TracieR

Call your doctor and ask if you can switch it up and then follow what they say! Good Luck!

I was banded on 03/08/2011 and was 371lbs the morning of my surgery. I was a tight 26/28. Today I am 270lbs and a size 18/20. Down 101lbs in 7 months. I have worked so hard and feel wonderful. I want to lose another 100 and then will decide my final goal from there. Good luck!

10/15/2011 - 270 I had a fill a week ago so been pretty tight and eating small amounts. Only made it to the gym twice this week though. next week will be better with that...super happy about the 4 lbs though!

I've been working out fr a while in my t-shirt and sweatpants. I feel like I finally need to buy some serious workout clothes. Sorry this might be TMI - I can't stand the jiggling and slapping sounds my loose skin makes while I am jumping around. I feel like I need something to hold it all in. Any suggestions what you wear while you are working out? and where to get them?

I don't think it matters basic or standard - I was just stating what I have. I will ask at my next appointment as well as follow up with BCBS.

That sounds like stuck to me! I avoid white meat chicken unless its in a chicken salad or boiled in chicken broth until it falls apart. Dark meat works well for me.

I think it is a great idea! I wish I would have done it. I need almost everything new and can't afford it! So I buy a couple of things I really need (pants, bras, and underwear) and everything else is really baggy! Going to check out thirft stores this weekend!

I ordered a couple of yoga pants from Old Navy in plus size and Danskin from Walmart also in plus size. Not much selection in the stores, much more to choose from online. Thanks for all the suggestions! I am going with the layering idea to keep from jiggling too much!!!

I ordered a couple of yoga pants from Old Navy in plus size and Danskin from Walmart also in plus size. Not much selection in the stores, much more to choose from online. Thanks for all the suggestions! I am going with the layering idea to keep from jiggling too much!!!

I have no idea. My doctor made you sign a paper before surgery saying if your insurance does not cover your fill you will be charged $200-$250 (can't remember exactly). Well I have never been asked for a copay and when I receive my EOB it shows as Surgery and that the doctor receive $2000. Not sure how that works....glad that I don't have to pay though.

I have FEP BCBS Standard. On my EOB's fills are listed as a Surgery. My Dr. does not require a copay though. My doctor charges something $200 for a fill if you are a cash patient and my insurance pays something like $2000 per fill. CRAZY! I think that is why no copay - he is getting a fortune from the insurance company! What a racket!

I tell everyone. I don't have any problem with it. I have never had any negative feedback, not too my face anyway! I feel like it helps to keep me accountable as well.

Congrats! You look awesome!!

My journey had been great. I am down 100lbs today! 7 months after being banded. It hasn't been easy but it was the best thing I ever did and would do it over a million times. The first month was tough for me. Very emotional. I was not prepared for the loss I felt, I mourned the loss of my best friend (food). I took it one day at a time and pushed through. I started working out with a trainer twice a week and on my own walking at least 3 other days about 8 weeks after surgery. That has really been the best thing I have ever done. I can officially say now I love it and feel the effects when I miss a day at the gym! Who would've thought? 7 months ago I couldn't comfortably walk up the stairs and now I can easily walk 5 miles. This is all my own personal opinions and I don't claim to know how others are feeling but my belief is if you keep eating right, following what your doctor says and exercising it will start to come off - even if it is slow. Sometimes you can go a week or two with no loss but just keep at it and it will all catch up. I always say this is a journey to save my life and it will come off as slow as it needs to - as frustrating as that is. Just keep at it. My new mantra is - Do you choose to simply know the path, or do you choose to walk it? (Hey whatever works!! ) I wish you nothing but the best of luck with your journey! It is the best thing I ever did for myself!! Best wishes!

I had to do a double take. I could've written this post 7 months ago. I think I cried for the first month after surgery. I felt EXACTLY the same way. I really felt like I lost my best friend. I thought what did I do to myself?Fast forward to 7 months later... I still enjoy food, although in a different way then before. My life has changed so much for the better. I get those "I'm missing out" moments once in a while but it passes quickly. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better everyday. Hope tomorrow is the best yet. "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."

10/8/2011 - 274 Made the gym 4 times this week! yay!

Thanks for sharing Rachel! I ordered the cheese Snacks today. Ancient Harvest Quinoa Organic Pasta. It is low carb and high Protein. (It also pretty high calorie - I believe over 200 calories for 2 oz uncooked). I love it though once in a while - like when I have a serious pasta craving. Follow the directions on the box carefuly because if you overcook them they get mushy! I found them in the gluten free section of my Supermarket (Stop & Shop) Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars - I bought Raspberry. I think they taste great! They are 70 calories and 6 grams of protein per bar. I think they come in blueberry too. I got these at Stop & Shop too!

Mine is the same way. A couple of days before I get super tight. I just do soft foods for a couple of days!

I went to Lane Bryant this past weekend to get sized for a new bra. Before beginning this journey I was a size 46 DDD. I am wearing a 44 DDD right now which is way too big for me. So anyway I get sized and she tells me I'm a 46 between a B and C. What? I stood there in shock. I am thinking there is no way I'm a B at all. So she grabs a few bras and I don't even try on the B's. The C's are way too small. I'm spilling out all over and the place. So after going back and forth I buy a 42D which fits well. I'm checking out and I tell the lady the size thing is pretty off. She gets super defensive and starts in that the measurements here are just meant to be a starting point. What? A starting point for what? She also tells me that a 42 D is equivalent to a 46 B-C. Ummmm....no! Weirdo! I don't know why but I was pretty angry when I left there. While I stood in the dressing room stuffed into a way too small bra I fixated on all the loose skin. UGH! I am starting to feel saggy skin. I am working out pretty hard and really trying to get 70-100 grams of protein a day. I am trying not to stress over it. It is what it is. I'll just start saving for plastic surgery! I switched trainers. I was having issues with schedules with my old one. So I joined LA Fitness and start with their trainers tonight. I like it because I feel there is more of an education component to it then I was getting previously. I have learned so much already just from my evaluation. I was working way too hard on my cardio. Bringing my heart rate too high and wasn't burning fat but lean muscle. I had no idea. I thought as long as I am sweating its all good. Now I am aware of what my heart rate should be and that I have to keep it at that rate or below to keep burning fat. I will continue to learn and hopefully share what works for me here in case it can help someone else. I hope it can. I've been way off track with my eating lately. Starting tomorrow I am going to give up any kind of sugar and not eat after 8pm. I think those are my main problems. Night eating and too many sugar cravings. I know the sugar cravings are because I have been eating too much sugar. Sugar begets more sugar. I am trying to break this vicious cycle. This has been the hardest month so far. My exercise has been not consistent due to scheduling and my own laziness. My bad habits have been rearing their ugly heads left and right. I have excuses for my excuses! It all ends today. Back on the wagon right now. I will see 100lbs gone in the next couple of weeks. I will not go back to that 400lb person. I have control of my destiny!

Thanks everyone! i just went and got a fill today and found out I lost 8lbs this month! I was shocked. I've been an eating machine! I appreciate the comments. I wish you all the best!!!

I have done it several times. You would think I would learn and save half way through. I agree, super frustrating!!!

I had a tight fill on August 4th. The first few weeks or so were rough - eating very little, getting stuck a lot, that subsided about 4 weeks after. 7 weeks after my last fill I felt I needed another. I am going for a fill today- 9 weeks later. I also get super tight around my time of the month. I hope that wasn't confusing - it was confusing to write!

Congratulations on your one year anniversary!