ireallywannabthin

I didn't have an additional fee. I mean, I was charged office visits (my insurance and union are still working on paying those hopefully), but my copay was only $75. Check with your insurance to make sure that's a legit charge. As the above post states, it may just be your copay.

Welcome to the boards! I find these boards to be so helpful to me for everything and anything! It really is like a family here and you're going to find endless support, encouragement, advice, and some tough-love! I'm 7 weeks post-op and my advice to you is to ask away! I feel that I got most of my answers from this board before I even had the chance to ask my doctor! Between this website and my own research, I felt pretty well prepared for what it was like to live the banded life! Best of luck on your journey! I look forward to watching your success!

My NUT recommends 1-2 Snacks ONLY if necessary. For me, it's necessary. I incorporate it into my diet though. I usually eat Breakfast around 8:30, then I have my snack (Weight Watchers string cheese, yogurt, fruit, or something like that) around 10:30, I eat lunch around 12:30, and I usually have dinner around 5:30-6. For me, that works. If I didn't have my snack, I would probably binge after my lunch (as I have in the past). If you feel you are very hungry, have a snack. It may help take that edge off, it may help prevent you from binging or making poor choices later on, and in the end, it may help you with your success. Just make sure you count everything you eat and stay within your doctor's requirements. Talk to your NUT about your situation, maybe he/she can help re-evaluate your eating habits and help you make changes that will help you. Best of luck!

I was in the same situation (being sick during scheduled surgery) and I tried every remedy I could find to get rid of it. The morning of my surgery I was still congested and coughing up phlegm so I told the anesthesiologist who was a little apprehensive, but we still went through with it. Let me tell you that not only was I scared for this during my surgery, when I woke up I had to cough so bad b/c of the phlegm and congestion build up in my chest and it was painful. I'm so sorry for your disappointment. When is it rescheduled for?

Isn't that the best feeling??? I love hearing from people, especially people I don't see too often, that I look like I lost weight, etc. It almost reinforces it for me. I'm down 34lbs and I can somewhat see I lost weight, but I have people telling me a lot that they can tell. Congratulations to you!! I hope you're on cloud 9 between your awesome weight loss and the compliments! You deserve it!

Congratulations on your HUGE accomplishment! A photo shoot sounds awesome! What about something you never would have imagined doing 100lbs ago.. like sky diving, zip-lining, bungee jumping, etc. Those maybe extreme, but you get the point! Thank you for being an inspiration!

Just as you can see from the above posts, everyone is different and every doctor is different in their instructions post-op. My doctor, specifically, said to sip slowly (only 1 ounce every 5 minutes). As I've gotten further into my post-op phase, I have been able to drink much faster (faster than my doctor requires) and I haven't had any problems. I don't do large gulps of Water, however, but I will take several sips at a time without hesitation. The only time I have slowed down (besides my initial post-op weeks) was after my first fill because of swelling. I've heard that drinking to fast can actually cause the pouch to stretch; but, just as everyone says, liquids pass right through the band, so who knows. Play around with it and see what you're comfortable with!

I think what you're feeling is normal! I just got my first fill this past Monday (6 weeks post-op) and I was nervous all day thinking about what was going to happen, how it was going to feel, and if I was making the right choice in getting a fill. Turns out the fill was just as easy as everyone on here told me about. Slight pinches for the first two numbing needles, then just a little pressure and a weird feeling (but not painful) when the fill needle went in. As nerve-wrecking as this is, it's so worth it in the end! Just keep your eye on the prize!

I weigh myself daily but only record one day (Wednesdays) as my official weight. The rest of the days is just out of curiosity.

I love your honesty!

I just had my first fill today and I am also at 4cc. now (I was filled to 3cc. in a 10cc. band the day of surgery). I am hoping for some restriction. I am on clear liquids for the rest of the day, then 2 days of protein shakes, then 2 day of soft/mushy food, then solids again. Are you eating food or still on liquids? Liquids will pass right through your band, so maybe that's why you're not feeling any restriction?

I am only 6 weeks post op and I am wondering if I am eating too few calories per day, which in turn is stalling my weight loss. I'd say my calorie intake ranges between 500-700 calories a day. (Yes, I am following my doctor's guidelines with my diet 100%, however, he did say his patients usually are between 600-1000 calories). I workout 5 days a week and just started doing Power90 again which is both a strength training and cardio workout program. An yes, I take Vitamins daily, as well as Calcium, and I am ALWAYS at 50+ gramps of Protein per day. So, I'm just wondering how many calories per day everyone is eating and if their weight loss is consistent. Also, when (approximately) did you feel that you saw your weight really start melting away? Thanks everyone

Thank you all for your tips, advice, and sharing!! It really helped! . As nervous as I am, I'm now curious to know what it feels like. Lol. Did any of you bruise after getting your fill?

I recently found pork rinds and decide to try them bc they were high in protein and no carbs and I love them!!! They never got stuck for me

I was banded on February 6 and I too am finding myself getting hungrier as the days go on. I know that I don't have the correct restriction yet, though. I have been increasing my calories recently closer to 1000 (I was only eat between 500-700 calories on average per day) and it has helped. Also, I tried increasing my Water and that helped also. I agree with all of the above posts as well. Solid Proteins vs. Protein shakes. (I switched from 2/3 meals being shakes to all solid meals for that reason), upping protein, increasing water, etc. These are all great ideas! Also, make sure you're not head hungry and it's out of habit that you 'feel hungry'. I have mixed these feelings up with physical hunger a lot recently. You'll get through this!! It's a huge learning process! If you don't already, check out My Fitness Pal. It helps you get a better idea of what you're eating and specifically fat, carbs, protein, etc. and I find it SO useful.. honestly, without it, I'd be lost. Best of luck!!

I am just wondering what everyone uses when they workout to track their calories burned. I have a Polar heart rate monitor but I find that it reads my heart rate so erratically! It works and then goes to 00 and wont work. I need to find something reliable, so any recommendations are welcomed Thanks

I've been washing my polar heart rate monitor after every use and I've had no problems anymore!

Thank you everyone- I am going to up my calories and see if that helps!

thank you ladies!

Love this- thank you!! And thank you everyone for your advice

I just went on the Polar website and read that I can try moving and repositioning the strap so I'll try that today during my workout. If not I'll probably contact them and see what happens. Thanks for your suggestion!

So today is 5 weeks post-op and I'm down 28lbs!! I hit a plateau last week (actually gained 1 pound) but this week in lost 5!! I feel so damn goood! Is this about average, though! Just curious.. I love heard mixed. I know the average is 1-2lbs per week but I'm curious to know if it's average amongst the LBT members!

Thank you everyone!! Lesson learned!