Melinco

I finished up the challenge at 236, 6 pounds shy of my goal, but I am still happy. It made me realize that if I want to lose at more than a snail's pace, I need to exercise. Happy Easter everyone!

Is today the last day of the challenge or is Sunday?

Yes, we did IVF with no success prior to banding. Next step for us is donor eggs/embryos. Full story on my blog. It's too late to type it all out.

We're having Easter dinner over at my mother in law's and I asked if she wants me to bring anything and she said no. So I'm sure it'll be the normal of roast, mashed or baked potatoes, kernel corn, maybe some homemade tortillas (which I'll skip although I don't like skipping them because they are so good!), and some sort of dessert she bought. I'll just rely on small portions.

Lisa, the amount of time from banding to first fill seems to vary wildly. My surgeon wouldn't do it before six weeks, but after you get the first fill, he'll go every two weeks until you are getting close to the green zone or sweet spot. Others have gotten fills within 3 or 4 weeks of their surgery. Others have a fill during the surgery. Others still, like the original poster of this thread has to wait 3 months, but that's because of when her insurance will pay (I'd highly recommend asking the doc what a fill would cost without insurance as I don't think I could have waited 3 months without a fill). So I guess it really depends on whether you are self pay or insurance pay or just what your surgeon's philosophy is. But I don't think 3 months is normal, as the OP is the only person I've seen so far that has said she had to wait that long.

Niki, Jane and others, My surgeon told me it was not unusual for bandsters to gain weight during bandster hell. Most people have very little if any restriction. And once you are past the healing stage and able to eat again, you either will 1) diet (ugh, such a four letter word), or 2) eat like you did prior to banding. My suggestion is to not get discouraged. Remember, the band is a tool. Without any Fluid in it, it is like having a power saw with no power. You're not going to be able to cut a log with that saw if you have no electricity to run the thing! So you won't get any restriction from the band if you have no fluid in it. Make smart choices, but don't beat yourself up if for right now you are eating more that what the recommendations are. You'll get there, but it does take time and fills! Hugs to you all!

I think I may have actually been slightly stuck. Last week when I went in for my last fill, my doc and staff got after me for still eating yogurt, which they consider to be a slider food. They said if you're not chewing it, then it can slide right through the band, despite the fact that the yogurt I eat is full of Protein. So this weekend I bought some Kashi Cereal that is loaded with Fiber and protein and started adding it to my yogurt. This morning I had my string cheese followed by the yogurt/cereal. I wasn't even finished eating when I could feel the pain. I thought it was my underwire bra, so went home and changed. It didn't really help. When I got back to the office, I went and got my Water (by this time an hour had passed) and drank a bit. Didn't really help but I didn't have any come back up (although I didn't drink more than maybe two ounces). So I call my doctor's office and asked if it were possible if I could be stuck. After talking back and forth, it was decided I could be slightly stuck and it should pass through, although it may take a couple of hours. She said to continue to sip water but to do liquids for a couple of days as I could have irritated it and have some swelling. It's almost an hour later now and I am feeling relief. I've been trying to stand up as much as I can and continue to drink my water. Bad thing though is that I have a business lunch today and I just called the restaurant to see if they have any Soup. They don't. However, because it is a Mexican restaurant (my brother in law's place), they do have green chili, so I'm thinking I might just get a bowl of that and eat the broth only. I've had my band now for almost 3.5 months and this is new to me. I've been very fortunate and haven't been stuck or PBd. I've slimed during a BM (that because I was almost sick). I have a feeling that it takes a while for my fills to kick in before I actually feel restriction. Weird.

This morning I chose an underwire bra to wear. It seems like it is really squeezing my chest and therefore my band. In fact, I'm about to leave work to go home to change because I'm so uncomfortable, almost in pain. Any other ladies have this issue?

