Kate rules

Depends on which BCBS plan you have and in what state the plan is administered. My BCBS is DC based and so I had to do a six month diet, which I had already been working on. Decided to get banded in April 2011. First appointment with bariatric surgeon May 2011. Banded July 5. Took that long between insurance approval process, finishing 6 month diet and going through my doctor's rigorous pre-op testing process.

TMI, but I've had multiple occasions to swallow since banding and no problems. But lmao when I read this. Looking back, I could have used this as an excuse for a little while. Wish I had thought of that... great post

I can't drink cold water at the beginning of the day but I can drink it pretty fast otherwise. Should pass right through band unless food in there.

Not sure about # utensils you need but as far as restriction goes, I can tell you that for me, restriction isn't just about how much I eat but about how I eat. I have to eat slowly and chew carefully. There are certain foods that I can't do anymore. Good example: I cannot do a sirloin anymore. Had to switch to filet mignon. I know, twist my arm, but I have trouble with the tougher cuts of beef. I use my toddler's plate as a guide for how much to portion out but still end up scraping food into trash. The amount of restriction you feel after surgery is dependent on a number of factors: swelling and whether your surgeon leaves Fluid in band are two easy ones. I couldn't get more than a tiny sip down for the first two days. After 5 weeks I could eat 2 cups of food. I used small tupperware containers to portion out my post-op mushies and it worked out beautifully. Saved me a ton of money too.

Oh, I do remember the post-op constipation. I did the ex-lax chews, colace, and it basically took a combination of all of that, plus a ton of water. Oh, and pain killers will back you up like nothing else, so if you take a narcotic pain reliever to help get through the eventual marathon bathroom experience and abdominal cramps that accompany a week of no poop, it will only perpetuate the cycle. Remember that you're not eating solid food, so there probably isn't as much waste as we are used to.

I would go back to liquids only for a few days. Your pouch / esophagus is probably irritated (hence the blood) and you don't want to further irritate anything. If you cannot keep liquids in, call your doctor.

VERY slow sips of warm fluid helped me. I was unable to drink cold water for weeks after I was banded. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do about the uncomfortable feeling you have at first. It's just par for the course. After a while, you will be able to drink/eat your mushies and not feel uncomfortable.

I feel you, banded bob, I really do. I work a job that takes a lot out of me and causes me extreme stress, but the money is good, so I keep going in for more. I don't do much booze anymore because of the effect it had on my triglycerides. I'm doing prescription anti-anxiety medicine because the shrink figures now that I am of a healthier weight, the stress will be what prematurely kills me. Stay away from the drinks that involve fruit juices - lots of empty calories there. If you need a mixer, diet cranberry juice is not too bad and will help save some of the calories. I have only had alcohol 4 times since I was banded 6 months ago (OMG, it is 6 months, isn't it) but when I had it I was in a social setting, so I ordered only an appetizer, that I shared with the person next to me, and the alcohol was allowed to have its full effect on me. Also, I mixed hard liquor and beer, which is always interesting. But I've always been a two drinks under the table kind of girl...

This is going to sound completely whack, but I actually ate a TON of food on my cruise back in December and when I got back, I found that I actually broke the plateau that had been holding me at 171 pounds for 3 months. Maybe I just needed to "trick" my body out of starvation mode or something. Anyway, it worked like a charm because I've lost 6 pounds since I left for my cruise on December 11.

Hi guys! My weight loss has been really, really slow but I finally broke my plateau. I'm at 166.8 pounds, the lowest weight in 5 years. I'm hoping for 160 by my birthday in April. Although this is only about 10 pounds since July, I'm ok with this. I've had extreme personal and professional stress since then and I'm sure I would have gained a ton of weight were it not for my lapband. I'm into my size 10 jeans, medium uniform pants, 36DD bras, and wore my favorite size 12 dress on Christmas eve. I'm down (officially from highest weight at dr. office) from 205 to 166.8 since May 17. Hope you all are doing well.

