Graceful One

Bright, First of all congratulations on busting through your plateau...I'm getting my period today and I hope those same 5lbs you lost I lose as well... This article was very informative...I wasn't aware of soy but I do know there is something in milk that speeds up metabolism and it is a very good "balanced" drink as it has the right amount of protien vs. carbs...found that out from my Endocrinologist when I was diagnosed with Insulin Resistance... And come to think of it...when I slept all the damn time I was skinny...maybe that's the secret...LOL Happy Hoidays Love!

Yeah I found them too...only had about four sips so far but somedays I still want to rip someones face off for a coke...that does the trick!

I haven't started exercising yet...I never sit my ass down but I do need to use my treadmill other than a second bedroom fixture... I bought Windsor Pilates a few months back and it was hard because of my size...I want to start using it because I like yoga and pilates however it is a lot of stretching and I think I may wait a bit more until I'm sure I won't hurt my sutures and I'm a little smaller... The Nordic Track was a great find! I have one at my Mom's house and used to use it religiously when I was small...hmmm...maybe that was the secret!

If you had insulin resistance at all prior to banding losing a bit of weight could actually resolve that and effect your cycle... I'm also on Lexapro but I haven't noticed a change since taking it...I take that back I have spotted a bit more but didn't attribute it to the Lexapro... I have however noticed that I'm spotting more this month since being banded and I did have IR...maybe it is from my insulin regulating and I know I'm not pregnant unless it's immaculate conception... I'll be interested to hear what other's have experienced.

Gulp, swallow, sip, and suck as much as you can but don't eat your computer! After surgery walk walk walk walk walk...I did it everytime I woke up from my morphine pump (at least once an hour) and was about driving my nurses nuts! It helped me alot...get some gas-x before your surgery and don't worry about taking one...that helped too...I felt like I had been inflated to the size of a small sea vessel...and the amazing thing after surgery even though you haven't eaten you won't be hungry! Good luck and wishing you a speedy and slimming recovery!

I received an email from my band buddy today who has a friend that moved from the surgeon we currently see in Milwaukee, WI who does fills without fluro, out to Arizona where they use fluoro. Here is part of her quoted email: "During my first visit I told my new doctor I had two fills already and said I still don't feel full. He said by doing the fill under fluro you can see everything and make the correct adjustment in one session. He said they close the opening and then back off to allow for the correct opening size." My band buddy took this to mean that getting fills under fluoro assures the "correct" fill right off the bat. She is going to call and inquire about fluoro for our next fill in January, however, I wonder what your experiences are as my doctor said he doesn't feel it necessary to use fluoro unless there are problems and/or a difficult port.

I feel more restriction after my first fill of 2cc's. I'm not sure how much the charge is yet, insurance is paying. I'm assuming there is a great difference in fluro charge vs. non-fluro...not sure...

I find this so aggravating. I met a guy a few months ago online and we had alot in common including our rare breed of dog, a Vizsla. When we met in person, even after our good chemistry via email and on the phone, even after seeing a pic, he never emailed me back. His loss! What was too funny is tonight as I searched Match.com I came across him...I sent him an email basically stating that I assumed our meeting under an assumption of friendship and only that...apparently he didn't... In his profile it stated he wants someone who's blonde and slim/slender or athletic and toned. Well I am athletic and toned but far from being slim/slender...nor would I want to be...justification for him being too scrawny in my opionion. How bad I wanted to say, "I just lost 25lbs in the past month and plan on losing 75lb more thanks to my new little friend the Lap-Band...Oh, and I have a great stylist who does fantastic blonde highlights! But this is your loss for being a complete JERK!" I didn't of course...but how funny would that have been!

Bright, I can totally tell in your face...I'm jealous! I think all my 25lbs came of my forearms...they are quite svelt...ahh yes just where I needed to lose it! Feel free to email me any time you want to chat...we can be band buddies! Jayvue@aol.com It must be something to do with the flip flops that your losing so well....hmmm...might have to pull mine out of the closet and give them a try! Good luck love, Jennye

Bright, Congratulations on the 30lbs! I'm not far behind you at 5 weeks and 25lbs. I wish I could see your pic better, however, you have marvelous skin! Thank goodness for this board!

