BandChick64

I have 5.65 cc's in a 10 cc band. Just went back to the doctor this past Monday for a follow up and did not get a fill at that time. I had lost 19 lbs since I was there in July and still seem to be doing ok. Occasionally I get stuck especially in the morning but for the most part, I think I'm doing ok and I don't want to risk getting it too tight. Hope everyone is doing well!! :biggrin:

Hi Myellen-- I had my surgery November 13th of last year, and I have lost about 105 lbs. since starting the pre-op diet a week prior to surgery. From talking to my Dr. and other people who have had the surgery, I don't necessarily think my results are typical, but I totally 100% agree with Sue. Exercise is very much the key--I work out 4 days a week for about an hour and a half. It's definitely possible to lose your goal of 112 lbs. I don't think I'm necessarily going to hit my goal by my anniversary as I had more to lose than that, but I should be pretty darn close. I'm a heck of a lot closer than I was 10 months ago--and I have absolutely no regrets. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. Congratulations on your weight loss--keep up the great work!! :smile2:

Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI QatarPhil...........55......................19%................32.2 (39.6) Foofy................48....................17.7%...............36.4 Sades...............44.8..................19.5%..............33.7 Shalee04...........68.....................27.4.................30.0 Bandpal.............92.07..................32.1%...............31.8 (47 ) Skinny_Jill..........59.5...................26.8%..............30.8 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........113.....................31%.................36.2 linda.................52......................23%.................29.9 5 Abbisgood..........53.....................23%.................?? want2lose..........91.8...................32%................31 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......75.8...................28.1%..............30.3 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............103...................25.75%.........52.8 to 39.2 Cindyg...............58.....................23%.................35 Close.................50.....................20%.................33.1 Tmusicmaker123..73.....................19%.................60.1 to 48.7 plump_princess....57.....................22%.................36 Mariegabrieleee....73.....................24%.................51.3 to 39.1 gabeekeeper.......101.....................30% ..................40.2 strangeratx........50......................21.7%.................31.9 Shortgal..............44.5...................20.5%.................32. 9 Robin_Bird............103.....................33.8%................30. 7 Staysee..............70.....................20%................48.4 Hajohnson1..........49.8....................18.2%..............39.8 lindseyann2u........70......................?%.................? Cherlita...............44.......................20%...............65 to 57.5 BandChick64..........104.....................34.67%.............31.6 tyman311..............61.....................31%...............41 to 28 (so far) BarbBee................80......................26%.................37. 5 Huskerette............54..(i gained)..........22%...............30.5 Firebolt.................45.....................19%..................3 3.5 Rachel.................63........................?%................28 .3 Teresajo..............93........................36%................27. 3 Aubrie.................65........................?%................31 TOTAL..............2422.97 (Lets Keep this TOTAL on the list)

Cindymom-- My first adjustment was 2.5 cc's so I think you're fine. The adjustments will get smaller the further you go along. I've had 4 adjustments now and I think I'm up to 5.65 cc's at this point. The size of your fills also depends on the size of your band. The older bands only held 4 cc's. I have the AP 10 cc band so it hold a little more. And I understand that there is now a larger 14 cc band on the market now. I'm not sure which band you or your niece have but that might make a difference as well. Check with your band Dr. if you're not sure, but if you are able to swallow and are eating well with no problems I would say everything is absolutely fine. Hope that helps!! Good luck to you--sounds like you are doing great!!

ROLL-CALL 1st Cindyg1212 PattyPoo Nessa3678 brandymom1234 Mom_of_Chuy sanderro Holiwood Longhorn Forestcat Rhea Sades edeva3 Teresajo 2nd lizzie_07 lindata KristinaDawnB lindseyann2u sconie pam726 4th QatarPhil 5th DLW wnt2lose jelbel 6th Wishes4444(Ann) Diva Inside ndmom kandiceb jetti vanessav hollyberries LangleyGirl 7th Goldie1109 susieq125 shadst83 Cota129 Imonmyway7368 MyLady 8th anw5102 dawndannae stranger138 needto ebrow39 Bandstertobe zippykat QUEENMOTHEROF1 Melanie1972 9th Banded4Life neen7171 maccy mariaxoxo4u Kristin1031 Carsons mommy chubbydiva Miztrniceguy 10th Selisejohnson omlagirl jen6740 anitak33 12th suebob Shalee04 Foofy 13th CCFRA Princessannod1 Tralynn222 sschude BandChick64 -acl- (Amy) 14th lightenup! dream'n2bthin Life Change (Eulete) carleah2 emnasmom 15th steph_cn RxTracy Hopping to It- Danna sunshiny Tete2 kickrmom 16th Laurieu sstaab 19th Mrs Smartypants Momto1plus1 MusigalF lisawach 20th Skinny_Jill blondecz (Crissy) Firebolt (Judy) Cuerposano (Diana) Mysie 21st Bobp Bandpal 22nd luvmy4boys 23rd FlaLMT and fiance HoneyB-Palomino & mom 26th kuchiegrl1 Motocrossgirly jrsyshoregrl684 (Bypass) BigDoug143 BarBee hungryforchange 27th 731Shawty Cherlita Julie-Ann plump_princess HAJohnson1 28th lukin puppy TxArcher shortgal 29th Sassafras TAWHarris McQty close 4mykidzinVale (Surgery in Bend, Oregon) 30th WorththeWeight samorelli Southerngal --------------------------------------------- Still here and checking in!!

Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI QatarPhil...........55......................19%................32.2 (39.6) Foofy................43....................15.5%...............37.2 Sades...............44.8..................19.5%..............33.7 Shalee04...........68.....................27.4.................30.0 Bandpal.............88.11..................30.%...............32.4(47 ) Skinny_Jill..........59.5...................26.8%..............30.8 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........113.....................31%.................36.2 linda.................52......................23%.................29.9 5 want2lose..........91.8...................32%................31 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......74.4...................27.6%..............30.5 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............103...................25.75%.........52.8 to 39.2 Cindyg...............58.....................23%.................35 Close.................50.....................20%.................33.1 plump_princess....57.....................22%.................36 Mariegabrieleee....73.....................24%.................51.3 to 39.1 gabeekeeper.......101.....................30% ..................40.2 stranger138........49......................21.3%.................32.1 hortgal..............40......................18.5%..............33.8 Robin_Bird............90.....................29.5%................32.7 Hajohnson1..........49.8....................18.2%..............39.8 lindseyann2u........73......................*%.................* Cherlita...............44.......................20%...............65 to 57.5 BandChick64..........102.....................34.0%.............32.0 tyman311..............61.....................31%...............41 to 28 (so far) BarbBee................80......................26%.................37. 5 Huskerette............54..(i gained)..........22%...............30.5 Firebolt.................45.....................19%..................3 3.5 Rachel.................63........................72%................28 .3 Teresajo..............93........................36%................27. 3 TOTAL..............2134.41 (Lets Keep this TOTAL on the list) ************Checking in and updating--I finally broke into Onederland this week and broke the 100 lb loss about the same time. The scale is moving VERY slowly these days though!! Great job to all of the Nymphs!!

Awesome job on the weightloss, Cindymom--Keep up the great work!! When do you have your first adjustment?? Should be anytime I would think--my first one was 5 weeks after surgery. Good luck and keep us all posted on your progress!!

Hi Banded Girl--Hang in there with the YMCA membership--it makes all the difference in the world. I work out 3-4 times a week for about an hour to an hour and a half. I credit the exercise with my success as much as the band. And you know you can get the oreo fix once in a while--everything is ok in moderation. The trick is that you have to think of this whole process as a life change and not as a diet. The band is just another tool. I have an oreo or a few M & M's once in a while as a treat. You can't give up all of the goodies forever or you won't be able to stick with it!! Get yourself a workout buddy--that helps a lot too!! I push myself more when I have someone working out with me--it can even get a little competitive because you try to keep up with each other on the treadmill or whatever you are doing!! Good luck and keep me posted on how you are doing!!

Hi Toribug-- Just checking in and I saw your post. I went thru St Mary's and I can't say enough positive things about that whole group. Be sure to talk to the girls in the bariatric office--Lana and Debbie are just great!! Debbie has had the surgery herself (although I never would have guessed it when I met her), and she can answer a lot of your questions from personal experience. If you are going to be a self-pay patient, the process will be pretty quick. I had my first appointment with Dr. Lusco and my surgery was less than a month later. It was a blur--and would have probably been quicker but I wanted to have the surgery during my vacation last November. I told them that, and they scheduled the pre-op testing on a Friday, then I had my follow up with Dr. Lusco 3 days later on Monday, started the pre-surgery liquid diet the next day, and had my surgery a week later on Tuesday, November 13th. I went back to work the following Monday. That was over 100 lbs. ago and I have absolutely no regrets. Good luck to you and keep us posted on your progress!!

