HI Janette, I can hear your frustration loud & clear...... But I have to say.. You MUST eat Protein and you MUST eat your 3 meals a day. I know that finding a protein that goes down easily can be difficult & frustrating, but you need the protein. If you actually schedule your meals & eat them you will find you have less room for the popcorn, cracker, etc. Also -- how about bringing Healthy, High Protein snacks to work in stead of the "other" stuff? Surprizingly BEEF JERKY goes down very well. When I was first post op I kept reading this on this board & thought people where nuts --- how can I digest Beef Jerky, but not a pc of chicken??? Well, much to my amazement they were right. I think it must be all the processing. Just chew well. Also, nuts, cheese sticks. How about a Protein Bar? Q Smart bars are good , 10 gr of protein only 120 calories -- great for keeping at the desk. From day one I have scheduled all of my meals, even when I was on full liquids. Then once on food, I've continued to do this. Make sure, no matter what, I eat something for breakfast, lunch & dinner. I have to say I haven't had cravings & snacking is minimal. You've come along way,

I'm starting a new thing... Along with the "What did you eat today?" how about "What exercise did you do?" I usually exercise in the evenings... so here's what I did yesterday. 40 Mins Dance Dance Revolution 20 Min*****hing Bag Come On May Babies! Let's Get Moving!!

Ok I hope that this does not get to long, but I think if I type it and see it for myself then maybe something will hit me in the head and open my eyes!!!!! I had my surgery May 7, 2004 almost a year now. I have only lost 83 pounds. I weighed 297 when I had surgery and now I weigh 214. I have gone from a size 34 to a 16-18 in some clothes. Now don't get me wrong I am very happy about that. But here goes the bad stuff. I can pretty much eat what ever I want, candy, chips crackers. popcorn. I hardly ever get sick unless I have just had a little too much candy. Now I really do not eat a lot of candy because I do not care for it that much, my problem is the chips, crakers, popcorn, and things like that. It is very easy for me to eat because I sit at a desk all day and answer phones. I always tell myself no junk food today, but I can never seem to get through the day without eating it. It just seems that my will power has just went right out the door. Now I hardly ever sit and eat a full meal. I cannot get in much meat at all. I would rather have my veggies before my meat, because it hurts a lot of times going down. Like yesterday I tried some rost beef at my mom's and I took a few bites and ended up running to the bathroom because it hurt so bad and I needed it to come out. Now I know you have to chew very well, and I did but it seems like everytime I try to eat meat like that it does not want to go down. On most days I eat maybe one meal a day at most of the time that is dinner with my kids, and I do not eat that much. My 17 month old and I share a plate at dinner, and most of the time we do not empty a plate (she does not eat very much) I do not eat very much at one time, it is just te things that I do eat. I do not exersize, most of the time by the time I get off of work and get the kids. I am so exausted I do not feel like doing anything. I could really use some type of buddy that lives close to me that I could talk too and maybe go walking with. If anyone that reads this lives close to Humble please come and be my friend. I could really use some friends that know what I am going through!!!!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!! Janette

.... Mentally? I was wondering if anyone had suffered any psychological problems thus far? I know that it was possible that it could happen... I was just wondering if I was the only one because everyone else on this board seems so happy in all their posts?

Hi Marcia, First of all, congrats on your weight loss! That is phenominal! As far as insurance and coverage of plastic surgery, it isn't the amount of weight you lost that they go by. It is medical necessity. You must prove that it is medically necessary that you have plastic surgery. Meaning, if you didn't have the plastics, your health would be compromised. Rashes, boils, etc. under the "apron" or boobs would classify as medically necessary in most cases. It is imperative that you document any rashes, irritations, boils, etc. When you get one, take a picture, call the doctor and fill the creams/meds prescribed. Get copies of any doctor visits that you had that had to do with the rash or boil. I get occasional rashes and I get boils frequently. You can bet that I have every one photographed and documented. I went to my doctor for the last boil because it was huge. Documentation is IMPERATIVE when you are trying to get plastics. Also, my insurance (I also have Anthem....alhtough every plan is different) covers only a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and a breast lift, if it is deemed medically necessary. They don't cover anything else according to the service rep, even if it is medically necessary. For example, I get boils on my inner thighs. But according to them, they will never cover a thigh lift. I document them anyway because you never know, but they were pretty clear that they only covered the two procedures (TT and boob lift). Good luck and DOCUMENT! Hugs, Denise