anne43

I have been banded about 7 weeks - after my first fill I started experiencing back pain - it is in the middle of my upper back - about where my band would be placed - it isn't horrible -just annoying - has anyone else had pain like this - I really don't think it is muscle related... or acid reflux related - as I take nexium... just wondering. I will probably contact my doc if it doesn't go away this week - but I hate to have to go all the way back up there if it is just something minor such as swelling... thanks Anne:help:

My food tolerance varies with the day- my band is very fickle - and one day I can eat everything -and the next everything gets stuck - my main foods I avoid are bread as in sandwiches or just bread- so sub sandwiches are out -and I do miss those -white chicken - unless really lubed up with a bunch of sauce- and salads - they used to be a never, no way food - which believe it or not I missed them -but lately I can have them if the lettuce is shredded and I use a lot of dressing...and eggs - scrambled or anyway - had a very bad stuck episode with eggs...foods I can almost always eat - steak, hamburger, crackers, anything soft or mushie, chicken nuggets that are processed - tortilla chips -

I had my band paid for by insurance - but we have since changed insurance companies and our new insurance says specifically it does not cover any surgery for obesity - now it covers all other dependancy problems - drug, alcohol, smoking - any other addiction -but it will not cover obesity - don't you think that is discrimination based on a person's weight - and don't you think a lawyer wouldn't have jumped all over this before now? I have always just wondered if anyone has ever tried to sue an insurance company for discrimination based on denial of benefits -

I had my band 2 years ago -and my insurance covered it - we have since changed insurances and now my new insurance says it will cover nothing that has anything to do with wls or complications from it - I guess my worry it now what happens if I should ever have any complications and require more surgery or band removal? I really don't have enough money to cover thousands of dollars if I would need emergency surgery or even something small like a port revision - should this be a consideration for everyone who is getting the band - even when it is covered by insurance - that one day your insurance may change and anything arising from the band would not be covered? I guess I had never considered this - and wanted to be sure that everyone else does - I mean I knew I would have to pay for fills and such - but never considered the possibility that I may have to pay for a revision surgery. I don't as of now - and hopefully never would -but I have thought and worried about it.

breakfast- left over prime rib from last nights dinner - yummo lunch - chicken with pesto - banana dinner - very light- probably just a salad - going out with friends - so don't like to push it as I tend to pb in social situations frequently.

Wow -you do seem to have a lot going on. I can offere a little advice - first off- it sounds like you could use a little medical help - anxiety attacks are brought on by a chemical imbalance - you are producing too much serotonin - and you produce even more when you become stressed or have anxiety -which makes it a vicious cycle -also - you sound pretty depressed. You may want to consider taking some antidepressant medication for a while - to get the chemicals turned around in your body - I too have anxiety attacks - suffered from them terribly for a while - finally my doc put me on zoloft - I took it for about 6 months - then was able to go off of it - and now I just take ativan prn(when needed) - to head off the attacks - I usually only need a few a month now - been doing this for about 20 years- it just seems to work for me - the zoloft got the chemicals turned around - the ativan keeps them from getting out of whack again. As for your other issues- every wife/mother goes through times like you are going through - and every marriage goes through a period like that too - I wouldn't be too hard on your dh - maybe you are not being very receptive - because you feel so unattractive - I know when I was at my highest weight - I couldn't even fake feeling sexy - and I too blamed him for not wanting me because I was fat - but here I was -griping at him all the time - dressing like a nun -and acting like a shrew - no wonder he didn't want me - and as for being a stay at home mom - god bless you honey - I teach and I stay home all summer - it is a thankless job - and would drive me nuts if I did it all the time -I can't wait to be back at work - it is soooo much easier being a working mom! Take heart - you are doing somthing for yourself and your family that will be the best thing you could do for them - getting yourself healthy - inside and out! And yes, come here and vent often -it does help! Hang in - Anne:smile2:

My bf is in the same boat - she has been my biggest champion when it came to my decision to do this - she supported me and went to all my appts with me - we even drove through a horrific snow storm to get to one - and she had to go to the bathroom so bad and we were stuck on the freeway - all we could do was laugh and it just made her situation worse - we went through a lot - anyway - she even went through the 2 week liquid diet with me - all though she drew the line at doing the whole colon cleanse thing - lol - but as I lost weight - and she didnt - it has put a space in our friendship. We are still bf - and she still supports me, but I think she is envious because I could do the surgery (my insurance paid for it ) and hers won't. I have kept my surgery very private and only she and my husband know about it - no one else does - and it has been 2 years- she shared with me the other day it is frustrating for her - because her family (kids and hubby) are constantly holding me up to her and saying look how good I have done with my diet and why can't she do it - I guess I am a real hero to them - and she can't say a word because I have asked her not to tell anyone. I did remind her that this isn't an easy way out - in fact it is one of the hardest things I have ever done - but it made losing weight doable. I try not to talk about it too much - support her when I can - I know she has gained quite a bit this past year - and doens't seem to even try and do anything about it -although she says she wants to - it is sooo unfair that insurance companies can discriminate against overweight people...I guess all we can do is support and sympathize - as we know what it is like.... it does break my heart that I can't do more for her. Anne

You are about to undergo a life altering event - it is only natural to be totally freaked out - I remember thinking on the way to the hospital that I still had time to change my mind - and physically putting my fist in my mouth to keep from yelling at my husband to stop and turn the car around - I am over 2 years out- down 70lbs -have about 30 to go - and I have never looked back and never had one regret - life is so much better- I feel better - I am more confidnent - and I know I could not have done this without this tool -I have tried umpteen million times before - I feel very lucky and fortunate that I was able to do this -and guess what - my life isn't soo different - sure I eat less then I did - but I can still have my favs in small amounts - I eat like a normal person now - I am a slower loser - but that is ok with me - I went from a size 22-24 to a 14w - and even those are getting too big - and to be honest, I don't exercise like I should - I am trying to change that and have begun walking with my dh to try and get the last 30lb off - but I still don't love exercise! good luck -it will all be good! Anne:thumbup:

Breakfast - I made a quesidilla with low carb tortilla sprayed with pam spray -added feta cheese, 1 slice montery jack -a small campari tomato and 2 slices turkey bacon - it was to die for - browned it in a pan - Lunch - probably just some hummus and lf wheat thins- maybe a salad - and a banana-am trying to up my protein.. dinner - not sure yet what I am in the mood for -need to up my protein for sure.... S - usually a glass of wine -

I had a glass of wine 3 days after my surgery -afterall I was on a liquid diet - and wine is a liquid. :thumbdown: Anyway - I do drink with my band - I have a glass of red wine every night - some nights more- Ienjoy my wine - and red merlot or a dry wine is lower in sugar - it is my one treat I allow myself - I did have to adjust what I drank in the beginning as I wasn't eating much - and I was losing weight - so I couldn't tolerate what I used to be able to - woke up feeling not so hot a few times and got it figured out - I do try and stick to wine - although on occasion I will have a margarita or martini - those have too much sugar in them so I save them for special occasions... your weight loss may be a little slower -but this is a lifestyle not a diet - so don't do things that make you miserable. Anne

For breakfast -banana and coffee and active yogurt Lunch - I made an incredible chicken bacon ranch salad- with campari tomatoes, grilled chicken, turkey bacon, cucumbers, beets and of lite ranch dressing - had extra time today so treated myself - oh yeah and feta cheese. dinner - not sure yet - probably some kind of chicken and maybe some grilled veggies - snack - hummus or hot peppers on low fat wheat thins

wine is a part of my life - I do know that when I was a die hard adkins person -the adkins guru himself recommended a glass of a dry red wine a day and said that the people who followed that actually lost more weight then those that didn't. Now I don't know if he had any basis to say that - but it made me happy! I drink a glass (sometimes 2) of red merlot wine a day. It is my one treat and indulgance - I am not much of a sugar person, I try and make good choices throughout the day - and in the evening if I have done my exercise and ate well thorughout the day I have a glass of wine - and sit down and relax. You gotta do what you gotta do to enjoy life and live - one can't live on protein water for life! Cheers - btw my favorite wine is cheap chuck - or 2 buck chuck - which is actually called Charles Shaw and is only available at Trader Joes - an excellent wine - never gives me a headache - tastes better then most expensive wines - and I can get a case of it in Ohio for around 40$. Anne

