AngieAngel

I work for a health insurance company. One of my coworkers had gastric bypass a few years ago and 'celebrated' the day he could eat a whole Big Mac. The following year my company stopped covering all WLS for any reason. I am self pay, so I figure that guy's Big Mac cost me about $12,600+. Although I am an adult, and I am sure that the Big Mac wasn't the cause for my company's decision...I still blame the guy anyways, because that is how I roll. :thumbs_up::D Whew...I can hold a grudge! If he only knew......mwahahaha

I made it, but forget where I did (somewhere online). You can certainly use it if you like! :thumbup: I don't mind at all. Us November bandsters have to stick together.

No numbing agent. It is a little uncomfortable, but not painful. I was sore afterwords.

I have only had one fill, but it was up to 4cc. I am extremely tight still and find it hard to eat in the morning. I have a 'window' to eat...like 11am-6pm and during the other times I feel like I need to be careful. I am still trying to introduce more solid food into my diet and it is slow going. I read somewhere that people like me probably could have fit the larger band, but the surgeon used the smaller one instead? I know that once I lose more weight it will lighten up a bit. I am taking my vitamins and drinking my protein shakes everyday...so I am on top of the diet part.

Don't let that child get away with it! I think your doll is adorable and if that is a reflection of you then YOU are too!

Warning! I tried dried apricots and had a terrible sliming episode. I was at work and ended up in my car for a while. It was the worst by far and I was sore for a couple of days after. Please make sure you are super careful chewing these if you have been adjusted.

Have you ever accidentally swallowed a large ice cube whole? That is what it feels like for me...and it is miserable.

Cool! What does it taste like?

The first night had slept sitting up.

I have heard of edamame before. What is it and how do you eat it? :confused:

I didn't notice the pain from the incisions at all. I had a harder time recovering from the anethesia. I have had 2 c-sections and believe me there is no comparison. You will be surprised at how easy it will be. Just plan to sleep a lot.

True weight loss is so hard to track when you are monitoring it everyday. I find that when I am doing that it depresses me. Try once a week, this is a true indicator of the weight you are losing. Water weight, constipation and other factors are too variable to try and weigh yourself everyday. You will find that it seems like you are not losing...then one day you get on the scale and BAM you have lost. Hang in there guys...this is not going to be a fast process. It is a slow miracle. In the meantime, enjoy every day of your life and be happy!!

Ah, you are feeling a bit left out. I have had a couple of episodes of that myself. Just know that during this 'weight loss' phase of the diet we will have to eat a bit differently than the family. It won't always be that way though because once you are happy with your weight the doctor can open you up a bit and you can have a more 'normal' diet. You will always want to eat healthy and probably still have foods that won't sit well with you...but you will not be separate forever. You just won't be eating as much as them! :confused:

Yay!! You are starting to feel the restriction!! I know you were worried...now you know you will get 'there' sooner and be on your way!:cursing:

Remember, when folks say it took multiple fills or only one...it may be because the doctors start us out with different increments. For instance, my doctor tried to give me 4 additional cc's for my first fill (for a total of 5cc's) and he had to take out 1cc because I couldn't swallow water. I would consider him more 'aggressive' where other docs might take a bit longer to get you there.

Weird! I just had the same experience over Xmas holiday with my family. I have people at work telling me they can 'see it in my face' already and they work with me everyday. I wonder what that is all about? Regardless, don't let it get you down...keep going :confused:!!

I wonder if the gas that is still in your belly is affecting your sciatic nerve? (sp) That is exactly the pain I felt with my second pregnancy and it was awful. Just turning over in bed would wake me up because it hurt.

Hi all, I have been 'lurking' on this thread and you all are doing a great job. I had surgery in November and a fill recently (that I still haven't decided is an overfill yet) and wanted to join you, but am still on mostly liquids currently anyways. Stay positive and remember "Everything in moderation". Last night I had one of my favorite liquids..a marguerita...man that went right through my band with no probs. :thumbup: By the way..the quoted post below almost made me pee a little :Yawn::

Ok...this is going to sound weird. I am having sinus issues since winter started and if I eat too much or something is taking a bit of effort to work it's way through the band I can feel pressure in my face. Any other weirdoes out there like me? :tongue2:

Guys, hang in there. I just had my first fill on the 23rd and it made a BIG difference. Even though it may take a couple of fills to get there it doesn't mean that you won't have any restriction at all. Remember, you are in it for the long haul...you can do it!!

Are you still on the pain medication they gave you? This may cause constipation and also nausea. Also, anesthesia can take some time to get over. I know it took a good 5 days before I felt like I was over it.

That is what the doc told me. Because I did not have to qualify for insurance I did not have to abide by the pre-op diet. I just ate lightly the day before. I did not have to have a psych evaluation either. I was able to skip steps because I did not have to qualify for insurance. Many of the things that you have to go through to qualify for lapband is imposed by the insurance companies. As for the preop diet I see two things...following a diet plan successfully for a period of time lets the insurance company know that you can do it. Also, dieting beforehand shrinks your liver. Maybe he wasn't worried about my liver because I was not as large as some of the patients?

This is the part they call "Bandster Hell". Until you are filled where you feel restriction you will be able to eat. That being said, you are still responsible for what and how much you eat. Have you been good? Are you near TOM?

Since I was a self-pay I did not have to go on any diet at all. They told me to just 'eat light' the day before surgery. When you are using health insurance, they impose all kinds of rules that have to be followed, but not necessarily absolute requirements Healthwise. That is the one thing that scared me about lapband is that the doctors seem to be all over the map when it comes to pre and post op diets. My doc uses the guidelines from the actual lapband company so I feel comfortable with his diet overall.

It is going to take time, so be patient!! Everyone loses weight differently. Some drop it fast and some don't really start to lose until they get their adjustments. Also, remember, this isn't bypass surgery where people lose weight quickly...it is going to take time. So take a deep breath and be patient. You are going to look back at the time you lost 12 lbs in 2 weeks and see how great that was. In the future, 1 to 2 pounds a week is NORMAL and anything above that is gravy. Merry Christmas!!