brbm6

Whoop, Whoop!!! Isn't it wonderful to see the scale go down and not up? I have always lost (or stalled for a few days but never gained). Just follow your surgeons orders. Congratulations!

Hi! I am from Texas also. I was banded April 5th, 2011. It has been the best choice I have made in a long time. This summer I feel the heat is actually manageable. Last summer, I think I melted. Your fear is normal. This is such a great tool. You will love it!

Count every calorie that enters your mouth. I use myfitnesspal.com. I know there are several other sites. That is the only way I can keep myself accountable. That way if I want the cookie, I know how many calories I have left for that day.

Special K has a protein packet you can mix with water too! I forgot about that! And I think it has a color to it.

Pre-op is the hardest part. Being on liquids is brutal. It will totally change after you are banded. Hang in there...it really does get better! But, I agree take out the temtations!

Crystal Light has a hunger satisfaction in Strawberry Banana. It has some protein in it to keep you full (not much, but some). You could smuggle a few of those in and mix them with bottled water.

I was under the assumption that Nutri System put you on a 1200 a day calorie diet. That is not too much and you would get the structure of knowing the exact calorie counts. Everyone is different in how much they can eat after the band. I honestly would have starved on Nutri System before band and now I know I could stay within their calorie count. You have to do what is best for you not for anyone else. Just my opinion. Hang in there!

Not that all surgery centers are bad....but, when I went to a large surgery center in Ft. Worth for a consult I was told they would bill my insurance 60.000 for Lap-Band and I would have to pay my 20% of that plus testing (so about 20,000). Or....I could self pay for 9,900! What the heck? I got the feeling they were very greedy. I used a hospital and well know surgeon instead and paid about 1,200 after insurance. I am sure not all surgery centers are the same but I got the feeling I was just a dollar sign to them.

Swimsuit shopping stinks!!! I think they size them wrong...(at least that is what I tell myself!)

I have had the same experience with my husband's family being non-supportive. I really think it is the fear of the unknown. They have heard a lot of bad things about bypass but not much about Lap-Band. Also, my husbands family is very heavy and I think the negative comments are really about their insecurities. Hang in there. You did this for your health not theirs!

Congratulations! What an great feeling. I can't wait to join in your "club" one day! Keep up the hard work.

I know several people who have had the hernia repaired during Lap-Band surgery. Is that an option? I think insurance does cover it. I know here in Texas at the surgery centers it is actually cheaper to get Lap-Band while they repair the hernia.

Find a Bariatric surgeon and let the insurance claim rep. in their office be your advocate. I was denied the first time and when the woman who files the claims got involved they automatically began working towards my approval. I think sometimes it is easier for insurance to deny at first and assume we will give up. Hang in there, get all the records from the foot doctor and tell your primary care doc that you are not happy with his remarks. Obviously if it were easy for us to deal with our food issues we would all be at a normal weight. Your primary doc should be ashamed of himself! I would think he would see it as medically necessary....especially given your family history.

Before the band I was a Diet Coke junkie. So, it is better for me to just stay away from sodas PERIOD. I drink Crystal Light some but I have learned to love water. My doctor does say NO carbonation but for me it is more about self control. If I had one Diet Coke it would surely lead to another!

I say Gulp Away!!!! Water is so good for you! Plus liquids do go right through the band don't they?

I can not eat chicken either....and my surgeon said this is not unusual. I can eat seafood, ground turkey and small amounts of beef or pork (very lean). I do not need an unfill, in fact I have only had 2 small fills. I too love ice cream but know I have to stay away from it to loose. So much of weight loss is in your mind....it is a long journey! Take it one day at a time. Congratulate yourself on the days without ice cream or maybe set aside one day every few weeks for your ice cream treat. I don't know if that would work for you but if so it is worth a try. Hang in there!

Your apprehension is normal. You will find a new normal in the way you eat. Now I can not imagine eating the large portions that I once did. And prat72 is correct..."nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!"

My husband and I are both recently banded. We have pretty much told everyone! He posts on FB a lot while I started a blog. I haven't had any really rude comments yet but I wouldn't listen anyway. The band was my choice. I want everyone to know this is still a long journey...I have to watch what I eat and excersise every day. I think a lot of people mistake banding for bypass. This whole banding experience has brought my husband and I closer. Good luck with your journey!

Rude and sarcastic....yes! She obviously is jealous or is not informed about the band. You made a good choice for you....that is all you need to think about. Sometimes it is so hard when we are doing so well to take the negative comments.

I did it while pregnant and then again after a major surgery. I loved it! I got to the point that I wanted more of a workout so I hired a trainer (this was all pre-band). I have been thinking of signing up again. You will love the little old ladies...they are fun! They will think you are young and wonderful! Have a great time.

I try to avoid fast food as I too feel it was my downfall! But, I love Starbucks skinny hazelnut lattes with a scoop of protein powder added. My band is tight in the morning and this gets me my protein rather than having a shake.

I was told by my surgeon to never chew gum. It can clog the hole that leads to your pouch if swallowed. I now use sugar free mints.

Completely normal! I think I was sore for about 2-3 weeks.

Becca~my husband went to Bosnia and when he came back I was around 50 lbs. lighter (of course, I regained it...it was pre-band!) but, it was a wonderful experience. Your hubby will not care about your excess skin. He will be thrilled to have a wife there and a healthy one at that. He won't be able to keep his hands off you! As for the meat and potatoes....I think that fear is completely normal. I would be scared of that diet too! Maybe he will be so glad to be home he will change the way he eats too. Maybe give him a once a week "special" dinner. Congrats on his happy return.

That happened to me on my first fill but it was because i was swollen after the fill. It went down after a few days but I had to take small bites and swallows of liquid and be very mindful of sizes of bites. I am fine now. I was not used to any restriction!