m.simpson88

yes your band can be tighter when you are ill. if you are not able to get enough liquids down you may have to have a unfill while you are sick. I suggest hot tea and just sipping on it. hope you feel better soon

I have been banded since 4/25/2012. Started wt. 325lbs. 3XL/4XL(shirts) , and 26 (pants). My current wt. 248.4lbs. I went to the store to look for some jeans and I fitted into size18 (ultra strech). Oh they looked good in me. I was doing my "happy dance" . Was super geeked.

My WLS support group yesterday had a plastic surgeon as the guest speaker. Although skin removal and other procedures may be a distant goal for me, if ever, I went to listen. I'm so glad I did. Occasionally, insurance may pay for a panniculectomy (removal of the stomach excess skin), but only if the excess skin is causing medical problems that have been documented and treated, unsuccessfully, by your primary care physician over a period of months. Translation... Don't attempt to treat rashes or sores or moisture issues from excess skin without your PCP's help, prescriptions, and documentation. Make a paper trail, and if the skin continues to cause problems, you will have a starting point to be able to request insurance to pay for that kind of procedure in the future. Many of us just deal with it on our own from embarrassment. Think proactively!

Hi everyone...
So rather post in the Jenny Craig string I started a couple of days ago I decided to start a new post - with a clear mind and fresh from the doc's office.
I went in for my 4th fill appointment yesterday and I'm down 30lbs to the ounce - only 5 lbs in the last month but I've been building muscle and losing inches - so calling it a victory even though inner me says WTF based on the amount of work I've been putting into the new me - but, again Yay me!
food intake - I'm calling it that b/c diet sounds so controversial and I know it's a delicate subject, especially in this audience. And, it makes TOTAL sense because we are an audience who LOVES food and nearly all of us have a love/hate relationship with it hence the reason we chose to tie a ring around our stomachs.
I digress quite often... so back to Food Intake - and this is for me, in my experience and direction from Dr. Daly (btw - he's a phenomenal surgeon and better doctor b/c he's the guy I see each and every time, he does my fills, he does my consults and answers my questions - love him).
It would be so GREAT & IDEAL, healthy and wholesome to use organic, food from the earth, bought from a grocery store, market or farm - to my kitchen to my table to my mouth - yes, that is, in my opinion would be my #1 choice and wish. Then, dunt dunt dunt... MY real life chimes in and this is extremely out of my realm of doing (not saying I can't - it's a choice of ease and peace). I understand that I am in "bandster hell" - and what that equates to me is I'm healed from surgery, i've got some restriction but at times it doesn't feel like much, I'm learning (sometimes the painful way) that I MUST slow down, sit down and consciously, each and EVERY meal, eat my food, one little bite at a time, without drinking. Eat low fat Protein first, and by my doc's orders try not to drink calories - he would like nutrients to come from food and supplements. And I have at least 50+ more pounds to lose <KEY POINT>. CC's Reality - 3 kids (12, 11 & 3), a husband, I'm the breadwinner of the family working for a software company in marketing, girl scout leader, girl friend to many (I love my girly friends - thank god for them!!!) and full time MOM - first and foremost - so where does that lead me - to a very busy and plan all your meals ahead of time kind of a gal b/c otherwise I get into TROUBLE. I go to the gym 3-5x a week with several of those girly friends (again thank god for them!) which has been the best anti-depressant I could ever ask for - and man does it WORK! ... which leads to the decision I made last Saturday to go back to Jenny Craig (GASP lol) for these reasons:
Doc said to me yesterday as he was leaving the room, he stopped and turned around and said, "Yes, good that you are doing Jenny Craig because it gives you exactly what you need at this time and will help you shed this weight - I support the decision" - yay deep breath. It's NOT forever Results will differ from previous JC attempts b/c my band will help with gaining the weight back b/c it helps prevent overeating which is how the weight got back on in the past for me. Because I have a lifetime membership w/ 30% off & no start up fee, JC is inexpensive - $70 per week for 21 meals & 7 Snacks portioned to perfection, tastes good, average 8 out of 10 on yummy scale and the best part - it's spelled out, meal for meal morning noon and night - tells me what I eat and gives me the well balanced nutrients of Protein, carbs, fats, sugars and Fiber. And Doc supported by my LapBand surgeon. I can still cook and prepare my family's daily meals (which is what I do every freaking day of my life) and sit down with them as they eat what I've prepared (I still eat salad and veggies that I serve to them) and enjoy my JC meal without feeling anxious that I'm sabotaging my weight loss. My future plan once the pounds have been shed - to eat normal, like B-52, Carolina Girl, 2MF and all of the other inspiring folks on this forum who have currently already have lost the weight say constantly, "let the band work for you - listen and obey the band and you'll live a slim lifestyle". I WILL make chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad and I'll brainstorm (a special THANKS to HealthyNewMe - you rock!!) all of the wonderful REAL foods I can eat and prepare and NOT eat out of a box - but for now I am choosing to take an easy out and eat JC food and ya know what... it may be only one month and I'll be like - I can do this myself, to hell with the box. For now, well... It sure beats an alternative of going to mcdonalds and Chick Fil A everyday!
So for you newbies who are considering this journey - it takes all kinds and you have to define the road you take - I just hope that this spew of words and my 5 month journey so far gives someone else some clarity and information.
Note - not once did I ever say "this is what you need to do" - because only YOU know what YOU need to do
Happy Hump day y'all! Jersey girl living in GA or aka Damn Yankee

I guess each surgeon has his or her own protocol. I had to lose eight pounds in two weeks, consuming only four Protein Shakes a day (600 calories a day), or I would not qualify for my scheduled surgery. You can bet your ___ ___ ___ I followed that diet and I exercised as much as I could bc I didn't want to blow this chance. I lost eleven pounds. I did all of this last May, when my third child was graduating from high school. I drank my Protein Shake while I took my entire family to his favorite restaurant, I drank a shake at two different graduation parties, and I drank a shake even as we threw a crawfish boil in his honor. It may have been the hardest two weeks I ever spent without food.... But I kept repeating my mantra (that I live by during difficult situations).... YOU CAN DO ANYTHING FOR TWO WEEKS.... YOU CAN DO ANYTHING FOR TWO WEEKS.... You've come a long way..... Don't blow it now. You deserve to get yourself healthy. You are worth more than that food. You can do this!!!!!!

Keep on living the good life now! Walk away politely.... Some people will just never understand....
Congrats on your success....never let anyone take that away from you.
JOB WELL DONE!!

Pregnant pickle: pickle with laughing cow light wrapped in lower sodium ham. Or pepperocini peppers with laughing cow wrapped in turkey. Caprese salad tho i always want to eat all the fresh Mozzerella. Watermelon & feta salad. Lettuce wraps with deli meat & light mayo, Tomato or Caesar drsg& chicken, or blt style. When I have a sweet tooth I microwave a Fiber one brownie& put whipped cream on ~105 cal. Edamame. Edamame or regular hummus with fennel, red pepper or snap peas to dip in. Joseph's flaxseed wrap with some cheese in it. If I can't think of what to eat I usually just eat tuna with mustard, mayo, & pepperocini peppers to see if I'm actually hungry& satiate my hunger with Protein first. I do love those 80 cal Greek yogurt-I got strawberry cheesecake & banana cream today.

All sounds delish!..unfortunately I am in the 3% who became Lactose (which I had to look up..lol) intolerant do to WLS..so dairy (sadly) isn't an option.
BUT..lol..
my fave go to snack ,ok its not GO TO..cuz I eat it all the time.
Smuckers Natural creamy Peanut Butter, on banana's (ingred: Peanuts).. OR Quaker Rice cakes (caramel corn flavor) with Peanut Butter.< /p>
I think I like peanut butter cuz, in my fat life I ate Reese's Peanut cups like nobodys business!!!..lol

cheese cubes, apple sliced (dipped in peanut butter), carrot sticks, Protein Bars,
(any fruit)

I'm a huge fan of all greek yogurt. I try to watch the sugar and fat content. My fave is plain or vanilla yogurt mixed with fresh or frozen fruits. I have the Chobani Apple and Cinnamon fat free for desert often. I also discovered the Yoplait Greek 100 calorie greek yogurts. They're lower calories and have less sugar than Chobani and taste pretty darn good.
Beef Jerky is also a snack I enjoy often. My personal fave is Perky Jerky.

Hey y'all, thought I would share a recipe that is really easy, simple and delicious! I know some lap banders can't have shrimp and some can. I have been fortunate. I have 7.5 or 7.75cc in a 10 cc band and can still eat everything. I just take my time and chew!
2 servings raw shrimp (I used Sea Queen medium shrimp from aldi)
1 tbs yogurt butter spread (Brummel and Brown)
1 tbs minced garlic (can be adjusted to taste)
juice from 1/2 lemon
2 tbs Parmesan cheese
Cooking spray
Heat a skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Melt the butter in the pan and add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes. Add shrimp in a single layer and squeeze the half a lemon in the pan over the shrimp. Cook shrimp until opaque about 4-5 minutes on both sides. I served mine over a 1/4 cup steamed broccoli sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. It is delicious!
It's 153 cals per serving with 5 fat 2.5 carb and 21 Protein.
Enjoy!!

