marie715

Sandi, congratulations on your fantastic accomplishment. Tell us more about yourself. Where did you have your surgery done? Do you still have to go in for adjustments? What type of lap band problems have you encountered and resolved in the past 5 years?

I'm closer to O'Hare than I am to Elgin. I had my surgery done at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood. How about you guys? Where were you banded or if not already banded, thinking about being banded at?

My port incision stopped hurting on post surgery day 10.

Oh, yes, clothes shopping has been very enlightening for me. I keep leaving the stores frustrated because I can't picture myself in anything cute. It is the old mindset of 'That'd never look good on me.' Also, I keep selecting outfits that are predominantly black. Now, I have to keep reminding myself 'No more black outfits.' (except pants). I've lived in predominantly black clothes for over 20 years and I'm tired of it. Don't get discouraged. Did you ever imagine you'd have a problem looking for clothes in a smaller size? It is a good 'problem' to have. Best of luck to you. Clothes shopping may take a little more time now because we may have to try on different sizes. Enjoy the process.

Hi Willowcat, I am a medium skin tone. Italian descent so definitely not fair skinned but not real olive skin colored either. Usually to cover up a dark spot on skin, you'll use a foundation color that will neutralize the color. So in other words, you won't use a color that is close to your skin color because that will make the patch appear darker. I use the Bare Minerals brand of make up and really love it. They have a product called 'bisque' that I put under my eyes and on the patchy spot. It is very light colored make-up. Then I use their medium shade make up over the rest of my face. That's a great idea to go to the Clinque counter and ask them for a make-up on your face. Clinque is a good brand. I also like Prescriptives. Go to the different make up counters or stores and have the products applied on your face. Make up is expensive so don't purchase until you've compared a few different brands. It is fun to get made-up! I know you'll be happy with the results.

I respectfully disagree with your statement that it is hard for heavier people to commit to a long-term exercies regimen. I totally believe that it is hard for EVERYBODY (heavier or lighter) to commit to a long-term exercise regimen.

Willowcat, I have been banded for 10 months, lost 88 pounds but unfortunately, the dark patches on my face have not lessened. But that's ok, the band is still worth it. At least we can cover up the patches with make up. PCOS is a very high maintenance condition, for sure.

I had to get a new work id yesterday because I lost my old one, which had a picture of me that was 10 yrs. old. I always kept the badge in the holder with the picture facing downward so no one could see it. Well, yesterday's photo was much improved. My double chin is just about gone and the photo is actually pretty good. So now my photo is in the holder right side out.

I agree with Lulac. I have a 10cm band that holds 4cc's of saline. It can get confusing!

Good luck with your surgery. Let us know how it goes.

I totally agree with Davidsmom08. I'm 10 months post-op and that has been my philosophy. I've lost 85 pounds on 3 fills. The last one was December 2008. It is too risky to keep getting fills that may not be needed. You don't want to end up on the fill, unfill, fill, unfill rollercoaster. Count your blessings that you are losing at a steady rate. Continuted good luck and success to you!

Restless, you are indeed fortunate that everyone has been nice to you. I, and I am sure many others on this board, are generally cheerful and friendly and upbeat yet we still receive incredibly rude and unkind remarks. It is not about giving someone a chance to be pissy. That makes it sound like the rude encounter is the victim's responsibility. Rude, insensitive people don't need to be given an opportunity. They just ARE rude at any time. That is probably what you meant but I just wanted to clarify it because sometimes it seems as if overweight people are blamed for everything.

My mother took me shopping to buy me something for my birthday. I was trying on clothes and she said 'You are as big as a house.' Honest to God, my own mother said that to me on my birthday. That was over 20 years ago but I will never forgive her for that. The list of rude comments I have received from doctor office nurses is too long to list.

I'm sure you are going to get quite a wide variety of answers to your question. For me, breakfast is a few spoonfuls of Special K Cereal, dry. lunch is 1 to 2 ounces of Protein such as egg salad or leftover fish. Sometimes a slice of bread. dinner is 2 ounces of protein. If I have a snack it is usually sugar-free instant pudding and fat-free Cool Whip. All eating stops by 7pm to avoid acid reflux. I eat vegetables and fruits maybe twice a week. I have been banded since Sept. 4, 2008. I don't regret it for one minute. I have lost 83 pounds. It is a miracle for me. Best of luck to you in your lap band journey.

Hi Jenn, I'm glad you posted. This website will give you lots of encouragement. As far as whether a particular insurance company will cover the lap band surgery costs, each person has to find out whether their policy covers the costs. In other words, 2 companies can each have the same insurance company but one company's policy may cover the costs but the other's won't. As I understand it, companies can elect whether to have weight loss surgery included or excluded from their particular policy. That may not be true for all companies but the bottom line is that you have to find out based on your policy number whether or not weight loss surgery is covered. That is probably just a simple phone call for you to make. From that point, I would suggest speaking to your primary care physician or gynecologist and asking them for their help in guiding you through this process. You're going to learn so much. It is such an interesting journey. I was banded in September 2008 and have not regretted it for one second. You sound like a super strong woman, with having beat that non hodgkins lymphoma. Go get 'em again, Jenn! Best of luck. Hope to hear from you again soon. Keep in touch.

Hmmm, this is interesting. I never thought of where the stored estrogen will go when the fat melts. I don't think I have experienced mood swings but my husband and son would probably say otherwise! They have mentioned on a few occasions 'Have you been taking your anti-depressants?' Oh well!

I wish I knew then that the lap band can be very unscientific and fickle. Sometimes what goes down easily one day will refuse to go down and stay down the next day. The lap band will keep you on your guard all the time. It never lets up. And it is for that very reason that I love my band! Good luck to you.

God bless that doctor for truly understanding PCOS! Every doctor should memorize that statement. We've all been told for years that 'calories in vs. calories out' = weight loss or weight gain. Not true for PCOS sufferers. We hold on to everything. Anyways, off of my soap box. I would like to encourage you by telling you that I am a 49 yr. old woman with PCOS. I had my lapband surgery in September 2008 and I have now lost 80 pounds. Totally unbelievable because the most I have ever lost on my own is maybe 25 pounds. And that was with dieting and a cardio work out 1 hour a day 6 days a week. I've had an excellent experience so far with the lap band and I wish you the same and even better luck. PCOS women can lose weight with the lap band.

Marmar, see about getting fitted with a different style of headpiece. There are types that just fit in your nostrils and so maybe that style would not give you a panic attack. If you think about it, with all of the thousands of people using cpap machines, you know you aren't the first or only one to experience panic attacks. Your doctor or cpap company will be able to work with you to get a headpiece that feels comfortable for you. Don't worry, you'll be able to get over this hurdle. Good luck.

Congratulations, MissBS! Way to go!

Hi Keith, your message makes me smile. You have a very sound scientific approach but from having the band for 9 months, myself, I have a feeling when it comes right down to it, if you're anything like me, you'll be like 'Oh, darn it all. This steak looks so good I'm just going to chew this thing and see what happens." I don't mean to discourage you at all. I love my band and don't have a moment's regret. It's just that sometimes, for no discernable reason, the band does not perform as it scientifically should. Just keep that as an expectation so that you don't feel like any disappointments are your fault.

Actually, it is a real croissant. The band is so fickle. There are lots of breads that I can't eat but somehow this particular croissant, all juicy with beef juice goes down fine. Like others have noted, sometimes getting something to go down will depend on the time of day or if I am particularly stressed about something.

Oh, yes, you will be having lots of boxed leftovers! One of my favorite fast food meals was a combo of an Italian beef and cheddar on croissant with large fries and of course large diet coke. Now it takes me 3 meals to eat the sandwich and of course I don't purchase the fries or diet coke. It's great! I still get the taste of a favorite food but I am loosing weight. You'll do the same.

For me, it isn't a matter of not being able to tolerate certain vegetables or fruits. It is a matter of there just not being enough room in my pouch to eat Protein and vegetables and fruits for a meal. Another pre-band poster said that she was looking forward to the band teaching her how to eat healthy. IMO, the band does not do that at all. The band provides restriction. That's all. Good luck to you.

How long is the flight?