Holly Dolly

My doctor was talking about this at our support meeting this week. He said to make sure you see your doctor and have prescriptions as proof that you are treating a rash. That way if you have to appeal it, you can show you have been trying to treat if for x amount of months.

I can honestly say that this has been the best thing I have done for myself. From the health perspective, look how much better off you will be having the surgery and losing weight. Maybe you don't have any signifcant problems now, but down the road obesity will kill you. So I can rejoice in the fact that I have taken the steps to become a healthier me. I also appreciate the little things. Like tying my shoes with no problem, sitting on my work chair on the highest level and being able to cross my legs! Oh, and buying new clothes has become a favorite past time! But maybe the last isn't a good thing!

My dr doesn't do fills with fluoroscopy. I've never had any problems. And Longleggs, you are crazy! I took a week off and enjoyed watching all the cooking shows while sipping on my protein shakes!

Making your family things you don't care for is a great idea. I have done that many times when I am either not very hungry or don't have many calories left for the day.

Have you tried Slim Fast LoCarb drinks?

Hi Pretty face, thanks for the congrats! I walk 4-5 mornings a week at 5:30 am with 2 friends. Unfort. thats the only good time for me. I'd rather be sleeping in but once I get my butt out there I feel so much better to take on the day! Do you already have a plan for who will do your fills in Oregon?

Good luck, very excited for you to start your journey!

Good for you guys getting hooked up before even having the surgery. I met my friend Julie at my first preop appt and she has been the HUGEST support I could have ever wished for! I have met many great people at my support meetings, something I attribute to my success. I am truely excited for the both of you. I could have never imagined 13 months ago feeling like I do today! Good luck!

I would have been happy with a 12! Here I am though with less than 20 pounds til my goal and already a size 8. I just bought 3 pairs of 8's, thinking about buying a pair of size 6 just to have so I can keep trying on until I get in them! Oh, the things I do for fun!

I have a size 10 band too and I am filled somewhere between 6.5 and 6.8. The PA said I have 6.5 but when I add up all my adjustments I show 6.8. I haven't had a fill since September also and don't feel like I am in the green zone either. I am still hungry within 2 to 2.5 hours of eating. I sure am hoping she will give me one when I go in next month! I hope this will be your sweet spot too!

If something is stuck, you definitly don't want to be drinking anything. Sometimes it would take a couple of hours before I felt better when something was feeling stuck but wouldn't come up.

Like Xavier said, I have some loose skin, but who can see it in my size 8 pants?!!!

wow, that's some crazy $#&$ from that office! I'd definitly be hand delivering copies to the dr.....oh wait though, the doctor was a$$ too! I'd be reporting him to the medical board.

Almost a year out and for the first time with losing weight I honestly feel like this IS the last time for me. I can no longer eat the huge meal in 10 minutes or less like I used to. The one thing that was hard, actually just trying to get used to, was planning when to eat because it takes me so much longer than before. I used to love to have breakfast with tea in the morning. Now I drink my tea first at home and then usually eat on my 30 min drive in the car to work and finish what is left at my desk. I also do not take a lunch at work, I eat at my computer which really does help me take my time eating. Everybody is different, what works for one may not work for another. It's all trial and error til you figure out what is best for you!

I didn't have to follow any diet before the surgery.

Your friends are just gonna be jealous if you do!

When I get stuck, it is always because I have taken too big of a bite and two or 3 bites in a row. I think what has happened to me before is that when you get something stuck the stomach can get a little swollen around the band and give you a problem for a couple of days. Thank goodness it hasn't happened for a while now. Were you eating chicken breast? Thighs seem to be a little bit easier for me unless I cut deli thin like slices across the chicken breast. I cut pork, chicken breast and tri tip really thin and I never have a problem that way.

I go through periods where I will eat the same thing day in day out for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast - 2 egg whites, 1/2 ounce cheese and half an OroWheat thin Lunch- 1 carmelized onion chicken patty from costco (bombdiggitty!) with teriyaki and veggies - also was on a kick with canned chicken mixed with 1 T mayo, 1 can was 2 lunches, and veggies dinner - I have whatever I am making for the family. 2-3 ounce meat, veggies and 1/4 potatoes or rice I am at 6.8 in a 10 band and still don't feel terribly restricted. I can eat bread no problem. I have eaten the same since I was off of the shakes. I keep my calories between 1000-1300 a day. I still don't feel I have reached my sweet spot, but I have just sucked it up and ate what I measured out for the meal.

also, I don't do shakes for 4 days after fills. I usually have soup for lunch and dinner on the day of my fill and play it by ear the next day. You will figure out what works for you when the time comes.

After my surgery, I had protein shakes I bought from my doctors office. Also reccomended by them was Slim Fast low carb shakes. I didn't like to drink them either. I would blend them up, freeze them and then have something I felt like I was eating.

When I first got going with my lapband journey my goal was 160. I had some shorts that were size 14 saved and that's all I cared about getting into. At the time 75 pounds seemed like a huge stretch. Now those shorts fall to the ground on me. Once I hit 160 I made a new goal of 140. I am now at 154. I went shopping a couple of nights ago and just about died trying on 6 pairs of size 8 pants and they all fit! But honestly, if I never go over a size 12 again I would be really happy. So the answer to your question is YES! I am happy where I am at now, but so looking fwd to buying a pair of size 6 pants! There's no stopping now! I'm getting down to 140 and when I do I will be buying myself some cute $200 jeans!

You getting banded from the 1-800 Lapband company?????

I was so excited to get the surgery, I told everyone! Well, except for my husband's family! Come this past Christmas and down 75 pounds, it took my mother in law 2 hours to even mention my weightloss...my sister in law and her hubby were right there when she asked and didn't mention a thing. His other sister and family didn't notice either or atleast didn't say a word. I think the reason I didn't want to tell them was that I thought they would think I was just taking the easy way out. By no means has this been easy! Only 12 pounds to go til I am at a normal BMI, I couldn't be happier! Anyways, I think that by telling your close friends and family that you are having the surgery , it can a be a huge support system for you. Take advantage of those that you know can help support you on your weightloss journey.

I had my surgery in Feb 2011. I have had quite a few fills and currently I am filled to about 6.7. I would go about 2 to 2.5 hours before my stomach would be growling loudly so my PA put me on phentermine in October. WIth the pills I go alot further without feeling hungry. I am weaning myself off of them now to see what my weightloss for the month will be if I am not taking them daily. I would much rather my band control my hunger but she thinks I am pretty full now. I have read so many posts now with people saying they have so much more in their band than I do. I am hoping she will give me another fill in February. I would take the phentermine and give it a try.

I was frustrated too in the beginning. I lost 13 pounds the first month and everyone else seemed to be losing so much more. Everytime I would get down on myself I would have to tell myself to be happy with the 13 pounds or whatever the amount was at the time. Had I not had the surgery I could have easily been 5 or 10 pounds heavier than before the surgery!