MeredithMcFee

Wondering if there are those on here who were "blessed" {not} with cellulite on their thighs prior to surgery, if so, after losing weight, { I have to lose 75lbs in all} with exercise, has it diminished to some degree? I realize it can be due to many reasons, age, {I'm 57} hereditary, { my mother and her family} and a host of other things. A neighbor of mine who is 59 lost a good amount of weight within the last year on South Beach and she has been spinning and has said she has lost alot of cellulite due to spinning. Being that I'm just 3 weeks out from surgery, down 15lbs, and seeing inches melting away on me, my cellulite looks worse at this moment. I know, in the big scheme of things, losing the weight will be the best part, but just wondering.

I saw this on the news this morning. They actually encourage people over 300+ to come in and get a free triple bypass burger! You would think the photo of the man leaving on a gurney after eating one and going to the hospital would be a wake up call but some people just haven't hit their bottom I guess.

Erin, I had my surgery Jan 27th and feel the same way as you. I feel I can eat normally for the most part but am trying to eat in small increments because I know it's what we need to learn to do. Every so often I feel a restriction from eating something, perhaps I didn't chew it enough but no rhyme or reason. Last night I got Chinese shrimp and had a few which went down with out a problem, then a little later had another one, and either I didn't chew it enough, or I was full and didn't realize it but I had to walk around a bit and walk off the discomfort in my esophagus. Interesting. I'll be interested to hear if anyone else has had the problem we have re: able to eat alot. I have to say, my weight has stayed consistent for the past 3 weeks fluctuating back and forth from a loss of 15-18lbs but I'm also exercising a good 2 miles a day on treadmill and elliptical as well as alternating days with the Leslie Sansone videos. Today I got up to 3 miles in 40 minutes.

Great News here! If I learned anything from my former Employer/Dr, never take "no", "don't", "can't" etc. etc. for an answer. If any of us came back to him re: negative's here, his saying was always, "that's not acceptable". haha. Back to the drawing board we would go and 9 times out of 10, exhausting all avenues, he would get a "yes we can" response. Keep on top of the coordinator to follow through and get the appeal out asap. After all, it's a win-win for you and the surgeon to have the surgery done. Good luck and keep us in the know.

Valentine's day was an odd one for me. I always like to set the table with white plates and red napkins, candles,flowers, etc. and make a nice meal and dessert. Fortunately my DH was scheduled to have arm surgery today and didn't care to have a heavy meal last night or I would have made him something special. We ended up eating in the family room and eating separate meals. He a lean cuisine and me some pureed chicken. It was somewhat anticlimatic for me. However, it was nice to step on the scale this morning and see that the numbers didn't go up but stayed the same. My husband just scheduled his lapband surgery for March 16th so I'm excited about that.

I give you a lot of atta boys for yesterday. Dunkin Donuts is my weakness and I'm not a sugar person perse. On the way home from surgery, not eating for a good 36 hrs, there's a DD on the way home that is on the corner next to a traffic light. Typically, it's a right on red but for some unknown reason, we had to sit and wait for the light to turn green. Not easy sitting there looking at DD and all that it had in there. AND red velvet cakes of any kind, omg, that would've killed me there and I would've broken down for sure. You go girl!

Nicole, I am sooooo a "music" person. I have a playlist just for exercise music and you are correct, as soon as I plug in my Ipod, I am dancing to get into my gym clothes. I've been on the treadmill and elliptical everyday now for a week, powerwalking/jogging for a good 35 min. And the beat goes on........

I'm sorry. It sounds like you exhausted all avenues.

I would ask to speak to a supervisor. I work in medicine and understand how that all goes. Until you hear it from someone higher up, I wouldn't stop there. Good luck.

Elizabeth, how funny is that? Do you think the hospital was in cahoots with the commercial in some way or another to give you the incentive for the future? haha Notice, I'm still online here, haven't gotten on my treadmill but now have Nutrisystem on now. Ugh! I was slow moving today and now I need to get my butt off the chair and get on the treadmill. How are you feeling? I hope you're getting better with the antibiotics.

I'm on the back end of the month, only 2.5 weeks out PO. My 2nd f/u appt with my surgeon will be this Thursday. I was told at that time I would find myself being more hungry but still will have to wait the 5-6 week fill. I'm learning alot from those of you who are a few weeks ahead of me, re: exercise, drinking, and breaking down and having cravings. I am a salty person. Sweets are not my major issue. Speaking of GS cookies, a week after I had my surgery 3 Girl Scouts came ringing my doorbell! ha! I bought the cookies and told them once I pay for them, they can have them! Even though I'm a "salty", that doesn't mean I won't eat the sweets! I also do jogging/power walking on the treadmill and realize it might be a little too much for me as it takes a lot out of me after I shower and ready to get on with the day. I too think I'm burning more calories and not taking in enough calories. I've also been reminded on here that the first month is for healing, not totally losing weight and I guess I just have to be patient and just walk on the treadmill. Doesn't help that while I'm writing this, Brazillian Butt lift and Zumba is on TV! I can't wait until I can really rev up the workout and that's a good thing.

Call the dr's office and ask them for the CPT code {computer procedure code} and ICD.9 code {diagnosis code} used for the lapband surgery. The codes describes the particular procedure and the reason for it. Call your insurance company and ask them if those codes are covered under your program. Ideally, try to find a surgeon who participates in your plan so as not to have to put any or little money out for the surgery. After that, if you schedule with a surgeon, you'll be required to go through pre-op testing with other specialists. Do your homework and find a specialist who also participates with your insurance to keep any additional costs down. Good luck.

Elizabeth, I'm so sorry to hear this. I was actually wondering about you as I haven't seen you on here. I was actually going to check in with you today but got busy cleaning. Do what ever the Dr tells you do too. Do the antibiotics bother you stomach with all that's going on?

Although I'm just 2 weeks out today from having the surgery, I agree with Jean. I am a thyroid Cancer survivor 8 yrs out and was fortunate to find a wonderful and knowledgeable thyroid support group online such as this. I was on there day and night learning all about the disorder and now years' later, I throw an eye in there every so often. I help out if it's something I can relate to, if not, I just keep up with things. There have been times when I've had an issue and I was right back on there looking for an answer or get some grasp of it prior to seeing my doctor. I'm just grateful for all those who have gone on this journey before me who are still here helping us out with tidbits of their journey whether we can use it or not. From what I see, there's so much positive on here then negative. The glass is half full or for me, 3/4 full! Jean, I just ordered your book yesterday and can't wait to get it to learn from your journey.

I too was banded the same day as you and so far, I don't see much negativity. I even opted out of going to the first support group meeting tonight as I feel I get more out of this group, good, bad or indifferent. Basically, I take what I need, if it applies, and leave the rest for someone else to learn from.

I had a total hysterecotomy when I was 36 and I have to tell you, my TOM was and still is the EOM. {end of the month}. I don't have to know the date but when the 25, 26th comes around, I know why I was always craving chocolate, mainly funny bones. I am not a sweet eater, and after many years of fighting the will, I just go with it. Milk and funny bones, chips and whatever else for a few days. Then it's over. However, just having the lap band, ironically at the EOM of January, I have to see how things go at the end of Feb. It's in my head and will always be there. I wouldn't worry about it, it too shall pass. Except it and then get back to eating more healthy the rest of the month. It's not worth the stress. Good luck.

Thank you both for your suggestions. I will try them both.

so I can see my progress. I had one on my old laptop but can't transfer it for some reason, that I liked. I pulled up the site but no longer available. I'm not the sharpest tool in the box when it comes to technology but I can learn a few tunes if it's easy. Any suggestions here? I'd be grateful to you.

I'm in the same boat with you re: fatigue. I had sooo much energy yesterday, didn't sleep much last few nights but last night especially, Got up at 6.30 this morning, totally not me, and was wide awake, putzed around finally finishing the laundry, took a shower, got dressed, made my list of errands to do and had to sit down a few minutes before going out. Got out, was out about 2 hrs or so and had one more stop and I just went home. I hit the proverbial brick wall. I was grouchy, hungry, achy and just plain ol' crabby, I fell asleep on the couch until my beloved cat Max, hopped up on my stomach, yep right near the port which didn't help the situation but I was ok. Went back to sleep and just woke up to have an early dinner as I'm doing my best to get out and go on a movie date with my husband. Hoping I don't fall asleep during the movie and start snoring! Like Elizabeth said, "one day at a time", sometimes, one minute, one hour... I'm down 13 lbs and glad all this is not for naught. :-)

I'm 8 days out and feeling better. Didn't have any gas pains throughout but just tender, sore and tired for the most part in the abdomen area. Now that all seems to be disappearing. Now itchy which is a good sign that the scars are healing.

Hi Elizabeth, glad to see you back on here. I was thinking about you. I believe what Grinder said re: all the meds in our bodies from the anesthesia, etc. Those first few days were ups & downs for me for the most part.Tired, sore, didn't sleep well because I couldn't get comfortable. Actually, the port started to bother me Wed and I was concerned. However, after seeing the Dr for my F/U visit Thursday he assured me it was all do to swelling, etc. Now, I don't feel the pain/discomfort anymore, nor the port for that matter. I felt good on Tuesday and overdid some things and BAM! that seemed to set me back a day or so. Yesterday, I felt good all day and even had a spring in my step after food shopping. I had the energy to come home and finally get my house in order here as I had let it go for days which it was hard for me to sit on the sidelines, and look at but had no energy to do so and excepted it. Age brings wisdom. :-) I even got my Ipod out and danced to the music last night for a good half hour which felt so good to do. Hopefully, by Monday, you too will be seeing an improvement.

Bev712: Gotta love your sense of humor. I opted out of going to my sister's superbowl party just for this reason, and I'm ok with it. I was never a football sports fan, I always went for the food and the wives' commaradirie for the most part. I know it's a silly decision as we can't allow food to control our lives like we've had in the past however, being a week out of surgery, I'm going to sit this party out and root for the NYG on my couch with my DH and my pureed foods and protein drinks. This way, I will truly be able to enjoy the game without any food obsessions in my way. That's a good thing. Hope your team wins!

Today was the best day for me so far. A week ago after having surgery. Had more energy, more bounce in my step, and got alot done today. Hoping that this feeling continues in the day's to come. Wishing all well to all of our January bandsters. Superbowl Sunday awaits us. Anyone invited or having a Superbowl party? I was invited to my sister's but declined. Not ready to be around all that food just yet although I think I will be fine, why chance it?

Newbe: You're doing better then me. I didn't feel like doing any exercise until Tues, 3 days after surgery. I did 15 min on the treadmill. Afterwards, overdid it getting some things done around here and hung out yesterday. Today, stood for an hour ironing some clothes. Feeling better and stronger today so I will get back on track tomorrow morning on the treadmill and make it a daily occurrance. Keep it going!

thanks for the idea. And when you don't have time to go out for Chinese, just drop an egg or two into a hot chicken broth, swirl it around with a fork until it's cooked and and some minced garlic for extra taste. That's good too. I just got some steamed shrimp and broccoli and thought about getting the soup but wasn't sure. Had two pieces of shrimp and will puree the broccoli tomorrow.