turtle13

HI- To everyone who responded, Thank You, you have all made me feel so welcome. I really appreciate all of the helpful information.I look forward to seeing how others banded about the same time as me, are doing. It's nice to have a little room to compare. To give a run down- I try to take in at least 60 grams of lean protien a day. I have kept a food journal since about 2 months prior to surgery, so it's pretty easy to keep track of. It is really difficult to keep the protien up because I DON"T drink any of my protien or calories if I can avoid it. They just turn my stomach - pouch :heh:- and I really have a hard time with the weird taste. I love tuna and sardines:fish: and I also try to eat the little Buddig meat things. I really try to push protien. I was told that helps w/ hair loss.I'm at the "hair fall out stage":faint:and really don't want to lose any more than I have to. I attempt to excersize and get my heart rate up for at least 15 minutes a day and I try to do that 4-5 days a week.:ermm I have the want, but I just can't get motivated when I'm exhausted. I work in a lab as a radioactive chemical analyst and we are trying to cover the FDA caused, pharmaceutical shortages from our competitors.I'm litterally in 5-6 days a week 11-13 hours a day for the last month and a half. That might even have something to do with the last few pounds that I have dropped. Enough said -- Thanks again for the support and I appreciate the time that you all took to welcome me.

As far as comparison, I have also had 2 c-sections (hip bone to hip bone on both). I would not say the lap band was as severe. All of my surgeries have been pretty intense- 2 C-Sections, 1 Complete Hysterectomy and 2 Spinal Fusions( L4-S1 & L3-S1). I'd have to say that this being the least invasive really did help. I think that it all depends on how you recover and your time will be different than anyone else's. I personally was down extra long because I had a reaction to the Morphine and Anesthesia mixture. Congrats on the best beginning of the rest of your life.:whoo:

Hi- I'm in MO also and Dr. Darrin Minkin at Des Peres Hospital, did my band. I'm not trying to sway you or anything; but, if you have the choice, I would consider looking into Dr. Minkin. He is one of the best doctors I've ever had. I've had several major surgeries and alot of different hospital experiences. Des Peres is the only hospital I've been in that the staff actually acted as though they loved their jobs. Dr. Minkin is one of the most knowledgable doctors I've ever been seen by. His patient care and understanding are amazing. I hope all goes well for you. Good luck.

Hi- I was just wondering how I become an official July bandster. I'd love to keep in touch with others who have had the surgery around the same time as me. I am at a palteau and am having a hard time. I really would like to see "onederland" before Jan 01, 2008 , but to do that I would need to do something really unhealthy. I haven't come this far to mess it up now. I saw my doc yesterday and he said that in starvation mode, my metabolism has slowed so much. I need to kick start it, but just don't have the energy to do anything after 12 hours at work 5 days a week. Anyone have any suggestions. Thanks

HI- I started out a 44 DDD - F before my lap band July 25, 2007. I'm now at a 38 DD with about an 80 pound loss give or take a couple of pounds. I would have to agree with your doc. If you're fat goes, the fat in your boobs does too. Have you always been larger breasted? I've been at least a C cup since I was 10 years old. By the time I was 13 I was a D cup. I've never been below a D in the last 23 years. That is from 150 lbs all the way up to 282 lbs. I guess what I'm saying, is if you have alot of breast mass and not just fat mass, then you could have the tissue removed and not get too small. If they're big because of your weight, then you should wait until your close to your ideal to have them taken down. Hope this helps, cause I'm going to have mine lifted after I hit my ideal.

Brianne- I would have to say that you are finally restricted the correct way. This fill seems to have given you the restriction that I was told that I should expect. I'm not too sure about you, but my doc said I should only be be able to get about 4-6 ounces in at a time, only 3 times a day. It took me until my 3rd fill 2 weeks ago, to really feel the full effect. Now I am at about the 5 oz mark and can tell when i get too much, especially if I eat too fast. That's when I get the whole coming back up thing happening. When were you banded, and how many fills have you had?

My- I have to say that this seems to be almost the same thing that happened to me. I went in to see Dr. Minkin (Des Peres, MO) in Late May, just to discuss the probability of me having surgery. By Mid June I was told that if I were to be a self pay, he could do the surgery as soon as July 5. I am a self pay and I had to wait a few weeks for my Short Term Disability to kick in at work, but I ended up having surgery July 25, 2007. If you are a healthier but still obese candidate, I think it might help. I started out at 282 and my ideal is 142 so I was 140 over. I carry mine well too and was told that I didn't look as heavy so therefore the "Roen Y" docs weren't as recieving when I talked with them. I think because the "Band" takes more work and will power, the doctors are more willing to go ahead faster after all of the testing and phsych evals. Hope this helps you out and GOOD LUCK. Your taking an amazing step toward the best decision (in my opinion) that you could ever make for yourself. Congratulations!!!

Hi All- At my last Bariatric Support group meeting we had just this discssion. The dietician said that for me it would be better to be between 1000-1200 cals a day. She also said that because i couldn't eat large quantity but could drink, that i should consider protien shake supplements. Basically, make up a shake drink out of it all day long. The added Protein is supposed to help with the metabolism.

Hi - My name is Angie and I was banded on July25,2007. I have lost 62 lbs so far and i feel pretty good. My problem is that I am losing very large amounts of hair. I had thick hair to start with but i am actually getting very thin and it worries me. Does anyone have any suggetstions. I was told that if i ate 60 grams of protien a day that this wouldn't happen in such a great amount. Please help- Thanks:help:

Hi All- I was a self pay $17,000 out of pocket. I was sicouraged by the price but i am still glad i did it. I have a friend going therough insurance and they'll only pay half. Thing is, half of insurance price is 13,500. Insurance is being billed $37,000. Granted, an extra $3,500 in my pocket would be nice, but not having to appeal 3 times to get my surgery covered was even better. Start to finish was only about 6 months as compared to about 2.5 for my friend right now. Bye :clap2: