54Shirley

It sounds to me like the ins. co. is trying to get you, to back off threw the Dr... I would be on the phone tomorrow, on the internet tonight, and looking at your policy to see if Bariatric surgery, fills are covered. Support Groups are usually in your area somewhere. Dietitian info you can get from people on here too. Where I went, as soon as you had surgery,,, the Dietitian was yours to use for life ! No matter what kind of INS. you had, as long as you had surgery, even self pay! So I can't understand this whole thing, really. Look it up under your plan, and log in, and see what it tells you about additional payments when it comes to this surgery. I wouldn't pay it. If it is the Dr... go someplace else, or go for surgery, and fills, even a fill center makes more since then this.

Do you have any medication at home that would calm your nerves? I was on medication, and my surgeon said regardless you take it before you come in ! Don't worry about it. You might want to explain your situation to the surgeon, and maybe he will prescribe something to take the edge of for you, and make you comfterable. But don't do anything without talking to your Surgeon.

To check your calories is a excellent idea. I use to do between 900 - 1200 a day. When you first lose weight, of course it's a shock to the body ! as a result it goes to the fat source and use it up. When the calories are about equal in your exercise. Your body doesn't see the need to lose weight, it's now comfortable. So we PLATEAU check that out with your dietitian. If you cut your calories a little more, and throw in some exercise like a walk around the block or somewhere. "walking is a nice, and easy exercise' Your body eventually will jump start again. Hope this helps, Shirley.

Old habits are hard to break.... But trust me, when you start getting fills, some of this stuff won't even interested you. But that takes time. For now,,, get back on your plan. "YOU DON'T WANT TO HURT YOURSELF." ask your Daughter please not to eat that stuff in front of you, or bring it in the house. Go out and eat it if possible. That's if it's possible. Lots of people who have had Bariatric Surgery will get taken out to dinner, and be told pick what you want, it's on me. Or they will bring your favorite food home, Just for you and them. That's called SABBATOGE! It's not done intenaalley, but they been eating with you a long time. So now this is a MAJOR change to them, and it can be done just by habit.. They will get use to this in time, and you will have to learn to deal with this. (I KNOW MY HUSBAND WAS LIKE THAT.) Now it's I'm not getting involved, you do your own thing, and I cook for him, but have no desire at all to try to eat what he does. Like I said,,,, this will come in time, where you won't even be interested in all the junk foods. Hang in there, it will get better.

google atkins diet recipes, and see what you get! I drink MUSCLE MILK shakes for lunch, stay lite for dinner.

Does your Ins. come from where you work? A lot of times companies offer 2 different types of Ins. when Open enrollment comes around. I know that's time, but ask your coworkers if they have a different Ins., and how do they like it. Call them up, and ask if they cover Bariatric surgery. If they do then you know who to change too, because they have to cover fills too. I hope you are lucky like I made the change for $20.00 a month more,,,,, it was worth it. If not Take a loan !

no relief,, go to a Hospital.... A thing to remember, is ACCENT meat tenderiser is used as DRANO for the Band, mix some water with it about a shot glass full ,and pour it down and leve it be. It will eat threw it. That's the best advice I can give.. Keep that in mind for the future.

no relief,, go to a Hospital.... A thing to remember, is ACCENT meat tenderiser is used as DRANO for people with the band. Mix some water with it about a shot glass full ,and pour it down and leve it be. It will eat threw it. That's the best advice I can give.. Keep that in mind for the future.

Drink a very tall glass of water,"at least a quart !" that will kill the hunger, drown it out. If desperate get a flavor shake that you like.

Do you think that you can do it yourself? If you no the truth, and it is that you would be better of with the surgery, no matter what anyone says ! Then you already no the answer. Sometimes things are out of control, and they can't get back on track, and work ! ! That's when you need assistance. It doesn't matter how you do it, nut if you need the assistance to be healthy. No one has the right to tell you how to run your life or belittle you because there not in that shape, and just dream that it's all do able.

When you start to eat, you will go. Even the mushes.

Normally I gave myself a window of 800 - 1200 calories a day. Since my last fill, I really have no desire to eat. So with shakes, and protein I do around 600 - 800 a day.

Ogh yes ! It will get better. Are you taking any kind of liquid Vitamins at all? You will need to be on some type of Vitamin. Where I was banded we all are on FLINTSTONE CHEWABLE COMPLETE. I do about 4 a day to keep peppy. When I was in your shape, they told me to dissolve 3 or 4 of them in 2 or 3 ounces of Water, all the same flavor though! It's just like drinking water, but helps in the long run. Those vitamins really work,, they contain CHOLINE. We are on them for the rest of our life. That's any Bariatric Patient. where I am Banded from. Hope you feel better. Shirley. 10/31/2006 Henry Ford Hospital "CENTER OF EXCELLENCE" Michigan

Good Luck with your program that you are going threw, and you do what's best for you. Again let your surgeon know ! All Meds are a must, so he knows what to do, and the Anesthesiologist knows what to do. It's mainly to see if you have self control. TIP: If he says lose 50lbs. ! Then Lose 40, This way he can say well you didn't quite hit my goal, but I see you are trying. Another thing... Make sure your BMI doesn't go below your Ins. Company expectations. They could not qualify you then if your BMI level is beneath their standards Shirley.

Now you got the Drive ! That's Great... Welcome aboard... Some people live to fight, We fight to live. The General Public still doesn't understand. (ALTHOUGH IT IS GETTING BETTER !) So give yourself time, and this will work. HAVE A NEW HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

You and me both have problems... I have 2 artificial knees, and a disease called Pockets. It's so unusual that Dr.'s have not given it a name. But I'm sure you all have seen the man, that his belly hangs to his knees ! That's pockets. Pockets of Water that are store between the skin, and flesh.like a CAMEL. Dr's don't know why this happens, but they do know if you don't have Bariatric surgery, you will drown in your bodily fluids. I had my Knees replaced, so I walk, and I try not to drink much at all. But still people look at you like are you stupid ! Why would you want to live, and look like this. Well I don't want to.. So now with time since this band has been adjusted. I know it will start to come off. So hang in there. When the weight starts to come off, we will be in better shape. To the lady that started this post: : There is always someone who is in different shape then you. If they can do it, you can too.

One major slip up won't hurt. But now stay on your liquids, and post op,,, you must stay on liquids in order to heel wright. I remember at my first meeting, when the Doctor came out. He told us the 2 biggest problems were LOVED ONES TRYING TO SABATAGE YOUR WEIGHT LOSS!, and DIVORCE. Does any of that sound like it might pertain to you? Once your banded, you will have to set her down, and have a talk with her, and explain that you no longer eat that way. I know,,, I went threw this with my husband.. It's not easy for them to adjust. Shirley.

Chicken soup, and if all else fails my husbands HOT TODDY will knock it out. Make a pot of tea, in a quart glass pour in some HONEY, WHISKEY, and the TEA (AS HOT AS YOU CAN STAND IT) Drink the whole thing, then get into bed, and cover up with a blanket so you sweat this thing out. Then see how you are the next day. This should help. If it doesn't,,, call your Family Dr. But this recipe does help or work depends on the cold. It can't hurt.

Good Girl ! As long as you shook that cough,, you can live with a stuffy head. But like I said a Hernia, you don't even want to go there. I know they fixed mine while I was on the table. But regardless take it easy ! You don't want to hurt anything. Because, there's no going back to 10 seconds before you even hurt yourself. Ya know what I mean? So hope you feel better. HAPPY NEW BIRTHDAY TO YOU !

That's normal...

The Miracle answer is Muscle Milk. It gives between 25-35 G of protein per 8oz shake. Buy it on ebay, these dealers have a wide variety of flavors. I have a 2.48 jug of PINA COLADA that I got buy mistake, it's unopend, and $20.00 includes the shipping. Thats a good price. Don't need milk, only water. 5 yrs. banded, and still using this stuff.

Then tell me why flies won't even go to it if it's edible?

It's normal to be scared, and nervous. You wouldn't be normal if you weren't. Once you start getting fills, you will see how your hunger decreases, and you still eat, just not as much. If you have medication that you are on do to weight, you might see that change also. I stayed heavy to long, they didn't really have the band when I first got Married. Just by-pass. The weight shot both knees for me. So don't let yourself get into a problem that's not reversible, when it's available to you. You can come on this site for anything, and someone will answer your questions all the time. Good Health to you, I'm sure you will do what's write. Shirley.

You say you have not had a fill yet ! Maybe it's time for one, to help the craving, and how much you can eat. You got banded for a reason,,, stick to your plan. I buy sugar free pudding in cups and instant. Cups are only 60 calories, and they fill up the need from hunger. Good Luck ! Shirley.

We all know that the Band is wrapped around the upper part of the stomach, and a small pouch is then formed for us to use. Now the understandings, and misunderstandings are like this. When you are banded, you are on liquids, and shakes, etc.. "REASON" so you heel well. Then comes the mushy stage, now your pouch only holds so much, measure it if you have to, and don't over do it. When it comes to solids Protein is the best thing you can eat. It's good for you, and if you add just a little bit of Carb to your meal. The carb is a kicker for the protein. Know comes the hunger that I know, and I had to deal with. "THAT'S WHY EVERYONE SAY'S IT DOESN'T CURE YOUR HUNGER..." This is a step after step with fills. "adjustments." Depending on the size of your band, and how much is added at a time, every time after the first or second fill, you start to feel more restriction. One day you will go in for a fill. When this happens you lose your appetite, and could really care less if you eat or not. But make sure you keep up on your protein, and chewable vitamins. "WE ALL ARE ON FLINSTONESS COMPLETE, THEY CONTAINE CHOLINE" That's a plus. It took me 5 years to figure this out. On my last fill,,,, that is exactly what happened to me... So yes there is a difference in the band, but it is further down the line. You will get to it, it's just time, and money for the Dr.. So be patient you will get there.