FLORIDAYS

Thats cheaper than being a self pay!

It took me until day 4 until the headache went away. It gets better but the preop liquid diet is the worst... Depending on your Dr you will need to be prepared for 2-3 weeks of liquid on the other side as well. But when its all over....you will have lost weight, learned that food is just fuel and I bet you will applaud yourself for achieving this goal. Best of luck.

I cannot help you with the insurance questions as mine wasnt covered even tho I had 217 lbs to lose.... but this statement puzzles me. If you lose weight and they dont approve... how is that waiting around for nothing? Any weight loss is wonderful!! Good luck as you get the answers you need.

I told my husband.... he told everyone else... but I came to embrace it. The support I received was overwhelming. And it kept me honest.... no answering about why I gave up diet coke.. or why I was eating 2/3 of my dinner while out with friends. I was so excited about it I wanted to share with others. Fast forward.... just a few pounds from goal I'd like to get paid for the amount of people I have told. But I am not an actress or sports start so I guess LapBand doesnt need my 2 cents! LOL

when i was activly losing I ate 1000 calories and tracked and counted everything that went into my mouth. Now being close to goal I pretty much eyeball it but if I need to I use it to look up the calorie content of something I am unsure of.

Hopefully you get some nice things but have you tried going to goodwill or other second hand stores? I am not a snob... I have donated all my fat clothes to them for years... but it never occured to me to check them out until a few months ago when the 12/14s got too big and I needed 8/10s and I was in there looking at books (all paperbacks are $1). I have to dress professionally at work and I found oodles of blazers and skirts for pennies. the green jacket in my ticker pic is size 8... Evan Picone.. tags were still on it and I bought it for $6.97! Today I have a on a pair of Talbots pants which had the dry cleaning tags on them... $4! I matched it with an Ann Taylor blazer ..tags on ($198)... got for $5!!! You have to be picky and 99% of the stuff I wouldnt use... but its fun finding a needle in a haystack! I recently went to the Caribbean and purchased almost everything I took with me for less than $75! Everything I got is a designer name and night after night I got compliments on my outfits. I will draw the line at bathing suits and underwear.... I dont need anyone's hand me downs there...but with all the deals I got I didnt mind shelling out the money for that!

Sure I am guessing alot of us understand the way you are feeling. But its what you signed up for. I know I would have to be on liquids for 4 weeks (2 pre op and 2 post op) and then move to mushies for a week. I didnt like it but its what had to be done for a successful surgery and the proper healing of my band. Its mind over matter... it wont last forever. I know that sounds like I am being uncompassionate but its the truth. You CAN get through this and when its over you should have a nice loss to kick start your journey and you body will have the time to heal that it needs. I dont know what stage you are in but if your are on Clear Liquids... lots of chicken broth (sodium free) will help as do sugar free popsicles. Best of luck!

My dr had me on fiber until I was able to eat solids...you should ask yours. Good luck

My Aetna insirance didnt cover the surgery or follow up. As a self pay my fills were free for the first 3 months. Then they were $50 each. The Dr did go up in Sept to $100... but I dont need them very much now so its not going to hurt.

I am coming late to this thread.... darn vacation.... Reading it... I am trying to figure out the point.... I have been banded almost 23 months. My Dr who has performed over 700 band operations told me it was rare to have problems with the band if I took care of it. SO.... I stopped drinking carbonation.... I dont eat fried food, fast food unless it involves grilled chicken or junk food, I dont have issues with guilt or self worth or body image (except I still see myself as bigger than I am but I believe that's normal early on) , I dont feel sorry for myself for having to resort to surgery and oh by the way I am 2 lbs from goal and 12 pounds from my revised goal. I follow my Dr's orders, take my Vitamins and drink few empty calories. I need to improve on the amount of exercise I get but other than that I think I am a model bandster. From what I am reading in this thread ...the odds are at year 6 I am going to have my band removed because of complications... gain the weight back or have health issues... I am here to say... I disagree based on my research, my Dr's opinion and my overall care and feeding of my band. I beleive it puts me in a low percentile of having any of those problems. Just needed to add my opinion ...carry on.

Fall in Florida means less humidity and cooler temps.... Usually a perfect time of year here.

Do not worry about offending anyone... If you prefer your dr do the fills then tell the receptionist when you make the appointment that you want to make sure the dr is available to do the fill.

Sorry dont know of such a thing but why not get your protein from food? My dr doesn't advocate protein shakes or supplements excet pre and 2 weeks post op.

I am not sure how to help you but as a self pay it was a short time from the initial consult to surgery. About 6 weeks. It took 2 weeks to set up and go to the psych eval and dietician. Then it took a few days to schedule surgery and then of course the 2 wk pre op diet.... The band isn't a quick fix, fad diet or gimmick. It's a life style change and you must be dedicated to success and committed to doing everything it takes to get there... Best of luck as you consider your options

I started out the same way... Then I told a few close friends and mu hubby told evryone else and all of a sudden everyone knew. Actually I found it to be a great source of motivation for me... Every time I would run into someone they would make a huge deal of my loss and I received so much praise it was very inspirational. But do what is right for you... It's your choice. I just wanted to share a different viewpoint

The weight didn't go on in a day or a month and taking 20 lbs off in 30 days is quite and achievement. Why not set little goals for yourself... I made mine in ten pound increments because to think of losing 217 lbs was too overwhelming. All but 2 months i beat or exceeded my goal. And the 2 times i didnt average ten lbs in a month i ended up making it up the next month. So now here I am... 2 lbs from goal and 23 months later.... And I decided to go another ten lbs to 150. Go figure!! Best of luck to you

You have done amazing.... It's taken me almost 2 years to lose 215 lbs and I too worry when I get to goal in a month or so that I will gain it all back. But I comfort myself knowing that the band will work for me if I listen to it. this hasn't been like every other diet I have been on. No fad foods, no pills, no gimmicks....just healthy eating, calorie counting and portion control. I believe I can do this for the rest of my life.

Best of luck! Congratulations on your decision to change your life

I think I am the last hold out to join Facebook so I don't know what I am missing but I think the draw to LBT is that getting banded is the single most important thing I have done for myself other then getting my education and it's fun to read about like minded people and get tips, tricks, advice and support from people who share this journey.

I just returned from a week in the Caribbean.... I have lost 215 lbs and I am clocking in at 162. I wear a 8/10 or medium on the bottom and 6/8 or small on top. I am 5'9"'and I felt like the largest girl on the beach. Now I know deep down I wasn't and I could easily identify heavier people than me but still I would look at someone and say to hubby...gee I want to be her size and he would say... You are!!! I don't know when that stops.... If anyone has the secret... I am all ears. PS I lost 3 lbs on vacay!

It was 50 in Tampa this morning.... Brrr but at least it shouldnt hang around too long.... Back to high 70s low 80s this weekend I think.

me too... and I am almost 2 years out and have been very successful.,... but I have played by the rules, counted every calorie that went in my mouth and never missed a monthly Dr appointment. I am on the administrative side of the medical professionan and I did lots of research on the internet as well talking with people in the know and I was told over and over...medically there are less problems with the long term results of the band. As for its effectivness... thats really up to the individual. I have a gal in my office who was banded 2 weeks after me. She lost 70 lbs the first year and put back 30 becasue she stopped going to the Dr, ignored that she needed fills and basically quit her dieting. And it is dieting in my opinion. Until you get to the point of maintainence... then the band can really shine! Best of luck in your decision.

The first month until I was on solids I used a single serving packet of a fiber supplement 2x each day mixed in diet hot cocoa, tea or even water. You cannot taste it, smell it or even know its there. It kept me quite regular.

It was about 2 weeks before I felt like normal. Its gets better I promise! Good luck

I am not in KY but have you contacted your Dr? Most have monthly support groups which can be of great benefit if you are struggling. Beat of luck