BayougirlMrsS

Kim, So sorry to hear about your lose. Cancer is a evil thing. Most of the people in my life that passed, did so from Cancer. My grand ma and aunt had breast, but has beaten it twice. Having grown kids is so much fun. I have two 28 and 21, a daughter in law and two wonderful grandkids logan 6 and elizabeth 4. Don't ever fill guilty about having this surgery, it's what you deserve and i'm sure your husband would have wanted you to be happy and healthy. Telling people is a personal choice. You want to tell the ones that will support you and not be your "food" monitors. Going to the gym is hard for me right now. After taking off 6 weeks for the Tummy tuck, i just can't seem to get motivated again. But i will and i need to start tanning again.... bought two new bikini's .... so excited to be able to wear them after 20+ years. Like i said.... some people replace food with drinking, partying.... i replaced mine with underwear......lol. Also, if you don't already have one, buy a Mini Blender, i bought the Hamilton beach 5110. wonderful for your pre surg liq. diet and after to get in all your Protein. I went to Sams and bought the precut, frozen fruit and made smoothies and added my protein in that for morning drink. Are you can do it before your workouts.

wow good catch

I agree.... Ms. Jean is my favorite Guru..... on the lapband. She also has a wonderful newsletter that she writes. Local support groups are another great place to go. I was lucky to have a very great friend be my mentor. She had the surg a year before me. I would still be 223lb or more if not for her. I have had a great experience with my band so far. I was 223lb 5'2", banded 11/10/09. My doctor implanted the 14cc band. Stayed over night in hospital. Was up and walking within hours. Gas was about the worse part. But with experience from multiple surg before (2 c-sections, gallbladder, hysterectomy) i knew that the faster you get up and moving the better you are. liquids that week and mush the next which was Thanksgiving... ... But i made it through. In my opinion the first few month after the band was the worse for me. Little to no fill and i was starving all the time. And i could eat anything. This, i think, is when your self discipline will come in. You will have to say no and stick to the amount your doctor says to eat.... I bought a small kids plate, you know the cute ones with cartoons on them. Well they have the portion sections... i put only my amount of food and nothing more. Ate my Protein, then veggie, then starch. Most of the time i could eat the starch... No tv, reading, talking...etc while eating. No distraction from concentrating on chewing and chewing and more chewing. Take one bite, put the fork/spoon down. I would close my eyes and think about what i was eating and how good it taste. Did i cheat at anytime.... yes. But, as time goes by the things you thought you could never live with out, you find out you can. Bread was my biggest thing.... i LOVVEEE bread. But the first time you get stuck on bread you will never want to touch it again. Over the next 6 months i learned i could no longer eat.... Bread, pizza, rice, grits, anything over cooked (steak, chicken, pork) it had to be cook med. rare or med. I really started to fill restriction around 7cc in my band...... This is also when my husband said.... stop complaining about not losing enough weight. You have to start exercising more than twice a week.... so i got my lazy butt up and starting doing zumba 3x a week and weights 2x a week and i walk everyday. And he was right... i hated to admit it, but he was. When i weighed in May 6 i was at 177..... at one year i was 160, two years 146... today i weighed in at 143. couple other things i did that helped me.... i stopped ordering buffets, if we went to a buffet, i asked to order off menu. If not, i left. Also when eating out, as much as possible i ask if i could get a Half order, if not as asked for the waitress/waiter to bring a go box when the meal was brought out. I portioned out my meal and put the rest in the box.... closed it and gave it to my husband so i would not be tempted to go back in.... Never never never order anything to drink.... not even Water.... at this point the waitress will look at you like your an alien..... she will say... are you sure, not even water.... no, not even water. Until you can control you and your band... not even water. Out of habit you will take a bite and not even thinking... you will pick up the glass and drink.... and you will be sorry. My worse stick were from doing that very thing. Now you have to get up and run to the bathroom and .... well get rid of your meal you just ate. The only time i order drink before a meal is coffee at Breakfast.... I found that i never noticed my weight loss, but others did. You will need to be prepared to answer question like, how are you losing the weight.... what are you doing? To tell or not to tell... that's the question.... its a personal choice. I chose not to tell at first. Only my husband, two boy, daughter in law and My mentor Paula... knew. I didn't tell my mom and other family until my mom thought i was dieing because of the weight loss.....lol.. but true. I would tell people.. im watching what i eat and exercise... which was true. About 9 months into it i started telling people and got the "oh you had WLS" look..... the "you took the easy way out" look. Be prepared for that if you chose to tell. Also, be prepared for men to start really taking notice of you again and your husband (if you have one) to get jealous...... We also had a significant increase in "private time". Men will start to notice you and you will feel empowered and sometimes the increase in attention from other men tend to make some people stray.... Lots of divorce in couple that had WLS... 19 weeks ago i had my first plastic surgery..... a Tummy Tuck.... OMG. This was the second best thing i ever did for myself. I can now shave "down below" with out lifting a fat roll...... i can see straight down....lol. I have now changed my addiction from food to panties..lol... i know, i can't go shopping with out buying them. Threw out all the granny panties and replaced them with VS. Can't buy the bras yet..... but maybe in a year from now i'll have a reduction. We shall see. Take lots of pictures.... i wish i would have done that. More progress pictures in the same outfit. I hope this helped a little.... But know that EVERY bandster is different and my experience and yours will not be the same Good luck

Cazzy... i was wondering the same thing... Frett... What did you have done? when? and how much have you lost.... what ever it is..... Congrats...

