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After 14 months two insurance companies and much headache I AM APPROVED

I started this journey years ago, but started the Lap band Journey as my 2008 New Years resolution. The year was trauma and drama, I fought BCBS of Arkansas all the way to the Arkansas Insurance Commission, who would not even acknowledge I existed, much less assist me. Moved my insurance to United Health Care and changed my Lap band doctor and today I got the call that I have waited 14 months for, I AM APPROVED. So here I am 51 years old male at 320 pounds. I go to the Shrink on Monday, not a insurance requirement but a doctor requirement since he had to remove a band from someone who was not prepared. I will then go on two weeks of liquid diet and Monday we will set a date. This may sound odd, but I am excited that someone is going to invade my body and implant a foreign device,but I am. I appreciate all of your entries since that has got me though this process. Thanks to all....:cool2:
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

4
 

These boots are made for walking

On Tuesday, I did a half mile. Yesterday I did a mile and a half. Today two miles, mind you this is on my hour lunch. Plus I came home and worked in the yard for two hours. Beats coming home to nap. Also even though I do not have a fill, I reached my full level today. If you read my blog, I am eating turkey patties and some turkey each night for dinner, I only have one meal. Today I had my patty, it was a little bigger than the others but not by much and I ate some turkey, well about half way though my turkey, I was full had that bad feeling in my stomach. You know with turkey you can feel it go though the stoma, well I reached a point that no more would go through. I got right up threw the rest away and begin walking to help ease the pain. Then begin belching and now all is good. Mind you this was just one turkey patty, I get four out of a pound of turkey and a slice of turkey breast and I eat with an appetizer fork so I won't eat too much. I may never need a fill. :smile2: I have not noticed much weight loss this week, but the inches are coming off, I now wear my belt on the last inside notch as opposed to the first notch. If your large get a LB.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

2
 

Found a new toy

You know Iam doing the two shakes a day plus the Lean Cuisine, or fish, or turkey. Anyway I bought a Magic Bullet, ya like the ones you see on TV. It is like a mini blender, but has two separate blanes and more than 4 cups. So here is what is cool, I can but my 10 ounces of Silk Light Vanilla Soy Milk, with my Vanilla Chike (protein supplement) and a few Blueberry's and about 10 ounces of water and I have a great shake, you would never know it is diet food, this summer I can add ice instead of water and make a smoothie. Anyway I worked in the Yard the past two days, maybe a little too much, sore back. But I feel great, look great and losing weight. What more can a man ask for (don't answer that).
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

Much better now and that was so odd

My last post I talked about how hungry I was and I cheated. It was so weird, the next day I was fine and this weekend I forgot to eat some meals. I scheduled a fill for tomorrow, that is number two. But I am off my plateau and lost another 5 pound. Will update my ticker after I get my fill so I will have an official weight. I walked and worked in the yard all weekend, I have so much energy now. Each week it gets better. I cooked sea bass and that is very very good, I also had a steak Saturday night without issue. You can really eat good with the LB if you work at it. Hope everyone is doing great.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

I cheated, again sorta

Last night I got really hungry, something that is not an issue to me so I went all out (I guess that is a matter of opinion) I had an extra protein shake, I know I know I shouldn't have, but I also added a banana and two table spoons of peanut butter and a table spoon on Nutella. Bad me I almost double my calories for the day in one shake. So today I made an appointment for my second fill.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

DON'T GET A LAPBAND if....

I read a few entries today and want to make sure you have a very clear understanding. LB is not a miracle, you can't continue your bad habits of before and expect to lose weight. If you are getting the LB and think you can set on the couch and eat bonbons all day and then whine bitch and moan because your not losing weight DON"T GET A LAPBAND. You can't drink that beer as one guy complained, or I am still drinking cola as another complained and don't understand why after a year she had lost only 20 pounds. The LB is a lifestyle change not a cosmetic. If you are unwilling to follow your doctors orders for eating and exercise save your money, go on a cruise and stuff yourself at the buffet. The LB for me is a great tool, it gives me more control than I had before, I can eat, sleep, and exercise to become a better and healthier person. Eating, follow your doctors directions, follow the good advise on here ask your nutritionist when you have questions, find what works for you and do it. Exercise, you have to do it, get off your butt, walk, mow the yard, do your honey do list, whatever it takes to stay busy. The more you do the more you feel like doing. It gets better everyday, not easy but better. Sleep: this lets your body recharge, if you are not getting sleep you are not losing weight. Make a plan and stick to it. Last of my rant is don't compare yourself to anyone else on here, what you lose is what you lose based on what you ate, slept and exercised. Sorry I just had to get this off my chest after reading a few post from those who whine bitch and moan and won't get off their butts. Exercise is the hardest thing I do, but I do it. Pushing myself away from the table is hard, but I do it. Making myself go to bed at 8:30 at night so I can get 8 hours sleep is hard but I do it. The reward for this is that I feel better, I look better, I have more energy, I am alive again and I might just live a few more years.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

5
 

Did I mention I turn 52 later this month, so what to do

Just more of my rants, I turn 52 later this month and by the way I don't look a day over 42 (you will just have to trust me, no pictures). Anyway the other half and I always go to dinner (usually Doe's Eat Place) and a movie for my birthday and I buy myself something nice. The dilemma is if I go to Doe's it won't be the same since I can't order a 5lb Porterhouse and the movie, I have already done that no coke and popcorn just a nice bottle of water. So how do I celebrate my new life, which trust me is better than the old one and I might actually live to the next birthday. My favorite thing to do now is work in the yard and walk... I am open to suggestions.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

7
 

I am BANDED

Well I am now banded, it was interesting. I drove the two hours to the hospital, never nervous as I knew I was making the right choice. Once they put you under you know nothing. Once inside me the doctor found I had a serious Hiatal Hernia, which he had to repair. that took about an hour from what I was told. Then he did the BAND and I had a hard recovery again from what I was told. The worst part for me was the drive back, every move the jeep made I felt it in my midsection. I did have some gas pain in the shoulder on the way home and the first night. But today it has not been an issue. I walked all night, at least what I could. The whole process was not bad I really can't say anything was too much to handle. I did heave in recovery and was a little concerned about that. My doctor called to check on me today and I have an appointment in two weeks. The pictures of my insides are interesting. I had lost about 15 pounds in my pre-op diet. Since the surgery I have peed a lot, just it is from the Iv's. Today I have had about a half a cup of both and some Gatorade. Not really wanting anything but know I need to keep my strength up. I still have on my TED's but they are beginning to bother me. Will write more tomorrow. Thanks for this site and everyone who came before me. I actually knew more than some of the nurses who were helping me with expectations,
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

2
 

Change of diet

I have changed my diet. I am now having my two protein shakes and a Lean Cuisine and two protein waters a day. Lets see what this does. I walked two miles again at lunch today. My energy levels are up and best of all today a person I work with who I have known for 8 years saw me walking across the floor today stopped me to say how good I was looking, she did not know I had the LB. You have to understand, I am the first one at work each day, I go to my office which does not have windows and is next to the bathroom, so no one ever sees me. I don't support the building I work in so most of the 1000 of people who work with don't know I exist. Anyway, it was nice to be noticed for losing weight. My clothes are looking baggie and I can actually lift my legs so I can tie my shoes. The LB is GRAND.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Good News

I went to my first group support meeting last night at my doctors office. I was able to weigh and had lost an official 24 lbs. Group was a nice collection of people in different stages of LB. But it was good information the doctor was there so we could ask anything and got some great advice. I will plan to make these monthly since I know people lose more when they have a peer structure. I am feeling even better today and went to a movie, setting in the chair was a little uncomfortable. I actually made myself eat 3 meals today, two protein shakes and one cream of mushroom soup thinned with beef broth. I still have no hunger. My wounds are looking better and maybe in another week they will be healed.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

4
 

12 hours away

Well, I have already stopped eating with a nice Lean Cuisine as my final pre-ban meal. The two week diets was not that bad. I shaved my chest today in prep for tomorrow. Yes, I know they would do that, but I had a dry shave for my EKG las week and I thought this would be better. An interesting experience I must add. That had be a a pound loss :thumbup:. Anyway I am surprisingly not nervous. The only thing that was pressing was getting everything I wanted to do done before the surgery. I have my bag packed and will leave about 6am for my 2 hour drive. I will post again as soon as I am able. Thanks for everyone's support and this site.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

2
 

Two days post-op

I have completed my second day post-op without any issues. I don't feel bad, I just don't feel good. I am moving around more and more so that is a good sign. I don't know how much of that is because of the hernia repair, but all in all I think I am doing good. I am drinking broth, water and Gatorade. No hunger, in fact I have to make myself drink the broth. I have not taken a shower yet, even though I was told I could. Just not enough energy. I am down about 20lbs since I begin the pre-op diet. Thanks to everyone.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Two full weeks, life is good

Today is the completion two weeks. I cooked my first LB meal today. Cooked some ground turkey, with a little beef and tomato bullion, then added some tomato soup. Had another good day, I did not bandage my wounds today since there has not been bleeding for the past two days. I am really trying to move on with my life and "Life is Good". Food is not longer the center of my life, I use to plan the weekend on where I would go to eat and what I would cook, now that is not even a thought. Not to mention my food/dining bill has basically ended. Let's see my shopping list was Silk Light Soy Milk, Special K protein Water mixes, and some 2% string cheese. I get my protein shake mix from the doctor "Chike" it is good. I plan to continue two shakes and one meal a day till I get my weight off. I am still not exercising enough, that will come with time.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Planning for the week

I go back to work tomorrow after a month off and am planning for my meals. Breakfast before I go in each day will be a Chike Protein Shake, lunch will be a Slim fast 20 gram protein shake, I will take 3 waters and two Special K protein Packets, 5g each ( that in itself will give me 58g of protein). I am cooking 4 turkey burgers, which I made out of a one pound package of Italian ground turkey, which I binded with some southwest Eggbeaters, and I am also cooking one of those JenneO Turkey breast in a bag. Easy, Easy, Easy. This should cover me through next Saturday. I wanted to have good food prepared and ready to go, so I won't eat bad food. Everything else is going well. I find it very interesting that I now can eat for week for less than I use to spend to eat a day. I guess my food budget is about $25 a week now. I will still treat myself well, since I eat so little I am going to make sure what I eat is the best. Yesterday I got so busy, that I forgot to eat dinner, so the Grouper I cooked on Friday will be my dinner tonight.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

First day back at work

Today was my first day back at work after a month off due to my LB and hernia surgery. All went well, went to lunch with friends and was not tempted, came home and had my turkey burger, but I must admit I was a little hungry when I got home, more head hunger than actual hunger. So I will have to come up with a plan for that, I think it is because I had my first protein shake at 5am, just made it seem later. Also, I am tired so I will be going to bed as soon as Big Bang Theory is over. Back to the grindstone. The positive note is everyone could tell I had lost weight even those who did not know I had surgery. I thought about my goals for weight loss, so I am hoping for at least 10 pounds a month till I get this baggage off me. Hope everyone else is doing well. Oh I should mention the shirts I usually wear to work were TOO big so, I wore a shirt I have not wore in a few years :w00t:
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

7
 

I had my FIRST FILL today, much to do about nothing

I had my first fill today 8 weeks post-op. 3.4cc in a 10cc band. It was a piece of cake other than laying on the table with the pillow ( I would call it a pain pad) under the small of my back. I did the fill on my lunch hour and most of that was drive time. I pulled up my shirt, Dr. Luttrell, told me he would be pressing, never really had much pressure, maybe since it is easy to feel my port. He wiped something on my port area told me I would feel a pick then some burning that was the deadener for the fill. He got the port on the first try, took out everything if there was anything then had me set up so the Fluoroscope could be used, had to drink some strawberry barium just a sip, he could see as well as I could see it went right through, then he added saline, drank some more which showed it was slowed down he made another adjustment then had me drink water to flush it through. I was good to go. But now I am back on fluids for a week then mushes for a week. The issue with that is I will be on mushes for my birthday.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

5
 

Brand New Day

Here is the deal, I am out of control. I have been dieting since 1980. Each diet brings new weight, so after 29 years it is time for me to take control again. I am going to be as open as possible on here so it might be a little real for some.   With that being said please help me on my journey to a new me.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

2
 

Much Better Day

I am having a good day, I went to Walmart and did a little shopping. I had someone with me to do all the bending, loading, etc. I just pointed and paid :thumbup:. I wanted to get some soups since I did not have any. I got tomato, cream of chicken, and cream of mushroom. I plan to begin adding these in slowly. I also got numerous pureed fruits for next weeks when I am on mushes. There was a good sugar free selection from Mott's and some creamed potatoes. I have a group meeting at Dr. Luttrell's on Thursday and actually looking forward to it. Then I have my first follow-up with him on Tuesday. I am approved till April 13th so I will have a full month to cover. This is very good. I really felt for the people who had to go back to work on Monday, I don't think that was a possibility for me. But again, I had hernia surgery as well. My swelling has gone down yet one of the incisions is still bleeding just a spot. Other than that the incisions look well. I guess when the hair grows out no one will ever know. I have not lost any additional weight but am doing good to get in 500 calories a day. I need more protein to create weight loss. I am so glad I shaved in advance, one of the guys in Men of March (Men's Room) is having to treat the rash caused by the shaving. I am sleeping better and that is very good. I got so little sleep the first week. Hope these post help. I know they helped me.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

New Toy must have for the LB and it's free

Last week in group one of the ladies talked about The Daily Plate which is now located on Livestrong. I had been tracking my calories manually in a spreadsheet, not much fun. Well on The daily Plate you can track what you eat, when you eat, and your exercise. It is just awesome, since I am trying to stay around the 1000 calories a day. it is so easy and has food by the brand. I will soon be adding a link so you can see what I eat. Also I still continue to walk when it is not raining. Will write again soon, gotta run.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

Band Date March 16th

I band date is March 16 at 9:30am. I started my protein drinks for the next two weeks. Two meal replacement shakes and a light meal. Fun, Fun, Fun. Ready to make this happen.:smile:
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

2
 

5 Days Post Band

I put away all my pain medicine today as I have not used it in a few days. I tried to return to normal. Also I begin to add back in my protein. I had one 20gm protein slim fast this morning and then broth for the rest of the day. I was able to do a little around the house, but by afternoon I was exhausted. It gets better everyday. Still no hunger and the dull headache has begun to go away.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

What a difference two weeks makes

Two weeks ago today I had my LB. Now I am treating my scars with Mederma and pretty much life has returned to normal other than I am still off work, won't go back till the 13th, (I have great benes). Today I begin to incorporate LB into my life, I bought a container for my counter to put my protein shake mix in, yes my doctor is a fan of the shakes past recovery. I made room in my spice cabinet for my supplements and made room for my scale. The interesting thing is I still have no desire for food. Two weeks ago that was all I thought of. Tomorrow I see the doctor for the first post-op check-up. I will update after that visit. If you are thinking about this surgery, stop thinking and do it. I believe I am down about 30 pounds, but will give the official weight tomorrow.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
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