Hi Everyone! I'm still lingering in the 171 pound region, haven't broken through that plateau. Good news is that I have had major NSVs instead, and it helps me know I'm doing something right. I'm wearing my size 10 abercrombie and fitch jeans and my medium uniform pants. Everyone noticed my uniform pants! I was worried they were too tight but my girlfriend at work said they fit great. I really wish I could break 171. Been stuck here for a while. Guess it is time to step up my exercise game. Hoping for you all to be healing, losing & winning! Kate

I had my first fill today. It turns out that my doctor left .8 cc in my band when he did the surgery. The PA added 3 cc to that for a total of 3.8cc in my 10cc band. My band type is "ALS" which is the standard size. Who knew?

My surgeon said he doesn't but I found out that he left some of the Fluid in the band (.8 cc). I'm six weeks post-op and just had 3cc added to my band for a total of 3.8 cc. I am glad he did not do any more than the .8cc because I got "stuck" on Water 5 days post-op - so I had swelling too!

Go see someone you haven't seen since you started losing weight and look forward to the OMG! you will get. I had that happen last night when 2 of my former employees saw me for the first time since April and said "did you lose weight?" Why, Yes I DID!!!

My NUT said carbs beget carbs. In other words, eating carbs is a vicious cycle. You eat them, your body responds by processing the carbs, and then you want more carbs. I am trying not to eat carbs except when necessary. And then, I pair those carbs with high protein foods (mashed potatoes with ham) that help the meal be better for me and stave off the craving for more carbs. I'm not successful all the time but I'm trying.

Maybe u need more calories, around 1200 or so, so your body will not go into starvation mode. Just a thought.

I told everyone I had a hernia repair, which I did. I will eventually tell people about band. It does help that I lost a lot of weight before surgery.

Warning for TMI: has anyone else's sex drive gone through the roof? I'm seriously distracted by this! I'm completely consumed by this spike in my libido. My poor DH doesn't know what to do! I had a very healthy, borderline nympho sex drive when I was thin before. Do you think this is here to stay? Also, my acne has cleared, my monthly cycle was not as painful and long and this is all icing on the cake that has me wanting sex for the first time in a long time. Oh, a weird side effect is my sudden desire to have a baby.

Warning for TMI: has anyone else's sex drive gone through the roof? I'm seriously distracted by this! I'm completely consumed by this spike in my libido. My poor DH doesn't know what to do. This is great exercise, though. Just curious if any of you is having this issue? I remember having the same problem a few years ago when I got really skinny. It didn't go away until I got pregnant and stayed fat. Meanwhile, I feel hormonal changes in regards to my TOM, less acne (yea!) and an out of the blue desire to have a baby. This is insane, but the ride is fun.

BDUs for law enforcement. I graduated to a medium shirt in June but the pants are definitely still a challenge. The large pants are way too big in legs and butt and the waist has 4 inches to spare! But the mediums are just too small in the waist - I think I need another two inches off waist in order to wear. I had to wear civilian clothes for my 3 weeks of limited duty and found myself enjoying my shrinking body! I'm serious, going to my closet is like going to the mall! I found clothes I forgot about and made them look good! I have a super sexy black evening gown that I want to be in by Christmas. Have to be at 155 for that, 16 pounds from where I'm currently sitting.

My practice's PA is out of the office next week so I have to wait an extra week for my first fill. Bummer, I'm hungry!

I don't know if anyone else in our group has had a tummy tuck before now, but I'm realizing mine will need to be touched up. A mini-tuck is in my future!

I don't know if anyone else in our group has had a tummy tuck before now, but I'm realizing mine will need to be touched up. A mini-tuck is in my future!

I don't know if anyone else in our group has had a tummy tuck before now, but I'm realizing mine will need to be touched up. A mini-tuck is in my future!

Want to lose at least 2 pounds more so I can get to a bmi of 30 before my first fill. Unfortunately, with no help from the band, I'm really struggling with that. But I've had NSVs that tell me I'm definitely losing fat, especially around my middle. So, I'm just going to roll with it and see how it goes.