MeredithMcFee

Wondering if anyone in NJ who is covered under Obamacare has had bariatric surgery such as the sleeve, lapband, etc?

Thank you for clarifying that for me Angelstwo. I'm in the process of checking out insurance's as I lost my job and will lose my health ins within 2 weeks.

Just my luck! Oh well!

Angelstwo, thank you for your reply. I greatly appreciate that.

Thank you all for your input here. I've decided to do a process of elimination by eliminating the flavored Water to see if per chance it's aggravating my esophagus and letting it calm down for now. I'll give it some time and see if there is any change. If not, I think it's time to say good-bye to the band.

Just wondering if anyone has any issues with drinking flavored Water and their band, reflux, etc. It's a shot in the dark, but the first 10 months after having my lapband, losing almost all my weight of 75 lbs, doing and feeling well. Hurricane Sandy hit our home, we moved to an apartment for almost a year and my total routine was upset. I started having problems with my band. Over the passed 2 years, I've had fills removed, refilled and removed again. Either way, I could go for weeks, even months doing ok and then out of no where, I couldn't keep food down, would have to start to throw it up. The only food I could eat was junk food. Recently, I've been having very bad indestion, heartburn although I take dexilant daily. a year ago in March, I had a barium swallow which showed the band in place with no problems. A few weeks ago, again, out of no where, I couldn't keep my food down, it got stuck and again, I had to dump the food out. Made an appt with my Dr who took out all the Fluid out of the band and planned on another barium swallow a week later. Even without any fluid, I had an awful time with eating and holding things down. I had the barium swallow showing the band is totally in place, as well as no hiatal hernia seen. This time around, the Dr noticed the liquid sitting in the esophagus for a little bit and then slowly drained down into my stomach. He didn't think much of it, although he suggested if it continued, I could have the band taken out or try the sleeve. Unfortunately, we've changed insurance companies since having the band and my employer doesn't cover bariatric surgery. Now, I've been trying to figure out what I've been doing or not doing that has effected this issue over time. I just realized that we've been drinking a fruit flavored enhanced bottled water the past few years. There's not much fruit in it but it does have some flavor. I've noticed when I drink this as opposed to drinking spring water, I do have a problem after swallowing the flavored water as it seems to sit in my esophagus before it takes time draining. SO, after all this, I'm wondering if anyone else has had problems after drinking fruit flavored water, and keeping food down.

Wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I had my lapband surgery 2 yrs ago Jan. Lost 60lbs of my 75 pound goal when Sandy hit the Jersey shore and our home. Up until then, I ate and drank right, and exercised 2-3 times a week. Never had an issue with my band, went for fills accordingly. After we were displaced for 10 mths, my mind and my routine went down the drain for the most part. Ate poorly, lack of Water,didn't exercise at all, and found I started having issues every few months with my band tightening up out of no where even when I was eating well. I would go back and get a little out, would do fine, and then weeks later again, back and forth. The doctor didn't seem to have an answer but my thoughts were due to stress and my body. We are back in our home for the last 7 mths and have been busy getting it up and running I still have yet to wrap my mind around getting back on the wagon with eating and exercising. {have gained back 20lbs and lots of inches}. I had a fill about a month ago {approx at 5cc's altogether} and have done fine until this week. Now, my thoughts are.... besides not eating the right foods at times, can the issue with my band partially be due to lack of working out, movements, etc as I have a sedendary job and am exhausted when I come home and basically couch it for the night. It sort of makes sense to me but wondering if anyone else has this problem.

I loved Ilene's post, her ups & downs with health issues, life issues and issues in general. I am her, but in NJ. I am back after a year of issue's and basically starting all over after losing 60lbs post lapband surgery 2 year's this month.ng Depending on the snowstorm we're supposed to be hit with sometime tomorrow afternoon the NE, I have an appt with my doctor for another fill after being filled,{for a good 2 mths eating everything in site} unfilled, filled and unfilled a good 4 times in 2013. Down to approx 2cc's in a 10 cc band. First year, no problems at all until we were hit with Sandy and all the stress that went along with it the last 14 months. My feeling, although no one seems to have an answer medically or wishes to answer the reason why all of a sudden this occurred, I think it's due to the unnormal stress going on in my internally. Finally back to normal with everyday normal stresses that I refer to as life, I am starting over, signing back on Bariatric Pal, getting reacquainted on new improved website, FitnessPal, recording my eating, thoughts and warming up my treadmill, getting my Leslie Sansone videos dusted off, No more excuses. I've come too far, bought smaller clothes I no longer can get into, feeling like I did before Lapband and 2 years older. I've put 20lbs out of the 60lbs I lost and if I keep on this track, I will regain it all and then some. I am not going to allow it. Once I get weighed in tomorrow night, get my fill, and start over, I will modify my signature here, learn all the bariatric terms and look in daily for support from all of you out there in the fight to be more healthy again. Thank you for all your support.

Hey Lady Bandito! I'm here but like you, I've been in a bad place with being displaced which I mentioned a week or so here. HOWEVER, spring is here, although in NJ, it's 52 today which is hot for us! Living in an apt while house is being raised etc. Finally got back on track this morning, set up MyFitness Pal, FitBit, on my new cell and back online here. Entered my food diary into them and hooked up my FitBit on and got the DVD going with Leslie Sansone. I did 3 hard miles with her and it felt realllll good. Amazingly, post lapband last year, while I worked out on my treadmill and elliptical, for the most part, I did her DVD's 3 times a week and really lost the girth/inches around my pear shaped KimKardasian butt! Since the storm I've put the inches back on there and everywhere but I'm back mentally & physcially. No way am I going to get back into a size 16 Lane Bryant Jeans. Well, ok, I have, but it's not going to be for long. LOL So, it's good to get logged onto all my equipment that helped me lose the initial 60lbs. and back here with my gals of Jan 2012 once again. Like everyone else, it takes a village to get back up on the saddle. Love you gals....

Hi Everyone! So sorry I haven't been on here for months now. Looks like I've missed out on alot here in many ways. Still struggling with the flood issues, not in the house, and after 5 mths of dealing with all the issues, I've temporarily lost my will in re: to the lapband. I've put on 20lbs since SANDY which is depressing me even more. One would never know that I am dealing with the stress of this disaster on the outside but when I come home at night, all I do is eat junk food and sit on the couch and watch TV and hang out on my laptop. Bored stiff! Spring is here, the monies are coming in from the insurance companies, contractors are in our house getting rid of the old and re-wiring electric, putting new ducts into the house for the heating and cooling and our house is being lifted 4 feet this week but still unlivable. I told the contractor the most important thing for me was to get the electric up and running so I can at least go over to the house and work out in my gym upstairs. LOL I am the kind of person who needs both, work out and eating to be in sync in oder for it to work properly. My poor FitBit sits there on the table waiting to be synced up again on a daily basis and do what it was meant to d . :-( Hoping within the next month, once the foundation is up, and the electric is on, I can at least get over there and start the process of getting back on track while the house is being worked on. The gyms around here basically want a year's contract and I don't want to sign up and pay for something that I won't be using for that long. My DH found a groupon coupon for me for a kick boxing class at Tiger Schulman's nearby for a month. I'm going over after work tomorrow and signing up for it. Can't wait to get my body, mind and soul back on track and back on LBT, FitPal and FitBit. I miss you all sooooo much.

Hello Everyone! Long time, no read, talk or anything for the most part on LBT for the last few months. Since being displaced by Sandy, my whole LBT routine has taken a back seat. We still have many months to go before we're able to move back into our home so it's time for me to step up to the plate and get back my mojo. No perfect day then today as it's my 1 yr Bandiversary! Kudo's to me. Since starting this journey last year, I have lost approx 50lbs, and many inches from working out and dealing with the ups and downs of our foreign body which isn't so foreign anymore. :-) Since Sandy, I've put on 12 lbs and getting that darn spread back again! Started back to work in Sept after being unemployed for 2 year, and now sitting at a desk for 8 hrs a day, finding no reason to wear my fitbit 24-7 like I did before taking on the job. Don't need to be reminded of the fact I'm not hitting my miles or burning calories like before the job. However, prior to Sandy, I was still working out at home and eating healthy. Sandy took that all away and more for my husband and me. I now come 'home' to our apt and deal with my emotions and lack of energy by eating all evening junk food. I know it's wrong but it's all my comfort foods I enjoyed and put me in this mess in the first place! The weather started to break here on the Jersey Shore the last two weekends, crisp, cold but sunny, I started walking on the boardwalk on the weekends. It was truly invigorating. I had my fill removed a good two months ago as it was causing me problems, which I'm sure out of no where was due to my internal stress with this whole change post Sandy. Never before did I have many issues. Finally, I got a small test fill 3 weeks ago which didn't amount to much however, it was a start. I went back this past Thurs and he gave me more this time. I can feel it once again working. So, no better time to find my mojo but on the eve of my 1 yr bandiversary. I promise to look in more often, try to catch up on what's been happening, and hoping I'm not the only one who fell from grace these past few months. You all have helped me through this process as I hope I've helped you from time to time. Wishing all of us Banders of 2012 a Happy and wonderful Bandiversary! Hugs, Meredith

Imattera, Welcome to the group. It is a great group. So much information here from other's who have had the surgry. I had Dr. Strom perform my surgery almost a year ago. I've seen Dr.s' Reich and Shakov for fills. They are very nice and professional as well as their office staff. I also go to the Bayshore office. I couldn't say enough about Bayshore Hospital and all their employees you come in contact with during this journey. Wishing you the best, read and learn as much as you can on this wonderful website. Ask as many questions as you need to learn in order to go through this. It'll be 1 yr for me in 3 weeks and if I had to do it over again, I wouldn't think twice about it! As well as myself. The best to you.

A friend of mine has lost over 150lbs to lapband surgery which is wonderful. She still has a way to go however, she is looking for a great body shaper to keep things tucked in all over. She eventually would like plastic surgery but wants to get to her goal before she does that. She's a good 300+ lbs right now. Appreciate any suggestions from those who have found something that works for them. Meredith

Wow! You guys' {gals} are awesome! No wonder that I missed you all so much! LadyB, thanks for the shout out to all, LOL, Chrissy, the thoughts & prayers and Dee {our lurker} congrats to you, sounds like you're doing awesome despite the plateau, but also thanks for your generous offer! Dee, we don't have little kids, but thank you once again. My first floor was the entire living space, 3 bedrooms, baths, kitchen, etc. The only thing we saved was our head and foot boards to our bed. Don't know why but it fared well with cleaning the bacteria and mildew but the jury is still out on that until we get back in. Fortunately, most of my thinner clothes I had been saving over the year's "when I lose weight in the back of the proverbial closet was upstairs. I lost mainly summer tee's and sad to say, my 'priceless' Marshall's gym clothes. :-(. All my shoes which again fortunately, I'm not a shoe person however.... and all of our furniture which Fortunately, I didn't care for that much as my husband chose the couches!!!! So, we now have a blank canvas, if you will, to start over and just get the things we need, not want. Amazing what a disaster can do to one's hoarding stuff {my DH} and attitude. You realize that those things just aren't important any longer. :-) Adversity is good for the soul and to get by in life.

Hi Everyone! I'm finally seeing the light of day and getting back on here. We got hit by Sandy and lost the first floor of our house and have moved into an apt above our business nearby. Two dogs and 4 cats in a one bedroom apt and tryng to keep organized with all the paperwork coming our way re: FEMA, flood ins. car ins etc. It looks like I have a lot of catching up to do and I will but slowly. I missed you all and need you all! I've been eating so poorly these past few weeks and on top of that, out of know where, I was having a problem keeping things down a good week ago for more then a week. Finally got to dr's office and they took out approx .6 cc's of saline. I have very little in there to begin with so just about down to 1+cc. I lost a good 4lbs during that time but think I've already found them in a matter of days. Since I worked out at home prior to Sandy, I have not worked out since that day. Ironicaly, I haven't gained much weight however, all the toning I worked so hard on, is slowly going to mush! Many pluses and little negatives thank God. So, I have an appt to go back on the 20th for another tiny fill and hopefully that will give me some control during the holidays. Afterall, our 1 yr anniversary is coming up and I want to bring in the New Year looking better then I did last New Year's! It's glad to be back on here and looking forward to catching up on your posts so I can see what I've been missing. Hugs to all.....

I decided to break my posts in two since I talked so much in the earlier one. Not sure what the difference is but anyway.... Chrissy: congrats to getting into those size 12's. Hope they fit after washing. As I mentioned to you in a message, love your profile photo, you look great and don't worry about the different sizes, as long you look great in the clothes, feel good in your head, and are healthy. that's all that matters for all of us. But I do agree with you, shopping is not as easy as I thought. I'm trying to find the old Meredith and her style. It's very overwhelming to look for clothes but I'm sure we'll get over it!! JDI: Nicki sorry to hear about your DD's accident but glad to hear she's alright. Hopefully that black cloud has moved on. Keep the energy positive and the negativity at bay..... not always easy to do, trust me. Otaknam: hope your scale is talking nicely to you these days. Like someone said, it can be a multitude of reasons why it went up like that. I know we're all busy, but haven't seen NJ2NC on here in weeks in weeks. Hope all is ok with you. I know the other's like Horsegirl, and the like stop in here from time to time but as long as we keep learning from one another, supporting each other on this journey, stay connected, we'll get there and hopefully stay there. I can't say enough about this wonderful January group! Love you guys.

Hi All! Missed you gals and glad you're all still here. I've been busy with my new job and trying to get my groove back here at the house. Just finished my 4th week at work and think the groove is back in place. Not only home here but my eating routine at work was off. On top of that I 'got' my 'phantom period', { I had a total hysterectomy 21 yrs ago but still get my TTOM cravings at the end of the month. Any Catholics out there can relate to confession with the priest and I'll confess here. Bless me father for I have sinned... I ate 2 large bags of cheez doodles two night in a row for dinner.... hey, they were 2 for $3.00, such a deal! I realized I was doing it and chose not to fight the urges and just go with it. Yes, I payed dearly but that was last month. A new month, a new food confession, NOT! :-) So, I am back on my go-to foods, Protein bar for Breakfast, tuna salad for lunch, and still working on the dinner thing. Realized it was time to have another fill since my last one was back in May. She put 2cc's in my band as it seems when they put anymore in, I have to get an unfill. I think it worked as I'm noticing I'm not as hungry, and when eating, only able to consume a few ounces instead of the whole thing! I put on 4lbs within the past few weeks and glad to say, I got on the scale today and am down 5lbs and finally broke the 185 that I've been at since early July. Keeping my fingers crossed to lose more. Now, to get back on the exercising routine. Amazing, how my back and legs feel soo much better and stronger when I work out. Just gave myself time to balance both work and home out after being unemployed for 2 yrs. It's a good thing. :-)

Amica, it's great to see you back on here but also good to hear you've been keeping in touch with the group. You're doing a great job. Keep it up and try not to get caught up with what other's say. I know it's hard when it's your husband and parents but try not to allow anyone to make you feel bad. Only you can make YOU happy. Good luck and hope you have a great vacation. Like it's been said here before, this is a journey of ups & downs, physical and mental changes for us as well as our loved ones. It reminds me of the 12 steps of AA. Although we don't need liquor or drugs to survive, we do need food. Food is our drug. It's there around every corner, whether at home, in the car, work, play, it's everywhere enticing us at every turn. It's a slow process. Two of my old habits were {& are}, drive thru fast food places instead of eating breakfast or lunch. Especially White Castle. I would order 8 cheeseburgers {no soda or fries} and after eating them wished I ordered a few more! Prior to the pre-surgery diet, I went there for the 'last time' and bought 10 and totally enjoyed them even though I was stuffed. I've been back there only once 7 months after my surgery and bought 2 and enjoyed them. Have passed many a fast food place and W.C. since and have no desire to do a drive-thru but a drive-by. I make sure I have plenty of water with me, protein bars to snack on if I am hungry, but most important, eat a healthy breakfast & lunch before I leave the house. Now, for my other bad habit, I have yet to conquer, is the night time eating. I'm working on it. Again, it's a journey not a race.

Hi All! Seems like we're all getting back on here but where is NJ2NC been? Missing you and hoping all is ok with you. Chrissy, great words of wisdom {given to Nicki} and for anyone out there dealing with other loved one's feelings towards our new confidence. I did go to the seafood festival with a 23oz bottle of water and that's all I had! The lines were too long, no place to sit if I did get something. I knew my HS friend was having Italian food catered and chose to wait and eat there. Glad I did. I really went for the crafts fair which I love. So, my first week back at a full time job after being out of work for two years was great. I decided not to do any exercise this week so I could just focus on getting back into a daily routine. Not sure if I'll get up an hour earlier or work out after work but that'll be something I'll decide on this week. Sitting at a desk for 8 hrs and not getting much action on my FitBit is not a good thing. :-) The last thing I need is to get that darn spread back after losing so much in the derriere dept! I'm starting to go back to my old ways of eating at night, anything and everything, chips, cookies, and need to stop!!! In the beginning, it was a treat but now it's become an every night affair. What is it with that night time eating? AND I'm not even hungry when I start it! Ugh! Fortunately, I'm still at the same weight give or take a pound but always seem to come back to 185. However, I do not like this horrible habit and need to get a grip!!! Ok, that's all I have to say for now. Wishing everyone a wonderful Sunday. It's gorgeous here in NJ as well. Can't let my weekends slip away now that I don't have my week days to fall back on. :-)