You rock! Thanks a mill for arranging the meet n' greet!
Later on this year we plan on creating local BariatricPal chapters in every state. These chapters will hopefully facilitate more personal and close interaction between members by organizing local events and meetups.

Hi all:
Just wanted to post some pics from our NYC meet and greet. I hope this encourages some of you to do the same in your areas. Thanks to all who attended...and a special thanks to Alex...it was such a pleasure to meet you and to thank you in person for creating this site.
Liz
   

Since being banded, I've been really trying to watch what I eat. I try to make good choices in food and I measure everything. And now I can't help but think, it's NO wonder I was so fat when I started this journey! My portion sizes were totally out of control!!! And I had NO idea until I started reading labels and measuring all of my food. Wow! I can't wait until I reach the "green" zone so that my band will do all of the measuring for me but, until then, I'll keep reading labels and measuring my food for sure. This has definitely been an eye-opening experience for me!

Hi I am new to the site and have had revision WLS (band over bypass) on the 9th January 2014. This has been my most happiest post operative experience so far (have had many surgeries) and I must say the peppermint tea that I have been drinking(recommended by a friend) has made all the difference. It's natural , almost calorie free and helps ease pain and wind..so thought I would share my experience and hopefully help others

WOW...I love the wisdom in this thread...very practicable and simple indeed...

Tomorrow morning is the big day! I'm so excited to start my Lapband journey! ❤️

I didn't care for Ensure. I tried many types of Protein Powder, but Designer whey is my favorite. I buy the vanilla and then add a little sugar free pudding mix to change the flavors up. My favorite is vanilla Protein powder, strawberries and a tsp. of sugar free cheesecake pudding mix blended with unsweetened almond milk. It tastes like a milkshake. You can make so many combinations by switching up the fruits and flavored puddings.

Hey y'all, thought I would share a recipe that is really easy, simple and delicious! I know some lap banders can't have shrimp and some can. I have been fortunate. I have 7.5 or 7.75cc in a 10 cc band and can still eat everything. I just take my time and chew!
2 servings raw shrimp (I used Sea Queen medium shrimp from aldi)
1 tbs yogurt butter spread (Brummel and Brown)
1 tbs minced garlic (can be adjusted to taste)
juice from 1/2 lemon
2 tbs Parmesan cheese
Cooking spray
Heat a skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Melt the butter in the pan and add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes. Add shrimp in a single layer and squeeze the half a lemon in the pan over the shrimp. Cook shrimp until opaque about 4-5 minutes on both sides. I served mine over a 1/4 cup steamed broccoli sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. It is delicious!
It's 153 cals per serving with 5 fat 2.5 carb and 21 Protein.
Enjoy!!

So I have an amazing woman I work with who has done nothing but encourage me through this journey take pictures of me at my 50 lbs lost. Here is my progress so far. I still have at least another 50-60 lbs that I want to lose.

Hey y'all, thought I would share a recipe that is really easy, simple and delicious! I know some lap banders can't have shrimp and some can. I have been fortunate. I have 7.5 or 7.75cc in a 10 cc band and can still eat everything. I just take my time and chew!
2 servings raw shrimp (I used Sea Queen medium shrimp from aldi)
1 tbs yogurt butter spread (Brummel and Brown)
1 tbs minced garlic (can be adjusted to taste)
juice from 1/2 lemon
2 tbs Parmesan cheese
Cooking spray
Heat a skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Melt the butter in the pan and add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes. Add shrimp in a single layer and squeeze the half a lemon in the pan over the shrimp. Cook shrimp until opaque about 4-5 minutes on both sides. I served mine over a 1/4 cup steamed broccoli sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. It is delicious!
It's 153 cals per serving with 5 fat 2.5 carb and 21 Protein.
Enjoy!!

Hey y'all, I am nearly 5 months post op and I believe I have the flu. I am making sure to get fluids in but I have a fever that is ranging from 100-103. What can I take other than Tylenol? Tylenol works for about 45 mins and only brings it down doesn't break it completely. I also have a horrible headache that Tylenol won't touch.

cant we just have a southern president who will eat fish???

I have two kids and a husband that would kill me if I gave away their candy! So it's sitting there on the kitchen counter just tempting me. Last night I gave in. I wish I could say I only ate 2 or 3 pieces, but I can't. So today I am trying something new. I put a bottle of mouthwash right on top of the bowl. Now hopefully if I reach for the candy, I rinse my mouth out instead. Who wants to eat after they use mouthwash??? Not me!!

I had lapband w/ plication and a hernia repair in July. I slept in a recliner with a small pillow pushed slightly under and over my left side where the port is. I ended staying in the recliner for the first 10 days because when I tried to get in my bed it just hurt way to much.