ljones4521

Please include me as well. I was banded in 2005 and fell off hte bandwagon when I learned I was pregnant. My daughter is now 2 and I need to get this weight off so I can out run her on the playground.

Boy is this the right thread for me. I too have only lost a "few" pounds since being banded in 2005. My daughter just turned two and made me realized I need to get back on the ball. I am trying to navigate the site to figure out what I am supposed to eat. I need to figure out how much Protein to ingest....I think this was the key to most others weight loss. Then I need to get another fill. I can still eat sandwiches and pizza (provided I chew and eat slowly, but I can still eat them).

Hi everyone, It has been several years since I was banded and I am so ashamed to admit that I haven't lost the amount of weight I should have. In fact I have lost about 35lbs. Managed to keep it off. During this time I got pregnant and have since given birth two years ago. I want to start my weight loss again but can't find the area of the site that discusses how to get started. I can't remember how much Protein I am supposed to ingest. There is so much going on on the site that I am just lost. Please help. Thanks,

This story sounds as if it could apply to me. I had the band in 2005, I believe. Lost weight without a fill. Shortly afterwards I became preganant, gave birth and then finally went in for a fill. Problem is I have forgotten what I should be eating to get the weight loss moving. I know we have some sort of Protein drink that is supposed to be good. The good thing is I am not gaining weight but it is high time I lose weight.

I don't see any reason why Dr. Rickford wouldn't allow you to self pay. It just means he gets his money faster. My experience with Dr. Rodriguez was fine; however, you should be aware that Acuna is not a "rich" town. Police walking the streets with automatic type rifles. Very scary. After my surgery they came into the hospital looking for someone. Dr. Rodriguez was perfect. His staff was perfec.t Haven't had an ounce of trouble with my band. You can also consider Susan Brinkley for fills. Dr. Rickford at Providence was great. Glad to have met him.

Carrie, I just left Dr. Rickford's office in DC at Providence Hospital. He did the fill under flouroscopy. I too am a Mexico patient. Banded 12/2005. I was self pay at the time; however, we now have health insurance and his office billed Blue Cross/Blue Shield on my behalf. BTW I live right down the street from you in Hanover, MD just across the streeet from Arundel Mills Mall. Lisa

I live in Anne Arundel County. Was banded a few years ago, but haven't really lost any weight. I took my time about getting my first fill and then shortly thereafter I became pregnant. My daughter is now 10 months old and I am working on losing the weight. Have about 60 lbs to lose, so I figure I should be at my goal next year this time. Feel free to PM if you ever need to talk. Lisa

Lisa, I thank you so very much for sharing YOUR story with me as it gives me confidence. This journey can often be long, stressful and emotional. Two nights ago two babies passed away in NICU. One was less than a pound the other health complications. The latter appeared to be improving despite a near death brush 3 wks ago. Take care! SKYBLUE --- Thanks for the compliments. We had a great time posing for Jenny's 1 month birthday party pictures. Lisa

Kim McNeely, Congratulations on your pregnancy and your weight loss. I am not sure how you feel about gaining weight but I was a bit...well very scared about regaining the weight. It was emotional because I knew I needed to eat but at the same time I often forgot. Of course not on purpose but hte band was doing its job. After a few months I relaxed and tried to remind myself to eat often. I guess I must have been eating enought because my daughter was developing fine and I gained an acceptable amount of weight. To my surprise I lost all of the weight. As of today I have lost all of the weight gained during the pregnancy. Oh, by the way my married name is Neely so initially I thought we had the same name. Also, I was born and raised in Houston. I am considering returning to the area as it is so very expensive to live in the DC Metropolitan area. Did you see my before and after picture? I posted a picture of me at the beginning of my weight loss and then another at about 5 months pregnat. I thought it was hilarious. The tag line said, "This could be you" LOL. You know after we lose all of that weight out husbands become..."frisky" LOL. AGain, congrats!!!

Congrats Karlee...it will get better.

Hi ya'll, Please visit the link to read more about Jennifer Renee Neely http://www.lapbandtalk.com/birth-announcement-jennifer-t29814.html I see there is a meeting planned for Feb. 18. I can hardly wait becuase I have been out of the loop for so long. It is kinda exciting to be able to join the board again and sort of get back into the weight loss frame of mind. See you all soon.

Hi everyone, It has been a little while since my last post as I was out busy being pregnant....and...gaining a few pounds. Well, I was due on April 24, 2007 but gave birth on January 24, 2007 to a beautiful 2lb 5oz baby girl. She was 27 wks (currently 3 wks old and 30 wks gestation), 14" long and healthy for a 27 wkr. I had to have an hysterectomy at the time of the procedure due to complete placenta previa and placenta increta. Fortunately, I have lived to tell all about it and now gearing up to lose a few, very few pounds during the next few months (I breastfeed so I can't really focus on losing weight). I hope to lose 5lbs a month which should have me at my goal weight in a year. BTW I only gained 10 lbs during the 6 months I was pregnant!!! I was so excited as I'd be willing to bet I gained 10 lbs a month during my previous pregnancy. Now, for the really good news. I have lost all of the weight. My daughter was only 2lbs so I am not sure where the other 8lbs came from. I am pretty close to my pre-pregnancy weight. I am currently 197. My sons can't believe how "small" I am. I must have been really big in their eyes. Forgot to mention that I didn't have any problems with my band. Of course I didn't go the full course so can't be quite sure what I would have experienced if I had made it full term. The only difference I noticed was/am quite restricted in the morning. The only thing that really goes down safely are liquids and really well chewed eggs. That's it. At any rate I'm back and can't wait to lose weight! Lisa Renee in MD You can visit Jennifer Renee's CaringBridge site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jenniferneely

Your'e very welcome. Glad I could help.

Before the pregnancy I lost 30lbs, now it is down to 20lbs loss so far.

I too was self pay. I had my surgery done in Acuna, MExico by Dr. Jose Rodriguez. I pail $7,500.00 not including air fare. Hotel was included. If I had it to do over I would probably go to that doctor in Mexico that is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. Acuna was a bit scary for me. It was very poor and looked like "Mexico".