Band_Groupie

I got my first call from my “Healthwise” coach, Valerie today. (In case you haven’t read…it’s a third party co. that DH's company hires to coach those with “issues” like mine on the health survey form we have to fill out for insurance). I had to answer all those embarrassing questions first…height, weight,:cool:…after that it doesn’t matter right? Anyhoo…we start into diet and I tell her about the LB and the 6 mo. diet I’m on with my PCP. Didn’t say anything about the LB, but she loved the diet plan…start at 1600 cal. And step down 100 ea. month. She was so supportive and encouraging.:tongue2: Everything I said was immediately given positive reinforcement. I was feeling myself relax…like a day at the spa:sleep: (or what I imagine it to be like since I’ve never been to one). We talked a little about my exercise habits, etc., then we set some goals for next month’s call. She’s all about reinforcing what the PCP is doing with me. :drool: I suggested adding 10 min. to my exercise routine, she suggested 5 min….it’s all about small changes she said and being able to easily make them. More supportive discussion…la, la, la…I’m feeling like I just got a massage :tt1:(or what I imagine a massage to be like, since I’ve never had one). We set a date for next month…la, la, la…OK, that wasn’t so bad!

Hi, I don't have answers (pre LB) but wanted to suggest you copy & paste your question; under "forum" tab "post-op" (question area). You'll get LOTS more people answering there, as this blog section doesn't get as much exposure...mainly just journaling here.

Thanks Eddie & Nessa- Sounds like you don't want it right at the belt line. If you have it high (below ribs), do your ribs ever push on it when you bend (like WV was describing pants did)?

TL- Thank you for the info., you explained this very well...I hadn't heard anyone yet explain WHY it can flip. I wonder how long it takes to make it stable/scar tissue? Not sure what you mean by "adjustment"...can they just flip it back? I'm so sorry this happened to you and I'm hoping you'll have an answer soon. -BG

Can I ask where your port was located that crunches could do this (only if you want to share)? Near your ribs? I have a choice of location so I'm trying to gather opinions. Thanks!

WV- Where is your port located, if you don't mind me asking? I've been trying to get opinions since my Dr. will let me chose the place and I keep reading how people get bothered by the location. Thanks!

Are you getting enough calories and fluids? Dehydration can cause dizziness, but call your Dr. Are you still on mushies or reg. food now? Also not banded, so if you don't get a bander answer here I'd suggest you post a question in the post-op forum. 14 lbs. in 2 weeks Wow!

What's the boob job called...a "boobectomy"? Just teasing...I'm a 38 barely a C...so they'll probably disappear altogether...damn this pear shape!

Hi Nancy! Just started blogging also. Losing 1/2 yourself...cool goal...So you're keeping the "better half" right? Hope you're feeling better today!

You're an inspiration! I love happy endings (or beginnings)! Congrats!

I also went to three hospitals; first totally pushed the bypass and said it was his decision and "if you're diabetic you're going to have a hard time convincing me to give you the lap" (I'm not diabetic, but I was outta there), second gave a fair assement of each, and third was very lap band friendly-even assumed we might ALL want the lap (he said bypass is for the sickest patients because they need the weight off faster or they might not live; that I get!). I didn't end up at the hospital I thought I would either, so go elsewhere!!

Happy first day! Off the rack...nice! We have next summer to look forward to getting started on the next part of our lives! And really...the apron can go too? Really? I wonder what qualifies as an apron? Yeah! I thought I'd be sweating in spanx every summer...do they make them for swimwear Have fun tonight! ...just one of your peeps

Me too, me too! I think it's like listening to yourself on the answering machine...I just don't see/hear myself like I am. Maybe if I did I would have started this sooner. I've always remembered Mr.SA's grandmother at age 92 sitting in her wheelchair saying to my daughter "You know, I still see myself and feel inside like I did when I was 20!" Maybe that image of us at our best is what freezes in our minds...time now for the NEW best us!

So I’m making my Christmas ornaments today. I know, I know, for all of you out there in the work world you’re saying “Rough Life BG!”.:willy_nilly: I worked for a long time, so I’m there with you…and yes, I do appreciate rare days like today…snowflakes falling…holiday music playing…and I’m hot gluing ornaments (Hey, I’ve got the dishwasher and laundry going and I could get BURNED by the glue gun…it’s tough work I tell you!). :cryin: (I should be packing us up for our two different trips to our families next week as Mr.SA is traveling all this week,:incazzato: but I'm not.) Actually, I copped out this year, big time…I’m using a kit :puke:(shhhh)…blasphemy for an ex Art Teacher…I just didn’t find any inspiration this year.:prrr: Understand, these ornaments/or decorations (exchange with family and my gifts for neighbors/friends) are a lot of pressure for me every year…it’s my “Martha Stewart” moment;:banghead: lots of pressure. I always create original ideas and go to great lengths to make something unique each year and now the bar is set very high for beautiful handmade gifts…antique bobbins made into a candle stick with ribbons braided through the holes and tin punched trees ontop with the candle; Hand painted plates with potpourri and candles; beautiful hanging “Kissing Balls” with mistletoe, fancy ribbons and bells; a set of wine charms with beads and different clay Christmas characters glazed and shining…:present:see, pressure. I ponder this all year and gather:driving: the perfect supplies…I’ve spent weeks on them some years, even finished making them in the summer sometimes…not this year…no time, :nonod:NO inspiration. Luckily I bought several ornament kits about 6 six years back and have kept them in my craft closet…just in case:nono:…NO WAY would I need them. But there I was last night digging them out of the closet. They are little clear round ornaments that are water filled and have different types of glitter (a snowglobe, you know). They actually have 2 halves and you twist them open and add 2 back-to-back photos:camera: and close them back up. I’m adding all kinds of ribbon and doodads to the top, but no way to disguise these as "not a kit":glare:…I know they’re lame…no Martha this year...I can feel the disappointment now. I was going through all my photos yesterday trying to find 2 photos (and the right size) of each person. I was struck by how few photos there are of me fat, but I also was struck by the ups and downs of my weight battle…160 lbs. (for the millionth time) just years ago…I remember I didn’t feel very skinny then at all…but there were the photos…no double chin…no belly. I have a hard time seeing myself as I am, at any weight, even now:blink:…I don’t feel like I look that fat, but I know I am.:yikes: So this year I found my inspiration in my skinny photos…inspiration for my journey here.:cursing: Too bad that doesn’t translate well into an ornament…but now I’m making one just for me…with my skinny photos...:dita:

So I’m making my Christmas ornaments today. I know, I know, for all of you out there in the work world you’re saying “Rough Life BG!”.:cool: I worked for a long time, so I’m there with you…and yes, I do appreciate rare days like today…snowflakes falling…holiday music playing…and I’m hot gluing ornaments (Hey, I’ve got the dishwasher and laundry going and I could get BURNED by the glue gun…it’s tough work I tell you!). :drool: (I should be packing us up for our two different trips to our families next week as Mr.SA is traveling all this week,:tongue2: but I'm not.) Actually, I copped out this year, big time…I’m using a kit :puke:(shhhh)…blasphemy for an ex Art Teacher…I just didn’t find any inspiration this year.:ack2: Understand, these ornaments/or decorations (exchange with family and my gifts for neighbors/friends) are a lot of pressure for me every year…it’s my “Martha Stewart” moment;:tt1: lots of pressure. I always create original ideas and go to great lengths to make something unique each year and now the bar is set very high for beautiful handmade gifts…antique bobbins made into a candle stick with ribbons braided through the holes and tin punched trees ontop with the candle; Hand painted plates with potpourri and candles; beautiful hanging “Kissing Balls” with mistletoe, fancy ribbons and bells; a set of wine charms with beads and different clay Christmas characters glazed and shining…:present:see, pressure. I ponder this all year and gather:driving: the perfect supplies…I’ve spent weeks on them some years, even finished making them in the summer sometimes…not this year…no time, :nonod:NO inspiration. Luckily I bought several ornament kits about 6 six years back and have kept them in my craft closet…just in case:nono:…NO WAY would I need them. But there I was last night digging them out of the closet. They are little clear round ornaments that are water filled and have different types of glitter (a snowglobe, you know). They actually have 2 halves and you twist them open and add 2 back-to-back photos:camera: and close them back up. I’m adding all kinds of ribbon and doodads to the top, but no way to disguise these as "not a kit":glare:…I know they’re lame…no Martha this year...I can feel the disappointment now. I was going through all my photos yesterday trying to find 2 photos (and the right size) of each person. I was struck by how few photos there are of me fat, but I also was struck by the ups and downs of my weight battle…160 lbs. (for the millionth time) just years ago…I remember I didn’t feel very skinny then at all…but there were the photos…no double chin…no belly. I have a hard time seeing myself as I am, at any weight, even now:blink:…I don’t feel like I look that fat, but I know I am. So this year I found my inspiration in my skinny photos…inspiration for my journey here. Too bad that doesn’t translate well into an ornament…but now I’m making one just for me…with my skinny photos...:eek:

60 pounds is great! There was someone here that just posted a blog and I think they were up to 14 fills, and some unfills (not normal they said). I'm pre-band, but I'm already starting to realize from reading on the fill forum that getting to that "sweet spot" is different for everyone and very difficult for some. My Dr. said (sorry if I'm telling you something you already know) even with the perfect fill you'll still be able to eat soft foods/soups/liquids and they should not have restriction...that's why they say to eat the "hard protein" first (like your chicken finger)...so you sound very "normal" to me. Hope a "bander" can help you with the getting sick part...maybe the old "CHEW, CHEW, CHEW"? Hand in there!

This is the pits! OK (me trying to cheer you up), at least you'll be doing this at 27 and not at 50 like me; after decades, 3 decades more, of yo-yoing and feeling like a diet failure! Hmmm (me REALLY trying to cheer you up)....cue Star Wars theme...come to the dark side Lively....2009 with the rest of us! (Been around my boys too long...OK, I'm obviously not awake yet...time for more coffee!)

I'm not a good cook (in case you haven't read) so I've been collecting ideas from here for post band. I've found some good ideas- this one in particular-and I've just started pouring over this thread (sorry, I'm tech-challenged- don't know how to give you a link). There's over 100 posts now and some good thoughts (just skip over the ones who drink tea for a meal...not a realistic or healthy lifetime plan). Forum: "Food and Nutrition"- Thread: "Share Ideas, What did you eat today?" Slow & steady still wins the race!

cdt- 10 lbs. in a week. That's great! I've read the hiccups are bad. Take it easy...1/4 mile sounds like a lot for day 2 and you had a second walk? One bottle of water doesn't sound like enough to keep hydrated, but I'm pre-band. Maybe check with your Dr. or the post-band forum on that one. Rest yourself and hope you're feeling better soon!

(Hugs) for you and a prayer for your dad. Come here for comfort anytime. Just remember to take time to take care of yourself, you need to so you can be strong right now. Hang in there!

Thanks all. Carrie- thanks for all the tips. It helped a lot. I bought the scale. Just what I needed...you made me feel like I can do it. Thanks so much!

Way to go Wanna! Keep the postitive attitude! I'm also pre-band, and my feeling is if we can stick to other diets and lose big amounts (like WW) than we can do this. Those that failed didn't follow all the rules or had unforseen complications. We're going to do great! Best wishes...

SS, I also have Highmark PPO Blue. Fills for life? Even unfills? Wow- can that be true? ...and no PCP, really? I wonder if they cover the classes at Magee even? Now I'm a little bummed Magee turned me down; before my hypertension diagnosis...again, wished they'd had an ins. expert there so I'd have know all this. Thanks! BTW- New pic is great!

I was reading through all the seminar info. I received yesterday so I could compile info. for a post on the seminars I attended. One of them, Magee, gave out a paper that makes a sweeping statement for everyone (no matter the insurance). "Your weight must be identical, or less at month six, when compared to month one. Many insurers discourage even modest variations in weight throughout the six months. Do your best to keep your weight constant each month (or even a modest loss of 1-2 pounds a month). We have found that even weight increases of a pound or two have been grounds for insurance denial." I've read here not to go below the minimum BMI (35 or 40 depending on the cat.), but are they saying try not to lose much? I weighed in "heavy" at my initial visit (long story- you'll have to read my blog here from Mon. this week) and I was hoping I wouldn't have to drink/wear that much for the next visit. I could lose 5 pounds easy this month just by what I was wearing extra (no I didn't wear weights). My goal was about 11 pounds over the 6 mo. Is this considered too much for insurance...what the heck is an OK amout? Is the pre-op diet included in your 6 mo.? What if I lose even more on the pre-op diet? :tongue2: