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I like to ride long distances such as 50+ miles. I haven't ridden this distance since my surgery. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to maintain energy without having to eat bagels, powerbars, etc. I have a hard time with breads and I've never really enjoyed eating sawdust! Thanks for the input!

I'd love it if you could share any good recipies. I get really tired of eating the same thing over and over!

I also have Anthem and live in VA. I would suggest seeing if ypur doctor's office has any better luck with getting coverage. You are close on your BMI. Do you have things like sleep apena, high cholestrol, heart issues, etc. These are some of the things the insurance company is looking for. The doctor's office has lots of experience working with insurance companies. Some thoughts to consider. During the past general assembly session, I received a call my by Doctor's office saying that there was legislation being brought forth to take coverage of gastric bypass surgery out of insurance coverage. What my doctor's office told me was that for lap band fills, I would end of paying about $600.00 per fill ($100.00 for the doctor's office and $500.00 for use of the hospital radiology department equipment. This scared the heebee geebeeies out of me. I was banded in 10/08 and have had 3 fills since then. I knew if this insurance legislation passed, I'd be up one long, bad creek with no paddle! PS I don't think the legislation passed based on information in the newspaper but open enrollment for our insurance is just around the corner and I'll know for sure then. I would suggest that before you make a decision about going to Mexico, that you read through some of the threads on this website from folks who have gone to Mexico and some of the difficulties finding a doctor where they live to do fills. You may want to check with the doctors in your area to see if they will do fills if you go elsewhere for the surgery. Good luck with your insurance and your decision.

Good luck with the triathlon!

Thanks for the recipe; it sounds really good. I like the other suggestions of things to add to it as well. Also, thanks for the crock pot tips. It would be easiest to do and coming home to the yummy smells would be a huge treat at the end of a long day.

Congratulations on your weight loss! That is fantastic. Keep up the good work. I am not consistant about going to the support groups, but I know that when I have attended they are really good. I'll throw this idea out as a suggestion for anyone who lives in the Richmond area..... What if we all decided to go to one of the meetings (pick a date) and introduce ourselves to each other. This might be another support system we could develop for and with each other. Let me know what you think.

Hi Kammy: I too was banded in October, 08 and things had been going well until about 4 weeks ago and all of a sudden it's like boom the weight stopped coming off. I went to the doctor's Friday and the NP spent some time talking about how much I wasn't eating enough Protein and really needed to focus on that. I go next week for another fill, this time by "feel" rather than by what the x=ray would show. I really hopes this will be better as I'm able to eat alot of food no matter how much I try portion control, etc. Keep up the great work. In reading through many threads, it appears that the band works differently for each person. I personally liked the weight loss vs. maintaining.! Have a good weekend.

Thanks for sharing. I really appreciate the information. :wink:

You may want to check with your Doctor about taking both the calcium and vitamins together. I was told to take them at separate times due to something about the impact on the body's ability to absorb the nutrients if taken together.

:hurray: I'm in the process of beginning to freak out! I got a call from my doctor's office last Thursday and was told that as part of the Governor's budget reduction measures, Bariatric Surgery was being cut from the state employee health care benefits. Fortunately, both the House and Senate had two different versions of recommendations so that the bill had to go to the Conference committee for them to settle the issue. I was able to contact the few folks that I have told about the surgery and they have written legislators. I have written to all 10 legislators on the Conference committee. Hopefully, it won't be cut or at least we will be "grandfathered" in. It really isn't a cost saving measure when you look at the medical costs (doctor's visits, medications, procedures, etc) related to obesity. Keep your fingers crossed. I don't know what I'll do if I have to pay out of pocket for the band fills. They are $650.00 each. This really could impact my weight loss process.

I take Flinestone vitamns (or the generic brand) and a chewable calcium. I tried Centrium Sr (yes, I am at that age :hurray:!) and found I had stomach pains the entire time that I took them. It took me about a week to figure out why I was having the pains and for 2 days straight I forgot to take my vitamins and was feeling so much better.

