Savedbygrace

Hey everyone! It seems like forever since I've posted. Life has been CRAZY lately. I'm sure it'll all get back to normal now that the holidays are over. The bandster life hasn't been so easy through the holidays but it's been worth it. I believe this last fill (almost 8 weeks ago) is a little too much. It's hard to eat anything that's healthy - so naturally.. I've resorted to easy foods and gained a couple of pounds. I have an appt in the next few weeks and I'm thinking of getting a little taken out. I wish I could get a fill for this head hunger HAHA. Hope everyone is doing good and that you all have a wonderful LOSSFULL 2009!! :-)

WOW Deb! That's wild lol. I do sometimes wonder how our mind comes up with some of the dreams!

Anyone going to the support group meeting tonight? Sounds like it's going to be a great one but not sure if I'm going yet or not.

congrats on being banded recently. How are you feeling?

Hey Debbie! Welcome to Madison County. I actually live in Fayetteville but work in Huntsville. I chose Dr. Les Miles in Birmingham. I went to one seminar in Huntsville but the physician wasn't really wanting to do the band at the time. If you're not wanting to drive too far, I've heard great things about Drs. Britt and Groves from Albertville. From my understanding, they come to Huntsville to do the surgery and once a month for fills. Have you already went through the 6 month diet required by BCBS? Do you go to any of the support meetings at Huntsville Hospital? They are having a big one tomorrow night if you're intrested. I wish you the best! Any questions you have, ask away.. we'll be glad to try and help!

I know the feeling! I have taken adipex several times.. including during my 6 months. I looked SO forward to the surgery so I would never have to take another one. They make me very irritable. But now... I'm thinking I may try again. I'm so tired of this 3 month plateau (sp) . Lisa says it's the pcos but man I've wondered several times why I didn't just go with the bypass. I remind myself of the negatives of that but this is honestly alot harder than I expected. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We went home to MS to be with family and work on our land. It rained most of the time but we enjoyed seeing the family! Hope you all have a great week!!

I am so glad to hear this! There are so many people who want this option! How are you doing post surgery??

Welcome thecooley! Just a heads up... Dr. Mailapur is a great doctor from what I hear but he is not a fan of the lapband. Don't let that discourage you! Decide for yourself.. your life ... which procedure you want and don't let any negative comments sway you! I wish you the best on your journey! Huntsville Hospital has support group meetings for band and bypass. They are combining the meetings for December and it's next week. If your intrested in coming we can give you more information.

Hey gang! Gosh I skip a few days and it takes a while to catch up lol.. That's great! I see the thread is growing and that's awesome! Glad to hear that those recently banded are doing so well. Those first few days were ROUGH for me! I walked every 2 hrs and slept in the recliner for about 4 nights.. Looking back I guess it was more of a bad soreness than pain but at the time.. I thought .. "someone lied" lol. My weight is STILL at a stand still. uUGGHH I did go today for a fill. First time in a couple of months. After listening to my daily routine, Lisa didn't think I needed an adjustment but after driving 2 hrs., I was like.. yea give me a little one. Stress has been an overload for me lately and exercise hasnt been in the routine at all. I know that's my problem and with the PCOS, I MUST workout to loose. I purchased some vitamins today and hope they help too. I haven't been taking any. Shawna -Did you get Neomi's email? I've got it if u still need it. Everyone keep up the good work. I look forward to posting great results as I begin working out again!

Welcome 2nd. You're being banded on my 31st birthday! I wish you the very best!! Snacks for me haven't really been an option lately - due to added stress... I'm not hungry at all... which can be good and bad. BUT when I was snacking.. and I'm sure it'll come back sooner than I'd like lol.. I would choose bw the sf pudding, jr lunchable, 40 cal fudgebar or a pure protein bar. The candy bar has more calories in it that I should be consuming but it was the closest one to the 5 /15 requirement... and i think it has 17gm of protein. As you can see... sweets are my weakness. Breakfast is tough for me to. I normally will have a protein shake and that's it until lunch. Lunch this past week has been a south beach diet turkey meal. And then a reasonable dinner... actually loosing again! FINALLY! Kan - like Jason said exercise is key! I have got to get back to it myself this week. Also - this is one of those don't do what I do, do what I say things haha - bc I don't do it as much as I should) keep a food journal. I was not aware of the amount of calories I was putting in until I started doing it.. same goes if you're not getting enough calories a day. Glad to see everyone hanging in and doing well. I hope you all have a wonderful week!!

