Sooverit!

Rencently I was so frustrated with my weight that I stopped going to the gym and ate whatever I wanted guess what happened I lost 4 lbs in a month:cry.!! For the first time in a year...it's too funny!

Also Dr. ATkins warns NOT TO BE ON THIS FAT FAST DIET FOR MORE THAN A WEEK.

Just thought I'd throw my unbanded two cents in. For those of you not so lucky and feel hungry before you can get a fill. I am starting a Atkins eccelerated diet today that makes me think of how banderster portions might be. It is designed so you won't feeel hungry because of the fat content and it works. Eat 5 servings a day of anything on the list every 4 hours...I think evry 3 hours work if you go to bed early . It equals to 1000 cal a day. I started it today and really feel a decrease in my ravenous PMS hunger 1 OZ of Macadamia Nuts .- are they permitted? 2 OZ of Cream cheese Brie 1 OZ of Tuna or chicken salad two tsp of mayo served on quarter of an avacado 2 Deviled eggs w/ 2 tsp mayo 2 OZ of Pata 2 eggs yoks hard boiled with 1 tbsp of mayo 2 OZ of sour cream and two tbsp of black or red cavier 2.5 oz whipped heavy cream topped w/sucralose zero calorie syrup Drink as much Water as you can w/lemon

Thanks you for bringing sense into light here for me regarding being banded at NYU. I actually like going into the city and have relatives I can stay with and visit etc. You are right, my only concern though was that if there was an emmergency and I needed un unfill I wouldn't want to go into the city if I felt sick but you're giving me hope that that won't happen too much! Good to hear~ I will try to find the groups thanks! Hi Candle: How are you doing? Your weight progress is an inspiration! BTW, Cigna pays 100% at NYU....big IF ...I'm approved ...and covers 80% IF I'm approved anywhere on Long Island. Perfect scenario ...I'm approved at NYU and have no problems! Only 3 more months left of PCP supervised diet!

Thank you so much In Tears I will call them! I hope you are still not in tears:think...well if you are here's a big lap band :girl_hug:HUG thanks again~! MJ in NY

Hi Candle how are you? I wonder if things have changed since your banding...actually forgot when you got banded, but I forget everything lately. :cry When I call Dr. Geiss' office it seems every time I call they are so discouraging to me. They first told me a few months ago I wouldn't qualify with a 36 BMI period then they said maybe but it would cost $20,000 out of pocket then now they say $20,000 to $30,000 wow...that would set me back for decades. This makes me want to check out anywhere outside of Long Island ..where I know i would be cheaper...out of pocket that is. I'm so uncomfortable with this weight ...it's all in my stomach and breasts...feel like I'm being choked by them at night! Too bad they only judge BMI not fair!

Dear Fred: Best of luck to you...think positive! Sounds like everything is moving along smoothly. Please keep us posted! I have 4 months under my belt and you are right the months fly by actually. Do you mind if I ask you your BMI...if not that's okay too! :nervous MJ in NY

Hi Phy: I think I would rather go in slow and be able to eat and not feel too much restriction in the beginning and then gradually work up to the right "sweet spot" as they call it. it's great you can eat everything but less of it. That's the idea and eventually you will have permanent weight loss. You are lucky you are doing it now because by the time you get to my age 48 you will have gotten to a healthy weight. I am going through perimenopause and I can not keep up with this constant weight gain due to hormones and low blood sugar which makes me crave sweets. It sort of feels like pregnancy again ...just great but with the band already in place you can breeze right through it or get more restriciton during this time. Congratualtions on getting banded!

Dear MA women/men ...Has anyone here had to pay out of pocket and if they did how much did the operation cost for you in MA? I live in NY and an out of pocket procedure is $$$24,000. I was thinking if I had the procedure in Ma I could save and my son in college might come see me while I recoop. THanks

I'm right here with you I have a 36 BMI and my co morbs are hi cholesterol and recently back troubles. The weight came on with the last pregnancy 10 years ago and hasn't budged no matter what I do. Live at the gym eat only healthy but alot. At my age tho 48 I can see where this is going and with menopause on the horizon more weight gain is coming. I almost feel like I did when I was pregnant lately with these hormonal changes. I feel that hunger I get when I PMS but all the time. If Cigna denies me for not having a serious heart condition (that's what they said when I called) I will have to pay $24,000 out of pocket here in NY...OUCH. I hate to go back into debt. Then I worry that the band won't work as well on a women going through perimenopause. My blood sugar is all off. Thinking of HRT but scared. Thanks for letting me post my silly thoughts that rattle through my silly mind.

Sorry I didn't mean tubing I meant the cuff I think it's called .....the round part that goes around the stomach and is filled.

What I understand about the AP Advanced Platform band is that the tubing part is 360 degrees around as apposed to the other band that had no restriction where the buckle was. Also it's thicker and there is supposedly less errosion and slippage problems. I thought it was installed with fill already in it? but I'm not sure. I would splice and cut for you but the moderator would snip it. How are you after the fill?

I originally was going to have the lap band done by Dr. Ren/Feilding at NYU Med center because Cigna will pay 100 % if done there, but found that Dr. Geiss' office said they don't do fills for other surgeons! I'm nervous that if I have a problem and feel really sick I would have to truck into the city. The surgeon at NYU said it shouldn't be a problem to get fills from LI docs. I am surprised when they all say no!?

Hi Audree: You don't know me and I'm not even banded yet and I'm just here driving people crazy asking too many questions but I am a "lower" BMI (36).. and I thought I'd put my few cents in so you don't feel loney I was obessesing there for a while over getting the band...but no worries, I think I'm going to take it slower now. I couldn't help but feel like I should congratulation you firstly on your weight loss but most importantly and most difficult for us non banded keeping it off!. Is this your first PB and had you recently had a fill? I was thinking that could it be that because of your lower BMI you weren't a gigantic eater to being with so the reduction in calories you are comsuming now are lower but not drastic. Also heard that platues are very normal and only temporary. You're doing great..ride out the platue...are you exercising? I know I can't drop a lb unless I go to the gym at least 4 x a week. take good care! Mj in NY

Hi Terry: I think I'm obsessing about this lap band, anywho I wanted to ask you about your Doctor and if you would recommend him and if you could share with me what he charged for this percedure. I live in NY and probably won't be covered by CIGNA because of BMI of 36 and only high cholesterol, arthritus in back and family history as co-morbidity. The cost out of pocket at NYU med center is $24,000! which includes one year of follow up - still need to make sure it covers cost of fills? Had this thought that I could save almost 10,000 having this done in TX.

Okay not banded yet but love this post. What do I WANT to improve for me if I get the Lap band: 1. Be able to have a FULL signal....I don't have one and would love to get one! 2. Be able to NOT FEEL HUNGRY just about all the time when I am home...when I am out I don't feel hungry but as soon as I get home watch out! 3. Being able to put on clothes and not having to try on 30 outfits before I find one that is acceptable. 4. Not having to worry about my HEALTH...to know I am doing something that will make my life in my 50s better! 5. To be able to take a YOGA class and not see all that belly fat and feel like I am the most out of shape person in the class and the gym for that matter. 6. to not have back pain anymore...only started recently since I gained an additional 10 lbs. 7. TO FEEL IN CONTROL AGAIN 8. To be looked at and to feel attractive again....I'm not going to be smug here. Yes this would be okay too

Miss N: In my humble opinion I just don't think this is the time to quit smoking. I think this must be a very stessful time for you. Can you set a timer..so that you can have just 1 ciggarette an hour. I think first get over the food addiction and for most of us that are overweight ...getting over a food addiction is the hardest thing to do....I think harder than anything.

Meant to type "a poster on this site or a doctor"

Hi Denise: I had a question for you regarding your fills...I've read a few books but many more posts re. lap band surgery and I can't remember if it was a poster of a doctor who said that while someone is getting a fill they are asked to drink water, then the doctor observes how the patient handles the water going down. Supposedly as soon as the patient drinks the water slower or can't drink it fast they stop. Sounds like it's hit or miss now as I'm writing it but ....is this how they do your fills? thanks ....(I'm prebanded and losing my mind with this decision...one day 100% sure next day ...no way) :phanvan

Wow LIers aren't very talkative....the other theads are much more chatty. Any one care to tell me how much the surgery costs out of pocket with Dr. Geiss? I didn't get much from the woman who pick up the phone there. Anyone?

Fox this does seem strange and you made a good point about everyone getting to the point where they will have slippage if this does work and his theory is right. Just get a second opinion.. ..the only thing I can think of is that they don't make a lap band as small as you will need to have restriction?? I doubt it....I don't know....hopefully a wise one will tell us!

Dear Pam: This is great news!! Good for you! You sound like you are doing great! How are you feeling? I know I will be bored as well as my numero uno hobby is eating as well! Have you taken up any new other hobbies yet? Have you gotten your energy back? I am a low BMI like you and wondering if recover is easier for the lower ones like us? That would be nice. way to go PAM:bounce::bounce:--:bounce::bounce:-(green with envy)

I am putting that soup in my LAP BAND file!! Wow .....wish I had a friend like yours...what a sweetheart to make that for you. Sounds awesome!!

Hi Miss Nilsa, it sounds like you are doing very well with your new band! Good for you ! I'm planning to having my surgury done at the NYU center as well. I don't have a date yet as I am still going back and forth...and back again (after reading your encouraging post!). I think I was completely wrong about the new AP band. What I read was that because the size is larger as it is 360 degree around as apposed to the older model which was smaller where the buckle was, you had MORE restriction from the start and that you wouldn't feel hungry in the beginning as much. I have heard people having trouble with it being too tight right from the start. There is a lot to learn here. So you were able to eat more of a variety of foods in the beginning Miss Nilsa or is it through every stage? This does sound like an improvement if it is the latter. Thank you in advance!

I slept on this topic and feel different this morning...Frog I really did feel the way you did before I asked this question actually; I do want my daughter to know there is a way out of obesity if she is plagued with it and she doesn't have to suffer too much with it down the road, that there is a permanant tool that will help. Also I think I will remind her of the time when mom was paralysed with back problems for 3 days a while ago and how it was brought on by excess weight. Also I will tell her about how her aunt Kathy died (my sister) of sleep apnea caused by obesity. I will also explain how it can shorten a person's life. With all this said I believe she will undestand (hopefully) and go on being a kid. They are resiliant I know. I will be careful not to "burden" her though with any of the side effects I might get. I think that's the key as long as we do it, get on with it and feel good about doing it ourselves ..kids will follow and go on with their active fun new lives! Thanks Frog :nervous