nebraskahickchi

I did read where SOME insurances are starting to cover cosmetic surgery for weight loss patients! Some requirements may be: 100 lbs lost and kept off for at least a year, rashes, etc. It's definitely worth checking into! I am hopeful!

Hahaha!! I don't work at a hospital, but I get the ARE YOU SICK thing A LOT! I just wonder what they AREN'T asking... like, I am sure some people are thinking "Must be DRUGS!"... and sometimes I so badly want to be a stinker and just tell them "It's the meth."

Hi All! I had a fill on Monday... I have had so many fills since I have been banded I don't know which one it is? I was banded Dec. 22, 2009 and have lost nearly 140 lbs. My last fill was December. So, it's been awhile since I have been THIS restricted. I have mainly just had liquids since. The issue is that last night, under the right part of my ribcage toward the back I have a lot of pain... now today it is on both sides in about the same place. Do you think this is related to the fill? It's been kinda rough, but really no throwing up or anything since I am watching very closely what I eat. If I overeat I get the pain in my left shoulder, never like this? Ouch!

Well, my own personal experience is that your self esteem goes through the roof... but you will always be your own worst critic. :/

I am sure I'm not the only out there who sometimes 'fights' with their band. I know it's a head game and I just need to change my way of thinking, but sometimes it's easier said than done. I know I wouldn't be at a standstill right around 200 lbs, give or take 3-5 lbs if I weren't trying to find some creative way to eat what I want. Since December 22, 2009 I have lost nearly 140 lbs. I am merely 50 lbs from my 'goal'. What's wrong with me? Why is this self-sabotage taking over all of a sudden? Is it the stress in my life? I have tons going on. What is wrong with me? I don't want to ruin this!

I have OFFICIALLY lost 100 LBS!!! Just had to share!! Only 86 more to goal!! :thumbup:

A lot of us had those very same feelings... I felt that way for nearly a month! I had the most HORRIBLE gas pains... but not everyone gets them. The point being, I am 7 months out and 98 lbs down. After the initial pains were past, I have had no problems. It's not 'easy going' by any means, but, without my band I would have never made it to this point. I am over half way to my goal... I <3 MY BAND! =) Good luck to you... you made it through the toughest part! =)

My hair fell out like crazy for about 3 months! I don't know if it can be 'reversed' but I now take Biotin for hair and nails. 1 pill 3x daily. Hope this helps. =)

I know that I get really moody, too. I get irritated sometimes when I can't eat as much as I want... and I really have to stop and remind myself that this is what I signed up for. I honestly wouldn't take back this decision for anything because this surgery saved my life. However, just like a smoker quitting cigarettes, I am really moody when I cannot eat. I'm 6 months out. I'm truly never "hungry", only in my head. So, I guess I chalk all my moodiness up to flat-out frustration. I'm extremely thankful for this little band taking the control out of my hands. I only hope someday to gain some control on my own and be able to make good, healthy decisions about my food intake. I know in a heartbeat if my band were removed I would gain everything back and more.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Congrats to you!!! WAY TO GO!!!

So glad you posted this thread. I'm still 253 lbs, down from 336 lbs... and I feel like I'm cold most of the time. My kids and family think I'm crazy! It was 69 degrees out yesterday and here I was, cranking up the heater in the car! Guess I just don't have as much insulation as I used to? LOL

Wow, honey... I don't know what to tell you to do. ='( My doctor and his staff have been so supportive and have never turned me down for a fill. I suppose they would if they thought I absolutely didn't need it. However, I can go in every 2 weeks for a fill as long as I feel I need it. They really listen to me and have become close friends to me as well as clinic staff. I guess I cannot stress enough to get other outside opinions of a doctor before going through with any sort of surgery with him. I did have a bad experience with another surgery I had because I didn't hear anything bad about the surgeon until AFTER I had the surgery. I really think that with some professional support you will succeed. I hope that maybe you can find another Lap Band doctor close to you that can help you. Good Luck and Godspeed! <3

I'm not a hard workin guy like yourself, but at first it was hard for me to drink much at all and I am sure I was dehydrated for the whole 2nd week after my surgery. However, I am at my 6th month as of May 22nd, lost around 80 lbs so far and could probably drink a couple gallons of Water if I really wanted to. I can even guzzle water if I had to right now, but it's not a comfortable feeling for a bit afterwards, lol. The best you can do is try... and during the summer it's going to be rough at first. My band was very very tight at first and getting used to it was the tough part. It's like re-learning to eat and drink a whole different way than I have ever done in my 38 years! So, instead of guzzling once or twice an hour, you'll have to sip some water every 5 mins I suppose? Use a little dixie cup to measure yourself out. I'm serious about every 5-7 mins. If you think you are getting dehydrated, go to the ER pronto! How soon are you returning to work?? It seems scary at first because it is such a huge life change for us... it was for me because my life revolved around food. But it's going to be the most important and wonderful thing you can do for yourself, I promise. You will get yourself a routine going and will be able to pace yourself in no time. Good luck! You'll do great!

Oh, I am proud, don't get me wrong, LOL I just don't like to be at a standstill for 2-3 weeks after the initial adjustment. I wish I was just losing "steady". :smile:

I have had 3 fills now and this has been my experience for all 3. My first fill, I got the fill and lost 8 lbs the first week. Then nothing. A month later, I got my second fill, lost 7 lbs the first week, then nothing. A month later, now, at my 3rd fill, I am still feeling really tight, but I lost 11 lbs from Monday Apr 12-Monday Apr 19. I am scared it's the only weight I'm going to lose unless I get another fill? And I think I am still really tight. I am crossing my fingers that I am at my sweet spot because it's never been this tight before? Trying to get used to it as I have thrown up 4 times in the last week. I've NEVER thrown up since surgery until now. Anyone else have this issue?

Thanks, Linette! This is my 3rd fill and even tho I have had restriction before, usually for a few days just after a fill... this one seemed a little different. Lost 10 lbs in just a few days... and I finally started eating solids again last nite. I still don't really feel hungry. I know it's "head hunger" and boredom. I am crossing my fingers for the "sweet spot". For you too! :thumbup:

Good luck everyone! I had a lot of stuff going on at the time my surgery took place... but I didn't let anything stop me. Banded Dec. 22, 2009 and down 70 lbs already. I'll be watching for your success stories!!:thumbup: Godspeed!

WAY - TO - GO!!! :thumbup:

Good luck John!:thumbup:

Whoops... 116 more to go!

This probably isn't a GOOD thing... but, I was banded Dec. 22, 2009... have had 3 fills up to 5cc in a 10cc band... and had my first sliming today... and it wasn't what I had originally thought it was!! Trust me... anyone who has any question, you will certainly know what it is when it hits you. However, shortly after that I also vomited for the first time. Not fun. Now, sharing this with your 20 year old son, his girlfriend and your husband is not something I suggest. It's just advisable to share it with people who understand... my description to them was a little graphic. hehe However, I am feeling successful nonetheless. I have dropped 70 lbs since banding as of yesterday. 10 lbs just since my last fill on Monday. Only 118 more to go. :thumbup: Keep it real, fellow bandsters. It's not all roses and chocolate... but it's all part of the process.

I guess I'm so brazen that I would just tell them the latter... because opinions ARE like @$$holes... everyone does have them... hehe! And say it sweet as pie.

I was banded in December and have been 'stuck' a lot. Always been able to get it to go down, tho... But Monday nite was the worst!! After fighting to get some food to go down, I was very sore. Still today my stomach is swelled and I can't swallow more than liquid... which is what my doctor recommended anyway. I guess some of us have to learn the hard way? And they tell me it won't be the last time?! =(

I voted for you Dawn! Good luck!