pink dahlia

i attend a water fitness class at the Y 3x a week. Great work out but very easy on my joints. A definite help for my weight loss. Love it !

I have'nt tried Morning Star but i do get a yummy one at Costco, just dont get the Dr. Praguers brand, it was horrible ! A good veggie burger just hits the spot !

i get almost all of my protein from food, and only have a homemade protein shake maybe once a week. I drink a "Boost protein drink" almost every A.M. then add in a during the day more protein sources like peanut butter, chicken teriyaki meatballs, beans , nuts, hard boiled eggs, turkey burger, fish etc. Every little bit helps . Good luck !

Honey,............. if youre eating "too much " and have "no control " could it be because you need a fill ? Make an appt with your Dr. , NOW........... Once you have the proper amt of restriction you wont be thinking of or eating the wrong foods, because you literaly wont be able to ! Im getting my 7th fill tomorrow (im singing), tommorrow !!!!!!!!!!!! Get back on track so you can talk about being a success story ! Good luck, you can SO do this !!

Honey, stop waffling already ! Sounds like you've done ENOUGH research ! As far as complications go, well i ve had more "complications " with a root canal than i did the band ! i was misreable, overweight , out of shape and could not get the scale to go down more than 12 lbs even with a year of Weight Watchers ! I thought i would be obese for the rest of my life ! The kicker came when my hubby mentioned one night that his sister and her hubby were going to get Lapbands in the next few weeks ? (June 2011) I thought " Lap band ? Oh yeah, i kinda remember seeing ads in the magizines for lapbands !" But it literaly NEVER crossed my mind that I would get one ! So the inlaws answered my questions, i did ALL my research and got banded In December because I knew this was the answer to my obesity ! BEST. DECISION. EVER.

I agree with ajtexas0, its normal to want to be noticed in a positive way by people. Who doesnt love a sincere, positive compliment ?? When i was heavier i sure as heck didnt get the compliments im getting now ! ( Pardon me, but Holy Crap ! ) Not a week goes by that somebody doesnt say something nice, so that makes me feel good about my hard work, and sticking with it even during the hard times. So far ive been called skinny, skinny butt, smokin' ( are you talking to me ??? ) and recently a manager who has barely spoken to me in 2 yrs stopped me last week and complimented me on my weight loss and asked how much ive lost, etc ... (45 lbs). Now he smiles at me and calls me Slim ! Hello ? I like to be noticed by others as much as the next girl, but you have to ask yourself if you're really happy or unhappy with your relationship and not base your answer on just the compliments you are getting from other men. good luck !

I went Christmas shopping 3 days after being banded, but it was only to 3 stores next to each other and for one hour. Just being outside for a little walking and fresh cool air did wonders for me , as did a hot shower. I went back to work feeling 100 % fine 7 days after i was banded.

I would not of told anyone, family, friends or co workers had i not been 100% sure i would of gotten a supportive reaction from most of them. I got nothing but support from all of them. my family knows my past history of weight struggles, and were behind me all the way. My co workers were mildly interested, asked a few normal healthy questions and basicaly said "good for you !" I get asked about it occasionly, answer the questions happily , and move on to the next subject. I think if you approach the subject with a positive attitude, lots of knowledge, and "can do " attitude people will respond in kind. If not, oh well ! thats their problem !!!

funnyface, i agree. i couldnt stand another liquid on the post op diet, so i cheated with a spoonful of tuna with a little mayo. Heaven !

that was hubby -US Marines- 1977-1981

Me- US Army 1977-1980, Husband- US Marines, 1977-198, Son 2.5 yrs Airforce

Hi and welcome ! I have BCBS too, and didnt have a waiting period either. I was approved very quickly after my paperwork was sent in and i jumped through all the insurance hoops .Im very grateful they paid 100 %. My paperwork was sent in end of last Sept and i think i was approved about 3-4 weeks later. I was banded last December, and its been a great journey so far . Down 45 lbs, going for my 7th fill on Monday, still have about 35-50 lbs to go. Hope all goes well for you ! Good luck !

I had the exact same problem. I was told this is normal, the nurse told me the saline settles in the nooks and crannys sometimes so thats why i suddenly was hungry after not being hungry for 2 weeks. ( 3rd fill) same prob now after my 6th fill so im going for a 7th next week. She said everybodys different, you just have to go with what YOUR body wants and needs.

You dont mention any exercise, are you doing anything like zumba, biking, running etc ?? I was banded last December, im down 46 lbs and its been slow but steady because of exercising ( Swim fitness class ) 3x a week plus occasional walking. Made a huge difference in my weight loss, and watching my clothes get looser and looser did wonders for my self esteem too. also , i temporarily reached the green zone at my 3rd fill, then it went away after about 2 weeks. The nurse said this was normal, sometimes the saline settles in the nooks and crannys. So i had a 4th, and a 5th and finally hit the green zone again on the 6th fill for about 4 weeks. Now im due for my 7th fill next week. You may or may not have these same issues but stick with it ! The band DOES work ! Talk to your Dr if you're still not getting anywhere in a few weeks . Good luck !

