New Hope

Amen to everything you've said! Hang in there! It will be worth it. My insurance initially denied me, appealed, then eight months later - hurry up and get ready for surgery. My prescription RXs and health problems have been cut in half. It's saving me and the insurance company boo-koos of $$. I feel so much better and am out doing more than I have in YEARS. There is an end in sight, believe it or not. You've already taken a big step - decided you want to live healthier. Things are moving forward. It just seems to take so long, but it will pass. Best of luck to you!

Lindsay, what an excellent website! It sounds like you have a great weight loss plan. I hope you'll continue your goals even while you're pursing weightloss surgery. Best of luck to you!

This is so moist, has Fiber (veg.), and Protein (cheeses). Satisfies my "bread" cravings. Of course, get fat-free, low sodium, and/or low fat ingredients when available. BROCCOLI CASSEROLE 1 package frozen chopped broccoli (thawed, drained) 1/2 cup melted butter 1/3 cup chopped onion 1 teaspoon salt 4 eggs (slightly beaten) 3/4 cup cottage cheese 1 (8 1/2 oz.) package quick corn muffin/bread mix In mixing bowl, combine melted butter, onion, salt, cottage cheese, and broccoli. Then add beaten eggs. Blend well. Stir in muffin mix. Pour into greased 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Bake at 400* for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven, cover with grated cheese, and let melt. Cut into serving-size pieces. Serve warm.

Well, hopefully, I'm "back in the saddle" again. I rode my bike 10 mi. yesterday and today. Going to stay at beachfront condo on Mustang Island for 3 day weekend. Hopefully I'll behave myself around all that wonderful fresh seafood. But I plan on doing lots of seashell hunting to walk it off. Darcy, glad you got your exercise machine fixed. Now don't get too frisky and hurt yourself! Lisa, then you'd just have to "eat" liquids and soft foods. And we know how that works! Michelle, 50 lbs. Wow! Fantastic! I think we all need to get some pointers from Miss Teresa (the unfilled one) who's beating the socks off of all of us! Here's to all of us being "Losers" this week!

Chantel, I'm so glad that "something clicked"! I remember feeling that way about bike riding. And your exercise program is fantastic! I so agree with your opening statement. I know I've felt that way. But I have to say, that I'm very concerned about the 500 calories! Girl, you don't want to lose your muscle mass and bone density! That is something that can affect you immediately and certainly in the long haul. I have a friend right now fighting osteoporis. It's crippling and very, very painful and just gets worse with time. One of the things that attracted me to the Lapband was that the weight loss would not be as drastic as the bypass surgery. I want to give my body time to adapt to the weight loss and hopefully eliminate (or at least reduce) any side effects from rapid weight loss. Do take care of yourself! You have a fantastic attitude, and a wonderful husband and kids that love and need you. I'm not trying to "preach" at you. I just care and want you to be a happy, successful, and healthy bandster. You've done such a great job! Keep up the good work!

Lost 2 lbs. Hopefully that's the last time I juggle THOSE 2 lbs. back and forth!

Andrea, isn't it wonderful to not be able to finish something? You are doing so great!! Now be prepared, that feeling will probably go away as you heal so you will probably start getting hungry before your first fill. However Teresa has never had a fill and lost over 62 pounds!How long are you supposed to stay on liquids, pureed foods, then to solids? Please follow YOUR dr. instructions. To post your stats: go to top of your screen...to "User CP", then to "Edit Profile", then to "Signature" (after your name, dr. info., band date, etc, next blank line enter: beginning weight/current weight/goal. Then click "Submit Modifications" (at the bottom). Then as your weight changes, you just go in and redo your "current weight". I'm so proud of you!

Hi, I answered you on the "saying hi" thread. Member ~C~ is in Ottawa, Ontario. Maybe she can help.

Dana, do you know that your insurance company covers the Lapband procedure for sure? You can check w/ your benefits coordinator. If so, then there's no guarantee how long everything takes. It will probably be longer than you want to wait, so don't be surprised. But then again, you can always get lucky. Good luck!

Gail, I can certainly understand! My husband just retired after 32 years w/ a state institution. The pay wasn't always the best and he put up w/ a lot of crap, but the benefits made it worth it. A round of bad health problems (kidney transplant, open heart surgery) left him off of work for 18 months. We were so thankful that he had accumulated sick time. Good health insurance helped him use the necessary tools to recoup. Sometimes you have to do what is necessary to provide for yourself and your family. I do hope things will settle down for you at work. Take care.

Have you "talked" w/ member ~C~ ? She's in Ottawa. Maybe she can give you some insight. Best of luck on your search. Hope you get some positive answers. And you're not alone in your frustration. We all seem to have that in common.

Well, you're now 13.8 pounds of crap lighter! That's fantastic in a very, very short period of time. Who knows, you may inspire her to follow in your footsteps!

My tube was put down my throat.

Beth, you really can't get any "quick" answers to everything about the Lapband. Please do your research. You can find tons of info. on old posts and other forums. Each person is different as to how well they tolerate surgery and recovery time. A fill is the saline solution that the dr. puts in your band. The band creates a pouch above your normal stomach. The pouch holds a very small amount of food. This causes you to feel full faster and longer, so you eat less and lose weight. The cost of surgery, hospitalization, and fills vary. It depends on if you have health insurance (and if so, what portion do they pay/you pay), or if you're a self-pay. Self-pay can be done in the U. S. or in Mexico. Really, there is a lot to learn BEFORE you go any further with your decision. Good luck!

Then when they get too big for you, you can give them to her.

YES!!! I have that test run every year. The first time, I gagged so bad that tears were streaming down my face. They couldn't get a stomach biopsy (which they normally don't do). So now I know to have them put me out. The test goes fine since they did that. It's just a mild sedation and you're out of there in no time. But they won't let you drive yourself home. Why do they put us through that (conscious) in the first place? That has to be a common reaction.

Does she know that you were banded? It sounds like there might be a little jealousy involved there, because you are trying to get healthier. How old is she? Does she have any stress or health problems going on right now? Please try to overlook this. I know that had to hurt, but don't let this put you in a nosedive. You have already begun a journey to an improved, healthier you. You will succeed! In a few months, maybe you can give her your old "too big" clothes, since they'll be too big for you. P. S. A few years ago, my mom mailed the kids some back to school clothes and included a pair of "Big Mama" brand panty hose for me. Grrrrrr. Since that was pre-band, I probably headed for the kitchen and pigged out at that point.

Best of luck to you and your wife on a successful band journey! Look forward to hearing about your adventure. Have you tried looking on the Inamed website for American followup drs.? After you get a name, please check with the followup dr. direct BEFORE your banding. Some people find out a different story once they are banded by someone else (whether stateside or abroad).

Gail, aren't you "allowed" a lunch break by law? I'm surprised they don't have employees keeling over just from not being able to pause and eat a descent lunch. Doesn't anyone's blood sugar go haywire without proper meals? And the comment "Anyone can loose weight if they just eat less." Grrrrrr. He might have a degree, but apparently he doesn't have any common sense and/or compassion (both of which are necessary in the "Real World"). I say get a little unfill so you can eat comfortably and just continue to get healthier and healthier. The "mystery" will kill them. But, really, this time next week they'll be worrying about somebody else's business. Blossom, I don't think you're being rude in the least. The gall that people have to pry eliminates any reason to be polite. I've just been saying that I'm eating healthier (Protein first, veg., lots of Water (not w/ meals), and exercising. I simply "forgot" to mention my band. So if they're really interested in a healthier lifestyle, I've given it to them. All for free!

Me too. But isn't that a pretty painful surgery?

Wow, Alex, that sounds horrible! So glad that you're feeling better. Let's hope that's the last of those episodes for you.

Gosh, Ryan, I get those same feelings on my bicycle! I guess I just a "cheap thrill.":)

Lainie, best of luck to you! Please do lots of research. There's so much to learn. Inamed has a website that tells you all about the Lapband. Take care!

You will keep up sooner than you ever dreamed! My hubby's a biker and I love getting out and enjoying life now!

It's a lot like baby spit-up. Yucky.