A New New Dawn

AJ is a pro at this, I think her advice is spot on. Feel better soon!

I commend you for planning in advance too. To me that helps me avoid some of the pitfalls if I have a plan in place. I agree with sf pudding, perhaps a sf popsicle, you can make yourself a meal ahead of time too that falls into the "mushie" category. You CAN do this. Also, as much as it may tempt you to have some, stay strong.

I think that, us as women, need that bedside manner as well and it makes us feel more comfortable with the whole process. I agree for me it is important (as is he/she being a good surgeon). My surgeon is always very understanding but very straight forward too. I have to visit him 1x per month for 6 months and then I believe annually so I am glad I have a good rapport with him and feel I can ask him any questions. Good luck.

I would definitely say to invest in some good quality shoes with good support in them. Also, if they are still bothering you a trip to the podiatrist could help. I had plantar facitis and they made me custom inserts for my shoes. My heels used to hurt so bad and it hurt getting up in the morning especially and stepping down. Now that I have lost weight, I actually am not using the inserts any longer and am pain free. Good luck!

I think it is a good suggestion to speak with your employer to see if your insurance may be changing in 2013. It is your employer that has opted out of covering that; however, many are easing up as the earlier post mentioned since the cost of surgery is cheaper than the health risks of no surgery. Good luck.

I would do some online research of the doctor to find out more about him. There should be online reviews, comments, info, etc.

That's a major victory!!!

Tomorrow is another day and a day to start anew. If you have been eating healthy foods and portions before today, chances are tomorrow you may not feel so well (gassy, ucky, etc) as your body isn't used to it. Hopefully, that alone would be a deterrant. The biggest thing is to not put yourself in that situation. If the foods were in your house, remove them. If you are overeating, try to serve yourself only 1 cup of food and put the rest away in the fridge so you aren't tempted for 2nds/3rds, etc. Lastly, if I am fighting the urge and wanting to overeat or eat unhealthy items, I try to distract myself until it passes or I will allow myself a piece of what it I am wanting and that seems to do it. Just be careful, overeating can stretch the pouch and can cause a slip. You do not want that to happen. Tomorrow is a new day ~ here's to doing better tomorrow!

Call your insurance because every carrier has different requirements. Good luck.

It sounds like you really need to step back and actually track what you are eating. You may be eating far more (or less) than you should. How do you get enough Protein, well for Breakfast there is always eggs, Greek Yogurt, Protein Drink, etc. For lunch some chicken salad (w/ ff or lowfat mayo), tuna salad, salad with chicken, ham or some meat/protein in it, grilled chicken, etc. dinner, a piece of grilled salmon, chicken or other meat. Make sure you are eating your protein first. Snack during the day of a lowfat cheese stick or cottage cheese (I like it with a peach slice). I know you have been banded for a while but I have heard from others that sometimes after a while you kind of forget what the guidelines are so I would try to stick w/ 1000-1200 calories, no more than a cup of food per meal, and 60+ grams of protein per day. You may be surprised where protein hides. Even a piece of toast has protein. Good luck!

Amen, many of those lessons I learned the hard way but at least I LEARNED.

For some people, small sips of hot tea or coffee help (the heat seems to help). Definitely don't try to eat anything. Also, walking may help to get moving around and hope it decides to move. So sorry you have to go through the night this way. So you talked to your regular doctor, not your surgeon correct? If it is too uncomfortable, I would go to the ER. Your surgeon may have added fluid when you were banded and by removing that bit of fluid it could help it pass or they may have to go down and get what is stuck. Unfortunately, we learn some of this the hard way and steak wouldn't be a way to start out on solid foods. Hang in there! This will pass.

You can call your insurance carrier and ask them if they cover weight loss surgery. Also, ask them what the requirements are for it to be covered. Some require you have a minimum BMI of a certain #, others require very minimum or not at all. So until you do that, it is hard to say. My BMI was around 49 I believe and that was enough to get it covered. However, often if your BMI is lower, they will still cover it if you have other comorbidities (high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes, etc).

It has been a life changing, positive experience for many of us. I would urge you to find a bariatric center in your area (likely through your local hospital) and attend a seminar about it. It will provide you a lot of the information and answer questions. Regardless what you choose to do, it will require work and commitment from you. This is a tool to aid in weightloss; however, it isn't a magic pill. You still have to be willing to make healthier food choices and exercise, etc. Also, you may want to check with your insurance carrier to see if they cover weight loss surgery. They would be able give you that information so you know what your options are as well. Good luck to you and I commend you for seeking help to a healthier you before having kids and before getting much older and wishing you would have done it sooner.

Also, there are many ginger teas that may do the same sans the carbonation.

great job!!!

A few of the key pointers are to not exceed 1000-1200 calories per day, get 60+ grams of protein in per day, and do not exceed 1 cup of food per meal (as to not stretch your pouch). Also, make sure you are eating your protein first, then veggies, and no more than 1 serving of a starch. Exercise as able too as that will make a big difference.

Unfortunately, no one can really answer this for you. It really varies with everyone and every doctor. Some doctors put a little fill in during surgery and then begin doing fills as early as shortly thereafter. My surgeon did my first fill at 6 weeks and didn't put anything in during surgery. Also, it typically takes several fills to find that green zone which may take weeks or months. In the interim, you will have some restriction. Lastly, it takes everyone different amounts of fluid to find that green zone too. One person may have it with 4cc another 6cc, etc. So there is no magic timeline or formula. It is still the best decision I have made for my health and I don't regret it one bit. Good luck to you.

I had discomfort for about a month on my port side. The doctor said it is where they do the most invasive cutting (largest incision) and stitching, etc so it would take the longest to heal. Hang in there. What bothered me most was sitting at my desk all day as it felt like it was compressed.

I was told about 1000-1200 calories per day and 60+ grams of Protein per day. Also, I was told 3-4 ounces of protein per meal (about the size of a deck of cards) so I am wondering if because you are only doing 2, you aren't staying fuller longer. The protein is what is going to help satiate you. Make sure you are drinking a lot between meals too as that will help with the hunger. You are doing great, keep it up!

There is nothing wrong w/ some mashed potatoes; however, they aren't going to give you the protein and nutrition you need. Protein is what is going to help you remain full. If you are on mushies, you should be able to eat some tuna salad, or blenderized meats. Others have had refried beans mixed with some salsa and lowfat or ff cheese and liked it. It can help be filling too. For this stage, I took baked chicken and mixed it with a little soup base and put it in the blender. It doesn't look the best but it tasted just fine and offered nutrition. Other suggestions are scrambled eggs and cottage cheese.

Also, since it has been a few years you may want to consider going back to your surgeon. Perhaps, it's time for another fill. I know some of the Fluid is lost each year. Also, I do agree to have a conversation with your father; however, I do wonder too if some of your frustration is really from within. I am not judging or criticizing that you have gained and am only concerned. So, I hope you can get back on track for your own well-being. Best wishes to you.

Wow, that is awesome. I was banded in July and I would be estatic to share your success story on my one year bandiversary!!! Congrats on your success. You are glowing in your "now" picture and look great! Do you notice a big difference in how you feel physically and emotionally?

Congratulations! I am so happy it went well and you are feeling good too!!! Put your hands up in the air... wave 'em like you just don't care ~ wooo woooo.

I, too, have an off brand magic bullet type blender and love it for pureeing and I make my shake in the morning and it crushes the ice. Not sure why it didn't work for one of the other posters but it works for me. I was lucky enough to come across mine at a garage sale for $5.