Kathy1991

I live in NC, near Raleigh. I have lost 67lbs so far w/ lapband. I have about 30 more to go. I walk daily about 3.5 miles and if possible on weekends, I walk about 6. I do not worry about what I eat very much anymore. I find I only eat a little of each thing that is on my plate. Otherwise, I will get sick.

Hi all, I ate a bite of steak last night and I think I must have been to hungry because I ate really fast. I am almost certain a piece of steak got lodged in my band. Do you know if that will eventually go away or will I have to have the band unfilled and refilled? Today I can't eat anything. I can drink if I do it in little sips. I had a protein drink for lunch and nothing for b-fast. Miserable. ks

Hi Everyone, You guys are all doing great! I am down 36lbs and get my 2nd fill on Feb. 5th! Thank goodness! I have been scheduled and cancelled a couple of times. I'm excercising every other day by walking anywhere from 3 to 5 miles now. That's made a huge difference. Take care, ks catch my blog: Carolina Girl

Hi Amy, I so feel for you. I got my band on Aug. 27th and I have lost 36lbs so far but it's been so hard fought. I feel like I should have lost more. I believe with all my heart that the exercise makes such a difference. That is also one of those things that doesn't happen over night, so be patient with yourself my dear...it will come.... Take care and happy excercising! Kathy S.

Hi, I had my band done at Duke University Hospital. They have a bariatric surgical department. Best of luck! ks

HI Jackie, Wow, I love to know there are folks here from near where I live. I am from Cary, North Carolina. I was banded at Duke University, by Dr. Aurora Pryor, on Oct. 27th, 08. I have lost almost 30lb. I talked to Dr. Enoch's before I went with Duke and the only reason I went w/ Duke is because I'd done most of my pre-diet etc with them and they actually got the paperwork in before Enoch's. But the road with Duke up to that point wasn't an easy one. I work for a company in RTP but actually work out of my home. I have 2 children, one about to turn 13 (yikes!!) and one about to turn 11!! We are a very busy family. My husband is on call alot of nights and weekends so it can be nuts around here! So far, I have had one fill, unsuccessful,and one by floroscope, successful. I go again a week from Monday for my next fill. I hope I hear from you and I am so excited about your 'band date'!! Congrats!!

Hello, I got the band on Aug. 27th. I'm down 22lbs. This site is great and it's just very nice to look here and find people who have been through this. My family is WONDERFUL, but they don't quite get it. I hope you enjoy the site and best of luck in your lapband search. ks

Hello all, I have had a rough day. Doctor couldn't find port for my first fill. Now I have found out that the person who files insurance at the bariatric surgery office did the pre-auth for the wrong procedure. She filed it for gastric bypass and of course, when I had my lapband done, they filed the actual charges for lapband. So, there is a discrepancy at Cigna. My charges are pending. Of course, we're talking about 26K here. They paid my doctor already but didn't pay for the the operating room and all the other expenses. I'm nervous. If it could go wrong with this organization, it has. I'm not trying to be a big old baby about this, but let's face it, in these economic times, this is not what any of us need. Now I am stressed and I just want to grab the ice cream. Any advice (besides 'don't eat the ice cream'??!! :thumbup:) Thanks everyone! Ks

Hi, I am glad you are doing well. I feel for you. If you have a bad experience there is nothing that can change it. I hope you continue to have a healthy and happy life. ks

Hi everyone, Today I went for my first fill. The hospital I go to is a teaching hospital. The doctor brought in a doctor who is training under her. He was competent and nice. She supervised him the entire time. He seemed to miss the port and she said to let her try. She also tried. She then said that the saline when somewhere but not sure it went into the band! So, I drank water...I couldn't tell if there was difference. Tonight, I've been able to eat anything I want. I even tried Pasta for the first time since surgery to see if it would be a problem....nope. What do I do? Go back? Wait a week and try to eat small meals every 3 or 4 hours to see how I do? She did say to come back if I felt I don't have a fill. But I am just ticked. She said at some point she might have to do it under floroscope. Thank you for your help! Ks

Hello, If you read this forum, you will find out alot of information that generally goes along with what your surgeon's office/nutrionist, etc. will tell you. Best of luck! ks

Hi, Banded on Aug. 27th here. It took me about 4 days, and alot of pain, before I had a BM and I finally had to take something. How many days has it been? Also, make sure you check with you dietician about how much you should be drinking. I think mine was more than what you are saying. Best of luck! Let us know how you are doing! ks

Hi, I was banded on Aug. 27th. I didn't get a fill in my band at surgery either. I went back to doc at 2.5 weeks and had lost 15lb. It's been almost 2 weeks and it looks like I have lost another 3 lbs but to me that's so disappointing. I don't get my first fill until Sept. 30. I am hoping it helps. The stinky thing is I am watching what I eat incredibly closely. I have not had anything that's not on my plan. I am not exercising like I know I need too. I feel frustration and disappointment. Let us know if you feel like that first fill is working. Best of luck....ks

Oh Happy Day indeed! CONGRATS! Wishing you painless surgery, quick recovery, much healthy weight loss, and lots of excercise! Kathy S.

