StartingOver

I had lapband surgery in March of 2004 and now am exploring the idea of a revision to gastric bypass surgery. I have been very fortunate not to have any complications from the band, I just haven't used it the way it was meant and since I'm so far into the game the chances of me losing more weight are very slim. I just discovered that my health insurance plan will exclude bariatric surgery beginning April 1, 2012. so, on a whim I decided to attend a surgical weight loss seminar sponsored by the healthcare system that I work for. The surgeon seems optimistic that he can remove the band, get my 3 month medically supervised diet complete, and get an authorization from my insurance for the gastric bypass surgery. I'm interested in hearing about everyone's experience with RNY surgery, whether you started off banded, or not. I'm also looking for a community of support and ideas. I haven't been an active participant of a weight loss forum for quite a while, so I'm excited to be back and to make some new friends.

I'm looking for some low calorie protein shake recipes. I usually have a scoop of vanilla bean torte (Nectar) with one cup of skim milk. I've also tried mixing with water and a Crystal Light individual pack to cut down on the calories.

That is a wonderful idea, thanks Kellee!

I really like the Vanilla Bean Torte. I mix it with fat free milk, but I've also used the Chocolate and mixed it with Ice and water in a blender. I don't like the lemonade flavor.

Absolutely! I work Wednesday-Saturday. I'll message you with my phone number and we can arrange a meet up.

Losing, How was your recovery with the band removal? I'm going to have mine removed sometime this month and I'm wondering how much time I should take off work. I'll hopefully be having rny surgery in March, so I'll be taking off 4 to 6 weeks then and I want to take only a minimal amount of time off from work now. Have you been approved for surgery yet?

Hi Leanne, welcome! I just found this site and am looking at having a revision to RNY. I had lapband surgery in March 2004 and after 7 successful months of weight loss I got pregnant with my second child and stopped exercising and eating the foods that I should have. Here I am now 7 years and two children later maintaining my weight, but still with a BMI close to 40. I too have an insurance time crunch since my plan will exclude bariatric surgery as of April 1st and I must be on a medically supervised for 3 months before submitting to insurance for approval. Oh yea, and I still need to have my band removed! I'm heading in to the surgeon's office this morning to start my medically managed diet and to talk about band removal. Please let us know once you have a surgery date. I hope all goes well for you, and I look forward to getting to know you better. Cheers!

Kellee- This board seems to be just starting out, so maybe traffic will pick up as time goes on. I stumbled upon the site from a link on LBT. Where are you having your surgery? I'm in the Seattle area, so I'll be at Swedish.

Leslie, you look gorgeous!!! Good job, and keep the pictures coming. I'll be sure to post after my surgery.

I'm in! I live in Des Moines near Seatac airport.

Best of luck for an uneventful surgery and a quick recovery. I can't wait to hear how it goes. Please keep us posted.

Thanks for the support you guys. I am going to start the medically managed weight loss plan this Wednesday and I'll need to be on that for 3 months before the surgeon's office can apply for authorization to have the surgery. I'm hoping that we can make it under the wire. I'm nervous having to cram so much into such a short amount of time, especially if I end up having my band removed and am not able to get approval for the rny surgery.

Hi everyone. I've been gone from LBT for nearly a year and with so many new members I thought I'd re-introduce myself. I was banded in March 2005 by Dr. Arturo Rodriguez in Monterrey, MX. I had good success with my band, losing 70lbs in the first 7 months post op. During my 7th month post op I found out that I was pregnant with my second child. I was quite nervous that I wouldn't be getting enough nutrition for my baby with the level of restriction that I had, so I chose to have all of the Fluid removed. Well, that was the beginning of my pregnancy. As my pregnancy progressed, I found myself eating things that I hadn't even attempted in the months prior (ice cream, fast food, grilled cheese sandwiches). It's not surprising that I gained 50lbs during the pregnancy. I also did not exercise. This was very devistating time for me. I went from being on a very disciplined high Protein diet, to being able to eat whatever and how much that I wanted. I started to forget that I had a lap-band. Even though I gained so much, I was able to wear maternity clothes in my current clothes size, so I really didn't notice the weight all that much. Now, 6 months after having my daughter I am still nearly 50lbs heavier than my all time low. The shape of my body has really changed and none of my pre-pregnancy clothes fit correctly and I had thrown out all of my larger clothes, so I'm constantly feeling self-conscious in ill fitting clothes. I've had a band adjustment and I do have decent restriction, but I find myself needing to retrain my brain to follow the lap-band rules. I've been back on track for a few days now-eating lots of protein, drinking Water, and working out at the gym. I've come to realize how much I need LBT for the great advice and support that everyone offers. So-with my head hanging low in shame for the choices I've made that put me back 50lbs, here I am. I'm committed to checking in here with my LBT friends for support and advice through thick and thin. I plan on being thin :confused:

I'm hoping that someone here can help me out. I have a logo for my husband's business that was designed in photoshop. I don't use photoshop, nor do I know how to use it. I want to know if it's possible to change the file type to a jpg or tiff so that I can use the logo in Microsoft Publisher. Is it possible? How can I do it? Thanks for the help.

Today's update. I lost 6 lbs this past week. I've stepped up my exercise to 2x per day. I'm drinking at least 64oz of water per day. Here's to everyone having a great week!

Wow, everyone is doing so awesome, it's very motivating! Yesterday I did not make it to the gym, but I did about 1 1/2 hours housework including re-arranging some furniture. This morning I was at the gym bright and early. Actually it was so early that it was still dark! Anyway here's my activities at the gym: 30 minutes elliptical, 30 minutes treadmill Breakfast was 1 cup Kashi cereal with 1/2 cup low fat milk. I had a hard time getting it down, but now that it's been a while I feel like I could use a snack. I have a low carb yogurt sitting on my desk that is looking mighty tastey right now.

I had surgery with Dr. Arturo Rodriguez in Monterrey, MX and I financed it. I made my application with MediCredit and was accepted. My credit score was decent, but it is hard to prove my income because I am self employed as a Realtor, and they were willing to accept my commission check stubs in place of paychecks or tax records. I received my approval in less than 24hrs. I liked medicredit because it was 1 year same as cash, or 12% interest if I paid over 3 years. Here's the link to their site: www.medicredit.com

Yesterday was rough. We were pretty much snowed in again and didn't want to take the chance of wrecking the car driving to the gym;therefore, no gym. I tried to keep everything low carb yesterday but I grazed all day and finally ate a pastry in the evening. My successes yesterday were getting all of my protein and getting all of my water. Yea me! This morning I've already been to the gym. I walked 80minutes on the treadmill. I plan on working out 2x per day. Once in the morning before the kids are up, and then in the evening with Freddy. Right now I just plan on using the gym, but as the weather turns warmer and drier I'll be making my way back to the track. So far today I've eaten well: Breakfast: 2 1/2 sausage links Snack: Protein drink

Yesterday was rough. We were pretty much snowed in again and didn't want to take the chance of wrecking the car driving to the gym;therefore, no gym. I tried to keep everything low carb yesterday but I grazed all day and finally ate a pastry in the evening. My successes yesterday were getting all of my protein and getting all of my water. Yea me! This morning I've already been to the gym. I walked 80minutes on the treadmill. I plan on working out 2x per day. Once in the morning before the kids are up, and then in the evening with Freddy. Right now I just plan on using the gym, but as the weather turns warmer and drier I'll be making my way back to the track. So far today I've eaten well: Breakfast: 2 1/2 sausage links Snack: Protein drink

I agree with Alex. Barak needs more experience, but I think he'd make a great future ticket. I too think a Clinton/Obama ticket would be good.