Gosh, I read through all responses and I didn't see anyone mention what it's called that you are going through: Bandster Hell! This is the time between the surgery and your first couple of fills. You finally are off the liquids and mushy food, and now can eat solid food. It feels like you can not only eat what the doctor said, but perhaps a bit of his thigh with some salt and pepper sprinkled on it for flavor! Some people, after they've completely healed, have little to no restriction. They can eat lots more than what is prescribed. And to think you are supposed to keep this up until you get your first fill? As always, listen to your doc but if you are still finding yourself hungry after you have eaten the recommended solid Protein amounts, I'd say add a little bit of cooked veggies (I had to stay away from raw veggies like carrots or broccoli for a bit longer). Or add a small veggie filled salad (not just lettuce and dressing). This little bit of added fiber-rich food may actually help you obtain that full feeling. I may have missed it, but how much longer until your first fill? I had to wait six weeks but I know of others who were able to get their first fill quicker, which may or may not make a difference. Every person reacts to their fills differently. Good luck! I know it doesn't make it any easier, but believe me, every single one of us went through this Bandster Hell! You will get through it.

Weighed in this morning at 235.6, which is a 2.4 pound loss from last week. My goal is 230, so not sure that I'll make it but I was pretty aggressive in setting it. Good luck to us all this last week. Don't let those chocolate Easter bunnies get the best of you!

I got my fourth fill yesterday. I actually lost one pound in the two weeks from my last visit. I'm really not sure how as for the last week I've been eating like a starving cow! Two weeks ago when I went in for a fill I was in the midst of a cold which made my band really tight and my appetite non-existent. So I didn't get a fill. Once I got over my cold my appetite came roaring back and my restriction fled for its life! I also didn't exercise at all during this time. I'm ready to get back into the swing of things.

No, I hate running, always have, always will. I've read about this and lots of people seem to like it (is that really possible? lol) I think if you go to the fitness boards there is a post about the C25K. Good luck!

I choose not to eat bread except toast or crescent rolls (which is not very often). I can eat rice with no problems, although I don't eat much (I try to limit my starches). No problems with potatoes. I don't eat too much Pasta, although I can eat it. I'm not at the sweet spot but am working to get there, as I've had four fills so far.

"Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery" by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray. It has recipes that can be adpated to all stages of post-op, from liquid to mushy to solid. Some really yummy recipes too.

I'm not a smoker but I have read of others here who have used Chantix to help them stop smoking. You may want to ask either your PCP or your surgeon for a prescription. It will help you not only quit for the surgery itself, but stay quit after the surgery. Good luck!

I think it's a matter of are you seeing a small practice or a lap-band mill? My surgeon did the seminar himself, he attends most of the monthly support group meetings (except when he was in Haiti), he does all of the fills himself, I met with him for the initial consult and pre-op appointment. He has staff but he is very hands on during the entire process. I really like knowing that the person who put the band in me is involved because if something were to happen, he doesn't have to go and ask someone else how the surgery went. Perhaps you should be asking your surgeon what his level of involvement is.

I think the difference here is state law vs federal law (I am by no means a constitutional law expert). Our federal constitution does not allow for the federal government to mandate that the people buy anything. Each state's constitution is set up differently. Plus, you don't have to buy car insurance if you don't own a car.

I can do corn tortillas just fine. I have taken a few small bites of flour tortillas, but I treat them like and bread and don't each much of them at all.

This was the question asked of me today when I went in for my fill. For Breakfast most mornings (especially work days), I eat light string cheese and CARBMaster yogurt (12 g Protein, 4 g carb, 1.5 g fat and only 80 calories). She said that yogurt just slides right through the band and doesn't provide the feeling of satiety. I have to disagree. Again, during work days, I eat breakfast about 8:45 am. I then take lunch at noon. It fits my schedule perfectly and I am ready to eat lunch at that time. I don't eat dinner then until around 6:30-7:00 pm. My doctor also told me to stay away from any Soups that I can't eat with a fork. Hmm, so I guess no more SouperSalad for me! lol On a side note, I did get a fill and some how managed to lose a pound in the last two weeks. I had had a cold which made my band really tight so I didn't get a fill two weeks ago. My cold went away and so did my restriction. I've been eating a ton this last week and totally expected to gain.