Hi gals, I don't have time on this gorgeous pre-fall morning to write a novel, :-) but just want to say hello, I'm still here. Have a seafood festival to attend and from there a mini HS class get together at a friend's home. Not to fear, not eating at the festival. Going for the craft fair they have every year. I love the unique things people make, sell for the fall and winter. I started my new job Monday and this is my first time getting on LBT in a week! Didn't even look in and read any posts all week! So many changes, but good ones. Wishing everyone from all corners of the world today a wonderful weekend and I'll be back before the weekend is up.

Erin, I've had mine since Feb and so have so many on the site here. It is well worth the money. It's an awesome tool that gives you the incentive to move even when you don't want to. I use it in conjunction with myfitnesspal. The two are awesome site and APP's. I love the sleeping feature on it as well. You won't be sorry.

Hey Gals, Chrissy, I think it's called life, fortunately and unfortunately.:-) Sorry to hear about your favortie go-to food, our friend, tuna salad. I know how you feel about it. Have you tried Smart Ones Santa Fe Rice & Beans? That's my go-to food when nothing else goes down. I love them! Well, I finally broke the plateau and am down to 184.2 from 185. Hey, don't laugh, I'm going to take it! It was great seeing another number whether it was 184 or 186 because all I've been seeing is 185 for 2 months! Hopefully by tomorrow I'll have lost the 2oz and make it a true pound lost. LOL Well, I finally have great news. I got the job I had interviewed for and I start Monday. I now have to change my eating schedule since I've had the luxury being home {2 years} and eating late in the morning when my stomach allows me. I think I'll be doing the protein drink in the mornings like some of the rest of you. So, I had what I call an NSV today. I had to run to the mall and pay a bill and walked past Auntie Anne's soft cinnamon and sugar pretzels. I don't go to the mall much but when I do, I would hit Auntie Anne's and buy a few bags of those deliciously warm, tasty comfort foods, ok, you all get the idea. I past it twice, on my way back I almost tried to justify why I should have one bag, to celebrate my job, duh? No way, I pushed that out of my mind, passed it by and said thanks but no thanks! That was worse then passing by a fast food place for me. BUT I was strong and won!

Found on Pinterest and couldn't copy & paste" All over Workouts {at home} 30 Jumping Jacks 10 Squats 10 Glute Kickbacks 5 Kneeling pushups :30 Plank 20 Vertical Leg Crunches 5 Tricep dips 30 Butt Kicks Once your done repeat workout twice.

Nicki, Sorry to hear you had a tough weekend. Perhaps you're DH is feeling threatened seeing you losing weight, feeling & looking much better, more confidence and perhaps he is afraid he might lose you. And some people just don't like change, no matter what it is. Hopefully, things will get better. It's not easy balancing a home, work and family life and making everyone happy. It sounds like you're doing your best but we can't forget that we need to take care of ourselves as well. Good luck. Hope things get better for you and DH. Well, as promised I started back yesterday journaling, working out and now plan on busting through this 2 month plateau and getting below 185. I will do it!!!

Hi Daisy, I understand when it comes to work, most times it dictates our schedules. Being a surgical scheduler myself, I'm use to telling the patients the first available date. I, too, was surprised when they asked us {DH & me} when we wanted it. I had heard it could be months and months before surgery, we were surprised to get dates 6-8 weeks after our initial visit. Believe it or not, we could've had it earlier but it was during the holidays and knew we couldn't get all the pre-testing appts sooner with offices taking off. Don't fret about the endoscopy. It is NOTHING! You're in a twilight sleep and come out rested and ready to go. We didn't require the sleep apnea test but all the other testing was required. I found them to be extremely thorough throughout the whole process making sure all medical clearances were done. Daisy, you're in good hands with this entire group of professionals. Good luck!