Hey Deb! When I read BCBS's policy online, it states that a letter is NOT enough. Unless that's changed since I read it last, they still require the 6 month diet and 3 yrs proof of BMI. Good luck!

From my experience, they bill an ultrasound at each visit, not an office visit. I have to pay like $9.00 per visit instead of the normal $30 copay.... which I am thankful for! Every little bit counts! I would be like you.. I want the refund!!

Just a reminder... the first gastric banding support group meeting is tomorrow. Well the first at Huntsville Hospital Medical Mall. That's on the corner of Governor's Drive and the parkway. It starts at 5pm. I really hope that I am able to make it... i've been feeling crappy this week and work has been kicking my tail!!!!!!!!!!!! If there are any questions I can answer, please feel free to reply or email me.

Hey AG! Glad to hear you're doing good! Take it easy and keep us updated!

Congrats Jason on the 8 pounds!

Congrats ALGirl!! You should be home recovering right about now! Let us know how you are as soon as you feel up to it. Once again, I've been out of town this weekend and having to catch up on the post. I can't remember exactly who posted what but ..... I didn't have any problems with St. Vincent's billing office either. I paid my deductible up front and didn't have to pay anything else to them. I didn't have any out of the ordinary problems when getting approved either. I have BCBS and had to do the 6 month diet but during that time, I had everything else taken care of. Congrads on all of you who are doing so well loosing!! And congrads to the ones who are at their sweet spot. I can't wait to get there!!! I did make it through another trip and didn't gain any.. That's a huge accomplishment to me! ha. For whoever was going to the nutrition class soon.. it's a breeze. It's a couple of hours of going over what to eat, what not to, asking questions. No biggy... but great info! I think that covers everything for the most part. It's great to see that others are coming on in and we're here to help each other! Y'all keep up the great job!!!!

WOW Jason.. what an experience. I guess I should just stop huffing over the fact that I can't be seen until 11/20 and just pray that Lisa will be there LOL. Normally I'm only in there 20 minutes max. That's waiting included. They always do the ultrasound and Lisa comes in and gets it the first time. It's a weird feeling but not painful. Feel like a cork coming out when she pulls it out lol. Maybe it'll be better next time!! Can you feel any restriction? How much did she give you?

That's a good question. I'm curious to see the response from someone who might know.

I take 10mg of Provera from time to time to start my cycle also. I try to do it at least 4 times a year. I have to take it for 10 days and let me tell you.. I HATE IT!!! It makes me very moody and angry! But it works. After several days from stopping it, my cycle begins. I can't remember how many days later - but I normally have a 5 day cycle ... HEAVY!! (Due to not having one in a couple months) I was banded in April and took Provera in June to trigger it.. then in August I had my first cycle without provera in 5 years.... as of today.. I'm on my second cycle without medication. I pray it's all working it's way out so that it'll be normal again and I can get prego!

Thanks! That was eye opening. My first reply EVERYTIME to someone who says something about my weight loss is..... ALWAYS..... I've got a long way to go. UUGGHHH

Hey everyone! Just wanted to check in with my fellow avengers! How's everyone doing? Loss is still stalled for me and boy is it aggrivating!! I did slow down on gym trips during September but I've been back in there for the last 2 weeks.. at least 6 days a week and still NOTHING! Maybe it's the PCOS. I need to find a family doctor to run some labs and make sure everything else is ok. How's everyone else doing? Still keeping up on the exercise? How much fill do y'all have? Are you at your sweet spot?

This is terrible I know but I can't remember if I'm on my 3rd or 4th. I think I have like 5-6cc's in a 10cc band. I feel the restriction that things get stuck if I'm not focusing on my chewing.. but as far as lack of hunger... it's not like I feel it should be. For about 3 days after one of the fills... my stomach would be growling but I wasn't hungry or wasn't wanting anything to eat. I LOVED it! Now... I am hungry alot more. I have another filled scheduled for 11/20. That can't get here fast enough!

You're right... every doctor is different but for myself.. there was no special instructions before or after. I see alot of people go on liquids after but I was instructed to just be careful and chew good at first to be sure it'll go down.

Too funny!!!!

Hey Cindy! Welcome to the site! It's great to hear that y'all had such a good time yesterday. I wish it wasn't such a long drive for me. OK - let's hear it... what was the sex question? And what was the answer? lol