MustangMama

I like the gym... there is always a bit of eye candy to entertain you while you work out. lol

WTG!!!! That is so awesome... what an inspiration.

I have Tricare and didn't have to wait 6 months. I have also had 2 visits with the Nutritionist and the Shrink, but that may be all in the Dr's coding. It was pretty easy... I agree with Dave.

That's awesome Thee-O! Keep up the great work you are inspiring.

Alright... the age old question... How often do you weigh? I have been weighing everyday and the ups and downs are beginning to bug me but I like to know the days I lose so I can look back through my diet/exercise plan and see what all I did the previous day. I just wondered what everyone else out there is doing and how it seems to be working for you.

All I can do is go by my own experience. I am also on Synthroid and in permanent menopause do to chemo and I haven't really had any issues. (So far) I am only 3 weeks post op that may have something to do with it though.

My Dr. runs a Center of Excellence and 6 weeks post op of clears is not the plan that he follows and he is EXTREMELY conservative. In fact... I have never heard of any Dr. doing 6 weeks of clears post op. That is excessive IMO. My Surgeon puts us on 2 weeks of liquids pre-op then 2 weeks of clears post op. Followed by 2 weeks of puree'd foods (what I'm on) then 2 weeks of soft foods. I am finding all Drs are different... but 6 weeks of clears post op is setting up his patients to cheat if you ask me.

I can't remember for sure how much he put in mine but I think it was 3cc's. He did put some in during surgery.

Congrats... and welcome!

lol! This made me chuckle this morning... I sure hope its the first thing you lose. Thanks for the the smile!

I have been reading a lot of negativity on the boards lately and thought I'd start a 'positive thread' for a change. I want to thank each and every member of this forum for inspiring me to take my lap band journey. I have read the good, the bad, and the ugly on this board and must have looked at the before and after pics a million times. I started exercising last week after my post op appt and discovered a strength within myself that I never thought or even dreamed I had. It has not always been a picnic, but when I find myself slipping into a negative frame of mind, I think about my reasons for doing this in the first place... my long term goals and how much I have already changed not just physically but mentally. If I wouldn't have had this surgery... I would be 23lbs heavier right now still sitting in my jammies on the couch with no plan for the day but sleeping and eating. That is no longer good enough for me. I want more... I DESERVE more and so do you. We all have the strength and drive within ourselves to make this work for us. Yeah, there is some food choices we'd rather not make, but if left to our own choices... we'd never change our habits. I am trying to teach my teen daughter that part of growing up is maturing and recognizing... that we may have to make choices in our life that are not fun, tasty, or easy but if she just sticks with it... the rewards will far out weigh any bump she may have to overcome along the way. You never know how strong you can be... until you have to be. Everyone of us has the power within ourselves to live the life we dream of. Some of us will even make it happen. I intend to be one of them. Have a great week everyone. Much love to all my bothers and sistas in the 'Band'. :welldoneclap:

I haven't heard anything about Tricare changing their policy. I was just banded on July 26th and the policy was still the standard one. The best thing I can suggest is call Tricare. They can tell you what they require.

Why do you think you made the wrong decision? When did you have your surgery- How far out from it are you?

BTW... I'm convinced the Elliptical Machine is a product of the devil. lol

I started working out this week after getting my stitches out at my 2 week post op appt. The shrink said we will have the greatest WL the first 6 months after surgery so I decided not to waste another day and to try to take advantage of that. IDK something clicked in my brain.... I worked out on my treadmill all week and today my family and I joined a local gym. Each committing to a 5 day a week workout. We ALL need the exercise and I am looking forward to time spent with them in a healthy environment NOT centered around food. I never thought I would enjoy working out... but I think I finally understand how people can become addicted to it. I feel SO great afterwards. In fact I have to make myself slow down afraid to over do it or burn out too quickly. I sure hope the desire continues... it SURE makes it a lot easier. I am going to check out the Couch to 5k program... Our local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is coming up and I would LOVE to run that bad boy! Last year I walked it as a newly diagnosed patient, (I hadn't even begun my chemo treatments yet) this year... I want to run across that finish line... as a SURVIVOR BAYBEEE!!!! :Banane40:

Congrats!!! WTG :youcandothis:

I'm sure you can use just regular low fat mozzarella cheese, the string cheese is great because of portion control. I layer it. Ricotta on the bottom, spaghetti sauce, then cheese. You can bake or microwave it. Either way its good.

I just started mushies as well and I have to say the fat free ricotta/spaghetti sauce/ low fat mozzarella string cheese bake was YUMMY! I think most bandsters refer to it as some kind of lasagne, but I can see this becoming a staple meal for me not only in mushies but from here out.

I agree with this 100%. I was not happy on the preop diet but by week 2 my body was getting used to controlling hunger with those Protein shakes. I'm now 2 weeks post op and find myself forgetting to 'eat'. I sure hope this lasts! ...lol

Congrats Molly! You are an inspiration!

I had a $200 program fee as well. Looks like its common to have some kind of additional fee.

It could also be an inner ear issue... maybe an infection.

It was pretty easy and relatively fast. All my info is in my sig.

Its crazy but I never thought about my Vitamins having calories and carbs. LOL! Hmmmmmm.... I guess when I'm done I'll be looking for another one.

My doctor isn't picky about Vitamins with his band patients. He just tells us to get a good multi and calcium chew. He wants his bypass patients on Bariatric Advantage though. He prefers the Bariatric Advantage shakes and pushes them hard but not as picky about the vitamins. Go figure. No wonder they tasted good!