MelodyJ

Jarquin-- That is WONDERFUL that your husband is supportive....mine too!! He is my biggest champion daily!!!!!!!!! And he is enjoying less of me lately God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs

Jarquin-- I don't doubt the Mexican docs are VERY competent....but aftercare is SO important!!!! I did my pre-op tests w/ my own physician and my insurance would cover those!!! If you code them correctly you can do anything!! For the UGI (upper GI) you need to have reflux (530.81--that's the code) then they have you do your Thyroid (fatigue will work...most overweight people are tired).....lipids are 272.2; Your doctor should know....then I had to have an EKG---I did have a history of palpitations...so that worked!! Then I went and got copies of EVERYTHING and took it myself to the doc....I'm medical so I know how bloopers happen!! I even hand-carried them w/ me to surgery....just in case!! Hope this helps....I truly LOVE being banded!!!! I feel such control and feel like this was the answer to prayer!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs

Leener-- Just had to respond as one of the 3 amigas!!! I think the extreme toothpick idea is GREAT!!!! Have you considered also getting a timer....setting it for 2 min.....you eat then wait for it to go off...then you reset your timer and start over.....takes up time....slows you down!! Boy it's SO AWFUL to get stuck!!!!!!!!! I have done it at least 3 times!!! You would think I would learn from prior boo-boos but I'm guessing I'm a bit hard-headed!?! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs

Jarquin-- This is so cool....I lived in TN when I had my band 3/20/06....Actually did it w/ www.lapbandinstitute.com w/ Dr. Ponce and he did it in Dalton, GA as an outpatient surgery...I was self-pay so outpatient was SO MUCH CHEAPER than a hospital!!! I paid $13,000 in TN....now I do my f/ups in Zephyrhills w/ Dr Grossbard who LOVES Dr. Ponce....good friends and so he scooped me right up! Dr. Ponce is about 1 of 10 (according to Grossbard) that have done in the 1000's of these surgeries. Make sure if you get your surgery done in Mexico you have a f/up doc....those are the most important visits after the surgery to keep you losing!! My fills w/ Dr Grossbard was $200....that's w/ flouro....so pretty reasonable...but he's picky and doesn't take just anybody. Dr. Kim in Orlando wants you to pay $995 to "join" if you weren't banded by him...this includes the first fill but then they are around $200 after that. Dr. Jawad won't take anyone that wasn't banded by him....if anything goes wrong in Mexico...what will you do way over here?? I"m a medical person and that's the things you have to question....most docs that do the surgery include the first year f/up in their price...... Hope this helps!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs

I have LIVED on hi Protein lo carbs much ....did it for about 7mos before my wedding 2 ys ago....lost 70lbs I believe?!? Anyway....after about 2 wks the "crash" feeling subsides. The Southbeach diet is one of the best on the market in my humble medical opinion....written by a cardiologist and has good sense. I did get constipation w/o enough veggies...so had to make sure I got those in!! You won't feel hungry b/c the Proteins stick around a LOT longer than sugars(carbs) that break down so quickly! The bright side of all of this is ...it won't be for long....just keep it in perspective....a short "season" of your life....and you want this BAD so fight and adjust and YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs

I agree w/ the above....also not overeating and stretching your pouch is VERY important I was told!!! Avoiding vomiting to the best of your ability.... The complications are 1-3%....so my BEST answer is PRAYER!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs

This is a time to practice what we've been taught!!! Measure your portions....take baby spoon bites....choo to goo then chew some more.....then wait 60sec between bites....then start over. I was also told not to weigh myself or care too much in the first 6wks as you will have some fluctuations.....I still weighed myself! Couldn't help it w/ my enthusiasm..... Just fight the "old nature" and try to establish good habits and go forth!! You can do it!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs

Veronica I am a PA-C and wasn't recalling what should be done and wasn't too excited w/ sludge...but then read above post and wondered so googled gallbladder sludge and this is the result of one hit @ http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2003/01_03/babb.htm Treatment If biliary sludge is discovered in a patient who underwent ultrasound for reasons other than a clinical picture of gallbladder disease or pancreatitis, no treatment is needed. In many patients--especially in those who have a specific risk factor for biliary sludge--the sludge disappears. In two studies (11,16), ursodeoxycholic acid was prescribed in an attempt to dissolve sludge. However, because neither study had a control group, the reported success rate is difficult to judge. If a patient is acutely ill with cholecystitis or pancreatitis, surgery will be required at some point (4). Conclusion Biliary sludge has a characteristic ultrasound picture. Once discovered, it can disappear or evolve into gallstones. Patients with biliary sludge may be asymptomatic or may experience acute cholecystitis or pancreatitis. Hope this helps!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs

Flabuless--- Very cool!!!!!!!! I'm there....too expensive to keep buying clothes!!! Great idea too!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs :eek:

Welcome Flabuless..... Very impressive website!!!! Love it!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs :eek:

Welcome.... Get ready for the best ride of your life....it's fun, tough and wonderful all at the same time....dig deep and ask God to help you before you even begin and you are already ahead of the "game"!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs :eek:

Jon-- I have agreed in prayer and the Word says where 2 or more are gathered....He is there!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank Him!!!!!!!!!!!! PRAISE HIM For the answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOd Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -44lbs :eek:

I can remember a time when I cried myself to sleep over my weight!! My husband just kept hugging me and telling me he loved me no matter what I FELT!!!! He married me around 270lbs or so....I jumped up to 335 by the day of my surgery!! I guess married life was good to me!!? I LOVE being married! ANyway.....I got my band 3/20/06....the day my life began again!!! I am down 44lbs in 7wks ....I am exercising....I am dropping clothes sizes and have went from 26/28 to 22 I believe?! Haven't looked alot and still wearing my hanging clothes!! I love the way my husband looks at me and tells me there's even less of me to love even more!! I am enjoying my life again.....I am looking forward to even MORE loss and excited!! Can hardly wait to post pictures and here the oooh's and ahhhh's! God Bless, Melody Bnaded 3/20/06 -44lbs

WOW!!! TellyMelly you are going to pass me up soon....and you got it after me!!! GOOD JOB!!!!!!!!!! I live in Orange CIty....but I'm not ready for your killer long bike rides yet!!! I am just now somewhat getting in shape!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -44lbs

How's everyone doing in FL????? Updates on your weight loss and how you feel?!?!?!? I feel GREAT!!!! I have went from almost NO activity (lazy) and up to 2.3mi/day walking!! YAY!!!! I've lost 44lbs....but weigh in Thursday for my weekly...hoping for MORE!!! I am drinking my Water.....making healthy food choices (most days ) I am so happy w/ this choice in my life!! The Band is the best choice I've made!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -44lbs

I teach patients not to eat for 3 hrs before bedtime....especially if they have GERD. I tend to eat about 6:30pm and then walk and can drink when I come back. I drink about 24oz in less than an hour....then I am full til bedtime! I was told to eat about every 4-5 hrs.....so glad they didn't push the 3 meals/3 Snacks for me....just am not hungry! 1/2 cup lasts quite awhile....still living off the fat of the land!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -44lbs

New Sho-- Great question!!! I routinely figure out my patients IBW (ideal body wt) the thing I read was at 5 ft tall females get 105lbs then each inch you add 5lbs.....so at my ht of 5'10" I should weigh 155lbs....then the top is to add another 10% so my top would be 15more lbs.....170lbs. I have NEVER been thin in my life....I have NO CLUE what would look good for me! I graduated HS over 200lbs I believe?!! I am guessing and saying around 165-175lbs....but I am also saying that when I FEEL great and am happy w/ where I am w/o struggling every moment then I'm there!! I would be happy in a size 10.....anythings better than a 26/28!!!!!!!!!! I am wearing 22 today!! YAY!! I'm on my way!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -44lbs

Ralheit-- You can try to walk now....even if you walk 2 min out and 2 min back! That's how I started!! That's how we start the heart patients too!! :confused: You can do this!! You are meant to walk a mile from day one....YOu start little and finish BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -44lbs :party:

