Melinco

No, Andrew, I don't think he's got another hole he's dipping in to. Thanks to all the other guys who gave helpful and encouraging words. I appreciate your input and will be talking with my husband.

For those of you who make your own mushies, do you ever use a food mill? I have a food processor, but was wondering if a food mill would also work. Thanks for your input.

I saw this link in a post yesterday that I think does a great job of not only giving advice on what to do after you first get the band, but also gives sample menus during each of the stages after the band. Maybe it might help you. The info starts on pg 83. http://www.permanente.net/homepage/kaiser/pdf/39806.pdf P.S. I'm not banded yet, waiting for my consult next week, but I read these boards for encouragement and advice. I wish you luck with your weight loss journey!

I'm not banded yet but went through IVF w/ trigger shot. The HCG shot, because it contains the same hormones women produce when they are pregnant, can mimic the nausea and all the other pregnancy symptoms, such as sore boobs. So it could just be from that. Good luck with your attempts TTC. If you have a blog, or even if you don't, you can get some great support from Lost and Found and Connections Abound and Stirrup Queens . They offer lists of blogs of other women and men going through their family building process. I haven't been successful yet and that is part of the reason for the band, so we can do donor eggs or embryos and not have to worry about my weight causing complications during the pregnancy.

Maybe you can call some of the surgeons in the towns surrounding Denver. I've not been banded yet so I can't give you any real advice other than widen your search a bit. Even if you had to drive to Pueblo (for example), it's only a 90-100 minute drive (depending on where in Denver you are). Good luck!

I think I'd feel uncomfortable if my doctor (MD or PA) did that, but then again, I am married and also 16 years older than you. While I can appreciate the good looks of a man, I think it would be inappropriate for the PA to hit on you while you are his patient. Just my two cents.

Best of luck with your upcoming surgery! I look forward to reading your updates.

My consult is scheduled for November 2! Just a week and a half away. Now we've got the ball a rollin'!

Congrats on a surgery date! Time will fly by now.

Yea for surgery day! Good luck with a easy surgery and speedy recovery. We'll be here for your update. Take care.

2 sm cartons fat free key lime jello 1 8 oz carton extra creamy coolwhip (don't use fat free or it won't set) 1 sm pkg sugar free lime jello 1 cup boiling water 1 low fat graham cracker crust (or make your own) mix water and jello til disolved. let cool 5 minutes. add in yogurt, then cool whip. pour into crust. chill til set. very tasty and low cal. you can use any flavors you want to change it up, such as orange creme yogurt and orange s.f. jello, strawberry yogurt and jello, etc.

Hi guys, I thought I'd post a question over here to you to see if I can understand my husband better. Both he and I are overweight. I'm almost 300 (5'5") and he's around 380 (5'9"). Even when we both weighed about 50 pounds less, he was never that into sex, although I know he was in the past when he weighed even less. By the way, I am planning on getting the band before the year is out. He doesn't think WLS is the answer for him. We haven't had sex in close to four months. Normally, we'd try to have it at least once a month, but only if I insist upon it. He has never initiated it. He doesn't have issues with getting or maintaining an erection, so that isn't the issue. It doesn't matter if I wear something slinky or not. I am more than will to please him orally before we actually have intercourse, so it's not like I'm being a prude. Why do you think he doesn't initiate sex? His size has never been a turn off for me. I must say that when we do have sex, he does enjoy it. Is there something I can do that will get him more into it? Do you think he has a problem with his own body image? If you can offer any suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Congrats on your weight loss! That's great considering you haven't even had a fill. Good luck with your continued success.

So, I've got my paperwork off in the mail for the surgeon, so he can call and schedule my initial consult. I've already been to a seminar. Today, I applied online for a loan to cover the cost of the surgery. The initial offer that came in was for about 2/3 of the total cost. They are going to check with two other lendors and see if I can 1) get a higher amount, 2) get lower interest rates or 3) lower payments. Have I put the cart before the horse? Should I have had my consult first then applied for the loan? Your input is appreciated. By the way, as I was on the phone with the loan consultant, a little gnat flew by, and as I took a breath while talking, I sucked it in and swallowed it! Ugh, I'm still gagging.

