laralen02

My husband ordered pizza on like day 5 post op. I thought I was going to pass out and/or drown in all my drool! I had told him it was ok...I figured I wasn't hungry, so I wouldn't care. That's when I truly realized my emotional attachment to food--I wanted it so badly I thought I was going to cry!

A very good friend of mine has stage 4 stomach cancer with metastasis to her liver. Oddly enough, I just spent 8 hours at her home working a garage sale and fajita plate sale to help her with all the bills she can't pay. She's never had any kind of bariatric surgery. I'm sorry your mother went through this, but its not because of the band. My friend has been a nurse for over 20 years (and I myself for 8). When people asked her what caused her cancer, she says, "sh*t happens".

You'll be fine then! All my coworkers have been pretty awesome and supportive too. Some days are easier than others, but that's the nature of our work!

Sarah, I'm an ICU nurse too. I'm down 97 lbs since March 2012. My Dr.'s office is always yelling at me for not eating enough on the days I work, but what can I do??? I try to eat a couple of scrambled eggs on the way to work, and hopefully shove a protein shake in once a day. I pack a lunch, but I always make sure I have protein snacks just in case lunch doesn't happen--cheese sticks, softer jerky, Greek yogurt, protein bars and shakes. Thank God for the band, because I will get hungry at work, by rarely starving. I also make it a priority to eat, because I will start getting light headed and shaky. Sometimes i will even have lunch really early at 11, even though I'm not hungry, cause that's the time I have! We usually have a free charge nurse and I will ask him/her early in the day to watch my patients if they need constant watching.

I am a 36DD. I have lost 90lbs...a little saggy but not terrible! I just bought a Body by Victoria bra that is really comfy (so far). I read an article about how you should bend at the waist and scoop your hand under your arms, under the breast, and lift up to fit your bras properly. It makes a difference.

I agree with buying the little packs! So much easier to stop when you're done!

I'm 29, banded almost a year and a half ago. I'm down 90lbs. We don't have any kids yet, but are planning to. My OB/GYN thought it was the best thing ever when she found out. That's part of the reason I got banded--to have a healthier pregnancy and be active with future kids. The doc said most of the time she forgets her patients have a band until she feels the port! She said most people do not need an unfill unless they are vomiting or having trouble eating enough calories. She said you only need 300 extra calories a day for a healthy baby.

I specifically asked about a cath. They said the surgery was so short, I would not need one. They did make me pee before I went home. As far as eating at work...I always make sure I have a few staples in my bag like yogurt, cheese sticks, Jerky (krave brand is awesome), and Protein shakes. Before I got used to how the new "hungry" feels, I used to forget to eat until I was shaking and dizzy. But I do better now. I bring leftovers from home or smoked salmon, and I heat my food up THEN clock out so I can get a full 30 min to chew and eat slowly. If I can't manage to find 30 min to eat, out come the Protein Bars and shakes!

I'm a PICU nurse. I took 10 days off work, thinking that working in pediatrics I'd be okay. Unfortunately, my first day back I admitted a 180lb 8 year old on an oscillator. I would take as much time as you can. As far as telling coworkers, I told everyone. They're pretty observant, and not stupid. Everyone was pretty supportive except for a couple of people. And what do I care what they think? I've lost almost 90lbs and I'm happy. One person said before surgery, "aren't you worried about going under anesthesia just for a cosmetic surgery?" I told her that #1, yes I am, but I don't consider it cosmetic. #2...didn't you have a boob job a few years ago!

I'm a cash patient. I saw the nutritionist today for $25. Every visit (after the first year, which is free) is $75, including any fills or X-rays or it is $240 for 6 months of unlimited appointments and fills/studies. Compliance is of the utmost importance in a banded patient, and my Dr. makes sure cost will not keep patients from visiting. What you are being charged is unacceptable.

I think so. Hard to tell if my joints feel better because of the glucosamine or because I've lost 90lbs!

Have some baked beans and a bit of potato salad. If you don't want people to know, put meat and whatever on your plate but don't eat it.

I have liquid glucosamine that I ordered from amazon.

I've lost a little less than 90lbs, but in the past 3 months it completely stopped. My doctor looked at my food and exercise diary and said I am working out "too hard" and not eating enough protein. I eat 1200 cals, 50-70gm protein/day. He wants me to keep the cals and up the protein to 100gm (basically 2 protein shakes added). He said then I should start to drop again. I have an appointment with a nutritionist who is also an exercise physiologist in 2 weeks.

I have both the yoplait and the yasso. The yoplait is SUPER YUMMY! Has 12g sugar

I have the same problem. Even if I DO try things on, I always think they are too small. I try to take my husband with me in the dressing room, or text him pictures. I bring in the size I think I am, plus one smaller, and I make myself try them both!

My insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery of any kind, regardless or comorbidities or BMI. The company just did not choose that option. I approached the surgeons office directly.

My insurance did not cover. I went with Dr. Wright because he works with True Results, and they will do surgery for under $10,000, including a year of followup. Since I had a hernia on the preop endoscopy, insurance paid for the hernia repair and I paid for the band--so only $4800. I think that was worth a better and longer life! I feel like a totally different person.

I had Dr. Wright in March 2012. I'm down 89lbs so far. I haven't really seen him since the surgery day, just the nurse practitioners. I'm happy. I think he and Dr. C are partners.

It's the chlorohexidine scrub they used to clean you before cutting. It's usually tinted blue or orange. I'm an ICU nurse, and we use the same stuff for alot of procedures. Take a shower, it'll wash off.

I found a good one at Academy.

Get a food scale and a measuring cup! Weigh and measure!

I wake up and drink 16oz right away. Then 16 more when I get to work. And 32oz before and after a workout. And 16oz before (and usually after) a meal also. I don't plan it, but it has become habit. If I only get 64oz a day (because I'm busy at work or something), I feel TERRIBLE. I flavor it with mio, or count tea as my intake also. I don't count coffee but I suppose I could. I have special cups that I use and I fill and gulp constantly! Every time I'm hungry I drink also, and half the time I find I was really just thirsty. I get 80-160oz a day usually.

I tried the ring guards, and my skin started peeling I'm a nurse and wash my hands ALL day, which is probably why. A friend at work had a good suggestion-- Buy a cheap ring in the correct size, and wear it in front of your other rings so the don't fall off. My wedding and engagement rings are a size nine, and I wear a silver size 5 in front. The real rings still jangle a bit and slide around, but I'm at no risk of losing them! My husband wants me to wait to resize when I'm at goal. He says multiple resizings mess up the integrity of the ring, and I should only do it once. (85lbs lost so far, 56 to go!)