Ann D

Hi all I was at 228 two weeks ago at the Dr. office. I think I am down another 5 so 223. I know Onederland is on the horizon. I keep looking. I am getting closer, It might take me a little longer but I will get there. When that day comes I will be celebrating with new clothes and a day at the spa.

Fairysaddle, I purged my closet a few weeks ago, so I know your feelings. I was a size 22 at my largest, I am now a 14. I am an HSN junkie and bought some storage saver hangers. I don't know the exact name, but I took everything out with the intentions of just switching hangers. I ended up bagging up 3 - 33 gallon trash bags and donating them. I now go to Walmart, Fashio Bug or Good WIll to find a pair of pants here or a shirt there. I am not going over board on buying cloths because I am still losing. I buy just enough to get through to the next month or so. I have also befriended a seamstress. I have a few expensive suits I saved up for and my mom helped me buy for work. I have had them taken in. however the seamstress said she can't really take them in any more without having to completely take the outfit apart and re-make it. So those will be donated too. FInd a good seam stress for outfits you really like. They really are not that expensive. for minor alterations like taking in a pair of pants my seamstress usually charges about $5-10. Most dry cleaners have or know an seamstress. Great job by the way of losing the weight. Keep up the good work. and just think how good you will look in all the new cloths.

I hated wearing skirts or dresses, before but I am now down to a size 14 and I love them. I just bought 3 new dresses, one ot wear to my cousins wedding and the others for vacation. I love them and I have my figure back. I can't wait to get even smaller and really get sexy.

Why is it with 5 1/2 CC's I can eat almost anything and everything one day and then the next, almost nothing??? With 6cc's my band was too tight and I PB'ed everyday several times a day. it was miserable. I took it back to 5 1/2 ccs. Last night, I made t-bones and salad, usually I can only eat a small portion of the t-bone. Last night I ate the whole thing and a small salad. :confused2:

Hi all, I have a 10cc band with 5cc's in it. I went a week ago to have another fill (1more cc) and I think it closed. I PBed and slimmed for 3 days, even Water was hard to get down. I went back on Thursday and he took out about 1/2 cc and I'm fine. I have restrictions but somedays are better than others. I mean somedays I can eat almost anythign and others almost nothing without PB/slimming.

Hi there, As for insurance companies, they are all different and specific to your employer too. My insurance covers Lapband procedures my my employer shose to have it excluded. So there you go. Most Doctors have you show weight loss attempts. Dr supervised and not (Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers etc...) As for my 2 cents on Lapband vs. Bypass - Lapband is safer, less risks, and is reversable for what ever reason you may need that. I also HAD co-morbid I say had beacuse 2 motnhs after surgery I came off my Blood Pressure medication, and only ahve to use my asthma inhaler as needed now. Instead of everday. Weight loss mya be a little slower, but without the side effects of bypass, you actuall absorb nutrients from your food and have less of a chance of malnutrition. Good luck on whatever you chose.

Yep, I agree with the previous posters, you ahve a lot of Fluid and swelling once that goes down you will see and feel a big difference. I had my TT 6 years ago, due to a panni that hung down after I lost 30 lbs. I ballooned up again but never gained weight in my stomache area just everywhere else. Now with the LB I have had no issues. I'm losing weight and feel great. i wish this was available when I started this weight loss journey. Good Luck to all

I get Hiccups too when I have had enough. :rolleyes2:

Banders-Self-payers, I hope you all know and in case you don't if you kept all your receipts you can claim Lap-Band surgery on your taxes. Ask your tax preparer. I am receiving a little over a 1/3 of what I spent back on my taxes. Not bad. It is a savings for those that are struggling. I luckily had a loving husband that just retired and received a lumpsum payment, who helped pay for my surgery. Now my tax money can go towards new cloths or paying off part of the debt I got in over this surgery. Good luck and keep up all the good work

Hey Tee, That pain is very normal. If it was done the right way the Doctor makes an opening in your stomache muscle and then sews the port in place. Mine hurt for a couple of months after surgery, especially when I was sleeping or I would move just right. The abdominal muscles are very slow to heal.

Okay so before surgery (12/13/07) I was a solid 18, (largest size 22) I have since lost 24 lbs. This weekend I was able to buy a dress size 14. I also bought a few outfits from Walmart in the Missies department that were Larges and not XL or from the Womens department. I am strutting my stuff!!!! :sad: :)

Diane, Thanks for the message, I was wondering about Slim Fast but wasn't sure. That sounds great I did Slim Fast a few years ago and don't mind the taste. Sounds like a plan to me. Thanks again.

Okay so I can eat just about anything I want even with 5 cc's, just in limited portions of course. But what I am having problems with is first thing in the morning. Everything I eat seems to get stuck and I throw up. Its not the portion or if I am chewing enough I can eat Cream of Wheat. After about 2 hours I can eat. Just not right away in the morning. I have experimented with everything. Any advice except waiting two hours to eat? I just need to eat int he morning becuase I don't get a break until lunch. I also can't eat leftovers. I'll cook for dinner and try to take it for lunch the next day and it gets stuck or I just can't eat it. Anyone else had that problem too. My step-daughter has the same issue.

Thank you to all who posted. I never thought about a Protien shake. I never had to do them as part of my pre orpost-op diet. I'll give it a try. It sounds so simple. I'm embarassed I did not think of it.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! The size 14 dress even fits. I'm wearing it to my cousins wedding April 5th. If I get a picture I'll try and post it.

I just bought it the other day. My doctor told me to walk 30 minutes a day, but with the weather being cold, I really could not walk anywhere without driving long distances, and iwth road construction it is almost imposible until the weather gets warmer. So I bought the Rock & Roll Stepper. Does anyone else own this? I have been on it twice and have noticed that it really works my legs and butt. I'm very happy about it. I do it while watching TV. I'll keep you all posted on how it goes. I'd like to hear from others who have it.

I took Tai Chi for over a year. Had a bad car accident and had to stop for a while. I would love to get back into it. What DVD are you all talking about? I really liked the way it made me feel. I did not lose any weight but I was relaxed and flexible.

OMG! I love this stuff, I get mine from Sam's I buy the big box; individual plastic containers that you put in the microwave for about 3 minutes drain, lightly salt and enjoy. They are still in the pod so you have to take the Beans out. They are soybeans, with a lot of fiber and protien. Great snack for anyone watching what they are eating. I always keep a supply in my freezer. My DH doesn't like them so more for me. Is that bad or what?

I hope all is well with you. I had the exact same thinghappen to me. My doc said it was Fluid build up around the port and was perfectly normal. I just had to keep an eye on it for a while. Good luck and keep us informed.

It's really not bad I thought I would have a balance problem on it too like the traditional stepper I had; but actually that is not the case. I got on it and started moving right away. It was actually fun, and it's suppose to work your core and improve balance. here is a website: Tony Little - Detail

Okay all I got my first fill yesterday. 4cc total. wow I was a little shocked I didn't think he would do so much. I've read other bands and have seen 2-3 cc's as the norm. Anyway I had Soup for dinner and Cream of Wheat for Breakfast. I just had a cheese Quesadilla. I was only able to eat one and 1/2 peices of it. Last week I could have eaten the whole thing. WOW :rolleyes2: I am elated. I was wondering when I would feel the effects. Now I have. I know there could be some swelling, but I like the feeling. I hope it stays for a while. I can't get another fill for a month. I'll let you know.

Okay, so I have ben eating but foundout I can't eat leftovers. I had left over chicken and I guess it drys out a little but it got stuck and was the hardest thing to eat. Since the fill I have to really watch what I eat for now.

Okay so I went to the doctor a week ago and he said I had Fluid around my port causing the swelling and redness. I have a half dollor size red blotch on my stomache where my port is located. he told me it's no big deal but it's not going away. Has anyone had anything similar? It doesn't really hurt, just annoying. Of course I have not worn anything that woudl rub that area yet.

I did 5 days of pre-op - clear low or no-calorie liquids. I called the office when I started getting a headache and they told me to eat a few crackers or add a few fine egg noodles to my chicken soup. During that time I lost 15lbs. I was self pay too so I did not want to mess up anything. Good luck to you the pre-op is worth it. Not only does it shrink your liver but it detoxes you, from carbs and caffiene.

I did 5 days of pre-op - clear low or no-calorie liquids. I called the office when I started getting a headache and they told me to eat a few crackers or add a few fine egg noodles to my chicken Soup. During that time I lost 15lbs. I was self pay too so I did not want to mess up anything. Good luck to you the pre-op is worth it. Not only does it shrink your liver but it detoxes you, from carbs and caffiene.