Mine did based on how long i stayed full. He asked how long you can go with out feeling hungry.... i said about an hour or so..... FILL.... Even though i was losing... it was only a few pounds a month. I was a slow loser. Before my TT i had 10.5.... then the removed it all for the surgery. Went 8 weeks with nothing... got 5cc and then 9 weeks later i got another 4cc.... so i'm back up to 9, but i feel like this is a good place for me right now. I can still eat, but it's stopping me from eating the bad stuff again... bread, rice, pizza.... etc. Maybe tell him how starving you are and that your afraid of over eating. Heck .. it worth the try. Stand your ground.... tell him even though he's the Doctor, this is your band and your life. Good luck

all the best..... congrats and Happy birthday..... today is the birth of the NEW YOU....

a "fun program" for crack heads... what is this world coming too. And in the meantime kids are going hungry because their mom/dad is selling it to pay for drugs.... I thought Louisiana was crazy. My son is an RN and daughter in law is an LPN. We have a charity hospital here that if you have low or no income, your care is free. It's people like you described that would give me high blood pressure if i did your job.... bless you bless you bless you.

trust in knowing, i do complain to my government and i take my vote very very serious. And i really don't think i belittled anyone. If i didn't I apologize....

Was that meant to be funny.....oh... hehe How do you know God never worked there? God my dear is everywhere... he is in all of us..... so by default... i guess is did work there. A lot of time on my hands.... I wish... But, i can do what ever i want on my lunch and or break. I have two jobs and i craft a lot making bows and dresses for my grand daughter. I also, make extra for kids in my Sunday school class. Because i enjoy it.... and i think every little girl should always be dressed and have bows in there hair... but that's just me. For this reason and a few others i worked there... they give a great employee discount and off on Sundays for worship. Let me tell you ... fabric and ribbon are not cheep.... Dolly, You did answer my questions. Sorry about your financial troubles. And we would do the same if we had to raise our grand-kids... we would. I hope your troubles turn around and that you can get back on your feet soon. My issues are not with people who use the system for their betterment..... it's the ones that uses it and nerve stop and continue to use and abuse the system..... that's what gets me. Not people that have worked and paid there dues so to speak and fall on hard time and needs help. I guess because in my crazy mind, people should get up every day and go to work and make money to support or help support their family. I can't understand why people don't... i guess it's because my dad always worked my mom worked (even thought she's illiterate) we never got assistance ever... I just can't fathom that way of thinking and being dependent on the government for my needs... In case you can't tell.... this is a hot topic for me.... and people that smoke and drink while pregnant... Ok, we can move on now.....

Yes i am being judgmental. Ok, so i have a few questions for you. You have Medicaid.... this has been established. I'm sure your grand daughter has it too... is this correct. You live in the state of Texas. You husband has worked for 45 years so i'm assuming he's around 65 or so. But he still works a full time job. I agree he has put in his time. You said you worked for over 25 years, so i'm assuming your around 45, but i'm not taking into account that you have been in school for the past 12 years, so you may be older.... What, may i ask did you get your degree in? And 12 years of collage? And you need to go back? This is were i'm confused...... According to TX medicaid.... a family of three can have a max income of $2944.00 Your saying that with your husband working full time and you part time... you don't make over this amount? So your husband who is at least 65 is working for minimum wage? $7.25/hour Because this is the only way you would qualify. $7.25 at 40 hours per week x 52 weeks is $15080. per year. And if Tx is like La. they look at your before taxes income... not after. Are he's getting paid cash so you don't have to claim that income and that's why no insurance...... And if you are working part time and he's working full time, how is some one available to watch a 3 y/o 24/7? And so with 12 years of collage under your belt, you can't find a job that provides insurance? And now your going back to collage, how can you afford to go back to collage and not be able to afford insurance? Oh and lets not forget that if Medicaid doesn't pay, you will work our a payment plan.... and pay for housing, food, utilities, gas, and everything else ... making $7.25 per hour. This is how i see it... and i could be wrong.... i see that you applied for benifets because you are taking care of your grandchild and are not claiming that you live with your husband so you don't have to report his income... there for you also quilify for Food stamps and you get free child care and are getting to go to collage for free too.... How close am i? Are you are claiming your husband, but not his income.... maybe because he's paid cash and you don't have too? No matter how you look at this, there is no way you are getting benefits with out bending the truth a little......You see my sister in law works for these programs with the government. If i wanted to, i could do the same thing... apply on my own that my husband and i are "separated" and get medicaid, food stamps and go back to school for free. But it's not who i am.... Sam, this government is not set up for the truth and if you didn't qualify for the benefits ..... you told the truth... and this is why you were turned down...

