gabeekeeper

Hello! I am new to this group. I had my band put in November 2007. I was well over 350 and the lowest I have gotten is down to 210. I have been TTC since April 2009. I went to an RE and have been on injectibles and so I gained some weight. I am 40 yrs old and have 3 adopted children and have been TTC to have just one biological. I had a early MC in October 2010. I found out I was pregnant on a sunday and by that wednesday I was bleeding and my beta #'s were dropping. I had my band loosened immediately after finding out I was pregnant b/c I was having a hard time taking my prenatals and I was so tight I really wasn't getting any nutrition in me. Fast forward to now, I am 5w4d pregnant and everything is going well so far. I have an US on March 11 and that will make me feel so much better!! I am not having any nauseous and generally don't really feel pregnant with the exception of being tired in mid afternoon and taking 2hr naps daily. My lap band doctor told me in October that I should have a C-section and I am not really sure why, is that what usually happens to all lap band people? Any advice is welcome!

hello!! Well, I am a Bandster and I am officially in the TWW!! I was banded 11/27/07 I have lost 130 pounds. I am currently at 217,, but I decided to go ahead and try to get PG b/c I am 38. My OB/GYN prescribed Clomid and I took it this cycle. We found out that my Progesterone levels were low, so I will start taking that 3DPO. I have a short luteal phase. Well, I ovulated on saturday and I had the day before, the day of, and the day after covered... so now I'm just waiting.

Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI Foofy...............37.5..................14%.................38 Sades...............33...................14.5%.................35.5 Shalee04...........61.....................24%................31.1 Bandpal.............77.66..................27%................34.1(47) Skinny_Jill..........50.....................22.5%..............32.7 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........99.....................27%.................37.7 linda.................42.5..................19%.................31.6 Abbisgood..........53.....................23%.................?? want2lose..........76.4...................26%................33.5 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......61.2...................23%................32.6 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............98.....................24.5%.........52.8 to 39.8 Cindyg...............47.....................18.5%.................37 Close.................50.....................20%.................33.1 Tmusicmaker123..73.....................19%.................60.1 to 48.7 plump_princess....57.....................22%.................36 Mariegabrieleee....71.....................23%.................51.3 to 39.4 gabeekeeper.......101.....................?? ..................40.2 stranger138........36......................15%.................35 shortgal..............40......................18.5%..............33.8 Robin_Bird............76.....................25%................? Staysee..............70.....................20%................48.4 Hajohnson1..........45....................16.4%..............40.6 lindseyann2u........63......................?%.................? BarbBee..............57.......................19%...............42.1 Cherlita...............44.......................20%...............65 to 57.5 BandChick64..........86.....................28.7%.............34.5 TOTAL.......1763.66 I have lost 101 pounds!!! I can't believe it!!! I started at 335 and I am officially 234!!!! I can't wait to bust that 200 mark!!! I have been exercising more, riding my bike and I have the WII FIT and I LOVE IT!! It is so much fun. Thank you all for being a great online support, and I have a great support group that I go to 2 x a month locally. Support is the key. Take care Raynae' PS I didn't know how to do my percentage,, sorry

Name..........Start........Current.........Goal........ To Go CindyG.........210...........206...........198...........8 TxArcher.......308...........302...........285...........17 Foofy..........235...........234...........225........... 9 Skinny_Jill....173...........168...........163............5 Hollyberries...257...........255...........247............8 Stephanie......173...........173...........159...........14 gabeekeeper....246...........234...........236...........0 Sades..........197...........195.5.........185...........10.5 shortgal.......175...........175...........165...........10 Momto1plus1....210...........208...........198...........10 Shalee04.......187...........185...........177...........10 osangriared....248...........248...........228...........20 lindata........181.5.........181.5.........176.5..........5 kuchiegrl1.....262.5.........253.5.........252...........1.5 kandiceb.......175...........175...........165...........10 Hajohnson1.....234...........229.2.........219...........10.2 Hopping to it..295...........295...........280...........15 Eulete P.......219...........219...........209...........10 wnr2lose.......211.8.........208.8.........200...........8.8 Hey, I hope I did the update correctly. I am at 234 now!! That is 2 pounds under my goal. I guess I can put in another goal? I had only put in 10 pounds, b/c I really didn't think I could do it. I think I am in the "sweet" spot. Everyone keep up the good work!! Raynae'

