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Ellen's Band Journey
 

Temptation grrrr...

Well it is that time again for those yummy goodness that we call girl scout cookies... I have always loved them since I was little and sold them myself... Now that I am grown I still can't resist them... I have been sicker than a dog for the past week and sweets have always been a BIG comfort food... Needless to say the ever loving boyfriend, who still has not gotten used to the fact that I don't eat the way I used to, thought he was being loving and bought some boxes... I am really trying to stay away from them but the fact that they are still in the house doesn't help the situation... It's like they are calling my name lol... I have asked him to take them out of the house or at least hide them but there they sit on the counter... Taunting me, laughing at me, knowing I will eventually give in and have a few... It is just so frustrating that I am having a hard time not eating the things that give me such joy... I know that I need to eat healthy and excersise but when your sick you just want what makes you happy... I am just going to need to get better and get back on track... I am only 3 1/2 months out and I feel like a complete failure...
ellenmarie

ellenmarie

0
rachelkork's Blog
 

Pre Op Diet Day 6

The pre-op diet is finally starting to take it's toll. I was so tired and weak all day I even had to leave work early. All I want to do is sleep which isn't so bad as it makes the days go by. We got all new "blue menu" (healthy) products in at work today, it took some will power to walk away from sampling them. Hopefully I'll be trying them out soon enough. Tonight for dinner I'm having spaghetti...squash. Only 8 more days to go!
rachelkork

rachelkork

0
roseyposey's Blog
 

BAKED EGG CUSTARD - EXCELLENT SOURCE OF PROTEIN!!!

HERE IS A RECIPE FOR BAKED EGG CUSTARD WHICH IS AN EXCELLENT SOURCE OF PROTEIN AND LOW CAL FOR US BANDERS!!! 4 EGGS 2 1/2 C. SKIM MILK 1 CUP SPLENDA (SUGAR SUBSTITUTE) 1 TEASPOON VANILLA, BEAT ALL TOGETHER IN AN OVEN PROOF CONTAINER SUCH AS PYREX. SPRINKLE SOME CINNEMON AND NUTMEG ON TOP. BAKE IN OVEN 1 HR. AT 325 DEGREES. LET SET TILL COOL. IT WILL THICKEN AS IT SETS. THIS IS SIMPLY DELICIOUS!!!! YOU COULD EVEN TOP WITH FAT FREE COOL WHIP IF YOU WISH. ENJOY!
roseyposey

roseyposey

3
roseyposey's Blog
 

SLIMING - EWE!!!!!

WELL I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT YOU FELLOW BANDERS WERE TALKING ABOUT WHEN YOU MENTIONED "SLIMING". WELL I FOUND OUT THIS AM. I FELT REALLY HUNGRY SO I DECIDED TO HAVE A SCRAMBLE EGG AND A PIECE OF TURKEY BACON. WELL - IT KINDA FELT STUCK AND HURT - THEN THE SALIVA IN THE MOUTH INCREASED AND I KNEW THEN WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. OH MAN! IT ALL CAME BACK UP! WHAT A HORRIBLE FEELING. MY THROAT STILL HURT FOR ABOUT 1 HR. LATER. AND MY STOMACH. SO EITHER THE EGGS AND BACON DIDNT AGREE WITH ME OR I ATE TOO MUCH OR SINCE I GOT MY FIRST FILL OF ONLY 1/2 CC LAST WK. - MAYBE I HAVE MORE RESTRICTION THAN I THOUGHT???? WHO KNOWS. BUT IT WAS NOT PLEASANT. DON'T WANT TO DO THAT AGAIN. NOT WORTH IT! I SURE WISH THAT SCALE WOULD BUDGE. IT IS NOT GOING DOWN EVEN THOUGH I HAVE BEEN DRINKING PROTEIN SHAKES FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH. WTH?????? FRUSTRATED!    
roseyposey

