bonniep

Hi Road King, It was suggested to me to start using FitDay (FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal), to track my caloric intake, exercise, etc. I started doing that two days ago and it's been an eye opener. I'm not getting on the scale until Sunday (I've decided that every Sunday will be my weigh-in day), but I think that tracking calories (ugh!), is key. So is exercise and lots of it. For those of us that are slow burners, it may take longer to lose and I hate the thought of that, but there's no other choice here. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and I'm hoping that by my 3rd fill, I'll get to my "sweet spot," and start losing more than 1/4 lb. per week or whatever.... In the meantime, let's keep in touch -- we can be diet and exercise buddies if you're up for it. b.

I had my lapband surgery (2/4/08), at the Lahey Clinic in MA. It's a center of excellence and my surgeon has done many, many lapband procedures. The total cost (including pre-op, required support group sessions, sessions w/ the nutritionist, psychologist, post op, and 3 fills), was $16K. Anything around or near this amount is reasonable. Anything above it is, in my opinion, highway robbery. If you can't find a surgeon near you in Ohio who has performed many lapband surgeries, look further. Call every single hospital within 60-miles and ask if they do it there. My bet is that they do. Find out how much they charge. My bet is that they'll be reasonably priced. The risk for those of us who don't live anywhere near the border between Mexico and the US (ie: those of us in the midwest and the northeast), is that we'll go to Mexico, have the surgery, and then have complications. Personally, it was very important to me to be able to drive to see my surgeon or his team should there be a problem. While I realize that lapband surgery is reasonably simple compared to gastric bypass, no surgery is to be taken lightly. For me to fly to Mexico is a full day on a plane, with at least one stopover along the way. It's a rigorous and tiring day. In case of medical complications, I couldn't risk being that far away from my surgeon and his team. I have peace-of-mind knowing that I can hop in my car and be at the Lahey Clinic in 20-minutes, if necessary. It was worth $16,000 to me in order to do that. I'm certain if you make some phone calls, you'll be able to find a good surgeon in your general area who performs the surgery and who accepts self-pay -- and who will be *reasonably* priced. Keep looking. And let us know when you find someone you like. b.

I am jealous of your weight loss! You are doing great! I had surgery on 2/4 and have only lost 5 lbs. to date, including the week on clear liquids! I exercise a lot (45-minutes per day), and I think I may have to up the exercise to an hour or more. I enjoy exercising, but this whole weight loss struggle is getting old. I'm impatient. I want restriction already! Please tell me that others people here have been where I am now and have gone on to be successful bandsters.... bonnie

Hi Everyone, I'm starting to get somewhat concerned. It appears I'm not really losing much weight. I was banded on 2/4 and during my first week after surgery (clear liquids), I only lost 4-5 lbs. During my second week after surgery (full liquids), I didn't lose a thing. Now I'm on mushies and even though I'm exercising (45-minutes of either treadmill or bicycle -- and I exercise HARD!), I'm still not losing. Is this normal? I figure it's going to be at least 3 months or so before I have restriction (I figure it will take at least 3-fills for me to feel restriction -- that seems to be around the average of people here) -- do I really have to wait that long to begin losing? I'm trying to watch portion size, but I have to admit that I'm hungry. I'm sticking to my food plan and I haven't cheated or done anything to sabotage this -- so I guess I'm getting concerned. First thing tomorrow, I'm going to start tracking everything I eat on FitDay -- if the calories are adding up then I'll have my answer -- but I just can't see how what I'm eating is that fattening or unhealthy. Help! bonnie

Let's not go down that road. That's the old, broken road and now, we need to look at the beautiful new banded superhighway! b.

Hi Flashme5, I was self-pay for my surgery and the reason I decided to get my surgery locally (I live in the northeast), is precisely because I wanted my surgeon and his staff to be local should something happen. If something goes wrong in the healing stage, my surgeon is a 20-minute drive away. It was worth the extra $$ to have that kind of peace of mind. While I'm sure Mexico docs are good and the facilities are clean, etc., what happens if something doesn't go quite right with healing or later on, when you need a fill? What if your port flips or something like that? I read a lot and did my homework and I ultimately decided that I wanted to be near home. b.

Okay Indigo Girl -- I accept your offer to be your weight loss buddy. I'm having a REALLY hard time with the clear liquid diet. I'm using negative thinking and that's not a good thing and I usually don't do that to myself. Thank you thank you thank you for your encouraging and hopeful response. I need to hear that I will once again be able to eat normally. Still, this phase is sooo hard and I feel like I'm being sooo whiney about it. I did 20 minutes on the treadmill yesterday. I plan to do at least 20 minutes today. For me, exercise usually isn't a problem and if anyone here needs exercise motivation, I'm your girl. I'll trade eating motivation for exercise motivation -- how's that? b.

Hi MP04, I was banded on 2/4 too! If you look on this site, you'll see a rather large thread that lists recipes for the different banding stages. If you're already on full liquids, you should be able to make a lot of what's on there. Perhaps some of those recipes will keep you feeling fuller. If worse comes to worse, get some Isopure (40 grams of protein), and drink a bottle. That should keep the hunger meanies at bay for at least a little while. b.

Hi Lily, Okay -- we can be bandster sisters -- how's that? The full weight (excuse the pun), of what I've done is starting to sink in. There are no more excuses and no more excuses and no more excuses. It's for real this time. And it's scary. Very scary. The liquid diet is wreaking havoc with my bowels -- for the first time I didn't sleep last night because I was too busy running to the bathroom. That's okay. It will be whatever it will be and this list is what's keeping me sane right now. How are you doing today? b.

Unlike most of you, I've opted not to say a word about my lapband surgery. I'm a very private person and I need to go through the 4-weeks post-op diet, before I want to say anything to my kids. My daughter is 20 and is away at college and my son is 16 and he goes to boarding school. The only one home is my husband and of course he knows. I have not told my mother, who lives 10-minutes from my house in an assisted living place. My mother is a total worry wort and if she knew, she'd be calling me 10X per day to ask how I am. I don't want that. I'll tell my daughter first. She'll understand. She thinks I went to a writer's conference for a week. I'll tell my son after I tell my daughter. He won't be mad that I didn't tell him, but he'll a lot of questions for me. He's always been very critical of my weight and my eating habits (he's Mr. Healthy), and I want to tell him at a time when the worst of the post-op stuff is over. I don't intend to tell any of my friends, unless they ask. I won't lie, but I won't volunteer the information, either. For me, this is a very private thing and I need to do what's right for me. The psychologist agreed that I need to do what feels right to me. b.

I was banded on 2/4 and I'm doing really well, except for the all liquid diet. I just have to make it through tomorrow and then, I can at least have low/fat, no sugar pudding, no sugar/no fat yogurt (w/o fruit), and creamy Soups. It's going to be hard -- I think the first month between the liquids and the mushies is the hardest we'll probably have to do -- but we don't have a choice. I keep on telling myself that. I also try to distinguish between stomach hunger and head hunger. Most of my hunger is head hunger and that's what I've always given in to all my life. That's why I'm here! b.

I'm glad you found this thread. You need to follow the diet that your doctor gave you and you know that. Even with having 60mg. of clear, liquid Protein, I'm having a hard time -- so you're not alone. We worked so hard for this -- we're not going to blow it now. What I find helpful is to distract myself. I'm sleeping late, watching tv, paying bills, staying in my nightie all day until I crawl into bed at night. I'll do this through Monday, which will make it a full 7-days since surgery for me. Starting on Monday, I'll go to the market and get the stuff that I can start "drinking," on Tuesday, such as the thicker soups, puddings, etc. It's still not going to be easy, but I'll get through it. We've come this far -- we've got to push through. If you're too dizzy and weak to exercise, how about doing some walking in place? That may help a bit but then again, it could make things worse. Just know there are other people holding your hand and cheering you on. And who want to grab something real to eat too! b.

Are you in the Boston area? I was banded on 2/4 at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA.

