FinallyFree

You have had a lot going on in a short time period! My husband had his thyroid out in Jan. and is still trying to find the right dosage!! His dr. told him it could take up to a year. So hang in there! You are doing everything you're supposed to, but with the thyroid....that's a whole different situation. Are you seeing an Endrocronologist? (sp)

How are you feeling today? What did you do? Don't beat yourself up because you ate! You should be proud you didn't eat as much as you would've before being banded! And you've learned a good lesson on what happens when you put too much in that new little stoma!!

Congrats on the wgt loss and effort you've put into it!:tongue2: Just a thought, are you drinking enough water? I was stuck and very discouraged and discovered I needed to drink more water than 8 cups a day to lose. It's hard to get it all drank, and many times I don't, but I do try.

I was banded June 20. 2007 and haven't needed a fill. The dr. told me to come back for one if I started gaining wgt. I am always consciencsous of the band being there as an aide. It is a tool I use daily. I'm so glad I had it done.

I'm going to jump in here with a different point of view. Banded on 4/10 with a wgt. loss of 31 lbs is quite a lot for a body to adjust to in such a short period of time. Give yourself time to adjust, and start out working out say in another week or so, but do set a time, a plan, and a goal! Good luck! You're doing great!

My dr. has told me no potatoes for the first year. Different guidelines for everyone I think.

Yeah YOU!! I asked my insurance company after my surgery this question and the medicaid office last month; both told me the 6 mo. was to prove you could follow a 6 mo. plan. Keep the appts, file the paper work. Wgt. gain or loss had nothing to do with it. So keep up the good work you're half way there!

Hey, Cindy, Welcome to the healing phase of the lap band. It's hard to know sometimes, but sounds like you are being very careful and that is good. I drank some pickle juice the first time I got stuck--it was on a meatball too. The acid in the juice seemed to help. Don't worry about slipping the band, unless you start to vomitt alot. So it sounds like you're safe. Dancinglamb has offered excellent suggestions. When you do try canned meats make sure you mix it with mayo, low fat mayo or miracle whip. It will taste better and go down easier. L

I tried Gummi Bears, not just one or two......Yep, they ball up, it took a lot of water to get them down.

I requested copies of all my medical records be sent to me, no explanation was necessary. It turned out to be a good thing I did, because I switched dr. for the surgery.

The records don't need to show that you have attempted wgt. loss during the 5 yr. period. I had 5 yr. worth of medical records (ob/gyn, orthopedic, GP, etc) that showed my weight varied and proved I was over weight. If you do need a co morbidity, I bet you do have sleep apena (like I did and didn't know it) because of your weight. Good luck! I hope it goes fast for you, so you can have a better life!

Thanks for the update, Carrie, I had heard they were merging, but not until around Oct. But then maybe it will be for the state I live in. Have you heard of any changes in coverage?

Thanks! I'm pretty stable at this wgt., a half a pound or pound lighter is the variation, so I'm happy. You are getting down there too! Don't give up, I know it's hard, especially since you see how good you're looking now, but it will be worth it!

Keywestgirl, Your weight loss is fantastic!! I would be natural for the body to slow down, how could it keep up such a high amount of wgt. loss? Could you run 10-12 miles and keep it up? Be easy on yourself!! It will come off, just keep on doing what you're doing!!

Linda, How did the dr. visit go? FYI, I've discovered I have the same pain sensation in my lower port area when I over eat and it takes a while for the food to be digested.

Yes, the 6 mo. supervised Dr. visit was mandatory along with having 3 co morbidities, 5 years of medical records that shows a person is over wgt, along with the dr. referral. Greatwest was very helpful in helping me qualify for the surgery. Have you attended a seminar yet?

I have GreatWest, I'm a state employee and I was covered.

Tee, My insurance company and the medicaid office at the state level confirmed what mamma59 wrote. So hang in there, drink lots of Water, and don't beat yourself up!

Lookin2loose, YOUR'E OK. Hind site is great, and I'm looking back to where you are now. It's your husband's birthday, and you're going to go out to a nice restaurant and have Soup. Last year, you ate the whole entree, including appatizer, and desert and cake and ice cream later in the day. Right???????? Well next year, honey, you will go out proudly with your husband as a "HOTTIE" which do you think would be the best gift you could give to your husband (and yourself)? Hang in there. You're freaking out on the negative, but look at the positive!

I didn't realize how self defensive and angry I was when I was heavy....now I am much more accepting and understanding of others. I was surprised at an angry look I received from a woman in a store a few months ago. Then I realized she was angry at me because she thought I looked nice and slim, and she didn't. WOW!

I've noticed I crave ice cream after all my surgeries I've had over the years. Affects from the anethesia? I'm not sure, but it does pass.

Hi Alice! Eleven pounds is fantastic! It sounds like your body has gone into shock and is trying to save you from yourself! I know it's hard but it sounds like you might be having a problem with getting enough Water. Remember, without enough water with your daily food intake you're making cement! Right now it's all about YOU and what you are eating. It's a fine balance. Welcome to the other side! You can do it!

Hey, Yvonne!!! I too had a defeatist attitude, but decided to let it go when I had the surgery, stop making it so difficult for myself this time and just go with it!! It's worked! You are going to look so great by the start of summer.

Rick, If you went to your dr. for wgt loss, there would be documetation from the dr. stating he told you to lose wgt and how much you weighed at the appt. I had 5 years of my medical records from 5 drs. sent to the insurance company. It showed a steady wgt. gain, minimum loss. But every visit had a wgt. even if the visit was for a sinus infection, etc. Good luck!

Jaylow, I paniced too when I went shopping and discovered I fit into "normal" size clothes. The only advice I'd like to offer is, don't buy too many items in the extra large size. You'll be out of them before you know it when banded. Isn't it great!!!!