Band_Groupie

Well, here's hoping all those buy's go through (that will cheer you) and that that fill next week is perfect! -BG

Protein isn't that important just post-op as you're going through your first week of healing. Liquids are critical though and whatever else you can get in is a bonus. You don't want to get dehydrated. Best wishes and sip, sip, sip!! -BG Oh, and WELCOME to LBT!

Thanks gals! Hope it sticks. Find a way to get enough calories and Protein in even if it's shakes (you're gaining because your metabolism shut down). Keep a close eye on this and let the doc know next week if the eating isn't going fine by then...you may need a tiny unfill. Happy weekend all!

Like you said this may be all 'part of the plan' and really turn out well for you as it very well may be the reason you've gained weight. Best wishes for your surgery. -BG

Glad to hear it all turned out well! We eat normal to live normal...sounds perfect! Glad you're back! -BG

183.5...3 pounds! I'm definitely at my Sweet Spot! Love this band!

Oh my! Now I'm embarrassed...feeling like I was fishing for a compliment...it's just me still not comfortable with the photos yet honestly...and tell me how long it took you to feel great again when you saw a pic? My head just needs to catch up...I'm the eternal optimist/positive except when it comes to body image...the curse of us fat people. ...and hey, trust me, I don't expect to look like that again...it's been almost 30 years LOL! Thank you all for your positive comments...and I'm ditching those jeans. -BG

Actually, the Quaker Weight Control Oatmeals have more carbs in them than regular Old Fashioned Oatmeal; it also has more calories, but it has a few more grams of Protein and fiber (you have to be so careful with all the WL food items these days LOL). With the 1/2 serving of the Old Fashioned Oats it's 13.5g of carbs and 2 of those are fiber (of course before I add all the protein and extra fiber). Really good for you and I'm never hungry before lunch. Had it this morning with a little SF Maple Syrup on top...yummm. Eating this helped my cholesterol come down even before I started losing with the LB. Oh, I should add it's over 20g of protein once I add everything...

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

Scooching over on the Loser's Bench for you! CONGRATULATIONS!!! -BG

I'm 6 months out about a week from now. My blog yesterday (in my sig) was about reaching my Sweet Spot after my last fill 5 weeks ago. I also discussed: how I can still eat everything (nothing is off limits), I eat almost everything my family does for dinner (and I'm not the cook, so I haven't changed the meals)...I sometimes don't eat a mainly Pasta meal, but sometimes add more meat to it and then I do. I'm losing 1.5-2 lbs. a week, and eat about a cup at each meal. I follow the Bandster rules; solid Protein first, no drinking for about an hour...yadda yadda... Here's the good part...I'm NEVER HUNGRY! ...and I'M NOT ON A DIET!!! For me it's be completely "As Advertised" (once I got good restriction...Bandster Hell...I was starving like everyone else). Although I know the benefits of exercise well (I used to teach 8 aerobics classes a week in my younger days) I'll admit here that I haven't really started an exercise plan since banding. I gardened a lot in the summer and used the treadmill and the Wii a few times...so really no exercise (and yes, I've exercised like crazy along with diets in the past). I know I need to get exercising as it's all part of the plan to get healthier. I've yo-yoed for 20 years, sometimes 50 pounds at a time, but always ending higher. I did VERY well on Atkins also (several times)...huge amounts of food like cheese...what's not to like...except who can eat like that and stay in ketosis forever?! I've lost 65 lbs. total now. Could I have lost it faster by dieting...yep, I've done that...again, here's the difference...I'M NOT ON A DIET...there is no food that's off-limits and I'M NOT HUNGRY!!! Now all that said...to each their own and everyone has to find what works best for them. Some here are gym rats, some are on WW, there's even a group on low-carb/Atkins here, some drink Protein shakes a long time out. For me, if this meant going on another diet, I wouldn't have done it...I'm a GREAT dieter...I didn't need another diet. I needed a tool that would help me make changes in portion size and keep me from being hungry and that's exactly what the LB has done for me.

I eat 1/2 serving of regular oatmeal with several scoops of soy protein powder and several of Benefiber (and some extra water to adjust it) thrown in. You can add SF syrup, sugar substitute, cinnamon or nutmeg, SF preserves, or fruit on top. It's high fiber and high protein. I have this almost every day.

I just had to share a little laugh I had today. I got my hair trimmed yesterday (same style I've had the last 4 mo. or so) and I was showing the new gal how I wanted my hair with swoopy bangs and curled back...you know layered and flipped back like the 80's. Today I was trying on some more old pants from the closet and found this old pair of 18's I can barely fit into (I'm in a 16 at the stores now...more generous sizes...love that). They are those old high waisted jeans...hit me way above the belly button right on the port (which I put high enough that pants wouldn't hit them LOL). They would be described these days as 'Mom Jeans' yikes! I'm so glad shirts are long right now so I can camouflage the old styles, but when DD gets home from her business trip I think we'll have to go through a few of these and decide what looks too outdated. I was standing there in the bathroom mirror thinking I was styling like the 80's again! Well, I don't weigh 135 anymore and the hair isn't as 'BIG' (especially with half my hair falling out from the anesthesia…I think that finally stopped) but you know what I mean! ...and when will I start liking any photo of me...ugh. Pic 1- Me 1980 and my BIG hair, sorry you can't see the high waist jeans Pic 2- Me today and my still huge hips/thighs, pulled my shirt up...see how high these are!

I just had to share a little laugh I had today. I got my hair trimmed yesterday (same style I've had the last 4 mo. or so) and I was showing the new gal how I wanted my hair with swoopy bangs and curled back...you know layered and flipped back like the 80's. Today I was trying on some more old pants from the closet and found this old pair of 18's I can barely fit into (I'm in a 16 at the stores now...more generous sizes...love that). They are those old high waisted jeans...hit me way above the belly button right on the port (which I put high enough that pants wouldn't hit them LOL). They would be described these days as 'Mom Jeans' yikes! I'm so glad shirts are long right now so I can camouflage the old styles, but when DD gets home from her business trip I think we'll have to go through a few of these and decide what looks too outdated. I was standing there in the bathroom mirror thinking I was styling like the 80's again! Well, I don't weigh 135 anymore and the hair isn't as 'BIG' (especially with half my hair falling out from the anesthesia…I think that finally stopped) but you know what I mean! ...and when will I start liking any photo of me...ugh. Pic 1- Me 1980 and my BIG hair, sorry you can't see the high waist jeans Pic 2- Me today and my still huge hips/thighs, pulled my shirt up...see how high these are!

Yep, if they hate you now sometimes, you're doing a good job because you're setting limits...and more importantly carrying them out. My DD is now 22...she called me three times last night for some advice and to talk (on her first business trip down south). She used to hate me sometimes too...now we're good friends and she's acting like an adult (because she is one)...your DD is just acting like a teen. Love them and parent them...it's all we can do. It gets better.

Awesome! Any changes you can make now will only help! Just a reminder...because I can't remember...are you high enough above your minimum BMI for insurance that you can loose a lot of weight and still be above it (35 or 40 thresholds). Just checking because I was on the cusp and with your committment you'll be losing a lot. -BG

Sounds like my DS1- too smart for her own good! ...and why does their grounding mean that we're grounded too? Just remember...she'll be away from home soon enough (but I've learned you're ALWAYS a parent, sorry). We can't shoot them, but we can make them miserable...we know just how...we were teenagers once! Hope things come together tonight. Chin up, you're a good mom! -BG

Sorry this is coming late, but CONGRATULATIONS on your approval! I finally had time today to read through the thread...you've had quite a journey! I'm so pleased to hear that the insurance company approved you anyway...as well they should! You've had some serious health problems from your weight and we all know yo-yoing take a whole other toll on your body. I had just lost weight when I started this process and was very lucky in finding out here just in time that I had to gain a few pounds back (yes I did and if you need a laugh today read on LBT HERE). Am I proud I had to gain weight to get insurance coverage...heck no...I'm a really ethical person, but I'd just been that weight and should I be penalized because I CAN lose the weight (big weight like you even) but I can't keep it off (if you want to know how to lose weight just ask a fat person). The hardest part of this process was trying to maintain my weight during the six months...sounds so stupid but that 6 months was the longest I'd been about the same weight in 20 years...I SO badly wanted to get started losing again (even lost more than I probably should have my last month because I couldn't stand it anymore...but stayed above my BMI). I'm thrilled to hear that your insurance didn't penalize you for this (mine took the ending weight...also BCBS-but their different state/city even). Good luck on the rest of your journey and know that all this pre-op hassle will all be worth it. I've lost 65 pounds now and yes, I could have lost it way faster on another diet. In my blog here just yesterday on LBT (in my sig) I talked about getting to my Sweet Spot. I'm NOT DIETING, I'm eating like a normal person, I'm losing weight, and the best part...I'M NOT HUNGRY!!!!! I believe this is just the tool I need. I don't need help losing (although I love not starving)...I got the band to help me KEEP it off! This is a lifestyle I can live with...forever. Best wishes! -BG Oh, and there's a whole group of Low BMI banders right here on LBT under groups.

Yep, could be a virus, but when I 'PB' it's just like you described...whatever is left in my pouch coming up with heaves. The other thing I call just sliming...because it's mostly slime (and yes, the PB comes out with LOTS of slime in it). I know what you mean about looking for small bits and not finding anything big...the question is; did you feel stuck right before the PB? Sometimes I think there was something bigger stuck right in my new stoma and the act of heaving dislodged it down into my stomach. ...and no, I've never gotten anything that had already gone through my band awhile before to come back up either. Hope that helps...and you're a smart girl for going right to liquids...I've learned that one the hard way as now you're even tighter/swollen. Feel better soon!

Hold onto your hat...time will start speeding up soon...keep busy buying the right foods and anything you'll need post-op. Countdown time!!!! -BG

Read this (on LBT) before your first weigh in (I was on the cusp too). That's great that you'll have your parents to follow. You're doing this for you...DH will come around. Best wishes! -BG

I'd take 6.5/month...awesome! And losing weight on vacation...amazing isn't it! No fill needed! -BG

The first step, if you haven't done this is to call your insurance co. and get a copy of their bariatric policy. That way you'll know their requirements (and your surgeon may have a few more). The policy will spell out if you need to do a pre-op diet and other things. I had great luck in talking to the insurance person at my surgeon's office as they deal with the whole process and the insurance co's. every day. Good luck! -BG Oh, and WELCOME to LBT!

Good luck and congrats on making an important decision in your life to start this process! -BG

You may have already done this, but if not; call your insurance company now and have them tell you the status of your approval and make them give you a detailed answer (like we've recieved everything we need from you and it's now with the commitee). I'd also ask them for a timeframe of when you can expect to hear. I can't tell you how many posts I've seen here where people were waiting and waiting and either their insurance company hadn't received one item, never received the fax, or they'd already approved but the docs office hadn't received it or told the person it came through! Take charge (you'll have to do a lot of that in the rest of your journey so get started now) and don't worry about being a bug...you've got a right to ask nicely about where things stand right now...just tell them you're trying to fit it into your work schedule and you need to know...true enough, right? It's SOOOO hard to wait for that approval after that lonnnnnng 6 month wait! Welcome to LBT! Lots of great people and support here...we're all going through the same things! -BG