Great2BThin

Hi there, Sorry to hear about the kinked tubing. I never heard of that before. How did the post op visit go? I had a 2nd surgery too, gall bladder. He reused 3 of my old incisions and one new one. Have been wondering how you were doing. Glad you sound like you are doing well now.

I had my gall bladder out 5 weeks ago today. And no I haven't had any of those problems, if anything I had less of an appetite. It took my system a bit to get used to no gall bladder and I had a bad tummy for awhile (diarrhea), I've actually lost 12 lbs since I had it out, and have had a fill since then. I can't believe your doc charges $1000 for a fill. Are you sure about that? Can you find a different doc then for fills? Mine are $100 now that I am more than 3 mos post banding. But I agree with Janet, you do need to maintain your band and check with your dr. to make sure all is right. Charlene, hope you are safe from Ike Becky, I know how you feel about the clothes. I just had my husband move my bag to the basement for now. I know that this time is different like Janet says about losing the weight, but guess I can't quite get out of my mind how many times I have gotten rid of the clothes only to need them again. I guess I am just fearful. I thought if they were out of sight, out of mind, that a month or two it would be easier to donate them some place.

Good morning. It is cool out today so I am wearing one of my new sweaters I bought a while back in the MISSES department!! YAHOO!! I've been trying to not weigh every day and just doing so on Mon and Thurs. No more loss today, bummer. Things must have stablized for me and this is how it's going to be now. I'm still losing about a pound to two a week so that's good. I just got very spoiled with so many big numbers early. As for liquid diets, I really didn't follow one long. Just one day pre op and 4 days post op. I had Isopure protien drinks, broth, jello and popsicles.

I think most insurances have to preapprove the procedure so if they don't preapprove and you submit afterwards I doubt it would be covered. But I am no expert that's for sure!!

Yea!!! Ellen is now a filled bandster! That's a long time for liquids. Don't be afraid to drink but don't gulp. YOu need to hydrate and you need to do it in sips. I forget a lot and take big swigs of Water and then burp a lot. Regardless how much the fill is, ideally my dr. wants me to eat 4 oz in a meal and eat 5 to 6 times a day. Solid Protein should be 80% of that. If I can eat more, then I need another fill. Hope that helps. BTW, have you talked to our friend lately? If you do can you get an email? Also, saw on the previews for Dr. Phil today that he is doing another Weight Loss challenge and it's without us evidently! LOL I set the DVR to record but doesn't look like that episode was today's but haven't seen it yet.

Good afternoon. I have not been able to get on this site since yesterday. I am so far behind now in reading. Not sure what was up. Obviously it was just me as my inbox is full of notices about new posts so others have been posting away. Ellen, how did the fill go today? did you get a big one? I only had to be on liquids for 4 to 6 hours, then mushies the rest of the day, regular food the next. But, just like pre and post op diets, all docs seem to differ. I went to the gym this morning and did the routine the trainer gave me on Monday night. I also got a new ball and cords to do that part at home. I had to take my first ball back, who knew there were sizes? He recommended I get the bigger ball 75cm since I am tall and at the end of the height guidelines for the 65cm ball.

Oh Apples, I am so sorry to be laughing at your misfortune, but I had just taken a sip of water and about sprayed my computer screen I was laughing so hard. Probably because I could relate and see myself doing the same thing. I am glad you weren't hurt though, more than your pride anyway. Cathy, congrats on being Grandma!! Like Apples, my kids are in no hurry either. I am !! I tell my daughter I had a 4 yr old at her age. LOL She has a pretty serious boyfriend now though so maybe there'll be wedding bells in the future (I prefer weddning bells before baby booties!!) :biggrin: I too am doing well since my last fill in that I am not hungry much, I fill up fast. however, my losses have slowed down. Where's the logic in that? However, I did lose fast at the beginning and know that this is probably more the right pace. I think with my g/b surgery in there I just had a speed up of my loss there.

