mmcbelle

Hi Jess30, Welcome and congratulations on your success thus far. You are amazing. Please don't feel inadequate. Think about what you have accomplished. You have stopped gaining (if you were like me each new year brought new lbs) and begun to lose excess weight. Your health is improving. You are setting a better example for those around you. Each person's battle with weight loss is very individual. You have had great success thus far. It does seem daunting sometime to think how much we have to lose to make our goals. I have set a goal of four years to lose it all. I have broken it down into thirds. The first third I hope to have finished in five months. The second third 10 months after that and the third third 20 months after that (yes that is less than four years, but I wanted some wiggle room). It certainly took me more than four years to gain it all. I had to break down the smaller goals so it does not seem so overwhelming. I also know that it will be more difficult the close I get to my goal. You can do it, you have a great start. Keep us informed on how you are doing. Happy banding, Mary

Hi McQty, Welcome and congratulations. I wanted to respond to your exercise question. I asked my surgeon on the post surgery visit at three weeks post op. He said it was okay to start. I waited until six weeks and began an aggressive personal training sessions. 2X a week for one hour plus cardio on my own. I waited until six weeks because it gave my body time to recouperate from the surger and get the healing well under way. Again welcome it is wonderful to have you as part of the group. Happy banding, Mary

Hi Cerrin, Congrats on the approval letter. You will figure out a way. Be proactive with the provider and ask if they have a payment plan for your portion or have any suggestions. Try not to stress, it will work out. Happy banding, Mary

Welcome 150bound and congratulations...what a great decision you have made. Stay active on the boards, this community really helps me! Happy banding, Mary

Hi jljeje, I went through the six months twice. First with my doctor and second with AIGB (True Results) in Richardson. PM me if you would like to ask specific questions. No, the surgeons associated with AIGB/True Results do not do their own fills. That happens at True Results after care. You will be asssigned the same PA to do it every time (helps to talk to the same person every time and they become familiar with you as an individual). Good luck and hang in there, you can do it! MMT

Hi JT99, Open a separte browser window and get your ticker created. There should be a selection that has bbc code. Have a second browser window open with LBT open and be logged in. On LBT, click the UserCP menu. In the left-hand frame, select Edit Signature. In the Edit signature frame there is a box which is blank...copy the bbc code from the ticker maker and paste it within this box. Click the Preview Signature button near the bottom of the page to view how your signature looks. Make changes in the box, if needed. Click the Save Signature button. That should do it. PM me if the instructions are not clear. Cheers, Mary

Hi Irene, You hang in there, your day is coming. Pleasant dreams :notagree, Mary

Hey Jim, Thanks for the publishing your results. It helps to see how others are doing. Thank you, Mary

Hi Trish, I know what you mean about the gastric bypass, just too scary. It took me time to get here as well. Congratulations, you will do great! Happy banding, Mary

Cherlita & Sassy780, Congratualtions! I am excited for you! Cheers, Mary

Congrats Bneely, you are doing great. I think I just needed to get it off my chest that I am struggling. It does help knowing that I am not the only one struggling right now. Today has been a much better day. Getting off the sugar seems to have been a key component. I also relied on a different friend who shed some perspective with me and that helped VERY much. Thanks all for your words. They really do help. Happy banding, Mary

Hi Topdonwbug, Try this link...it helped me a lot. It is in the FAQ here on LBT. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/abbreviations-what-they-mean-7959/ Happy banding, MMT

Hi all, I don't know how to describe the place that I am in. I hit 50 lbs off and seem to have stalled. I got on a sugar binge:hungry:. I have not been drinking my water. I have made some less than good nutritional choices. I seem to have learned to eat around the band. Is this self sabatoge for getting 50 lbs off? I finally got sugar sick today and think that is over for now, but has this happened to anyone else. You hit an important mini goal and just coast for a while? I did have some unusual stress this week. My 87 year old granny had a cancerous lump and two lymph nodes removed and I was really worried about her (this is her second bout with breast cancer and she is my last living grandparent). My BFF and DH have both been "out of sorts" with me this week (really hard since they are the backbone of my support system - and maybe it is not them...it is me):faint:. My workouts seem to be the only thing I am consistantly doing right. I know one answer is back to basics. Review the band road rules. Stay the course. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Maybe I just need to quit whining and get my tuccous back to it. I have a follow up appointment scheduled on the 14 and now know I have to get a fill. I am also realizing just how small 1/4 cup is and it is frightening me.:paranoid Any thoughts ideas, etc. would be appreciated (please be gentle, I am sensative right now). Please:help: Thanks for reading, Mary

Hi trystelle, First, great job on your success to date. You are so brave to post your feelings out here. I have stuff like this get to me once in a while. Just yesterday I was talking with my Aunt asking her what her size was because I was going to have clothes to gift soon (I hope). Just to find out that she is a size smaller than me anyway. I just never looked at my Aunt and thought I was bigger than she is. I had to process this and get through it because I can't get caught in a rutt. I got to thinking about it and this is one of those times that I go comparing myself to someone else. Somewhere along the way of the banding preparation and process it became very clear to me that I have only one person to compete with and that person is myself. I say compete, but it is really about doing myself one better...that is MY PERSONAL BEST. When I was analyzing my head about the feelings about my Aunt, I realized that I had set a goal of 50 lbs off by December of this year. That goal seemed reasonable and attainable at the time. To my pleasant surprise, I achieved that goal this week. Some how looking at what I have achieved in my own personal success, made the thoughts of negativity about my Aunt dissapate. My personal accomplishment far outweighed (no pun intended) the 15 minute issue I was currently obsessing on. The morale of the story. Stay focused on what you have done and focused on bettering yourself. Each person is different and each bandsters journey is unique. Find happiness in your success. You know how hard this has been for you. Your progress is real and wonderful. Consider the cheese that has been served with your whine. Remember the people out there that look at your success and envy where you are. Be happy with who you are and what you have accomplished. Your success is a wonderful achievement. Thank you for your post, it helps me to realize that others have less than positive thoughts sometimes and that folks out here are always supportive in helping us get through it. Happy banding, MMT

Hi lizrbit, Thanks so much for your response. I decided to go with protein shakes and mushies for a while. Then give hard protein another try in a couple of days. I don't know if I need to get an adjustment, I will go with your advice and continue the mushies for a couple of days to see if it calms down. I only have about 16 days til my next follow up. The guideline you gave of 2 oz in 30 minutes showed me that I am eating too fast and maybe that is my issue. I MUST SLOW DOWN. I am really curious at what rate bandsters are eating hard protein. Please chime in with your response.:help: Thanks again for the response, I really do appreciate it! Your an :angel:. On a better note, I hit a mini goal today. I am officially 50 lbs lighter than my starting weight. :whoo: Cheers, Mary

Hi Gummiebear, Yes, go to liquids or mushies for a bit and give yourself some time to adjust. A quick question, are you under stess or stressing over something? My band gets tight and at times places the golfball in my throut when I am stressed. I actually have to calm myself and find an alternative destresser (hot shower or a work out work for me now) and that helps my band loosen up. Good luck, I hope it subsides soon. MMT

Hi aubrie, Don't give up. Your feelings are so valid and I understand your emotions. I hope my story will help. It took 18 months for CIGNA to approve me and I suffered two denials in that time. The first denial was very much like your denial. My Dr. did not provide exactly what they wanted and I visited the Dr. for sickness in the same visit, so within thier rules for the policy I was denied after my six moth extravganza, including two physche evaluations, digging up five years of medical history, having many tests, being diagnosed with sleep anea, etc., etc., etc. After the first denail, I was devistated. Had I just wasted six months of my time and copays? Did the universe hate me? Was CIGNA the anti Christ? Finally in a crying lump of emotions, I called my brother (12 years my younger). I told him what happened. He said, "You have to answer two things...Do you really want this surgery? Do you want insurance to pay for it?" My all out balling slowed to wimpering. I actually thought about what he had said and asked myself the questions. The final answer was yes to both. So I had some things to do. I decided to redo the six month diet monitoring with AIGB. They specialize in helping individuals getting approved for lap band. The second denial was after the second six months of Dr. visits. Again CIGNA denied for the same exact reason (they did not bother to review the paperwork, just stamped it as unapproved). My case worker from lap band solutions got a supervisor on the phone and got it verbally approved about one week later. Then CIGNA refused to send an approvel letter to my surgeon (my surgeons office worked on this part), but they finally did send written approval of coverage. At the time, it seemed an awful experience. It seemed everything was agianst me. Now I can look back and see that I needed the 18 months to do some of the headwork. I had childhood issues that needed addressing. I needed to get prepared for this life changing experience. I did not think this at the time, but now I am thankful for the time I had to prepare. Hang in there. You deserve this, but it may take more time than you anticipated. My advice is to take a multi pronged approach. Get someone like lap band solutions to take on your case to work with a clinic where they specialize in getting lap band approved. Be prepared that you may have to repeat some of what you had to do over the last six months. Also go through the appeals process. Do all the things you can to get this...if it is what you really want (I think it is from what you have been through so far). Was it worth 18 months to be three months post op today...not just yes, but #$@% YES. You are worth it, hang in there and do what you have to do. Your DH sounds like a very supportive partner. Very good to have during this process. Good luck to you and let us know how you are doing and what the progress is. Good luck, MMT

Hi lauren0728, You are in what is called bandster hell. That time when you are post op and pre fill and you have no restriction. It is just like not being banded. Hang in there. It is really important to let your body heal right now. It will help you in the long run. Your are absolutly valid in what you feel. Just don't let it get you down or keep you down rather. I do have some suggestions. ~ Up your Protein. It helps you heal, it satisifies longer, it takes longer to burn protien calories. ~If you think you are hungry, try to drink Water (tea, Vitamin water, etc.). We often confuse thirst for hunger. Drink and if you are still hungry in 15-30 minutes, eat some protein. ~ Walk, it does a body good. I have found that exercise is a great stress reducer and a good substitute for obsessing about food. ~Keep SF gum with you and pop a piece in your mouth. It can sometimes satisfy those cravings. ~This is probably most important...put your scale away. It is bothering you what you see on the scale and sounds like you are stepping on it daily maybe even more than once a day. My weight fluxuates as much as 10 lbs in a day. If the scale is getting to you, remove the cause of the issue by removing the scale. One bandster out here had her DH hide the scale from her for a while. Remember the band experience is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time and you are in one of the more challenging times for a bandster. Be gentle with yourself. You have not waisted time or money. It is worth it and you will do great! Let your self heal in body and spirit. Keep us updated. Good luck, MMT

Hi DFWers, I was banded by Dr. Marsden at Wise Regional in Decatur, TX on July 23. I am located in Plano. I go for after care at AIGB in Richardson. I try to attend the monthly support meetings (when the Dallas Stars are not having a home game:whoo:). I love this forum. I get the benefit of the experience of others that have gone before me and have the opportunity to give and receive encouragement. Feel free to PM me and chat about anything at any time. :typing: Happy banding everyone! Mary

Hi flower faery, The tone of your post sounds so much better. I am very happy for you. It is wonderful to see you recover from being down. I wanted to tell you that my scale goes up and down all week and for me that is okay. I know I am getting stronger, my metabolism is getting higher and I just plain feel better. My trainer really helps me out. On the days that I work with my trainer, I burn more than 1600 calories during exercising (minium of 1000 with him and another 600 in cardio afterward). I had a great NSV (Non Scale Victory) last week when we took measurements after five weeks. 18 scale pounds amounted to 44 lbs of fat loss and 26 lbs of muscle gain. If my trainer was not taking the measurements, I would have thought it was just 18 lbs. I guess what I am saying is that the scale is only one measurement. Look at your overall accomplishments. I also believe that the band has one important difference than other methods. The band helps you keep it off (the yo-yo effect is over:clap2:). Good for you and keep up the good work:waytogo:. I hope you get the fill and begin to get some restriction. Be patient for your sweet spot, it will happen for you. Happy banding, MMT

Hi all, I need some help:help:. I had a fill about two weeks ago. I have been having some trouble and I don't know what to try next. I am having lots of trouble with hard proteins like beef, tuna and chicken (PBing with these). I can do cottage cheese, cheese, ground meat, shrimp, even hot dog/links type of meats fine. Am I not taking small enough bites? When I see it again, it is tiny - so I think this is not it. Am I eating too fast :hungry:- I think this may be it, can anyone give me guage as to how much over what period of time? I don't think I am too restricted because of the quantity of the other food I am eating. Or am I at the stage that I may have to give these foods up (please don't tell me this, I am a proteinaholic and I love my meat)? Is there something I am not thinking of? Please:help: Any help or the benefit of your experience would be MUCH appreciated. Happy banding, Mary

Hi MissSac, A banster bite is very small. Think the size bite a toddler takes when eating. I use a seafood fork and spoon when I need reminding of what the bite size should be. With each fill, it seems to get smaller and smaller. You won't be able to just gulp down drinks as well. I am still working on the sip as opposed to a 2-3 oz drink. Sometimes I can take the bigger drinks and others result in pain. Your idea of sipping all day is very accurate. Good luck to you, MMT

Hi MissSac, Congratulations on your surgery date. It helped me to use my time before surgery to learn a bandster bite and sip. It really helped when my post surgery life bagan. Good luck and keep us up to date on how you are feeling. Cheers, MMT

I read these posts and think about my relationship with my best friend. I have always been the fat one, but the confident and self assured one (go figure). We had 18 months of approval process to help with the acceptance of this process for both of us. Now we do have the conversaions about my getting skinnier. I say skinnier because I have always been more fit and healthy, evan at 80 lbs heavier than her. She has high BP, thyroid issues, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and takes meds for all. Anyway we do some joking back and forth and I find it is important for her to know that even though I will weigh less than her at some point, she is still my friend. She has an unspoken fear that I will leave her behind and it is a valid fear, how many people have been left behind in the wake of someone becoming a more fit and confident person. Just like in any relationship there will be tests of the relationship. Both parties have to be able to express themselves (nice if it is tactful). We are still individuals. I think your friends (the really close ones) may have issues expressing that they are afraid for thier potential loss. I have gone from concentrating on those around me to concentrating on myself and that is a HUGE change and scary for those left in my wake. Relationships grow stronger because of overcome obsitcles, not because they are easy. I have implemented what I call the "No friend left behind" program in my life. I remind my friends that what we do will change, we will continue to be friends and ask them if I can eat from their plate:biggrin1:. Sure your relationships will change because you are changing. Your friends think they have you figured out and bam you go changing on them. Your friends will come around and so will you, if you both want to have a relationship. You have to decide if you want to share the hurt that your friends (knowingly or not) may cause you. Remember it is your new path that is causing the change and it is difficult for us humans to adjust to change. Be patient with those friends, you are not the only one going through changes. I was going to apologize for being such a pollyanna, but I rethought and won't. Sometimes you need a pollyanna in your life:). Happy banding, MMT

Hi flower faery, I can't explain why, maybe your body is in starvation mode haning onto every calorie. Maybe your body is taking all your resouces to heal and not allowing weight loss right now. When I was going through this (before the first fill - bandster hell). The nurse kept pushing Protein, she said protein satisfies longer and the body burns protein differently than carbs. Sometimes it kept me satisfied longer and other times it does not. Another suggestion, don't get on the scale so frequently. I understand that curiosity to see results on the scale is a powerful thing, but resist the temptation. You are still healing and the body needs what it needs. This is also where the protien comes in. Our bodies basic building block is aminio acids...found in protein. When you are healing you need that protein. Be gentle with yourself. The band is not a quick fix and takes time to work. Everyone has bad days/weeks and even months/years. You are just learning to eat differently and it takes time. Take time for you. Good luck, MMT