LapBandit

Good to hear from ya A1! Glad to hear you're doing good. About those chocolates at Christmas...yeah, been there done that. But we all seem to be getting back on track and that's most important! Tann--Congratulations!!!!!!! Welcome to Twoterville! You've done great and deserve to be very proud of yourself! Good job! Indianlight, I feel like I don't have a bat's chance in h*ll of hitting my Valentine's goal either!!!! But, we'll just do our best. I have an appointment on Thursday and I'm going to ask for a fill too. These fills are so stinking weird. Where did my restriction go? Does the sweet spot need to take periodic vacations and decide to leave us hanging or what?! I just don't understand what changes inside our bods to make our restriction go away. I'm going to try to ask my doc for some insight on this topic on Thursday. If I get some good info I'll pass it along. Elisabeth, I am so sorry to hear that you need surgery. I just heard on TV the other day that every 5 pounds we lose feels like 20 lbs less on our knees. (Something crazy like that.) Keep us posted and let us know when you have to go in for surgery. Everyone else...HI and keep up the great work! We're kicking butt in '07 so far!

I am at 9 months post-op and still looking for the "sweet spot". The thing I don't understand is how restriction comes and goes. I felt like I may have been at a sweet spot a few months ago but now...no restriction at all! So, where did my sweet baby go?? Now I've got to get my fourth fill in hopes that this time we hit that magical spot again and it stays! Good luck to all of you still on this journey with me! We'll get there eventually!

You'll make it...but just for the record...I think you already are firmly rooted in Twoterville! You're an official resident! :clap2:

I would say the first step would be to find a bariatric Dr. then let their office figure out the insurance stuff. My bariatric center took care of all the paperwork...all I had to do was show up for appointments! So, hopefully if your office works the same then you won't have to mess with any of that stuff either. Otherwise, calling the number on the back of your card will get you in touch with someone at Cigna who should be able to tell you if it's a covered procedure. Good luck!

Quaker has whole grain rice cakes now that are actually pretty good for you and they taste good too!

Ahhh...you remind me of myself just a year ago. I think my first appointment was about that same time last year! It is an exciting process and you seem like you're really motivated! Good luck!!

Mid-meals are the hardest to come up with! I have to admit...I lean on bars quite a bit because I'm not "creative" with my food choices at mid-meals! I really enjoy those South Beach Bars, the ones with 10g protein. I have also recently tried Atkins bars...lots of protein, low carb/sugar and don't have a ton of calories.

You HAVE inspired me for a long time!:nervous You don't need a butt kicking, you've got a plan and you'll make it through. We've got faith in you! Your support team is right here ready and willing to help you anyway we can. Keep strong and hopefull. Everyday more people are successfully battling cancer so I'll be praying that your Mom's doctors and your Mom keep fighting until they make some progress. Keep us posted on how you and your Mom are doing.

How great...we got to hear from Indianlight and Waterlily today! That makes my day because I've been wondering about you guys! Hang in there Indianlight. You've done so well for having so those problems. You're right...once you get proper restriction things will kick in for you. Waterlily, I am definately a member of the "Christmas kicked my butt" club too! You're right...it's a long holiday season and it comes just once a year. So, I've decided to put it behind me and focus on 2007! Well, I just got back from my regular doc's today. I've had a red rash all over my neck and they said it's strep throat...no work until Friday. Apparently I'm contagious. That's a bummer because I was going to go to the gym tonight. I guess that means I'll be huffing and puffing on the old treadmill instead. But, my doctor said I shouldn't be contagious after 2PM tomorrow so I'll get to go to the gym during the day for a change! I much prefer working out earlier in the day, for some reason it just feels better. Fair warning...I'll try not to hog up the thread but I can't promise...I'll be home all alone recovering and I'll probably get bored!! Ha Ha.

The time period following surgery is rough, especially if you're having the gas problem just as I did. Try to experiment with your liquids...maybe you'll find a difference between drinking warmer or cooler liquids...you'll find something that makes it easier to get the liquids down. It's really very important to drink liquids. Your healing will be slower if you get dehydrated and malnourished. Please try to get in more than 15 oz of liquids. Perhaps you can call your doctor's office for advice? Plus a tip from my recovery...warm liquids went down better and I got a lot of comfort from sipping sugar free hot cocoa the first few days. (I hate coffee and tea!) The gas pains WILL get better. Walking, gas X and a warm compresses (hot Water bottle) really helped with the pain. Plus, focusing on getting in enough liquids for nourishment will also help get your body into "healing mode" which will help your body push out that gas. Hang in there and stay positive. This is the start to a wonderful journey and once you're past this hump you'll start feeling great! This is a temporary stage to a bigger payoff! Good luck and let us know how you're doing!

Name....................Current Weight......Valentine's Goal......To Go Juliegeraci................243.5.......................10..........................5.5 Lapbandit.................240.......................20..........................13 Libra....................... 265.......................245........................15 Indianlight................ 279.......................20.........................20 JulieNYC.................. 222........................215.........................7 Elisabethsew............ 290 (-4)................. 282........................8 OK, Juliegeraci-you should be updated! We're doing good so far ladies!

Wednesday Check In! Week 1/6 Name....................Current Weight......Valentine's Goal......To Go Juliegeraci................248.................... ...10..........................10 Lapbandit.................247..................... ..20..........................13 Libra....................... 265................... ....245........................16 Indianlight................ 279.................... ...20.........................20 JulieNYC.................. 224........................215.................... .....9 Elisabethsew............ 290 (-4).................. 282........................8 Well, the scale said I've lost 7 lbs this week. But, I know most of that is water weight from over-doing it at Christmas! Either way, I'm counting it! How'd everyone else do?

Urghh..I haven't been getting my emails to tell me someone posted to this thread. I figured we couldn't have been that quiet so good thing I logged on to see if there's been any new posts! Weird, I don't know what happened to those emails?! Anyway, tomorrow is Wednesday which means "check in" day. We will have just completed week 1 of 6!! I can't wait to see what the scale says...I've been trying to be good!

Welcome!! Twoterville is being in the 200's. Most of us started this thread while we were either trying to get back into the 200's or had just barely made it there. But, we're friendly so anyone can join us! The same goes for Onderland...that's for people in the 100's. One day I hope to move into Onderland, but for now I'm a happy resident of Twoterville. They're just silly names for celebrating where we are on the scale!

Valentine's Day 2007 Challenge!! Week Zero of Six Name....................Current Weight......Valentine's Goal......To Go Juliegeraci................248.......................10..........................10 Lapbandit.................247.......................20..........................20 Libra.......................???........................20..........................20 Indianlight................279.......................20..........................20 Everyone is welcome to join in!! Just let us know what your goal is!

Alrighty...if we're gonna do this then today is check in day! I don't mind starting the list.

Oh man, I'm sorry that is happening to you. I feel really bad for you. If it makes you feel any better, just remember, the anethesiologist has to agree that you're fit for surgery and won't sign off if he doesn't feel you're fit for surgery. Plus, my 78 year old grandma just had two major surgeries in less than a week and she came through fine. Hopefully that helps ease your fears a little, not much I'm sure, but hopefully a little. Let us know how you're doing!

I'm with ya! Let's see...Valentine's day is about six weeks away? I would like to lose 25 lbs by Valentine's day. It's a tall order, but I'll try! Perhaps we can check in weekly since it's a shorter goal length? Let's start a list tomorrow (Wednesday) so that by the sixth Wednesday it will be Valentine's day! I like the idea of trying a shorter length goal this time!

I've heard mixed reviews on this topic before. But, one thing I've heard (and I don't know if there's any scientific facts to back this up) is that if you need to break up your routine like this then you should do at least 20 minutes at a time. I've heard it takes 20 minutes to get your body into fat-burning mode. As far as the eliptical...15 minutes was about all I could stand at first too! But, now I can easily do 30 minutes and I love it. I think that thing gives a really good workout! I wish I had one at home.

Per my doc...there is really no nutritional value to it. It's empty carbs and calories. I don't eat it any more.

They look yummy, but I've not seen them in my area...darn!

Oh boy...apples with the peel on do NOT work for me. I basically don't have problems with food but apples with the peel hurt like h#ll for me! Be careful and if you try it I'd suggest slicing it instead of just eating it normally so that you don't try too much peel at one time until you see if it agrees with your band. Oranges...I eat the inside but haven't attempted the pith. After the apples, I just don't want to chance it!

My mom used to always make pork w/ sauerkraut. I don't know why, but that was "her thing"!

You are on the same schedule I was on in the beginning. Each doctor has a plan they want you to follow, but I was fine doing exactly as you wrote. Good luck!

This decision was one of the hardest...it was harder than deciding that I even needed/wanted to have any wls surgery. Basically because I wasn't sure I could lose enough weight with the band as opposed to the bypass. But, 135 lbs later I know I made the right decision for myself. I hope you find the answer that works best for you too. Good luck!