littlefroggy

I know it's a possibility AND my doctor has mentioned it. He even said they would take pictures and work with a PS and insurance to see that it's covered!! (if possible) Knowing my insurance, probably not, as I was self-pay for the whole procedure anyway! I'm actually hoping I get sores and skin problems so insurance will pay for it... I imagine I will as I have the apron (it's going away now) but I always have to care for that area a lot or I would get very sore rashes before the surgery. When I lose the weight, if the apron is still there, I will just do what I can to get the surgery. I would love a flat tummy, thin thighs and perky boobs!

I don't really eat breakfast foods because there isn't much I think I could eat... however, you could possibly eat crepes with some soft fruit in them (totally a calorie/carb filled choice!) Otherwise, maybe an omelette? I have a problem with eggs, but I think it's just me. Maybe oatmeal, but that sounds totally unappetizing! A fruit cup? Cold Cereal for sure... I think I could eat bacon, but haven't tried. I would pat the grease out very, very well if I were to try it. Breakfast is tricky!!! Sorry! If you're going to a place that serves all food all day (like Denny's) get a salad or grilled fish or something. I can't eat much in the a.m. but when I do, it's almost always dinner or lunch foods.

does anyone know what would make you super tight one day and not on other days?? It's almost 8 and I finally got down some pasta (no protein though) I'm going to drink some tea later.

Everything I have tried to eat all day has been getting stuck!! I hope this doesn't happen tomorrow, as we have a big dinner planned. Only the CHOCOLATE I had today was ok. Are there some days when you are tighter than others? It's after 5 pm and I still can't really eat. I tried a deviled egg and some chicken. Both got stuck! The chicken was in some sauce and I eat it all the time. I don't know what's wrong today!!

I also was scared to try a lot of things, but once I discovered the sneaky snacky foods I COULD eat- major problem. Now I know if I buy them, I need to get rid of them ASAP! I bought Cookies, ate 2 small ones and brought them to work and gave them away. Last night I had a party and we had chocolates out. I gave everyone a baggy of chocolates as they left so there wouldn't be any more for me to eat. I learned I can have SOME of those things but I really need to watch myself and monitor what I'm doing! it's a process and we are all going through it. If you can resist, do it. if you really, really want something, see if you can buy a single serving size and split it with someone (a friend or kid or something.) Avoiding forever seems like a great plan, but for me it hasn't been. I do better learning from my experiences, which means sometimes breaking the rules but learning from my mistakes. I am doing very well now with avoiding the junky stuff, but it's taken practice!!

Between the liquid diet and my first fill I gained a few pounds. Some of it may be that your body was sick, healing and essentially starving! Everything you eat may sort of "stick." Don't worry though... we need to do the liquids, mushie, soft foods phases to heal the band. You'll start losing pretty soon, then you won't believe how great it feels. Don't get discouraged!!

I haven't done "extreme" roller coasters, but I did do some spinning rides that take you upside and in the air. Even the seat restraint was pushing right up against my port area. It was fine. I was more worried about my purse!! I think you should be fine, but don't eat or drink anything for a few hours before you plan to do the rides. My doctor said not to eat or drink before flying, so I imagine it's sort of the same thing!

I know some people said they can go back within a few days, but I needed all the time I could get! I had surgery on the 18th and was back at school the 28th. I had 10 days before I had to be at work, and I was on a sort of "light duty" in that it was just meetings and things (I'm a teacher) and school hadn't started. It was STILL hard for me and I could have used more time!! Turns out I had an infection and that was part of the problem- hopefully that won't happen to you!

I stuck to the diet and still gained weight.. Between my consult and my pre-op appt I lost about 19 lbs, but then on the day of surgery, they weighed me again and I had gained back 5 or so... it was an Atkin's type diet with lots of Protein. I was eating A LOT of hamburger w/ melted cheese and things like that. I was only required to liquids or fast I think the day before, but I can't really remember. I think it was fasting... I was still banded. I didn't actually cheat but I gained...

I'm already doing the swimming, so I will start to train for the running and biking at the gym until I can get the confidence to do it outside (cars, people, etc.!) I talked to a friend yesterday who runs triathlons and she said that she stays in a hotel and needs a day to recoup after the race... that scared me a bit. She said she can't drive herself home!! Is that true! (However, she also says she does them to place and wants to get 1st, 2nd or 3rd...)

I had such a fear of the gym, that I paid for my membership for 3 years and never went in the doors!!! (This was after I was a gym-junkie for awhile and lost 50 lbs and put it back on and more.) I have gone now, and it's not so bad. Just get yourself something you think is cute to wear (it helps with the frumpy feeling) and get on the machines. Seriously! Target has a good workout section for plus sizes. My buff brother is a personal trainer, and he says most people just think that it's awesome that you're doing something good for yourself. When I was in counseling about a year ago, one of the issues we talked about was my stupid gym membership and my fear of the gym.. yeah, it feels lame to say it now!! However, since being banded I do go in! YOU CAN DO IT!! If you and your husband both got memberships, have him go with you the first time.

That's normal. First thing in the a.m. when I get up (6:00 am) I drink 20 oz of Water (or crystal light) and then around 9:30 I have a small snack, but often it still makes me choke- it has to be VERY soft. I eat a real lunch at noon, but it's small. I consume probably 80% of my calories in the evening!! I feel like I'm pigging out, but I realize that every day I am still getting in around 1100 calories, so it's not bad.

I realized my life was not going to move forward until I took care of this weight problem. I want to be married, have kids, etc. and my weight-issues and self esteem were keeping me from that. Also, I was just plain unhappy with how I looked. I figure I will still be unhappy, but things are getting better!! I was so tired all the time, out of breath, unhealthy, unhappy, etc. I don't think losing weight alone will make me a happy person, but my self-esteem is increasing and I am becoming healthier, so that all together is making me happy. I am so glad I did this, even if there are still hard days, overall, things are SO MUCH BETTER!!

I think I can do 16 lbs, which will put me at about 195!! ONEDERLAND.... Haven't been that weight since I was 19!

B- very small portion of chicken pot pie (like less than 1/4 cup) L- macaroni and cheese (2 oz) D- 1 latke w/ sour cream and applesauce, 4 bites of noodle kugel a LOT of CHOCOLATE I had a Hanukkah party! I think I probably had most of my calories in chocolate today- that was like 10 hershey kisses w/ almonds, and 4 ghirardelli chocolates Amazingly I calculated my calories and I was still 30 calories UNDER for the day!

Sushi is one of my favorite foods! I had 1 piece before my first fill, and it hurt my stomach. Haven't had it since. I miss it too!

It came up when they wanted me to do a pregnancy test. I told them I didn't need one and why, but they made me do one anyway- twice. I found it a bit insulting, but I guess it's protocol.

You all are very inspiring!! My plan for a few years has been to get to the point of being able to do a triathlon! I swim daily right now, so just need to add the bike and the running. I said when I got below 200 I would start, and I'm almost there!!

I took karate before and LOVED it!! (Pre-surgery, in college, when I was about the same weight... however, after their workouts, I could do 100 sit ups, 100 push ups, 100 leg lifts, etc! I felt SO in shape, even though I was still heavy!!) There is a karate studio within walking distance of my house and I am thinking about going there. You should be able to do karate, but I don't think you want to risk getting punched in the gut while boxing!! In karate they won't really punch you hard! And, if you are in a place that does contact, they will be able to work with you not getting punched in the stomach. I say YES to karate, NO to boxing... but talk to your doctor too!

I did notice it went away COMPLETELY when I was on the Protein shakes for 3 weeks, but I was doing these ones with no whey or dairy Proteins in them. It seemed to be good, however, once I went back to food, it's acting up again. I have mild psoriasis, as it goes, but for me it's a real hassle. I have it on my scalp, elbows and knees only, oh and my EARS, which is the worst. It has lessened on my knees and elbows significantly. It used to be thicker but in small spots (nickel sized) now It's very thin and just like little white bumps, but covers more area, it looks more like dry skin now. When I have the ointment on you can't even see it, so it is a lot better!! I don't know if it's the food though. I used to have an RX but haven't been to a derm in awhile and have been using over the counter stuff... so that could have something to do with it. I wonder how much it's related to food and how much is just my body getting healthier in general (exercise, more Water, etc.)

Shout it out!! I ROCK!!! I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF!!! Anyone else???

I found the poll helpful!! I upped my calories so 1200 (but often came under) and lost 4 pounds this week!! I hadn't lose in 3 weeks, so I was probably in "starvation mode."

Hmm... well, I feel like I've been terrible lately- but I was in my calorie range... just WAY low in protein!! B- nada L- Mac and cheese D- tuna, pita chips and cheese (melted, tastes like a tuna melt) Then I got snacky....:thumbup: S1- frozen applesauce (punch flavored) These are good treats!! S2- nachos (about 7 chips + 1 oz cheese S3- slice of ham S4- sugar free popsicle

I think I had a bit of a breakthrough! I have been single for a long time, and I realized that FOOD has been my companion all this time. I am starting to date, and really feel ready, so this was big. I realize I don't have food for a companion now, so I actually should find myself a real live human. Anyone else make any discoveries connecting their personal lives to their weight loss?? (Before dating was a drag and I wasn't willing to even try, now I am excited and ready, and I don't care if I'm not "perfect" or skinny yet- apparently either do my dates!!)

I'm watching the marathon on Discovery Healthy.. a woman just had problems with the "Molina Band." It didn't seem like they said it wasn't the lap band. I wish they had, because it took me awhile to figure out that it wasn't the lap band and was something else.... they said it was "experimental." Anyone know about that kind of band? It had sunk into her stomach and she gained back all her weight.