Seppi-- If it's band irritation then warm liquids and resting your gut is the only way. If it's GERD then make sure the head of your bed is elevated 6-8" this will create gravity and keep stuff in your stomach easier....extra pillows will make it worse. No over eating (band limits this), no tight clothes, no eating for at least 3hrs before bedtime, watch peppermint, onions, citrus and tomatoes.....all the good stuff can be aggravating. Prilosec is good....hopefully that won't cause problems...let the capsule get soft in Water then take it. Prilosec turns off the pump in your stomach that makes the acid and this will hopefully help the burning sensation you are feeling. Hope this helps.... God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -44lbs :confused:

Teachntots-- Don't get insane w/ jealousy!!! You are doing GREAT!!!! This is a marathon....we must stay in it for the long haul!!!! I started this marathon over 300lbs....so don't know where you're beginning but I have ALOT to lose!! I absolutely was not moving or doing anything before surgery! I went from somewhat eating healthy last year then took a job working in an orphanage and it was CARB country!!!! Anyway.....I was doing NOTHING....now I started the 10min like they said then I have slowly worked up to about 40min each night and walking around 2.4mi (we just drove it last night to figure it out!) :party: I have so much more energy which is my motivation!! On weekends we try to find something to walk around in or on! My job is 9-6pm and my wonderful hubby has dinner prepared and then we go walk when we're finished!! I eat only 1/2 cup average....although this last week only lost 1lb so was aggravated. Figured out I was eating lunch at work and it wasn't so healthy and w/o a measuring cup I'm guessing my eyes got too big!!? :confused: So now that is fixed and I'm back to 1/2 cup average. In the morning I am so restricted that I might get 2 or 3 bites of a wrap in....but then I got that stuck just recently!! So Protein shake is all I can do and some mornings I give that back?! Lunch is whatever they serve us....from salad to chicken.....I do love chicken salad that I make (only cause I know what's in it) and for dinner usually 2-3 oz of meat and a few bites of veggies. I don't snack anymore as the 4 oz tends to hold me about 4-5hrs if I don't get "head hunger"!!! That's still my biggest enemy!!! I don't think I'm any kind of expert.....but hoping this helps a little! Just move a little more as it sounds like you've cut way back once the kids get out of school! :party: GOd Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -44lbs :party:

Teachntots-- Maybe when school is out you can commit to some exercise and this has helped me!!! :confused: Not always easy in this hot FL weather....but we can do it!! 27lbs is VERY Good!! Just think where you would have been pre-band!! BandedBabe-- Hang in there!! Sometimes they loosen a bit w/ use....but would stick to warm liquids!! I have an aggressive dr that likes to "pack it out" and he put 2.4cc in the first fill in my 4cc band!! He put more in but I gave him back the water so he backed off!! My battle lies now in my mind and my "old" ways!! The war is on!! I have started consciously fighting in prayer and behavior!! 24lbs is AWESOME.....I weigh 100lbs more than you!!! GOOD JOB to you!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -44lbs :party:

Carla-- I am VERY impressed !!! You go woman!!! Good job!!! Like you I am VERY happy w/ the band....it has saved my life and has offered me a feeling of control for the first time in a lonnnnnnnnnng time! I had my first fill this month and I lost about 6lbs in 3 days....hoping to keep going!!! What a rush to do so well!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Mercedes-- I believe that Kristin is right in eating too fast! BOY have I done this!!!!!!! I KNOW!!!! Timing is good!!!! It helps....I still have to practice and watch the clock!!! If you are having pains....hot liquids are more helpful....cold makes it spasm. If I eat too fast and get the golf ball and pain then I start taking big deep breaths and then go to liquids....hot liquids. I rest my esophagus/gut for a while..... Hope this helps!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

If it's your gallbladder should not have ANYTHING to do w/ the band and be covered....your insurance should cover it. But make sure it's not just gas....Maalox Max has magnesium and this will make your stools loose but also move the gas if it's just that. But your doc can order a simple ultrasound and find out if that doesn't help. Hope this helps. God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :second:

Jennifer-- Hang in there!!! You can do it!!!! As long as your losing it's a GREAT thing!! Exercise has helped me and given me more energy. Portion control and distraction!!!!!!!!!! :second: God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs