Sugarbear

Congratulations and welcome Plain!! Most people that lose their appetite have it return in about two weeks. Some sooner, some later, but 2 weeks seems to be the reported average. Try to get in the protein you need so you want feel so tired. Stay with the post op diet, it helps. I haven't tried these test tube things everyone is talking about yet but I plan to. Sounds like a good source of protein. Hang in there. Lo2us, Congrats on the NSV, I have a feeling those pounds will start melting off soon. I can't wait to see you again. I have been pretty the last couple of weeks, and haven't been on here much. Got some catching up to do. Gotta go but HI to everybody and I'll post more later.

Hello everyone. We are home and glad to be here. Weather wasn't to great comming home. It is cooler here than in Houston. Rainy too. I think I am doing well with this fill. Only got a small one. I slime pretty easy now so I didn't want to push it. Only did that once this week and I ate too fast. Really tired now, so I'll check back in tomorrow. Tpagrn sounds like you are doing well. Just take care when you are chewing and eating. You may be like me, eat to fawhen you are really hungry.

Hi Lo2us and everybodyelse. Welcome Plain and good luck. Stay in touch during your journey, we are glad to be of any help. Been really busy the past week or so. I am on my way to Houston as I speak. I hated to miss the meeting but I had an apt. that morning and late a.m. my mil had an apt. that I had to get her to and didn't get out until 1:00 and had to be in Texarkana at 2:00 to see Dr. K for a a fill. Then did some last minute errands, got back home about 5:30 and was too tired to turn around and drive back. First one I have missed. Will have to get you to fill me in if their was something new. I will be back Sat. or Sun. Things should get back to normal then. Take care everyone.

Hi Dawn. Lisa is sooooo right. When you start the fill process things will get better. Now, some feel restriction before others as they get their fills. The opening to our stomach, (the area the band is placed around) is different for everyone. I didn't have restriction for a while, where as Lo2us had it immediately. The doctors do a little at a time which is a safer and usually more comforatable for the patient. All this aside, we understand you are still hungry! It really doesn't take the hunger away but it might help you understand what you are going through. I ate bread and almost everything else until about three two or three fills ago. I needed a lot of encouragement too. So I know where that's comming from. My process was much slower than most, and that is discouraging.....But just take care of your little tool, and it does get better. What you are going through is called "Bandster Hell." Can't say how long it last, it is different for everyone. You are in a healing process right now. Try not to lift, push, or pull for a while and let that friend of yours scar in place. When do you get your first fill? I guess you will be seeing the doc soon. If you have any questions, write them down, they will be glad to answer them. Hang in there girl, this is just the beginning of your journey. We are here for you.

Lisa, glad you are feeling better, and I hope Tanner is recovered by now too. That is super about your Cholestrol!! You are really moving towards that goal of being a "healthier you!" I remember that helped me make the decision to get the surgery. My progress is really slow but at least I am going in the right direction. Keep up the good work, you help inspire the rest of us. Lo2us, you are doing a great job. You are doing LOT"S of toning up! Like I said, muscle weighs more than fat. All the exercise you are doing has to be doing some SERIOUS TONING!! Hope you get to feeling better too.

Dawn, you can get those on the go flavorings that fit a bottle of water. find some flavors that you really like, that will help get the liquids down. Walmart brand are pretty good too. Some like the Crystal Light. Hang in there, you are doing great. Lo2us. They say muscle weighs more than fat. So that might slow down the actual weight loss as far as the scale goes for a short time. But the inches will certainly start comming off with all that exercise!! You are going to look great and feel great to boot. I think you already do. You are doing so well and you are an inspiration for all of us. Think how much easier it is going to be to keep up with little Gus. Whew, you will need all the energy for him you can muster. Take care. Lisa, hope all of you are doing better, having that stuff and taking care of everyone else with it is the pits for sure.

Dawn, I know what you mean about reading all over the place. I don't do that anymore unless I see a topic that really peaks my interest or if someone really need some info. I stick to this thread because we are all under the same rules here and use the same docs. Just like having an extra family that is very understanding. Good luck to you and keep hanging in there, it does get easier. Once you get over this hump it will be down hill.

butterfly...Check with the insurance or with the surgeons office and see how much will be written off. My insurance paid the same as yours. But a lot was written off. Talk with the hospital they can help with that too. Also if you have met your deductible, you will not have to pay that over, I had not met mine so that meant another 500 for my doctor. I have arkansas BCBS. I had mine done at the hospital as an outpatitient. No overnight stay. Had mine in Texarkana.

