Betsyjane

I haven't seen Deb either..... RhondaLynn---My insurance doesn't cover any bariatric surgery in our plan, although it does in other plans. First thing to do is call insurance and ask them if they cover bariatric surgery. If so, I understand that they usually want to see a BMI of at least 40, or a BMI of at least 35 withother health complications like diabetes.

I went through exactly the same thing until just 1 week ago. Having the right restriction is like being let out of a cage! Try not to kick yourself too hard until you get there......

L8BloomR...why wait so long for a fill? Sounds like now would be a good time.....

I have been trying to stay pure....simple Protein, followed by simple veges, and if there's room, simple fruits. But I created this wonderful recipe! 75 calories and great for either a snack or part of a meal. It slides down, so it's as dangerous to overdo as it is with any great dessert...but it's also full of protein. 11 grams of protein, 75 calories, 8g carbs. No fat. 6 ounces of fat free cream cheese 1/2 cup fat free ricotta cheese 5 packets of Stevia, Splenda, or whatever sweetener you use Mix it together well. Put it in custard cups or ramekins and flatten it out well. Let it sit in the fridge until cold. Voila! The true taste of real cheesecake.

Dear PRBrooksie---I was at our support group meeting Monday, and a very wise person said not to compare your loss with anyone else's. I look at these posts, and I know it's true! I've gone through periods of weight gain, no weight loss and weight loss with the band, times when I needed a fill and times when I thought I might need less. Honestly, you'll just make yourself crazy if you try to parallel your weight loss with anyones. It's odd. Until a week ago, I was frustrated without adequate restriction. I was kicking myself for my lack of control and wondering if I wasted my money. Now that I have just the right restriction, the cravings and compulsions for food just stopped. I think they'll come back and I'll be dealing with issues again, but I've decided that all I can do is deal with today. And the first thing I ask myself is if I need a fill, since that worked so well once I got it restricted enough. Then I ask myself if I've planned and cooked my food so I dont' have to impulse eat. Have I rehearsed what to take with me when I travel in the car. Have I thrown out contraband. Have I exercised, gone to support group, etc. But for me, number one is the fill issue. I have been such a total failure at even controlling my eating for a single day in my life. I know I need the band to do it's job or mine just isn't possible to do at this stage. I too ate until I PBed at times because I didn't get that sense of being full...but it doesn't happen with my new restriction. If I let myself, I'd go crazy with envy of Angela, down 33 pounds without a fill. Instead, I'm committed (on my good days) to be happy for others, and then figure out what I need to do. My new motto is "There are no problems that are bigger than me." It's a matter of sticking with the problem solving in this complicated new journey we are on. My heart is with you.

RhondaLynn-Are you banded yet?

Dr. Spivak seems to be a nice guy who is enthusiastic about his work. He's also one of the more experienced at lap band surgery. You go to one of his group meetings and he explains everything and answers questions. Then you talk with people who have been banded while you wait to have your meeting with him, all during the same evening. He didn't seem hurried, and asked really probing questions that got me thinking, and answered my questions. All he needed from me was a copy of my old blood tests and a check for $15000.00, and we scheduled the procedure. The next, and only other time I have seen him, was on operation day. He was reassuring, as was the staff at the Surgicenter. He also arranged for someone who also had Lupus, like I do, and was banded, to talk with me. Nice touch! Since then, I've only dealt with the Surgicenter staff. I think he and Speigel and some other Drs. own the Surgicenter, so the care remains overseen by him. If you get your fills in the morning, you'll likely be filled by Joy, who is a real pro! I'm in no position to judge a surgeon, but he was helpful, informative, and his stats show very very few complications and no deaths.... I'm satisfied.

Dr. Spivak seems to be a nice guy who is enthusiastic about his work. He's also one of the more experienced at lap band surgery. You go to one of his group meetings and he explains everything and answers questions. then you talk with people who have been banded while you wait to have your meeting with him, all during the same evening. He didn't seem hurried, and asked really probing questions that got me thinking, and answered my questions. All he needed from me was a copy of my old blood tests and a check for $15000.00, and we scheduled the procedure. The next, and only othe time I have seen him, was on operation day. He was reassuring, as was the staff at the Surgicenter. He also arranged for someone who also had Lupus, like I do, and was banded, to talk with me. Nice touch! Since then, I've only dealt with the Surgicenter staff. I think he and Speigel and some other Drs. own the Surgicenter, so the care remains overseen by him. I'm in no position to judge a surgeon, but he was helpful, informative, and his stats show very very few complications and no deaths.... I'm satisfied.

I know what you mean. I am so elated with my last fill that I now wish I hadn't waited the "recommended" 3 weeks.

Look at you! Down 40 pounds since November!!!!! Congrats.

Well, I had a wonderful time! But we need to get more men bandsters to come! A lone wolf needs a pack! Come join us for dinner Monday March 12th at 6:30 PM at Humble City Cafe.

The cause of my pain was my own stupidity, and not being aware enough of my owne ating to recognize it. In the morning I have alot of restriction. I had also been given Elk sausage with hot peppers in it. While I was still really restricted, I was fixing it in chili for that evening for my husband, and while fixing it I took a bite. It stuck, so I knew I was stupid...but I didn't realize the peppers were just sitting there frying my innerds while it was stuck. The pain in my back was referred pain and lasted a long time. A shot of milk to counteract the heat got me back to normal.

I love seasonings... I was in Thailand last year and picked up an incredible low fat Thai cookbook by Green. since I've been banded, I'm enjoying everything in it!

I loved going to the chirpractor after I had a lower back injury. Is there anything about an adjustment that I can't do with the band?

For what it's worth, I was told never to chew gum. If by mistake you swallow it, it's STUCK stuck!

I've been told never to drink my dear diet cokes again. that the carbonation could expand things too much and be painful. I'd just as soon give them up anyway since there's nothing healthy about them....but I was told never never.

For some reason, your band may be too restrictive..... or at least has become REALLY restrictive. Alot of people can't eat in the morning, and hot liquids are the only thing that works. Not surprising that chocolate goes down since it becomes liquified. I'm with Wheetsin....go back to liquids and mushies and start over. If you don't end up being able to eat half a chicen pice and some veges for dinner, ask your Dr. for suggestions.....

2 days ago I had pain in my right shoulder joint...then in the top of my right arm. This morning that's gone but I have sharp continuous pain in the middle of my upper back. Right in the middle at the spine. It doesn't hurt more or less if I eat...well, drink...it's morning. It doesn't hurt more or less if I move. It hurts to take a deep breath: I can take one, but it hurts. I can't figure out whether I'm having a heart attack, a band problem, or what!

I'm not a fan of sugar or sugar substitutes, except some Stevia now and then. I've really enjoyed homemade soups with meat and veges in then. I'm using up that Better than Boullion base that I had for right after surgery. How about cottage cheese with little bits of fruit in it. Grilled vegetables, sometimes not eating the skins if they bother you. Egg dishes. I haven't tried, but I was wondering about some of the frozen dinners that come out mushie and covered with sauces....I might try eating a quarter of one for a change of pace. I'm trying to stick with unprocessed stuff, but a change might be nice.....

Hey! I'm over 25% of the way to my goal weight!!!!! Will wonders never cease.

See you tonight!

Typical would be.... Protein drink AM 2 T of cottage cheese snack homemade chicken and vege Soup lunch 1/2 Protein Drink with crushed berries in it snack 1/2 chicken breast and fresh veges dinner

My Dr. said to eat a normal diet, BUT to eat the protein first, veges second, and then whatever else if there was a little room. That's been a comfortable arrangement for me.

This is my first week of feeling restriction, and boy has it changed what I eat! 6AM-8AM: Protein shake (muscle milk light and some pulverized berries), my pills and my vitamin. 10AM: 2 tablespoons of 2% cottage cheese noon: either 2 eggs scrambled or 2 eggbeaters scrambled or half a chicken breast as protein, and either grilled or raw or both vegetables 3PM Protein shake 6PM 4 oz fish with either veges or cottage cheese or yogurt. Or fish or chicken or turkey and vegetable home made soup.

I hope the shrines are a reminder to drive carefully.