Hi everyone!! I am so excited. I just had a DR visit yesterday and I almost fell over!! I lost 10.5 pounds since my last visit on April 14, 2008!!! I really stuck to the low carb eating and rode my bike almost every day (sometimes 45 min at a time). When I last posted here I had lost some of this 10.5 b/c I weighed in at my support group. I am now 238!! Woooo hooooo I started at 335 and I have lost 97 pounds!!!!!! I had my surgery Nov 27, 2007 I did get another fill, he put in 1/2 cc. I think I have 7 cc's in my 10cc band. I readjusted my pounds lost but didn't know the % of wgt lost. I started out with a BMI of 55 and now have a 40.9 BMI Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI Foofy...............37.5..................14%.................38 Sades...............31.5..................14%.................36 Shalee04...........61.....................24%................31.1 Bandpal.............66.8..................24%................36 Skinny_Jill..........50.....................22.5%..............32.7 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........97.....................27%.................38 linda.................42.5..................19%.................31.6 Abbisgood..........53.....................23%.................?? want2lose..........76.4...................26%................33.5 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......59.2...................22%................32.9 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............94.....................23%..............52.8 to 40.6 Cindyg...............45.....................18%.................37.5 Close.................50.....................20%.................33.1 Tmusicmaker123..73.....................19%.................60.1 to 48.7 plump_princess....57.....................22%.................36 Mariegabrieleee....71.....................23%.................51.3 to 39.4 gabeekeeper.......97...................... ....................40.9 stranger138........36......................15%.................35 shortgal..............40......................18.5%..............33.8 Robin_Bird............76.....................25%................? Staysee..............70.....................20%................48.4 Hajohnson1..........40.2..................14.6%..............41.5 lindseyann2u........63......................34%.................? TOTAL:::::::::::: 1546.1 LBS:ohmy::w00t::thumbup::smile::thumbup::thumbup::tt2::thumbup:

Hi everyone, Hope all is going well in band land! I went to my DR yesterday (5-15-08) and found out that I lost 10.5 pounds since my last visit on April 14, 2008!!!!! I thought that I was not doing so well-- but then I always think that :w00t: I have been exercising more, riding my bike and walking. I did ask for another fill. A week before my visit I always feel like I can eat more than I should. Now it is never as much as I used to could eat,, but it worries me. I ate a piece of cake on Mothers Day and I don't think I should have been able to eat that !! LOL He put 1/2 cc in me. I think I have 7 cc's and my band is a 10cc but I'm not sure. My DR recommends clear liquid the day after a fill and so far I haven't even wanted food. I love the super full feeling I'm getting with just Water and Soup (OK, so now you all know that I'm crazy LOL) Ok so when I accepted this challenge I was at 246 my current weight is 238!!! total of 8 Pounds lost. :thumbup:

Here I go!! Name..............Start...........Current..............Goal........ To Go CindyG..............210................210..................198....... ....12 TxArcher...........308................308...................285....... ....23 Foofy...............235.................235..................225...... .....10 Skinny_Jill..........173................173..................163...... .......10 Hollyberries.........257...............257..................247....... ......10 Stephanie...........173...............173.................159......... ...14 gabeekeeper........246..............246.................236................10 Good luck to everyone. I will be able to keep focused for the June date. My daughter is in Afghanistan and she will be coming home for a Visit on June 7 -- she was home for my surgery Nov 27 and she hasn't seen me since I have lost 89 pounds!!!

Hang in there!! I have those days and one day I ate doritos and it scared me to death!!! But, I got back on track and am doing real good. Now, I have noticed tonight that since I am a little over a week until my next Dr. appt,, I was able to eat more that I usually do. It was good stuff (cabbage was heavenly tonight!!). But when I get about a week away from a fill, I start to be able to eat more. I have had 4 fills and I guess I will need a fifth come the 15th. Raynae'

Hello everyone! I started at 335 in Oct. 2007 Had my surgery on Nov 27, 2007 on 4/21/08 I weighed 246!! So that is a total of 89 pounds!! I feel so much better and am more active than ever. I have gone form a mens 5x shorts and womens 28/32 pants to a size 22 (and I even got into a size 20 the other day!!) Life is good. Raynae'

I had my first fill on 12-27-07 And even though I can tell a difference , I feel like sometimes I am eating too much. I am really concentrating on NO snacking. Christmas was a hard time for me. Will I be able to tell a big difference after the second or third fill? I am eating alot less than prior to surgery, but I think I am eating a cup or a little more at a meal.

Congrats!! I am a Nov bandster, but stopped in for a peek. Sounds like your doing really great. I didn't have any gas pain until day 2. I recommend the Gas X strips and chewables. They will help alot. I was banded 11-27-07 and had my first fill on 12-27-07.

Hi! I am a 36 (well,, in Jan will be 37) yr old Lesbian mother of 3 from South GA. I was banded on 11-27-07 and had my first fill on 12-27-07. I lost weight before surgery and my start weight was 335 and I am now at 293. My partner of 4 yrs is very supportive and has been a great help to me. She has never been fat and has barely weighed more than 150. I am so glad that I found this GLBT thread. A friend of mine had her band in Dec 2006 and she is also a lesbian and her partner is trying to get it done, but is fighting with her insurance company. She has lost 72 pounds and she is my personal hero!! I had my procedure done in Jacksonville, FL by Dr. Baptista. He is great! At the first visit her asked my wife if she was my partner and she said yes, and he said that he was very glad to see that she was there with me and that it would help me be very successful in my journey. So I would most definetely say that they are family friendly and that made me feel very comfortable!! Anyone else in South GA? I am wanting to go to a support group meetings, but can't really go to the ones in Jacksonville every month. There is one in Valdosta, GA and I am going to try that one. Happy New Year!! Raynae'

Hey, I had my surgery done by Dr. Baptista and I was self pay. I had the procedure done at the Jacksonville Surgery Center and that saved me some money. I liked it there, the nurses are very attentive to you from the time you get there until you leave. One was right by me the entire time. I went in for my first appt. on 10/24/07 and had my surgery on 11/27/07. My cost was : first visit/pre-op visit - $500.00 meeting w/ nutritionist - $100.00 Surgeon Fee -$5000.00 Jax Surgery center fee- $8800.00 Anesthesia - $500.00 _________ Total $14900.00 Did you meet with Dana? Was it the free consultation? I never did that, I just set up the $500 appt. The paper they give you with the price for Shands and Baptist Memorial is higher than the Jacksonville Surgery Center. If your BMI is less than 50 and you do not have alot of health problems like heart, etc, then they can do it at Jacksonville Surgery Center. The cost I calculated up did not include the blood test I had to have done at my doctors office and also the EKG. Believe me, it is well worth the money spent. And it is all a TAX WRITE OFF! Any treatment of Obesity can be claimed on your taxes. I feel so much better. I was 335 in October, had my surgery 11/27/07 and I am now at 293 --- Grand total of 42 pounds,,, and the inches that are coming off are amazing!!!

Hello! I had my surgery this morning and went home the same day. I live in South GA, so I am about 2.5 hrs away from my DR. I used Jacksonville Weight Loss Center, Dr. Baptista and I believe he is the best. He really taught me alot in the weeks before my surgery. SAFETY first is his motto! I am suprised that I am not in so much pain. I am walking and doing deep breathing exercies like he said. I am on Clear liquids (I was on them prior to surgery per DR orders) I can't wait to go to shakes on day 4. I use Atkins and Low carb slimfast,, anyone else doing those shakes? I don't know anything about the other shakes listed on this board. Drinking all this Water is torture at times b/c of all the bathroom breaks!! I lost 16 pounds prior to surgery. My doctor wanted me to shrink my liver and put me on a trial band diet.. he really discussed the importance of high Protein and made me practice eating slowly and chewing up food alot. hope to make new friends here. I am 36 (will be 37 in Jan), My name is Raynae' and I live in GA.

thank you Steph! JaxFab-- I had an appt today (12-27) @ 10:45am. What time where you there? Did you meet Dr. Baptista? He is wonderful!! What did they say? I had my first fill today. It is exactly one month since my surgery and I was sure glad to get a restriction. I was feeling the hunger pains sneak up on me. I nibbled at christmas and so I was up 1/2 a pound. But the Dr. said it was water weight,, so I'm back on track and will not beat myself up. I felt a big difference after the fill. It was funny how water filled me up again!! keep in touch JaxFab and I hope you the best luck and that you will be able to get your surgery thru this office. They are all wonderful and a great support.

Hello, I'm still new to this group. My name is Raynae' and I was banded Nov 27. Christmas was the first and only time that I detoured from my diet plan. I didn't do anything close to how I used to eat, but I felt so guilty b/c I know that I ate more that usual. I made cakes from scratch and banana nut bread and in the days before christmas I didn't touch a crumb. But on Christmas day I treated myself to taste them. Overall I didn't do to bad. Went to my Dr. today and I did gain 1/2 a pound but he said it was water and not to worry. He said to just get back on track, which is what I have done. I got my first fill today also. My friend warned me that the first fill is the worst. She had her lap band put in dec 06. My Dr. had a time finding the spot to put the needle, but he says that is common for the first fill. I'm on clear liquids for today, and then tomorrow on shakes and then day 3 back to eating. I feel a big difference already. I was getting nervous b/c I was getting the hunger creeping back on me in the last couple of days. Happy New Year to everyone!!

Hello, My name is Raynae' and I just got my surgery date and am so excited and a little nervous. I am going to Dr. Cywes & Dr. Baptista in Jacksonville, FL. I was fortunate to go to the seminar with Kaliah Ali and hear her story and receive a autographed copy of her book! A close friend of mine had the lap band done in Dec 2006 and has had great results. Well, tomorrow I go get the blood work/EKG/x-rays, I live 2 hrs from my surgeon so I am doing all of that at my doctors. I am self pay. I was told that if I opted to have the surgery at the Doctors out patient center that I would save $5,000 The only thing is I have to lose some weight prior to surgery. Good news is, if I don't get off what they want then I can reschedule for Dec. Ok, I have a BMI of 55 and they have to have a BMI of 50 in order for me to have it at the out patient center and not the hospital. Which is a great option b/c remember I will be saving 5K!!! Also, I want to shrink my liver. Any suggestions on how to drop the weight? I have been drinking my Water so well that I am floating away!! The doctor suggested no more than 30 carbs a day. Thanks!! Raynae'

I will be getting banded nov 27 -- as long as I can get my BMI down to 50 If I do that then I will save $5,000!! My doctor has the option to do the surgery at their out patient center or at the hospital. I qualify for the out patient center if I have the 50 BMI,, I currently have 55 BMI. If I don't make it by then, I will reschedule for Dec. I'm nervous but sooo happy :clap2: