Frisky1

Hello. I was banded in Dec '07. I haven't taken my vitamins because they are hard to remember. After my 6 month blood work, My vitamin D is way down. The Dr. says this can cause Osteoporosis. I'm back to my vitamins.

Denver, Colorado

Hi Everyone! Its been a long time since I've posted. I like seeing how everyones doing. I am down 45 lbs!!! Woo Hoo! I feel SO MUCH BETTER! I can actually shop (for smaller clothes!) and not have my feet get sore from all the weight. I haven't actually kicked in any workouts yet...I figure if I stop losing I'll kick in the exercise. (Some habits are very hard to break)

I Live in Colorado. I originally had United Healthcare but my company (Qwest) specifically excludes bariatric surgery, even if "Medically Necessary". I can't believe they can actually deny "Medically Necessary" but they do. I changed to Kaiser and they cover it. I wasn't required to lose weight. I did have to do the psych, pre-surgery labs and an 8 week "Weight Loss Surgery" class beforehand. Kaiser contracts with 2 Bariatric surgeons who are both members of clinics certified as "Center for Excellence".

Thanks for the support! I called my Dr's office and I go in for a fill tomorrow....Woo Hoo!!! My doctor tends to be very conservative with fills. (He told me to come back in May) I'll let you all know how it goes. Thanks again.

Hello everyone. I was banded 12/18/07. So far I've lost around 35lbs. I had my first fill the end of January (2ccs). I've been having a lot of trouble with portions. I can eat LOTS of food. Any kind of food. I feel like I have no band....I have a lot of stress going on in my life right now and it's becoming harder and harder not to eat, eat, eat. I was hoping the band would help me w/portion control. Is it just because I don't have enough fill? I have a 10ccAP band. HELP!!

Hi Zippycat, Thanks for the info. That sounds great! I live just a few blocks away from there. Do you know how much it costs? Frisky1:confused2: Do you go there often? Does it help to keep you on track?

Hi everyone! Just wanted to say "Hi!". It's been a long time since I've posted. I'm in Lakewood. Does anyone know of support groups close to me?

Welcome Rose! So what's it like being 3 yrs out? I was banded 12/18/07.

What is the difference between the APS and the Realize band?

WOW! I don't know what happened! They were weblinks when I posted them...?

Where are you located? The Kaiser in Denver pays for lapband. They contract with Dr. Chae (my surgeon) National Bariatric Center: bariatric surgeon Colorado, bariatric surgeon Denver, bariatrics Denver, obesity surgery Colorado, obesity surgery Denver, stomach staple Denver, weight loss surgery Denver, weight loss surgery Colorado, bariatrics Colorado and Dr. Tom Brown Richard Tillquist M.D. - Welcome. Both are Centers of Excellence.

Yes. There's a link to it on the Unjury protein website.

I was banded on 12/18 with the APS band. I've lost 17 lbs. I saw my doctor on the 9th. He asked if I wanted a fill. I decided to wait until I quit losing weight or gaining before I get my first fill. What is the difference when you are filled? I haven't been doing any exercise...yet.

I love the chocolate. I'm mixing the vanilla and the chocolate...mmmmm. I can't stand the unflavored.......

I bought the Penneys brand of "magic bullet". It works well and it cost less. (Cooks brand)

Have you tried the Unjury brand of protein? It comes in chocolate and vanilla and they taste pretty good. (There are other flavors but I don't like them) Here's the website if you're interested. They also have samples. Welcome to the UNJURY Homepage

Does anyone else have the AP Band? I was told that's what I have. No fill yet.

Thank you to everyone who responded to my post about regrets. I was concerned mostly about the fact that I wouldn't ever be able to eat normally again. You've all helped me to understand that is not the case. I am now on the "soft and moist" phase and life looks brighter. I know that I can't eat the way I used to but I also feel it's ok to have "forbidden fruit" once in a while. Just not everyday. Also, thanks for the positive comments without judgement.

I didn't tell anyone outside of my immediate family except my boss. (Time off) I don't want to have to deal with people's "free" advice or criticisms anymore than I have to. You always have someone letting you know their mind on your weight loss. I'm 5'0". When I told an ex-sister-in-law I wanted to get down to 100-110 lbs. (I was 100 lbs before I gained weight) her response was, "Are you sure that's good for you?" She was a petite person. Other times when people question why I'm not eating I tell them I'm not hungry. If they persist, I ask them why they want me to eat when I'm not hungry.

In God We Trust "In God We Trust" In God We Trust is the current official national motto of the United States and the U.S. state of Florida, and all the other US states. In Spanish form, En Dios Confiamos, it is also the national motto of Nicaragua. In God We Trust became the official U.S. national motto after the passage of an Act of Congress in 1956. E Pluribus Unum, approved for use in the Great Seal of the United States in 1782, remains a ubiquitous motto appearing on coins and currency, and has been widely considered the national motto de facto. However, by 1956 it had not been explicitly established by legislation as the official "national motto", and therefore "In God We Trust" was selected (Wikipedia)

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" Let it then (as workmanship of the same Divine hand) be our peculiar constant care and vigilant attention to inculcate this sacred principal, and to hand it down to posterity.....Good government generally begins in the family, and if the moral character of a people once degenerate, their political character must soon follow. Elias Boudinot (1740-1821) President of the Continental Congress "Direct and Indirect quotes combined reveal that the majority of quotes of the Founding Fathers are derived from the bible" America's God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations, pg 49 "Under God" was added to The Pledge Allegiance by Pres Eisenhower Dec 28, 1945 Richard Bassett (1745-1815) One of the original signers of The Constitution of The United States and writers of the Constitution of the state of Delaware that states: Article XXII--Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust...shall...make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit: "I , , do hereby profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed forever more; and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration. AND Samuel Adams (1722-1803) Father of the American Revolution As the Declaration of Independence was being signed, 1776, Samuel Adams declared; We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let his kingdom come. Just a few facts.....

Thanks Merry Nymph! You are right about the reasons we have chosen this path. I'm pre-diabetic and I see what my mother goes through everyday. I do not want that. I have to remember always why I'm doing this. I didn't see a nutritionist. I have Kaiser and they gave us a list of foods to eat at each stage. Clear liquids, Full liquids, Soft and Moist and Solid foods. It says we should eat 500 calories a day, eat 5 times a day and only 2oz. at a time. I know that I've had at least 4 ozs of soup a few times. It's so crazy to see all the different eating plans. Even my stuff contradicts itself.

I know exactly what you mean. My family went out for Oriental and I'm sitting here with my Green Pea Soup...well, at least it's not chicken broth...