the first time and having two kids nothing was really different. He said well then you're technically all set and that I shouldn't have any problems getting approved by my insurance company and just finish out my remaining PCP supervised diet visits and we should be all good! Gosh this is so exciting! I talked with the nicest lady named Holly that helped me finish up my paperwork for insurance and I was out of there within about 30 minutes! Well lets hope that 2009 will be good to me and that I get approved. Only 4 more monthly visits and I should be all done!!!
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About Me
Grand Bay, AL
Location
37.3
BMI
Surgery
06/03/2009
Surgery Date
Jul 26, 2001
Member Since
