Kat817

Under the User Control Panel(User CP), go down to Edit Options I think it is, and then there is a box titled Notifications or something like that....and there will be a check in a box allowing emial notifications, just click to uncheck the box, and they will stop! Sorry I don't know the exact name of the area you need, but I am confident you can find it!!! Good Luck! Kat

As you have been told, your fears are pretty common! We have a very strong relationship with food, and the way we eat it. It is similar in fear, to ending any other relationship. The good news is---it gets better!!! The recovery from surgery was a breeze for me. For others it has been different, but only very seldom do you see someone who has had a difficult time. Usually within a week, it is back to normal. As for the pre-op and post op diets..... each Dr. seems to have different guidelines. Some have serious pre-op diets, others,none at all, so it will just depend. Same as the post op diet, wach Dr. differs in how long it goes on. Without a doubt, the post op diet was the worst of the experience for me. It was hard, knowing I wanted to eat---and could not cheat without taking a chance at screwing up my new band. It is placed, and then the lower stomach brought up and over and stitched into place. They do not want you to eat anything that has to be digested, or will place weight in the stomach until those stitches heal. So it is imperative that you follow the post op diet. I finally found that upping my protein intake helped with the hunger, and by the 3rd or 4th day, it was not a big deal again. But, it is a difficult time. I wish I could tell you it isn't....but would rather be honest. Knowing it was not a cake walk, I would do it again in a heartbeat! It is a mind over matter thing, if you stay busy, plan ahead to avert the post op hunger, you will be FINE!!!!!! Then once you begin the fill process, life changes again! I have had 2 fills,and have wonderful restriction, right now, and have had since July. I have only found a couple of things I cannot eat--dry meat, especially chicken, and yeasty donuts. I can manage breads, and pasta. I just eat so much less---it is mind boggling!!! I eat whatevermy family eats, I eat small amounts, and eat slowly. I eat my small amount slower, so we finish at about the same time. We are all happy!!! No one pays me any attention---they are all busy eating their own food!! Thie BIGGEST difference since reaching restriction, is I have no hunger...none....zero. Not being hungry allows me to make wise choices in the food I do choose to eat. When I was starving all the time, I gorged on anything and everything....trying to get "full"...it seldom happen. This is so much better than any diet I have EVER been on, and I have been on a plenty!!! I eat pretty much what I want...when I want, I don't feel deprived. No worrying about calories, and counting things. I wanted a life plan....and found it! I would recommend this surgery to ANYONE!!! And if you are serious about the surgery---this site cannot be beat!!! Welcome---we look forward to seeing how things progress for you!!! Kat

I think Jacqui is down under, not in Canada---but will let her answer that herself!!! Christmas Eve, we have kids and grandkids all staying here....DS, DIL, and DGS, as well as DD and DGD. We will all wake up and have Santa, and open gifts. Then I will start some things cooking, and we will take them and go to my in-laws for the big dinner. After eating a perfectly normal amount of food for likely the first time since I was 5, we will probably watch a lot of old movies. Our gift to our parents was to take all the old home movies, and old photos and have them put onto DVD. So I figure we will watch that. Then come home to, much needed by that point.....PEACE. Will be a fun day tho!!! Kat

I don't believe it will interfere with the approval, and in fact surgery may be considered beneficial to the condition. I would suggest starting with a call to your insurance provider, and getting the low down on what your policy covers, and what the requirements are. Take careful notes, who you spoke with, time etc. Anything they refer to, in your policy, you can ask for copies to be sent to you. Start a file, and start getting your answers!!! The fact that all your medical records are in one place will simplify things! As well as the fact that you are probably quite familiar with the staff at the Dr.'s office, after having been a patient for so long! That always helps!!! Please come back and ask any questions you have, and keep us posted on how things are progressing! And BTW, welcome to LBT!!! Kat

First let me congratulate you on your upcoming surgery, and welcome you to LBT!!! When you discuss this with your family and friends, you need to stress the differences in the different WLS. You can stress the fact that if ever it were necessary, lapband can be fully reversed. They are concerned for you and simply need to be educated as to the choice you have made. The mortality rate of all WLS, is increased due to the overall health of some patients prior to surgery. My surgeon explained it to me like this...If you have a 600 pound woman with serious heart problems, and you do gastric bypass on her in an effort to help her lose weight before her heart gives out, and it is too late, and she dies of heart problems a week after surgery, they claim it as a death following WLS, when in actuality, she would have died regardless, with the heart condition. If you break the numbers down....having the lapband surgery is very, very safe!!!! Your surgeon should be able to give you exact numbers. I cannot recall them but it seems like it was less than 2% or so. As for recovery---it varies with each patient. Personally, I am quite a bit older than you are (putting it nicely!!!), and I recovered without incident! I had surgery in Mexico, and on the 3rd day, I flew home, it was a 5 hour flight, and then we had several more by car, to get home. I did receive pain medsin my IV right after surgery, but as soon as I was ready to walk they quit them, and wanted me to take oral meds. I never took any more prescription pain meds. I did the flight home on a dose of Tylenol liquid. By the next day, I was out shopping, and getting on with life. I babysit for my 2 yr. old granddaughter 5 days a week, and I was back to caring for her when I got home. I had my DH for help for 2 days, then we were on our own---and survived it!! I don't see an issue with your job and energy levels, if you keep your protein intake up during the initial recovery. After that I think you will be abslolutely blown away by how your energy levels come soaring back as the weight drops! I cannot believe how I want to DO things now compared to my high weight! I see it as something you can easily do!!! Stick around ask questions, encourage yoru family to read up on it. I would suggest it to my own Mom or DD if they were to have a weight problem---it is by far the best thing I have ever done just for ME!!! Good Luck---I look forward to watching you begin your journey!!! Kat

Feeling much more human this afternoon and evening. It has been thundering, lighning, and snowing like hell!!! The weirdest weather ever!!! We didn't get much but the groundis white, we may get flurries through the night. DH and I went and dropped off a payment earlier, first time we have gone out together in days!!! Hope everyone is well. Will check in later...off to watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I like that they do nice things for people and they don't have to do any stutnts, or eat wierd things for it!!! TTYL Kat

Believe me Becky, I was livid---but I just wanted it done! So I could regain my life. Besides, I am not too sure Oprah would have been very sympathetic...she doesn't seem to be much for WLS...... Thanks for the sympathy tho!!! Just glad I did it, and it is working!!!! Kat

I am a huge ice tea drinker...and still drink huge amounts of it!!! I also drink water....and while I may not guzzle as quickly as I once did....I can still drink pretty large amounts in a short period of time. Now the exception to this is following meals. I do not drink at all when I eat....to do so is an instant PB! I think it floats my food up. I also try to avoid drinking for anhour or so after meals....if I drink sooner, I have to do small amounts, or it backs up on me, as it cannot get through the stoma yet. As a general rule, unless eating is involved, my drinking habits have not changed. Good luck in your research!!! Kat

My insurance (BCBS ofTX) required a 12 month medically supervised program with bi-monthlymeetings with a nutritionist. Well our first fight was that in our rural area there is no licensed nutritionist for me to see...so they finally agreed to let my Dr. handle it. I did 10 1/2 months of visits with the Dr. every 4 weeks, and ended up in a car accident (not my fault). I was injured, and ended up in surgery for some repair work to my knee. When I was out of the hospital, I went to my next appointment where the Office Manager informed me I would be starting my 12 month program over again...that it has to be 12 consecutive months of steady visits. I was crushed!!! I appealled it, and was denied again. By the time the denial come through I had done 12 months...just not consecutively. So I appealled it again...denied. I likely should have got an attorney and fought it harder...but instead went self pay....with my settlement from the car accident. Was it worth it???? YES!!! YES!!! YES!!!! Kat

Mine was not Cigna it was BCBS, and I had to pay my own co-pay for each visit. I know you are looking for Cigna responses, just wanted you to know someone was paying attention, and this will bump it back up. Good Luck!!! Kat

Very cute!!! Good Luck on your surgery tomorrow, be sure to let us know how you do---we will be here waiting! Kat

Alex, my DH also had serious health problems this last several months, so I can relate to the stress eating. The ONLY thing that saved me, was his landed him in the hospital...and they were remodeling, so I had very few options of things to eat. In fact one night my DD and I went all over the hospital, (which is only 5 floors) and could not find one single vending machine with chocolate in it!!! Then my Dad was trying to be sweet so be brought donuts to the hospital---the one food that I PB on EVERY time!! So...through forces other than my own, I survived the mindless gnawing of food....if it had been there, I guarantee you I would have eaten every bite! You will relax now that his health seems assured (praises be!!!). and you will get back on line, we are always here ready to apply boot to butt if need be!!! Good health to you both! Kat

Thanks everyone---I went and got some of the junior strength Mucinex....bubble gum flavored. Will be trying it as soon as I finish off my glass of OJ. Feel like I might just survive this today---but definitely need to get the junk in my chest loosened up, it has my asthma working OT. Sure am glad I have all of you to help me out of these situations!!! bbl Kat

quote "Must. Get. Through. Next. Two. Weeks. I have a week of classes and then a week of finals. Luckily, we gave the final in our labs last week, so I don't have to worry about doing that. I have a 20-30+ page paper due on Wednesday that I have only written about 1 1/2 pages for so far. I have been at my computer all day, doing everything but what I should be doing. I will be getting two take-home exams this week that will SUCK royally. I have to do a chapter in my experimental design class on my own and turn it in with the final for that class. I have to proctor the final for one of my professor's classes, too. Watch me. I'll put everything off and then be up until 4 AM the day everything is due, finishing up. Not to mention that I REALLY need to get started on my proposal and thesis, since I have committed to presenting a poster about it the first weekend in February. Have I done anything for it yet? Uh, not so much.:bolt:"end quote They too will learn....it may just take a few disappointments, and learning lessons. Most of us think we can do as you say in the above quote, and put it all off til the very end, and then still get it all done. Unfortunately we sometimes are unable to in reality get it all done. Just like now I sometimes have a tendency to overfill my plate of food...there is no way I can eat it all. I also do that with projects, and tend to think I can fit 30-35 hours work into a mere 24 hours. And while I might actually pull it off---by waiting, I have not given it my best...it was a rushed job. If they fail it, they will either give up and blame you, or learn, and do it differently next time. It is my hope that you find some outstanding students to bolster your feelings of WHY you are doing this. You seem awful young to be so jaded over it, and unhappy in a career. If that is the case...as trite as it sounds, maybe you should look for something that you can enjoy and still continue to "give back". I agree it takes very special persons to be teachers...they have my utmost respect, but with that being said, a teacher who would prefer not to be there, or is miserable the entire time she/he is there, is not benefitting anyone. It is similar to the couple who remain married for the sake of the kids. When in reality everyone is better off when they move on to try to find happiness as opposed to staying in a stress filled unhappy union. Hope your next class is full of bright and shining students!!! Kat

I think the ability to actually move with the weight I have lost is the biggest difference for me. If I were to lose the band tomorrow (heaven forbid), I would be able to counteract things much better than I did 79 pounds ago. As I can now exercise, and SEE the difference it does make. At almost 300 pounds, I was a sitter.... now I move a lot more! I also have knowledge, of not only better eating habits, I know exactly how damn hard it is to lose without a band, and I would fight against having to do that again. Good question, look forward to reading your responses! Congrats on the date!!! Kat

Oh Zannie, quit worrying!!! Congrats on the wonderful, life giving gift you have received!!! I am not a year out, I am just over 7 months...but since I eat pretty normally I felt I could respond to your question. On a normal day, for breakfast, I eat a container of yogurt with granola, or an egg and piece of toast, or a small bowl of cereal. For lunch, a small bowl of soup, or half a sandwich, sometimes a taco. Dinner--is whatever I am cooking for the family...I try to make the most of my meal off of the protein. So for instance, tonights dinner was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and rolls. I ate several bites of a chicken thigh, nibbled at the corn and potatoes, and was full. Today I snacked on a leftover sausage patty from yesterdays breakfast, and had a glass of eggnog, and ate some Chex Mix. For Thanksgiving---I ate Turkey, potatoes & dressing with gravy, green beans, creamed corn, and later in the day I ate a pice of chocolate pecan pie. Now the truth of the matteris I did not eat a LOT of any of this, but I ate same as the rest of the family, and I eat much slower, so it takes me as long to eat my small amount as for them to polish off 2 plates. In the end, we are both equally full!!! I fully realize eating like that is not always beneficial to weight loss. I however chose the band, in an effort to maintain my "normal" life as much as possible! The difference for me lies in the fact that I am no longer hungry. Ever. I have had 2 fills, following the 2nd, I lost the hunger sensation. Now I eat when I choose. And since I am not revenous, I make smarter choices. Use to be, I was starving, and my only thought was to fix it. So I ate huge amounts of everything I could get my hands on. Not so anymore. Good Luck---continue to research, and ask all the questions you have hidden away with!!! This is a great support site---and we look forward to walking this path with you!!! WELCOME!!!! Kat

It doesn't actually take away the craving, but I go in and brush my teeth, and wash my face in preparation for going to bed. Once my teeth are clean, it discourages me from eating anything else!!! I alos have a pill that I take on an empty stomach, so take it before bed, so must avoid eating for at least the last hour. It helps "knowing" I cannot eat!!! Kat

For the most part, it depends on who you ask, and when you ask them!!! There are good, (easy) days, and bad (difficult) days. The biggest difference, for me, is even when I am having a "bad" day and eating too much or wanting to overeat...I cannot do too much damage, thanks to the band. It limits my "out of control" eating. I find it magical in the way that I am still able to have chocolate, and sweets as I choose too, and am still dropping weight. I find it magical, that suddenly I find myslef willing to and wanting to exercise!!! That is a first in many, many years!!! I find it magical, to watch the inches melting away, and clothes being too big....it is a feeling that I cannot describe. The most magical feeling of all, is living life with no hunger. I never would have thought it possible!!! Not being hungry allows me to make wise food choices, rather than just grabbing at food to fill my starving self!!! Now there are days it is a hard road without a doubt. Days I eat too much too fast, and make myself hurt. Days I fix something for dinner that I really want to pig out on, and cannot, I can only eat the same amount of it, as if it were something I didn't care about. It is not a diet where you can stockpile calories, and binge....you just simply do not overeat!!! There are "bad" days, even weeks, where you are eating right, but the scale refuses to budge. But don't despair, it will move....plateaus are not an IF they happen thing, they are a WHEN they happen thing. We all hit them. We will all be here for support when you go through the bad times, or have questions, or get worried over something. This is a great support site!!! Welcome to bandland----and welcome to LBT!!!! Look forward to getting to know you!!! Kat

Gauchos and ankle boots are VERY "in" right now, around here....but I wouldn't really expect DH to know that!!! I think the outfit in the picture (on this thread) is the way to go....that way if anyone sees your Christmas photo, it won't be a repeat of the outfit. JMHO Enjoy your party!!! Kat

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/223/150 - 40 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/257.5/150 - 42.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/169/132 - 39 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/128/110 - 52 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/180.5/134 - 53.5 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/244/180 - 114 total 4-10: DeltaDawn - 358/221/180 - 137 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/140/120 - 100 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/206/140 - 42 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/196/145 - 21.5 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/192/140 - 50 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: KAYBEE-284/209/180 -75 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-20: TrustUfirst - 210/205/177/135 - 32 Total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/188/130 - 32 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/228/156 - 60 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/212/150 - 61 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/98/69 - 27 kgs/59.4 lbs. total 4-24: Ceparano- 255/270.5/210/170 - 60.5 lbs. total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/210.5/165 - 78.5 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/216/160 - 46 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/194/145 - 70 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/238.2/140 - 44.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/243/145 - 90 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/158/135 - 67 total 4-28: MomofSixKids - 240/238/205/150 - 35 total <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Thanks Susan---I wasn't ignoring you Lena, I just finally got back here! I know it is hard to believe, but I had laundry to do, and was forced to actually cook!!! I know, the injustice of it all!!!! Glad Susan was here to help you out---she is excellent that way---she has always been there to help me figure out what is going on!!! Anymore questions, ask away, one of sooner or later will catch itand try to help!!! Kat

oh yeah get this......men are soooooo understanding!!!! I actually did brush my hair, this morning. But my eyes are red and watery, and my nose looks like Rudolph and I are related....and my DH asks me if I want to take my new pics (I agreed to do it at 75 pounds down) when he saw me on here typing a post!!!! NOT!!!! He just shrugged and said ok......I would look worse than my before pics where I look drunk!!! At least it would prove it is one and the same!!! Kat

Hey Mandy--I remembered having bought some of that for DH when he had the bronchitis prior to his GI bleed, so I went and hunted it up. The ones I have are time released tablets, and are a little bigger than aspirin...not sure about the size. It says do NOT crush, or cut, do NOT disolve, and do NOT chew. So....thinking I may check out what the kids is like, and just up the dosage if possible. DH took it and he said he thought it helped him. Wonder if they make it in liquid. Ugghh I feel a Walmart trip coming on, but tomorrow is a Saturday this close to Christmas...I don't think so!!! Will just have to suck it up and pay more for it here in town, at the grocery store if they have it. I love my band, but it does play havoc with medications!!!! Thanks for the reminder about it tho!!! Glad it is helping Abi---poor little thing, I know how she feels...you too Beannie...and all you other "sickos" out there. Don't be offended, I am including myself in that!!! In fact I am whining enough to be the head SICKO!!!! Kat

I don't consider mine to be skinny clothes yet, but I love that I can go into any store and buy something off the shelf, and find myself doing all too much of it!!! Like you said, it is good I can curb these impluses shopping for others right now....what will we do after Christmas???? Oh yeah---you will be otherwise occupied!!! Woo Hoo! Kat

I didn't fly to Mexico for a vacation a month after---but I flew home from Mexico 2 days after my Lapband surgery!!! I think this is totally possible. I would look into some of the protein powders to take with you so you can keep your energy levels up as you heal. During the flight, take extra precautions, walking, rotating your feet frequently--stay hydrated. Possibly even check into who the closest band Dr. to where you are going would be just in case you need medical help. Now that would be a backwards issue for our site. Looking for a Mexico Dr. to treat a patient banded elsewhere!!! LOL Good Luck on your surgery!!! Welcome to LBT!! Kat