RestlessMonkey

no...and you know about 99% of the time I feel sorry for people who do that and want to try to help; but when I'm feeling more, well, restless, I just avoid them. :smile2: I'll probably find it later, TPG, and I'll think of you

And this thread is bad...is that bad as in good? or bad as in bad? or bad as in naughty? or bad as in peurile? or bad as in fly? or bad as in groovy? or bad as in misbehavin'? Bad as in rancid? Bad as in sinful? bad as in bad moon rising? The monkey needs to know.

Just let me know, re the "man thread", if they start posting before and after pics.

I would think HH's response on the erm johnson thread would qualify for one of your scavenger hunt reqs.

OH OH OH OH If I get my band filled SOOPER tight will it cut off the bottom of my stomach and give me the sleeve? Because the sleeve is obviously better than the band. that's what I read and what my neighbor's cousin said.

Speaking of which, my aunt's cousin's BFF's first teacher said that "head hunger" can be controlled by having a 2nd band installed around the neck. Is this true? Can I get it done locally? Will my insurance pay? Do I have to have a low IQ to qualify?

Are you getting at least 64 oz of water (in addition to other fluids) in each day? that's vital, I've learned.... Dehydrated person=tight band (which explains why it can loosen as day goes on and you drink)

One can certainly work AND fire off witty repartee and zingers.

I was starving. It's normal...people seem to either feel one way (starved) or the other (don't think they'll ever be hungry again!) For both...it passes. Just hang in there; follow your post op diet exactly as it was given to you, and you'll do fine!

Sorry then; I can't help you; I've never heard of that! At any rate, welcome and good luck!

1/2 cup of food? Zounds. That's almost nonsense, IMHO. I'm getting in 1 to 1 1/2 cups and my doc does little happy dances; no Snacks for me though. We're all different but 1/2 cup just seems too austere, to me.

Who needs the determination letter? Your insurance? or the surgeon?

What I would do if I were you is find out exactly what your insurance requires. Usually if you go to a surgeon in your network, there will be someone there who can at least help you coordinate everything. Psych evals and various other preop tests are common. There is also usually a BMI requirement (depending on the insurance you have) AND sometimes co-morbidities (again, what those are and how many you must have varies depending on insurance) So I think you need to call your ins and get the particulars LOL as Failureisn'tanoption just said...

Umm...YOU tell us.

YES! YES! YES! We do have that quivering grey mass between our ears; might as well use it! Good for you (and great loss by the way, too!)

Anesthesia is more dicey with a smoker. Make that an obese smoker and that spells TROUBLE...or at least most anesthetists see it that way. Also Jodi is right; smoking impedes healing. If you feel up to it, quit now...Many surgeons do require it and take my word for it; quitting is easier than losing weight (both are hard, but quitting smoking is finite....eventually the urge to smoke goes away) Good luck!

I'd start with BCBS rather than the surgeon. Usually something is covered (subject to your insurance deductible and co-pay) or it isn't. That may or may not be the case in your situation (ie the surgeon may be trying to bill you more than he legally can, or not) Start with your insurance; take it from there.

At least it wasn't your band! If it is your gall bladder they'll remove it (another surgery, no fun I know) and then you'll feel marvelous. Glad you got it checked out!

no not really. But to be honest I don't pay attention to every twitch or pain. I'm 54...if I did that I'd be whiney all the time! LOL If it doesn't HURT I don't notice it.

You've lost 30 pounds in 2 months. Considering the 'average" loss is 1-2 pounds a week, I think you're ahead of the curve. Maybe you should first quit expecting too much of yourself? Lap band isn't bypass you know!! You're doing great. Keep doing what you have been; that's my suggestion! :thumbup:

I think Bunz has a good plan and it's what I was going to suggest to you...first find a different route for the caffeine and then taper that. (caffeine can make some people hungry so if it does that to you...watch out!) Odds are sometime down the road you may, if you wish, be able to drink carbonated bevs again (and I mean a year or two out, not the 2nd week of recovery) so don't think of it as "forever" but just "for now". Maybe that will help you be strong. You can do it!

Sorry no...I wish I did. Have you asked your surgeon? (and you know the band is up high...right below your sternum, I think, right? Most of us think our stomachs are much lower down than they really are) I wouldn't even know I had a band if I didn't see the results of it, most times, so I have no experience with that type of pain to help you. I hope your doc can help you; that would be annoying at best!

thank you! I never lost enough weight to be at a plateau before, but think maybe I'm at a little one now (way to put a positive spin on it, huh?) I lost most of my weight since 5/7 and now I'm stuck at 70-75 pounds down. I can eat wildly, I can not eat much, doesn't seem to matter! BUT I have my band and I know it will start going back down again. Restriction is a wonderful thing! :thumbup: Hang in there.

Jacqui I think we're both right. (can't find my phys book anyway but been thinking this over) You are right in that the body and brain "prefer" carbs...because they convert "fast and easy" to glucose. They are quickly available energy. HOWEVER...they do cause changes in blood sugar levels, AND a release of seratonin in the brain. Carbs are generally "feel good" food (to varying degrees) and can make one more calm, and sluggish. Protein also provides energy (ATP) but it is harder to come by, body must work for it. However it does NOT carry with it the "feel good" and "sluggish" components...usually more stable blood sugar and no seratonin surge. In those of us who are still overweight, fat provides enough "sugar" (once broken down) to keep us clipping along quite nicely. And many (but not all) "feel" and perform better without too many carbs (regardless of the source...processed or raw, simple or complex) Having said that...personally I don't think any diet that shuts out a component (fat, protein, or carbohydrate) is a good thing. I think it's wrong to be knee jerk about this, as in other areas. We need different amounts of calories, different supplements, we are different. Some may do well with 130 carbohydrates a day or more, some may not need that many. Some may thrive on a low carb diet. We have to try to find what works for us. And yes to the poster who mentioned it; carbohydrates are in fruits, veggies, grains, etc. There's even 1 carb in eggs, I think. So if you want to count them, you have to count 'em all! There's nothing inherently "bad" in any food. Fat is good for us in limited quantities and depending on the type, protein is good, carbs are good. We just have to make good choices. Sometimes that can be hard to do, with conflicting science etc. So listen to your bodies, too...see what they need, what type of "diet" makes you feel energized, sharp, happy. That's different for each of us.

Jacqui it is after 3 am here...but tomorrow I will dig out my phys. book, look it up, and quote it. I remember my nutrition prof telling us to eat Protein before a test (no carbs) and I know protein is used in neurotransmitters. I also know you have a disagreement about the high protein/low carb diet often pushed over here... but believe me, we don't all need 130 g of carbohydrate for good brain function, and the brain needs Proteins to function. I'll look it up, but it will have to be later...too late and too tired (and don't want to wake husband turning on lights and digging in closets)