juliansmom2003

I am very excited to say that I will be using Dr. Goldstein for lap band surgery in October/November!!! I thoroughly enjoyed his seminar and after my initial consult with him was even more comfortable with my choice! Anyone in the area undecided on who to choose? See one of Dr. Goldstein's seminars and you'll understand what I mean!!

The first appointment, they take your weight and explain the process, then Dr Goldstein provides you with a checklist to complete (various tests, psych analysis, blood workup, etc.). Once that list is completely checked off and you have either gone through the program at FitSmart or the one they offer through Lourdes), Eva will submit your paperwork to the insurance company. Believe me, if I can do it, ANYONE can. Here I am 15 weeks pregnant and STILL haven't gained anything (and am still able to eat)! The band is AMAZING!!!!! You just have to work WITH it to work :-). They'll teach you all about that--they are VERY involved and concerned with patient success. After it's done, they don't just send you on your way. They really do care!! Good luck!

Not a SINGLE one (Eva, his assistant, is PHENOMENAL and she works diligently to get these approvals). I have Keystone Health Plan East and I got my approval 2 days after the paperwork was submitted! I was really lucky! The entire process was a total of 3 months. LOVE them all over there!!!!

Hellllo good people! I'm so sorry i haven't been around in awhile. I, um, have quite a bit going on. I found out a week and a half ago that I'm expecting #3!!!!!!! The kicker is, I'll be 10 weeks on Friday and I had NO idea lol!! Insane on so many levels. I called my surgeon's office to tell them and they said I would need to get some Fluid removed from my band, but the thing is even with 6 ccs in my 10 cc band, I am now all of a sudden able to eat 10 to 12 ounce portions. No pain, no repercussions, nothing! They told me I might not need any removed afterall, so I'm waiting to hear back! I'm still eating a LOT less than I used to in my old life and still eating healthy, but I do feel like a pig eating this much (even at my best restriction, I NEVER was a 4 to 6 ounce portion girl anyway). In any event, I'm still kind of shocked, even after seeing the ultrasound last week, but I know it has to be meant to be (even though I'm almost starting over--have a 5 year old and a 7 year old- ARGH!) Anyway, I think of you guys all the time and really hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for letting me share my big news with you all :-) --K xo

Wow, Tiff. I hope you feel better and praying that band repositions itself! Tracy--I'm so sorry you need to have a revision to yours :-( Good luck to the both of you!!

I hear you -- I actually eat more than the average bandster myself. Good to know it's not just me LOL. I agree--I eat about as much as my friends who at a normal weight. I did have a slice of pizza last weekend and wondered if it might be time for a fill though. I am sure it would be next to nothing, but might make some difference. I am just not getting stuck or anything anymore (may sound weird, but that's how I know I'm "right"). Still, I'm not going over 1200 calories/day, so it can't be TOO bad lol. I have been stuck at this weight for months now though and I need to start working my tool again. I know I can do it, because I have already come this far, right? It's just that motivation fizzles sometimes with the craziness of life and this has not been my #1 focus (whereas it very much was about a year ago). I am back on the exercise wagon though and it really does feel good. You guys have really been an inspiration to me -- you, Leigha, HB, Elfie, Betsy, Stacie.....if I left anyone else off I apologize. I really attribute a ton of my success so far to the support you gals have given me since being banded. You have been my rocks, my heroes, my examples of what I should be doing. So, thank you :-)! xo

Welcome, ready. Congrats on being banded. Yes, I hear you --when you follow the 'rules' you do see results. It's great to know though because you can rework your lifestyle maybe to have a treat every now and then without allowing the exception to be the norm. There are lots of people on this board and on this thread in particular that are definite examples as to what you will achieve when you stay motivated and life the lapband lifestyle. I admire them and still look to them for support. You are doing great losing 2-3 lbs a week! Congratulations! Welcome again and I look forward to getting to know you!!

Oh no!!! Tracy, I'm sorry to hear this! You're one of my band buddies back from last October ('09). I cannot even imagine!! Good luck with the unfill. I am praying it's not a slippage. Good luck tomorrow and please let us know how it goes.

It's something people do to try to get their band back in shape. If nothing else, it almost detoxes you after you might have fallen off the food wagon a little bit. Here is the site: http://5daypouchtest.com/ Days One & Two: liquid Protein low-carb Protein shakes, broth, clear or cream Soups, sugar-free Gelatin and pudding. Read more. Day 3: Soft Protein canned fish (tuna or salmon) eggs, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy. Read more. Day 4: Firm Protein ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, fresh salmon or halibut. Read more. Day 5: Solid Protein white meat poultry, beef steak, pork, lamb, wild game Read more. HTH

That is the one that my nutritionist recommended. Some really good recipes in that one. You can get it on Amazon.Also, I have found the Hungry Girl cookbooks just full of healthy ideas that are protein-rich, yummy and satisfying!!! I also have some great crockpot recipes I could send over to you. If you'd like to PM me with your email address, I can send you the file. Not sure how to post an attachment on here (can you tell I'm one of the old school members LOL)?

!>= Congratulations! I remember your posts when I was first banded (Oct 09) and it's so wonderful to hear that you've lost 130!!! You must be very proud of yourself!!! I think I speak for lots of people when I say that is something to make ALL of us bandsters proud. What an amazing job you've done. Congratulations on your success and have fun just enjoying your life!!! What an inspiration!!

Lordy, woman. I would say you SO do not need to lose more! You have done such an amazing job! I would KILL to be where you're at right now!! So, do you get fills or anything anymore? Are you eating 4-6 ounces in a sitting? Honestly, it's been 15 months and you'd think I'd have it figured out, but since I barely need to chew lately without repercussion, I am thinking I need to get checked. Ugh. So glad that your results came back normal. How wonderful!!!!!

Way to go on the 4 lbs!!!! Just awesome!!! good luck with the fill--hope it goes well. I'm still debating whether or not I need one because these 8 ounce portions are still NOT cutting it :-(

I was told a minimum of 18 months. Insurance actually required me to sign something confirming that I wasn't planning on getting preggers before then. From what I understand, when you get preggers while banded, they deflate the band to allow you properly nourish the baby. Everyone's docs are so different though, so you might get a couple of different perspectives on this. Good luck to you!

HB-- I am laughing my butt off as well, but the reasons would be me imagining you calling someone a beotch and the fact this little twit must have been 18 or 19 to ask such a question. I am sure you looked HOT all dolled up in your new jeans and sweater! LOL @ Elfie about the Fried Green Tomatoes scene!!! Thanks for the chuckles!!

OMG I didn't even see this post (I was posting my "I think it's gas" post as you were posting and yours seemed to hit first). What a GREAT decision you made going to the ER!!!! You know your body more than any one else does and it's great that you had the foresight to go!!!!! i hope you feel better soon!

CONGRATULATIONS!! What an amazing feeling. Great job!!! Work those pants, girl !!

Okay for those of you a year or more out, I have a crazy, neurotic question. I was at perfect restriction until about a week ago. I went on a business trip, definitely ate more than my 6 ounce allowance for maybe 3 meals in that week, but everything went down without getting stuck! I have never had any carbonation since being banded, and I had 3 glasses of champagne in the same night last week! Now, I just stop myself after eating a certain amount but at no time does anything get stuck (and I always have to be sure to pulvarize everything, but it's not like that now) and I could definitely eat more, but I stop myself (even though sometimes I am still hungry). I have always followed the rules from day one and here I am hanging my head thinking I've done some real damage and could have stretched my pouch. I have no physical symptoms, no nausea or vomiting and have NEVER consumed carbonated drinks, and as far as eating, I was always on the bigger portions (doc said 6 to 8 ounces was ok but stop after 20 mins max). Weight is about 1 lb up, but I attribute that to the wine and champagne (we had a huge celebration at this offsite event and I really got carried away). Believe me, I know I shouldn't beat myself up for being lax for a week, but at the same time, I have been one to give advice, been considered a success story from my doc, and I am freaked out of my mind thinking I really may have stretched my pouch. Could this all be just a coincidence and I have just had a 'loose' couple of days?

Yeah wish that were that simple, Lindz. I've gained 3 lbs since my last fill on December 2 LOL. Thanks for your kind post, Fran. I really appreciate it. I am just so freaked out because I am starving after an 8 ounce portion and that never used to be the case. It's good to know it's not likely I could have done too much harm. I just have not had many "no no's" and to do them all in one week just scared the bejeezus out of me :-)! Not to mention, I don't even need to chew my food all of a sudden and nothing gets stuck and I was VERY tight before and I had to pulverize everything. Maybe I should just move to liquids and see how that goes. Now that I'm "back to reality", I am freaking starving 2 hours after having a Protein Bar and that was never the case :-( Thanks again for taking the time to post such a kind response!!

Good luck, Shammah!!! Thinking of you and hoping everything goes well!

December 2, so just over a month ago.

Hi Misty. I have a boatload of recipes that I have compiled since being banded. Yummy stuff. My hubby enjoys them and he doesn't even like to eat healthy LOL I need to figure out how to do an attachment (format is newer to me--I'm an 'oldhead' bandster. Or if you want to PM me your email address I can do it that way. Karen

Hey everybody!!! I hope some of you remember me (those who I don't see on FB that is LOL). I finally had a chance to get on LBT and am working through this, my favorite thread. I've lurked here and there, but really missed you all. 2011 is a 'get back on track' year for me. Struggling a bit, but I know that after everything that we've all been through, I will be ok. It's tough because I don't really have time to get to support meetings anymore and most of the time it's me against the world LOL. I think of you all very often and so miss being here, so I am also going to make it a point to get my butt over here more often!!! I hope you all have a great new year and continue to inspire other bandsters on this thread with your successes :-) --K xo

I hate to say it, but I agree with some of the previous posters that it is gas. I remember this feeling like it was yesterday (and I am well over a year out). If you feel that there is truly something wrong though, I would go to the ER. Always better to err on the side of caution if you really feel that something is wrong and you don't want to chance it. Everyone is so different, but i remember that feeling all to well. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

I honestly need to get my butt into gear. Not just from a weight loss perspective, but going back to the basics of journaling, exercising regularly, Water intake and just eating better. I have fallen off in all these areas, and while I haven't gained, I haven't lost either, and I think I would have been at my goal by now if I was still following the program (blush). My resolution is to get back on that wagon and do this, once and for all!!! The goal weight I have set for myself is actually still higher than the 'norm' for my height (I'm 5 ft 1.5 inches), but I would be soooo happy to be at 145!!! Good luck to everyone. Here's to a fabulous 2011 and keeping each other motivated to see it through!!!