Paula Maglica

Hi all fellow bandsters, I was banded 7-29-08 by a wonderful Dr I've lost a little over 60 lbs. I know that I should have lost more by now, and it makes me sad. My husband doesn't really get it, he doesn't really support me, in fact I'll be having a weak minute (or two) and ask him for some sugar free ice cream, and he never questions it or try's to talk me out of it, he (God love him) just goes and gets it for me. I know that the weight loss isn't his fault by any means, but it doesn't help. I have two kids both teens who of course love to eat the crappy stuff and I of course buy it for them, but I have cut down in what I buy and have started buying more healthy stuff. I'm having problems with GERD and that's no fun, I was supposed to go to the Dr's yesterday but didn't want go, partly because I didn't want him to loosen the band as he's done before, and I don't feel like I've lost enough weight since the last time I was there. My sister had the gastric bypass done just about 4 months ago, and she's helped support me and tries to keep me in check. Maybe I need to go to an over eaters meeting...

I'm so sorry that your more upset, I guess I don't understand why your upset though, unless you have a large deductible or large co pay. Not my business to know, just left me wondering. When I had Atena, my co-payment was $35 each time. Good luck. BTW~ do u ever go to the support groups, I've been to a couple of them and it's always been good.

Hi redskittles, I recently lost my private insurance, and was scared to go and get a fill (esp after I received a bill for 750.00) because I wasn't aware that our insurance had run out before I had gotten a fill! So I bit the bullet and called the office and talked to "Vicky" and told me that she would put me on a self pay and that would lower the amount down to 250.00 per fill. :thumbup:Yes, it's still very expensive, but like Dr. Lahman said, it's a lifetime tool that has to be checked every once in awhile to make sure it's working the right way. On a side note, I was able to obtain Medicaid because of other medical problems and I mentioned this to Vicky and even said that I'm sure you don't accept that and to my surprise, she said, well since you already have the band and it has to be checked, they WILL accept it! I hope that some of this info will help you, keep in touch, when you call to set up your next appt. make sure you talk to Vicky first to work out the payment arraignments first it makes a big difference if you let them know you need to be a self pay.

He is out of Silver Cross Hospital. He is a great Dr. that has a GREAT bedside manner! But he knows his stuff, would highly recommend him!

Ok, it's Sunday a week ago I was hiding in my closet not wanting to talk to anyone for fear I'd say something to hurt one of my family's feelings. I'm feeling MUCH better this Sunday, we are all getting ready for church, I'm dressed up, I put on a pair of dress pants that were skin tight the last time I wore them only to put them on this morning and they are almost too big to keep on. !!!! Thank the good Lord for my BAND!!! Happy Sunday to everyone! Welcome rodriguezequal !!!

Hi again, thanks for all the replys, my moods have been more on the stable side (thank God) my dr. has me taking more of the klonopin 3 times a day 1/2 mil, but there is NO way I'm doing that as I have kids to take care of and drive around and I'd be crashed on the couch, so I've just been taking a half a mil just once a day and it's improved a lot! I go and see him in about a week anyway.

Hi all out there in Bandland! I too have Bi-polar, I was banded on the July 29th of this year, it's been 3 months and everything was going good, I've lost around 30lbs so far have alot to go. Last week was a rough one for me as I started having horrible mood swings, flying off the handle over stupid things, I hated myself for behaving that was I was. I've called my Dr. concerned as I've been stable for over 4 yrs, and was wondering if my weight loss might have anything to do with it. Anybody have any suggestions? I'd love to hear from anyone else out there that might have some input on the sensitive subject.

Good morning to all of my fellow bandsters, I missed the last support group meeting this last Tues. (lack of car) but hopefully I will be able to make it next time. To the two ladies here that have their dates coming up, how are you doing? I know that liquid diet isn't any fun, but in the long run very worth it. I was scared that he was going to open me up and see that my liver wasn't shrunk enough and not do the surgery.:cool2::thumbdown: So I was very careful about what I put in my mouth. So far to date, I've lost about 31 lbs, I keep on being stuck on 294 for the last 3 days, I guess to time to do more exercising. I had my 2nd fill about 2 weeks ago and have 7 cc in me now, and I can feel it now. I'm learning to recognize when I'm full and to stop eating even though I still want to keep putting food in my mouth because it tastes soooo good. Take care!

Ok so after writing the last post, since I couldn't go back to sleep, I decided to go for a walk (at 5am) and took the dog, since it was so early, I let her walk by me without a leash, which she LOVED plus I could walk at a faster pace! I went around the block twice which is more then I usually do. I felt a bit better after that and then after that I came home to fix a healthy breakfast for my kids, hubby and then lastly me! Now I'm sleepy so I'm craving myself a nap:wink_smile:

I too was elated to see 298 after not being able to see that for over 2 yrs. But now I'm struggling after seeing 301 yesterday. I'm really struggling with not eating so much. I go in on Fri to get my second fill. I'm trying to get a walk in every day but the last weekend I've not been able to get outside due to flooding/raining all weekend. And I've got heel spurs on my left heel. I am lifting small weights for my arms though.I've gone down a size in clothes and have made a ton of progress though as I started off on this journey wieghing 327. I'm just disgusted with myself right now, and waiting for Fri to come.

Hey Carol, Did u go 2 the support meeting last Tues? I had planned on going but my son's open house was on the same day, what did I miss, how many people show up. I'm going no matter what this next month! I go for my 1 month follow up class this Wed @1:00. Got my first fill last Fri and it went alot smoother then I thought. But still don't feel as much restition as I thought I would.

YEAH FOR YOU!!! You need to call them to let them know about the letter, I got my letter on a Fri and I called Mon to set up an appt, and asked when they got the call/letter from insur and they had told me a couple of days. I didn't want to wait anymore, turned out I had to wait just about 30 days anyway! So go and get on the phone!!!!

:cursing:Ok fellow bandsters, I need to vent a little. I had my surgery on the 29th of July and have been doing very well with the weight loss (15 lbs) so far, but now I've gained 5 lbs the last 3 days, I was so close to 299, but now I'm back up to 305! It's been 3 days and the scale hasn't moved. My first fill is Fri in the AM. I hate this, I don't want to eat that much, but it's hard to ignore a rumbling tummy that won't shut up! I know I've lost 3 inches off my hips & thighs, and 1 inch off my neck so I know I'm doing well so far, but this is just so discouraging!!! Has anyone else had to happened to you? Can anyone relate? Thanks for letting me vent a bit.:huh2:

Yes, I'm finally able to get out and walk around the block and I've got out and rode my bike (first time in 3-4 yrs!) I go today for my first fill, kinda nervous but very excited! I did cheat last night and had pizza, I figured, I'm not going to be eating anything like that for a long time so I figured, what the heck.

:eek: Hello to all of you fellow Dr. Joyce/Lahmann bandsters !! I was banded by Dr. Lahmann on the 29th of July. I go next Tues for my first fill. I love Dr. Lahmann and all of his staff. Just make sure you follow all of the rules, (pre-op diet, post op diet) they have them for a reason! I live in Minooka and loved Silver Cross as well. The only thing that I was dissapointed with @ Silver Cross is I felt that I being forced out of the hospital before I felt I was ready. But everything worked out for the best. Hugs to all of you and keep in touch:thumbup:

I hear ya!! My stomach is able to hold more and I'm feeling it, I'm so ready for my first fill, I don't want to eat, but when your stomach is growlin, you tend to revert back to your old ways! I'm trying so hard to be good, but it's so hard!!

:biggrin: Relax to both of you, I was banded on the 29th of July, I'm now going on the 3 week since being banded. It's just now going down (the swelling)but I still have a lump where they put the port in. Remember, you had MAJOR surgery and your body is still recovering. Just think about how worth it it's going to be in the long run! Keep me posted, the best is yet to come!!!

I agree, I was banded on the 29th and my first fill isn't till the 28th of this month. I would suppose that your already feeling your "fills".

Me too!!! Should be interesting:wink_smile::biggrin::cool2:!!

Ok, I'm trying not to be upset or too hard on myself. I got banded on the 29th of July, I've been feeling pretty good. Trying very hard to be good on my diet, only eating what I'm supposed to. But yesterday my husband and son came home with cookie dough (raw) and sat and ate it like that, well, of course I just HAD to have it too. I only had a little and half expected to get sick from it, but no, nothing! I knew I wouldn't be dumping or anything, but I guess I was thinking I would throw it up. I don't know. I've been losing steadily. But I'm starting to get the cravings. I'm poring my heart out here in hopes that someone else out here has gone thru the same stuff and can offer some advise.

Hey all, thanks for the encouraging words. Today was MUCH better, I ate all the right things, grilled chicken, my protein shake, a 1/4 cup of whole wheat pasta and some broc and cheese. Not too bad, the only sweet thing I had was ONE sugar free thing of pudding. Doing better on the water intake. And I took my walk tonight and went farther than I have before. :thumbup:

Thankyou for those good tips! Good luck this weekend and beyond

I don't want to ban certain foods, even though I know no one needs them just because I can't have them. My son (11) is always whining for the stupid cookie dough, my daughter even made some from scratch (didn't turn out good) so he could have some. My point is I'm so scared I'm going to "break" the band or port by eating something I'm not supposed to. I even read on here that someone ate a taco from taco bell ! that would scare me to death.

Don't stress, I gained 2 lbs also but then the next day I lost it. Remember, just like everyone has said before we are in the healing stage right now, as long as you are not "cheating" and eating the right things then all should be good!