Hi Everyone, I'm on Day #5 of the after-surgery liquid diet. This is really, really hard for me, but hey, I'm here and I'm determined. I didn't have a lot of pain after surgery, but I've been taking it easy and not pushing myself at all. I spend the days mostly watching TV, reading, sleeping, etc. I do walk to help with the gas and as a result, I haven't had any gas pains at all. This could be just plain luck. I am drinking 60mg. of Isopure (protein), per day as per the nutritionist in addition to having low-sodium chicken broth and Jello. I can't wait until Tuesday, when I can add in some thicker liquids. I'm craving those thicker liquids! I'll be 55 at the end of March. This is my last-ditch effort to get healthy. b.

When you add up all the services you get (nutritionist visits, meetings with the surgeon, anastheologist, overnight in the hospital, meds, support groups, etc.), the price doesn't seem all that outrageous. I know it can be done for less, but we all know about the cost of medical care in the USA and the different issues that drive it. While I paid $16K and while I know it's a lot, I feel it's well worth it not to have to fly across the country should something go wrong. If I couldn't have afforded it, I would have considered going to Colorado where it's cheaper and I would have found a way to make it work for me. All in all, this is my last chance to be truly healthy and when I look at what I've spent on things like vacations, my car, my house, furniture, etc., I think that spending this kind of money on ME may be the best money I've ever spent. This is my health and I'm ready to get healthy. Does it burn me that the band itself only costs $5k and we're having to pay multitudes of that in order to get it? No, not really. We're getting the expertise of everyone on our medical team and you can't put dollars on that. We're getting aftercare and 3 fills and all the rest -- you can't put money on that either. To put it succinctly, I'd rather drive an old car and be at my ideal weight than drive a fancy new car and be fat. b.

I've decided, after having a really hard time getting thru the day without any real food, to become a slug. I've given myself permission to sleep until the late morning, watch hours of TV, read, and do nothing. One thing I do is to walk on the treadmill for 20-minutes (divided into two, ten minute intervals). I'm not going to be a hero and if I have to be on liquids through Monday, then I'm not going to stress my body doing it. From now on, we have to be kind to our bodies instead of abusing them and this is the start, for me. I just had major abdominal surgery and I'm not going to push it. If I had my gall bladder out or a hysterectomy or whatever, I wouldn't be pushing myself and I'm not going to push myself here. I'm going to try and treat myself with love and kindness. Michelle, I'm not feeling light headed because of lack of food. I'm drinking 60 mg. per day of Protein -- either thru a liquid Protein Drink or thru mixing whey Protein powder with skim milk or Water. As a result, I'm getting the right amount of protein I need in order to heal and to keep my body running. The nutritionist where I was banded was very clear about this -- 60 mg. of protein daily, even on the liquid diet. Isopure is the protein drink I've been using. I get it at the Vitamin Shoppe and I think that GNC carries it also. While it doesn't help with the "head," hunger, it absolutely helps with the stomach hunger. Ky -- it sounds like you're doing great -- you go girl! I'm with you all the way. I wish my mother could make me some of the liquid soups your mum is making you, but she can't. She gave up cooking a year ago when she went into assissted living and I'm just thankful that she's being taken care of while I'm "away." I didn't tell her I was having surgery -- I told her I would be away for a week at a conference. I told my kids the same thing. I hope they don't freak when I'm ready to tell them the truth. I'm not ready to tell anyone yet. My husband is the only one who knows. He's been pretty supportive, except for the fact that I was self-pay. He kept on asking "Isn't there a way we can get insurance t:unsure:o pay for this? I'm having really nasty bowel movements (we can be honest here, right girls?)! Total liquid, but messy. Ugh. Thankfully, I don't have the chest or shoulder pain that a lot of people have -- maybe that will come with time and maybe not. All in all, I feel okay, except for a lack of energy and except for wanting real food. I know the latter is a part of my addiction and what got me here in the first place. I will not give in to it. Liquids are us! b.

I had my lapband done at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. The cost was $16,000 and that includes all the support groups, the counseling, 3 fills, and after care.

Don't worry about having to go through the "I Can Change," program. Even though it's 6-months, I was self-pay and it took me 6 months just to go to all the required support groups, doctor appointments, lose the weight they wanted me to lose before surgery, etc. Six months is nothing compared with having a lifetime of struggling with weight. Do the program! If you're BMI is only one shred short of the required 40, find out if that's your BMI now, or your BMI after the "I Can Change," program. If it's after the "I Can Change," program, then don't follow the program. Attend the sessions, but don't do the diet. Gain, don't lose. That should put you over the top. Where there's a will, there's a way! b.

Hi Ky, I was banded on the 4th, so you and I are in mostly the same place, food wise. I'm going nuts on the clear liquids. What is your mum making you that is satisfying? I can go to thicker liquids (ie: creamed soups, etc.), starting on Tuesday and I'm looking forward to that. I don't think we have any restriction right now. What one has, after surgery, is non-hunger due to anasthesia, etc. That will wear off soon enough, I think. Ugh! b.

Hi, I was banded on Monday (2/4), and I'm having a hard time with the liquid diet. Don't worry -- I'll stick to it, but I'm having a hard time. I was 250 at my first appointment, 240 for surgery. I have no idea what I am now because I don't weigh. Jeez -- just writing those numbers down makes me see just how LARGE I am and how much I need to take off. And I will take it off. It's been at least 6-years since I've seen my thighs from a standing position and that's my goal. So, let's go! b.

I'm on the east coast (MA), and I just had my surgery on Monday (2/4). The surgery cost $16,000. Mexico is a lot cheaper, but I was afraid to go that route. Because I live in the northeast, had something gone wrong, it would have cost me a lot of money in airfare to go back to Mexico and get it fixed. There is a doctor in CO who does it for a lower cost, but again, for someone in the northeast, going to CO for surgery doesn't make sense. I bet that the cost starts coming down in the future, but so far, it is what it is! Good luck! b.

I was banded on 2/4/08. I made it through the first 3-days after banding just fine on Protein Water, Jello, and broth. Starting yesterday (day #4), I started to have cravings for food. Today has been harder still. I don't want to screw up what I've worked so hard to get. I have to keep on saying to myself "I will not go off my liquid diet, I will not...." And I won't. Interestingly, the hunger is in my head, not in my stomach. My stomach isn't growling -- my head is growling! My doctor has me on liquids only for a week, then a week of full liquids such as low-fat strained Soups. Week 3 starts with some textures (ie: cottage cheese, etc.), and week 4 is the same as week 3. As much as I wanted the lapband and I do want it, this first week of Clear Liquids is hard, hard, hard. Okay -- I wanted to vent. On to eating some jello. An hour after that, drinking some water. b.

I was banded on 2/4/08 at Lahey Clinic in Burlington. I think they're tops and I had a great experience there. I highly recommend them.

Hi Everyone, I had my lapband surgery on Monday and so far, so good. I'm not hungry at all, but the liquid diet is a bit dreary. I'm doing mostly Isopure for protein. I tried milk w/ vanilla protein powder this afternoon and it was ugh, ugh, ugh. No go. Anyone have any other suggestions for downing protein in a palatable way? I guess what I'm feeling right now is anger, believe it or not. I'm angry that I had to resort to something so radical to get my body back to a normal size. The thought of not being able to eat my favorite foods forever more makes me angry. Don't worry -- I'm not angry enough to buck the system -- but I'm angry that I can't be just a normal person who knows when to stop putting food in her mouth. I guess I'm in mourning for my food. What else can I say? I'm tired -- I need a few short naps each day so far. I walked for 15-minutes today in 5-minute intervals. I'll push it up a bit tomorrow. I need some lapband pals -- people to whom I can write and who will write to me so we can encourage one another. Anyone game? b.

The reason you can lose 10 lbs. in a week is because you're a guy! Life is SO unfair! As a 54 year old woman, I'd give anything to be able to lose 3 lbs. in a week. I'm hoping after the surgery, which I'm having on Monday, 2 lbs. a week will be the norm. I can live just fine with that. That said, I'm jealous of the advantage men have when it comes to losing weight -- whine, whine, whine... :frown: Back to the original topic -- scared of failure. That's the crux, isn't it? I'm so scared this is going to be just one more failure in a long list them and yet, I'm also optimistic that maybe, just maybe, this will help me kick start my thinking into doing what I need to do in order to get my body back. b.