crzytchr

Heather, I am so sorry about your band trouble and the fact that the doctor let it go on for so long. Babies are very worth it, but yeah, they are pushing and kicking on EVERYTHING. Your hormones are out of wack, but if the weepiness continues, please speak to your doctor about it. You have had a birth and then another surgery back to back. Be careful. You don't want postpartum depression to get a firm hold on you. I hope you recuperation from surgery is quick. I will be praying for your recovery.

That is incredible, DIVA! Those workouts combined with the WW seems to be the right balance for you. What kind of elliptical do you have? I am looking into buying one, because I let my gym membership expire. It was almost $90 a month that wasn't being used, because I didn't want to fight the traffic everyday in Baton Rouge to get to it.

Yeah, that cheese product is nasty, and don't even get me started about Velveeta.:biggrin: I haven't had that since I left my parents' house. You have to buy the deluxe American to get cheese. Oh, and the white cheddar is very tasty.

I love pb on toasted whole wheat bread, but I can't always tolerate it and I don't have real tight restriction. You may want to wait, or at least be willing to stop eating it, no matter how tasty, if you feel there is a problem at all.

Mine was also done at 4 weeks, and I had no problems with it.

Did the band come primed, maybe? Otherwise, I have no clue. I am also extremely sensitive to fills. I was banded over a year ago and have only had 2 small fills and the last one was in November! I am just satisfied with the level of restriction I have and have no desire to be any tighter. Just take it slow when you start your fills again. Good luck and I hope your swelling goes down soon.

You may think you are struggling, but you are closer to your goal than I am to mine!!!! You just had less to lose than I do. As far as calories, I normally eat 1200-1500 per day. Sometimes I go below and at least 1 day a week I hit about 1600. I am satisfied so far with my weight loss, have very recently ended a 3 month plateau and I eat most foods that I want, just a lot less of it! Good luck in your journey and Celebrate your accomplishments!:biggrin:

BCBS Lousiana...took one day, approval

Let me know how it comes out, either here or the master thread. I hope it tells you that you can eat more.

Dang, Charlene. Did the nutritionist say you weren't supposed to go over 1000? I eat 1200-1500 per day.

Do you journal your foods daily? If so, how many calories do you consume each day? You may be surprised to find out you aren't eating enough. If you are RUNNING 4-5 times per week, your calorie intake should probably be around 1500 maybe a little higher per day. If you are lower than that, try adding some healthy foods, maybe 2 extra Snacks per day that are healthy choices and see if it helps.

As others have said, it is all about the hoops your insurance company makes you jump through. Also, having a good case manager at the surgeon's office helps. Mine had my surgery approved in a few days and I had surgery less than a month after my first call to the surgeon's office. My friend, that I work with, had the same insurance and had the same experience. She was banded two weeks before me. If you can document a 5 year weight history, it helps. I had all of that and co-morbidities, so it was quick. Good luck.

Isn't Amy the most fabulous person?!!!!:thumbup: Yes, read her blog. She is funny and uplifting.

I was banded a little over a year ago. I was 40 years old and it was my first surgery, so I was TERRIFIED! It has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. I realized after 2 months and 30 lbs that I no longer hurt every single morning when I woke up. I used to hurt so bad I almost cried just getting out of bed. I was also on Nexium daily for GERD. This is now non-existent. I only have the occasional bout of heartburn. I went from a tight 26/28 to a 14/16. I wore a 6T blue right fit jeans (from LB) and now I wear the 1T blue. I have not regretted this for one single moment!

I added you. You just need to update the info when it changes.

:wink2: Y'all are killing me!

You can definitely have a complete unfill. People do it all the time for various reasons. You sound like you are still too tight, and that isn't a good way to stay. Get the unfill, let the swelling in your stomach subside, and then evaluate where you are with your band. If you feel you can eat too much and are gaining, you can always get a small fill.

At my school the teachers stay with their students during lunch. We have approximately 15-20 minutes of actual eating time (this is why I drink soup each day). The students need to eat during the first 10 min. and then they are allowed to talk after they are finished eating. This insures that they don't get so involved in conversations that they forget to eat. Our cafeteria is never silent. I would be slightly frightened if I ever walked in and heard a pin drop, and the sitting on one side of a table is creepy.

What an amazing job! WTG!

Bump! GhostHunters come on in a few minutes and it made me think of this thread. Anyone have any stories?

I totally feel you on this. I haven't worn short sleeves in over 6 months!!!

I was on Nexium daily prior to my banding. I didn't take anything at all for GERD again until a month ago. Now, I take something only if I eat too late at night for occasional heartburn.

Yes, I am a teacher and I returned to work on Aug. 10th! We start sooooo early down here. I handle the teacher's room by staying out of it. It isn't hard since I teach elementary and I don't really have breaks! I also eat with the students, so I don't have the ability to have a relaxed lunch where I can actually take time and chew my food. So, I eat breakfast at home and for lunch I just have a Campbells soup-at-hand. I can just drink it. Then, while I watch my students at recess, I eat a protein added chewy bar. For dinner, I usually just eat whatever hubby cooks (lucky thing gets home before I do!) On the way home I also usually get my Starbucks drink. Good luck on returning to school and pack healthy snacks to keep you from grabbing donuts from the lounge!

It is different for everyone. Some people take 3 or more fills to have any decent restriction, but I had a little restriction just from having the band placed. But, more than that, I would place the amount I was SUPPOSED TO EAT on my plate and I ate it slowly, as instructed. I found that by the time I finished, I was satisfied. Not stuffed, but satisfied. You will need to practice a little self control until you get restriction. The band helps, but it won't do it all for you. I have only had two small fills in a little over a year. I can eat almost anything I want, just a lot less of it. Some people like to be fairly tight, but I don't.

I love, love, love taco soup. I make mine in the crockpot and use black beans in addition to the others. I serve it with ff sour cream and reduced fat cheddar. It is super yummy!!!