I'm an independent insurance agent located in Colorado who helps people purchase insurance, both employer groups who want to provide benefits for their employees, and individuals (and their families). I know the prices of insurance and what it covers and doesn't cover. I talk with people everyday who call or come in for a quote on insurance and they balk at the prices. Let's take my assistant's brother as an example. Young, healthy male, 24 years old, non-smoker. I was able to get him a PPO plan through Anthem BCBS for $68 a month. Because he rarely goes to the doctor, it gives him 3 doctor visits a year for $30 copay, generic prescription coverage for $15 copay, and then $2500 deductible plus 30% coinsurance for an additional out of pocket of $2500. $6,000,000 lifetime maximum benefit. He chose not to take this coverage because he'd rather put the $68 a month into his car, which he has literally put $10,000+ into this car, and that's over and above the purchase price of the car. What's going to happen when he gets diagnosed with cancer? Who is going to pay his bills? He could have had he made the choice to take $68 a month to use for health insurance rather than on his car. He can afford the $68. Should you have to pay for his poor choice of priorities? Should I? Again, there are so many people who choose not to take responsibility for themselves and rely on others to take care of them. And believe you me, I see many people who make $70,000 + here in Colorado (which is a hell of a good wage) who refuse to buy insurance even for their kids! And there are plans that are quite affordable. But they prefer to have fancy homes, fancy cars, big screen TVS. It's all about priorities. I don't doubt that there are people who legitimately need help and I'm glad to help them. What I, along with many others, balk at is helping those who are in a position to help themselves but CHOOSE not to. Now granted, our costs in Colorado are a lot lower than they are in other states. But we have a lot of people who make only the minimum wage of $7.28. Our community has a program available for what we call the working poor. We are trying to help those in need. Check out http://www.healthaccesspueblo.org/ for additional details of what our community is doing to help. And Elfie, I too appreciate everyone's civil tone. It is so much better than what I even saw on Facebook last night. It is such an emotional topic that people on both sides get caught up in fighting for their convictions. Kudos to us all for being friendly and civil during our debate/discussion!

In Denver there is a doctor who for self pay costs around $10k. If you go to the Colorado boards, you'll find him. It's Dr K, I just don't remember his last name and don't have time to go there and find it as I really gotta go pee right now! lol Good luck!

I've not had any fills with the fluoro. My doc has me drinking water during the fill, not just afterwards, to measure how well the water is going down. I get my fourth fill today! Which is a good thing, as I ~ need~ it!

Jessica, if I recall correctly, I think that preventive mammograms are mandated in each and every state in the US. You might want to have your mom call her insurance agent (if she purchased her coverage herself) or ask her HR department (if she gets it through her employer). At the age of 50, she should now be able to get preventive mammograms once a year. Prior to age 50, it's suggested once every two years. Of course, if her policy is more of a catastrophic type policy (where it covers only hospital benefits), she may not have preventive coverage. There are so many different types of individual insurance policies out there you really can't make any assumptions about them.

Our story is a bit different. We tried having a baby and when not successful after two years, attempted assisted reproduction via IVF. After three failed attempts with one RE (reprodoctive endocrinologist) we switched docs and protocols, and finally made it through an entire IVF only to get a negative. My issue is DOR (diminished ovarian reserve), which has nothing to do with my weight. Size 6 women who are only 26 years old can have this, unfortunately. So our next attempt to have a baby involves using donor eggs or donor embryos. In order to reduce possible complications during pregnancy caused by my weight, our new RE as well as my OB/GYN suggested Lap-band surgery. My husband has been on board with this from the get go as we really do want to have children (and please do not bombard me with adoption suggestions). I've lost 55 pounds, and would like to lose another 50 pounds before we attempt DE. By then, I'll be under 200 pounds, which should greatly reduce weight-related complications. But, even if we don't have kids, I was ready to lose my excess weight and my husband was supportive of me. In fact, he is trying to lose weight as well, albeit sans band.

Down .4 this week. I thought I was going to gain, as my restriction has flown the coop. I'm so glad I'm getting a fill today.