MaggieB

I have Aetna and did the 3 month plan but it still took about 6 months. I started in January 2010 completed all the requirements - pysch visit, sleep study, Nutritionist visits monthly x3, doctor visits monthly x4. Paperwork was submitted in Mid May and approved soon after. surgery done on June 10, 2010.

For me I was tired of hearing the horror stories - it seemed like everyone that I told or talked to when I was trying to make my decision knows someone or is a friend of a friend that had a horrible experience with it. So I stopped talking about it - only my immediate family and few friends knew of my surgery. Now that I have lost weight and people are noticing I tell them. I want people to see, hear from and know someone who has been successful at it - who doesn't have medical problems from it. I don't volunteer the info - but if asked I do tell the truth.

Congrats on your decision! I was banded last June and my husband will be banded in August. I pray that he has successful results with it as I have so far. I think things will be a bit easier for us since both of us will be eating the same way. The only thing I worry about is that he is a "foodie" type of person - loves to try different things, loves to cook just loves to eat. I have tried to prepare him that he is just not going to be able to eat like he does now & may have trouble with certain foods. I just hope he doesn't regret the surgery after it is done.

I use unjury. Yes - order the sample box and try them mixed with different things. I think if you go to the Unjury website there is a place that lists "recipes" and different ways to use the Protein mix. I am a picky eater - the only flavors I use are strawberry and Chocalate. I mix the Strawberry with Water and add Lemonade Crytal light. The chocolate I mix with skim milk. I am almost a year out now and am tight in the am making it difficult to eat solids first thing in the am - I still drink a shake every morning as my Breakfast - keeps me feeling "full" till lunch. I order my supply from Unjury - easy to order online. It is around $60 (including shipping) for 3 containers - they are delivered in an unmarked box. My doctor carries it also but charges $24 for a container and the hospital pharmacy carries it also but charges $32 for a container.

My husband will be banded in August, he is 45. You are not alone, my husband is just not a big fan of message boards.

1. No regrets - wished I had done it sooner. 2. Gas Pains- intense for a few days & also having to sleep on my back for a couple of weeks. My first "stuck" episode - I read alot about it but was not prepared when it actually happened. 3. I'm a school nurse so I was out for the summer & worked as needed at a hospital. I could have returned to work about 10 days afterwards. I went back to the hospital at week 3 - energy & pain wise I was fine but some days it was difficult to make sure I was getting my required Protein & fluids in for the day just because I was busy - which meant I was "starving" at the end of my shift. 4. It took about 2 weeks to feel Ok, by week 3 I felt great & was back to my regular routine/activities.

I have them on occasion, but I get "full" quickly and I tend to feel uncomfortable and bloated.

As long as I eat it slow and chew well I can tolerate it. Although instead of eating 4-5 slices I now barely finish one slice.

thanks everyone. @ cunner - I was amazed at how I felt afterwards compared to last September. I felt good - although I wouldnt go as far and say I could have done the course twice I wasn't even really sore the next day. I am also running a normal 5K May 14th, I am real curious as to what my time will be.

Great feeling! Im a nurse and wear scrubs to work - Love it when I need to go smaller!

I should have explained it better - my 'throw up" experience was as you described.

This past weekend I participated in a 5k obstacle race - Warrior Dash. I had so much fun. I completed ALL of the obstacles and the course in 52 minutes! I even think I could have done it faster but I had my kids running with me and didn't want to have them running the course alone incase they got hurt. I did the Jailbreak run back in September and thought I was going to die - I didn't complete all of the obstacles back then either. Now I am so ready for my next mud run!

It is not normal to be throwing up. Your friend is most likely too tight or not following the eating "rules". I have been banded since June 2010 and have vomited twice all due to my own doing - eating fast & too big of bites. It was awful, don't want to ever have that feeling again.

Banded June 10th, 2010 - best decisions ever! Very happy with my weight loss although it has slowed way down. I have about 30 more to lose and it is just creeping off. I love being able to find clothes that actually fit and look great - no more Lane Bryant for me last weekend I actually shopped at Victorias Secret - I havent shopped there in about 15 years.

We eat out at least once per week. I don't have any trouble. Sometimes I will split with one of my kids or husband & sometimes I order my own and take leftovers home. I can pretty much eat whatever I want - I try to eat "healthy" - I stay away from breads, meats can be difficult depending how they are cooked. This lapband has not stopped me from eating out or having an occasional alcoholic beverage - I just need to think about my choices.

I have also been without my CPAP for about 4 months. Partly because the mask really doesn't fit me anymore and the other reason is that according to my husband - he has not heard me snore or gasp for air like I used to. I know I'm not snoring - I used to wake myself up with snoring. I know I am sleeping good, I feel rested and don't need a nap anymore. At my 6 month check up, the doctor asked me about it and was going to send in another referral for sleep study, but I told him I wasn't really interested in it and was doing fine. He was ok with that decision.

I eat 3 meals - well actually 2 meals with a protein shake for breakfast. I rarely snack. I had the same advice as previous poster - stick to the 3 meals, really think about snacks...am I hungry or is it in my head???

I just had this conversation with my husband on Saturday, we were at the mall sitting on a bench, I looked down and all I could see is my stomach roll. He told me I was nuts, that I look great. Just about everyone I know tell me I look good. I have gone from 20/22 to 12/14 total of 70lbs so far, still have about 30 more for my goal. I know it is in my mind, but it is so hard to let go.

Uncomfortable to eat in the morning - I just drink my Protein shake and I am good till lunch time.

Just did a 3 hour flight last weekend - no problems at all.

My bites are a bit larger than pencil erasers but for me it is more of eating slow and really chewing the food.

I feel like my weight loss has slowed way down, but when I look at the big picture - I am averaging 1-2lbs a week since being banded. Just hang in there - follow the plan and it will come off.

Follow your doctors instructions. I was on full liquids for 6 weeks. My full liquid diet included - protein shakes, jello, pudding, thinned soups, thin oatmeal or grits, cottage cheese, yogurt, popsicles. I pretty much did my 3 shakes a day and if I was hungry would add the other stuff in between. It was tough but I got thru it. I pretty much stuck to the prescribed diet (I do admit to having a few bites here and there) for the 6 weeks - I didn't want to do anything that would cause me problems.

No problems here either. Just be prepared it still can possibly take almost 6 months to complete the process.

Congrats! I walked my first 5k preband last year, this year I am going attempt to run. We are also participating in the Warrior Dash - 5k obstacle run. I am hoping to keep up with my athletic friends