Tracyd

Lately my my port has been bothering me and there is this huge bump that hurts at the largest incision? This is after 2 years. I'm going in for my 2nd annual check-up in July to my lapband doctor and ... well, you all know how it feels to slowly lose..... I'm not looking forward to this appointment, I'll tell you. I haven't been on lapbandtalk.com because I was too ashamed and felt like a failure. A few weeks back I decided that even though I haven't lost as much as I had anticipated to (gaining a bit back ... after I had my total hysterectomy a year ago it seems the gain came after that) I've not given up on trying. I think I would have gained even more if it hadn't been for the lapband. So I guess I'm better off than without it. So there's a quick history of life after being banded I am a slow loser as well and after having a total hysterectomy a year ago (one year after the lap band), I've gained this year (10 pounds). I've lost a total of 55 pounds. Although I keep remembering a statistic that a lapbander's 5-year average is the same as a gastric bypass patient's total weight loss, I still sometimes regret and am still pondering gastric bypass. Which leads to this thread's question ... has anyone had any success of insurance covering a gastric bypass after already covering a lap band? Thanks.

Thank you so very much for your encouraging words (and you look muhv-a-lus, dahlink). I am currently working with a holistic nutritionist to get off all the processed foods that are within my counts (1200 cals, proteins, etc.) and to go back to basics ... and become healthy. Your quote of "living well is the best revenge" really fits that. Thanks again ... you've helped me to make it through another day.

Didn't mean to go so long without a reply. That's not like me, just have been under the weather as of late (summer colds are a pain). Anywho, thank you so very much for the reply. I appreciated the keep the chin up and not a comparing weight loss to others ... thanks again. You're doing great.

Little bit of history: I'm 43, 304 pounds, 5'6" and sick of living this way. I have garnered a great deal of information from this website and thank all of you for your willingness to be open and truthful about your experiences. I'm currently looking into getting the band done. I went to an orientation yesterday at MMPC's Center for Health Excellence in Grand Rapids. I've been going to their weight management program since June of 2004. June-August 2004, I was on their product of Bariatrix which is similar to Optifast, however it is food (their food). The Center is a great place with wonderful support, physically, emotionally, etc. I lost 60 pounds, but have now gained half of that back. It takes a lot of soul searching and conviction to come to this point. This place not only does band surgeries, but also does gastric bypass surgeries as well. When I went to orientation, I started swaying toward the gastic bypass, but have come to a decision to get the lap band (less invasive and they don't cut any organs). Thanks for all the information on this website and your willing to be so open and honest. P.S. I was on a thread a couple of days ago and thanks to their instructions figured out how to do a "new thread."

Gone for Good Club June Challenge Tracyd Score Card Points earned for Rule 1 For each day that you drink a minimum of 64oz of water, you earn 1 point. You may earn a bonus of 5 points for a perfect week. 5-31__1__6-01__1__6-02__1__6-03_____6-04_____6-05_____6-06_____6-07_____ Bonus____Week's Total_____ 6-08_____6-09_____6-10_____6-11_____6-12_____6-13_____6-14_____ Bonus____Week's Total_____ 6-15_____6-16_____6-17_____6-18_____6-19_____6-20_____6-21_____ Bonus____Week's Total_____ 6-22_____6-23_____6-24_____6-25_____6-26_____6-27_____6-28_____ Bonus____Week's Total_____ Grand Total_______ Points earned for Rule 2 For each day that you exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes, you earn 2 points. You may earn a bonus of 5 points for a perfect week. 5-31_____6-01_____6-02_____6-03_____6-04_____6-05_____6-06_____6-07_____ Bonus____Week's Total_____ 6-08_____6-09_____6-10_____6-11_____6-12_____6-13_____6-14_____ Bonus____Week's Total_____ 6-15_____6-16_____6-17_____6-18_____6-19_____6-20_____6-21_____ Bonus____Week's Total_____ 6-22_____6-23_____6-24_____6-25_____6-26_____6-27_____6-28_____ Bonus____Week's Total_____ Grand Total_______ Points earned for Rule 3 For each day that you do not eat foods that contain flour or sugar, you earn 3 points. (sugar substitutes are allowed) You may earn a bonus of 5 points for a perfect week. 5-31___3_6-01__3__6-02_3___6-03_____6-04_____6-05_____6-06_____6-07_____ Bonus____Week's Total_____ 6-08_____6-09_____6-10_____6-11_____6-12_____6-13_____6-14_____ Bonus____Week's Total_____ 6-15_____6-16_____6-17_____6-18_____6-19_____6-20_____6-21_____ Bonus____Week's Total_____ 6-22_____6-23_____6-24_____6-25_____6-26_____6-27_____6-28_____ Bonus____Week's Total_____ Grand Total_______ Points earned for Weight loss For each pound that you lose during the challenge, you earn 1 point Beginning weight 5-31: 308 Weigh-in weight 6-7: Weigh-in weight 6-14: Weigh-in weight 6-21: Weigh-in weight 6-28: Total lost during challenge: Total points earned for Rule 1: Total points earned for Rule 2: Total points earned for Rule 3: Total points earned for weight loss: Total Challenge points earned:

