Stesti

Thanks Everyone. These are great suggestions. I want to loose another 60 pounds. I was planning on being at 100 pounds by my first anniversary July 14th but will be thrilled with breaking through this plateau. OK, I'm off for a walk. Stesti

I was Banded last July and have been doing great until recently. I had my Gallbladder removed in February and my weight loss has slowed significantly since then. I have been stuck at 90 pounds for the last few months and the scale won't budge! I have been excercizing and eating within reason. The only difference that I can think of is that my OB put me on birth control pills a few months ago to help with severe PMS. The Yaz is helping but I'm wondering if anyone else has had this issue. How have you broken through plateaus??? Thanks, Stesti

I was told to wait 2 months after surgery to have a drink. I usually choose white wine and I feel the affects of the wine more easily. I save alcohol for social events and don't drink at home. Too many calories!

For me, I was terrified of growing old and having health problems. I've always been very active and healthy and want to be my entire life. That being said, vanity plays a huge part in this process. I'm a makeup artist and work in an industry where the image that you portray is very important. I know that I've lost opportunities because of my size. I could be the most talented or pretty one in the room but a thin person who looks a company's image will get the job. I've always dated but have seen my confidence and sense of self worth diminish with each increasing dress size. I've lost 55 pounds in 4 months and have started getting much more attention from men. It's exciting but also a little scary. So yes, I guess I'm a vain but look at what the possibilities now are for me!

Struggles: 1. Staying focused on the program. I do well when I don't have a busy week. I need to eat better when dining out and get those workouts in no matter what. 2. Lack of confidence. I've lost over 50 pounds and just starting to gain more confidence. I ended a long term relationship just before surgery and am ready to date again. Don't want to kiss any more toads!!! I need to know that I deserve better than what I settled for. 3. Boredom. I was banded in July. The excitement is wearing off and I'm now in the day to day of this band. It's hard to always eat right, go to the gym, get your protein in. I don't want to fall back into bad habits.

I was banded on July 14th and have gone from a 40D to a 38DD. What's that all about!!

Diane: What a beautiful post. Thank you for reminding us that this band is a gift from God and we are in His hands. My Band was also a gift from a dear friend. We were banded on July 14th and she paid for both of our surgeries. I am truly blessed. Sometimes it's nice to be reminded. :grouphug: Continued success to you.

I was banded July 14th and am experiencing hair loss. I almost cried when I say the huge strands of hair in my shower drain. It's been going on for a few weeks and everyone says it grows back. I have pretty thick hair so I hope it won't become noticable. I know it will at some point grow back so this is totally worth it.

Hi Leona: I was banded in July as well and have gone through some bumps. I think it's normal and it hits us all at different times. I freaked out at having a foreign thing in my body and felt like "what have I done and get it out of me now!" That's totally better now. As for the social thing...I do understand about loosing your confidence. Maybe you were comfortable in who you were and now that your body as well as lifestyle is changing, it's a liitle unsettling. I hate change as well and going out without alcohol as liquid courage is kind of scary. Everyone around you is having a great time and you have to socialize stone sober. Maybe that's OK though. You're a smart, funny and lovely girl who can stand on her own and prove to yourself that you can have a great time without the aid of alcohol I went out with a group of friends Thursday night. It was my 1st time out after surgery and I was a nervous wreck. So I piled on the makeup and wore the sassiest thing I could find.....and I had a great time. I think talking to a counselor is such a wise thing in times of major change. It helps keep you grounded and makes this transitional time not so scary. LOL Who knew that shedding all this weight could be so complicated???? Best of luck to you....I think that once you work through the kinks you'll enjoy your banded life much more! Stefani

I am very close to my nearly 6 year old niece who was adopted. She was 10 months old when she came to us from China. It has been the most amazing experience for my entire family. My brother loves to tell me that they had to go all the way to China to bring me my "soul mate". When she's older, we have very few answers for her. She'll know what province she's from but never a clue to her birth parents. (She was abandoned at 3 days old) She loves to tell people she was born in China and that her Chinese name is Fiji. Best of luck to you. Our experience has been so happy....I hope the same for you!

I was off work for 2 weeks. I work in Retail on marble floors so I thought I would need that much time. To be honest, I wish I would have taken another week. If you're on your feet at school, don't rush back unless you must. I went back to work 2 weeks ago and still get pretty tired in the afternoon. Congratulations on your band!

