janiebug

As for fills I find it interesting how this all works. My Dr. is very good about giving me a fill. She never makes me wait. I have also found out over the past few months of INSURANCE HELL that since I was a self pay, the price included 2 years of monthly visits and fills. I paid the Dr. $4400, I found out last week that if insurance would have paid, it would have been around $2300 and just 6 weeks of follow up, but with insurance paying....It is just interesting how they can change it soo much between self pay and insurance. I am also having a very difficult time with the hospital over this, I gave them $10800 for my lap band, but had it in conjunction with a insurance paying, take more time, hurts more, blah blah blah hernia surgery. Now that there is money left over the hospital doesn't want to give me the extra!! They keep saying that I knew going into this the cost. That is true, I did, but if there is money left over, why does the hospital get to keep it? Can you tell I am aggravated? Well this was just supposed to be about our fills....Sorry Jane

???? I have a question, I got a small fill Thursday .5 cc's, last night I had what I would call reflux all night. I have only had it once in my life before, but last night and today can't seem to get rid of it. Is it from the fill or just one of those things? I def. feel more restriction, but not soo much as I am throwing up or pbing. I have also taken tums, and it helped, but it is still there, any thoughts??? Jane

I went to the Dr. today and gained one pound in August. I didn't like it, I really wanted to lose 12 pounds by her scale in the month of August to lose 100 pounds in a year. It was interesting what Terri said about goal setting. I am not real good with goal setting, but when I do I need to make it within my control and ability. I went to a class once and they talked about goals in general and said that people 85% of the time set goals that are not within your reach. Interesting..... The Dr. today said that it isn't a race and I am doing just fine, but it is still sort of frustrating....SO very long story short I got another fill of .5 cc's. I hope it works. I also like the card that Terri showed. Jane

Tracyk, Food can play such mind games with us!!!! It used to be my best friend, now that friend makes me sick alot, but I still miss it. Jane

Wow, I never thought I would do it, but it just happens when you are not looking!!! I started out with a BMI of 68 and am now officially under 50! I still have over half to lose, but for those of you with a large BMI you know how important that number is!!!! Don't ever think it is not going to happen!!!! Jane

TracyK, don't be nervous about your appointment on Saturday. Don't get it cut in too many layers though, it tends to make fine hair look thinner. I wouldn't get bangs, but have something cut around the face, and right above the shoulders, with light layering. This tends to be a very versatile cut. You can tuck behind ears if you want, wear it forward or back, you can even flip the bottom of the back up for a fancier look. You don't want it too long in back though, because then it would look like a bi-level or mullet. I have been doing this for 21 years and love it, the relationship you build with customers is special. It really is important to develop a rapport with your hairdresser because that way it is easier for us to do our job, knowing your lifestyle, and such. Jane

Today was weigh in day and even though I didn't make the 100 pounds in a year, I am under 50 for my bmi!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!! Jane

Hey is lickboxing part of the August exercise challenge??? Thanks for a good laugh!!! Jane

Jenn, I hope all works out well soon!!! I am sure it is very frustrating and upsetting. Health insurance is a scary thing and not having it is even scarier!!! Hang in there with a big hug!!! Tracy! Wow, going to DQ and not getting anything, you are my hero today!!! Jane

Well it has been a week since I have been on this site and just got caught up, so I am sure I will forget someone so please forgive me. Laura, congrats on the jeans and the weight loss!!! MsJen, you look great!!! Kat, wowww!!!! Judy congrats on your weight loss and your pics!!! Tracy I hope the swimming was great, you look fine in a swimsuit!! Terri, my Dr. told me that one of the needs for a fill is being hungry. I have pretty good restriction but was hungry a lot and I got another fill, it has something to do with a nerve on the top of your stomach, and the band pressing on it telling you you're not hungry. I don't think I will make 100 pounds lost by Thursday...Oh well at least I am close. Have a great day!!! And sorry again if I missed someone!!! Jane

Is there a band for getting TALLER!!!!!!!! I am five feet so I sure could use some, plus I wouldn't have as much to lose!!! Terri you do look great!!! I hope you can notice a big difference, it is so hard when you are looking at yourself. Jane

VERY behind in reading posts. Just got caught up!!! Got my third fill on Thursday and it feels so good. I was having trouble with hunger. I was hungry all the time. Still couldn't eat a lot, but as soon as I ate, was hungry little bit later. So she added 1cc to my already 6cc's in my 10cc band. I really haven't noticed a difference in eating, but I am not hungry. Maybe it is mind over matter with me??? I also started back to Curves Friday, and they measured me and I have lost 36 inches since September of 06! But, the hernia that I had was very large so I can't take all the credit for that much, but still.... DENISE, I can see a HUGE difference in the pictures!!! I think you are being too hard on yourself!!! TERRY, the bracelets are a great idea, and will pm you with my address! That is very very kind of you to do this for everyone! JENNIFER, a St. Louis dinner meeting would be great!! Jane

Well I had a nsv moment, I have not been able to wear a seatbelt for I don't know how long, years. I finally tried and it worked! Now the past two weeks I have gained weight. I want to lose weight right now for my 1 year weight loss anniversary!!! It is the 17th of August and I really really really want to lose 100 pounds by then. The problem is I can't get a fill until th 16th, and I am back to my old habits of eating sweets and things not good for me. I really started exercising again the other day and am hoping that helps. Pam, I LOVE your closet!! I want one big like that!!! Jane

Is there any books that anyone would recommend about lap bands? I have read one and that is "Lap-Band For Life" by Ariel Ortiz Lagardere MD I really enjoyed the book and would enjoy reading more if anyone knew of one!!! Thanks, Jane

Hello, well finally got my drain out from my 2nd hernia surgery, it feels great not to have that attached to me! I think all is going to be great now, and can finally start this exercise thing for real now! All I have been doing is the treadmill. I think maybe next week or the following I will start back at curves. I do like it, but it is going to be hard to start it again! With all the problems I have had with the hernia, I havn't been there since mid April. I am always constantly amazed by everyones resolve to exercise. I have not felt that yet. I hate getting on my treadmill, hate it while I am on it, and really don't feel better when I am done. Maybe getting back to curves will be my answer? I hope everyone has a nice weekend!! Jane

Why do I wish I lived in Texas? Not because of the rain you are having! But, because you are having a get together!!!!! I am jealous! Have a great time!!! Jane

Laura---Beautiful pictures, you made such a wonderful bride!! I agree with what someone else said, you may have been burning up inside but it didn't show in the pics that you were that hot! Congratulations!! Jane

Way to go Tracy!!!!!! Terri that is great about the jeans!!! I haven't gotten to jeans yet!!!

Note on a Carnival Cruise in March or April, I have had a couple customers go on Carnival cruises then, and they did not like it because so many spring breakers were on board the ship and were either really young and screaming and running around, or they were older and totally drunk all the time. I have no personal knowledge of this, just heard from a number of different people. Weight loss since 4-17-07 band date is 38 pounds. Lost 51 pounds before the band was placed. But, like was stated earlier by someone, I have a lot of weight to lose, probably twice as much as some of you, so I am going to lose this faster, but probably percentage wise, you may be actually beating me with your weight loss. Jane

Wow that would be fun! Las Vegas in April!!! I am craving something sweet today!!! I am never going to lose what I want to lose by mid August if I keep giving in. I am very hungry, scrambled eggs or a smoothie is just not going to cut it today!!! Jane

I got a fill in early June, and really felt like I just could not eat or drink. Was really having problems, then I got used to it or it loosened a bit or something. Now in the past few days I feel like I am hungry ALOT!!! I still have to chew my food well, but I can eat much more now. I find that I am trying to be sooo careful because I really want to lose 100 pounds by august 17!! So moral of the story, is when I got in in a week and a half for her to remove my drain tube (hopefully, although it doesn't bother me at all) I think I am going to ask her if she has time for a itty bitty fill!! I guess as you lose weight you lose some fat from around your stomach that makes the band looser or do you think that some of it just goes away?? Jane

Laura, Congratulations and have fun!!!!!! Terri, I have been on Miralax for a few years, you have got me worried now!!! I glad you sent that fyi!!!! Will check into it!!! Jane

There is a new powder on the market called "Miralax", it used to be prescription, but went off a couple months ago. Anyways my Dr. prescribed it for me when I was having trouble with the bowels due to my hernia. I took it twice a day in coffee or whatever, it really is tasteless, I promise!! I even put it in water sometimes. I am now using it once a day, and I would really suggest it. I think one of our problems with the lap bands is our high protein, that in itself causes constipation. Miralax works great!!! Jane

Terri I think the tools and winches part are right. I have lost all together 80 something pounds, and was in a 3x, some 4x, but for the most part 3x, they still fit, they are big, but can now get into 2x, but for that much weight you would think I would be down more sizes. I am also VERY short, I am only 5 feet, and am sort of fibbing when I say that, because when I had my surgery I was under 5 feet, but figure I wasn't standing up tall, and she wouldn't remeasure me!! Anyways, I think we all carry our weight someplace different, and lose sizes differently. Judy, you are in inspiration for weight loss and exercise!!! Since I had more surgery last week all I am going to do this month is walk on the treadmill, but I AM GOING TO DO IT!!!!!!!!!! I first went to the Dr. who did my lap band in August of 06 about my hernia. At that point I weighed 349 and she told me to lose 50 pounds before surgery. Well I did, but I am thinking my goal will be to lose 100 pounds by I believe it is August 8!! What a wonderful goal that would be!!! I think it is possible, keep your fingers crossed!!! FILLS---I don't think I could be this far along without my restriction. If you don't have it, call your Doctor!!! I have had a VERY stressful time since surgery, not with the lap band, but with the umpteen problems with the hernia. There have been times where I would LOVE to eat!!! But, the band kept me from eating too much. I have great restriction, and hope everyone else can at some point feel the restriction I have!!! I really can't tell you enough what that restriction has meant to me, especially when I read some posts!! I have rambled enough!!! Have a good day!!!

Had my surgery today, and I think it went great!!! It took a little longer than they thought and was bigger than ever!!! They broke up the pockets of fluid, drained it and she said got well over a liter of fluid, then she burned the lining, put in another drain that she said would probably be in for 3 weeks. There really isn't a lot of pain, and I feel very lucky. Laura, congrats on the house and hope they fix things for you soon!!! Plus being without a scale might not be a bad thing. I tend to step on my WAY TOO OFTEN!!!! Michelle, Cute pictures, you can really tell the weight loss in your face. Tracy, you need to go into picture posting business!!! Thanks, Jane