Jennifer S.

I am right there with you all! Lost 17 lbs. in 2 weeks and today at week 3 I am still at 17 lbs. I know it will start to come off but I am getting antsy!!!!!!!

Of course just like you all I have experienced the pants getting bigger and tmy shirts being very baggy! I know that 17 lbs. is wonderful to me and not a lot of people can tell anything yet so this was huge for me! But what has been even bigger for me is the less pain in my knees and ankles! Long story...short.... 10 months ago I fell and seriously broke my left ankle (which made me postpone my lap band) -- I had surgery on this break and was litterally on bed rest for 3 months. The other times I was walking with a walker or crutches which put so much pressure on my right leg (extra weight was such a bad thing for this). All this pressure caused me to damage the tendons in my knee and a section of my knee is now bone-on-bone! I looked like a 95 year old since I couldn't walk without limping on both side or stopping every couple of steps since BOTH of my legs had serious issues. So...these 17 lbs. have made me able to get around better and to be able to do things with my family again. Don't get me wrong -- I still have SOME pain but this is the best I've felt in 10 months!

How sad! What about going through the Insurance Commission? Can they help with any appeals and/or consumer rights that have obviously been wronged by UHC? It sounds like they are doing this to everyone!

Don't even get me started on UHC!!!!! I started my process in August '07 & did everything they required of me and when I finished everything and my surgeon sumbitted all tests and final approval they CHANGED what they required of me -- including now tacking on a 6 month supervised diet & I could ONLY go to what they called "a United Health Care center for excellence" -- which meant that even if I chose a doctor/hospital in network they didn't care because I needed to go to a hospital/doctor that took their extra classes and certification! A bunch of BS! I ended up paying for my lap band but I am in the process of fighting them! Good luck!

I am a Disney pro as we go there about 2-3 times/year!!!!! Check the forums at www.disboards.com to see if others have posted comments about this topic as well. But...Disney will help out anyone with food "issues", allergies or special requests. If you are eating at a sit down resturant (in all parks or hotels) tell your server that you have dietary needs and they will prepare your foods for you as needed (no sauces, no oils, egg whites, etc...). Eating at the buffets or counter service meals will be a little tougher but most if not all of them have lower fat items such as grilled chicken sandwiches (skip the bun if needed), salads, apples, carrot sticks, milk or Water. I suggest packing some Protein bars to eat too for Snacks so when you are at the park you don't get caught up in Mickey ice cream bars or popcorn! Also...the Kelloggs H2O protien poweder packs (like the crystal light packs) that you add to a bottle of water is a great option as it gives water more flavor but unlike crystal light it gives you 5 grams of protien to help you feel a little full while you are getting hydrated! A lot of the snack stand in the parks now have fresh fruit or veggie sticks as a snack option which is great for those that want a healthier option! Good luck and make sure you post when you are back to fill us all in on your Disney food experience!

Hi! I'm not in Gurnee -- but I do live in the Chicago area. I used Dr. Spitz with DuPage Medical Group and had my band done at Central DuPage Hospital. I know that's a trip for you -- but I have been happy with them!

Lexy -- and everyone else -- I so feel the same way! I have beenso bloated lately and I am sure it is taking in the soft foods. I am tempted to throw out my scale!!!!!! I'm like you all...don't want to step on it at all - UGH! I need a fill too! On another topic...can any of you "feel" your port? Just tonight I could feel it for the 1st time and it freaked me out!

Hey folks! Thanks to froggie for making this foum! My starting weight was 362.2 with a BMI of 60.3-- I was banded on May 19th and lost 17 pounds in the 2 weeks post-op with liquids. I sure hope this was the right decision for me and that the head hunger and the "need" to munch goes away once I get my 1st fill. I can tell that these 4 weeks of "soft/mushie" foods will be the hardest ever!!!!!!!!

I am so glad you wrote this post! I am feeling the same way. I can totally see how at this point pre-1st fill it is 100% YOU that has to control what you eat. Here is where I am...I am still trying to get off all liquids -- mainly because I got so used to it (strange how that happened) and also because I think deep down I know I lost 17 lbs. on that and that's hard to walk away from! In between meals I don't feel all that hungry but of course I eat (or drink Protein drinks) because I know I have to. BUT...when I do eat, no matter if it's liquid, mushie food, protein i.e. chicken, tuna, etc....I am not feeling overly full. Does anyone get what I am saying? Do you think this means I could be ready for a fill sooner than my schedule date of July 2nd?

I'm a Starbucks junkie! But...I've tried to have Starbucks 3 times since my May 19th band date and I'm lucky if I was able to drink 1/2 of a grande... But...what I have been getting is: Grande - Skinny vanilla Latte Translation: Grande - Non-fat (milk), sugar free vanilla (syrup) latte

Thank you! I am feeling better everyday. :wink2:

I just had my 2 week follow-up today and I asked if I could start swimming and/or Water aerobics and my doctor said that my incisions looked fine and healed and I was good to go!!!! Hope it works out for you too!

YEAH FOR ME!!!! Went to my 1st follow up appt. today and I lost 17 pounds since my band date of May 19th (Just like you Lexy)!!!! That kind of weight loss would have taken me 3-4+++ months pre-band. I am on cloud 9!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbup: Now I just need to keep focus with the mushies!!!! Keep up the good work everyone! :thumbup:

According to my scale I have lost 14lbs. since my band date of May 19th. That made me really happy -- plus I put on shorts the other day that I wore to the hospital (which fit) and they litterally fell off of me! I go to the doctor tomorrow for my 2 week appt. and wouldn't you know -- I got girls UN-BEST weigh-in friend today! I think you all know what I mean (sorry to embarrass any men here). That is just a cruel trick of the universe to play on me this week! I wanted to hit that 15 pound mark but of course this will just automatically make me weigh more!!!!!!!!!!! :eek: Wish me luck tomorrow!

I was banded on May 19th and I am terrified to get weighed on June 4th at my 1st appointment since the surgery! I haven't had anything but liquids so of course I have to loose something -- right?!?! I just want to get off to a GREAT start for motivation! What a downer if there wasn't a nice loss right off the bat! UGH!!!! Wish me luck!

OK - let's see if this signature of mine shows up now... YEAH! It did!!!!!

I everyone! I am late in posting in here (just found this) but I am part of the May 19th group too! YEAH for us!!!! :thumbup:

Off topic... How do you get the "ticker" under your posts? I created one but then when do I do? Thanks!

Just a question/suggestion... Have any of you tried seeing a phycologist about these food desires? My doctor made you see one before surgery -- and have a few follow ups along with group sessions with other band or gastric patients. Just a thought as this will be something that you will not only have to deal with in the 1st few weeks of your band but a lifetime.

I thought this was just imagining pain in my left shoulder -- or god forbid another aliment! I was banned on May 19th and have felt this pain since the day I got home from the hospital. It is usually after I "eat" and it hurts the most when I try to take a deep breath. I will be putting this question on the top of my list for my doctor at my 2 week appointment.

Hello May 19th band friends! I also had mine done on the 19th. I don't go in until a 2 week check-up. I can't believe how much you both have lost. I don't own a scale in my house so I have no idea how much I have lost. I have to just keep saying that anything I've done is better than nothing or gaining!

I just got banded on May 19th and Sushi is the one thing I can't wait to eat! I have forbidden my husband to eat sushi until I can at least have a few pieces -- mean I know but that's the only thing I've told him no to infront of me. YEAH FOR SUSHI!!!!! :thumbup::thumbup:

I was just banded on May 19th and my guidelines from my doctor says "no gum" because it causes gas. This has been hard on me since I was chewing 4+ pieces a day! I will ask him at my 1st appointment when I can start chewing gum again.

Me too! My skin under the steri-strips burned and the strips stared to lift...good thing they did because I found 2 huge Water blisters under there and a big rash! My surgeon told me to take the strips off and cover any questionable areas with a bandaid. Just banded on May 19th :biggrin: and of course this was not a problem I thought I would have and now I am all worried!