Hi there: I have recently ended a 2 1/2 relationship and am faced with dating again. I think I will definately be a "Rules Girl" when I'm ready to date. NEVER or very rarely call a man. I might return a phone call but I won't be doing the calling. Remember, you are the prize and he must be worthy and earn it!!!! Best of luck to you!

Hi Gina: I'm not aware of any support groups in our area. Sorry. What area of the city are you staying in and what kinds of places do you enjoy? I'll try and make a few suggestions for you.

Hi Gina: I was banded July 14th by Dr Wagner. I live in St Louis.

Congratulations Emilee!!!!!! What an amazing accomplishment! You should be so proud. It's inspiration to us all!

This is a fantastic question...one that I've given much thought to. I work for Neiman Marcus and have always felt cheated because the few items of lingerie that fit me were boring at best. I am going to buy the laciest, sexiest, plunging bras, camis and delicate panties that I can find. I am going to torch those big girl undies....never to be seen again!!!:flame:

My friend and I are thrilled with our surgeon, Dr Van Wagner. He's very upfront about pricing and very experienced at this surgery. He has a great web sight" Heart of America Bariatrics, LLC" You can ask questions on the web sight and usually get a speedy reply. As for pre testing, our insurance covered it. Our former doctor had the tests coded so that insurance would pay for them. Our surgery date has changed because we switch doctors. I'm very happy with Dr Wagner and we'll be banded next Friday! Today was out first day of liquids and I have a raging headache. This was something that I was anticipating though. Godd luck and let me know if we can be of any help.

Trizzy, I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. Just think, next summer you'll be riding every ride with no problem. In fact, you'll be one of the fittest people on those rides. This incident was just a little speed bump. Just look foreward to August and prepare for your fabulous new life.

:wave: Hi Everyone: I'm being banded on July 14th with my friend, Colleen. I'm ready to go and start the liquid diet on Friday. I found sugar free lifesaver popsicles tonight. They're awesome! I feel prepared and a little anxious. I think that's to be expected. Best of luck to you all.

It's great to see someone from St Louis! My friend and I have an appointment with Dr Wagner next week and would love your feedback. We are currently scheduled for sugery July 6th at Des Peres with Dr Minkin. We are getting very nervous due to the fact that they seem quite disorganized. We're ready to jump ship and would like your imput on Dr Wagner. Sarah seems totally on the ball. Thanks so much, Stefani and Colleen

Thanks for all of your help. My friend, who I am being banded with, comes home from vacation tonight. I'll present her with all that's been going on and we'll try and make an informed decision. I just want this new part of our lives to start as soon as possible.

I along with a friend are scheduled for surgery on July 6th in St Louis. We are confident in our doctor's skills but are finding that he and the hospital aren't very organized. There has been much confusion about the total cost of surgery. For example, we will be billed by Radiology and Anesthesiology for their services in addition to the hospital fees. (we are self-pay) No one could tell me how much these fees will be so I had to personally call these people to ask what their fee was. We were also unaware that our first few fills would be done at the hospital which is $600-$800 a pop. There is another doctor in St Louis that specializes in Lap Band and I contacted his office today. His staff is impresive, organized and very up front about money. And he happens to be less expensive. Fills are $50 in office and $133 at the hospital. I have scheduled us appointments with this new doctor next week. I guess I feel disloyal to our existing surgeon but am beyond frustrated with the run around that we have recieved. I'm emotionally prepared for a July 6th surgery date and if we switch surgeons that date will change a week or two. Has anyone out there been through something similar and has anyone had Dr Van Wagner as their surgeon in St Louis? Any advise would be appreciated.

Hi Bug: Thanks for the information. Our insurance picked up our pre-testing and our surgeon's after care is for just 6 months. Do you mind me asking where you are having your surgery and the quote the hospital is giving you? We are in St Louis. Thanks so much.

I am self pay and being banded on July 6th. MY pre-testing was picked up by my insurance. My tests totalled $2800. I believe my doctor sumbitted the tests as something other than pre-testing for surgery.

My friend and I are scheduled for surgery on July 6th. We are both self pay and the hospital keeps adding expenses that we were not anticipating. We've heard that you can negotiate fees when scheduling surgery. Has anyone out there had any luck negotiating reduced prices with the hospital? :phanvan