Hello, I'm Kathy and I was banded on Aug. 27th. I will get my first fill on Sept 30th! YIPPEE! I am doing fine on my 'plan'. The first, almost 3 weeks, I was on liquids. Now I have moved to mushies and I am trying to figure out what to eat. So far, cottage cheese has been a favorite. I have had plenty of fish, tuna, tilapia, cod. Tilapia sets the best for me. I have a family. Husband, 2 kids. We live in North Carolina. Why is it that you when you are trying to be healthy your family doesn't seem to like anything you like. I have made dinner for them a couple of times and something different for me. Best way to do that is to keep my stuff simple. Good thing I love to cook! I am trying to experiement with different ways to cook fish. Ah, you were saying how much you'd lost. I have lost 19lb since the 27th. I lost the first 15 on my liquids and since mushies it's slowed way down. I am hopeful my fill will help me with that. I'd like to be down by 22 to 25 lbs by Oct. 31. That's just a personal goal. Sorry I am rambling. I seriouly am just hanging out here and felt like talking! :redface:) Glad you joined! Best of luck! Kathy S.

Hello, after I was banded (Aug. 27th) so many smells made me sick. Even coffee, which I have always LOVED, made me sick. I am definately NOT pregnant! :rolleyes2:) I hope you get past it. It's fading some for me. Later, ks

Hi, i was banded on Aug. 27th. What did your doctors tell you? When I came out of the hospital, they told me at the top of the hour to drink 2 oz. of protein drink (I like ensure HP). Then every 15 minutes they said to drink 2 oz of water, crystal lite, diet kool aid, etc. I was nervous because I thought I'd hurt myself. But I just sipped away and it all went down. Like others, when I first got banded, I didn't get all my liquid in and slept alot. Best of luck to you. Ks

Hi, I was banded on Aug. 27th. How much protein did your doc tell you to have. Mine said between 40 and 60 grams daily. So, I found that when I was hungry I needed another protein drink. I can see how that might not be so helpful....it doesn't seem like FOOD (Darn it!). When do you go back for your diet advancement to mushies? Hang in there! You CAN do it. Remember the distraction techniques your doctor or the doctors support team talked about?? Best of luck. You CAN do it. ks

Hi, my doctor had to write a letter saying he felt like I needed lapband and why. Cigna may require that. I finally got banded! August 27th! I had a rough first few days and then finally started to feel more like myself. I went back Friday to have them check my incisions and had lost 15lbs in 16 days. I was thrilled. I am now on mushies. I truly wish you the best of luck! Sincerely, Kathy S.

Hi, I have Cigna and my BMI was about 38. My co-morbidities are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and borderline diabetes. None the less, although I did it all correctly, Cigna rejected me. My doctor had to write a letter and fax it in and then after almost 2 weeks, Cigna finally approved me. This journey is way more work than it should be. Your doctor may have to call Cigna and have a peer to peer review. Be persistant w/ Cigna. Call them daily and ask questions. At some point, they will be helpful. Best of luck! Kathy S.

Hey, Did you find out? Non-scale victory. :wink_smile:) Ks

Hi ya'll, I was banded on Aug. 27th. Doing great finally! :thumbup:) I am pre-planning some coming events. On Oct. 31st our neighborhood gets all of the kids together in the cul-de-sac and we order pizza and the kids show off their costumes and we just enjoy one another. By then I will be on regular foods. What have ya'll heard about eating pizza? I want to make sure it's something that I can have without making me sick. I'll also ask my doctor at Duke when I go back there this coming up Friday. Thank you!!!!!!!!! Kathy S.

I have been following my plan to the T because I have been so afraid to do otherwise. I go on Friday for my diet advancement program, meaning mushies. Tell me folks, have refriend Beans ever sounded so good!? Does applesauce sound like a childhood food any longer. Do you find yourself excited that you will wiggle when you jiggle from eating Jello? I'm having food dreams. I turned to the Food Channel just so I could see it. I opened my mouth each time they took a bite. I work from home and co-worker will send me an instant message about lunch. I said 'where did you go? Tell me in detail what you ate??? Were there pickles on the sandwich, was the bread warm and squishy the way I like it". I'm looking forward to feeling like I am full. Thanks for letting me vent!! I don't have a fill yet, that will help I'm sure. Ks

I say a wife knows where the viagra is. So, no, you are not crazy. You know where he's going on the trip, right? And you know how long he's going to be gone? So, can you do some investigating and figure out what might be going on? If anything. Is it remotely possible that he picked up some of his clothes and the bottle came w/ them unintentionally? We all want to think the best. You are not crazy. The wife knows about the viagra. I will be praying for you tonight. Ks

Hi, I was just banded on Aug. 27th. My doctor told me not to drink OJ at all and I got the impression it wasn't cool to drink very often. The acid sitting there isn't good for you. I really hope you feel better. I'd go to the doctor if you don't get better. Try some protein drinks. Ks