Yvette1026

It's unfortunate but you're positive and doing well. But thank you for your candor on this topic. I had NO clue it was this serious that the "stretched pouch" was just something they said to try to make sure we're eating right. I had no clue in all the 5 yrs of research I did, that this was a real and true possibility. Thank you for sharing and hopefully preventing others from going through this.

Congratulations! Isn't it such a great feeling?

Without knowing what you're eating its hard to say. I know there's some that prescribe to the diet after lapband method but I'm not one of them. I got this so I can eat normally, just in controlled portions. I lose 2-4lbs a week eating whatever I want, but I make sure to eat balanced meals that provide me with the necessary calories and protein that allow me to continue to lose. I'm not so sure that WW can really provide you with the special needs of the Lapband, but I don't know for sure and if it works for you, GREAT! I can tell you though, that weekly weighins aren't always helpful, I make it a point to only weigh myself once a month because as women our weight can fluctuate dramatically from week to week. Also you mentioned you're working out.. it's quite possible that you're gaining muscle which is GREAT. That's the catalyst you need get you to the next level of fat burning. At month 3 I had lost 74lbs post op at month 5 I gained 40lbs back in muscle in month 6 I lost more weigh for a total of 43lbs lost since surgery. At first I was devastated but when I realized my body NEEDED that muscle gain to lose more and not to mention although the scale is up my sizes are down *BONUS* It'll all even out... I would say if you're doing all the right things and you're not seeing the scale move it's one of 3 things: 1.) Not enough calories - Starvation mode as you said. 2.) Not enough or too much protein 3.) Muscle mass weight gain. Hope the visit to the nutritionist is helpful to you! Best wishes!

You know the saying there's two types of people in the world, those who see the glass half full and those who see it half empty. You have to take the posts the same way. There's people who choose to focus on the negative and post their complaints and/or dwell on the slight pain and feel sorry for themselves. This surgery is not painful, the first couple of days you have "discomfort to pain" from the gas but it's nothing to write home or blog about. I laugh to myself every time I read a post about how awful it is and the woes me posts. This is THE BEST thing you could ever do for yourself. I would do this surgery again in a heartbeat. The initial wakeup for me was a lil' rough only because my nurse was annoying and I had mine done outpatient; so they were rushing me out the door before I was ready. Once I got home and the twilight wore off I was fine I just needed sleep and to walk the gas off. Within a day and half I was off all pain meds, I never took the nausea meds - didn't need them. I firmly believe that the bulk of this is mind over matter. I told myself I would be well and I was, no vomiting, no side effects, no pain, etc.. Go into with a positive outlook and you'll have a positive outcome! Best wishes to you!

lol..how cute is your 8 yr old? But it's all a learning processing. Each fill will bring you something new, things you could eat before with no problem will suddenly get "stuck" one fill and not the next. Everyday is a journey with this but it's a journey I'm happy to take. At 6 months I'm still learning what my band can tolerate, last night I had posole soup (Mexican pork & hominy soup) and my favorite dessert. I went there for dessert so I tried to save room, which about 4 bites left I was FULL but I kept going.. I paid for it by being uncomfortable all night and now I'm "tender" in my band area.. so today will be nothing but shakes, soups and popsicles but MAN was that dessert worth it! LOL All of that being said.. it DOES get better, you'll learn more and more everyday. From reading your posts it seems like you've doing well! Keep up the good work!

This was an error on the side of your Dr's office.. Aetna requires sleep studies for approval. They shouldn't have submitted you without having one. Go get the sleep study and they'll resubmit you'll be approved after.

Eat mushies that are high in protein bean cups, chicken salad, eggs, etc.. they'll satisfy you and keep you feeling fuller, longer.

lol well maybe try some cream of wheat or mushies.. I ate them on day 3, I know everybody is different. Listen to your doctor, but I definitely felt better after my 3 tablespoons of "food" lol

Awesome! Glad to read that you're doing well!

People who experience this, usually move to mushies and feel better almost instantly. (I moved to them on day 3, everyone varies, but listen to your doctor.) something like cream of wheat, etc... might make you feel alot better. Also how much protein are you getting in your protein drinks? It may help to double up. I expected this so I loaded up on redmeat before my surgery to get through the inital days but again, I ate mushies on day 3. It was only 3 tablespoons of food but I did instantly feel better.