Shues.... i bless you. My sister in law work doing the same thing and have to give you guys props. I could never do your job. I would get fired the first week. I can't keep my mouth shut, i think it and it comes right out. I just cant help myself... I have tried, but ... no can't. I agree with you about the kids. And i think anyone who is in the military and there family should also have free health care. Older people who have put in the years, disabled... etc. Yes defiantly..... But the ones that keep spitting out kid after kid and doesn't or never has had a job.... and are just down right lazy and has no desire to better them selves to get off the government programs.... infuriates me. These programs are to help when your down... not a way of life. We had a discussion last month, a friend and i about food stamps. I am all for them. I, myself had them for two months when my husband lost his job. They were a blessing. This was back when they were still paper and i still kept on my food budget and was able to stretch them to four months. This was our "beef"..... down south we eat Crawfish, i know you guys use them for bait, but here we eat them and they are very expensive. So, one day i really wanted some and they were having a special.... 10lb. $30. So i stopped. Low and behold the person right in front of me bought 60lbs with her FS card... i was pissed, why should you be able to buy this "luxury" item for free when i have to pay... But, fast food, that is ridiculous. Where do you live?

Lassie.... Then what i wrote does not Protein to you. I said i had problems with ABEL-BODY people who can work.... not working. This has nothing to do with being or not being positive, it how i feel and this is a forum... when you ask question you should be prepared for any answer. And i have been on this site for a while and i'm fully aware of what it far. So you say: Please keep this a positve site I do not think being negative to anyone is a good thing. So, one should come to this site, ask a question and not want the truth if it's good or not..... we should all be flowers and rainbows here? Is that what your saying? For the most part, i would say 90%, i am a very positive person and give out "ataboys" all the time. But certain thing i don't agree with and Medicaid paying for WLS is one of them. I am entitled.... Have a great day

sounds like your the one acting superior... I'm simply stating how i feel... This is a Forum, and the last time i checked a forum is a place to talk about stuff and say how one feels. This is how i feel. yes i have lost a job that i had for 10 years.... the week after i had my LB surgery. But did i sit around feeling sorry for my self.... no, i cleaned house, businesses..... cleaning toilets and washing other peoples dirty clothes and dishes..... and Iron for out......because it's what a person should do.... not sit on your ass all day and let other pay your way. I have a huge family... my father was one of 15 my mom is one of 4, i have a sister and two brothers.... and if i needed any of them they would take care of me..... but its not who i am. When i lost my job.... thank God i still had my part-time job at Hobby Lobby.... why, because i have always had more than one job..... Now i work from 7-4 m-f and still clean office building on the weekends....and if it would be for my husband (who also has two jobs) telling me .... enough, i probably would have three jobs again...... i work so that we can get all the "nice" extras and for savings for our future. And for a brief period back 15+ years ago, we did get food Stamps for two months when my husband lost his job... but the difference is it was TWO months..... not a life time. And another FYI: I had my first child when i was 16... and never went or collected any assistance.... I made the choice to lay in a bed and have a child... and he was my responsibility... so i work, went to school and took care of MY child... who is now 28 and a RN in a critical care unit with a wife and two kids of his own... that he supports... why because i instilled in him a work ethics... and that nothing in life is free... you get off your butt and work for what you want. and if you have worked ..... decades, then you should have money saved for retirements..... I look at Rookie and Rebecca and i don't see two people who have worked.... decades.... Do you? In fact i would be interested in knowing if they work and if they do.... doing what? And if you go back and read 90% of my post... they are positive.... but i keep it real and i tell it like it is and say what SOME are thinking but won't say because people with the "holier-the-now" come back and say what you did.... Do you work...? and are you happy paying taxes so others who CAN work... get to sit around all day doing nothing? Did you see the word CAN.... not disabled, not old, but working able bodies...

