jfran

I am not a vegetarian, but you could try nuts, greek yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, Beans, soy products, tofu,etc. Sorry I can't be of more help. I don't like veggies enough to ever be a vegetarian.

<p>It shouldn't hurt especially if they numb the area first. I have had 2 fills and haven't seen much restriction. Everyone is different of course, so you may have great results. For some people, they don't start losing consistently until after the first few fills and they get good restriction. For others (like me), I have lost pretty consisently without restriction--however, I am exercising 6 days a week for at least an hour sometimes 2 hours. I have cut out all of the junk food and I am only eating lean meats, fruits, veggies, and whole grains. </p> <p> </p> <p>I hope you have good results and don't sweat the fill it doesn't hurt.</p></p></p>

I spent $300 on clothes last month and they are all too big now! I am trying to get as much use out of them as I can, but I look sloppy. I want to look put together and above all else I want to look hot!

I had my surgery done is the surgery center. It was in the parking lot of the hospital. They made me sign a form stating if anything went wrong requiring transport to the hospital next door, then I would be responsible for the fee of the ambulance service. Luckily nothing went wrong and I had a great experience the staff was so attentive. I would do it again, too.

I can't go much under 1200-1500 calories or my body goes into starvation mode and I won't lose any. I am losing 2-2.5 lbs per week and I exercise 6 days a week. I feel great! I would agree that most people are eating around 800-1000. I have only had 2 fills and I don't have restriction so I can easily eat enough food to total 1500. I figure as long as I am losing at 1500 why restrict myself.

seems like I read on another thread that people were having trouble getting insurance post banding when they changed carriers. This sucks for me because next year I turn 24 and will be kicked off my parents insurance. I hope I can find an insurance carrier that will take me ( do I have to tell them I had the lapband??).

Wow! Thank God your Mom is okay. I know you want your band like yesterday, but it is better that you are healthy for surgery so nothing goes wrong. I will pray that everything goes well for you on your stress test and that your mom recovers well.

I have had 2 fills and I still don't have any restriction; however, I consciously choose to eat less at a meal. I have started eating 5-6 small meals a day totalling 1500 calories. I make sure to eat Protein at each meal and I stick to healthy options like salad, lowfat cheese and wheat crackers, fruit,etc. I am exercising at least an hour 6 days a week with cardio and strength training. Even though I know I could eat tons of food, eating small meals through the day and exercising has made me lose weight without restriction. I plan to ride this as far as it will take me and then get another fill. I agree, maybe you need a new doctor who is more sensitive to your needs. Try the six small meals a day w/exercise and let us know if it kick starts your weight loss. Good luck!

You aren't overreacting. My mom had the same problem with her caseworker. She asked her to fax the info in to her insurance company and it took her over a month to fax it in. Unfortunately she was denied coverage and told they would never pay for it even on appeal. She didn't have a BMI of 40 for 5 years. SUCKS!!! She is going to self pay and is scheduled for surgery Oct. 19. Good luck with your band.

Lapband was the best decision I have ever made, and I would do it again a million times.

I am 4 months out from surgery and I have an APS band. I have had great results and I haven't had any episodes of sliming or pbing (knock on wood). I don't know if that has to do with the new band or if I am just lucky. Congrats to the newly banded!

For all of you 20 somethings out there going to school and work, are your friends and coworkers noticing your weightloss? Do they ask you how you are losing? Do they know that you were banded? and, what was their reaction? I haven't told anyone other than my parents and couple of others. My grandmother doesn't even know. Anyways, I am a college student and none of my friends have even noticed. Well, at least they haven't said anything. One girl asked me if I had lost some weight because she could tell I had. No one questions my eating habits or my not drinking with food. I am actually pretty happy with this, because I feel somewhat normal. Although, I am working so damn hard I would like some recognition for the good work. Just wondering what other peoples experiences were.

I have changed my eating habits as well. I eat high protein low carb. Mainly chicken, fish, veggies, and wheat crackers. I haven't had junk food in almost 5 months. Can say that I rarely miss it. I feel great eating the way I am and exercising, so I can't complain.

CALL your band doc and then go to the ER. Better safe than sorry.

How RUDE!!!!!!

So I had my surgery 4 months ago and my insurance paid. Now my mom is wanting to have the surgery and our insurance refuses to pay. They said it was because her BMI is 39. She has tons of comorbities and a bad family history yet she doesn't qualify because she is one point below the recommended BMI. She even did the 6 months supervised diet like they ask. She resubmitted with a new weigh in where her BMI is 40. They were calculating it wrong because they had her height wrong. The insurance company reponded that because she had not been a BMI of 40 or more for 5 years she didn't qualify and they wouldn't pay. INSURANCE SUCKS!!! Anyways, my mom is down and has decided to self pay. It sucks because that money could have done a lot of good (bills). So she has a tentative date for Oct. 12th. I know she will be happier and healthier after banding, it is just sad that the insurance companies are like this. Just needed to rant. Hey at least they paid for mine. Better to self pay for 1 person rather than 2.

You have age on your side so most likely you will have little to no sagging skin. Lets hope. I am 23yrs. old and I am praying I won't have to have plastic surgery for excess skin. I heard the cocoa butter is great for scars and stretch marks.

I tried lettuce in small amounts at 5 weeks. I didn't have any problems and now I eat it daily. Start with iceberg in small pieces and then make your way to romaine, and spinach, etc.

I don't have any trouble and grapes are a staple in my diet. Try and see, everyone is different.

Congratulations on your decision and I can't wait to see some "after" pictures. Enjoy your journey!

I am losing 2-3 lbs a week and my doctor thinks its great. I wouldn't worry unless you start dropping drastically. Good work and good luck on your band journey.

Some of what you say does make me wonder if you are READY for the band. You need to be in a place where you will accept nothing less than losing weight and gaining a healthier you. You will have to improve your eating habits especially during the first year or so when you are actively losing. It is important to remember that you will not have to give everything up completely. The key is everything in moderation. You may have to worry about pbing and gas and such depending on how you tolerate certain foods. But ask yourself if being thin and healthy is worth an occasional embarassing episode of slime. If the answer is yes, then the band is for you and you will be successful. In my experience, healthy eating, moderation, exercise, and a positive attitude breeds success. The pounds will melt off of you and you will feel like a new person. Good luck with your decision.

I have had 2 fills and I still have NO PROBLEM gulping water. I actually tend to water load right before I eat so that I get my water in and also it seems to help the food go down easier if I drink a lot before not during of course. I heard that wetting your throat before you eat helps you not slime.

Thank God you are okay! It is a good sign that you can drink fluids and make sure you drink plenty to stay hydrated. I would probably give your surgeon's office a call and at least speak to his nurse. They will have a better idea if you should be seen in the office or not. Feel better and stay away from that kiwi.

I love the Biggest Loser! I know it isn't totally realistic considering I can't devote 6-8 hours a day to exercise, but the results make me hopeful.