Dawn, I can tell already that you are going to be successful! You have a great attitude! The pre-op is the hardest, the immediate post-op the next hardest. Still better than Slimfast all the time. Take in plenty of protein so you don't get too tired. Eggs, cottage cheese and apple sauce will seem like gormet food! lol. SF popcicles are good for now when you need to chew on a little something. I lived on potato soup. Maybe too much. lol. Hang in there. Soon you will be looking back and saying, hey that wasn't too bad! Now that it is over...lol:lol: Lo2us, where did you get the hull-less popcorn??? I haven't seen it yet. I need a good lo-cal snack when I get the munchies. Which has been happening a lot lately. Sweet-tooth has been acting up too. hmmmm

Dawn welcome to Bandland!!!!!!!!! Glad you did so well. Remember to keep walking and moving to get rid of that air. Take good care of yourself and follow the post-op instructions and diet. This is the beginning of a whole new healthier life. Bling, welcome! The people on here used Dr. Rachel Keillin and Dr. Ron Hekier. They work as a team and are from Precision Surgery in Texarkana, Texas. You can go to the noscales.com site or pswecare.com I think you will get some good info there. I think the cost is around 15 or 15 thousand if you are self-pay. If you have insurance it will vary. Different one pay differently. You will have to contact your insurance or PS can do that for you if you decide to have surgery. I believe I can speak for most people on here, they are great there. That is how I feel, anyway.

Gloharmar, I agree. I haven't ever had to go back...yet. But I know several that have and they have all been treated well that I know of. I have seen both doctors and both have always been nice to me. Another thing, if you need to ask a question and say so, they are very nice to answer. I like that, as I am sure everyone else does. Sometimes I just forget. Just write a reminder note and take it in with you, that is...for those of you who are forgetful like me. I think I am the granny of this bunch, so most aren't as forgetful as me. lol. So glad you are better.

Hi chuckles. I talked to Dr. K. about the fills in Mex. one time. The liability is too great too assume if something goes wrong because of the surgery. Lot of people go there. I think there is a thread on here somewhere for Mx bandsters. You might want to check that out. Personally I wouldn't do it. I want to be close to my doc if something goes haywire. But then again, I am a worry wort. lol If you choose to do that just be sure you have your after care doctor lined up for any medical attention you might need (other than fills), before hand. Those doctors may have some recomendations who to use here. You could check that out on their sites. When are you planning on the surgery? Good luck. Glo, glad you are better. You had three unfills? Wow! What size band do you have, the small? I have the medium.

Chuckles, there are times for support group meetings, and times for seminars. The Texarkana support grp meets the 2nd Mon. of each month. Tonight, Tues. is one of the seminars. Glo, hope you are better. Try to sip on high protein, the protein is essential. The tired and weak feeling should get better with it. Have some sf hot chocolate. The milk will help with the protein count. If you aren't better call Deb. Lo2us might advise you on high protein stuff, she is good at that. Take care. Teresa, you are right about being hard to slow down and eat. I am sure with your job and you being on the go it makes it harder. Just have to figure out a way to master it. You may just have time to eat less at a meal if your time is limited, then eat another small meal later. Hang in there. I have trouble eating slow when I am really hungry, even if I have time. We all have something to work on. I think I am getting a little better at it. I go back for a fill on the 11th. I am hoping this one will be the "sweet spot."

Lisa, I don't go til the 12th of Feb. Yes, I was looking at a person just the other night with a big ole juicy hamburger, he opened his mouth wide and took a huge bite and then had to hear him talk about it being the best burger he had had in months! I just ate my chicken tortilla soup, turned the other way and secretely fretted. lol I have soup a lot when we eat out, but I love it. Guess I need to venture out, what do you eat when you go out? Sometimes just order veggies, not a big meat eater.

Hi 2bmeagain. What kind of dog is that?! What kind of cage did he chew through? Whew! I couldn't afford that dog! How long have you been banded? I must have missed your post. New Julie we missed you at the meeting. It is always the second Mo. of the month. Better hang the next date in your car on the mirror. lol Take care.

Haven't had a chance to get on here in a couple of days. See a couple of new people. WELCOME!! We are just one big family on here. It is a great place to come for support. The pre-op diet is certainly not a fun thing. Lisa will tell you I was a weenie about it. But people on here encouraged me every day of it. It did get a little easier as the days past. Guess I just got used to the idea. It was pretty tough until you get to mushies on the post-op diet. Then you are home free. Stick to the plan and it will pay off. I have been a slow loser but things are getting better. My band was apparently looser around the opening of my stomach, therefore it took more fills to reach some point of restriction. Our anatomies are different. Like Lo2us, she has been restricted from the get-go, some don't realize restriction for 2-3 fills, and like me, more. Take care and hang in there. Teresa I missed you at the meeting. I looked for you but I guess I didn't realize you came in later. Punch me next time. I looked for New Julie too but missed her too. There were a lot at the meeting. You are welcome at the meeting even if you are not banded. Some like to come and ask questions and meet people who have had the experience. Lisa, Where is Vlynn? I miss her. Oh, for those that are new, you may also go to noscales.com Dr. Hekier posts there sometimes and there is usually a new article that has something to do with nutritian, lapband ect. every month.

What happened Teresa!! They lost!!!??? Too much vacation before the biggest game of the season!!!! I have lost three post trying to put in icons. Just going to subit this one.

Lo2us. thanks for the info about the gym ect. The Texarkana meeting is Mon. night 7:00 Wadley. Just a reminder to all those interested. I plan on being there. Lisa, only 32 lbs. to go and Susan only 26 lbs. to go. I dream of that time for me. And look at Lo2us, 71 lbs gone! WOW! 75 pound pin, comming up!! All of you really keep me going. I may be slow but I will be successful. Thanks everyone.

Lo2us, let me know about the gym and those body sculpting classes. Bye the way, my friends band went back in place and she got a fill and also her port had gotton out of place and they slipped it back in place. So I guess everything is okay with her.

hello everyone. Hope all are well. One of my band-friends, that has lost 100 lbs, is now pregnant. Sooooo she has been un filled 80% and goes back in 6 mo. to get the rest out. Her bandiversary was the 28th of Dec. The other friend that has the slipped band goes back tomorrow to see if it has gone back in place or not. I sure hope so. I am doing fine, think I am slow losing, but sure. Take care all.

The support group meeting is the second mon. every month. Dr. H reminded me of that my last visit. The 14th is the day, 7:00 p.m. Wadley. Banded or not, everybody come. Lo2us, I guess you are home? Hope ya'll had a good trip. TP... good luck on the fill tomorrow. For some odd reason I don't feel as restricted since my fill as I did before it. ??? Weird huh? Oh well. I didn't get an appt. for my next visit either. I guess they were just busy and I forgot. Guess I will call toorrow. Do you get to where you don't go every 6 weeks?

Tpagern, don't be too hard on yourself. Just "cinch-up them britches and start over on a new day." Just because we are banded doesn't mean we aren't still attracted to food, especially holiday foods. That is just human. We just have to work harder at the control issues than others. It AIN"T EASY." Sometimes I get all my stuff (folder) out and read it again. Remind myself why I chose this surgery, and try to go back to the basics. I really want to succeed at this venture of losing weight. For me, it seemed like the last straw. I am thinking about posting the "Box Rules," on the front of my fridge. I know you'll notice by my ticker, that I am in the slow trudge lane as far as losing the weight with much speed. But I figure at least I am in the lane. Better than where I was 10 months ago before banding. You have lost 45 lbs in four months, that is a great stride you have made! Just try to get back on track and keep going, those other pounds you want off will come off before you know it. You will get some help Monday. Funny, I don't seem to feel quite as restricted as I did before my fill? That's odd, isn't it Lisa? hmmmm. Suppose some accidently got sucked out? lol.

Hi hippmom. I am sure we all slipped a little durring the holidays. After all, just because we are overweight doesn't mean we don't want to partake in all the holiday goodies. I am trying to do what the band is there to help me do, eat less, a lot less. I know I can never give up everything forever. Shucks, if I could do that I wouldn't have needed the band. I pass up goodies more now than I ever have, but NOT all the time. Somebody mentioned that they also have support meetings at that Dr. Betty Feir office. The psych. doc that some of us had to see, as part of our pre-op routine. Does anybody know about that? Does it cost, ect? Just curious. I believe it is a different type of support group meeting than the other we attend.

I am cold too, but just due to the weather. I hate the cold. The time that I felt really cold after losing weight, I found out I was really anemic. I was about to have my gallbladder out and the doc came in and called off the surgery. My blood count was too low had to take iron and get it up. Other problem contributed to that too. Got it corrected. Lo2us, glad you are feeling better. Keep taking your meds while you are on your trip. When do you have to go back to work? Our kids return tomorrow. Have a safe trip home. Lisa, get you some CuddleDuds, they are warm. Look how skinny you're gettin, you are losin your natural blanket! That's great!! Treat yourself to a new coat. They're all on sale now.lol

well I tried it again and it changed. But it changed my goal weight too? hmmmm. Also shows more weight yet to lose. Have to leave this up to Lisa, she is our ticker guru. lol.