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Blog 85769
 

fallen off the earth.

I just wanted to say that I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I have returned to work and school so my I am unable to be on as often. I still log on a read a few blogs every night so keep posting the good stuff. Later.....oh and the weightloss is good, I feel great and I think I am still losing even though I haven't step on the scale (Can you believe it?) Happy blogging.
jmunks2000

jmunks2000

5
Blog 93585
 

3 week post band

it's been 3 weeks since my band. it's been easy so far. i follow the dr's instructions and do as i'm told. i started mushy foods yesterday and i stayed fuller longer about 5hours. as of todays date i lost 20lbs (this is just since my band).   i try and walk 3 miles a day. my goal now is to get all my water in ( very hard). I will post next week. i hope you all are doing well.
lori49

lori49

3
Blog 82709
 

GIBY97, Advice for Traveling Request for all bandsters

Hello All Bandsters, I am solicitating any advice on traveling-mainly meal choices. What did you do on your trip? I will fly to Florida next month and return Oct. Going to feel nice sitting in my seat and being able to buckle up EASILY, hehehehe. Any advice on eating while flying, and once at your destination, what choices are recommended. Would like to know how you adjusted to this situation. Thanks Ken.
Giby97

Giby97

1
Blog 91980
 

I have my surgery date!

:thumbup:I am so happy to say after 7 months which seems like forever, on September 8,2010 I will have LapBand surgery. My prayers have been answered and I give God all the glory. Just started the first phase for week 1 pre surgery diet. Two shakes a day and 1 frozen meal. And water, water, water. Between shakes I have had homemade broth, s.f. pops and hot tea. Except for a little light headed at times its been ok. But lets see what I say in a couple of days ha ha. I would appreciate your input on best flavors of products and most cost efficient. I am so ready, let the journey begin!
sweet56

sweet56

4
Blog 100146
 

Tricare-help please

I have Tricare Standard and wanted to know how hard it is to get coverage. The reps on the phone are not much help. I have PCOS, stress urinary incontinence, possible sleep apnea (migraines) but that's it. I also had to have a cholecystectomy in March for gallstones. Any advice would be welcomed!
momofone09

momofone09

2
Blog 95458
 

Met my surgeon....

Met my surgeon today. He is really nice and I'm glad I like him. If I didn't like him, I'd feel weird having him do the procedure.   This other lapband advocate that talked to us today, was really cool. She was so funny. I felt a little more comfortable with the ladies from the surgeon's office, than with the ladies that work at the center (that I've met so far). I think his team travels to the different offices with him.   Started pre-op diet today. ...am hungry right now, because my generic slim-fast is not very filling. Guess I'll wait a little bit and try to eat something else or probably just have another slim-fast. I think it'd be okay if I had two of the "meals" at the same time.   Anyhow, that's all for now.
nomorejellybelly

nomorejellybelly

0
Blog 99331
 

A little cranky.. day 6 of pre-op

I am over the hump and can now say I am less than a week away from my surgery.. The pre-op diet is going well, but I do miss chewing.. thatsounds weird.. I am on a pre-op diet of 4 optifast shakes and clear liquids.. Not quite sure if V8 is considered a clear liquid ( highly doubt it ) but it curved my salt cravings today. I know that after the surgery I am still on clear liquids.. however I am pretty sure from all the posts.. that recovery will be what I am concentrating on.. not food. I have been on the diet since Sat 8/21 and have lost 10lbs.. That is pretty great!! I am taking I can since I know it will slow down when I get to real food.. I am a little cranky though... GOD BLESS my family for putting up with this process!!:wub:
BandedNellie

BandedNellie

4
Blog 97014
 

Still going strong, even with no loss for 2 weeks!

Well, it's been 4 weeks since surgery! Today I am officially released to do whatever I want at the gym, and boy did I ever go at it this morning!!! I woke up at 6:00am to make sure I got there...something that never, ever, ever would have happened before I started this amazing journey. Another poster commented about reading labels at the store now, and even though it takes twice as long to shop, it is so worth it not to bring junk into the house. I am sickened by what I used to fill my shelves with. The kids didn't eat it so who was I buying it for? Hmmmmmm, my butt knows the answer to that one. My 14 year old son is thrilled that we get to all eat the same things now (he is an athlete like his sister and looks at food as fuel....hmmmmmm....I think they were switched at birth lol).   My daughter left for college a week ago and for the first time since I can remember, I did not drown myself in food and wine to dull the heart ache. Instead, I faced my emotions and let them pour out in tears as I sat on her bed after we got back from dropping her off! A much healthier way to deal for me!   I am still staying strong and on plan. No major temptations, though curbing the boredom eating and monitoring portions have been challenging. I have not lost anything in 2 weeks, but when I take my total loss & divide it my the 6 weeks since I started, it's still a 4lb+ a week loss. I'll take that! I get my first fill on 9/1 and am ready/nervous/thinking I don't need one (I don't like needles!). My counselor at True Results says that's when the real weight loss starts. I'm ready!   Thank you God for this chance at a new life and for the strength you have given me!!!
Seanamw

Seanamw

4
Blog 3527
 

one week today.....

It's officially one week today that I well be getting the sleeve. It seems like forever that I have been waiting.   I have quite the trek to get to Tijuana for Sept.2. I will be leaving Winnipeg (Canada) on Aug 31. to go to Grand Forks ND to stay the night. My flight leave from Grand Forks at 0600. I will be stopping in Denver then a connection to San Diego. I will stay the night in San Diego and be picked up at 0700 the next morning to go to Tijuana. YIKES !   I know it seems like a bit excessive but I soooo need this surgery.   Thanks to everyone who has blogged about their experiences, I have picked up a few great tips. Take care, Nikki
nbrett

nbrett

2
Blog 84891
 

Hell...Hell is for....lapband!

I'm in bandster hell right now! I need to find my way out of it. I switched 4 days ago from EAS shakes with 17 grams of protein to Slimfast (just for a change) which have 10 grams. I'm wondering if that is why I'm hungry all of the time. I was doing fine until I switched. I didn't look at the label and bought a case at BJs. Should I go back and get the EAS shakes and just use the Slimfast as needed once I'm on regular food? I'm only 15 days post op.
Lap2Fab

Lap2Fab

5
The Sweet Spot
 

8/26/10 Hello BG, It's the World Again (Allergan & Realize + Updates)

OK, either the World is sending me 'messages' again, or I'm just a gullible sucka whose getting punked again (Erika, is that you?!). You all know I don't get 'subtle'...in fact I don't usually get 'hit me over the head with a 2x4' either. Oh NO, it takes me having many horrific PBing moments before I finally am sitting there thinking (and re-chewing my regurgitated food in the middle of a fancy restaurant) 'Hmmm...Wasn't there a rule about chewing well BEFORE you swallow?'   So there's a point to all this somewhere...oh yeah, 'messages'...stick with me, I swear this will get good at some point...well you know I've been taking somewhat of a hiatus from the writing...not all by choice, summer, 3 kids, life happens, and it should....but next week when the rest of the kiddies are back to school I've actually been looking forward to finishing up the book proposal and starting the process of sending it out...so this week, now that things have finally started to slow down, I decided it would be my 'pull together all the motivation I'll need, collect proposal layouts, and start getting my plans to finish the book together' week.   Here's what's happened...OK, first of all I received a wonderful gift...I'll remind you that recently, one of my sister's and I had been discussing Dr. Suess/books...in fact, I had mentioned to her that at one point I had looked at a vinyl lettering quote, like she has up in her kitchen (they are like rub on stickers), and I was looking at my favorite Dr. Suess quotes to go in my hall upstairs (on the way into my office/our Hobby Room). Fast forward about a week and I get this same vinyl letting/rub on quote in the mail...I excitedly called my sis (not there) and left a thank-you message...a week later or more I hear back that it wasn't from her...HUH?! Mystery gift?!!...I finally solved the puzzle and it's from my good friend and LBer Diane. OK, she's been so busy (working girl), and then I left for vacation, kid off to college, life again, that we haven't had time to discuss this, but it's freakin' me out...did I mention my "hall plan" to her?...I think not!...messages from the world?!...here's the quote:       Too cool for words...just WHAT I needed, WHEN I needed it! Now I have to repaint the hall before I mount the words (10 years later, it's time to be repainted, thanks for that motivation too), but it's going up as soon as I paint (I'll take some after pics to show you)...so, thank you Diane...you know me so well (and I hope you get done working soon so we can talk)!! It will inspire me daily as I walk down the hall to the office to write to the best of my abilities (I would put it over the computer area as you suggested in your note, but those walls are Hunter Green...I'm thinking the black wouldn't show)!   Now get ready for 'messages from the World' 2 and 3.   So Monday morning as I'm pulling up info. on proposals, I took a moment to check my email...hmmm...someone from Lap Band Talk...and what's this?! Although I've run across 'advertisements' on Lap Band Talk (and a few who have put advertisements as comments on my blog/deleted), I've never been directly solicited, until this week. I really thought that my first 'solicitation/request for product endorsement' would come through the Blogger site as it's more 'out there' in the world and all that (and I've seen others here get 'endorsement requests'...and I'll be honest that it turns me off when people actually do them). So this request came through LBT, not Blogger...very vague (complimenting me on how my transformation is one of the best he's seen yet and asking if he could use my pics for a 'major campaign'...OK, I was happy it wasn't a product endorsement request), new member, from a marketing firm, so I was very wary. After looking up the marketing firm and a few emails back and forth I find out they want to use my before/after pics and a testimonial from me about how my life has changed for an add campaign...for...wait for it...the Realize Band! Me?...I chose the LB/Allergan!...so although I'd do anything to help pay this forward and help promote the Band, I can't do a campaign for the Band I don't have.   I'm typing up my 'so sorry, can't do, I have the LB/Allergan' email to the marketing firm guy when a new message pops up in my email...also through Lap Band Talk...it's from a health journalist who is writing a short article for the LB/Allergan site about things we can now do after getting off weight (she'd read about my Grand Canyon trip). If it wasn't for the fact that I hadn't yet sent my email telling Mr. Marketing that I don't have a Realize Band and couldn't do this, I would have thought these two things were connected and he'd given my name to the journalist. But still; Coincidence?! You know me, I asked. Yep, she (Hi there! Yes, I looked you up too...she's a very legit and well published/award winning journalist...name a health magazine and she's written for them...also 'O' magazine...no, Amy W., Oprah didn't call me next LOL) assured me today it was just coincidence...and so I'm looking forward to doing the interview (and I'll keep you all posted on the 'article'coming out this Fall).   The World is sending me messages again...with a 2x4...Yes, I could take this as 'LBT sold my name to a bunch of people' (including my friend Diane), but remember, I'm an optimist and my rose colored glasses are gigantic...I'm taking all this as 'Messages from the World' just when I need them that doing the book is the right thing to do (being a newbie writer...it's like being a newbie Bander...lots of doubt...there are days where you say 'WHAT WAS I THINKING?!!!'). So I've found new faith and belief in my 'messages' that I'm really going to be able to help other Banders with the book and I'm off to get the proposals out and hopefully finish the book! The book, for me it's like my LB...at some point you just have to believe that you were meant to do this and that it will all work out. You just have to believe in yourself first.   **UPDATE**   I did the interview this morning (for LB/Allergan), very fun! Yes, I told her I'm not a gym rat! I think that's part of why she liked my story...at that point 5 mo. post-op, only about 50+ pounds off and not any real strenuous regular exercise to prepare...even I was shocked at how well I did on the trails (DH was even more shocked...how he loves hiking!). From not being able to walk up the church stairs (Notre Dame) about a year and a half before, to hiking several miles down and up (no, not even half the way down) at the Grand Canyon, and then two more days of hiking Sedona...I guess it's a reminder what 'only' 50 lbs. off can do to help your health! Just think what I'm capable of now?! Just think what you're capable of now!   Other updates/blogs: Funny Guest Blogger Today: http://bandgroupiethesweetspot.blogspot.com/2010/08/8710-funny-guest-blogger-today-and.html   Only One Week Left To Post! SWA Contest http://bandgroupiethesweetspot.blogspot.com/2010/08/82510-only-one-week-left-to-post-swa.html
Band_Groupie

Band_Groupie

3
Blog 89559
 

Three Month Bandaversary and Ashley!!!

Big day today. Three months ago today I was banded. I don't even remember some of the specifics anymore. I don't know whether that is old age or just focusing on new things like eating healthier and exercise.   I've come a LONG WAY since my decision to pursue LAP-BAND® in late December. I've lost 60 lbs, many sizes, shoe sizes, feel a ton better in terms of energy and self esteem. I have a LONG way to go, but I can see the tunnel (not yet the light much less the light at the end). It was a struggle sometimes, but mostly I feel incredibly blessed every day.   My 24-year old daughter Ashley is flying in from Omaha today for a long weekend with her mommy. I haven't seen her since Christmas. I might just hug her all night until she finally says "ok I need sleep!". We have a fun weekend of shopping, pampering and family dinners at my house. I'm not worried about eating -- I can't eat that much anyways and I don't really crave or miss anything. I've inspired her (so she says) to work out and she has lost 18 lbs (she wasn't really heavy to begin with), and she wants to go to the gym with me. We will be doing a lot of walking and swimming so I think I'm covered exercise-wise. She leaves Sunday night.   I still have her message to me on 5/26 on my voicemail. I re-save it all the time and will never delete it. That voicemail, all your support, and a strength I didn't know I possessed got me to this point, and will get me to goal on 5/26/11.   God's peace.........   Sandy
sandradee0124

sandradee0124

19
Blog 94814
 

last day

this is it my last day of been call big man, last day of shopping for 4x and 5x clothes, last day of sitting in to small booth, most importance no more spending 184 dollar on meds.   im hoping that things go as plan, i want to be at or under 300 by xmas and by the time march 1st that when i retire i want to be dwn to 250 my goal 230
tommygunn49

tommygunn49

0
Blog 93702
 

Recipe Of The Day! Fillet Italian Style In A Skillet

This is a wonderful dish that the whole family can enjoy. I use these fish because they are among the most flaky fish, tilapia, turbot or red snapper. They are very Band friendly, this is one of my favorite recipes to make and eat. Make it yours too! ENJOY!   Makes 4 servings   Active Time: 7 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes   410 Calories Per Serving   CHECK OUT MY BLOG FOR MORE INFO ON THIS RECIPE AND SO MANY MORE:thumbup: http://life-after-lap-band®.blogspot.com/
Debra G

Debra G

0
Blog 99309
 

Day 15 Post-op - Serious band negativity.

Here are the reasons my band is ruining my life:   I cannot sleep through the night. I constantly wake up and have to change positions;
I am so so OVER everything I am 'allowed' to eat - I am on a mixture of liquids and pureed food.
I am hungry A LOT but everything I eat makes me feel sick - regardless of portion size, what it is, etc
My husband enjoys curries and chocolate or whatever he wants - and I sip on water.
My wounds are really sore. I can't bend, stretch, have sex. Nothing.
To top it off I'm not really losing any weight at the moment.
So, no food, sleep, sex, and no weight loss... why am I suffering again?
something_for_gabby

something_for_gabby

5
Blog 94384
 

4 week update

Its 4 weeks and 2 days to be exact and I am so ready for my 1st fill. I have been eating my fish and soft veggies but have not been hitting the gym as much as I wanted to at this point. The weight loss is going up and down with the same 3 pounds this week. I realize that I am more hungry this week and keep having cravings for bad things like ice cream, which I may or may not (I have) indulged in recently.   2 more weeks until my fill...sigh.
Moquarius

Moquarius

1
Blog 99648
 

First Steps

On 8/19/10 I had a meeting with my PCP and from the 2 months I saw her last, I had researched WLS. I always told myself WLS would be a last result, and at that time it was. I asked her about the surgery and she told me it may benefit me but to contact a Bariatric Surgeon   I googled a surgeon in my area and up popped Dr. Cynthia Long. I liked that she did her surgeries at my preferred hospital of choice and she was local to me. She also had great reviews from what I read. I called her office to set up a consultation but was promptly told that I needed to attend a seminar on WLS before a consultation and I thought that was fair.   On 8/25/10 (today) I attended the Seminar held by Dr. Long. I found her seminar to be very informative and she was very up front about how serious all surgeries are. Plenty of questions asked and all were answered professionally. I was very impressed.   Now that the seminar is over, I can't wait these measley 11 hours to call her office and set up a consultation :wub: I am super excited!
Bryn

Bryn

0
Blog 96827
 

Turning the Leaf BEFORE surgery...

08/25/2010   OK...Today I met with this very nice nutritionist at UMC Hospital and really enjoyed my interaction with her. "Stephanie" was pretty knowledgeable about the lapband diet, pre-op, surgery, etc. even though this is a fairly new surgery for UMC. I have already been doing some of the pre-pre-op things such as eating with a smaller plate, watching alcohol consumption, using a baby spoon, actually measuring portions. All of this has been such an eye opener for me. If I could do all these things all the time, I wouldn't even NEED the lapband, but although I consider myself somewhat of a "professional dieter" after 30 years of being obese, I can get it off, just can't seem to KEEP it off.   I am still feeling like luck is on my side and that although my Cigna has this stupid clause excluding CHN employees and their spouses (sheesh!), perhaps I will be that one that they just have to authorize. You know...Squeaky Wheel Syndrome!!!!:wub:
higgikd1

higgikd1

0
Blog 98741
 

It's been 2 wks

Since I was banded, and Im LOVING IT!   Over the last week, Ive experienced what it's like to NEVER be hungry! Never in my life have I had to remind myself to eat something.   I have noticed that if I forget to eat something small (around late afternoon) I start to feel shaky and sick stomached. Occasionally a headache will follow.   Im learning the importance of reading food labels and taking my time in the grocery store, which I have found to be a challenge in its own!   There have been moments though, when I have to be really strict with myself, and tell myself NO... I wont be hungry or anything and I want to go to the frig and just munch... Thats when I put on my pretty new nikes' and go for a walk, or leave the house and walk around mall or department store or somewhere....   m sure that with time things like this will get easier and less and less or something that I have to think about or tell myself no for.   Well all, thats the latest and greatest on this week! Just waiting and looking forward to the 18th of September, for my first fill!!!!!! Cant hardly wait to feel some serious restriction!     Best of luck and Prayers to all!:wub:
ArmyWives

ArmyWives

5
LoseIt!'s Blog
 

Happy Wednesday!

Hi everyone! What a wonderful Wednesday.   I told you about the roller coaster that was yesterday. Whew! Glad that was over. Today was much more calm.   Today at lunch, I actually ran outside...where people can see me! I made it about 2.2 miles which is good. I hope I can make it the full 5k Labor Day weekend! I'm sure I can.   I was down 2 pounds this morning. That was AWESOME! I'm starting to be more "regular" so I think that is a big part of it. The Miralax/Activia combo seems to be working.   Tonight I had dinner with an old friend that I used to work with. It was quite delightful and I realize that I miss her. We are going to have to do it more often!   I'm resigned to the fact that I'm going to need a tonsillectomy. It sucks, but that is just part of life. I'm looking at having it in December so that is something to look forward to. :wub: Silver lining is that my parents are going to come take care of me. I'm so blessed!   Hope your Wednesday was wonderful too!
LoseIt!

LoseIt!

2
Blog 95207
 

HELP!!!! Does anyone have medi-cal/medi-care..or molina insurance??

:wub::eek::thumbup: So I switched over from Kaiser Permanente insurance because I heard that Molina insurance covers bariatric surgery...I feel as though I'm getting the run around but I'm not too sure. How do you go about the whole process. I talked to Molina and they said I have to do 24 classes of Weight Watches.. which is fine but they span over a period of 6 months..and I still have yet to receive the voucher for weight watchers from Molina..Is there any loop wholes that I'm not seeing?? Can I go straight to the surgeon and get in there faster?? And is there any other insurances on Medi-Cal/Medi-Care that cover bariatric surgery??? ie. Aetna... Community Health Group...
shayna_bayna

shayna_bayna

4
Blog 3560
 

First Post, 12 days after surgery.

Today was a good day. My liquid diet didn't seem so impossible and I worked up a sweat on the elliptical for the first time since surgery.   My name is Katy. I'm 33 years old and have struggled with my weight all of my life. I've always been super active: played soccer all of my life, started playing ultimate frisbee in college, did a couple of mini triathlons in the last couple of years, etc. But I love to eat and I'm am a complete and total emotional eater. I've also struggled with depression for the last 10 years and I definitely turned to food to help me with that. I was sad so I ate, then felt bad about eating, which made me feel tired, so I decided to eat some more and the vicious cycle just kept going.   I had the gastric sleeve procedure on 8/13. The surgery went well. I woke up in the hospital that afternoon feeling nauseous and scared about dealing with the new lifestyle I'd just choosen. 'How in the world was I going to do this? No wait, I can't do it. Why did I do this to myself?' In addition to dealing with complete and total nausea for 4 days post surgery, I had this constant stream of questions running through my mind. With each day that passed the questions have started to fad. But that doesn't mean they've gone away completely, every once and a while they come roaring back and I can't block them from my brain.   But as I said, today was a good day, and I'm once again excited about the path that I'm on. I pulled out a bunch of pictures from when I was a junior in college and skinny (I wouldn't have called myself that at the time, what an idiot I was), anyway, for the first time since then I really feel like I have a chance to get back there and that is SO exciting. So if I have to look at those pictures everyday, that's what I'm going to do.   I stepped on the scale today and it showed that I actually put a couple of lbs on, which obviously sucks. I'm trying not to get on the scale everyday for fear of driving myself insane. I'm just going to trust that my body is just working through everything but will eventually start to shed the pounds again.   If anyone has made it to the end of this post, thanks for reading. More than anything, I just feel better having written it.
katyjones

katyjones

3

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