luluc

my dr "suggested" 800-1000 calories in the beginning & on most days that's where i floated. but i also didn't lose much. i started working out early on, and started the c5k program in jan - also getting a trainer. i wasn't losing because my calorie intake was not enough, so my dr suggested i work towards eating 1100-1250 calories per day & sure enough the weight really started to come off - much more so than early on. i think you have to play around with your calories to find that number that results in weightloss, and that might mean increasing the cals...

renewed - you can really hear the excitement in your words regarding the run w/your sons....very charming. good luck tom. UGH - not been a good runner this wk or exercise in general. DH and i have been in remodel mode since nov of last yr; was 80% done until tuesday night when my contractors busted a water main pipe and just destroyed everything. downstairs is a shell right now - framing only , all walls , ceilings , cabinets (kitchen), insulation, wood floors , carpet, etc , doors, molding....can keep going ; all on the front lawn. furniture is sitting out on the driveway getting inspected by insurance adjusters right now. i feel like the clampets (beverly hills hillbillies) w/ my couch on the front porch...LOL i decided this am to just laugh or i'd cry - & i can run in the AM; cause well, i certainly don't have to clean house.....:thumbup: UGH>>>>> still keep saying it..LOL

if you got the band with having not that much weight to lose - it will come off slower than most - MO of course. it took till month 5 before i crossed over the 25lb marker of weight loss - it will likely be a slow process. your only a few wks out - still in healing process; you might even gain weight once you go back to solid foods. i was told early on this is a marathon not a race. relaxe & learn new habits that will help you be successful & the rest will follow....be patient.

bit of advise - find a new dr first before, calling the current one out or reaching out to insurance. it's not impossible, but many drs are reluctant to take on patients of other surgeons & if some do, they ask for an obnoxious fee upfront ($1000+) to handle aftercare alone. take a look in the "fill & dr" forums for such discussions - or do a search here for drs in your area.....i would do that first. i too live about an hr away from my dr. never once was an appt cancelled; i get an email confirmation the day before - followed up w/a phone call confirming my appt. i like a "paper" trail myself & email is great! that is just TOO many emergencies in my opinion. i think aftercare is SO important. the surgery takes about an hr; the aftercare & fill management is what makes the lapband work.....good luck to you!!

of course we are!!! wouldn't you know that the ONLY room in our home NOT damaged ONE bit is my hubby's media room. so game on:thumbup:

i eat on avg a cup of food at each meal, and eat every 3-4 hrs (on avg). 3 meals + 1 or 2 Snacks, i try to get my calories around 1100..

ugh, this water damage just has me handcuffed to this house. i snuck out around 530 for an hr walk in the dark, only heard the roosters..LOL

i was overweight for about a yr, obese 2 - never had kids. i really can't say. i have read those who've been overweight most of their adult life have significant skin issues. but it's so individual, my point. be real hard to determine......i realized after 50lbs gone that things were snapping back to normal very nicely; i should also say i started working out immediately and exercise "might" help???

:smile2: we all copy, that's why we post....LOL i like bear naked brand - blueberry walnut "peak protein". i only use a handful (1/4c = 130 calories:eek: = 5g protein) but i just love it!!!

same here - french on the toes, but clear on finger nails. if your Dr hasn't said anything about it - ask them up front just to be on the safe side. my dr also wanted clean hair & face - no makeup / hair product / no perfumes etc. i'm sure there was a reason why, but i'm not much of a makeup person anyway - also all peircing out.

not near your age:frown:, but..LOL i lost 75lbs with no skin sagging issues at all. i don't think you can gauge if you'll have excess skin till you start losing & your body starts changing. genes, skin, how long you were overweight, so many variable to determine if you'll have skin issues requiring surgery. fingers crossed ya don't!!!

i can get greek yogurt at either Whole Foods or Walmart of all places. it's really hit or miss if my local grocery stores (albertsons/krogger) carry it.

that's great health - must say, i tried desertroses yesterday and LOVED it. nice to have a change..

yesterday - b- choc cappucino Protein drink s- 1.7oz bbq corn nuts l- cup tortilla Soup & half soft beef taco d- 3 buffalo wings w/blue cheese s- bag of gummy bears:rolleyes: amy - like the idea of shrimp potstickers; think i'll be playing around the kitchen this wkend, along w/some of divas'muffins:wink:

my opinion - don't tell. i have LOTS of reasons why - but if they questioned you a yr ago, what makes you think they'll be supportive in the last hr. i had ZERO doubt my parents would have supported me ... in fact when i finally did tell; my oldest brother went and got banded himself after seeing the succes of DH and self. you shouldn't look at this as "too much pressure on them" ... this is ALL about you - you taking charge of your health. be selfish; tell who you know will support you immediately w/out consequences - then delve out what you did as needed.....sorry - pretty personal for me 2:tongue2:

hubby and i were banded the same day - and to this day; only my parents & brothers know we were banded & i didn't tell them till almost 5months post op. i had no negative comments , in fact they were happy for me - my BEST girlfriends still don't know ... they just think i've gone the diet & exercise route - which is true. i was an extremely slow loser in the beginning - my husband was just about at goal at month 6 when my weight finally started to come off. how horrible i would have felt (and didn't need) to have others questioning my choice of WLS only losing 24lbs in 4 months...... without the watchful eye of "others" - if i shared it with them - i was able to just hunker down and focus on my health / exercise / re-learning how to eat properly. the noise in the background would have likely hindered me..

a bmi over 30 is obese, not sure what yours is - but mine was also low enough that insurance wouldn't cover. went self pay (dallas,TX) $15k, your price isn't too off the mark. have ZERO regrets, well ya - wish i did it a bit sooner....good luck to you!!

MACY*S also does free fittings for bras & when they have a sale ... you can do very well. a properly fitted bra can do wonders to your appearance, look thinner.:biggrin:

something to consider - your aftercare is extremely important. and considering the cost of self pay ... i had to have 8 fills for restriction. that's on the high side - but that would have cost $3200 additional dollars. i also had to have 2 unfills .... what will that cost you? you could easily rack up another 2-4k on top of what your self pay surgery price is. your smart to be asking these questions up front - i wish you all the best!!

that does explain some - fills under fluro will be more. $400 is still high - i've never had one under fluro, but if i wanted one it's $250.

hun??? ok - that a new one to me. my self pay program also provided for fills for a yr ; but as described to me "aggressive" meant i could go as early as every 2wks. i've yet to hear of a charge for aggressive, however your dr determines that. i would ask & then question...?? btw - $400 is a LOT even when aftercare has been exhausted. mine are now $100 after the yr anniversary.

hi victor, happy bday!! my mom was a big fan of ricotta pie growing up (big easter dish) - it was so delish, in fact i just might make one this wkend for a diner party...got me thinking. it should be fine for you if your in the mushie stage, plus has some protein w/the ricot. then again, there's always jello....LOL

yes i had the 2 togeter & i drink w/my meals. my dr does not require one to wait a period of time after eating to resume drinking. i've read enough to know why drs' have "this" rule - it's never been a problem for me; i maintain a certain calorie intake / workout / lost the weight i needed to / don't see my food flushing if it actually sustains me. i don't advocate it, because it's my drs instructions - maybe not someone elses; but if asked i'm pretty honest that it's never been an issue for me...