lindas0809

Sugar Free Fudgesicles! They give you a chocolate fix and are only 40 calories.

It's totally normal to be so scared, but mushies rock after liquids. I loved pureed chili with a little sour cream, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat. When I first started with mushees it didn't take much to fill me up, so you probably won't overeat. Good luck - they will taste so great.

Hi Cathy! I 'm glad to hear you're doing so well. I had surgery on 6/5 and had my first fill 7/16. I'm like you, I feel a little restriction, but definitely need a second fill(scheduled for 7/30). I'm in MD too - Elkridge and had surgery at Johns Hopkins Bayview. Keep in touch - let me know how it's going.

I'm curious about the responses on this thread. I do have type 2 Diabetes(for about a year), I was banded six weeks ago. I have some days when I still take a very low dose of Glipizide, but some I don't (if my sugar is high), but the last few weeks it been good. I'll probably have to go through 1 or 2 Ac1 tests, but my PC Dr. is hoping when I get 40 pounds off I'll reverse it. My surgeons did encourage RNY since I'm diabetic (and high BMI), but respected my decision to get band. Getting rid of my diabetes is main my goal with the band.

Hey guys where are you getting the papaya enzyme? A health food store?I'm starting to get fills and thought I'd be prepared.

Good luck with your surgery!! This site is a great resource.

I have to say after reading a lot of peoples stories on this site I vastly underestimated my recovery time. Luckily my surgeon will not approve anyone to return to work until their two week post op appointment. I could have worked a week after surgery, but I'm glad I took the extra week off. I would say take as much time as you can- even if you feel great physically there's a lot to get your head around mentally after surgery. Good luck!

I hate to be a downer, but I had my first fill yesterday(5 cc's) and don't feel much difference. My Dr.'s office stresses 5-6 mini meals in the beginning if hunger is too much and I do feel better when I have a string cheese in the afternoon between lunch and dinner. Don't get too discouraged - we're all there. I'm hoping my second fill in two weeks helps.

Your story sounds like mine. I've always been heavy. I'm certainly not an expert yet, but so far I'm glad I made the decision to get the band. My personal mantra/goal is that this is not my ten millionth diet it is me changing my relationship with food. I still want to be able to eat normally, just smaller portions, I don't want "bad" foods or off limits to rule my life. Good luck with your decision!

Hi fholt! It sounds like you've done great in a year - over 80 pounds. Everyone here is very supportive, so hopefully you'll get some new motivation. Feel free to send me a message if you ever want to chat.

Good luck Big Momma!! I did the same thing, had an appointment in 2007 chickened out and then started working on it again last year. I had surgery last month and feel great. I hope all goes well for you.

I was banded 6/5 and my Dr. gave me clearance to swim on 6/22- so a little over three weeks. I'm sure it depends a lot on well your incisions are healing.

Hey - I'm so happy you're a June bandster. I was banded June 5th and doing well- sounds like you are too. Feel free to contact me as a June buddy. We also have a social group called June Journeys you should join.

Congratulations!!! I have Aetna and the approval process and everything after surgery has been great. I see you're in Laurel, I live in Elkridge- where are you having surgery? Good luck to another MD girl!!!

No way I could have worked in that short of time, but a lot of people do. I don't think you know until after surgery and can see how your body reacts. Good luck!

Definitely call your Dr. !That doesn't sound right, is it possible your band was insert with a some fill (some surgeons do that). I'm at the three week mark too and have little restriction- officially in bandster hell. Good luck and keep us posted.

Yes, I don't think I had one until I started mushies about a week after surgery. I urge you to keep up on the colace!!! I stopped after I went off meds and not too be to graphic but had one of the most painful experiences of my life one morning on the toilet. :blushing:I thought I was going to pass out.

Hopefully the BMI issue won't delay you. I can tell you that in my case because of a mistake my papers were sent in without my former Dr.'s records, so it was really just 1 year of weight history submitted and they approved me with no problems. I don't know if it was because my BMI was so high (49) or if it helped that I had a comorbidity, but either way I was really lucky. Good luck to you- it sounds like you are being realistic about your timeline.

Christina, I have Aetna and had no problem getting approved after doing the 6 month plan. I had surgery early this month and they have been good throughout. It can seem like it takes forever sometimes, but hang in there. Linda

Hi Jaimie! Welcome! I was banded June 5th at JHU - Bayview - it went really well. I have heard good things about GBMC - I almost went there because I work in Towson. Do you have a date yet? It sounds great that you and your husband are doing this together - it will help. Feel free to send me a message if you want to talk. Good luck - Linda

Hey Agnes- I see you are in Elkridge too. I was banded two weeks ago at Johns Hopkins. Let me know if you have any questions. Good Luck! Linda

Well, I can tell you honestly I'm not sure if it's a huge difference. My hospital had switched to Realize and that's what I was excited about getting. I ended up changing to a different surgeon in the group b/c mine went on early maternity leave. Anyway when I met with my new surgeon she was going through the Realize certification because she was on maternity leave when the rest of the surgeons were certified, but thought she would be done by my date. Well, the week before my surgery the coordinator calls to see if I wanted to push out my date a month because she hadn't finished certification. Of course at that point I was like no just put a friggin' band in me!!!! I had all the stuff set on the Realize web site, but got the lap band kit after surgery and their site is good too. Good luck with your decision- I think I would would just go with what your surgeon is comfortable with.

I went to my seminar 8/08, was approved by insurance 3/09 and had surgery 6/5/09(two weeks today!). My insurance was pretty quick but my hospital program is very busy and I waited for awhile for several appointments. Good luck on your journey!!

Hi Polly! It sounds like you are really doing your homework and that's great. I know it's a bummer when you start and then find out about the 6 month diet requirement. My journey took from August 08- June 09, but it allowed my to really get my head around the surgery. I did want to mention that some insurance companies take weight watchers records as a supervised diet so if you've been on WW recently you can try to use those. Talk your surgeon's insurance coordinator about it. Good luck! Linda

I had surgery on the 5th and ended up taking two weeks. I think realistically I could have gone back this week, but may Dr. insists on two weeks before writing a work release. It definitely took a good 10 days for me to feel back to normal. Good luck!!