Thanks to all for your kind words... I must now give you my exciting update! I was farting around with EHarmony the other week and had a "match." We started talking and last night progressed to regular email. He also gave me his number and we had a blast talking on the phone for an hour and a half...got along splendidly...but here's the best part... He is a 31 year old Anesthesiologist! Never married, owns a home, and has a super personality! He asked a few times what my schedule was this week...definately hoping I get a call back! See...God does work in mysterious ways... Jennye

Piece of cake sweetie! And your so small now....I was 250...lost about 25 lbs in the first two weeks...just got my first fill yesterday (I was more scared about the fill) and didn't feel a thing! THIS BAND IS THE BEST THING I'VE EVER DONE! Does that make you feel better?

Well it's over and done and I have 2cc's. They froze it and I didn't feel a thing. I made the mistake of watching my band sister get one first and that freaked me out but it was all over in a matter of a minute or two!

Well I'm almost five weeks out and have my second check up as well as my first fill scheduled for Monday December 8th! I'm going with my band twin who had surgery the day before me...we have to drive about 1.5 hours down to Milwaukee...hopefully we'll feel up to doing some last minute Christmas shopping after. I'm very excited...not nervous at all thanks to all the calming words I've read on other's posts. To date I have lost 25lbs on the head...most of the loss was right after surgery when I was much more restricted. Although I've been eating less than pre-surgery I'm hoping my first fill gives me some pretty good restriction! I have yet to measure myself to see if I've been losing inches, perhaps I'll do that today.

Hello everyone, My bestfriend is in the process of getting approved. She was denied by LINECO (BC/BS of IL POS) for only having a BMI of 40.6. She was also told that she has to have 6 months of medically supervised weight loss attempts (yet they will not pay for a nutritionist). When she stated that the FDA approval is 35 with significant co-morbidities and 40 is indicated without, the claims person told her that because the group is self-funded she needs to have a BMI of 45. Along with her 40.6 BMI she has high blood pressure and PCOS/Insulin Resistance. Does anyone have any advice I can pass along?

I'm forcing myself to eat left overs. I'm drinking way more Water than coffee...my skin is clear! I'm cold all the time...before I would sweat like a pig in a pen in July...what a difference 25lbs make! I've found things to do with my time rather than eat... I've arranged my closet by size rather than color... I've found that at times I could mug someone for a coke!

What was your sugar level? That is odd as Diabetes and even Insulin Resistance (which sounds like you may have) are reasons for getting banded. Perhaps she is concerned you will not heal well if your sugar levels stay high, then again I would ask to have a Hg A1C ran to see what you have been over the past 3 months and if it is high (5-6) ask to be put on Glucophage XR or some other Diabetic drug immediatly. After only a day, my sugar levels went down...

Linda, I am a control freak too! I'm starting to realize that the beauty of the band is that it is my own little control freak...it is going to tell me when I'm full and cannot eat anymore...it will tell me when I'm hungry...it has taken the control from my head and placed it in my stomach... As long as you make good choices which you did at Thanksgiving you are in control! Heck, even if you make bad choices once in a while (like I did with my Nestle Tollhouse Peanut Butter chocolate Chip Cookies) it still is control. My hardest thing right now is eating three times a day...and I've rationalized it...I got fat because I love food right? So why would I pass up the chance to eat if I can only eat three times a day...if I skip breakfeast and lunch I no longer can eat MORE at dinner...so...that is my struggle right now! You are doing great...we started at similar weights and both have no fill...just wait until we get that restricition! The fat will be flying off...

You know, remember this isn't a diet. If you want it you should have it or your going to feel like your depriving yourself. But remember, all in moderation... I did the same for Thanksgiving...glass of wine...had turkey...stuffing...some green been casserole and later a piece of pie! They were all small portions and I was satisfied...and guess what...the scale didn't budge up a bit! That is what I find so freeing about the band...I can have what I want and no matter what it is I would have ate alot more of it before the band...and I have no restriction yet...no fill at all...I've lost 22lbs in three weeks... I think it is hard for us to give up our dieting mental state...last night I was so head hungry for anything and everything...garlic ritz...chocolate...salad...my friends were laughing at me...I didn't have any of it but I think I was PMSing... Your doing great and remember...it is not a race and you should have what you want...after our fills is when we are really going to take off!

Carmen, Glad to hear everything went well for you! I was three weeks post surgery on Wednesday and it only gets better...besides some reflux I'm doing great too! Congratulations!

Mimi, At my surgery orientation my doctor stated that while alot of surgeons are not comfortable using the band for heavier weights, he has done several that are 500 + and not had any problems. I agree with the others, what ever they find most comfortable is what this will want to do. My doctor does mostly bands now, but started out doing RNY's...

I had to share this because it was funny to me. I weighed myself last Sunday and I was 229, down 21lbs since surgery 11/5/03. Yesterday, after having a bought with stomach flu and diarrhea for two days I weighed myself. To my absolute dismay I was at 240! Oh how heartbroken was I...thinking have I drank my Water...gosh I haven't been eating alot...maybe that handful of tortilla chips...EESH! I chocked it up to water weight and immediately ran to grab my Nalgene bottle and start sipping. Later in the day I was cleaning my bathroom and noticed my very posh glass see through scale was quite dusty. I picked it up to clean and when I looked at the dial it was on 10lbs. I was so happy to see that my scale was off by 10lbs to the positive and quickly readjusted the dial and stepped on it....back to 229! Moral of this story is...if you don't have a digital make sure the scale is taired to zero before you flip out you've gained!

I am happy so far with who I have told, my family, best friends, and co-workers (I have a very small work group and they all knew I had my gallbladder out last November). I have experienced nothing but support from all of them. Co-workers have called to check up on me and see how I'm recovering and not once have they asked how much I've lost, although I gleefully told them I'm down 21lbs at two weeks out no fill! My family has been great. My sister and I did some shopping the other day and went out to lunch for some fab chicken dumpling Soup. I do not regret telling those I have, for friends I haven't chose to tell I'm glad as well as they would be critical of me. It is such a personal decision, my best friend is trying to get approved and only I, her husband, and my family know. She hasn't even told her family. To each their own. That is the beauty of this marvelous little buddy. We all choose how to eat, how much fill we need to find our sweet spot, and who we want to know. It is truly adjustible!

Isn't this awesome! I'm prefill banded on 11/5/03 and I'm already down 21lbs...went to McDonalds with my girlfriend and her son the other day and I got a happy meal. JT, my girlfriends 3 year old helped me finish the cheeseburger and fries...plus he got my toy! How funny to me that a three year old eats more than me...oh and my last trip to McD's was for a 10piece chicken Mc Nugget and a two cheeseburger value meal and the large coke and I could still have ate more! I'm so blessed to have been able to have this surgery...I do not feel deprived in any way...it is just so freeing not to obcess about food 24x7... Can't wait to get my first fill as I'm starting to feel like I do not have much restriction (my band is empty). I can only imagine what having a fill is going to do for me...December 8th here I come! It is so nice to hear that others are doing just as well and are so happy....this is a great support group!

Misty, I know my ex-fiance has fears of me being thin...yeah...he still thinks he has a chance! I'm 28 and broke off our engagement last winter...really haven't done a whole lot as far as going out as I'm busy with my family and career, however, I cannot wait to be at a healthy weight again and go out and shake my stuff. I'm fortunate that even at 250 I was proportionate and although I didn't get the attention from men that I did when I was thin somehow, someone who liked fat chics always seemed to find me...LOL... I'm scared but I'm also excited! I met a guy this summer "blind date" type thing and he never called me again. Funny how we got along prior to meeting. I would love to see him when I'm at 145 and be like...you missed out jerk! I keep telling my friends that I'm going to start taking applications when I see a cute guy because pretty soon I'm going to be a babe! Alot of times our size is our security, our knowing that we will not have to let someone in (because no one is dying to get in)...similar to getting your hair cut short...you can't hide behind it anymore...but let me tell everyone I'm ready to sport a cute halter top and a little skirt this summer looking fine as all hell! Sorry for being so full of myself but after all of what I've been through (including my ex-fiance telling me the night before surgery I wouldn't have to worry about complications if I wasn't so fat) I deserve to be happy and confident!