Bklynike

I wasn't going to tell my co-workers but them I got breast cancer. I figured if I started to lose weight, they would assume it was the cancer and I was not doing well. So I told them and they were extremely supportive. Now, I will tell anyone who will listen to me. I am very proud of what I am doing - the band is a tool, but I am doing all of the work. Watching my food intake, exercising, drinking my water, attending group and blogging. My insurance company would not pay for any of it. I am hoping that perhaps enough people will see how well I am doing and will encourage their friends and family. Perhaps one day the insurance company will realize how this surgery can save people's lives and help those who want to be banded after me.

You had enough saline in your band that he was able to remove 2cc? That is remarkable. My doctor puts almost nothing in the band when first attached. My first fill will be next week, and he will add 2cc at that time. I may postpone another week because I am not sure if I need a fill right now - I am 3 weeks post. I am glad you are feeling better. You will wean yourself off the meds, just take it one day at a time. Good luck.

OMG, what a difference. You have got to be so proud of yourself - I know we are proud of you. Keep it up girl, you are looking hot!

You go girl! I am glad you are taking this journey with us. It isn't easy or the "easy way out", but you will succeed. Just remember to walk, walk, walk.

I couldn't have been happier to hear my doctor's excitement as she read my blood test results. My A1C came way down, which is so great. She cut my cholesterol medication in half and said when I go back in 3 months she will probably be able to take me completely off it, as well as my diabetic medication. She is going to test my blood again in 3 months, including my thyroid, to see if I can stop that med, as well. The blood pressure medication will probably be the last one to be removed, but she said it will not be necessary any longer if I keep losing and exercising. I have my first fill scheduled for next week, but I am not sure right now if I will need it yet. My surgeon said if I don't feel that it is necessary, wait one more week. Sometimes I think I do need it, but I think I will wait until Monday to make my decision. I am not over eating or eating anything that I have been told not to eat. I've been losing about 5lbs a week. Last night I had 1/2 a hamburger, no bun, with mozzarella cheese and some broccoli and was very content. When served, I immediately cut the burger and veggie in half and put it in a to-go box. Today's lunch was last night's leftover. Eating this way is certainly less expensive. I am truly happier than I have been in years. I know I have written this statement before, but it is true, and I want everyone to know it. I will lose the weight this time, I will get off my medications, I will hit the gym and build muscle instead of fat, I will ward off getting cancer again. I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR! (Thanks Helen)

This is a great start. Talk to everyone you can who has had the surgery. I am 3 weeks out and it was the best thing I could have done for myself. This is a great website. Everyone is encouraging and helpful and it feels like family. Good luck and let us know how it went.

YOU GO GIRL! That is great. We all deserve a good fitting jean, but the only way to get a pair is to be down to an 18 or 16. Otherwise they make us look even heavier than we are. Keep up the good work. I hope to join you there soon.

Welcome, Newbie. It is great to have you join us. This is a great site for those of us who have had or are going to have Lap-Band surgery because we are all experiencing the same thing. My advise is to start working out. If you don't have a gym membership, get one. If you can't afford one, start walking. The more you exercise before the surgery the easier the recovery will be. I started working out 2 months before my surgery about 3 days a week. I was operated on Monday, 6/21. By Wed I was feeling no paid or swelling and getting around just fine. The first 2 days I was sore getting up from a seated position, but that was it. I feel great and people say I look great. Since my surgery I have lost 17.6 lbs. Best of luck and keep checking in.

Your mom will come around and she will be so happy when it is done. I think maybe she is just afraid for you to have surgery, any kind of surgery. But as you start getting smaller and feeling better, she will be thrilled. As Finallyncontrol said, you have friends here. We are all going through the same journey - trying to lose the weight, get healthier so we can live longer. Anytime you need to talk about it, talk here. We love reading eachother's adventures, ideas and suggestions. Join us and become a bandster. Believe me, you'll love it. (Banded 6/21/10)

I am really looking forward to my visit tomorrow with my primary dr. I am excited to see how my blood work turned out. I will find out if I can eliminate or cut back on some of my meds. Being diabetic, luckily Type 2 and on oral medication, since the surgery I have been able to cut my Metform down from 500mg twice a day to 250mg twice a day. I was also told to cut my high blood pressure from 180 twice a day to 120 twice a day. Nothing was said about cutting out or lowering my cholesterol medication yet. I know my thyroid meds will not be stopped and I will be on the hormone therapy for my breast cancer the next 5-10 years, so I am not really concerned about them. If I had gastric by-pass I would have stopped the diabetic meds the day of surgery. It doesn't work the same way with lap-band. I just hope my numbers are good enough to cut it out. But I know in my heart, that if this isn't the visit where they say I can stop these medications, it will come one day. I feel good, am losing weight and exercising - hopefully I won't need the meds. The hubs is now back from his "Horror Convention" in Indi and he had a blast. I am glad he is back - I really missed him. So, I am going to go watch Next Comic Standing and have a good laugh. I hope you all enjoy your evening. By the way, please keep good thoughts for tomorrow and wish me luck.:rolleyes2:

OMG, how disgusting. I have now sent the link to every person I know, especially those with kids. What ever it takes to stay on track, right? lol Thanks for sharing.

Keep up the great work. I tried the elliptical and could only do a few minutes - it is hard on the knees. But I will get back on the "horse" and keep trying.

Hi, Blondi: What great news. Diabetes is a very scary disease. It is actually the reason I had the lap-band to begin with. The night before my surgery I was told to take 1/2 of my metformin. Usually I take 500mg 2x a day. After the surgery I was told to remain on 250 mgs 2x a day, which is great. Last week I went for my blood work and on Tues I will see my primary. I am hoping she says I don't need the medication any longer, but we will see. Keep on track and best of luck to you.

I had the most wonderful dinner tonight, so I thought I would pass along the recipe. This comes directly from my nutritionist. If you like crab, shrimp or scallops, this one is for you. This recipe makes 2 servings - I can't wait until tomorrow night to have the remaining half. 1/2lb crab - I substituted shrimp 1/2lb scallops 2T Smart Balance spread 1/2c 1% milk 3T Parmesian Cheese 1/2c Park skim mozzarella cheese, shredded Saute seafood in the Smart Balance over medium high heat until mostly cooked. Add milk and salt/pepper to taste. (I added some garlic powder and parsley flakes.) Lower heat to medium. Add most of the mozzarella and stil until thickens. Pour mixture into a casserole dish and add teh rest of the mozzarella. Broil until brown and bubbling. This would be great over pasta, but of course we can't have pasta. This portion was more than enough for a meal and so tasty. Enjoy!:rolleyes2:

How wonderful that you and your husband are doing this together. It will certainly make your journey more fun - having your best friend do it with you. I found the Swanson's chicken broth in the pour box, not can, was really good. I also found the Campbells cream of chicken, cream of mushroom and cream of broccoli were very good. I added water, no milk. Don't forget to pick up some sugar free Jello and especially sugar free ice pops. They were very helpful to me when I was on the liquids and still hungry. I truly believe the fact that I started at the gym prior to the surgery that I was able to get up and start moving the day of surgery. If you don't have a gym membership, go out and walk and take deep breathes. Your appointment on the 12th, is that to schedule the surgery? It will be the best present you guys can give yourselves.

Isn't it funny how quickly you recover from this surgery? Keep up your great weight loss. Don't be afraid of eating, you have to start somewhere. Just listen to your body and stop eating when you feel comfortable. I find putting my fork down between bites helps. My biggest problem is the 64 oz of fluid. But that will become a habit too. Enjoy your journey.

Thank you guys. I will try to figure it out. Any help will be great. Have a great weekend.

OK, I created a ticker, like all of you have on your page. How do I attach it to my blogs? Do I have to go back to the TickerFactory each day and copy and paste? I know one of my bandster friends will teach this old dog a new trick. Thanks.

Since I am in Florida, I can't help you with your doctor. But, I do wish you the best of luck. The lap-band is a great gift and you will be so happy you did it. Good luck.

Hi, Shelyshely and welcome to our little bandster group. We are all thrilled to have you here. Journaling is very important to track your feelings, etc as you take this journey. I don't enjoy wriitng in a book - I forget and go days without writing. So, I find blogging is the perfect way for me to journal. On this site you will find many, many wonderful people - all on the same journey you are on. Ask questions if you have them and you will actually get some great responses. As Debra G said, looking forward to more blogs from you. I LOVE MY LAP BAND and so will you.

We can all do it alone, but isn't it great we have fellow bandsters to do it with? I wish we were all in the same city so we could storm the gym together. Wouldn't that be a site? Keep up the good work and I'm glad you got to sleep in today.

How great is that? Pretty soon you will be writing that size 16 is getting a wee bit big. Keep up the good work, we are all pulling for you.

These are very helpful hints. You are very lucky to have your husband going this journey with you. My husband is also taking the journey with me, but he is not getting the band. He feels he can lose it on his own through diet and exercise, which would be great. My insurance would not pay for any portion of the surgery, but if within the next 3 months he finds he can't, we'll speak with my surgeon again. Good luck to you both.

I am so happy for you Cris. Keep up the good work. Thumbs up to your dad - that was great. Perhaps it was not what you ate that got stuck, but maybe you didn't chew well enough? I haven't had that happen to me and I hope it never does, it sounds horrible. I hope you never have that happen again. Have a great weekend.

You say in your profile that you had your surgery at 17 and that you had been overweight since you were 4. Did you enjoy being overweight? I know you took a long time to decide to have the surgery. Were you excited when you first had it done? Do you have friends or family members who are overweight? I am 56 years old and have been overweight for over 22 years. When you get older it is awful - getting up and down, tying your shoes, mediation...and so much more. You had a gift - take it and run with it.