rblake75

This is hard! I have to admit, I came into this thinking it would be so easy. I didn't think I'd still be able to eat things. But, I'm trying really hard to stick to it. I don't want to go through any surgeries again if my band slips, etc. Today I put clam chowder in the blender and that made it a little better. I want to bite into something and eat it! I'm trying to use this time to address my feelings about food. I was 295 at my heaviest, 285 when I was banded a week ago, and if this is going to work long-term then I have to change how I feel. I keep thinking about "skinny" people that I know and how they eat. I've known people at work who take 1/2 a bagel to their desk at breakfast and at lunch are still picking at it. It takes me 3.7 seconds to down a bagel! So, I need to really focus on appreciating food for eating, not pleasure. 1 ounce every 15 minutes has put me more in the mind-set of "grazing". I try to occupy my time with other things, and not focus on the food. But it is so HARD. We just have to hang in there!

It sounds like the daughter is jealous and feeling alone. It may feel to her that you're going to be "normal" and she won't. When you've been her fat-buddy for so long. Maybe you can walk together, exercise together, diet together, etc. Make sure she knows she's not alone, and that you'll still be struggling with your weight. It's not a magic solution and there is still work to be done. If you do it together, then it'll be easier for her to transition into a long term weight loss lifestyle. She's still young enough to learn how to do it right, and do it right now. My daughter is only 10 years old, but already large. She's always been in the 90th percentile of height and weight, ever since she was born. She's not fat yet, but she can get there quickly. When I decided to have the surgery, we started walking in the morning, and I bought weights at home. She's been working out harder since I had the surgery, and is vowing to be healthy. She'll never be skinny, like many of her friends are. She's thick and always will be. But, what I'm trying to focus on right now is health. As long as I focus on that, she seems happier. She's proud when she makes good choices at school, and at Grandma's house (where it's REALLY hard to make good choices!) I know one post said to not treat children as equals or to consult them. I didn't ask my daughter about the surgery, but I did talk to her about my fears and frustrations. I don't want her to go through the same denial that I did growing up. Fat mom, fat grandmother...etc. No one ever addressed a problem. So, I suppose it's how you go about it. You can confide in a child, but to a degree, and not lean on them for emotional support. I think that's the difference. I just think if my daughter sees my struggles, sees the heartbreak over my health problems now, she'll be able to make a better choice for her life during those moments when she is in charge. I'm not there all the time to tell her apples instead of cookies...so the more we communicate, the more strength she'll have to make that decision when I'm not around.

My insurance paid for it. Have United Healthcare, and the conditions were: - BMI over 35, or obesity related disease (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) Mine was 43, with no related diseases. - 5 year history of obesity (I had doctor records showing weight over the last 5 years.) - 5 year diet history (you have to show you've tried. I had weight watcher paperwork from years back.) - Primary doctor's letter of recommendation - Chest x-rays and a complete physical. Once I had all these things, my doctor's office who did the surgery sent all of that in to my insurance. It took 2 weeks and I called every day. I was told by someone that if you call, they're more likely to accept it. They did! I couldn't afford it otherwise. It's been a week now since my surgery and all I've paid is my co-pay. As far as time off, I had vacation time that I was going to take, but my boss suggested I look into our company's short-term disability policy. Turned out surgery was covered, and I can get time off without having to take vacation time. Another note on the insurance. I called and asked what I needed to have the lapband covered and was told a certain BMI, and a doctor's note. My doctor's office said no...that the insurance company will do that, but then deny it and need more information. So, I gathered all the stuff ahead of time. Basically more information is better. Hope all this helps!

The HUNGER I can't stand! It's not head hunger, either, it's growling, cramping hunger! But, I'm with you - I'm sticking with this plan no matter what. I don't want ruin it, but it will be a long 2 weeks! I just had my surgery on the 5th of Sept. Reading a lot of the posts on this site has helped me so much! I still have pain near my port, but that's the only pain I've felt. I haven't read much on this...Is this normal? How did your first month go? Did you cave, did you stick to it? I'm anxious for words of advice.