TQUAD64

Today: Treadmill at 4% incline jogging and power walking 3.1 miles.

My doctor said that they would fall off. One did not fall off and she took it off at my post op visit, which was two-weeks after surgery.

I hate to admit this, but I do not do left overs. Yuk! I know, I know, there are plenty of people who go without food, but it grosses me out. So for my own defense and to avoid leftover waste, I make only enough food to consume in a serving. So when I go to the grocery store, I will buy meat in bulk and divide it up into individual servings and place those servings in zip lock bags for the freezer. I buy fresh veggies and only cook what we plan to eat. I don't even take a doggie bag home from the restaurant, because I just don't like the flavor of left-over food. I know I am ridiculous.

The only decision I made was which Band I wanted. I did not get to select the size of the band, which for me is a 10cc.

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but if you are getting stuck with food, then you need a slight unfill. Does your doctor know you are getting stucK? How is your exercise going? Are you getting enough activity done during the day to help burn some calories?

My primary care doctor of over 13 years saw me through the good and bad of my health issues. She left. Yep, she just closed up shop and moved out the country. She did not even say good-bye. I knew she was home sick and I knew she was wanting to go back to her home country, but I thought she is the one person who knew all my struggles with weight and weight related health issues and now she was gone. She sold 1/2 of her practice to a doctor that I never heard of and to make matters worse he was a man. I loved the comfort of having a female doctor who understood my female issues and now I had to decide whether or not I was going to continue to go to this practice and see a male doctor. So, I gave it a shot. I decided I would go meet this new doctor and if I didn't like him I would find someone else. Plus, I wanted his support for the WLS. I had the support from my previous doctor, but now she was gone, so I needed to find out if this new PC was supportive of WLS. And he was. He really took the time to talk to me. I shared my fears and concerns and he was very supportive and kind. He recommended that my insurance company allow me to go to the next step of the process. And here I am today, banded and getting healthy. It all starts with your primary care doctor. You need their recommendation to the insurance company so you can start the process. If you cannot get the support of your PC, then find a new PC. Your health is important, so find a doctor who will support you.

I started my supervised 6-month weight loss diet in January 2008. I weighed in at 253. I yo-yo back and fourth. I never went past 253, but I think I only lost a four or five pounds during that 6-month period. Some might consider results as non-compliance, while others would say, I would be a great candidate for WLS. I don't have the same insurance as you, but my insurance allowed me to see either the nutritionist or my PC at least once a month with weigh ins for 6-months. I mainly saw my nutritionist, because it was a free service via my insurance plan. Plus, she was available on weekends, which meant I did not need to take time off of work. There was one time I saw the PC rather than the nutritionist and my insurance company excepted his report. I never received a copy of the PC's report, but my nutritionist always provided me a copy of her report before I left from the appointment. She completed the report and wrote notes while we were engaged in conversation. She documented my weight, exercise, and our discussions pertaining to nutrition and WLS. Her report was on a template form, which was only one page and was never more than two paragraphs of information. She and my doctore recommended me for the surgery.

Wow, five years is an awful long time. I don't recall the actual number of years my insurance required verifiable record regarding my weight issues. I do know that I always saw the same doctor for 13 years, but then she left her practice and moved out of the country. At the same time, her practice kept electronic records, which crashed, she had know written records. I thought great, now I am really up a creek. How am I ever going to prove my weight issues. All my documented phen-fen and other diet pills and weight related issue visits disappeared when their computer system crashed. And now I had to explain my story to a new primary care doctor who I never met or heard of before. But my new PC was great. I told him that I wanted the band. That I was seeing my previous doctor for over 13-years for all types of matters, which included weight issues. He agreed to write a letter to the insurance company, which stated that I had the necessary documented records pertaining to weight loss and weight issues. I can tell you I was freaking out thinking I would have to wait more years to build a track record with the new PC, but he heard my story, he new I had been going to that practice forever and he supported my WLS goal. P.S. My new PC keeps a paper trail now, plus the electronic records.

scales can be a dangerous thing. I bet your losing lots of inches, even though the scale is not moving. Your food chart reflects a limited amount of Protein. Perhaps boosting up your protein will help keep you full longer and eating less (not that your eating a whole lot) and will boost your energy. Try taking Vitamin B12. It goes under the tongue and gives you energy as well. And you already know that you need to get your exercise time back in gear to really help move that stubborn scale down. Good luck!

I am becoming obsessed with exercising. It is a control and freedom issue with me. I use to be an avid long distant runner, and then I let my life get out of control with the consumption of lots of foods. Anyway, now that I am limited to the amount of food I can eat and because the weight is falling off, I am now able to exercise. It is a great release. And when I don't get my exercise time, I get really pissy and down. It is weird, I use to get high from food and look forward to food, now I get a high from exercise and look really forward to it.

When I left the hospital post band I took the gummy vitamins. I liked them, but I wanted to give the chalky chew-ables a try, I don't like them. So once I finish off the chalky chewable vitamins, I am going back to the gummy vitamins...they are more yummy.

Thanks for posting this. I am so sick of this gas. I never had gas like this before the band, so I could not figure out why I have it so bad now. Your post makes sense! Thanks again,

Can you really hit a plateau at only five weeks posy op? I think perhaps we are expecting to much, when we are newly banded. And I include myself in that comment as I am newly banded as well. No offense als74, but I think your body is probably still healing and you need to give yourself time. Now with that said, have you had a fill yet? Perhaps a fill is needed to give you that edge over the plateu. Good luck!

Having a healthier life-style that helps me live longer Being able to run a 5K like I use to in the old days Swimming And being in the hot tub

Congrat on your surgery JCNY. It is the best healthy decision you can make and it is a great way to start the New Year! Good luck on your journey.

I started the process back in January of 2008. I saw the PC, psych, and nutritionist. I have one test after one test, plus, I had to complete the bariatric required classes. I actually had my surgery in November 2008, so it took 11-months for me to complete the process. Let me tell you there were many times when I just wanted to quit and give up. But I found this web-site and made myself familiar with the process, which helped me not give up. I am very happy with my band thus far and have no regrets.

Yahoo it's Friday!!! Today: 55 minutes power walk mixed with jogging for 3-miles @ a 4% incline.:scared2:

Wow! Great job on your weight loss. That is amazing and gives me hope. Now get back on track! Don't let all that hard work fall apart. You have come way to far to start back sliding. You can do this! Get a fill, go to a support group, do what you need to do and reclaim your Power.

I have not had time to date. Between the commute, work, school, family & friend obligations it is hard to get involve. I am open to dating with or without the band. However, it is going to take a strong man to catch me and keep up with me. He better have lots of energy.

I have a 10cc band with 5cc in it and my fills give me restriction for about 2-weeks too. My doctor takes the old fill out to make sure nothing is being lost. But I would like to hit the sweet spot. I was just banded in November.

Here you go: Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test

I love my protein bullets. I buy them buy the case at GNC with my discount card. I love the Newwhey protein bullets in orange and fruit punch. :scared2: I also love the protein slams, which have 45 grams of protein. Both items are portable, fit in my purse and give me a quick boost to zap my hunger.

Wow, sorry you went through that. Don't let it scare you off from future fills if you need them. I agree with Jack, perhaps next time your doctor will have a better idea of what Fluid is actually in the band. Usually, a doctor will take out the old fill to see what is left and then add new fill. If your second fill is as complicated as the first, then I would suggest fills by fluro. As far as restriction, it really is hard to get consistency on the first, second or third fill for that matter. I have ahd three fills, was banded on 11/11/08 and restriction comes and goes. Mornings I am more tight. After I exercise I am really tight. Afternoons, I don't feel like I have good restriction. Just keep up with your aftercare and get the fills when you need them.

I saw on ABC news that Wii fit will have two pound and 5 pound hand weights that are computerized and work with the Wii system. I bet that really will boost everyones workout. The news story stated they are not on sell yet, but you can be placed on a wait list to get the hand held weights.

I would first find out if your doctor has released you to do exercise and what type. Usually all doctors agree walking is okay, but ask your doctor anyway. When I did not have my treadmill, I purhcased all the DVDs that Leslie Sansone created. Love the!!!! They are called walking away the pounds. They really had me working up a sweat. They range from a 1-mile up to 5-mile in door walk. I also like utilizing the free videos on Sparkpeople.com You can track calories, Protein, and exercise and its all free. As far as motivation. It was really hard right after surgery. But, I joined the exercise challenge thread on this forum and I bought an Ipod. Plus, I have lost three pant sizes, which really motivates me to want to do even more exercising. Good luck.