waitingpatiently

hi bdb86- I would love to be your buddy! I am always looking for someone to share experiences with. I was banded march 19 so I'm almost 2 months out. I have lost about 35 pounds and look forward to seeing 199 in the next few days. Inbox me and we can chat. Good luck!

I'm so sorry!! I know that is flustrating!!--My girlfriend an I started this journey about the same time. I was approved rather quickly and she was turned down. Insurance decided they wanted a 6 month supervised diet instead of a 3 month...good thing she took my advise and continued her monthly visits until she got word from the insurance company she only had to go 2 more times instead of 4. She just turned in her packet for the second time and just found out they are denying her again because a PA over saw her visits instead of the actual physican. Thats crazy!! why didn't they mention that the first time? Now she is in appeals her gp doctor said he would sing off on the paperwork, but the insurance said it didn't matter she has to start over! thats crazy!!

I had to break the carb (sugar addiction) I went several weeks of depriving myself of the carbs untill finally I realized I wasn't craving them like I was before. For me, I stayed away completely from Desserts for several months. Now I will allow myself a day or two a month to eat something sweet. I have found now that I have broke the addiction sweet things I used to eat/drink now are TOO sweet...like mcdonalds sweet tea!!love it never thought that it was too sweat...now every now and then I will have one but I have them mix it with 1/3 sweet and 2/3 unsweet....and I'm good. Or when I have coffee I would use 4-5 real sugar packs....now 1 truvia and I'm good. I have also found when I eat something too rich...even a couple of bites it turns my stomach. But I have learned to like several desserts that are low sugar/carb and I'm satisfied completely.

I eat 800-1000 calories a day (depending on if I exercise or not) and keep my Protein at at atleast 60grams and my carbs to below 35. I have done this since December and average about 2 pounds a week loss. Once a month I will allow myself a couple of days to eat those things that I have restricted.... like sweet potatoes, oatmeal , english muffins and such....not junk food. and will increase my calories to 1000-1300 (depending on if I exercise) and up my carbs to 100.----Doing this for just those two days, usually stops the scale and I won't loose a pound that week. I know some people eat a lot more calories and maybe if I exercised as much as they do, I would need more. But prior to December I would eat around 1200 calories a day with very little exercise ( walking about 2-3 times a week) and I actually would consistently gained about a 3/4 a pound a month. So......Apparently my body is super effient and doesn't need a lot of calories to maintain itself.

I was told not to use the gummies. I use the vitactiv calcium and flintstones chewables for a daily vitiamin. The vitactiv will actually dissolve in your mouth as you chew them. As for the dehydration---I was on the same schedule. When you leave the hospital they have pumped you up with a lot of fluids to help keep you from dehydrating. The 1 oz every 15 mins is to keep you from gulping the fluids down. Just keep sip, sip sipping all day and you should be able to get the 64 oz in. I rotated between Water, broth, and the New whey Protein (its like kool-aid). I also used the unjury chicken broth....it has like 22 grams of protein in a cup. I also found that I did better with room temp or even warm beverages than I did with the ice cold stuff. The warmer stuff seemed to relax my stomach muscles. Hang in there it will get better....but just remember if you have any concerns....call your doctors office....thats what they are there for.....make them work for their big bucks!!

Just try to take it slow. We all get very excited when we make the dicision to get the band and jump in with both feet first. You are smart to start making changes now so it doesn't feel as if everything changes at one time. Just remember for some the inability to stay on a strict diet is the reason they seek the band. If you are one of those individuals, then you are just repeating the same problem that you have had all along. So don't beat yourself up about it. Try changing just one thing a week. Stop drinking sodas, start making sure you are getting 70g of Protein every day, start cutting out bad carbs, .....if you do these things one at a time you might not feel as if you are dieting so much...but just making life style changes. I will also tell you, from my personal experience....I wish I would have exbraced the high protein/ low carb thing a long time ago. Before surgery. I think I might have been able to keep a lot of weight off years ago. I know for some people it hasn't been as sucessful, but for me...my body loves it!! And responds well. Even the Protein shakes...as much as I don't "love" the way they taste, they sure do help with hunger. They may be something worth trying before you get the band as well. Good luck...if you eve need to talk, just inbox me.

I never found a Protein power I actualy like...so I went to trying to cover up the taste altogether. I now use the sf syrups. Here is one of my favorites. Tastes like the icedd coffees at starbucks. 1oz sf vanilla 1 oz sf caramel 4oz favorite coffee (mine is keurigs butter toffeee) 2 oz milk 1 scoop protein power (I use jilliann micheals vanilla) Bleanderize with LOTS of ice. I can't taste the protein at all!!

Sorry Larry I forgot to check in on Sunday. It wasn't such a good week in the weight loss dept. But it sure was a great week in the bahamas!! So I was 205 on Sunday. Thats about a 4 pound gain....really thought I would have maintained. I tried so hard to be good on the cruise ship. But I guess that isn't too bad....could have been worse. And as of today (wednesday) I'm back to 201 (the same weight I was the day before the cruise)!! So it really just cost me two weeks of weight loss.....It was worth it.

