LapBandit

I'm definately not "preaching" but these items are not the best choices...especially the ice cream. If you are struggling with regular food then you may want to have a slight unfill. The band is not meant to prevent you from eating so for it to be working properly means you can eat quality food with perhaps an occasional "bandster" issue. If you cannot tolerate chicken and steamed veggies (or something similar) then I'd say you are probably too tight. Good luck and let us know how you're doing!

Just like Juliegeraci said, there's no way of knowing how many fills you will need. But, you WILL most likely need at least a few so it's a good idea that you're planning it out ahead of time.

OK, I'll join that one! I'm stuck at 240 right now. I am wondering if my body really likes it here and won't let me move past it?! Ugh...patience is a virtue that I don't always have!

I just had my third fill today! No pain. Like someone else said...it's basically a "pinch" and doesn't feel any worse than getting bloodwork done. You had an IV put in for surgery, right? Well, you survived that and this seems less invasive to me because you can see them doing the IV whereas a fill is on your belly and you basically lay there!! You'll do great! Don't worry!

I'm glad you talked with your doctor about things. Hopefully you'll get back on track real soon. Good luck with everything!

Name....................Current Weight......Valentine's Goal......To Go Juliegeraci................237.................. ..10................Done! 5lbs Bonus Lapbandit.................240..................... .20..........................13 Libra....................... 255.......................20...................... ...10 Indianlight................ 277...................... 20...................... ..18 JulieNYC.................. 218.......................215.................... ....3 Elisabethsew............ 283 (-11)...............282.........................1 Whoo hoo!! Great job Julie!!!! I had a good appointment today with my surgeon. I got a fill and I am feeling better so hopefully I can still put at least a little dent in my Valentine's Goal now!!

I went through this same thing when I first started. It did feel like an obsession and it made me a little depressed. But, the silver lining is...you'll get yourself into a groove and it becomes easier to get in those mid-meals. Hang in there!

This is an interesting topic. I've been banded for 9 months now and just recently talked to my surgeon about it. He wants me to lose another 100 lbs. I'm sure going to try to do that! It's strange about those charts we all look at. It seems like I see a little bit different goals on different charts. Who's right??!!

Hi Melissa, you're still pretty fresh from surgery and it took me quite awhile until I actually felt restriction. Now, about the fill...for me it takes a couple days, sometimes a week before I can feel my fills "kick in". Don't ask me why...it's just the way it works for me! Perhaps you'll be the same and feel much better by next week!

That is terrible news. I'm really sorry you are going through this. It's OK to feel bad right now. But, keep your head up high and stay positive. You'll find a new job and who knows, it might just be the best job you've ever had!

This is common. According to my surgeon, the surgery can irritate some muscle (I can't remember what it's called) that's related to your diaphram. I still experience weird hiccups occasionally! My guess is that you're OK. But, unfortunately you'll just have to wait it out until you are more healed. Congrats on the surgery. Is everything else going Ok so far?

Name....................Current Weight......Valentine's Goal......To Go Juliegeraci................241.5.................. ..10..........................3.5 Lapbandit.................240..................... .20..........................13 Libra....................... 255.......................20...................... ...10 Indianlight................ 277...................... 20...................... ..18 JulieNYC.................. 221.......................215.................... ....6 Elisabethsew............ 283 (-11)...............282.........................1 Time to check in for week 3/6. No change for me this week. I don't see me hitting my Valentine's goal. But, like Libra--I'm gonna try real hard! Molly, you're doing the best you can right now. Keep yourself grounded (even if that means you need a chocolate fix) and stay focused on your Mom. I really wish there was something I could do, but the best I can offer is a shoulder to lean on so please keep us posted and remember we care about you.

It's definately not a stupid question. The short answer is Yes, your skin shrinks. Unfortunately the full answer isn't cut and dry. It depends on a lot of factors...age, skin type etc. when trying to estimate whether or not you might need surgery following weight loss. In the meantime I have found that exercise definately helps my skin keep up and toned. I had an exercise slack during the holidays and I have already noticed some extra sagging...darn it! So, I'm back to the gym to try and stop the madness!!

Yeah, congrats to you! Good luck!

I'd love to say I don't have anywhere else left to lose weight from but that's not my situation. However, I agree...that darn top belly roll wont go away! Urgh...it makes my darn shirts fit weird and it's embarassing! I'd agree...the belly is the worst spot to lose from. It's really stubborn.

I don't have this problem but I've talked with others and have heard all kinds of symptoms from stuck food. My things are usually runny nose, hiccups and bad chest pain! My guess is if you are sure that it ONLY happens when you have something stuck then it's probably just another bandster thing that happens to us! However, bad headaches should be taken seriously especially if it happens at other times. I'd still mention it to someone to be sure.

My research and doctor both agree that you shouldnt go below 1200 cals/day. Ask your doctor and come to an agreement. But, as far as whether 1700 is too much...I'd say it's too much if you're making yourself stuffed instead of satisfied. But, if you are just satisfied then probably your body needs that amount of food to support all of the exercise. My opinion...if its not broke, don't fix it!

I went in around 7AM and was back in the car around 11AM. Short and sweet and I did just fine. Yes, as far as I know this is considered major surgery and you are completely under for the procedure.

Yep, the first few weeks' focus should be on healing. It will start to come off, but get your new belly healed first! As far as what to eat...you need to consult with your doctor on this one. They each seem to have their own plan they want you to follow. Good luck and happy healing!

It happened to me and I made out just fine! No worries!

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!