I haven't been banded yet, but the way my surgeon described it is head hunger. Sometimes it takes a while for the head hunger to go away and for us to register actual hunger. So instead of listening to our heads, we have to learn to listen to our stomachs.

Good luck with your upcoming surgery! I'm sure the time will fly by.

I called the surgeon I'm interested in using today to see about setting up the consultation. However, I must first mail in the packet of completed information then they will call to set up the appointment, which will be in about 2-3 weeks after I get them my packet. So, now I just need to mail in the packet.

BethfromVA had asked in the WW thread: "I've been thinking of going back, but only for the meetings/support. Certainly we can't eat the way WW suggests due to restriction, but I have thought all along that it's necessary to have some form of support/counseling along with anything else we're doing. THis may be the cheaper route than going to a therapist that deals with eating disorders." If you are looking for a support group that doesn't sell stuff or charge much, you might want to look into Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS). I joined this group back in the early 90's. It doesn't promote any type of program, but it is a support group where you go weekly to weigh in, report your progress, and get/give support to other people who are trying to lose or keep off the pounds (KOPS). I haven't been part of it since the mid 90's. Now, I'm not sure what their thoughts are on WLS, but I can't imagine that they would ban anyone who had WLS. Just a thought if you are looking for a WL support group.

This morning as I brushed my tongue, I gagged, which brought up a bit of undigested food from my stomach. This made me think about slippage of the band. Since I tend to gag, especially when brushing my teeth (well, actually my tongue), do you think that I should 1) consider gastric bypass or 2) quit brushing my tongue? What would you do?

Hi Lisa, Welcome to LBT! I'm sort of in the same position as you, in that I'm waiting for work to calm down before I can schedule my surgery, but I am concerned about doing it just before the holidays. But I wonder if that might just be the thing to do to keep another 10 pounds from getting added on. Good luck with taking that final leap. I think that might be the scariest part.

After reading a few things, I'm beginning to wonder if the lapband would be the best WLS for me, or if a different type would be better. Is there a questionnaire or something out there that would help determine which type of WLS would be best for a person based on their eating habits? Thanks!

My policy specifically excludes all WLS. So I'm not even going to try to appeal it or file a claim in the first place. My MIL is thinking about having this done as well but I don't think she is truly ready yet for it. While she has a couple of comorbidities, she isn't yet in the mindset to make the initial sacrafices it takes (liquid diet). I was kind of hoping she'd have it done too so we could be each other's support, but I know better than to push her into something she just isn't ready for. By the way, most insurance companies have disease management programs that they invite their members to participate in. Members are under no obligation to participate. It doesn't create a pre-existing condition, since the only way they found out about it in the first place is when the claim was filed by the provider. These types of programs typically help members by answering questions that they might have about their condition, as well as giving the member another resource for information and support.

I rarely wear panty hose with my skirts any more because of the rub. I've found if I use lotion on my inner thighs then that usually prevents any rubbing when I do wear skirts. I had to have my DH install a new hand held shower head so I could make sure I am getting myself well rinsed in the shower.

I color my own hair and have for years. I like Loreal's Feria. As the color fades (as they all do) my gray hair fades to gold and looks like well placed highlights. I recolor once my roots begin to drive me nuts,which is just about now! lol BTW, I use either Irredescent Dark Blonde or Irredescent Light Brown. Last summer I got my hair colored and highlighted professionally, but got tired of having to shell out $75 for it and still need touchups every 6 weeks or so. Much cheaper when you do it yourself.

I am considering the lap band with Dr. Smith. I too live in Pueblo. I'm hoping more Puebloans come out of the woodwork and talk about their experiences.