crzytchr

People are just different. My friend was banded 2 weeks before me by the same surgeon. She has had numerous fills and unfills (now at 8ccs), while I have only had 2 small fills, each only 1cc. She even kept her entire fill during her pregnancy and is going in on Thursday for another! My stomach is just sensitive. I get a little tighter if I have any stress at all and then have to be careful when I eat. I do, however, think I am ready for a very small fill now.

It strictly depends on your insurance company/group policy. I had BCBS of Louisiana, but it depended on the requirements my employer placed on it that determined the hoops I had to jump through, which were very few. I had to have 5 year weight history which was obtained through various medical charts and a BMI of 40 or higher with co-morbidities. They also asked for previous weight loss attempts, but I didn't have to have verification of it. I attended a seminar at the end of May in '08 but didn't even call the surgeon's office for a consult until June 23, I was approved June 26, did all my pre-op and had surgery on July 14th. It took a total of 3 weeks from the phone call to my surgery. As far as time off of work, I would suggest at least a week, if you can. It depends on the demands of your job. I am a teacher, and I had my during summer break. You aren't going to feel like going to work when you are on the liquid post-op diet. You don't have much energy and you really need some rest. If you have a job that is physically demanding, you may need 3 weeks off or a "return to work with restrictions". I was told not to lift anything over 15 lbs for 3 weeks. Problems that went away: -had sleep apnea(undiagnosed, but would wake up GASPING for air); this is gone -GERD, gone -joint pain, gone

Tracy, it just started snowing here, too!!! I am so freaking cold. That is so sad about your dr's wife. It is so difficult to know what to say or what you can do for someone when they are in pain. Kat, sorry Rick has to be gone. I HATE when my husband has to work out of town! Sometimes it can't be prevented, but it doesn't mean we have to like it. Suzie, it sounds like you enjoyed your anniversary dinner and you certainly deserved it. This has been a strange week. We got back from Universal late Saturday, Monday was my birthday (42nd), Tuesday was my wedding anniversary (19th) and I had a technology conference today. I have not stopped!! I am going to bed in a minute and crash! Goodnight all!

You should call first thing in the morning. You don't want the weekend to hit with you not being able to get liquids in. The unfill should allow whatever it is to pass and then you just need to wait for the swelling to subside. Good luck and after the unfill, you can maybe try some children's motrin to help with the swelling. If it wasn't so thick, I would suggest trying it now, but you may not be able to get it down.:w00t:

I have been gone for a week and I came in to check on you, and it sounds like you are doing amazing. Congratulations! I would love to be able to have ps in about a year, and you have given some wonderful advice that I will be sure to remember. Oh, and a 6-pack! AMAZING!!:Yawn:

I sure WISH I had money or access to a good plastic surgeon. Notice how nastily puffy I am. I consumed so much salt I am retaining fluid like a camel. Our drive home today was a nightmare. I was behind the wheel for 14 hours. My husband would drive, but I would rather do it myself. The first 50 miles of the trip home took 2 1/2 hours to drive!!!! I thought I was going to lose my mind.:sad::Yawn: Ok, no more ranting. We got home less than an hour ago, I immediately jumped into the shower to wash that awful drive off of me, and I am now headed to bed. Monday morning I will assess the damage to my weight loss that was done during the trip. Goodnight!

OMG, I have missed so much. Sickness, hope Rick is feeling better, Suzie, it sounds like you are better, and Tracy, child's feelings are better? I have been in Florida since Sunday. My family and I have been going to Universal Studios. It rained Wednesday, but the other days have been ok. Today, it was actually cold, so all of the pictures have us in jackets! Oh, and as a note to all bandsters...our bands and ports do NOT like all rides. OMG, the dinky little Jimmy Neutron ride almost killed me. I was in so much pain last night. It is only a simulated ride where you watch a movie and the seat moves around. I normally LOVE those, but this one was really bumpy. Near the end of the ride, it has you doing the "chicken dance" and the dang thing hops up and down for the clapping. It hurt me bad! Anyway, I am trying to attach a few pics. The one of me is on the fish ride and I am trying to stay dry with my hood on.

Is it Lena Horne?

Thanks, Irene. I watched a LOT of Little Rascals when I was little.

Alfalfa? :thumbup:

Good luck today!

Outburst!? Crap, I missed that, switching over to see the DWTS elimination... Dangit!

Rebecca. It was between her and Liz.

Donna! How the heck have you been? I was wondering where you were, been missing you on the july thread.

What kind of preop is your surgeon requiring? Although I think it is a wonderful idea, you may want to not start anything until your preop diet is supposed to start. You are going to be on liquids for a while post op and it is important that you stay on it then. I would hate for you to be so sick of not eating by then, that you get tempted to cheat. Think about it. :w00t:

Welome. This thread isn't very active anymore, but you may get some who respond. I am sorry to hear you are experiencing problems. Be sure you are chewing your Proteins properly. If you are, and you are still having problems, you are probably a little too tight. Sometimes you only need a very small amount taken out to make a big difference. You aren't going to want to eat proper foods when it makes you feel like crap. Also, isn't Alka Seltzer really fizzy? If so, you may want to try to find something else to help with the heartburn. Good luck.

Absolutely beautiful!

Kat: SNAKE IN THE TOILET!!!!????!!!! No way, no how. OMG! :wink2:

Deekel: it sound like you are doing great. You are making healthy choices, although, watch out for the Pasta after you get restriction. It can be tricky. I only eat whole wheat spaghetti now. You will probably see results on the scale by the time you go back to the doctor. To be honest, it sounds like you are eating amounts you will be for a while. The amounts of food probably won't change from what you are eating now, but with restriction, it will keep you full for longer. sfchick: if you are exercising hard, make sure you calories are reflecting that. If you don't eat enough, your body will hold onto every bit you put in. Also, take a look at the amounts of food you are eating and how long it keeps you satisfied to determine if you need a fill. Don't think just because you feel normal, and not stuck, that you need to add more. It sounds like you are on the path to being a very successful bandster. Keep up the exercising!:wink2:

Well, I think Disney still has 4 different parks, PLUS a water park. It takes a minimum of a day to do each one. Also you have to schedule time to see the shows. The only one that is a MUST is the Lion King. The rest can be left alone. It is just so darn expensive, that we would rather do Universal. It is easier to cover in a quick amount of time and my kids are past the Mickey stage. They would rather just ride the rides. For 7 days at Disney it is 280 per person at Universal it is 99 per person.

How long ago did you weigh that, Tracy? I ask, because I am also 5'6", weigh 217 now and I am wearing the smallest LB size and it is getting too big. I can already shop in regular stores. It seems they are making clothes bigger now. Until now, the last time I was a 14/16 was in 1990, so it has been a while! I have set my personal goal at 175. That will put me in a 12 or 14.

Tracy: we are going to Universal Studios, Orlando. We are kind of excited about it. Universal is cheaper than Disney and can be covered completely in 2 days. We haven't been in over 4 years, so there are quite a few new things added since then. A part of me wanted to wait until spring, because they are opening the big Harry Potter/Diagon Alley attraction, but it will probably be a madhouse there for the first year.:biggrin:

Please do keep us updated. Sometimes people think you must starve to lose, but many times it is the opposite. As long as you are adding foods that are nutritious, most people will lose at 1200 per day. I eat 1200-1500 every day. My weight loss is very slow now and I should add exercise, but I am still losing.

Nah, no fallout. I am sorry you had to work, so did I. I taught about Veteran's Day to my students today and why it is celebrated. It is sad how many of them had no idea what it was about. :biggrin:

Ok, yeah it is all in your head, but I completely understand. I started as a tight 26/28 and I am now a 14/16. I still see fat when I look in the mirror, because well, I AM still fat. It took a while, but I realize that even though I still have more weight to lose, I look a heck of a lot better than I did. I feel phenomenal and I am more confident. I just still have moments when I don't see a difference, and THAT is all in my head.