Hi Shelly-- I have Dr. Lusco too--and I just love him!! I can't say enough about him and about that whole group of people in the bariatric program. Debbie and Lana at the hospital are wonderful if you have any questions about insurance and Debbie has had the surgery herself so she can tell you about her experience. Kirk Evans, the exercise physiologist, is great to give you a kick in the pants to get you moving after surgery. I highly recommend participating in the exercise program--I even stayed on for 6 months after my free 6 weeks was up to make sure I developed good habits. Now I'm at the YMCA but I plan on going back to visit and might even go back to work out. Kirk is terrific about answering questions if you need help with your fitness goals!! Let me know if you have any questions and good luck to you!! :tt1:)

Hi Busy-- I was thinking about you and wondering how you were doing!! Hang in there. I got a little side tracked and made some bad choices when I was out of town on vacation for 2 weeks also, and even gained about 3 lbs., but I got back on track pretty quickly when I got back in town. I think I just needed an adjustment which I have had now. I've now lost the 3lbs. that I gained on vacation plus 4 more, so I've got my motivation back. You might need a fill to get you going again. Good luck and keep me posted on your progress!! Hang on to the new outfit--you'll be able to wear it soon enough!! New clothes do wonders for my outlook on life these days!! Take care!!

Hi Zolableu-- Sorry it has taken me so long to reply to you--just haven't been on the computer much in the last month or so. Hopefully by now you have the answers to your question but I wanted to make sure you didn't think I was ignoring you. As far as what I eat, I can honestly eat anything I ate before, just smaller quantities and now that I have pretty good restriction with the band, I have to eat much slower and concentrating on chewing my food up really well, especially with the first few bites of my meal. I don't do JUST fruit for breakfast, although my band seems to be tighter in the morning, so I generally have a container of yogurt with a couple of spoons of granola mixed in. Occasionally I will have some banana. I really like the Kroger Carb Master yogurt--it has 12 grams of protein in a 6 oz. container and only 80 calories and the fruit flavors are very yummy. The regular lite yogurt only has 7 grams of protein I think. For lunch, especially Monday thru Friday when I'm at work, I usually have a lean cuisine meal, and I try to concentrate on the ones that have between 250 and 350 calories with 15-20+ grams of protein. I also like the healthy choice but they seem to have more sodium and not as much protein. For dinner, I usually have whatever the rest of the family is eating but I have smaller portions and try to focus on the protein first and then the veggies. My calories usually fall around 1200. I try to watch the carbs to make sure I don't have huge amounts although, I don't avoid carbs, I just try to be aware of how many I'm taking in. My best advice is to READ THE LABELS on food--I've become much more aware of what's in the food I'm eating. My husband calls me the Food Nazi!! :party:) I try to make sure my protein is at least 50-60 grams per day. I don't hit that every single day but it averages out that way over the week. I'm not a big fan of protein shakes although I do drink one once in a while. If I'm on the run on the weekend or find myself getting hungry in the late afternoon, I will grab a protein bar. Usually a South Beach or a Zone Perfect--they have anywhere between 140 and 210 calories with between 10 and 21 grams of protein. They taste pretty good especially if you need a chocolate fix!! For the most part, I don't snack--just my 3 meals a day with LOTS of water, crystal light, iced tea, and coffee--no soda!! I find that it tastes TERRIBLE now but I had pretty well given it up even before my surgery. I try to go to the gym 3-4 days a week also for about an hour and a half. I've been slacking on that since I've been on vacation but I intend to get back to it this next week. Typically I do about 40 minutes on the treadmill (3.8-4 on the speed with an incline of 4) and 30 minutes on the elliptical or the bike with 20 minutes or so on the weight machines. Ok I think that's about it--I'm really sorry for the long-winded post, but I wanted to get it all out there. I'm not telling you this is what you need to do but this is what has worked for me since I had the surgery in November. Everyone's body is different and you should follow the instructions of your doctor and do what works for you personally!! I dearly love my doctor (Vincent Lusco). This is the best thing I have ever done for myself. Dr. Lusco asked me this week if I have any regrets and my answer was ABSOLUTELY NOT. I told him that I could be his poster child for this surgery!! I firmly believe in this program, as long as you look at your band as being a TOOL and not expecting the pounds to just drop off by themselves. You have to be willing to work at it, and I have worked very hard, but I don't believe I could have accomplished what I have without my band. It's there to remind me if I have a lapse in judgement and try to eat too much. The bottom line is that you still have to make good food choices and exercise. This is all about making a lifestyle change and making yourself healthier. Again--everyone is different but this is what has worked for me!! Good luck to you and to all of the Kentucky bandsters!! Keep me posted on your progress!! Sorry this is so long!!

Hi Everyone--just checking in to see how things are going with the Kentucky bandsters. Everything is going well on this end--just very busy with family stuff with vacation and my son out of school and all. Haven't been to the gym for a couple of weeks due to vacation although I did make it to the YMCA once while we were out of town and worked out for an hour or so. Went to see Dr. Lusco on Monday and he's very happy with my progress since I am more than on track to lose 100 lbs in the first year. I only have a few pounds to go to hit that goal and as long as I stay motivated like I am right now and don't fall off the wagon, I should hit that within the next few weeks. It has slowed down but I expected that. Now I just have to get my tail back to the gym and keep working. As long as I get to work out 3-4 days a week, I feel pretty good about myself. I hope everyone is doing well and I will try to check back in soon!! Take care!!

I just had my 4th fill on Monday. The Dr. said he thought we just needed to fine tune it and gave me another .75 cc for a total of 5.65 cc's in my 10 cc band. At my previous appointment he wouldn't do an adjustment at all because I had lost 18 lbs in the 12 weeks prior to that. This time I had still lost over 15 in 12 weeks but I told him that I fallen off the wagon on vacation and was starting to be a little hungry in between meals, so he went ahead and put in a small amount. I've been on liquids all week, but I did scrambled eggs for dinner tonight to see how things would go, and I can definitely feel the difference. Hopefully once I try something a little more solid, I will have a better idea of how things are going to go, but so far, so good!! Congrats Cindy--you just sailed past that 100 lb. weight loss and have kept right on going!! You should be very proud of yourself!! I hope to join you soon!! Great job to everyone!!

Congratulations!! That's wonderful!! I'm hoping to be there with you within the next couple of weeks. I should hit 100 lbs of weight loss and Onederland about the same time. I can't wait!! Awesome job!!

Not me--I LOVE spicy food. In fact my husband thinks that's my our son has reddish hair because I ate so much hot food when I was pregnant. (Not true--his mom is a redhead). The only foods I've had trouble with are some roast beef that I cooked to death in the crock pot but didn't chew well enough before I swallowed, and some rice that I had a couple of weeks ago. Mostly I can eat just about anything, but I have to remember especially with the first couple of bites to chew really well. If I start off eating too quickly, it's all over!! I'm not sure if the spicy food would cause the trouble or not. Everyone seems to be different!!

Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI QatarPhil...........55......................19%...............32.2 (39.6) Foofy...............43....................15.5%..................37.2 Sades...............35....................15.2%...............35.6 Shalee04...........66.....................26.6................30.3 Bandpal.............84.50..................29%................33(47) Skinny_Jill..........50.....................22.5%..............32.7 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........106.....................30%.................36.6 linda.................52......................23%.................29.9 5 Abbisgood..........53.....................23%.................?? want2lose..........76.4...................26%................33.5 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......71.....................26.3%..............31.0 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............101...................25.25%.........52.8 to 39.4 Cindyg...............50.....................20%.................36.5 Close.................50.....................20%.................33.1 Tmusicmaker123..73.....................19%.................60.1 to 48.7 plump_princess....57.....................22%.................36 Mariegabrieleee....73.....................24%.................51.3 to 39.1 gabeekeeper.......101.....................30% ..................40.2 stranger138........45......................19.56%.................32.8 shortgal..............40......................18.5%..............33.8 Robin_Bird............90.....................29.5%................32.7 Staysee..............70.....................20%................48.4 Hajohnson1..........49.8....................18.2%..............39.8 lindseyann2u........70......................?%.................? Cherlita...............44.......................20%...............65 to 57.5 BandChick64..........94.5.....................31.5%.............33.2 tyman311..............61.....................31%...............41 to 28 (so far) BarbBee................69......................23%...............39.4 Huskerette............54..(i gained)..........22%...............30.5 Firebolt.................45.....................19%..................3 3.5 Total 2089.2 lbs lost! Hi Everyone--haven't posted in a while. I fell off the wagon while I was on vacation for 2 weeks, but I managed to get back on track pretty quickly when I got home. Had a .75 cc fill on Monday, and have dropped 4 lbs. this week. I LOVE my band!! Congratulations to all of the Nymphs--everyone is doing great!!

Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI Foofy...............40.5..................15%..................37.6 Sades...............35....................15.2%...............35.6 Shalee04...........66.....................26.6................30.3 Bandpal.............77.66..................27%................34.1(47) Skinny_Jill..........50.....................22.5%..............32.7 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........100.....................27%.................37.7 linda.................46.5...................20.5..................31 Abbisgood..........53.....................23%.................?? want2lose..........76.4...................26%................33.5 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......63.6...................24%................32.2 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............98.....................24.5%.........52.8 to 39.8 Cindyg...............48.....................19%.................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.....................30% ..................40.2 stranger138........37......................16%.................34.2 shortgal..............40......................18.5%..............33.8 Robin_Bird............80.....................27.2%................33.8 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..........90.....................30%.............33.9 tyman311..............61.....................31%...............41 to 28 (so far) Moving WAY slow but at least it's in the right direction!!

Major congrats to TX and Hollyberries and anyone else who has hit the 100 lb. mark!! That is absolutely awesome--such an accomplishment!! I hit 90 lbs this week but it's moving verrrrrrrrrrryyy verrrrrrrrrrrrry slowwwwwly now. At the rate I'm going it's going to be a while before I hit the century mark. You guys are my inspiration though!! I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful source of support that we have on this board. Great job guys!!

Thanks TxArcher--but actually you guys are an inspiration to ME!! I do try to get on here and read every couple of weeks or so, I just tend to kind of lurk and not post too much. Thanks to all of the Nymphs--it makes me proud that there is a source of support such as this and that I can be a very small part of it!! Great job to everyone!!

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........97.....................27%.................38 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...............46.....................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......................29% ..................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......................?%.................? BarbBee..............57.......................19%...............42.1 Cherlita...............44.......................20%...............65 to 57.5 BandChick64..........86.....................28.7%.............34.5 TOTAL.......1751.86 _______________________________ I want to play too!! I haven't been on the board for quite a while!! Awesome job to everyone!! :rolleyes2:

Hi Jdmdiv--I had my surgery in November with the same group of surgeons. I am with Dr. Lusco out of the same office. I was a self-pay patient because, like you, weight loss surgery was specifically excluded from my policy. (Worth every penny, by the way!!). Your best bet is to call Lana or Debbie at the Lap Band office at St Mary's and have them call your insurance company to be absolutely sure that they won't cover you. If that's truly the case, then they have a self-pay program that is all-inclusive that covers your surgeon, the hospital bill, all adjustments for the first year, and participation in the exercise program for six weeks after surgery. The only thing it didn't include for me was about 3 separate bills for minor costs--I can't remember exactly what they were for but they were minor. The total that I had to pay was $17500, but like I said, that includes everything. I believe that someone told me that they also can help you obtain financing if you need it. After the first year, I'm told that they have a very good plan for adjustments also. I haven't gotten there yet--I'm only about 6 months out from surgery, but it's the best thing I have ever done for myself. It has literally changed my life. Good luck to you and let me know if you have any other questions!!

Congrats to CBraessler and Lele on your approval!! Things will move quickly now and you'll be on the bandwagon before you know it!! Good luck and keep us all posted on how you're doing!!:cry_smile:

Thanks Busy--I was just being pathetic and whiny the other day. I feel much better about things now and I'm glad he didn't adjust me. Thanks for the words of support and encouragement. How are you feeling these days??

Ok, so I went for my followup yesterday with Dr Lusco and he did not do an adjustment. I was pretty sure that that's what he would say. I've lost over 75 lbs in 5 months since my surgery. He said that I am still losing 2.5-3 lbs per week and that as long as I continue to do that, that I don't need anything else. I am supposed to go back in 12 weeks which puts me right after July 4th. I have mixed feelings--on the one hand, I know that I'm doing really well, and obviously I don't want to do anything that will jeopardize what I've accomplished so far. On the other hand, I'm on a roll and very anxious to keep this trend going and to get as much of this weight off as possible before vacation time. I know I'm just being impatient--it took years to put all of this weight on and it's not going to come off overnight. And I'm thrilled to death with how far I've come in a few short months. My husband and son are proud of me and I'm proud of myself. So I'm just going to suck it up and keep working on it!! I've got my silver 75 lb pin that Dr Lusco gave me yesterday and I can look forward to getting my gold pin when I hit 100 lbs!! I'm very happy with this surgery--I have a lot more willpower than I thought I did, but I just don't believe I could have done this without the band. Good luck to everyone who's working on getting approved by their insurance. It's the best decision I ever made!!