jazie

I don't have trouble with beans if I eat them slowly. I have always had eggbeaters for breakfast, but no more. I now have Kashi cereal with as little milk as I can. About a 1/2 cup cereal and a small cup of peaches, no sugar added. jazie

I am from down on the Gulf in Louisiana. Sea level. Well, for Mardi Gras, we went skiing in Red River, New Mexico. Elevation, 10,300 feet. When I left home my restriction was perfect, when I got to N.M. I had almost no restriction. The only reason I can think of is the elevation. Since I have been home, my restriction is almost what it was before I left. Just wondering if anyone else has been through this? jazie

I have Aetna also. Mine paid but it was a rather lenghty process. Had to do the 6 month visits with pcp, show I had been going to a gym and trying to lose. But it is well worth the wait. Just don't get too impatient. When you finally get it, you should love it. jazie

Please add my name. jazie.............181............181..........175..............6

My surgery was a snap. A little pain the day of surgery and the only pain after that was gas. Your dr will tell you how to deal with that. I love my band and wish I had done it earlier. I am 63 and think of all the years I could have been doing instead of watching. Would do it again in a heartbeat! jazie

Please continue to think of yourself first. I was just like you and my family always came first. After we raised our family, we raised a grandchild. I wouldn't change a thing for the world, except... I would have the band sooner. I was banded on July 8, 2008. I am 63 years old and have lost 55 lbs. I love it. My children and grandchildren would have had a grandmother that could play ball or anything else they wanted me to do. I was always there to cheer them on but I could have played with them. You have to make your own decision, but I would never go back to being a cheerleader, if I had the chance to play. Hang in there. Jazie

My port flipped but I didn't know it until I went in for my 3rd fill. The first two went fine. We are still not sure why it happened. My dr has done over 1000 bands, I was the first to flip. So it is not a common thing. I can feel my port and it doesn't feel like it is flat, but I have never had a problem since, so it must be in position. jazie

I am right in line with all of you. I have lost 53 and have about 25 to go, my dr said it would slow down, but I just think I should be doing better. Just had a fill though so maybe it will be my answer. Good luck to everyone. I know we can do it. jazie

Is your dr charging this $3000? I have never heard of this. My drs was all included in the surgery price. I really can't remember about the consult. Evidently my insurance paid this because it was no out of pocket. I would definitely check around, before I signed anything. jazie

I read somewhere on this site to take Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I haven't done it yet but I bought some for "incase" jazie

Just wondering if any of you long time bandsters have had any problems? For some reason I have been worrying about erosion. When I told my BP dr what I had done,(the band) he was encouraging but said, sometimes they have to be replaced. Just wondering why if there is no other problems. I had to have my port repositioned because it flipped. I am 6 months out now and doing fine. If anyone knows what causes erosion, please let me know. I will do what it takes to avoid it. Thanks, jazie

It is no longer a prescription. Expensive though. jazie

I tried the dried apricots and I love them but they don't work me. Prunes either. After about 5 days of Miralax, I will finally go. jazie

I only had to diet for 5 days. It was just a very light thing. Not all liquids. But post op was the liquids. jazie

My Dr lets us use straws now, but I am 5 months out. I always use one and so far no side effects. jazie

Thanks, actually, my Grandson is in your town. He is going to law school and only comes home after semester is over. He is a health nut so it is only in my mind that I have to have junk here. After today only healthy things in this house. Even after Christmas, everyone will get a doggie bag. Thanks for the support, I really appreciate it, and so far today, all is well. jazie

Thank you so much for the quick reply. I will print it and post on the fridge. Jazie

I have done really well, so far, until yesterday. My Grandson is home from college for semester break, for the holidays. I have worried about this for a while. I have kept some snacks in the house for him but I have started grazing. Before this I wouldn't have anything in the house so I would not get tempted. I just don't know how to get back on track. I haven't really blown everything. I don't think I have gained any weight, but this is how I always failed before, and I don't want to lose all I have worked so hard to get. Can anyone give my some advice, or encouragement? Also, yesterday was my daughter's birthday and I baked the cake here. It wasn't that bad, I ate a small piece of cake. but stopped at that. It may be what set me off though. Thanks for ANY help. jazie

Thank you all for the input. I guess what I wanted to ask among other things, is, would someone without the band need to drink as much protein as we do? I agree, that a well rounded meal is most important. Portion size is one of the tricks and also not eating empty calories. I have a hard time with water, but drink a lot of tea. Fluids are very essential.

Some of the women that attend water aerobics classes with me, are wanting to organize a support group to help them lose weight. I am all for it. Does anyone know if they can profit by using our diet? By that, I mean the high protein and low carb diet. Just wondering if they should observe the "no carbonated drinks" also. If anyone has any ideas on this and maybe how to conduct the diet without the surgery, please let me know. We will exchange recipes and such. I have lots of recipes but I am just wondering if they will help. Thanks for any info. jazie

Don't worry about it, but don't expect restriction on your first fill. I just had my 5th and I finally feel restriction. My dr goes slow but it has finally paid off. jazie

We went to the movies the day after my fill and I could not believe how easily the popcorn went down. This is my 5th fill and for the first time I have restriction. But popcorn? That was a surprise. jazie

What about liquid Benedril? I took it and it really helped. jazie

No, I only one more surgery after mine flipped. I have had two fills since and all went well. I think I did something to tear the sutures. I started riding a stationary bike after 6 weeks, and after Hurricane Ike, I went to the only store in our small town to help the owner try to clean and I think that finished it off. I felt a pain and some burning when I knelt down to clean the bottom shelf. After that, I didnt do that again but the damage was done. The recovery was almost the same as the first surgery. No lifting or strenous exercise for 6 weeks. Dr didn't have to tell me twice, I sure didn't want to have a repeat. I was back on liquids for a shorter time and so on. Dr also did my fill while doing the repair. No problems since. jazie

I actually had bought another band when my old one didn't fit anymore, so now I am in the first one and it is getting loose. Maybe, I will get another ring when I reach my goal. That would be nice if my husband thinks of it but I don't want to have to ask. jazie