This group is for weight loss support for lower bmi bandsters (of course anyone is welcome!).

For encouragement, tips, accountability.... Give stats, helpful advice, etc.

How much weight you have lost, how long it took. etc.

In some case I have found it takes a lower BMI patient a lot longer to lose the weight.

Introduce yourself and jump on in!!!:welcomeB: :welcome2:

Audree

Thanks so much for all the advice. You have more than answered my question. I will try to get the surgery moved up if possible. If not, I will schedule it the day after the play. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but we have had these tickets for over a month and paid over $200 for the seats. My DH and I are surprising our girls and taking them to the Wizard of OZ so I can't miss it.

Everyone seems to be doing a great job on their weight loss. How is everyone feeling. Is everyone happy that they got banded? I can't wait! I love seeing how much everyone has lost and can't wait to post as I move down the scale. Right now I'm 5'2 and 183. Ughhh!

Tulips, you sound like you're starting right where I was! I'm also 5'2"...so far, the weight is coming off and I'm loving it! Not yet 15 pounds gone, but I'm already feeling a big difference. I'm putting on pants and tops that I haven't been able to where in awhile and my rings are getting loose. This band will definitely help me keep the scale moving down!

Best of luck!

My name is Jeannie. I just got this thing done about 2 weeks ago and have had a lot of trouble with it. I'm here to find helpful suggestions and encouragement, 'cause I feel like I made a mistake at this point.

kland,

That is awesome! Congratulations on your quick weight loss! What is your goal weight? I don't even have one yet. The thinnest I've been in the last 15 years (I'm only 35) was my wedding day 10 years ago. I was 135. I was running 5 miles a day and eating very little. I must have gained 10 lbs on our honeymoon and have yo-yo'd from the 140s- 190s (usually around 175) for many years now. According to the bmi charts I should be around 120. I can't even imagine how I'd look. I'd love to find out though. So, how are you feeling? Have you been able to exercise yet? Since we are both starting from the same point, I'd love to hear more of journey!

Tulips

Jeannie, I'm so sorry you're having trouble. What problems are you experiencing? I'm sure there are many here that can help you find resolution to your issues.

Tulips, my goal is to get to 120 because it is right in the middle of the chart for a healthy BMI at my height. My doctor told me that I should try to get to 135. He said that 120 might be too thin for someone my age and that 135 might look better. I don't know, we'll see how I feel and how the weight loss goes as I get down the road. I'm 43 and know I would feel great at 135; heck, 150 would feel fantastic right about now. LOL

I haven't begun the exercise part of this journey just yet, but I bought an elliptical trainer today and hope to get it set up in the next couple of days. Going to the gym is just not my thing, so I'm hoping to get in some good cardio workouts on the elliptical. I also enjoy (well...enjoy is a pretty strong word...heehee) Pilates and have several DVD's that I can do here at the house. Pilates is very good for toning and it's a program that I can do.

I know how excited I was right before getting my band. I hope you have a great experience!

Kland,

I had my surgery in Mexico. The day after I came home I turned Septic and landed in the hospital for almost a week. Now I am still very sore. I have not figured out what to eat or what not to eat. I've lost 14 or so lbs. So this is encouraging. I'm very very sluggish and my port incision will still bleed if I exert myself too much. I haven't held my 5 year old since the surgery and she doesn't appreciate that too much. Am I supposed to feel this bad?

Where do I find out what my goal weight should be?

I am so sorry to hear about your experience. It doesn't sound like you got much information about how this process works and what you should eat etc. There is lots of great info out there on all of it. If I were you, I would go to a local Dr. that specializes in lapband and ask for help and guidance. As far as food choices go, if you go to iabsobesitysurgery.com and go to patient corner there is a diet guide explaining the different stages and what you should be eating when. I really hope you feel better soon! I'm sure there's lots of similar resources out there, this is from the doc I'm seeing. Good luck and keep us posted!

Oh gosh Jeannie, you've been through a major ordeal. It doesn't seem surprising to me that you would still be sore and needing to take it easy. Maybe your little one can be satisfied with mommy snuggles for just a little while longer while you continue to heal.

I don't know what your doctor told you to eat, but I was on liquids for two weeks and am now in the mushie stage with one more week to go. I will then go to regular foods. Liquids would probably be good for you right now, but I know it's harder to get your energy level up while on a liquid diet. Make sure your getting enough protein in at this point.

Way to go on the weight loss! I know it's got to be hard to really feel good about it right now, since it's not happening the way you thought it would, but hopefully you'll start feeling better very soon.

Google something like "BMI chart" to help you decide on a goal weight. A lot of people do mini goals and move on from there.

Have you found a good band doctor to take care of your needs?

I am glad to see you back, Audree.

Tulip, I never had any problems bouncing back from the surgery. I don't think you'll be miserable on the cruise, but you might be on a liquid diet. That would be hard because I have heard that on cruises, there is food everywhere. You don't want to cheat on that liquid diet because that's when your stomach needs to heal around the band. That prevents a slip later on down the road. People think the liquid phase if for weight loss

but it's not. It's for healing, and it's very important.

It is nice to be back!!! Nice to see you are here!!!

Hi Audree. I thought I would take a couple minutes of time today and go on this site, and here you are, AND YOU LOOK FANTASTIC. WOW! I am down 69 pounds now, so I am officially 1/2 way. I will email you a pic soon! Congrats!

I'm bummed. I had a surgery date of 7/17 and now it's going to have to be put off until August. I applied for healthcare financing through capital one. I got approved w/o a problem, but then my doc's office said that capitol one charges them 8.5% and they pass it on to the patient so it'd be another $1100 or so. My hubby said no. I don't blame him. In the next week or two we should be getting about $8500. We have another few thousand cash and I can charge the rest. My DH sees no reason to pay over $1100 in extra fees when we'll have the cash in the next week or so. Anyway, since we're going on a cruise Aug. 9th, I guess I'll just schedule it for when we get back.

Tulips,

EFinancing Solutions has a program that if you pay the amount in full within the 12 months after your surgery the interest is taken out of the total amount and you don't have to pay it. I think this is their number 800-728-9585 Robin Hastings was my loan officer and answered all the questions I had.

Kland,

Thanks sooo much for the support. I have not found a local doctor yet. I'm on new antibiotics now and they do seem to be helping. I appreciate your thoughts. I've not really told anyone here. So, I'm on my own.

J

Thanks so much for the info. I will give them a call first thing in the morning.

blugini -- Do they give the $ to you or the Dr? I wonder if they charge the Drs. for the service too. That was the problem with capital one. I got a good interest rate, but they were charging my doc 8.5% upfront. I will call my doc's office in the a.m. and see if there would be an additional charge with this company too. I hope not! Again, thanks for the info!