cathychatts

Hi: I have Cigna (Open Access) I had a $100 co pay at the hospital and they gave me a 20% discount for paying at the pre-op, so I paid $80. Then I got a refund from the hospital for the $80, because I did same-day surgery and had no co-pay. I have had a $25 co-pay at the surgeon's office twice, so that is $50 total. My surgeon give 90 day follow-up included! Cigna has been GREAT! A nurse even called and checked on me the next day and again after the 1st month. Good luck on your surgery!

Did you recognize me? Another instructor's wife somehow stumbled upon my photo... I thought perhaps I would be a little less identifiable. I don't know why they would be so interested in me, there is no way she needs the surgery(almost too thin.) Apples: Hope your surgery goes well. I love Destin, my sister used to have a house in Santa Rosa Beach. We would go every summer! Lucky you! Stop in Tennessee on your way down! I live at the foot of the Smokey Mts! in the Beautiful Tennessee Valley! Welcome Minou! Always good to have a new June Bug! I am a slow looser too. I just plain slip up too often and eat high calorie foods! I have no other excuses. Most of the time I am good. I go to the urologist on the 27th, so hopefully I can find some answers to the continued occurance of UTIs, I have had 7 in the past 8 months. We shall see. I have been walking in the evenings as the weather here has been wonderful! It was 49 degrees this morning. I think that is a record for North East Tennessee! I love it! Long: continue to recover well! You and Apples have lost so well! I am jealous! I go for another fill on the 22nd. I hope that helps! Take care and have a great day!

Hi Folks: I suppose you noticed that I have changed my avtar . It never occured to me that people would be so interested in me. :huh2: One of the instructors asked me if I had had the band done, said his wife found my post here. :wub: Oh well, so much for being quiet about the surgery. :sad: I really don't mind people knowing, I just don't want to be judged and watched. So I will use the avtar, who knows who else is watching. I don't mind if it will encourage someone else, but here at work people can be vicious. I am doing great otherwise! I have an appointment with a urologist the end of the month and hope they can solve the mystery of the UTIs and fluid retention. It has made me pretty sick at times, :ohmy: but I am in a well period now. :thumbup: I understand the high protein can contriubte to kidney stones. I hope that isn't the problem. I don't loose well on anything other that high protein. :thumbup: Strikeuptheband: I have an 8 year old granddaughter too! I also have an 11 year old grandson and a new granddaughter due September 7TH! Aren't grandchildren great! Spoil them and send them home! Take care and keep posting! I know there are over 300 June bugs! say hello!

It is at least 6 weeks for all the June Bandsters! :party:Let's all check in and stay in touch. If you are like me and read always, but don't post every time... be sure to let us all know you are there and well! It is important to keep posting on here and get the support we all need! We will all make mistakes and have our weak moments and our successes! Ok! I am getting ready to redecorate my house! I am going to clean out closets, drawers, cabinets! I am also going to repaint and fix up for winter! I figure a new me and a new nest! I have a motive in this madness! I will be too busy to eat! :Banane54::confused2: I have set a goal of being in Onederland 7lbs away buy the end of August! How about you? Any goals! Greythope! I am proud of you! Such support for our fellow bandster that just wanted support! :youcandothis: Snuffy! Such dedication! Wow, you are very motivated! Spread it around! :biggrin2: Long2bthin! I am glad your surgery is behind you and you are on the recovery road! :biggrin2: Ok Jazzy Junes! chime in!:welldoneclap:

I am from Tennessee, the tri-cities area - Kingsport.

I have now lost over 20 lbs! I am so excited! I am counting down to ONEDERLAND! Just 7 lbs to go!

I am so very impressed, Janet! I will have to admit that the idea of actually being able to do this is just now beginning to sink in! Your success really encourages me! I am loosing at a steady rate and beginning to notice the change in my clothes! I have gone from an 18 to a 14w in pants. I can wear some of my 16 petite but most are still tight around the waist. I am very short, 5'1.5" but have a muscular frame. My goal is 130 and you make me believe that I can reach it! I have had some troubles with my kidneys and bladder again, and they suspect it may be kidney stones. I have been taking an antibiotic and lasix and that has improved the Fluid rention greatly! So I have been dropping lbs again! 20lbs lost since surgery on June 6. Take care everyone! Long2bthin: you will be in my prayers tomorrow at you gb surgery! Cathy

You guys don't know just how much better it makes me feel to know that I am not so far behind on the loss since surgery!

I hope I am back on the loosing train again! I have been having trouble with my Fluid retention again and have another UTI! This is the 6th one since last October! THey are going to do studies to see what the problem can be... maybe kidney stones. (too much high protein) I am feeling better today, got a round of Cipro and Lasix. I can tell a hugh difference in my clothes! I have gone from an 18W pants to a 14W! And from a 1X shirt to a Large shirt, so I know the fat is melting. I just want to scale to talk to me! Long: good luck on your surgery! I am sorry you have to have another surgery so quickly! It will be good though to get the GB done. Didn't you have to have a scan and check it out before surgery? I did, they said if it was bad they would do both at the same time. Apples! Glad to hear from you again. I suppose you are still enjoying the lake house. i keep looking at Target thinking that they will have some beach houses or lake houses on clearance.... but no luck! :biggrin2: Looks like the weight is just falling off you! GREAT JOB! WOW everyone on here has lost a bunch! GREAT JOB! I haven't lost too much, but what I have lost has all been since surgery so I think that is ok! Take care and have a great day!

billiedaycare: I was banded June 6 and I have only lost 18 lbs. I don't include pre-band (cause I didn't do a pre-diet). I am a really slow looser!

Janet: Your recipes sound yummy! I can't wait to try the squash! Thanks!

Hey everyone! I hope all is well. I am doing ok, just staying the same on the scale and it is frustrating! :biggrin: I think I am doing ok, but I do slip about once a day and have something that would be considered "bad" My philosophy has been to find my eating comfort zone that will allow me to eat like a normal person and not diet. :wink2: I think I need to discover what I can and cannot eat. What my triggers are to overeating. Well, that is a chore... seems everything triggers me to want to eat carbs. I know that carbs are a problem for me, once I begin to eat carbs I am like a human vacumn and need more and more. The only thing that will stop that is to eat some protein. Strikeuptheband and Greythope, I hope your fills find your sweet spot! I am almost there (I think) i can feel restriction, but the weight is sticking around too. Long2bthin: I hope your GB :eek: surgery is easy! I will keep happy thoughts for you! Have a great day!:thumbup:

Hi Janet: Glad you had a good time on your reunion! About what i am eating, I usually have 1 cup of protein shake when I get to work (1cup light soy milk and 1 scoop muscle milk light) that is about 140 calories) I have a lot of food allergies, esp milk, egg yolk and oats. That eliminates most cerels (Oats) and cheese. Anyway, I can tollerate a little of the whey in muscle milk, and the soy is ok. For lunch I usually have 3 oz tuna in 1/2 a whole wheat pita. Sometimes I put it on lettuce (not too often) I have a mild reaction to lettuce and onion. *I know, it is the pits to have so many food allergies* For dinner I usually have a bit of meat and veggies. I do feel restriction, or at least I think it is restriction. I feel like something is getting stuck with the first bites of anything, I nearly spit up a small piece of meat the other day. I don't get too hungry. I do try to finish my meals but it takes about 30-40 minutes. Of course I am still struggling with "head hunger" When it gets really bad I have an Italian Ice (40 calories or some almonds or walnuts (10 each). I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow to have my bladder and kidneys checked for infection or whatever to see why I retain so much fluid lately (this has never really be a problem for me and my bp is 118/78 so that is great!) As far as exercise, I walk about 30 minutes 3-4 days a week and ride my bike about 1-2 days a week for about 1 hour. I have a gym membership and I intend to go back there soon. What do you think?

JoannMarie: My doctor started using the new Realize band with me. He did three of us on the 6th of June. Dr. Ponce (the doc on the realize web site) was at my surgery Proctoring Dr Kramer with the new band. My doc says this band isn't that different from the old ones, just improved. The older bands went 3/4 around and had a flat spot on the back (that could slip easier.) They improved that and the new bands have chambers all the way around. The new bands have a "low profile port" So when you loose weight there isn't a lump in the stomach. From what I understand the new Allergan band is about the same as the Realize band. I am happy with my band and think the web support is wonderful! I log in there everyday, I was really surprised when I got the message that I had hit a plateu! I got a message once before that I needed to check on a fill. I like the accountability factor in that web site. They are having a little trouble with the weekly calorie counter, it seems to double your intake. It also has the exercise counter to help you really stay on track. I had to email the webmaster once and I got an immediate responce. If your doc gives you a choice then I think you will be fine with either band. I do recommend the Realize band (of course it is the only one I know since it is the only one I have.) No matter which band, I think the lapband is wonderful! Now, just have to endure the learning curve for me and figure out what will work for me. I am a slow looser (always have been) One doctor compared my body to a volkswagen bug! Low to the ground, very fuel efficient (but cute) LOL:biggrin2: Good luck to you and keep in touch! I will be happy to answer any questions you have!

I was very surprised the other day when I logged into the Realize Band web site and a message popped up that my weight seemed to be at a plateau and I needed to revise my eating plan and contact my surgeon! I knew they moniterd progress, but I didn't know they really watched you! Sooooo! I took a really good look and can cut some things out. I don't think I am ready for another fill yet, I come too close to getting things stuck now. I have to sit and wait and it seems like the band relaxes and I can continue to eat then. Perhaps, I am doing it wrong. Perhaps my band is still not quite tight enough to stop the food from slipping through right away and once it gets lubricated with a little food then it lets it go down. Does that sound reasonable? It is always at the first bite that I do that. Well, I will get back, I am working and students need help!

Wow! I am going to give it a try. I have only had success with high protein in the past, so it stand to reason that it will work better now! Thanks for the tips!

Good Evening Everyone! I have not been a good girl today! Strikeuptheband, good to hear from you again. I understand the feelings you are having. I also have had two fills. I can definately feel the restriction, I have to completely stop eating and let the tightness pass. I usually just take a few bites and then it stops and I slow down th eeating. Then the problem: I continue to eat slowly and I know I should stop! When I logged on to the Realize site I got a message "Your weight loss seems to have hit a plateau, You need to adjust your eating plan, and contact your surgeon" I didn't know it would do that! I have an appointment the second week in August. I think I will really work on the eating plan. I know I can eat less. I know I have been too lazy! I hope all of you are doing ok. I did ride my bike yesterday for about an hour. That was fun. It has been too hot and humid to get out too much and I have Asthma! Excuses, excuses, excuses! Ok, now positive thoughts and deeds! THanks for listening to me vent! Long2bthin! I am sorry you have to have GB surgery. I will keep you in my prayers! Trishthedish: I am glad you are getting your fills started. It does get better with the fills. Glad to have this thread active again. Come on all you June bugs! Let us hear from you!

I love to read this thread, but had nothing to add, but today I have 3 NSVs!:frown: People who don't know about the surgery have commented on my weight loss. That feels very good! I got a poem written for me by a young male student the other day! I was flattered, but of course said " not on your life" but it was flattering (I teach at a career college, so he was "legal") The final NCV is that I got a promotion at work today! I am now a "Master Insturctor" the great part was that is came with a 10% pay raise! :ohmy:

Don't fret folks: I was the same way after my 1st fill, I could eat anything and more of it than I thought I should. Then I realized that I had to quit drinking and follow the Band Rules! That helps some. BUT!!!!!@ The 2nd fill has really opened my eyes! I have much more trouble eating now! Everytime I have eaten since that 2nd fill, I have had to stop and wait for about 5-10 minutes to let the food pass. I have also made a mental note not to drink and to be sure to eat my Protein first. I have dropped anothe 3 lbs since my fill! Keep at it and keep up the good work!

ChristyC: I did the same thing, Lost easily at first and then got stuck and stopped dropping. I got my first fill and not much difference, then the 2nd fill was like "WAM" and I have done great! I also started to limit myself much more right before the fill. It is funny how easy it is to eat more than you mean to or more than you remember! Long2bthin: Remember, how I was before my 2nd fill. You kept reassuring me! I can't help myself, I weigh too often, but don't get discouraged! Keep up the exercise and you will be great! Maybe someday we can ride our bikes together! LOL jbFlorida: Sometimes men are so transparent! Next time, just wink when they say that and then YOU find another partner! Didn't it feel good to be asked though? Charlene: Everytime I see you on here i think of the Cartoon strip "Cathy" her best friend was namned Charlene and I have a wonderful sister named Charlene! Opps: better get back to students!

Happy Monday all you Fit and Fiesty Fifties! I am feeling "on top of the world." :tt1: It has been 6 seeks since my banding and I am getting stronger every day. I have had 2 fills and they are definatley working. Last night when I was getting into the shower I visualized myself in a year! :crying: I could seen a new person! :biggrin2: For those of you who have not been banded yet and having doubts, :frown: Fear NOT! :tt2: The process to get banded is a difficult one :sad: and if you make it through that and the doctors approve you, then you have half the battle won! :wink: As Janet proclaims everyday, :huh2: the rest of the battle will have to be your doing! :eek: At times in the beginning it gets :smile: discouraging, your band isn't filled yet and you are sore and swollen from surgery and your brain hasn't accepted the band yet. You want to eat and you can't and then you can and you think "Is this it?" No! Just give it time and work at learning the "new" way! I am certain I have many challenges ahead of me! The information and support of LBT is wonderful and I know my friend here are in the same boat!

So sorry Snuffy! I will be your LBT MOM!

Yes! OMG! I want to dance all around and smile all the time! I have been so happy! You are correct greythope! The pain is all in the past and with the fill I know it is going to do it's job and my life is getting better every day! I would love to get together! I will go anywhere! Love to travel!

Hope everyone is doing well today! I am GREAT! I had my second fill yesterday! It was easy and quick and I have good restrction noW! I can only eat a few bites and I am full:biggrin2: I have walked a lot in the past 2 days. 1.5 miles yesterday and I walked 3 miles :thumbup:to my sister's house this morning (I made her drive me back):scared2:

I had my second fill yesterday! It was easy and quick and I have good restrction noW! I can only eat a few bites and I am full:biggrin2: I have walked a lot in the past 2 days. 1.5 miles yesterday and I walked 3 miles :thumbup:to my sister's house this morning (I made her drive me back):scared2: