BusyMom1961

Why are you discouraged?

I worked at BCBS of Il several years ago. Each employer group can choose their benefits. Self-funded groups have different options than other groups. You should file an appeal and try to find out specifically what you need to get approved. Message me your employer group and I might be able to give you some insight.

It's almost been two years since I had my surgery and my stomach still gurgles when I drink something. It makes me and my son laugh. It is sort of loud, but just a testament to the best thing I have ever done for myself.

It has taken me longer than I thought to lose one hundred pounds, but as of today I have lost 101 pounds. It hasn't always been easy, and I have walked my small town everyday for over a year, but it is definitely worth it. I still have a ways to go, but I feel very inspired to have lost 100. I love my lap-band.

Thanks everyone. When you start this journey you are always so uncertain of your path. Will you be successful or will it not work for you as it has for some others - those are all thoughts that went through my head. As everyone says, the band is a tool but you have to use the tool to be successful. The band makes me not hungry, but it does not make me get out of my comfy chair when it is 90 outside or when it is 0 outside. That is all me and I have to say I am proud of my perseverance on this lifestyle. There are days when I didn't think it would ever happen and others days when I felt indestructible - but each day had its own merits. I have worked hard and appreciate each and every step of the journey, because sometimes if I didn't step back I might not see how great the road ahead looked. This site has been so helpful to me - even when I don't post I can come, look around and find motivation to keep going. Thanks to each and everyone of you for helping me find my way.

I agree with seeing the doc, but I would be taking some sort of antacid to get the reflux to stop also. If you can take something to relieve that you might see some lessening in the swelling also.

I have lost 80 pounds since last April and the girls are still the same size. I am starting to look very top heavy since I haven't lost any cup size. I have lost weight in the back area, but nothing in the boobage area. Close friends comment that my boobs now look huge. Oh well, I am sure that they will deflate at some point, just not sure when.

My doctor told me if you aren't hungry don't eat. You won't hurt anything and you will eat when you are hungry. That was the best information I have received through this whole journey. I always thought that I needed to eat three meals a day, but the doctor told me that is not necessary at all. So, if I am not hungry in the morning - I don't eat. A glass of hot tea fills me up until lunch about 2:00. I eat dinner around 6:30 - 7:00 and I am done for the day. I feel great and am losing weight - the band is a great tool.

Hi everyone, How are all the April people feeling now that it has been six months. I am feeling great. I have lost 64 pounds and have found a lot more energy. Still exercising - and trying to eat healthy foods like I should. How about you?

In my opinion, any relationship comes down to - Do the good times outweigh the bad? If the bad times outweigh the good and no one is willing to make allowances, then you need to separate for a while and see if you miss them. There are some days that I don't like my husband, but I always love him. I always tell my friends when they ask for advice the same thing. If even on a bad day you look to the future and you see him in it, then you need to figure out how to fix it. If you don't see him in the picture, then move on. I am not advocating divorce, I am just saying that maybe a little separation from each other and a little soul searching will give you the answers you need. If you feel that you need to talk to someone, call a pastor at a church, they will help you. They don't try to get you to come to your church, they will just try to get you through the crisis. They won't charge you anything and will give you an unbiased opinion. I work at a church and the pastor talks to many non-members/non-church goers to help them through a difficult time. Good luck and most of all - take care of you.

I would get a small un-fill. It doesn't necessarily mean you will gain weight. This journey is not about feeling bad, it is about losing weight and being able to live a full life with the band.

I have a 15 year old son - and all that entails - We have heated talks about what he is and isn't going to do. I am a parent who believes that at 15 you still don't get to tell me what you are going to do and when you are going to be home - needless to say we argue about boundaries. And this generally happens around meal time. When he and I argue or talk excitedly my band slams shut and nothing is going to go down it for quite a while. Does anyone else have this reaction from stress? I try to stay stress free during meal times, but some days it isn't easy. And today was one of them. I don't think that I will be able to eat anything else today and I will be lucky if I can drink anything. Yuck, what a way to end the weekend.

I thought that I would bring us over to the "Post" side to continue are talks. Hope everyone is doing well. Let's all keep in touch - we all have a common cause. Have a great weekend.

Thanks for the kind words. Somedays he drives me crazy. I always love him, liking him at times is not always easy. I really try not to stress when I eat or I won't be eating. I don't try to eat anything after that happens. He knows what it does to me also and most times tries not to get me worked up over a meal, but sometimes it happens. Thanks again.

My hair is falling out like crazy. My son makes fun of me in the car - when the air conditioner is on it blows all over the place. I was told that the loss of hair would last about three months and then start to taper off. I am about one and a half months in. I am at 4 ccs in my band. I can't handle much more than that. I went up to 5.5 but had to have an un-fill back to 4. And it is serving me well. I have lost about 50 something pounds, I don't remember exactly how many, but I know that I am still losing so that is good. I love me band. It is everything I wanted it to be. I do walk at least one hour every night - even when I don't feel like it and even when it was SO HOT I thought I would melt. Exercise is non-negotiable for me to continue to lose weight. It is one more tool to help me lose. Good luck everyone - if you aren't where you want to be, hold on it will happen. Remember the rules that we got when we were first banded and if that doesn't work talk to your doctor, they are your biggest cheeleader.

Most hospitals have Charity Care of some kind. If you have no income you would qualify. I would go to the Emergency Room as a start and see what they can do for you. Prayers your way.

I am in for 25. Pretty aggressive, but I have kicked up the exercise a bit. This will help with motivation.

Just think, once you are through all this, how easy the band will feel. Good things are coming your way, I am sorry that so many things are not going good right now. You are a trooper ------ hang in there. Take care of yourself. I wish that there was something I could do to make you feel a little better. If you don't object, please send me your address in the mail, I would like to send you a little something in the mail. Getting something in the mail always makes me feel better.

Sometimes,calorie cycle-ing works. Do more calories on one day and less on the next. Just enough to shake up what your body is used to. Only do it for a week or so, but it has worked for me before to bust a plateau.

I posted earlier that last Thursday I had my second fill and they added 1.5cc. The next day I had 1 cc taken out because I couldn't even swallow my saliva after a couple of hours. Then yesterday, I went back and they took out another .25cc because I could barely get thick liquids down (i.e. Atkins Shake). So I have 4.25cc total in my band. I can now swallow liquids a little better, but I have a really hard time with anything else. The doctor recommended yogurt, applesauce and pudding. I can only take 2 or 3 bites and I am uncomfortable. Liquids take a while to get in but I can get them in over the day. Will it continue like this? Will it get looser and I will need more of a fill - or what? I am not sure about all this. When I got the band, my expectation would be that I would be able to eat most foods, but give up some that were commonly difficult ( bread, beef and such) but this is really hard. I have no hunger but I really am so limited in the food choices right now. Yesterday the doctor said it was "odd" that I had such restriction with so little in my band. So what does that mean? I am sure this is just a phase of the band that I am going through, but I wish I could figure it out a little better.

Prayers your way for a speedy recovery. Hopefully, you will be in no more pain and your band will go back to doing what it is supposed to. Sorry about your car, but that is just a "thing", you are much more important than a thing. Take care. Deena

I just got back from the doctor getting my second fill. When they had me drink the Water went down, but now that I am back at work I am spitting up/sliming/saliva. Do you think I need to go back and have a little taken out? This didn't happen with my first fill, so I really don't have much to go on. Thanks for the advice. D

I think that I am going to call the doctor and still have that .5 cc taken out on Monday. Everything feels like it is in my throat. Yucky feeling.

I agree that I won't go with large fills in the future. I may already be where I need to be for awhile. Thanks for all your thoughts. Yesterday was just not fun. I was spitting every few minutes and I got a headache because I couldn't drink anything. I am SO much better now. Have a great weekend.

I can take small sips this morning. I think that I will be okay. I think that I will just stay on liquids for a few more days and see if it will resolve itself.