Here's my list: Just remember, every docor is different when it comes to what they consider stage 1 or stage 2 ect. This is just a list f suggestions don't feel as if you need to buy every item on the list.Hope it helps. If you want me to email you a list just inbox me. General Items to Have on Hand Digital scale Blender (consider the ones that you can blend using a travel mug) I bought this one at walmart for $79 http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&ic=48_0&Find.x=0&Find.y=0&Find=Find&_ta=1&search_query=ninja%20kitchen%20system%20pulse&_tt=ninja Heating Pad Peewee Pillow pet-to hold against your stomach when you cough Chewable Calcium Chewable Daily Vitamin Gas X Liquid Tylenol Benefiber (I mix this with the kellog’s Protein mix below)http://www.walmart.com/ip/Benefiber-Kiwi-Strawberry-Flavored-Fiber-Drink-Mix-Stick-Packs-24ct/17325206 Metamucil Clean and Clear Milk of Magnesia (MOM)-to help with constipation Papaya Enzymes- to help later when if you were to experience a “stuck” episode Stage 1 Clear liquids Protein Power: This is just going to be trail an error. Looks like the most popular are (

I had two hernias and a lot of adhesions removed!! I think it really did add to my soreness. What was supposed to be a 1 hour procedure turned into a 3 hour one. It took me a good 3 weeks to feel half way good and another week to feel half way normal.

Catherine you look amazing!! You should put your patient stats in. I was curious where you started at and how long it took you to get where you are....the pictures are great!! Keep up the great work.

That is awesome!! It makes it much easier when you have someone that understands what you are going through. Me and my best friend started the journey together. She had to complete a 6 month diet, I didn't so I'm going to be about 3 months ahead of her when she gets hers done....but thats ok...I told her that way I have already worked all the kinks out and she will know what to do.---

Probably not. But it never hurts to ask your doctor...thats what we pay them for. More likely you may be a little constipated...if you are try adding some metimucil clean and clear to your diet or something similar..With protein first....fiber(veggies) often get pushed aside.

When in doubt give your doctor a call. But just to reassure you a little. I'm about 6 weeks out. My port site still gets sore from time to time especially if I wear pants that push on it. I too half a egg size firm spot that is very obvious (mostly in the morning hours). I asked my doctor about it on my follow up and he said both were normal. But again....its always best to ask the doctor or nurse.

Doesn't fill great!! I just bought my first pair of size 14's......can't wait to see 199 this week ....2 pounds to go!!

Greatful you did it! you made it to goal!! There is no one on this site that knows you like you know yourself. What we can do is encourage you. Life happens....I hate that you had to go through all of that. But don;t let it hold you back. Get yourself plugged in,re-educate yourself, and get down to business and commit to the lifestyle change. I look forward to following you and seeing your great transformation!! Good Luck.

Thats I cool idea!! But I don't think my husband would go for it!!!hahaha Just kidding we have been happily marriend for almost 22 years. (started dating at 14) Good luck to you..............everyone deserves someone special!

I'm glad you are healed and ready to start your journey...this is a great site for support. Good luck let us know how you are doing.

I felt like mine took longer...I had other stuff done as well (2 hernias and adhesions removed) but even today at almost 6 weeks out I still get a little discomfort around my port site and sometimes strange random pains. But all in all after about 3 weeks and (some real food) I did start to feel better. I guess everyone is different.

Thats better. Ok here's the deal. Everyone on here has opinion about what works best....and if you were struggling with loosing weight, I would suggest you consider something different. BUT it sounds like you are doing well. and have learned what your body wants from you. So I say stay the course. If in the future you hit a flat spot, then you might want to re think things. shake things up. Change your exercise routine...things like that. But I certainly wouldn't abandond what seems to be working for you. Just curious, why did you wait so long to fill your band?

I guess we need a few more details. How much are you eating?What are you eating? Are you exercising? When was your last fill? Looks like you had your surgery quite some time ago, are you just now having these concerns? Or have you been struggling all along?

I can't really address either of your concerns, because I not experienced with either with the band. But its been my experience that good or bad for you, if there is a will, there is a way. But There is one line that you wrote that bothered me. Here's the thing, it sounds like you are self medicating. From your statement it sounds like you rely pretty heavy on these drugs to relax,sleep,work, socialize thats a very large aspect to someones life. Have you ever thought about why? Its my guess that food for you may be another "drug" to self medicate with. I would suggest that you talk to your doctor...most patients must have a pych exam before having the surgery. I think you might want to figure out to source as to why you "need" these druds in excess. You may benefit more from anti-depressants and Therapy. The lap band is not like some of the other WLS, if you want to cheat , you can. It's very much a head game. It will be what you make of it. If you choose to make bad choices wheather it be in food, alcohol or drugs, you will probably not be as sucessful as someone that committs to the life style. Good luck lemons........please consider talking to someone about your concerns/issues.

Hi gang thought I would try this again this month. This will be a challenging monthf or me. I have 1 daughter that is playing in regionals and states for soccer, another daugther we are seeing graduate from high school, plus we are on a cruise the first week...so there are going to be a lot of emotions flowing as well as a lot of time spent away from home.....and away from me making my own food. I set a conservative goal of just the 2 pounds a week. Hoefully I will be able to meet that. Good luck to everyone!! Name, real or screen~waitingpatiently-Tina Goal weight for May 29th~193 Weight on May 1st~201 Age~40 Dietary goal for May~maintain the low carb life style Exercise goal for May~ ramp up the walking to 3miles a day/3days a week and 30 mins elliptical/2days a week Personal goal for May~not to gain weight on the cruise Date banded~ 3/19/2012 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~35 What is your favorite flower~ lillies

Welcome to the group Kathie!

Im not a crier!! But I sure did the first few days after surgey...I didn't know what was wrong with me!! But it did get better after the first week.....But if you are still weepy after more than a week or so, you may want to let your doctor now....surgery of any kindcan cause depression to set in.