JAMILLAH E

Thanks so much!

If you have medical expenses that are over ~5000 dollars, then you can write them off. Did you self-pay? I'm not sure about folks who have insurance, but I was able to because I self-payed. Also, I took out money from an IRA to do so and was able to put that it was for medical which took care of the 20% penalty I was going to have to pay.

Julia

Hey Bandsters,

Heard that you can actually write off medical expenses and just wondered if any of you have been able to do so? Getting ready to file and any feedback would be helpful....I was self pay!

Thanks

Thanks everybody, I'm trying, just gotta get off my ass and get to the gym more often!

Do you know what today is, it's my bandiversary, bandiversary!

One month and 19lbs down, a lifetime to go!

I love, love,love the Michael Jackson experience game...talk about a workout!

Hahaha, you guys are hilarious, thanks for the responses!

Ok,

My poor husband is about to die!!!!

Thanks

HEY GUYS,

HOW LONG AFTER SURGERY DID YOU WAIT TO HAVE SEX?! DOES IT EVEN MATTER OR NO?

Hey guys,

Just read over the responses.....and no my cousin has no problem with eating, she eats like a horse now, she doesn't have any liquid in her band now. She has only had 3 or 4 fills, she was 257 at the time of surgery and now weighs 150. There is no hanging skin or any of that stuff, but she is getting a Tummy Tuck, because she said she had hanging skin just in her stomach area from her pregnancy.

@Cleo's mom what specifically would you like to know, I'll ask her sometimes this week?

Wooo,woo,woo, guys sorry I meant October 09, so she is like a year and three months out!

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone knows the answer to this or not.... But yesterday, I saw my cousin, whom I hadn't seen in a while, like some months. She was banded in October last year and has lost over 100 lbs and she looks terrible. Her body looks puny and starved, as opposed to healthy and just toned or slim. I was so shocked to see her!!! So, my question is, can you tell the doctor when you would like to stop losing, or do they decide according to BMI or something, cause I really don't want to look that small?

Congrats!!! I used to feel a nagging pain in my lower back when I walked or jogged and I walked for the second time yesterday, without feeling a thing!

Hey girl,

I too had a hiatal hernia, apparently so did damn near everyone else in the hospital, cause I swear I heard the DR. tell everyone's relative that he had to repair one! I'm such a skeptic, I think it's just a way to milk the insurance companies!

Yeah, my Dr. also said not to worry about getting the full 64 oz in the first couple of days b/c you will be so swollen!

According to my diet, week 2 thicker liquids is the same as purees, is that not the same for others? Week 3 is soft foods/ mushies?

Wow, well stated everyone and might I add, it's about time. I haven't been on here in about a week because I posted about how badly I was doing with the post- op liquid diet and felt likeI was being summoned to Lap Band hell, I got my ass chewed off and handed to me!!!! I agree with Dave, it's easy to hide behind your little avatar and judge those of us who are being honest and really reaching out for support, instead of realizing that each and everyone of us have gone through this thing and are just at different phases at this point. Glad to see some kind, encouraging words, really helps!

Just started my soft food stage......thank you Sweet Jesus!!!

But for my pureed/ thicker liquid stage I ate.....

Day One- Three: Blended Black Beans and Soy meat, with mealted cheese and salsa!

Day Four- Blended Velveeta, with salsa and ground turkey ( seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder and cooked with green, red and yellow bell peppers and onions)- Not the healthiest, but mmm mmm good, besides you'll only have a few tblspoons

Day Five-Six- Blended Seafood Gumbo!

Soft Foods-

Day One:

BFast- One Egg omelet with cheese and two pieces of veggie bacon. BTW, tried toast with strawberry jelly.....bad idea, threw it up!!!!

Lunch- 1/4 of a Chipotle Bowl- Rice, black Beans, lettuce, cheese, corn and guacamole

Dinner- About 1/2 a SW chicken salad from Jack in the Box

Day Two:

BFaet- One Egg Cheese omelet with Marinara and one cup of broccolli with a cup of Cran/ Apple juice

Dinner- 4 oz of salmon, 1/2 cup of mixed greens and 1/2 a cup of scalloped potatoes

Bad Moment: One Hershey Bar, please don't comment, I know that was horrible!!

Yep, I did, nurse said it was the claws on the port pulling at the muscle it's connected to!

It's mushies or soft foods!

My Dr. said it was fine and if you are worried, he suggested, letting the soda settle over ice for a while!

HI and congrats on your surgery!!!! I had a little pain in both my shoulders and back after surgery... I took the liquid hydrocodone, which was prescribed, as well as gas -x strips and these pain Patches called Salon pas, which you can get at Walmart. After about Day 2 or 3, I was fine....hang in there!

Hello! I am 23 and just had my lap band done yesterday morning. Yesterday was hard. felt really sore and like i wanted to throw up. I kept myself from throwing up tho. i heard that you should try and throw up as least as possible.

I am having external pain in my stomach around the incissoins and also internal. A lot of shoulder pain for the air too.

Is this normal? Should I be feeling better by now? or is that going to come with time??

Havent been able to eat anything but a few popsicles and a few bits of broth.

I tried the vanilla flavored one on Saturday and almost threw up immediately, it was disgusting!!!! I use the Syntha 6 Vanilla Ice Cream Flavor and blend it with Almond Milk and Chocolate/ banana Flavoring....mm mmmm good!!!!!

Also, when I am in a hurry, I grab an Equate Brand Vanilla shake, pretty good too!

Hey Guys,

Quick question for you, does sleeping on the stomach cause any pain or discomfort the next day? I have slept on my stomach two nights in a row and this morning and yesterday morning, I have felt a sort of soreness around both the large middle incision and the one right to the left of it. If I apply pressure to it, the feelings stops, but as soon as I release, it feels like there is too much weight or something pushing down on the port area or something?????

I've had one shrimp, about three tablespoons of rice, black eyed peas and cabbage on NY and about 5 Cheeto Puffs!!! In comparison to pre op eating habits, this is a freaking Miracle!!!!!

I know right, it's just like you gotta kind of find your way and it's a bit scary!!!!! How much longer are you on liquids? This is my second week and I am now in the "thicker" liquid phase, so it's not too bad!

We are surgery date buddies. 12/27/2010.

I've been on liquids mostly so far, but could you some guidance moving into soft. Will have more advice as I move on.