Be patient, you didnt gain that weight overnight and youre not going to lose it overnight either. It may take awhile to feel restriction, but thats normal. Once you do you'll only be able to eat a small portion of what you can eat now. That will help with the weight loss, but so will making healthy choices which you can start with NOW ! Fill up on protein 1st, then your fruits and veggies, and if there is any room left over, carbs. Once you're full, STOP EATING. You'll see the scale move when you add exercise. Something is better than nothing . You'll get out of the band what you put into it. Good protein sources- chicken, beef, turkey burger, beans, etc.. ... Im down 46 lbs in 7 months, the band DOES work ! Good luck !

If you try salmon make sure you buy only" fresh caught not" farmed" salmon. Farmed salmon is salmon that is raised in fish pens where the fish all swim around in the dirty water and absorb all their own body waste through their gills. It can taste "dirty." Fresh caught is just that, and taste 100 % better. We just barbq or broil ours with a mix on it of low fat mayo, a little brown sugar and a dash or two of no salt seasoning. Yum ! Also try for protein ideas- turkey jerky, raw nuts, hard boiled eggs, Bruce Aidells teriyaki chicken meatballs, or low fat peanut butter. Good luck !

i didnt want bypass because i didnt want my insides rerouted, so i only researched lapband. i was very comfy with my decision and was banded last December. Down 45 lbs with no complications. I love carbs too, but the less i eat them the less i crave them. I still eat a little everday, usually wheat thins . I still think getting banded was the best decision i ever made because my life has changed for the better 100 %. i have a co worker who had gastric bypass 2 yrs ago, all she talks about is what she can and cant eat. Its a never ending story . Me ? i still can eat about 95 % of what i ate before and it just keeps getting better and better. I have more energy, look and feel better and my recovery time was so quick ! Operation, recovery and time to get homewas 5 hrs. Back to work in 7 days ! Easy !!! Hope this helps ! good luck !

Past experience has told me that just because a Dr. had M.D. after his/her name doesnt make them know everything, it means just means they are a Medical Doctor. Go with a Dr that will support you and your decisions asbout YOUR body, because its your life and health that you have to live with. Good luck !

you'rev awesome ! keep up the good work because you look amaaaaaazing !!!!

I keep prepared snacks around so if i make a poor choice i have something ready to go the next time im tempted. Baby carrots, raw nuts , apple slices and veggie chips are some favorites. Also sourdough toast crisps with skinny cow cheese really can hit the spot ! Good luck !

Oh yes it is groundbreaking news !!!!!! congratulations !( Did you reaaaallllly think it was the chair itself ? Hilarious !!!)Thats a great NSV ! Wait until you can paint your own toenails finally . Thats fun too !! Congrats !

I will support you in whatever you decide is best for you, so here goes. 1. Hate to break the news to you, but at 5'2, 195 lbs, yes you are "morbidly obese !" 2. You should'nt feel any guilt for taking a step (lap band) in the right direction, you're just not taking the more common step (diet and exercise). 3. Lapband is no more a "cop out" for weight loss than insulin is for diabetes. Both are made to fix a medical problem that your body cant fix by itself. And 4. after watching my late mother in law NOT take charge of her diabetes, she passed away 2 yrs ago after a long and difficult battle that could of been avoided had she managed it well. Watching the family deal with her passing has not been easy, so i encourage you to deal with your health and diabetes while you still can. I have no diabetes in my family , but we're on intimate terms with cancer. One reason i had lap band was to lessen my chances of getting cancer, and should i get it anyway(a high probability) i want to be strong and healthy enough to fight it off. ( My Dr. agrees) So, go. get. banded. already.good luck !

i follow myfitnesspal and try to keep to 1400 cals daily. That bein said, i eat when im hungry, and eat healthy 95% of the time. So for me thats 3 small meals and 3 snacks daily. works for me !!

well you're being banded on my birthday, so im sending you lots of luck ! I did my research too and feel the same way you did, slow but sure weight loss, non invasive, and follow the rules 95 % of the time. The results ?? i was banded Dec 13th, 2011, and as of today ive lost 45 lbs, and hope to hit 50 lbs by my bday. I have a 7th fill coming up next week, i try to make good food choices, and i exercise 3x a week. So yes, im thrilled with my weight loss and would do it again in a heartbeat.!!! Daily life just gets better and better, i ve gone from a heavy 225 lbs, size 18-1x to a slim size 14, i get compliments almost daily, i feel great knowing that im going to continue to succeed and reach my goal of 140 ! SO GO FOR IT !!! GOOD LUCK !!!

waitingpatiently- you're awesome ! i would love to see a recent pic of you ! You must feel bootyful !!!! I cant wait until i can get in a size 10 ! as for my best nsv 's ? I have a couple...............being able to paint my own toenails, sliding on a size 14 skinny jean and a female coworker (also banded) telling me "your ass looks amazing ! " ( hilarious laughter included !), A co worker of my hubbys telling my hubby 3 months after i was banded" your wife didnt need wls, she looks great !", and my all time favorite............ a younger than me, cute long time male customer who commented on my weight loss and added "girl , you are smokin !!!!" It has been a looooooooooong time since anyone thought of me as "smokin !" I could of cried. Instead i just said Thank you ! (and blessed him !)