Way to go Teresita!!!:clap2: I got your back, too. Yesteraday's checkin: Got all of my water in Took vitamin Got all of my protein in I didn't make it to the gym yesterday, but I've already been once today and did 80 minutes on the treadmill. DH and I have an appt with a personal trainer at the gym tonight, so I'll get my second workout then. It's two a day for me! I'm down 6lbs since Saturday. From now on I'm going to weigh only Monday mornings otherwise the scale will have total control over my attitude.

The Discovery Health Channel is doing their National Body Challenge again this year. This is an 8 week challenge to exercise, eat healthier, lose weight, feel younger, have more energy, or whatever your goal is. It is free to register and you'll get all kinds of online support (menu planning, fitness planner, weight tracker, etc.) To go along with this, Bally Total Fitness is offering an 8 week free pass (totally no obligation-except listening to their 10-15minute sales pitch). Today is the last day that you can print these passes. To get one, go to http://health.discovery.com/BodyChallenge/ and click on the REGISTER NOW link. Once you've registered you'll see the link to the Bally pass on the bottom of the "my Body Challenge" page-that's the page that shows up when you log in. My husband and I redeemed our pass and have been hitting the gym together and are having a blast! Happy workouts everyone!

Funny how weight can be relative. I'm laughing right now reading my last entry. It's been 9+ months and I wish I weighed 264.5, heck I'd take 265! Oh well. I'm back on track and that's the important thing. I've gotten very good at giving myself pep talks and keeping a positive attitude. I know that is key. I find myself on occasion feeling depressed about how much I weigh now compared to a year ago, or thinking about how I thought that by this point I would be at or close to goal. Who knew I'd have a beautiful little baby girl and hit a temporary road block with losing weight. Thinking about it doesn't change anything, so I have to look to today to what I'm going to do to change my eating behavior and my exercise routine, and look to all that the future holds for my health and weight. I've been on track now just a short few days, but I feel very powerful. It's that feeling of accomplishment. I've gone to the gym like I committed. I've been drinking protein and water. I've set some very high goals for my weight loss. I know that they are very high and somewhat unrealistic. I am participating in the National Body Challenge, which started this past Saturday 1/13 and goes until 3/10 (8weeks) My goal is to lose 50lbs in these 8 weeks. I know I have to work harder than ever to accomplish this. My next goal is to weigh under 181 by July 10th (Isabel's 1st birthday). That's just about 100 in 6 months. Focus, focus, focus

Funny how weight can be relative. I'm laughing right now reading my last entry. It's been 9+ months and I wish I weighed 264.5, heck I'd take 265! Oh well. I'm back on track and that's the important thing. I've gotten very good at giving myself pep talks and keeping a positive attitude. I know that is key. I find myself on occasion feeling depressed about how much I weigh now compared to a year ago, or thinking about how I thought that by this point I would be at or close to goal. Who knew I'd have a beautiful little baby girl and hit a temporary road block with losing weight. Thinking about it doesn't change anything, so I have to look to today to what I'm going to do to change my eating behavior and my exercise routine, and look to all that the future holds for my health and weight. I've been on track now just a short few days, but I feel very powerful. It's that feeling of accomplishment. I've gone to the gym like I committed. I've been drinking protein and water. I've set some very high goals for my weight loss. I know that they are very high and somewhat unrealistic. I am participating in the National Body Challenge, which started this past Saturday 1/13 and goes until 3/10 (8weeks) My goal is to lose 50lbs in these 8 weeks. I know I have to work harder than ever to accomplish this. My next goal is to weigh under 181 by July 10th (Isabel's 1st birthday). That's just about 100 in 6 months. Focus, focus, focus

Welcome Ginny. I'm glad you found this site. You'll find a ton of information, answers, and support. Don't worry, it's normal to struggle a bit with food until your band is adjusted well. It took me several months to get there. Try to stay positive and remember that it took a while to gain this weight and it will take some time to get it off. Again, welcome and keep your head up.