dawalsh

I did the Optifast and loved the chocolate shake. I threw fresh strawberries into the vanilla shake and blended it with a few ice cubes and it was like a strawberry shake. I had no problems with Optifast.

Start where you feel most comfortable. If you had lapband surgery this is your forum. There are also forums for gastric bypass..gastric sleeve and plication. So ease join our family!

I would ask your surgeon. You'll probably be OK because of the fact that you don't fly until Friday. However, that being said, flight altitude can make a difference. Try to walk up and down the aisle during the 4 hour flight. Best of luck to you !

You are worth it! Not just because you'll be losing weight but you'll be healthier in the process! Now your hubby can't grieve because you'll be healthier can he? Hang in there and it's for you, not anyone else but you! Sometimes we have to be a little selfish if it's for the improvement of our health! Here's to healthy living!

Trust me, before you know it, you'll be in the recovery room and you'll wonder, why was I so scared? Think happy, positive thoughts like this surgery is for a healthier me and I'm worth it! You are worth it and I wish you nothing but great success!

When were you banded? Did you recently have a fill?

I tell everyone to get traveler's insurance. It's worth it! Glad you have the insurance. It will give you peace of mind.

That is awesome! Congratulations!

Look at you pretty lady! Congratulations on such a great accomplishment!

Hi my user name is DAWALSH and tutti517 they're both me but on different devices. I was banded Dec 2012. Post me anytime!

Congratulations and good luck!

Yes, for that reason I have two user names but try to post under my original name which is dawalsh. I'm also known as tutti517 but I usually stick to dawalsh. Same thing happened with My fitness pal app. My menus and calories sync but I use two different iPhones. I had to use a different username. I'm OK with it though.

Wow, very nice!

I had no complications with my insurance. In fact after 3 yrs of asking my old insurance company I gave up. Then I switched companies and my approval was so fast that I was unprepared for it. Paperwork went through in early November. I had done all the prerequisites and I was banded 12/28/12.

Well, I took a cruise 3 weeks after my surgery, which was on 12/28. Then in February I spent 5 days in Riviera Maya. Africa is not in my plans for this year but I am going to Cuba on a cultural people to people exchange program in 2014. I am nervous about that because I have no idea what to do if a complication sets in. This is tentatively set. I'm going to speak to my surgeon before I commit to that for sure. I have not let the band stop me from traveling thus far so as long as I get my doc's advice. If he says don't go I probably won't but I'm full of surprises lol!

Looking real good! Congrats!

Boobs, my face never changes lol. Maybe when I lose more weight I'll notice a difference but I don't see in my face at all.

No, I think you described to a tee perfectly. I've only had one slime experience since I was banded in Dec. I didn't like it at all!

I'm sorry about your brother but emotional eating is not the answer. I have always been overweight but 1987 was a rough year for me and that's when I packed on the pounds. My husband died at the age of 40 unexpectedly. 3 weeks later to the day, my father died. I was disabled in a wheelchair with 3 small children, the youngest being 3 yrs old. Well, I guess I did OK because I raised those 3 by myself. However, I put on 70 lbs in the process and almost hit 300 lbs. I got down to 267 and stayed there forever. All because my emotions got the best of me. I had to do my husband's funeral without my mom and dad being there because I had no idea my dad was dying. I was 1500 miles from family and my mom said that she and dad couldn't make the funeral because dad was in the hospital ill. My husband's family lived in Ireland but luckily 3 family members from his side flew over to be with me. Trust me, my emotions got the best of me and I was eating non-stop. I felt like I HAD to eat because maybe there would be no tomorrow. Well, the tomorrow's came and went and so did my weight. My weight came and came and came. People thought I was pregnant and when it got to that point I started to diet feverishly. I even did Atkins only to gain most of it back. Anyway, fast forward to 2012 and I was finally approved for the band. I promised myself that this was it no emotions were going to get in my way. So, I'm wishing you nothing but success. You'll always love your brother no matter what so eat healthy for your sake and your brother's sake. God bless you and remember you are worth it! (((hugs)))

Good for you Lucie! I've been banded since Dec 28th and I've yet to hit the green zone. I mean I've lost 55 lbs since my pre-op diet but I've yet to hit that elusive green zone. I'm hoping that my next fill on August 5th will be my green zone day!

I'm really sorry. Is there anyway that your PCP or any doctor appeal again on your behalf and say it is medically necessary? As frustrating as it is keep on trying. Good luck!

(((hugs)))

Sounds good to me!

I was fully aware of the risks when I went into surgery. I'm really sorry you had to go through all that stress. Did they remove your band due to these problems or are you still banded? I wish you well and pray your complications are over for good.