Neya

You know I think you're right. I want a lifestyle change so I'll have to step up. Change and challenge go hand in hand...

As you can see I was banded in July and had my first fill in September. I currently have a total of 3cc in my band.

Many days I am fine with my eating. In no way am I in a race to lose it fast. I took up the mind set that I am eat now like I'll eat always.

I just came off a 3 week plateau where I'd gain and lose the same 3 pounds. I eat exactly one cup of food and if I need a little more I'll have a cheese stick. I have almost no snacking or if I do it is one of my home made Protein bars or maybe a 100 calorie ice cream. Here is where my question comes in to play.

THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!!

I am scared of the holidays. You know why... The parties and, family dinners, Desserts and alcohol will be so plentiful and are right around the corner. Do I get a small fill to help curb the temptation? If not how do I get around the head hunger? I have gone slowly with my fills because I am totally scared of getting stuck. It sounds painful and I hate throwing up.

To the Bansters that have been through HOLIDAY HELL how did you survive it?

Wow. I guess I am a wimp too. I took 4 weeks. I had over 600 hours of sick time banked. I figured why not. I feel great after 3 weeks and could possibly go in, but never again will I be able rest recuperate and feel great. I work nights and for the first time in years I'm not walking around in a sleep deprived haze.

For you Iron men/women my hats off to you. I'm going to just take my time.

Chrisietmr...Great reply. It helps me to hear this information again. I'm in BH but am surfing along smoothly.

I find it so odd that there are so many schools of thought on the whole eating thing. My doctor doesn't have me scheduled for any type of solid food for almost 3 weeks. I've got day 1-4 clear liquids; 5-7 full liquids; blended foods 1 week after surgery; and soft foods 2-4 weeks after surgery. It's like what is the best...are they making it up as they go along... is there no standardization for this process??? Everyone is so different..

I was just banded on Tuesday and I have suffered such gas pain. I was in agony! My surgery pain wasn't so bad but OMG the gas!!!

I called the doctors office and got no reply but after doing some research I figured out I need to hydrate and move my body. So I started taking short walks outside, inside all over I was just careful not to over do it. I tried drinking more and as a last ditch I stretched my body as long as I could while lying on my back and I finally farted. The pressure eased so much I was ready to dance(not really but the relief was pronominal)

So today now day 3 post op I feel great only slight gas pains left and I am moving much better.

Congratulations!!! This is a great NSV an one of my own goals as well. I've done the walk of shame after not fitting in a seat and I hope by nest season I'll be ready to go too.

Congratulations again and keep on losing and racking up those NSV!!!

I also am taking Biotin. I started it several months ago after removing my gel nails. My nail bed was so damaged from the rough treatments. My nails are fully healed and are stronger than ever. My hair is now crazy thick and curly. I bought the Target brand only 1000mcg and just take one a day. I tried the 5000mcg and it made my stomach upset.

I'm on day 2 and cant even imaging eating anything because of the gas pain... When did you get over the gas pain?

My date is next week also and I am in the same boat. For me it has been 2 years in the making so my anticipation level is through the roof. Even the liquid diet has been no big deal. I an trying not to have unrealistic fantasy's but it's really hard...So it's just one day at a time.

I started this journey June 2009. My PCP required 8-12 months of "nutrition" classes. In April 2010 I went to the surgeon information seminar. They told me to wait 2-3 weeks for a date. Well I was antsy so I called after 9 days only to find out they had lost my file... If I had waited the full 21 days I'd still be in limbo. After I got things jump-started again it moved very quickly. in one week I had an EKG, blood work, sleep study, pulmonary exam and I figured since I was on a roll I got my eyes tested too. That was last week....

So today I got the call July 13 is my date....

I am so excited and ready to get on to the next part of this.

I was finally approved by my PCP to get weight loss surgery! I've had my psych eval and 8 months of nutrition classes. So on April 19 I attend the UIC nutrition seminar. Has anyone else gone to the UIC? What comes next? How long did it take to get a surgery date?

I am so excited I can hardly stand it and it is taking FOREVER to get here....:thumbup:

I was finally approved by my PCP to get weight loss surgery! I've had my psych eval and 8 months of nutrition classes. So on April 19 I attend the UIC nutrition seminar. Has anyone else gone to the UIC? What comes next?

I am so excited I can hardly stand it and it is taking FOREVER to get here....:thumbdown:

I have one too..I put on my Christmas wishlist in our family grab bag. costco had the best set-up with the extra cups ..but the others were just as good for what we need'

I bought the MaryJane Shape-Up's and they were wonderful!!! I cant say I got any additional excersise benifits but they were so comfortable. In fact I bought a second pair of the Nubuck-Black Shap-ups....Yes they are expensive..but the comfort was too good to pass up.

Well I followed cb's advise and attended a seminar with Dr Stanish. Just before the seminar I had a conversation with my PCP and they wrote the referral. The insurance department at my PCP's clinic replied that I had to wait for 18 months before they would even consider me for the procedure. Lucky for me I had just attended Dr Standish's seminar or I would have been in tears and so depressed. Now I am waiting to hear from the seminar's insurance person as to weather or not I can go forward.

I am so scared and nervous. She called yesterday and I missed her call... I dont know what to do if it comes back negative...ARRRGGGG!!!!!

I am going to the the seminar tomorrow so I hope they can help me get approved. Right now I have bcbs-hmo and the hoop you have to jump through are really designed to discourage you than to assist. I'm hoping Dr Stanish can give me a clear answer and guidance

Well I'm not banded yet and I still date. Lately I've been getting burned a lot so I'm taking myself off the market. It really bothers my self-esteem and I figured I need all my confidence directed towards my surgery. I guess in my head I'll come back to it in the spring. I just hope I'm banded by then.

I too found out I had endo in my early 20's. It resulted in terrible terrible periods and pain. Basically EVERY symptom mentioned here including craving ice like a drug addict. I had 3 laperotomies 2 rounds of invitro...shots galore... and at 36 I finally had a hysterectomy. At first I was very depressed because I never had given birth but baby after I healed and was completely pain free for the first time since my 20's I cant be more pleased. I miss not carrying/giving birth to a child, but I adopted a beautiful baby boy who is now 13. I still don't miss the endo... funny thing is my sister found out she had it too and basically follow my same path.

Thanks CB another great suggestion....

Good Luck on surgery tomorrow

Surprisingly I didn't even think to ask for another doctor! Right now my appointment is in September with my next class scheduled for next week... Thanks for the support

Hi everyone,

This is my first post even thought I've been lurking here for a while now. I've been looking into the lap-band for over a year but never got the courage to speak to my doctor about it. I have BCBS HMO of Illinois and when my PCP changed and I finally spoke up. She sent me to the weight-loss classes at the clinic which is to last a whole year. I also got a 1200 calorie diet to follow which is really not helpful to me at all. So now I'm in limbo and getting discouraged. One class a month for the next 10 months feels like forever! The funny thing is my insurance program doesn't require any classes or waiting. They base it all on the doctors referral. I just wish I could be referred to the actual surgeon that does the procedure to find out what is really needed and or required. I know I need patience but I guess in my mind I've already waited over a year and I want action now! I just want to feel like I'm moving towards my goal.

Congratulations,

Making that first step is the hardest. Six months will fly by before you know it. Focus on the diet for now because you will be setting yourself up to succeed and you'll be changing you're mind set also.