HeatherO

luvtoteech7, it sounds like you are doing so much better now. :0) It was such an uplifting update. Life really does move on, it gets easier and later can even be so much more fulfilling. Thanks for the update.

I agree with everyone else. Comparison won't help and men do seem to lose easier then women in general. I can't help but wonder if it is caused by hormones, but it has been shown time and time again to happen with some frequency.

OMG, those prices are unbelievable :sneaky::w00t::mad2:, and shipping is almost free, or is free, but with those prices being so low you'd have to buy a gazillion things to get up to $100 for free shipping. Awesome website, thanks for sharing.

Does anyone have advice on baby slings/carriers? A friend suggested the folowing from moby: Moby Wrap, Baby Sling, stretchy wrap, baby carrier, Moby sling She said it was very versatile and comfortable. I like the thought of having something easy to run around the house in that keeps my hands free and my baby happy. Slings look intriguing as well but I don't know what would really be the most comfortable for both of us. Whatever I choose I want to have in the early days post delivery. Any thoughts or experience on this topic . . . or maybe I should start a different thread???

. . . . ahhh, I want to hold a little peanut. :0) I was looking at the preemie and newborn sized clothes the other day. It is so hard to imagine that the baby will fit them. I cannn'ttt waittttt. I think that is the hardest part of pregnancy, waiting and waiting and being sick and waiting some more, lol.

Actually, now that you have mentioned a little more about it . . . it sounds much more promising. She may have provided a lot more support than you would typically get with a doctor supervised diet plan. I think a lot of it might be in the way she writes up her report. The best thing you can do is to check with your insurance and get specific details regarding exactly what they need to cover this aspect of it before you submit anything from your therapist. It might be able to be written up in such a way that will make it more likely to pass muster. After all, a lot of insurances tend to deny first and ask questions later. Any time you can shave off will just get you that much closer to your eventual goals.

If I am on the verge of getting stuck and I drink anything, it is instant pain and pb city for me with tight restriction. It seems like any Fluid just puts extra pressure with everything tight. I have also never seen anything indicating that drinking stretches the pouch either. The reason I was given not to drink while eating is because it flushes the food through faster over time and so instead of being hungry again in 4 hours, maybe you are hungry again in 2 or 3. It may not be instantaneous, but if it is increasing your daily intake over the course of the day, it might not be helping you to lose weight.

There are plenty of rules out there that doctors disagree on regularly such as pre-op or post-op diet plans, chewing gum, drinking pop, caloric intake, etc. However, not drinking during eating is one of the primary and most basic banding rules that doesn't really vary across doctors other than the amount of time before or after. If almost every doctor agrees that this is correct, then why should we ignore the most basic rule because we prefer to sip while eating. I think it is even worse to do this in the early months after surgery because that is where we are "relearning" our eating behaviors and learning new habits. It is a lot different bending the rules once you are getting close to goal, but if you start the journey bending rules . . . how do you know that you are going to get the success you want. After all, at least I can say in my case, I would never have become obese if I was making the best choices in dietary intake before banding. I might have a preference now to drink while eating, or eating slider foods . . . but that isn't what helped me to lose all my weight. Following what my doctor told me is what finally took the weight off. All I am saying is that we should all think carefully about what we do with our bands, how we follow the rules, and how it might affect our success after surgery. After all, there was a reason why we had surgery in the first place, right???

I have taken to a brief "nuke" sessions in the microwave in between. It just takes a while to eat, kind of unavoidable. I like the toddler heating plate idea.

Many employers exclude certain services in order to reduce health insurance costs. Sadly this is a very common occurrence. The person who is making the final decision on insurance coverage my be the only person who can really answer whether you will lose the coverage for WLS.

I don't think they will necessarily take the therapists time as your 6 month medically supervised diet unless they put you on a very specific diet an there are detailed progress notes and visits every month. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

I don't think you are too small . . . your BMI is over 40 so you are carrying too much weight for your frame. It doesn't matter if you are 4 foot or 7 foot tall, you would certainly qualify. People are getting banded in their teens as well, so 29 is not a bad age to get a new lease on life. This might be the best thing you ever end up doing for yourself. I am also relatively short at 5 '3, had a BMI of close to 40 and I am now in a normal BMI range. My health is phenomenol and have not regrets.

Hello Vi's. I just wanted to pop in but don't have much time to post yet. Today is a crazzzyyy, hectic day.

I immediately switched to a different ob doctor and dropped my gyn when I found out I was preggers. I am so happy I did that because you have to spend more time with this doctor than any others. I think it is never too late to switch if you are not happy. You are going to see this doctor more and more as you get closer to delivery. Medical records are easily transferrable . . . maybe even to someone in the same group. If it is any consolation, you typically have the on call doctor for delivery which is seldom your actual ob doctor. At least it has been that way for me and most people I know who have delivered recently.

I never heard that expression before but it is so cute, I hope you don't mind if I borrow it. :tt2: I use Cincy Weightloss for fills. I really have been happy working with them. Support meetings are too far away with my schedule so I haven't attended . . . but just wanted to say they are a great group to work with for being newly banded. Congrats on your surgery.

What does everyone thing about those teddy bears that make the womb sounds? Do you think it is worth it to help facilitate sleep and relaxation? I was intrigued by the concept. Has anyone setup a gift registry yet? I stopped in a few places to look but I feel so lost. I was in babies 'r us last night and there was so much there, I can't even begin to tell what is really necessary. I remember walking past the bottle/nipple section and there is a gazillion choices . . . how will I ever know what is good? I almost feel like I will never know until after the baby comes but that seems a little late.

Maybe shape does have something to do with it. Right now my shape is mostly just lack of a waist so it is stretched a little more in the middle but the top and the bottom are not stretched as much. If I keep a uniform shape, it might not want to roll in any particular direction. I told a friend at work about it today and she said she tried it and absolutely hated it because it never stayed in place. The only thing I don't like about it is that I feel like I have a saggy butt if my pants are unbuttoned because the back of my pants slide down a little. I definitely have to have an elastic for the button section. I was even thinking about taking a couple pairs of my favorite pants and sewing a little button on the back that will work with the band to keep it more uniformly in place. I tried some maternity pants on and I look so silly and feel so awkward in them. There is nothing about them that is flattering on my body for some reason. Part of it is that I am petite and can't find many that fit right without feeling like either the crotch wants to hang to my knees or the maternity stretchy stuff could cover my boobs without effort. I cant wait until the weather gets nice again. I have seen a couple pregnant people wearing stretchy but nice dresses that are vey flattering . . . but I get just too darn cold for that in our northeastern US snow dumps from the great lakes . . . blechhh. I want to enjoy my baby bump but all I am doing is hiding it in heavy sweaters with unflattering long underwear on underneath. Losing a lot of weight has turned me into a freeze baby. Right now, I am just looking chubby more than pregnant.

I just picked this band up at Target last Saturday and have worn it every single day since. I was surprised it was only $16 because I have been seeing them online for $36 or more. Definitely a great buy. At first it was a little weird, but I like the way it makes my belly feel supported/hugged under my clothes. I am still not ready for maternity clothes and can wear my 8's unbuttoned with an elastic hairtie and the Bella band or my 10's buttoned normally. I know it wont be long now until I have to buy maternity.

Just wait until next year after Carson has arrived. It will be the happiest tax season you have experienced so far. :eek:

I can't help but be jealous that I can't make it to the baby/shower get-together event in June. The baby is due in early June so there is no way I can travel . . . but I will be there in spirit :0). I also would really love to see baby Carson. Kat, I am so happy she is coming home . . . thank goodness. It will be so much easier on everyone and she will feel better in her own environment. I had a cat that "attempted" to sleep with me but I always had to put her out. She would purr and rub against my face and I would have the feel of cat hair stuck to my nose which I hated. TracyinKS, Thank goodness for restriction . . . I am happy for you. I am really missing restriction right now and can't wait to get back there once again. Happy birthday as well!!!! Have a great day, Vi's!!!

I know in my case, when I am not drinking the Water, my weight loss stalls no matter how many calories I am ingesting. I also know that if I am getting in the water and eating not so well, I can lose weight. There is definitely an impact on my body. I found information addressing this topic as follows: Appetite Suppressant Water tricks the body into thinking it's not hungry. When dieters consume greater amounts of water, they eat less. Water temporarily reduces even real hunger feelings, so dieters don't need to eat as frequently. Drinking water with a meal reduces the room in the stomach for food, reducing the amount of food eaten. True Hunger Because dehydration is such a common issue, many people mistake thirst for hunger. The best way to combat needless eating is to drink a glass of water and wait 30 minutes before munching. If the hunger pangs stick around, grab a bite to eat. However, in many cases, the glass of water will eliminate the urge to eat. Waste Removal Water is necessary for proper digestion. By drinking plenty of water, the stomach and intestines digest food at a quicker rate than if the body doesn't have enough water. Kidneys depend on water to help flush out waste into the urine. When the body is free from waste, the liver is able to flush out fat at an optimum level. Water Retention Drinking plenty of water reduces the amount of water the body retains. When the body is dehydrated, it holds onto water, trying to store it in case of emergency. However, when water replenishment is continuous, the body doesn't hold onto excess water, since it is readily available. Exercise Water is a necessity for those who work out. Dehydration reduces strength and endurance during workouts, so fitness requires plenty of water consumption. When trying to lose weight, exercise plays an important role, and drinking water will make or break an exercise routine. Mindless Munching When a dieter consciously makes an effort to drink more water, mindless munching drastically decreases. Every time there is an urge to snack, a bottle of water comes to the rescue. Sipping on water continuously makes avoiding snacks easier. Once drinking water becomes a habit, snack avoidance is much easier, leading to more significant weight loss. Overall Health When the body is at its peak, fat burning is optimal. The human body consists of roughly 60 percent water. When dehydrated, every system in the body suffers, from temperature regulation to mental clarity. It is imperative that the body has the appropriate amount of water to ensure that everything, including fat burning, functions as it should.

I have no regrets either. It has been everything I had hoped for and more. I love my band and the new lease on life that it has given me.

It happens to everyone in some degree or another, that is why it is called bandster hell. You are hungry and you can still eat. Just hang in there know that this phase will pass . . . and once you start getting your fills it get so much easier. Good luck.

Congratulations on the upcoming event!!! It is exciting. He is lucky to have you there supporting him :0).

It is very rare for a bandster to gain all their weight back but I do know of several people with bypass who have. I would take any of these comments with a grain of salt. Reading actual studies performed under controlled conditions will give you a better idea of how it works for most people then hearing about the lack of succes of my brother's - girlfriend's - sister's - best friend from grade school's - godmother's - aunt who had . . . and failed because . . . happened.