Hummus is a brown, creamy dip type of thing. It is kinda an acquired taste- but it is very good. Some people make it with lots of spice- like garlic or roasted red pepper or pine nuts - it has mediterrian undertones -with lemon and tahini in it - but it is kinda hard to describe the taste - it isn't spicy (hot) or sweet it has a very unique flavor- you can get a small tub of it at any grocery store - Sabre is the best brand - and you can eat it with crackers, veggies or tortilla chips - some people spread it on a peice of bread as in a sandwich spread - it is usually in with the spreadable cheeses and sour cream and feta cheese and chip dips. Hope that helped! Give it a try - a few times - and see if you like it - it is a little higher in fat (some brands) but very high in fiber and protein - so well worth it. Anne

Hello - my name is Anne and I got the lapband on my 43 birthday - over 2 years ago. Dr. Chand was my doctor at the Cleveland Clinic - and he did a great job - I haven't had any problems - and have lost about 70lb. I need to lose about 100lb total to be at my goal weight - and I have been at a stall for the past 6 months or so - I have only ever had 2 fills, the last being over a year and a half ago. I still have good restriction - somedays too good - so I don't feel my stall is from lack of restriction - I still can only eat small amounts - but my choices haven't been the best and I have been picking on slider food - crackers and chips are my huge down fall - I am determined to get it back on track this summer and want to lose 10lbs by Sept when I go back to school. I am a teacher - and have 3 children - am married 23 years tommorrow to a pretty awsome guy. We are both off all summer - and we enjoy going on our boat, camping and taking our kids to swim meets and softball and baseball games. We have 2 bearded collie dogs - who we love to death - and one cat we wish we didn't she isn't a bad cat - but older with litter box issues so she ends up living in the basement as she has ruined a few carpets. I came here as I know the one way to get back to basics and get back on track is to be accountable and talk and listen with others who are going through this. I have been a slow loser - which is ok with me - I know the 70lbs I lost are never coming back -and and if I take it slow and steady I will reach my goal eventually - I just am taking time to enjoy the journey - it has been a wonderful ride - many small nsv that just creep up on you - one thing I am trying to incorporate this summer is exercise - my dh and I have been walking every morning - for 45 minutes - this is a huge thing as I hate exercise and lost the 70lbs without any exercise at all....so hopefully we will continue! Looking forward to coming on here and sharing and learning! Huggs! Anne

Most often it is not how much you are eating - but what you are eating - you may not be eating enough - but try upping your protein - limiting your sugar and carbs to a bare minimum - and drink, drink drink lots of H20 - that may help - if you don't eat enough you won't lose weight - your body starts holding on for dear life - remember this is a lifetime journey - it doesn't happen overnight - so enjoy all the small nsv you are sure to be experienceing -and enjoy the ride down - it is all good - and you will have many stalls along the way - just take them as giving your body time to adjust - you will start losing again soon. Just make sure you aren't eating absently - or picking - or taking in liquid calories... write down for a day or 2 everything that goes in your mouth - and you may see any problems that are there - hang in t here Anne:smile2:

I love hummus - it is my go to snack when I am hungry - and it hits the spot - soft tortillas almost always get stuck -so I use reduced fat wheat thins for my hummus - or I bake up my own crispy whole wheat tortillas by spraying them with pam spray and putting them in the oven for 10 miinutes or so - I usually buy my hummus from sam's - the sabre brand is the best - but when I make my own I use chick peas- 1can is good - micro them to soften them up for a minute or so, then puree them in food processor with about 1 tb of tahini paste (you can omit it if you want, adds calories but does give it some flavor - it is sesame paste, or you can use less if you want) then add lemon juice - about 1 tb and garlic (I like a lot of garlic- do as much as you like) and as you are processing all that add a stream of olive oil - maybe 1 TB or so - and process until it is smooth. You don't really need much oil - it just makes it smoother and creamier - sorry this isn't specific - but it is a matter of taste more then anything - oh yeah - add salt to taste too... play around with it and you will come up with the perfect adjusted seasonings for you. Enjoy! Anne:thumbup:

I am on the run quite a bit so I do have fast food more then I should - I like the fresco taco from taco bell - lower fat version then their original - although it has to be on a hard shell - soft tortillas don't work for me. I also usually get nuggets at other places - if they aren't too breaded - arby's are too much breading- usually I get a kids meal and just have 4 nuggets and iced tea - somedays I will have a fry or 2 but more often then not they don't go down very welll. Wendy's has the easiest to eat chicken - it is very processed.... if I am really tight I stick with soups. Even 2 years later I still get a Big Mac craving - but I tried it one time - thought just a bite or 2 and boy was that a mistake -won't make it again! Anne

I know what all you are going through -I thought I would die from 2 weeks of slim fast - I did 2 weeks of strictly slim fast - with the exception of 2 things... I did have a lettuce/cheese salad with diet dressing 1x per day - (small - couldn't believe how good a salad tasted after slim fast all day) and since my b-day and mother's day fell during that 2 week period, I took advantage and "Looked forward" to a splurge meal on those 2 days - I had my kids take me out to dinner on Mother's day and got steak - and I had a salad with it - (I tried not to blow it too bad) - and on my birthday which is also my DD birthday and we had a cookout - I ate what I wanted - as that was the day before my colon cleanse -and I figured I would be pooping all of it out the next day anyway... I lost 12lbs -and felt so much better - and it must have worked with my liver- as my doc said my surgery was "text book" - I am now a month out and able to eat some things again - I am down 23lbs - and feel great - is it tough -YES - is it worth it? MOre then I could say...since this is major surgery - I wanted to make sure I did everything possible to make it successful - and if that meant slim fast for 2 weeks - then I did. It did make it easer that my best friend volunteered to do the whole liquid diet with me - having a "buddy" sure helped - what a great best friend! She is overweight also -but opted for no surgery. Also, my DH is very supportive - and for the first week I just stayed the heck away from the kitchen...the first week is the toughest - by the second week it is a little easier... hang in there - you can and will survive it - and it will be sooo worth it! You can do anything for just 2 weeks - the pot of gold waits at the end! Anne

I am also experiencing true physical hunger - last night was the worst... I ate a good lowfat high protein dinner - but an hour later I was starved - and my son had a bunch of friends over and wanted me to go pick up pizza's and munchies - so being the good momma - I did but it about killed me! I had some soy crisps - and was ok - but it is getting harder and harder - can't wait until my first fill! Anne

Hi - I had my surgery done by Dr Chand - May 22 - I loved him - he is very kind - just super nice - and very good - I haven't had any problems at all... I have lost about 23lbs so far... good luck!

Hello everyone -I am new to this site- have been around a few others though- they are all so helpful! I will be having my surgery on tuesday - at Cleveland Clinic. Today i am doing the colon cleanse- not very fun...so I am holed up in my bedroom trying to keep busy and running to the bathroom every few minutes or so...I look forward to meeting everyone here- and hopefully joining many of you on the losing side soon! Actually with the pre-op liquid diet I have lost around 10lb already...Anne

My doctor required a 2 week liquid diet - then 2 days before a clear liquids only diet...I am 2 days away.. it has been tough!

Hello everyone - I am in the same boat - only my surgery date is Tuesday - I have been doing the liquid pre op for 13 days - less yesterday - it was my DD birthday - and since mine is Tuesday - we celebrated both qnd had a party - I did eat some- as I figured being on the colon cleanse today I would be pooping out most of what I ate anyway...today I had to do the colon cleanse thing - ughhhh I had to drink to glasses of this nasty stuff - and since about noon I have been running to the bathroom. My hiney feels like it is on fire - so right now I am too preoccupied with that to be scared...but I was scared to death - and have been - I hate hosptials,and everything to do with them...this has been sooo hard - both emotionally and physically - I sure hope it is worth it. keep in touch - we can help each other through! AND ususally I am not so whiny... but it is hard to be positive when my fanny is flaming! Thanks for the great list - it had some great ideas on it I am printing it! Gotta be prepared! Did you mention chap stick? Someone else said it was a god send! Anne