fefebutterfly

Thanks everybody for making me laugh and also know that I am not the only one who has food fantasies. This week I am missing Taco Bell, the Grilled stuft burrito. And from Moes Southwest Grill, the big bowl of nachos and cheese. But you know what, I dont feel compelled to cheat and sabatoge my weight loss. I made a decision and I am sticking to it! Happy Weight loss everyone. FeFe

Hello, I just love the Atkins Protein shakes. The flavor is amazing to me. They have 15 grams of protein and about 2 carbs and low calorie. The chocolate and strawberry are pretty good. FeFe

Hello Everyone, My name is FeFe and I went in for a Lap band and sleeve plication. My surgery date was on Monday April 11, 2011 at Rex Healthcare in Raleigh, North Carolina. I arrived at 8:00 am and my surgery was around 10:00am. My Doctor is Dr. P Enochs of Cary, NC and he came with lots of recomendations. I saw the doctor before surgery and after during recovery. I found out that he had to repair a hernia while in surgery. I had to stay overnight and the (Tuesday) next day I had to have an upper GI to see how I swallow. Well that didn't go so well because I couldn't even swallow a sip of Water. I had to do another xray the (wednesday) next day and they found that I had so much inflammation that the band was constricting my stomach opening. At that point I was second guessing what I got myself into because it was so much pain, nausea, vomiting and weakness. Then they want to to walk so much, I understand why but when you feel crappy you are not in the mood for excercise. So after three days of agony and dismay the doctor came in on Thursday morning to take out the saline solution out of my band. Finding the port was extremely hard because I had lots of swelling, and it was painful. The nurses comforted me by asking me to envision a calm place and they held my hand and were so understanding. Thursday they loaded me up on anti nausea meds, and anti inflammatory meds. After about 2 hours my lunch came for the first time that week I was able to take a sip of water and a taste of broth. I did so well that the doctor released me and I was able to go home on Thursday evening. For the next couple nights after that I had some issues with nausea and vomiting. I would wake out of my sleep coughing, which would turn into vomited. Sunday night I finally had some relief. Today I tried some tomato Soup and It was so goooood. I am now happy and I am ready to taste my first morsel of pureed food in about a week. Already losing weight. Since the pre op diet I have lost 11 pounds that I know of. Love FEFEButterfly

Hello Everyone, I am so excited about getting the Lapband on next Monday! I am getting a procedure called Gastric sleeve Plication along with the Lapband. I was wondering has anyone had that procedure or know anyone that has? I would like to know the type of results that you got from it? The doctor said it would be good for someone like me who needs to lose over 100 pounds without actually cutting or removing any of the stomach. Since this procedure is in the experimental stages there is not a lot of concrete research like the other more popular wls. -FeFe

Hello my fellow Bandmates, I am so excited, nervous and slightly apprehensive at this time because this is a new chapter that is about to begin in my life. I have never taken a risk my whole life that would essentially change me from the inside out. I am excited because finally I get the chance to become healthy while losing weight. I am nervous because I am scared of surgery in general and the risk associated with it. I also feel a little apprehensive because this is a significant life change and I wonder will I be successful. I went to a support group last week and many said that this is hard work, but they all felt motivated to get healthy. It also encouraged me because I know that I can do it now and that everyones weight loss is different. Dr. Enochs wants to do a Gastric Plication in combination with the LapBand which means to fold the stomach in on itself and stitch it up. Gastric Plication (LGP) as a bariatric procedure. It promises to be a method that gives weight loss results as good as sleeve gastrectomy without the risks associated with that procedure. He says that I would require a liver reduction diet two weeks prior to surgery and he wont know until he opens me whether or not he can do it. This is basically an experimental procedure that is supposed to increase weight loss so I hope it works for me. Im just asking for your prayers and advice that may help me right after I am banded. Your comments will be appreciated. Thanks-FeFeButterfly <BR class=spacer_>

Hi Annette, I am so nervous about the hospital stay also because the Dr says I will have to stay overnight. And yes I guess it is normal. So good luck on your surgery. I can't wait for mine. Just want to get it over with. Thanks FeFe

Hi, The best bras are definitley on Lanebryant.com. They have a brand called CACIQUE BRAS that are just perfect for big girls. I like the wireless minimizer that helps keep them in and give your comfort. -FeFeButterfly

Hi there, I am also getting the lapband on April 13!!! I was surprised how fast the process was because I went to my first appointment was Jan 25 and all preops in February and then Scheduled For april. Lucky for you, you dont have to do a liver reduction diet which is only Protein shakes and liquids. So good luck to you! FeFeButterfly

Hi, I am getting banded on April 13 and it getting a little nerve wrecking. I have recently went to a WLS support group in my area and it has helped me to become more comfortable talking to people who have been through it. Their advice to me is follow a diet and do any type of exercise that you can. Some people go to the Gym, walk, and even use exercise DVD's to stay active. Also stay on a diet plan. I feel it helps to talk to those who are going through the same things, thats why I love this website.Good Luck to you and Best wishes. -FeFeButterfly

Hello, I have insurance but I still got the bill that gave the total paid by the insurance company. In addition to bloodwork there is Radiology, Cardiovascular testing, sleep study, Nutritionist, and psychological consult. I only had to pay out of pocket the co pay, but total cost was approximatley $3500.00 here in North Carolina. I hope this helps. I still got a couple pre op visits before my surgery so it may be close to $4000 or more. _FeFeButterfly

Yahooooo!!! I am so excited that I got the call from the Doctors office on Monday. I am approved to get the LAPBAND surgery from now until june 3. Yay. I now have to make an appointment for my results visit so that I can schedule my surgery. I believe thats all I have to do next. I am so thankful that my prayers were answered. I am hopeful that I can get my surgery sometime in April because I just want to get it over with. I am nervous and trembling but I know that this is gonna be a step toward a better me. I have learned so much over the last couple months and I am ready to turn my life around by learning to eat well and exercise. I need to lose a lot of weight and the lap band is gonna help me out. I have insulin resistance and PCOS so it has been extremely hard to get the weight off. Actually I have gained over 50 pounds over the last two years so I am at my wits end with this weight. I am 27 years old but my body feels like I am elderly, everything hurts! I want to wear my Heels again!! But any way, I am so ready to lose weight and see how I really look underneath. FeFe

I wish you much Success on your lapband journey and that everything will go well with you tomorrow. FeFe

Hi Jennifer, I am also insulin resistant and I have PCOS. Wow what a hand we were dealt. When I was first diagnosed about 3 years ago I started out on Metformin. It made me sick as a dog and I just couldn't continue taking it. But while I was on it, I lost a few pounds but only because I was sick from it ( I will spare the gruesome details). Now I am on ACTOS, which is great. But with Insulin resistance/PCOS it is extremly hard to loose weight because you will have to work at it 3x as hard. I hope that you have success in your weight. FeFe

Hello everyone. I am so excited to find a website with others that have one common interest as I do. I am still in the Pre-Op stages of my lapband journey and I am still waiting to hear from my doctors office whether or not I am approved. After researching for a year, I finally made my first appointment in January with my surgeon. To me this is such a scary process even though I know that this device is gonna help me toward a more fullfilling life. I have a lot of weight to lose and some have told me that lapband is not the one I need, but I just need something to help me lose weight not do it for me totally. So this is me: Age 27 Weight 350 Goal 150 Surgeon Dr. Paul Enochs (Bariatic Specialist of North Carolina in Cary, NC) Nice to meet you all, FeFe

I believe that we all will go through the greiving stages of losing out on our favorite foods because we have this close relationship with it. We Celebrate with it, take out our frustrations on it, and reward ourselves with food, so it is gonna be hard. All I can say is just keep your focus on your goal. I know that we both can do it! I am still in the pre op stages still waiting for approval. But my favorite thing to eat is a nice juicy ribeye. It is terrifying to me that I will be deprived from the things I love the most. I guess one thing that we have to realize is that not everything we love is the best for us. I just ordered a Bariatic Cookbook from amazon.com that has some fabulous recipes that takes a different approach to making those favorites that we love. TITLE: Eating well after weightloss surgery: Over 140 delicious low fat- high Protein AUTHOR: Patt Levine ~FefeButterfly

That is so WONDERFUL!!! I can't wait to hear whether or not I have been approved. I have been wringing my hands in anticipation. I know you must feel like you are on top of the world right now. I hope you have much success with your band!!! FeFeButterfly

Hi 'Lady, Right now I don't have any meal ideas. I am still in the pre op stages and I just ordered this cook book from amazon.com. It gives you recipes for each week during your weight loss journey. At least from the pictures it looks delicious.I hope this can help you. TITLE: Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery: Over 140 Delicious Low-Fat High-Protein AUTHOR: Patt Levine. -FeFeButterfly

Hello everyone, It is good to find a site where there are so many people that have a common interest. My weight is a sore subject and my husband just found out my TRUE weight while visiting the Doctor a couple weeks ago.I am still in the Pre-Op stages and I have no idea whether or not I am approved or when my surgery is. I am so excited about this journey that I am about to travel. I am tired of being TIRED Literally. It is time for a change in my life and for me to reclaim my youth! All of the stories I have read are so inspiring to me and I thank everyone for sharing. I have alot of weight to lose in order to reach my goal so I just need LapBand to give my some help in that area.My Dr seems to be so knowledgable and patient so I felt so comfortable when we met. So here it is: Current Weight: 351 pounds Target Weight Goal:150 pounds BMI over 50 Age 27 Surgeon: Dr. Paul Enochs Cary Bariatric Center in Cary, North Carolina -FeFe

I just love your User name! I feel the same way. It took me one year just to make an appointment. I am now waiting for an approval and excited to gettin this fat off. I just need a little help and I believe the lap band is gonna give me that extra push. Just make an appointment, go to a few of the support group meetings and do your research. Then the right decision will come to you. Good Luck! FeFe

Chavawava, Do you think that you may need another fill which can give you more restraint on the amount of food you are eating? Or have you been following through with an diet and exercise regimen. Maybe you should make another appointment with your nutritionist in order to re evaluate your progress. Hope this helps. FEFEButterfly

Well I too am in the pre-op stages and awaiting approval from BCBSNC so I understand what you are going through. I have had people to tell me that I will not be able to lose enough weight with LapBand. But with the exersize I believe that we could do it. Why put your body through the other if you are not absolutley sure. Just do some more research and see if that is something that you would be comfortable with. fefe