Is what I find myself saying about food all the time almost on a daily basis! Something that once almost ruled my life is now so far removed. I eat because I "NEED" to now instead of because I WANT to, don't get me wrong I still enjoy a DELICIOUS meal and cooking but prior to my surgery I never understood how people could say "Oh I forgot about that" when it came to food. Like bringing in something like donuts or mcdonalds to work, the people who take a bite or don't even open it and just leave it on their desk for the day. I would always say something to them in a joking manner to let them know um HEY it's there and YOU need to eat it! But now I'm that person. I don't get it, but I am. Food no longer rules me and it's SO liberating. I keep finding things in my bag that people have given me like candy, chips, snack bars, etc... I just throw it in my bag and days later I'm like "Oh yeah..." Yesterday I was at a festival and I didn't go to ANY of the food booths *GASP*, even the one vendor who was giving away FREE cake.. yeah I know.. CAKE.. and I LOVE CAKE.. This morning, I woke up a lil' hungry and was like MAN I FORGOT ABOUT THAT CAKE!!!! lol It feels SO good, so so good to just be you and not you with food. To be able to eat a few bites and put something up and know it's ok if you want more it's there if not, that's ok too. I spent so much of my life consuming food while it was obviously consuming me. This is just AMAZING! So glad I did this for myself!

Call back and tell them you need to come in. My surgery was quick, easy and pretty much painless. By day 3 I was back to normal. To be two weeks in and still having that much trouble I would go in and speak with them, especially since you're vomiting which can cause slippage.

Aww thank you so much! I find you inspiring and follow you as well! Thank you again! - wish I could hug you from here! lol

Congratulations on your nomination.. I would get your fill, that's my priority level though.. my weightloss is more important to me than the dinner or drinks I'm missing out on. You can always nibble, and if you're like me when I got my first fill I was still able to eat, it took quite a few fills before I felt any real restriction. But whatever you decide to do, I hope you win!

great calculator.. I've lost 12% in 6 months as of today which is great with me!

You've lost 29.32330827067669% of your original body weight

So today is my 6 months of being banded. I had my regular appointment yesterday and we did some extra things to make sure everything is ok as well. I have a clean bill of health. The band is working wonderfully, I got another fill which puts me to just over 8ccs in a 14cc band. I'm 7lbs shy of my 6 month goal which was to lose 50lbs, but given the weightloss rollercoaster I've been on with the shedding pounds then gaining muscle at this point I'm just excited to be losing and to see the results in my body. When I shared what has going on with the sliming etc.. we discussed what I was eating each time, and then did a barium x-ray to make sure the band was working and not leaking, etc.. Everything looked great, it was so interesting to see it actually "work" in my body. After we decided to do a small fill to aid in my upcoming PMS eating... and today I feel great, had some eggs and even a porkchop today. - at separate times of course lol Other than that everything is great, this is still the best thing I ever did for myself... it's amazing to me to think and know that in 6 months time I will have another 50+ lbs to have lost a total of 100+lbs. It's amazing to me, makes me just want to shout and run on that like I was in church! God is SO good, none of this is possible for me without Him! Hallelujah! :sneaky::confused: This whole thing has just been awesome!

Surgeons are humans with lives and families just like us. Everyone is entitled to a personal day. Hope you get your surgery soon!

First let me say a thank you to those of you who sent me messages to check up on me, or let me know you missed my blogging, etc... I've been quite the busy lil' bee lately and being online has only been for work and the occassional facebook check in lol. All of that being said, let's see it's been about a month since my last log in.. not even sure about my last blog. But the 4th of June I had another fill....I think this puts me at 7.75 in a 14 cc band. And wow can I feel the difference. Even getting samples at costco is too much for me right now. My last two fills have had me experience sliming, pb'ing and last night for the first time...vomiting, well I think it was vomiting, I get confused on what you guys call PB'ing. Either way, It may be TMI but I ate a few chunks of fruit, (pineapple, cantaloupe, watermelon, etc..) by the time I got to the 4th chunk I had to excuse myself.. as I sat in the bathroom sliming....suddenly in one fell swoop up came the last chunk of fruit I had, not gross, but just as if I had chewed it and spit it out. Then I INSTANTLY felt better and went back to eating. I think I didn't chew enough, or my band just doesn't like honeydew lol. Anyways...my weightloss had seemed to slow prior to this last fill. When I went in I had lost 2lbs. Which is still great considering what my diet had consisted of... Not that it's an excuse but I've been working excessive hours like 9am to 3am and moving. My house/houses were boxed up for about 3 weeks and for some reason the movers boxed up the kitchen first. So the combination of all of that had me back in my old lover's arms, basking in the light of his golden arches. Darn you Ronald...DARN YOU!! I said I would never call again... but you got me. But I'll get away this time lol... So after almost a month of fast food almost EVERY night.. I still lost. *Sigh* when I think of how much MORE I could have lost if I had been on plan! I'm back to a white out (no flour, sugar, salt, rice) and putting protien shakes into heavy rotation while eating very small portions. Like last night I had 1/2 of a fish fillet (the fish not the sandwich lol) and some veggies. I wasn't hungry at all, but I hadn't eaten since 2 or 3pm so I figured I should eat something. I have an appoint on Friday, supposed to be a fill appointment, I REALLY don't think I need any more liquid in there than I have right now.. maybe .25 to put it to 8 and tighten me up through my PMS phase which is due to come. I can't be the only one who's band does not seem to be a match for mother nature during that time. I swear it's almost like my jaws come unhinged and I want to put everything in sight in my mouth, the sweeter and carby-er the better lol.. yes I know carbyer isn't a word but you know what? It's MY blog lol Ok so where does that leave me.. been a good girl for the most part since my fill.. really didn't have a choice.. Came up with a new smoothy recipe that is AMAZING.. I mean AMAZING!!! Speaking of amazing...I experienced this tres leche cake at a local spot here that is AMAZING.. I mean toe-curling, grab the edge of the table and look at the plate like it just did some dirty things to you, kind of amazing!!! I've made this my once a month treat. Tres Leche cake, with coconut milk ice cream, topped with toasted coconut and pineapple tidbits and this rum sauce.. OMG this rum sauce.. AMAZING! I mean A-FREAKING-MAZING! Like I had to stop eating it before there was a When Harry Met Sally kinda scene in there.. luckily I was sharing it with someone else so it didn't go to waste. I'm going hardcore from now on... this friday is my 6 months post op and although I've lost, I'm not happy with my progress because I *KNOW* I could have done WAYYYYYYYYYY better. I've been so busy putting other things first and not focusing on me and my workout time, etc... So going hard core, come my 1 yr anniversary ya'll are gonna be congratulating me on 100lbs gone. Probably more.. Epic moments so far: My shirt size and pant size now being the same, or close to (depending on the shirt lol) For the first time since I was a teenager I fit into an 20 shirt which to me is a HUGE deal.. I mean HUGE! Then when I fit into an 18 I was ecstatically happy! So 18 shirt down from a tight 32 (at my highest). Able to wear an x-large t-shirt and not have to special order a shirt for me for all of the various events I do. It feels SO good! I'm teetering on the 18/20 size range, depending on the cut of the item. I bought a pair of capris from LB that were a 20, only because the 18 fell right on my Lapband scar which was uncomfortable. I'm now at the point where I understand WHY people get lipo and other surgeries, although I DO NOT have saggy skin, I see my body changing and getting tighter in some areas, where I start to think... "Hmmmm if I just had this sucked out... I'd be GOOD" lol but I KNOW it's a challenge and I am determined to do this the right way, without any cheats or surgery. So thankful to have friends who are helping me along the way, a seamstress friend to help with clothes, an esthetician friend who brings me all sorts of firming and rejuvenating creams, that seem to work. Bodybuilding/exercise guru/expert friends to help with diet and workouts. I have it set, I just need to take action which is what I am doing now. Ok so I think that about covers it, my schedule is freeing up no so I'll have some more time to be back on here and check in with everyone. Please do give me the recaps of your progress! Hope you're all doing amazingly well!!!

If this is truly the case you'll need an exploratory surgery to see if it's pinching the nerve and then be re-banded. I would get a 2nd opinion from another lapband surgeon and/or take your findings to your surgeon and have him go back in.

Don't limit yourself to what someone else has said or tried to limit you to. You say "This was my chance to lose weight, and now it's gone." nothing is stopping you from losing weight, with or without surgery, in the meantime do what you can and switch insurances. It's more than likely your coverage level and not that they don't do them. Even with Aetna - they state they don't do them to some, for others it's a 6 month wait and for other it's a 3 month, depends on what your plan level is. Keep checking, see if an upgrade is available or just change insurances all together. BCBS is only a 30 day wait, you may want to check into getting them if you REALLY want the surgery.

Congratulations!

Glad you're feeling better! I had 2 sliming issues since my last fill and they were horrible.. bread both times, I think it matters the time of day I eat it because sometimes I'm fine and other times I get stuck in a bite or two. I skipped my fill scheduled for yesterday, I'll go on the 4th and see how well this last fill did.

Oh my lots of questions... First off welcome :cursing: We're a good bunch here, if you read a blog or comment you like or connect with anyone just send a request most of us are pretty friendly :sneaky: My average weightloss is 8-10lbs per month, right where I should be (2-3lbs per week). To be honest i haven't exercised like I should, I travel alot for work and spend more of my time in airports and cars. When I was exercising like I should I gained 15lbs of muscle and became UBER discouraged...then I regrouped and got back on track.. it's not the number it's the size and how I look, feel. I carry on an affair with the eliptical machine and anything that will get rid of back fat lol I also love the ab machine. When you sign up with a gym they'll usually give you atleast 1 free training session.. let the trainer know your goals, act like you're going to sign up and keep notes of what they tell you.. 3 sets of 12, how much weight to use, etc.. Your goal is TOTALLY possible. And yes there's lots of recipes on blended/pureed food in the blogs and forums and you can always inbox one of us as well. I'll send you a request :cursing: welcome

True results does care financing - most dr's offices do. Especially if you have $3000 saved as a down payment, the cash surgery with them is around $15K, they could do care finance with the rest. Just go to a seminar and they'll be more than happy to discuss financing options with you. Any lapband office would. Good luck!