I'd like to join the Gone for Good Club. Info for main page: H&S: 331/319; J: 308; G: 165; C 308 I've been on the May 2006 Band Crew thread for awhile and other places as well. I'm a bit of a talker, but I'll keep this short and sweet.:tape: Most of the banding info is in my signature, so I'll let that speak for itself. It's great to have this type of support. You guys are a riot! :girl_hug: I'll be doing the June challenge as well and will try to post a picture (if I figure out how).:rose: Exercise is the biggest challenge for me. I seem to plan, but it never pans out ... not this time. This time is different!

The other night at surgical support, a lot of the lapbanders and gastric bypass patients were having a problem getting their Protein in and what the center has referred them to is Beneprotein. You can get it at Walgreen's. You can add it to anything ... drink or food ... and it doesn't add any taste. Although it only has 6 grams of protein ... if you add it to a 16-oz Water ... crystal light ... whatever you drink, that's 24 grams of protein (if I'm figuring it correctly) at 100 calories. Resource® Instant Protein Powder: A concentrated source of high-quality protein you can add to foods or beverages to increase their protein content. Mixes easily and instantly into most foods and beverages without seperating for better tasting, more enjoyable meals. Each scoop provides 6 grams of high quality protein and 25 calories. Simple to use: 1 scoop=1 serving, all in a handy resealable canister. Resource® Instant Protein Powder is a medical food - please consult your health care professional on the use of this product. Health professionals commonly recommend Resource® Instant Protein Powder to people with conditions: Lactose-controlled diet; Diabetes;Low cholesterol needs;Low sodium needs;High protein needs;Low potassium needs;Volume sensitivity;Renal (kidney) conditions. Gluten-free. Lactose-free. Kosher. Instructions For Oral Use: Stir one scoop into at least 4 oz of most hot or cold beverages or prepared soft foods. Stir until dissolved. Ingredients whey Protein Isolate , Soy Lecithin Calories: 25 Amount Per Serving Total Fat 0.0 g / Sodium 35.0 mg / Potassium 5.0 mg / Total Carbohydrate 0.0 g / Dietary Fiber 0.0 g / Sugars 0.0 g / Protein 6.0 g /

Thanks to everyone for being open, honest, and able to share your personal information. All have been inspiring ... Seminole ... thanks for starting the thread:clap2: Trip2beme ... congrats on the weight loss and the June update ... WOW 40 pounds! 3Loves ... Your line: "This period of time is about healing and if I'm hungry, I eat." ... Whew! That hit like a rock. :doh: You're absolutely right. Here we all sit trying to eat like we've been FULLY banded when in actuality we've only been banded, BUT NOT FILLED. You just get that mind-thing going that .. hey, I've been banded so I shouldn't be hungry ... WRONG! I've been hungry, too. Luckly I have liquids that are provided by my center with high proteins so it does help tremendously. Placement of port: Right side, about 3 fingers over from belly button and 3 fingers above waistline. AND it still hurts ... but normal. Again, thanks everyone.:dance:

Went to my surgical support group tonight and got weighed ... 11 pounds down since surgery ... woo-hoo! :clap2: Trip2beme: Great advice. Now I'm going to have to just find out how ebay works (yea ... I'm an ebay virgin:phanvan ). Will be interesting. Have a great night everyone!

Sara Rue ... Queen Latifah ... Mia Tyler (liked when she went up against this stupid doctor on a weight show she was on on VH1 ... she gave him hell). I see these as realistic goals for myself, but I also like Emme and what she stands for which I've also heard from the others. Little background from her bio: Emme’s (pictured) views set a new standard of beauty both here and abroad. Emme proved that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes when she penned her first book TRUE BEAUTY (Putnam/Perigee) in 1997. Emme is a vocal advocate for women and men of all ages to be fit and healthy. Her message is aimed at increasing awareness and raising funds to help treat eating and body image disorders. She was the first model to speak to these issues before a congressional sub-committee in Washington, D.C. Says Emme, "We live in a society that is based upon the attainment of unrealistic beauty. I want women to know their self-esteem is not contingent upon their dress size." But I started thinking about some curvy stars that I think would be a reachable goal for me ... Kathy Najimy (pictured), Jane Moheit (jazz singer), Kirstie Alley (now), Nia Vardolos (My Big Fat Wedding) ... and how can we forget Oprah? Okay .... I'm going to stop talking now ... :blah: http://images.picsearch.com/is?oO7peX5aGTjRBB2gKuMxpV2oY7zcFDztSKDnoFsiP7c

I've been reading things about the "Magic Bullet" so I looked it up on the internet ... WOW~kind of expensive ($100 for 2 plus $35 S/H) on its official website:eek: or I can buy it at Walgreen's for $60. I already have a food processor and blender ... can anyone tell me what I'm not seeing :noidea:... it just looks like a food processor/blender together, why is it so terrific? Please advise. Good luck to all in June on our journey. :cheer2: I'm going to my surgical support group tomorrow night ... can't wait to see them and to get weighed. Curiosity killed the cat. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I've been reading things about the "Magic Bullet" so I looked it up on the internet ... WOW~kind of expensive ($100 for 2 plus $35 S/H) on its official website:eek: or I can buy it at Walgreen's for $60. I already have a food processor and blender ... can anyone tell me what I'm not seeing :noidea:... it just looks like a food processor/blender together, why is it so terrific? Please advise. Good luck to all in June on our journey. :cheer2: I'm going to my surgical support group tomorrow night ... can't wait to see them and to get weighed. Curiosity killed the cat.

I'm far from a fill because I was just banded on the 25th, but am curious about the fills .... :confused: How do they feel?:cry How do you feel after?:phanvan How is it done?:nervous Are you sick or in pain like right after surgery? :sick What is your diet after your fill? liquid for days? Mushies? :hungry: Thanks everyone.

:clap2: Thanks, Elisabeth. Great info for an anxiety-ridden pre-fill bandster.

Welcome aboard. I was banded on the 25th by Dr. Kemmeter at Blodgett.:confused:

Course I don't eat lamb, but I like them. (How dumb did that sound?). Still, it must be cool. :flock: Anyway, I've been basically on the same thread these past few weeks (May chat) and have been searching other chats as well. Some of them are way out there, but then it's my choice to stay or not. I'm single, 44, and live in Michigan. I was banded (as you can see below) on the 25th (feel good except the nausea ... still). I'm a secretary at local college and have a support system from family, friends, and co-workers that is out of this world. :amen: I told my boss that I'd be back after surgery in a few days and told me to take the full 2 weeks off to fully recover (what a gem). So, I've been pretty much following rules and being a basic couch potato as well (mainly because of the nausea). Today is better and I will start back with some of my hobbies ... cross-stitch, painting, dacoupage ... friends and family are probably going to get sick of this stuff, but, oh well. I have 2 cats (Ozzie and Chloe, yes Chloe ... Ozzie is after the man himself ... Ozzie Osborne). Anyway, oohh .... single, 40s, 2 cats .... sounds fun, huh? Actually my life is very busy with family, friends, church, hobbies, work. Now this new challenge ... behavior, behavior, behavior ... just have to remember that the band is just a tool. Well, blah blah blah ... :blabla: enough for now. Great getting to know you and look forward to this thread.

I'd like to share with all of you the information that the exercise physiologist gave us at the Center for Health Excellence in Grand Rapids, Michigan in regards to post surgery exercise. These were based on FAQs. Q. How soon after surgery may I resume exercise? A. We want you to engage inligh aerobic activity:smilingface (52): (walking, recumbant biking, etc.) immediately as tolerated. Q. How soon can I engage in resistance training? A. Resistance training requires a fair amount of abdominal stabilization and allowing appropriate healing time is paramount. :nono: Typically 4-6 weeks post surgery is when resistance training may be slowly entered into. Q. When my I return to exercising in the pool? A. The healing of the incisions will be a determining factor inyour returning to exercising in the pool. Check with your facilities' policies regarding this as well. Light activity may be tolerated four weeks following surgery.

Tincat .... Thanks for the heads up on the Ginger Tea. The nausea is not good BUT I have had such little pain, I don't need pain pills ... that's a good thing.:clap2: JungleJim ... glad I'm not the only one who can actually ... oops ... (past tense) had been able to eat an entire pizza. Great for the weightloss, Jim. That's another great thing about this site ... we're not alone. We can have support from family, friends, coworkers, etc., but it's not like those who are going through the same thing. I have a support group at the Center for Health Excellence (majority are gastric bypass patients), but this is like having it 24-7.:hail: Thanks everyone. :cheer2:

Is anyone dealing with a great deal of nausea? I was banded on the 25th, although much much better today than yesterday, I'm still getting waves of nausea. :phanvan Everything else though is great! Hardly any pain and just stinging a little bit if I bend wrong.

Congrats Jim ... hope all goes well going home. A big THANKS to whoever suggested the pillow against the stomach while walking around ... BIG BIG help in the pain area of the port. One question: How is everyone sleeping when they first get banded?

mysherrijo: I didn't have a catheter (I don't think). If I did they put it in while I was under and took it out before I woke up. tamt: My doctor said that I could chew sugarless gum. 12# since May 16th? I think that's absolutely terrific. I got banded yesterday in Grand Rapids MI and will be on full liquids for 2 weeks. I meet the dietician/nutritionist on June 6 and she'll give me directions from there as well as a follow-up with my doctor. Them I meet them both again in July. Water exercise: The exercise therapist said not to do for at least 6 weeks after surgery.

I was banded yesterday and I actually feel just great. I was given the choice of staying overnight or not and I chose to stay overnight. I got very nausious (sp?) and started throwing up :cake: (I always wanted to use that icon). Boy did the nurses every get in the anti-nausea med in my IV fast ... Stopped it immediately and completely put me out for the night:faint: . They were glad I chose to say because that's one thing they don't want people with lap bands doing is:puke: (got to use it again!:cheeky ). I'm home today and the only pain I've had is the gas pain ... they gave me some gas drops, but actually sitting up very straight and standing and walking makes it feel much better. I have NOT had to take any pain meds because the pain just isn't there. I'm amazed. I'm also not hungry ... know it's the recover time, but it feels weird and at the same time GREAT. Good luck to all bandsterds.:gluck:

.... to all! I'm getting more and more nervous,:phanvan scared, :eek: excited, :dance:anxious, :faint: OMG ... I think I've lost it! I actually started second-guessing and wondering if what I was doing was right. Then I got caught up here from yesterday and ... yes, I am doing the right thing. You're all great and we're all going to succeed ... no doubt about it. :whoo: Hugs and prayers to all!!!! :hug: P.S. Welcome, Kelly_girl! :welcome: Well, got a little carried away with the icons. Again, good luck to all. LESS THAN 48 HOURS TO GO ... woo-hoo.

Thanks for the lesson. I think it worked. :clap2: Again, good luck everyone! I too am very excited after reading today.:confused:

Well, it didin't work .. will someone please let me know how to do the tickertape thing? THanks.