I was self pay so that speeds the process up some, no insurance hoops to jump through. My insurance did pay for most of the preop testing, I had to meet my deductible and they didn't pay for the psych. My process was fast in hindsight but at the time it still seemed to take forever. I went to my seminar on 4/26, consult appt on 5/14, surgery on 6/5 and I was on vacation for 10 days of that time or it could've maybe been quicker. I went on a cruise less than 2 weeks before surgery. Talk about a last supper!! LOL

Hi I am in Reunion, very close to Brighton, I grocery shop there all the time!! I was banded by Dr. Snyder in June. I love my band!! I am down 60 lbs (I lost 10 of that before surgery while I was waiting from the seminar to my consult appt). Did you get your date yet?? Good luck to you!

Yes, mine is an AP large, 14cc, and I have 9cc in it. I had 4 as a prefill at surgery, then my fills were 3cc, .5cc, 1cc, and another .5cc (those are point 5's).

I just got back from my exercise class, it was great. He showed us how to use some of the leg machines, and then we all sat on a ball with some cords and they went over a few routines that will be our homework for the week. There were 4 of us lap banders there and 2 bypass patients. I think I will keep going for a few weeks anyway and tonights class was free, then it's going to be $15. I liked the smallness of it as you got a lot of individual attention (there were 2 trainers). Of course, they are hoping you will hire them for personal training and I may down the road as finances go, right now I have a surgery to pay off!! Just wish it was a tad closer!

I think I am at 9cc's. I've had 4 fills plus a pre fill. I love where I am at right now, it seems about right. I hope it lasts a long time!

Yeah!! You'll be smokin' now!! you should notice some improvement in this fill and definitely by the next one. My dr. says 1/2 cup servings too. I'm good with that usually. Ellen, you have a fill this week too? was it WEd??? Thinking of you!! Good luck!! Well I am off to a bariatric exercise class my surgeon/hospital sponsers. Not sure what to expect, other than it will be only bariatric patients there so not so intimidating. We will be using the balls and bands (so I got new ones yesterday) and he will be giving us moves to do and then homework for the week til we meet again next Monday night. I'm actually looking forward to this class, now that's a first!! But I feel so uncomfortable and self concious going into gyms and this should be very non threatening. The biggest drawback of it is the drive to get there. Not so bad now but come winter when it's dark at 5 and cold I hate to go out at night. But maybe by then I'll have some good routines and can go from there.

Good morning, Kindda quiet here this morning, usually when I log in the morning there's a lot more posts to read. I am getting ready to go up to the gym, need to weigh in for the Biggest Loser competition. I will be down a couple pounds but am sure it's not enough for the first week of the competition as many who are just starting out will have big losses. But that's okay I've already had my big losses. I hit 61 this morning, it's definitely slowed down but still moving so that's okay. Tonight I am going to a 'bariatric exercise class' that my hospital provides. It's an hour with a personal trainer in a class type setting and he gives you homework to work on during the week, mostly with a ball and cords so I bought some new ones yesterday, can't find my old ones and the rubber is probably rotted anyway. Costco had a great deal on a set with a ball and cords. Need to work on inflating that ball though.

61!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Speaking of underwear, I had a $15 off a $15 purchase coupon at Lane Bryant, put it to use on underwear and I got their smallest size....AND THEY FIT!!!

I really never had much pain so my regrets weren't in response to that but more in the line of: OMG what I have I done to myself, should I have spent all that $$$ (self pay) and what if I fail at this too. That lasted only a bit and now I have absolutely no regrets, down 60 lbs in 3 mos and feeling great. My only regret now is why didn't I do this sooner?

I got my lap band with a 4cc prefill at surgery. There's an excellent article in the July/Aug issue of Obesity Help magazine comparing the 2 bands, you might check their website to see if it's reprinted there: www.obesityhelp.com One of the biggest differences that I've been able to find is that the pillow on the inside of the bands that is filled with the saline is different. The realize band is one continous chamber and the Lapband is several pillows, supposedly that maybe help prevent leaks. However the Realize is supposed to be softer and a lower profile port. One port is stitched in (Lap I think) and one is stapled (Realize I think). I got this info from the article in the magazine. Hope that helps a little. My dr. did both bands and chose the Lap for me.

Wow!! Lizalee!! You've lost 114 lbs already and just had surgery in April??? Awesome!! Looks like you lost some before surgery, but still great accomplishment! Congrats!! Where in Wisconsin are you? I am originally from Wausau and still a Packer fan. I hear you on the clothes. I did take 2 shirts I bought back to Kohls as they still had tags on them and put the credit towards a sweater for fall. They were even able to look up what I paid for it since I used my charge. I'm sortta okay for clothes right now as I am now fitting in what was the smallest in my closet but will need some soon. But with 70 or so pounds to go, I'm not even half way there yet. Shoes too some of them are getting too big even.

Name______Start Weight____Current Weight____Goal________Lbs lost *****:scared2:***********:biggrin:*************:tt2:*********************:w00t:**** 1day at a time.....263............258.5............243...........4.5 2BHealthE!.........194............179............194............0 ahsem2bme..........244............244............225............0 aJoneen............223............223............213............0 Aphrodite1984......208............208............190............0 Ariel..............199............196.4............180.........2.6 ArmyWife4life......209.5..........209.5..........190............0 Barb12590..........228............228............213............0 Bea1128............210.5..........208............188..........2.5 Brandymom1234......227............156............135............0 Caramia71..........208............207............195............1 Crzytchr...........281............279............265............2 DebinFl............181............181............168............0 georgiagirl........245............239............230............6 HarleyGirl.........188............188............175............0 HeatherA...........210.5..........209............200............1.5 HeatherO...........155............154............140............1 Jazzyywan..........255............255............190............0 Jodi_620...........196............192............177............4 KikiVal315.........237.5..........235............220............0 laurigee...........267............180............160............0 Leslie2Lose........220............214............205............6 lindar172 .........274.2..........273.6..........256............0.6 LisaB..............205.5..........202............180............3.5 livn4thm...........235............235............210............0 Long2bthin.........248............244............230............4 Luu2008............203............203............183............0 KikiVal315.........237.5..........235............220............2.5 Mamanmidwife.......299............295............280............4 mamato3............186............186............170............0 MarinaBleu.........226.5..........226.5..........216............0 memom..............210............210............170............0 Minxz..............300............300............290............0 mominlv13..........299.8..........297.6..........275............2.2 nip50..............175............174............160............1 NurseNiki..........258............255............239............3 odamay.............242............242............225............0 paige65............252............252............232............3 pj_txlady..........220............220............200............0 Redtulips3.........180............180............170............0 Renee74............214............213............199............1 Renewedhope........171............170............150............1 reif78.............294............195............185............0 shaversd...........235............230.5..........210............0 SpecialK...........294............294............280............0 Sunshine2..........177............176............167............1 Tess...............304............304............280............0 thatDEgirl.........211............211............195............0 Turler.............225............221............210............4 wendyw.............192............192............172............0 wowox7.............195............190............170............5 WyominGirl.........327............327............312............0 Yeah I lost 4 lbs so far - Yeah!! Me too!!!

Laura, That is close, you definitely need some answers. However, 10 days before my surgery, I didn't even know I was going to have surgery. Not sure if that helps you or not. I had needed one more test before they'd schedule and I got those results on a Friday. Of course, I called the office on Friday and they were closed for the weekend, so didnt' talk to anyone til Monday and still had to leave a message. She didn't call back til Tues. I had surgery that Thurs. and a pre op appt with the surgeon the very next day. I only had to do 24 hours of a liquid diet pre op but they are all different. It was my option to say no I didn't want it that soon but I did, they'd have waited til the next week or when I wanted. As far as which band, there was an excellent article in the last Obesity help magazine (they have a website too www.obesityhelp.com and not sure if it's on there or not). From the article I'm partial to the Lap Band vs the REalize but then again, that's what I have so I may be prejudiced to that one. The thing I liked is that the cushion that is filled with the saline on the lap band had little pillows vs Realize had a continuous chamber which 'suggests'' (according the article not proven yet) that will minimize the potential for leaks due to unwanted creases or folds. However, the Realize band is softer and they have great web support, though LapBand is supposedly hurridly developing theirs to compete. I really think it comes down to personal preference or maybe even your surgeon's preference and what fits you best. They are both good. My dr. does both bands and he chose mine. Deb, are you too tight? Are you eating lots of slider foods? Are your meals 80% dense protein? What I eat: breakfast - generally egg beaters and one slice of precooked bacon (a smidge of cheese on the eggs) lunch - some type of hard protein, piece of meat generally chicken, sometimes some veggies afternoon snack - varies, sometimes a few nuts, sometimes a popsicle, or a yogurt dinner - a hard protein and a veggie evening snack - same as above and sometimes a small piece of leftover meat from dinner I eat about a half cup per meal or snack. Do not drink til 30 min after. Hope that helps.

Thanks Ellen. Congrats on your loss as well. I was really nervous for my first fill too, I was worried they wouldn't find the port, that they'd over fill me, etc. but it really was a piece of cake. It was a weird sensation at first she pulled out the Fluid that was in there to be sure it was all there and not leaking and then put it back with the new fill. Be sure you find out your dr.'s post fill requirements. They seem to vary as much as pre op and post op diets. I only have to do liquids for 4 hours, then mushies the rest of the day. Others have days of liquids and mushies. Keep up that exercise!! Laura, I think you deserve a call back. How far out are you from surgery? is it in the near future or are they thinking they have plenty of time to answer your questions? not that it matters much but maybe as you get closer you'll get more info?? I'd definitely discuss my concerns with the surgeon. Congrats, Monkey!!! We rock indeed!!

I hit a total of 60 lbs lost today (3 for the challenge) !!!! I copied the post previous to mine so hope it was the right one. Name______Start Weight____Current Weight____Goal________Lbs lost *****:scared2:************************:eek:************:lovechoc:*********:tt1:**** 1day at a time.....263............263............243............0 2BHealthE!.........194............179............194............0 ahsem2bme..........244............244............225............0 aJoneen............223............223............213............0 Aphrodite1984......208............208............190............0 Ariel..............199............198............180............1 ArmyWife4life......209.5..........209.5..........190............0 Barb12590..........228............228............213............0 Bea1128............210.5..........208............188..........2.5 Brandymom1234......227............156............135............0 Caramia71..........208............207............195............1 Crzytchr...........281............279............265............2 DebinFl............181............181............168............0 georgiagirl........245............239............230............6 HarleyGirl.........188............188............175............0 HeatherA...........210.5..........209............200............1.5 HeatherO...........155............154............140............1 Jazzyywan..........255............255............190............0 Jodi_620...........196............192............177............4 KikiVal315.........237.5..........235............220............0 laurigee...........267............180............160............0 Leslie2Lose........220............214............205............6 lindar172 .........274.2..........273.6..........256............0.6 LisaB..............205.5..........202............180............3.5 livn4thm...........235............235............210............0 Long2bthin.........248............245............230............3 Luu2008............203............203............183............0 KikiVal315.........237.5..........235............220............2.5 Mamanmidwife.......299............295............280............4 mamato3............186............186............170............0 MarinaBleu.........226.5..........226.5..........216............0 memom..............210............210............170............0 Minxz..............300............300............290............0 mominlv13..........299.8..........297.6..........275............2.2 nip50..............175............174............160............1 NurseNiki..........258............255............239............3 odamay.............242............242............225............0 paige65............252............252............232............0 pj_txlady..........220............220............200............0 Redtulips3.........180............180............170............0 Renee74............214............213............199............1 Renewedhope........171............170............150............1 reif78.............294............195............185............0 shaversd...........235............230.5..........210............0 SpecialK...........294............294............280............0 Sunshine2..........177............176............167............1 Tess...............304............304............280............0 thatDEgirl.........211............211............195............0 Turler.............225............221............210............4 wendyw.............192............192............172............0 wowox7.............195............191............170............4 WyominGirl.........327............327............312............0

Thanks to my band, my hard work, Janet's great advice, and all the great support here I hit an elusive milestone today. I hit 60 lbs gone!!!!:eek::thumbup::tt1::tt1::laugh::w00t::lovechoc::scared2:

Just wanted to say, HAPPY 3 MONTH BANDIVERSARY!! to all my June 5th mates!