Ok, so i was already in a pissie mood yesterday and then i had the bright idea to go to Walmart (aka hell on earth)..... So i go up and down the isles making my decisions and sticking to my budget.... no chris, put that back... to expensive..... But then i go and get in line behind this young woman... i'm guessing around 25ish.... two kids looks to be around 7 & 5. She has to be at least 250-300lbs. Both kids are over weight.... then i notice her groceries.... chips, cookies, pies, candy, sodas..... looks to be about every unhealthy snack in the store is represented in her buggy......Where was the good meat, chicken, fruits and veggies...... I want to reach out to her and say.... what are you doing to you and your beautiful kids. I wish some one would have done that to me.... then i would not have been a disgusting fat cow.... but never the less. $250 later.... she whips out her Food Stamp card... and i about came unglued..... is that what my heard earned tax dollars are paying for....? I have to budget to get food and she buys all the crap ...... for FREE... If we are going to be a government that says.... yes i will pay for you to have weight loss surgery, why can't we also put a stop to the total abuse of our Food Stamp program....? We pay for your WLS, but now we will monitor what you buy at the store and see if it was worth the money.....

marci, I thought about that after i wrote what i did..... and to some point you are correct. Personally i think if you served your country, you and your children should get health care for life. I'm glad you get a pension you deserve it. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice. I guess my "beef" so to speak is with the scum-suckers of the USA that don't work, didn't serve there country and is just a complete drain on society....... These are the people that have no and will never have the ambition to get a job and pay their own way in life.... they are happy to be living off the government and sitting around all day doing NOTHING... Meanwhile, people like me that have two job (had three until 4 mths ago) get up everyday and got to work and pay the taxes for Lazy @$$ess to keep getting every thing for free and then have the nerve to complain.... OMG. These people have not earned the right to complain about FREE ANYTHING.... What next, complaining because your 400-500 dollars of Food Stamps isn't enough... Are your welfare check won't cover your weave and nail....

you know my email... if you want to chat go to Chat....and we can talk

That a good question.... Well, first you have to not have a job or one that pays very little, sit around all freaking day and be a complete burden on your government and the economy.... I think that pretty much sums it up.... in a nut shell

Sharon..... i hope everything works out this time.... Or you can quit your job, be a lazy ass, drain on the economy and get medicare and medicaid and let the gov. pay for it.... like some.

Ok, so i am ready for the wrath that I'm sure i will get about posting this.... but i really want to know how others feel. How do you feel about Medicare and or Medicaid paying for Lapband? This infuriates me...... I get up every freaking day and head to work for 7am and work till 4.... then I clean office building on the weekends to supplement our family income to be able to get the "extras" in life. I work because i have to and because my family need food, house, car, electricity... and insurance. So not only do we pay for the insurance, but the co-pays, the meds, the deductibles and the 20% after that. In the meantime, people are getting all their pre-certs, surgery and fill...... for free. Why should i have to pay for your surgery when you don't have a job or insurance to pay for it your self.... Then come on here and complain about and or wonder if your fills will be covered......Really!!!! I wish the government and other peoples taxes would have paid for mine....Oh and my recent Tummy tuck... i sure could use the help paying that $8800.... any takers Ok, Bring it.....

Wow... my tax dollars at work..... in the mean time i get up every freaking day and go to work while going to school and raising a family. So i can pay for insurance, co pays and medicine. For others to continue to get a free ride...

I agree..... When i first started looking into my TT I got approved for the Care Credit. But then i looked at the interest and was in shock. So i went to my bank an asked about a personal loan. My friend at the bank said, you can defiantly get a personal loan for the $8800, but let look at this other option.... Chase Slate card. We did, got approved for the $8800 with 0% interest for the next 15 months... Have you looked into this option? About your parents, can they afford to foot the bill for your surgery with out putting them selves in debt? If yes, then go for it...... If, then i would wait. I would never want my parent to take on debt for an elective surgery for me. I know they don't want you to do it, but this is a personal choice.

Honestly.... no. most insurance won't cover the LB with that low of a BMI with out a co-morbid. I'm 5'2" and had no co-morbid. When i started the journey i weighted 213.. but i started doing research and found out that i would qualify if i weight 223.... so i gained 10lbs and then i started the "official" process. If you go now 99% sure you will get denied. Some people think.... i can't believe she did that... gained weight to get LB.... Well i tried everything else... every diet...etc and i know that i could make this work. So would i do it again....? HELL YES.... gain 10lb to lose 80lb...that's a no brainier. Now if you are self pay.... yes. You can get it done at your BMI.

Shelley.... we have ALL been in that dressing room... crying, and looking at ourselves in the mirror thinking.... How did i get here? How did i let myself go like this.... But, there is a silver lining.... you have made the choice to change your life... Forever!! You journey has just begin, and if you take everything serous and follow all the rules, you will be in a size 10 or smaller by this time next year or sooner. I cried out with joy the day i was able to fit in a size 10.... New York and Co. jeans. Then it was a size 8... now a size 6.. from a 20 to a 6. It took 2 1/2 years, but i did it and so can you. You can do it....

favorite stand by food that i can always count one...... Wendy's Chili.

lol.... so do i and you did make me think... I'm just glad my doctor was able to fill me... i'm glad to have my friend "the band" back.... I need to think of a really good name for my band....lol