roseyposey

2
PPPBand's Blog
 

3 WEEKS POST OP AND GREAT RESULTS!!

Wow..Amost 3 weeks to the day that I was banded and I am down 43 pounds!! I can not believe that the weight is just melting off...and I am not even exercising yet...I will say though that it is obviously coming off slower (naturally)..I also am starting to get a little bored of my food choices (egg whites, cottage cheese, chili, chicken in a can, tomato soup) so if anyone has any ideas of mushy foods/recipes, I would appreciate hearing from you...I had some complications while in the hospital and the Dr took out 3 ccs from my band and I am starting to get hungrier faster...trying to use my will power to my first fill in Mid March...I also just finished my first week back at school(teacher) and it really went well...My incisions FINALLY closed a couple of days ago...Very frustrating when you are trying to work and be active...All and all I am happy with the process and the results and I'm hoping to start some type of exercise plan in the next week or two...A great weekend to all you pre and post bandsters out there!! Peace
PPPBand

PPPBand

5
2bsuccessful's Blog
 

I am very discouraged after wls. LapBand to Sleeve

In April/2008, I had surgery for the lapband. I had nothing but pain and trouble with the location of the port. My doctor, at that time, and his staff refused to listen to me. They kept telling me that the pain would subside and the band and port would settle into my body and be fine. The pain was so intense that I was on an rx for pain. In August/2008, I ended up having a second surgery to correct the position of the port because it had flipped. After that surgery, I continued to have pain, at the port site and where the band was placed. My dr, again, denied that anything was wrong and just gave me pain meds. I went to another doctor, for a second opinion. His diagnosis, the port had flipped again and the band was possibly positioned incorrectly or something totally unrelated was going on. So from August/2008 until the end of April/2009, I ended up seeing not only seeing my original surgeon, the 2nd opinion doctor and yet a 3rd bariatric doctor. I ended up going to the emergency room several times. Then was hospitalized for almost a week to be monitored and tested , having 2 cat scans, an MRI, endoscopy,heart cath, barium series, ultrasound and of course labs. Nothing was found to be wrong except the port had flipped. So the 3rd surgeon was the one that made a decision to do an exploratory surgery to correct the port and see if anything else was going on. The surgery went well and I was without some of the pain but on a scale from 1-10 my pain level was always at least a 4 or 5. The port was very difficult to locate, possibly flipped again. Also, the weight loss was slow. Finally, in January/2010, I asked my doctor( the 3rd one) to remove the lapband and port. That surgery was February/2010. The port had definitely flipped again, plus the lapband had eroded into my stomach. No wonder I had pain. My doctor suggested having surgery for the sleeve. I was torn between the bypass and the sleeve. I ended up having the sleeve in April/2010. I have had weight loss and weight gains. My starting weight in April/2008 was 268. My lowest weight was 215. Then because of all the problems with food,pain, etc my weight flexuated between 215 and 240. My last visit with my dr was, Nov/2010. She explained the opening of my sleeve is larger than most because of the erosion caused by the band, so therefore more food can get into my stomach. I always have had hunger since the sleeve, too. On top of everything else, my dr left the practice, that I am in. I am currently waiting for my insurance company to approve a visit to the other, doctor in the practice. I feel like such a failure. I do want to lose weight. My goal weight is 125, my height is 5'4". My current weight is 238. I have 113 unwanted pounds. I have been so down and depressed about my journey. I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP but I am not sure what is next.
2bsuccessful

2bsuccessful

3
Advice for Pre-Op
 

Damn gas!

I know the doctor warned me about all the gas that would be getting stuck in my body.. but man i didn't expect it to be this bad. I'm 2 days post op, and i continuously feel a burp coming up then it just stops and gets stuck in my chest. anyone have advice to help me out?
ShrnkN2

ShrnkN2

0
rachelkork's Blog
 

Pre Op Diet Day 5

Day 5 and still going strong. I do admit I was a tad bit moody today but lack of sugar will do that to a person. I got a new blender today and bought the protein powder for after my surgery. As the days count down I get even more excited.
rachelkork

rachelkork

0
Blog 93898
 

Some Results!!

Well, it looks like the .5cc unfill and stepping it up at the gym this week has helped to let me see some more results! Since the 9th of February, I have lost 4 pounds...not bad for just over a week! I'm extremely happy with that. I have also forced myself to go to the gym everyday this week so far and plan to go back for a 5th time tonight. My workout plan that I have set up on AnytimeHealth.com gives me Saturday and Sunday off from the gym...but I might go on Saturday evening anyway. I need a new addiction...maybe working out can replace all that junky food that I still tend to miss sometimes.   Oh, I have an INCREDIBLY good recipe for a super healthy meal if you're interested!   Spaghetti squash! I know, I was like, what the heck is spaghetti squash! It's completely vegetarian, though you can add any meat that you like. (I just was too lazy to cook some meat with it. Ha!) I made mine with zucchini, red peppers and mushrooms, but you can use any veggies you'd like. Cut the Squash in half, scoop out the guts to throw them away and drizzle the squash with olive oil and pinch some rosemary or thyme or basil---whatever spices you like. Put it in a microwaveable dish with 1/4 inch of water in it flat side down and cook for 10 minutes. While that is cooking, saute your veggies in olive oil, a little salt and pepper (I use salt substitute so it has zero sodium), and some lemon juice. When the squash is done cooking, take it out and fork out the insides. It will look like short spaghetti noodles. Take the insides and put the in a bowl. (You may be cooking the other half of the squash while your doing this.) Add the veggies to the squash with another squirt of lemon juice. Stir and serve!! If you add meat, add that at this time as well. You can also try it with spaghetti sauce, but that will add more calories and sodium. Though tomatoes are a good addition!   Ok, that's it. Don't expect me to share too many recipes...I'm just starting to experiment with healthier foods.   I hope to report more weightloss soon! I'm trying to kick my butt in gear a bit more!! I wish I had a workout partner...but I suppose that at the end of the day, I need to do this for me and no one else. Meh.   Blessings all!   Maggs
maggs79

maggs79

2
Blog 46130
 

It's Been a Long, Long While!

Wow...it's been quite a while since I posted here. I'm doing just fine - continuing to work out, working my way through head issues and the occasional setback, but doing really well.   I'm hovering at 190 lbs - I'd like to be smaller, I think - perhaps 10 - 15 lbs, but I'm not 'beating myself up' about it. I'm wearing primarily size 12 and 14 clothes, down from a 24 at hy largest. I feel great - I continue to run (weather permitting - I'm still a wimp about winter!) and have created quite the home gym. I have a gym-quality rower, an home-quality elliptical, and a Bowflex Ultimate for strength training.   I'm up to 50 min solid on both the rowing and elliptical, and I know the last 10 percent (or 10 pounds) would come off if I dialed in my eating a bit more. I'm at a great fill level - I can eat normally, just in smaller quantities, and I'm not hungry all the time.   It's been a little over 2 years since my surgery - actually, April will be my 2 1/2 year bandiversary, and I still LOVE my banded life. I know without the band, I'd either be the exact same size I was before - at 265 lbs - or I'd be regaining the weight I lost. This is my solution for LIFE, and I'm nevery going back to that unhealthy lifestyle I had before.   This site was SO helpful to me during my journey - I could not have done it without all the people here who helped me, commented on my posts, or just let me know I wasn't alone. I'm going to be a more regular visitor, because perhaps I can help someone else be successful on THEIR banded journey.   So I guess what I'm saying is...I'm BACK...and this time, I'm staying! :-)
DivaStyleCoach

DivaStyleCoach

1
Melissa's Blog
 

Yes! One step closer!!

I finally called Aetna today. My husband won't be getting their insurance until June, but I gave his group number that he will have, and as of now, they said that they do have coverage for bariatric surgery, with a $500 copay. Woo Hoo! I am so excited. I feel like this is actually going to fall into place for me and I just can't wait until we're covered so I can see if I get approved!!   I wonder if I can start doing the 3 month approval process now, before we are covered, to make things go faster once we do get the coverage.   Anyway, good news for now. First seminar is coming up this Tuesday. Can't wait to go!!
Melissal

Melissal

0
Day Dreamer's Blog
 

Waiting.. the hardest part?

My coordinator said she should have the approval from my insurance early next week. I suppose I am worried about if it will even be approved. I have been up and down this road a few times... never to pass the approval point. Now I concern myself with other worries.. insurance and weight.   Insurance - just reading post about people not being covered by a new insurance if they have had any type of WLS.... scary.   Weight - I tried the pre op diet to see if I could stick to it and now I lost weight putting my BMI too low. I stopped when I noticed that I was dropping weight but I haven't gained it back yet. I am sitting at 38.8 BMI and need 40 - OUCH! That means I need to gain 8 lbs to be back to my initial BMI. --(Maybe it was water weight?!?!)   I hope to hear from the coordinator soon... fingers crossed.
Day Dreamer

Day Dreamer

2
Blog 93073
 

Staying positive

Having posted in a while I'm now down to 180lbs. (YEAHHHHHHHHH). But I have other things going on in my life that is trying to put me back at 247....(I won't let it). I know I needed to come back here and speak how I'm feeling so that all my hard work won't go down in vein. Please pray for me because I definately need it right now. I will be leaving my so call fiance in 3 months which I know that will be a healthy begininng. I'm still continuing to try to make my goal weight of a size 12 on my anniversary date of 3/25/11 but f not it will be in april (size 14 now). I will still be ok.   Until next time stay strong an positive.
blossoming

blossoming

3
Advice for Pre-Op
 

NO SLEEP!

sleeping seems to be virtually impossible. no matter what i do i just can't get comfortable enough.. all this damn gas stuck in my chest! anyone have advice on things that help you sleep?
ShrnkN2

ShrnkN2

4
rachelkork's Blog
 

Pre Op Diet Day 4

Note to self...don't mix chocolate protein powder with black coffee. Other than that little mishap day 4 is going great. I feel better than I've felt in months, make that years. I lost another 2 pounds which means I lost 10 pounds in 4 days. My nutritionist told me I would only lose 15-20 pounds on the 2 week diet so I'm probably going to have to call my nutritionist if the weight loss keeps up like this.
rachelkork

rachelkork

0
justplaintired's Blog
 

Feeling quite good today. Day 6 of my new life.

Days 1-3 were hell on earth. Did I mention they were hell on earth? OMG! Day 4 I was starting to feel okay, day 5 even better and day 6...so much better! My complaints today...incision pain (no biggie, always expected that), I'm bruised all over my stomach like I went a few rounds with Mike Tyson, and my one leg is still achy and the toes are numb (not as achy as it was so I assume it is slowly improving).   NOW ONTO THE EXCITING (non complaining) NEWS! I had my post op visit yesterday and I am down another 9 from my post op visit for a grand total of....14!!! Woohoo! I'm absolutely thrilled. I decided to treat myself to a new eyeshadow shade at ulta. i'm a make up junkie and I decided to buy Urban Decay "Scratch." Nice...   The nutrtionist has moved me onto pureed food so I'm planning on pureeing some delish cream of mushroom soup today AND maybe trying to eat some ricotta cheese or hummus.   I'm still amazed by how different a person can feel in a couple of days. I was literally thinking I made a huge mistake in getting the lapband and now that I'm feeling better, I'm PSYCHED I did it!!    
justplaintired

justplaintired

5
Jebellah's Blog
 

30 Day Plan

February 18, 2011   Spoke with the PA again, got a reminder to get my 30 days labs done and reviewed the plan for March.   I am so stoked I have finished almost all the pre-op requirements. One week before the surgery I will have my consult with the surgeon, class with a nurse, and pre hospital admission testing. At that point I also have to start the pre-op diet. Only 1 week, most people on here seem to have done atleast 2. I will start early I think (I am full of optimism today .   I also had to confirm my time off request with my boss. As expected she asked a ton of questions which I was afraid to refuse because she might be spiteful and make life (even) more difficult as her employee. It was really uncomfortable and I had to sit through the "can't you just diet and exercise..?" speech YET again. Oh well, at the end of the talk I got the time off so I am choosing to be focused on that instead of the mortifying 30 minutes preceeding it   Now I just have to finish my finanical maneuvering. As a self-pay I have to put down 30% (5300 big ones) at the time of the surgery but the hospital and doctors are the best so I feel confident the investment is worth it. The day is getting close. I can hardly believe it! 34 days to go...
Jebellah

Jebellah

0
Day Dreamer's Blog
 

Out with the truth

I finally told my mom and my hubby. I was more worried about telling my hubby b/c he constantly harps on my friends that have had any type of WLS. He considers it the easy way out - then again, he doesn't drink soda for a day and loses 5 lbs. How could he possibly understand, right?!?! Ok, I got the truth off my chest and I feel better. My mom works in medical coding and she gave me some good advice - much needed and appreciated. Hubby - well he is what he is... he said I will support it if that's what you want. Hello? I have only been trying for 3 yrs to get this approved?!?! Ya think this isn't what I want? Hmm..   On a different note - I am reading a lot of people saying they can't get insurance post banding - OMG. Really? This is not good news to a pre bander. What if I lose my job or my insurance, switch jobs or insurance... oh so many questions!! If you have info please let me know.   <3 Heather
Day Dreamer

Day Dreamer

2
The plot thickened and so did I
 

HOLE EEE FREAKING CRAP!!!

OMG! I got approved!!!   I am still in shock. I just found out today, the 16th of Feb 2011, and have a surgey date of March 16th, 2011. Can you freaking believe it?!?!   I know, me either!!! I am so......stunned. I really did not think this would happen. I thought for sure I would get denied for lack of overweight history of a high enough BMI, Oh.....my....God. I am so happy.   I feel like I can finally breath again. Like it's ok to exhale because things are going to be ok, things will work out, and life will move in the right direction. I highly doubt that person giving the approval has no idea what an impact this is for me. I feel like tracking them down and hugging the hell outta them. I just...wow, this is really happening. It is going to happen. I still can't soak it all in.   Just gotta call the hospital and arrange pre-op testings, chest x-ray, EKG, and lab work. Few meetings, two week diet....wow, and it's gonna be me doing it! Not just reading about someone else going through it. That feeling is truely fantastic.
foxgirl74

foxgirl74

3
bugwitch's Blog
 

Oye...

So, for some reason I am having a not-so-good food week. For the last week and a half, I was keeping my food intake low and just wasn't hungry. I know a lot of this was due to recovering from a short stint with the flu as well as a significant amount of stress...but I was really hoping I had started to get over those hurdles that had been put up over the years. I was consistently stopping eating when I was full. I was dividing up my food before I would start eating, and I was simply being better about food. But this week, it's been rough. Not gorging, but just eating too much, to the point of being uncomfortable.   Perhaps it is a stress reaction. Perhaps those old habits (eat everything on your plate, etc) which were forced on me and then reinforced over the years are just impossible to lose. I know, just a few days of slip ups are not the end of the world and can be recovered from. It is just quite disheartening to be here again.   Just over four weeks until surgery. I am still working at saving my pennies, but will be taking a hit this next week. I am taking an unexpected trip back home to help out a very sick friend and am looking at quite a large bill in the long run. Hopefully he will be able to reimburse me in time. I posted a note on Facebook asking if anyone back home would be willing to help out with getting him moved (sick and has to move!) or even willing to donate a little bit to my travel fund. I offer the simple idea of, if just five people, donate five dollars each, that covers my cab fare to get to the airport. Simple right? I've helped out other friends on FB who needed a new laptop, or had a pet that needed a vet appointment, etc.....The most I got was one person offering her "prayers" for us. Well...sorry, something constructive and real is what is needed. Prayer is just a way to feel better about herself for not doing anything constructive. I said nothing to her...she strikes me as an overly "fragile" person. Oye...quite frustrating. I do not expect people to help...I learned that long ago while trying to organize events for our Amnesty International club....but I had hoped people would try.   Oh well...So, that's part of my last few weeks. B!&chfest over....for the moment. Thanks for listening/reading.   Be well everyone and I hope your weeks go swimmingly.
bugwitch

bugwitch

0
Melissa's Blog
 

Insurance

I am way too obsessed with getting this surgery.   I won't even have insurance coverage of any kind until June 1st, but today, I made my husband get the group number from his employer so that I could contact the insurance company that he will have to ask them if this procedure is covered or not. I'm not exactly the patient type. LOL   But stupid me, instead of calling, I sent an "online information request form" and I'm waiting for a response. If I don't get one by tomorrow afternoon I guess I'll just call.   In the meantime, I can't stop reading forums on the subject, and looking at YouTube before and after videos, etc. I just can't even imagine how happy I would be to be thin again!!   Keeping my fingers crossed that insurance will help cover the charges~
Melissal

Melissal

0

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