prtygirl79

The Realize Band port is a little bigger (I have on that isn't obvious). Lap-Band has a smaller one.

I was banded two years ago tomorrow. My band just started "working for me" when I had an unfill over the Summer.

Faster loss equals more saggy skin. Keep that in mind! I'm 11 months out 50 lbs lost between pre-op diet and operation day. I'm WAY under filled (4cc in a 14cc band) and can eat just under a regular sized portion with no limits on food (I can eat bread, shrimp, etc.) but a lady who had surgery the same day as I did went in for a fill to put her at 7cc and she was too tight--vomitting, etc. and was hospitilized. My surgeon began reducing my fills to like 0.5cc after the other lady's scare.

What type of band do you have? I had a Realize band put in on 2/10/10 with "very little fill in the band" (I don't know the cc's). I've lost 20 lbs since, and was refused a fill 6 weeks post-op because my progress was so good. I was scared to eat too at your stage, but I can eat A LOT less than I used to. Ideally, I should be doing a low carb diet but that hasn't worked out since I can eat bread and lose weight-without getting stuck. :confused: Be midnful, keep a journal because you might have a little restriction, and you might be eating less than you actually think-but still the wrong things.

Hey Fed Bandsters! I'm not sure why, but some of your profiles don't have a "friend" option? I do, and I too want to be friends with all the Feb Funky Bandsters. Look at eachother's pages and "request as a friend".

I was banded on 2/10. Dr. told me that there's "very little fill in there" (whatever that means) and I started mushies 4 days ago. Is it weird that I already have restriction for at least 4 hours? I'm struggling to eat two scrambled eggs as I type this. Not complaining, just wondering how I'll ever eat anything on the regular diet. I'll also be going to lunch with coworkers to a Chinese/Seafood all you can eat. What's safe to order? This will be my 13 of 14 day for mushies, so I'm guessing if I eat regular food 12 hours before my 14th day I'll be fine? Third question, what's everyone's "water schedule"? I commute one hour one way so that's 2 hours plus before/after meals, and just before bedtime that I CAN'T get water in. I'm averaging 4-5 glasses, and I feel like I'm sipping ALL DAY, it's just impossible to get it in.

So is it possible that after years of eating to the point of "full", satiety is now a foreign concept for some? I'm worried about this for myself-I go in for my first fill on 3/18.

Like other posters, we all gained the weight for different reasons. I for one don't "stuff my face", but I did have dessert after meals:thumbdown:. I don't lack portion control in general-that's not my problem. I've always wanted to be the girl who can eat 1/2 a tuna sandwich or a Slim Fast for lunch and be ok until dinner. But for me I'd always stay hungry when I tried...so I top my meals off with a cookie or a piece of chocolate. The band is my opportunity to finally be the girl who is full from 1/2 a sandwhich, which is also the girl who won't eat a cookie if she sees progress in the mirror!

I thought my experience was normal: I had a pre-op visit on a Monday in which I got a post-op appointment, pain Rx and discharge instructions. My surgery was that Wednesday. I saw my Dr. (Cynthia Long) 10 minutes before I went under, and about 2 hours after I woke up, then 15 minutes after that following my X-Ray. I stayed overnight, so saw her the following day when she came to my hospital room to check on me. Considering the above posts, and the fact that all of this happened between and during one of the 2 Blizzards we had in this area that week, I'd say my doctor ROCKS!:thumbup:

I can totally relate! While on my pre-op liquid stage, I spent the entire weekend (Fri-Mon) snowed-in the house with a husband and toddler (who eats very well and doesn't sleep enough). I had planned to keep myself busy during this stage with taking my daughter to activities, but that was impossible. Nonetheless, I was banded last Wed (the day of the 2nd Blizzard!) and I thought it would get cancelled. I got through it, but I too need suggestions on making new traditions.

I'm so glad I came accross this post! I pay for electrolysis on the chin hairs (which I will put on pause) and I have a shoe catalog on my bed (Which I'll trash). After a pregnancy my shoe size went up, so I'm glad to see that some lost a size. There is some hope!

Everything has happened so fast for me. I researched this WLS a few years ago, but finally got an insurance plan that would cover it with my new job. Pre-op testing was not hard, I have no comorbidities, and had to show proof that I've been trying to loose weight. So to say all that, my insurance appoved me over the phone within 2 days of having everything complete, and I was on the operating table 8 days later. I've had little time to fully prepare for the lifestyle (and I'm still waiting on a shipment of chewable vitamins, and other items) but I'm totally glad I did it. I have a few questions for eating that other bandsters might be able to answer: 1) I understand that a "slider" food goes through the pouch opening, but if food is chewed properly-won't everything become a "slider"? 2) I'd like to enjoy pasta like once a month or so, but how would I know if food is sliding through? Will I literally feel food sliding through my pouch, or will I figure it out once I've eaten enough to be satisfied, but I'm still hungry? (I know I have to avoid carbs and sweets, etc, but I wouldn't need the band if I could live like that).:thumbup: 3) Some people discuss drinking protein shakes, and eating cereals, etc. My doc gave me orders to not eat ANYTHING that needs a spoon. How do you get satisfied with a protein shake or oatmeal that's sliding through the band? 4) Any suggestions on band-friendly ethic foods? I love Sushi, Italian, Chinese, etc. (hence the excess weight!):thumbdown:. But most food recommendations on here are chicken and veggies (boring). My husband is from the Caribbean, so I want to know if I'll be able to tolerate his cooking (curry and plantains, etc?) Thanks in advance!

#1. Surgery date? yesterday! 2/10/10 #2. State you live in? Maryland #3. Doctor/Surgery Center? Cynthia Long, Holy Cross #4. Insurance or self pay? Aetna #5. Age and height 30 5 foot 7 inches #6. Current weight and goal weight? Current 275-goal? 200 would be nice, 170 or so even better! #7. What was your deciding factor for having this surgery? To have a healthy pregnancy in the future. #7. Do you have the support of family and friends? My husband supports me for health reasons, friends don't really get it, most people don't know though. #8. Concerns and questions? Getting off this darn 2 week post-op liquid diet!

1) I want to get pregnanat again in the future (adjustable). 2) hair loss from malnutrition might be a problem for me. 3) I like soft foods in general :thumbup: (I like things like sushi and ground meat, I don't like steaks or chops of any kind) so I knew the diet would be manageable. 4) I want to loose weight slow enough to lie about how it's happening if asked-or tell the truth which is that "I'm eating less". :cursing: With by-pass weight loss happens too quickly and people would be suspicious (excess skin too?). 5) Mortality rates...I don't suffer from any other ailments because of my weight so the risks don't outweigh the benefits of bypass.

I have Aetna and they reqiure three months of PCP monitored diet, psych eval, etc. Well, on Sat during my first visit to my PCP, she looked at me like I had two heads and told me that she doesn't get reimbursed for "weight loss visits". Then she said that she can't get reimbursed for the EKG they did because there was no reason to have one done (Pre-op is not a reason). After a lot of explaining, I convinced her to see me 2 more times (self pay) and she said that she would see me just to agree with whatever the nutritionist is saying. So for my other visits (abdominal ultrasound, bloodwork, chest x-ray, etc.) do I have to "fake symptoms" so they will cover it? I have an open access plan, so getting the PCP to make a referral isn't an obsticle (thank goodness because she's doing minimal work on this). I need to know if Aetna will pay for my other visits to specialists.