It is amazing how many people have found out about my surgery without my telling anyone. At Christmas Breakfast, my sister - in-law's father says I know this is hush, hush, but how is your weight loss coming. Boy was I floored. I politely answered but quickly changed the subjet. Later that night, I was at a party and someone I see maybe 1-2 times a year says I hear you had the lap band surgery, how's it going? This was in a room full of people I didn't even know. Later that evening, the same person corners me and starts talking about the surgery and my father (who I hadn't told) was in the same room. Man, was I angry! I knew then that I had to tell him because had saw this individual more fequently than I did. I had to confront my sister-in-law and brother and then had to go tell my father and his wife. I did this several weeks after the holidays because it took me awhile to get over my anger. I felt so violated; my sharing personal things about myself is a real biggie. I have to say that I was contacted by my doctor's office last week and told that the General Assembly is considering removing bariatric surgery from state employees health care package. I got on the internet and contacted those few folks that I have told and asked them to contact the appropriate legislators. In my request, I found that I really revealed alot about what has happened since the surgery so they could include that information in their letters. When I wrote my letter to the legislators, I amazed myself at what I said and how much I revealed. I found it really easy to share the information. Maybe because they are strangers or because of the out-of pocket expenses that I'll have to pay (which I can not afford) and may alter my course of treatment. I must say, I felt very supported. Most of the folks I contacted, did contact at least one legislator. Some contacted all 10! I still don't want a whole lot of people to know; it really is a personal thing to me. I do love the gall bladder surgery comment!!

Congratulations Kristilaw on your banding date. I also had Dr. Brengman as my surgeon and had the surgery at St. Mary's. I felt the care I got at the hospital was great!. I've had a couple of post op visits with the NP and will have my second fill tomorrow. I'm hoping this fill will be a bit tighter as I'm able to drink great quantities of water quickly and eat more than the recommended 4oz per meal. I thought the not being able to drink prior, during and after meals would be difficult. It wasn't as hard as I thought. I'm having trouble with the sipping water and ensuring I get the correct amount of protein on a daily basis. I would recommend the support groups. The ones I've attended have been extremely helpful. Good luck with your surgery; you're in great hands.

I had this pain immediately following surgery. It was extremely painful. I was told it was due to the air in the chest/sternum area. Prior to surgery, I was, however, given a spirometer and did deep inhalations and worked toward getting the "slider thingy" up to the top and kept it up there. I was required to use the spirometer several times a day for several weeks following surgery. I did not have any more chest/sternum pains. Maybe you could talk to your doctor about it. Good Luck

Hi! My name is Mary Anne. I was banded October 3, 2008 and have been doing fairly well. I'm having a really hard time with "sipping water" (I can gulp down Water with no problem) and ensuring that I get the necessary Protein every day. I have lost 43 pounds thus far, but to get to my goal, I have ALOT more to loose. Any support would be extremely appreciated and welcomed. Many thanks. Mary Anne

I was banded 10/3/08 and physically, I have been doing well. The first week was totally liquid week. The next week, was soft/mush food and I was able to move to "real" food last Friday. My biggest concerns are getting enough fluids (I feel dehydrated constantly) and enough protein. I haven't mastered the "sipping" of liquids yet as I am so thirsty all of the time. I've got my computer at work set up to send me a message every five minutes to take a sip of water. I am really concered about this. Any suggestions?

:smile2:Initially, I only told my sister-in-law as she was with me during another procedure in which my doctor really expressed concern about my weight. About a month after I had attended the inital meetings required by the surgery group, I told my 2 oldest friends. Their support and encouragement was great! I told a few friends at work and my boss because I was asking for alot of time off to attend the required medical appointments for pre-op. What surprised me the most was when I told my hairdresser! Her support has been fantastic. I finally told one of my sisters and she has been very supportive and is encouraging me to tell my dad. I'm not sure about that; I'm afraid his wife will be nagging me quite a bit and make comments that I will have to bite my tongue not to be rude or obnoxious. I have found that the folks I've told have been really, really supportive and I'm really grateful for this! :thumbup: