vballmom

Have you tried to get your wife outside if the weather is nice. Just let her sit on a chair outside. It always helps my mood if I can get some fresh air and change my surroundings. Also maybe rent her a favorite video. Maybe a nice back or foot massage will help. You are a thoughtful husband who cares about her feelings. You should get major points for that!! Tell her it will get better, just give it time.

Flip Flops, Wow that is restriction. I've never heard of a band that hold 16cc's. What band do you have? Are you able to get your water in with that much restriction?

kdlee: No blood taken before surgery and no blood given at surgery. No complications at all. I have lost 60 pounds since New Years. Best wishes

VMAIRD, I have Cigna Insurance, and I had to see my doctor and a nutritionist for six months consecutively. The doctor has to document each visit and that you discussed dieting, nutrition. Do not skip any appointments for the six months. Also make sure your doctor is willing to write a letter saying you need to have the surgery for medical necessity. Also find a surgeon that you want to preform the surgery, his or her office staff should be knowledgeable about how to get your insurance company to approve the surgery. I have heard that Cigna is one of the hardest company to get approval. I did get approval on my first try. I have sleep apnea, diabetes,hypothroid,high blood pressure, high cholesterol, reflux and a high BMI. I had surgery five months ago and Ive lost fifty five pounds. I am now off my cholesterol medicine, one of my blood pressure medicines and my reflux medication. My diabetes A1C test shows I'm at 7.5 which is lower than before surgery. Sorry to write a book, but have you heard of a diabetes medication called Byetta? You might ask your doctor about trying it to help your diabetes. One more thing I heard is eating a few almonds before bedtime can help with morning blood sugar readings. No not the chocolate covered ones. LOL let me know if you have any more questions. I am a work in progress. Best Wishes

Kabbs, You might consider talking to your doctor about a medication called Byetta. It is an injection that helps control your diabetes and one of the side effects is weight loss. You can Google it to find out more. It is expensive, but I did lose some weight while taking it. I got off because of the expense and had the lap band surgery. I have read about others on this site who did not need to lose 100 pounds, but have been approved for surgery. It all depends on your insurance provider. By the way my A1C number for diabetes has gone down since having the lapband surgery. Best Wishes

Salam, This time period is called Bandster Hell for a reason! It is a time for healing from surgery. You will lose weight!! I am four and half months out and down 55 pounds. I too had moments of doubt. Once you heal and start getting fills, you will become restricted and eat less and think less about eating. Hang in there, we have all traveled the same road and you are not alone. Best Wishes.

Not sure where to post this information. I received a magazine called Living XL and they have a website www.livingxl.com it has a lot of interesting items that are made for larger people. For example lounge chairs that hold up to 600 pounds and bikes that hold up to 500 pounds. I personally like the hammock, it looks so relaxing.

I am allowed one cup of coffee a day. Got to have my morning cup. Giving up the soda is so hard, but I can't imagine giving up coffee.

I have a friend who lost about eighty pound with the lapband. Then she got pregnant and had the band unfilled. She had a healthy pregnancy and baby. Best Wishes.

Gloucester, I know that Curves will accept young girls who are tall enough to work the equipment. I'm not sure if you have Curves where you live. It is a workout place just for women. I also know that YMCA has a work out program for children. Of course a good old fashioned walk is helpful. Recently my daughter and I started playing bad mitton and we get a good work out picking up the birdie all the time. We have not mastered the game yet. But we have fun and get exercise doing it. Best Wishes.

Does anyone drink through a straw? If so does it cause you any problems with your band?

I did a pre-op diet and lost 16 pounds. I did have my lapband surgery, but was told afterward that my liver was still big. I was so upset because I worked so hard to shrink it. So they can still do the surgery but it does make it harder for the surgeon. Best Wishes.

Boo Boo Kitty, First of all congrats on all that weight loss. You go girl. Fortunately I do not have problems sleeping. It's one of my favorite things to do. Have you tried meditating? I hear it does wonders. Also one of things I do when I can't sleep is to imagine myself in a beautiful relaxing place and just build it in my mind. I go into details in my thoughts about the weather the colors the surrounding etc. It doesnt always work, but I am fortunate that I do not have problems sleeping very often. It kind of sounds like Im I freak, but I dont sleep in womens restrooms. ha ha Hey what about a glass of wine before bed or a hot relaxing bath. Best Wishes.

sammey1 You are not alone, I had my surgery on 12/31 and did my pre-op diet during Christmas holiday and that was so hard! My surgeon said I could have one meal on Christmas Day, but then back to liquids until surgery. I lost 16 pounds, but my liver was still fatty. I was so upset because I worked so hard on shrinking it. So hang in there it will be ok. Best wishes with your upcoming surgery.

Ive heard that swimming is a good exercise for anyone. I personally do not have access to a pool. Good old fashioned walking like you are already doing. Ive also done the Richard Simmons "Sweating To The Oldies" is good exercice. I lost 80 pounds, years ago exercising to his tapes and starving myself. I need to dust those off myself and start sweating. Good Luck

I also have sleep apnea. I had a sleep study done a year ago and I quit breathing 401 times during the study. I now sleep with my mask on and it has made a hugh difference in my life. I found a website helpful, its www.cpaptalk.com CPAP and Sleep Apnea Discussion Forum I use Nasal-Aire II mask, its light weight and I can sleep in any position. It does take time getting used to the mask, but it is worth it. Ive also read some lose weight after getting their sleep apnea under control. Of course that didn't happen to me, but my lap band is helping. Good luck & Good sleep.

My surgeon said its ok to have one cup of coffee a day. Ive gotta have that morning cup.

I really like to eat at Black Eye Pea. They have good squash casserole, baked fish, mashed potato. I also eat at a local deli that has good soups and a to die for chicken salad sandwich. I do not eat much of the bread. I also can make several meals out of a baked potato with chopped beef. Crap, now I'm hungry... LOL

Kristi43 I ate squash casserole at the mushy stage and it was so wonderful. If you have Black Eye Pea where you live they make a delicious one that is very mushy & satisfying. Hang in there!!

Hi drkel, So sorry to hear about the suffering you had. My husband gave me a very deep massage for the gas pain. It really helped alot. I sure hope you feel better soon. Hang in there, it will get better.

I haven't tried pizza or pancakes yet, but they do sound good. I think I remember reading on this site that with the syrup it makes the pancake mushy, but I would try really small bites and chew well. As for pizza I don't dare bec I wouldnt be able to stop myself. Good luck and let me know how it goes down.

Got my second fill yesterday, and I can finally tell that I have some restriction. I did only liquids yesterday and didnt get hungry. Today I can do mushy foods and I was only able to eat half a yogurt this morning. So hang in there it will finally come at some point. Good luck.

chubbychecker, yes it is the same pain you felt before in the shoulder. I had my husband give me a good massage and it really helped. Everyone is scared of actually being put under but I just said my prayers as they were wheeling me into the operating room and I sang my traditional surgery song very quietly to myself. "I like to sing the Oscar Meyer bologna song" It is silly but hey that is what keeps me from jumping off the table. Best Wishes

I have a 10cc band and my first fill was 3cc and the only thing you feel is the the prick of the needle but it is only a small sting. I got a fill of 1cc this morning at 10:30am and I ate breakfast at 7:30am and that wasn't a problem. It really is a lot less painful than you build it up in your mind. Just dont look at the needle, that works for me. Best Wishes

I am staying on plan today because I am so upset with myself for eating too much lately and gaining back a little weight. I will have my second fill tomorrow. I deserve to feel better!!