Nancee

Happy Anniversary!! Your article was very inspiring to me. I'll be 3 years out in November. I'm going a little backwards from my lowest weight, but am trying very hard to get back on track. I've recently joined a support group for the first time and am beginning a food addicts group next week. I am fighting the "old habits" and "head hunger" issues right now, but think I'll come out the winner. Thanks for sharing your encouraging thoughts and keep up the wonderful progress. Nancee

I now have 11.5 in my 14cc band and think that's where I should be. Can't eat too much, and big bites that I don't chew enough really kick my butt - I'm at a plateau right now, but am sure it'll break soon. It's really an individual thing how much will give YOU restriction - just keep your goal in mind and remember, it's all about you! Good Luck everyone!

You can make your Protein shake any quantity you want. I usually make a 10 oz. I use whey Protein (4 tbsp), a cup of frozen fruit (strawberries, blueberries or peaches) with a packet of Splenda, a couple of ice cubes and 1% milk. You can add a couple slices of banana for frothiness. My Bullet does its magic and I have a yummy high Protein Drink to start my day. Enjoy!

Oh my gosh! I am still laughing at the "no but I have the bags they came in" comment! Priceless!!

I also had my C-pap lowered after I lost my first 60 pounds. To find out if I still need it my doc wants me to do another ($1,200) sleep study. Besides budget reasons, I really enjoy my machine - it soothes me to sleep, so for now I'm keeping it. Using the ramp feature is a good idea to ease you back into it. Good luck!:thumbdown:

I absolutely love my Bullet! The worse part was how scared my dogs were the first couple of times I used it, but now they sleep right through it. I use it every morning to make my fruit protein shake - I'd be lost without it. Go for it! You won't be sorry.

Ericalyn, I totally agree with erinshine. Bye for now. N

I was banded on a Wednesday and was fine to return to work the following Monday ( I didn't because I had vacation time to use or lose). I have had a wonderful experience and it just keeps getting better with each pound and inch I lose - I hope you're as lucky. One thing that I can suggest is to follow the rules/advice your doctor and nutritionist give you. Good luck!:confused_smile:

Hi -my psych interview with the Dr. took about an hour, and then he wanted me to sit in the other room and complete a lengthy questionnaire "which will take from 1 - 2 hours". I talked him in to letting me take it with me since I had not planned on being with him for 3 hours and had to get back to work. I mailed it back to him. I am assuming that this is the situation with your appt too. Good luck - it's ALL worth it!

LisaB411, By now you are banded! Congratulations, I hope everything is going fine for you. I am a Type II Diabetic and was banded 11/14/07. Before banding I was taking 60cc's of Lantus every night. I'm now down to 30 and will continue to reduce the amount as my weight reduces. I've lost 71 pounds, and have another 80 to go, so it might be a while before I'm "insulin free" but that time is in my future. You take care! Nancee

Miss Meliss, I dealt with Aetna through Lockheed for my lap band and haven't had any problems at all. Actually the only problem I've had is that Aetna is my secondary insurance carrier and all the doctors and hospital send everything to my primary carrier first (which I understand is procedure) and then we wait for them to reject it and then turn around and send it to Aetna for payment. If I remember correctly it only took about 10 days for Aetna to review and approve my file, and then we went forward and scheduled my surgery. Good luck! Nancee

And I meant to mention, they just download the computer card in the machine - another Sleep Study is not needed. N

JRFAN, I used a C-Pap before my surgery, as well as an oxygen machine attached to it. It didn't make any difference in the scheduling of my surgery and they suggested I bring the machine with me to use in the recovery room. Truthfully, with all that was going on getting to the hospital I forgot it. Didn't seem to matter - everything went fine without it. After I had lost some weight after surgery, I took the machine back to my sleep Center and they reevaluated my sleep pattern - they took the oxygen away altogether and reduced the pressure on my machine from 18 to 11. I'll go back in a few months (and a few more pounds off) and have them take another look at my pattern - hopefully I'll be able to be done with it. (But I must agree that I really sleep well using the machine. I didn't snore but would stop breathing often during the night. Now I put the mask on, turn on the machine and humidifier and am sound asleep in 3 minutes or so.) You may want to see how your doctor wants you to handle it before you just stop using it. Good luck to you!

YOU ALL ARE TO TO FUNNI..........AND I DUE AGRE.......... Nancee:rolleyes:

I also order from the regular menu - I don't deprive myself, just try to order carefully. I take the leftovers home and usually take them to work the next day for lunch - which is a treat twice!

Ah ya, as I think about it, it doesn't make sense to me. The dietician was the one who told me that. I will challenge her next time I see her - thanks for the wakeup moment!! (You know in the beginning you are so overwhelmed by everything and believe all the info you're given. After a while you kinda learn by trial and error within boundries - that's what's been fun!)

Ah ya, as I think about it, it doesn't make sense to me. The dietician was the one who told me that. I will challenge her next time I see her - thanks for the wakeup moment!! (You know in the beginning you are so overwhelmed by everything and believe all the info you're given. After a while you kinda learn by trial and error within boundries - that's what's been fun!):frown:

:tongue2:Two different things that I can add - I was told that gum was ok if not swallowed, and not chewed with such gusto that it puts a lot of air into your system. As far as carbonation, in addition to the gas it adds to your system, the carbonation will corode your band over a long period of time. It's been almost 5 months since my banding, and I've had no problem going without my Diet Coke! Plain old Water tastes great now! I've lost 70 pounds with four fills so far and am closing in on my desired restriction. Good luck to you all! Nancee

I would also like a copy of the cookbook however you decide to do it! Thanks for the efforts - they are appreciated!

Hi All - Talking about triple chins and wrinkles reminds me of something I read on the Aussie Lap Band website not too long ago. To tighten the loose skin under your chin try tilting your head back and "kissing the sky". Make kissing motions and you'll feel it in your neck and under your chin. I try to do 25 at a time, and do it when I'm alone - like sitting in the bathroom:redface:. I am scheduled for my first fill in two days and am very excited about getting some restriction back. Even though I've lost 26 #'s in 9 weeks, I'm looking forward to a consistent losing pattern.

As several of you said, age is just a number. It's how your think and feel that matters. And we're all in this together - working toward a better life, right? I'm so glad to have found this website - I've learned a lot and had some of my worries dismissed. Talk to you all soon.

Deanna - I haven't had a fill yet - does the New U clinic do the "flouro" fill? Who did your fill - Carolyn or Paula? How did it go? I'm anxious for my first fill to get some restriction. Thanks for the info.

"chuckled"

Very funny - I chucked out loud when I read your response!

:)Not so! I was banded in November of 2007 through the "New U Clinic" out of Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls (45 mins NO. of Pocatello) and also there is a Nurse in Pocatello who does fills - Cynthia Rice, RN.