Kat817

Many of your issues could also be stress related, worrying over whether there is or is not something seriously wrong. I agree, you need to see the Dr. Time for bloodwork, and a general physical. There are lots of people here for support, regardless of what you find out...even if they find nothing! It is always better to know than to fear the unknown! Let us know!! Good Luck to you!! Kat

Well my Drivers License has not been correct in probably 15 years!! I don't think I have actually "lied" about the number, I simply never said it! My DH has never ask me "how much do you weigh?" He knows I weigh more than he does, and has seen me weighed in the hospital, but he never ask me, so I never said!! Omission, and avoidance, and letting people assume they know has worked, so I have never had to tell them a lie!!! The only place that ever has ask for it has been medical papers, and I know better than to lie on them!!! I am so interested in seeing what everyone has to say about this!!! Good Luck, and it will be easier as you can add the number of pounds lost as well to the ticker!!! Kat

Hi Erica, welcome!!! This is the best site around for information and support of the lap band. I feel extremely lucky to have found it myself!! We have a place in TX, in a small town called Comanche, it is between Abilene and Austin. We live in NM tho, going to TX a few times a year. I was banded the end of April so am relatively new at this myself. I was self pay, and went to Mexico for the surgery. I have a fill Dr./aftercare Dr. in Colorado. If there is anything you have questions about ask away, there are many VERY educated people on this site, about all sorts of things!! And if you have something you would prefer to PM about feel free. Once again, Welcome and Good Luck to you!! Kat

I have been banded for just over 2 months, and have finally begun not to think about food nonstop!! When I was first banded, I was not hungry in the least for the first couple of weeks, but I still thought about food, and wondered if I could eat this or that, or how I could prepare this and make it taste good, and be easy for me to eat....it was crazy!!! Finally food is not #1--but I still will crave something, or even eat things without thinking! I think the biggest help for me right now is that it is summer, and there is always something I can be doing outside! I have also started a couple of new hobbies, things that are not eating friendly. I used to read a lot, but it is way to easy to snack and read...I know I did it for many years! Now I am crocheting again, and begining to scrapbook photo albums for my new grandbabies. Both crafts require clean and free hands! Other than that, I too eat on small plates, and am finally getting to where I am excited rather than guilty over how little I now eat. I am finding it feels better on my stomach to just eat enough not to be hungry, rather than eating until I am full. I can always eat again later if I need to, more often than not I never need more. I keep sugar free popsicles on hand...they are especially good in this weather. I have begun making some really good ones with fresh juice and Sugar free flavored syrups...I just ate a Fuzzy Navel Popsicle, it was yummy!!! But by far the best thing I have found when I think I am hungry---I drink some water, it more often than not is thirst. When I fail to get enough water my weight loss comes to a halt. So I try to drink all day long! Best of luck to you, it will get easier, and easier as you see the weight coming off. You will learn the decipher the difference in tummy hunger and head hunger, and you will feel soooo good about yourself being able to over power the head hunger!! Give yourself a little time, and you will do great!! Kat

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/237/165 - 45 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/278/165 - 22 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/248/150 - 63 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/205/134 -29 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/308/150 - 50 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 -55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324 -68 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/239/150 - 34 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/270/150 - 40 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/108.7/69kg - total 13.3kgs/36 pounds 4-24: Ceparano -255/270.5/241.5/170 - 29 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/258.5/165 -30.5 lbs total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/214/145 - 50 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 - 283/267/264.2/145 - 18.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/290/145 - 43 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/189/135 Just an update!! Good Luck ALL!! Kat <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Hi Becky, I think you found the best site around for help, answers, and general support. I cannot help you in giving you a time line from seminar to surgery. I went through a couple of insurance denials, prior to making the decision to go self pay in Mexico. Once I made that decision tho, it was just a matter of about 3 weeks. I did do a pre-op diet, however in comparison to some of the other banders on here, mine was very simple. I had a high protein, low fat diet for the week prior to surgery. I would suggest following the seminar, giving yourself time to get supplies together, get some liquid protein, and some variety of liquids, so you do not have to spend the first days shopping for necessities. You can also do some taste testing of protein shakes, or bars, and get an idea of what you like before needing it. I found a couple of items I felt helped me. For the first weeks after surgery when I was on clear liquids, I used Zero carb Isopure, it comes in a bottle, similar to the Sobe drinks. It has 40g. of protein in one bottle, I would drink half in the morning and half in the afternoon. I bought it at GNC. I also orderd online from a company called Unjury (www.unjury.com). They have a powdered protein mix. I used a lot (still do on occasion) of the unflavored protein powder, I put it in broth, or jello, anything at all. It has 20g. per scoop. Your energy level will remain much higher if you get your protein in followig surgery. You can also use the sugar free flavored syrups, to help some of the OTC vanilla protein shakes. I love some of the DaVinci and Torani syrups. I have been using them this summer to make popsicles....keeps me cool, and is handy when the munchies hit!! I had a very easy time with surgery, no serious pain, no gas issues. Was up and shopping within days. I have lost over 30 pounds now since then end of April. I have had one fill. I use a Dr. here in the states for follow up. I would recommend this surgery to my own Mother or Daughter if I felt it was something they needed. My only regret so far is in waiting so long to do it. It is a wonderful thing to feel control again! Good Luck to you. Once again I feel this is a great site. Ask anything, there are sooooo many knowledgeable people on here! Welcome!! Kat

Just caught a few comments on here, and wanted to add something to what Sherry said about conversations in the car. As for talks with your DD Cindy, if she seems to get embarassed by the talks, try doing them in the car, when you are alone. My youngest add-on daughter (aka step daughter), was very easily embarassed, and the car talks were great, just us, but since I was also driving, it eliminated the steady eye contact. She ask and talked away, but face to face, she clammed up!! Might be worth keeping in mind, when it comes to talking about anything to the kids, smoking, drugs, sex....whatever, it might be easier on both of you!!! Beannie---we need a mutual brownie kick....it really was just gonna be 1 bite....really!! I ate the whole thing.... Kat

Happy 3rd & 4th of July All---I won't likely get here tomorrow!!! Welcome Dave! Not all of us are here from NJ, some of us can't click on the right thing--well that's how I ended up here!!! I found friends, and decided it didn't matter that I only "thought" I was in the wrong place, in actuallity, it was the RIGHT place! Not a lot of men around as a general rule, but don't let us scare you!! I am just over 2 months post op, and it has been a great experience. I am learning to behave with the help of the band, or it is now reminding me!!! I am donw over 30 pounds now, and slowly beginning to move more. Good Luck with all the pre-op requirements, and if you have any questions, you are in a good place, this site has been phenomenol! And this thread the best by far!!! Eileen--sure hope you are feeling better!! I am in some ways, the throat is not as sore, but now my nose is stuffy.....sniff sniff Cindy--Well, it is not an easy place to be in, for Mom nor Daughter!! Are her ears already pierced? That was a "grown-up" thing, we did, when the girls started. Like most kids, it was something they wanted done...and were told, when they were old enough. So as it come closer, and they ask, we explained it would be done when they were "mature" enough. Made it also something to look forward to. for several months then, we would pick out earrings each month....to this day my 24 yr old will be with me out shopping, and she will try to get me to buy her new earrings, saying it is that TOM!!! If her ears are already done, or that is not something you care to do, find something that requires a bit of maturity, and mention it occasionally, and then when it does happen....maybe it can be done. I was lost, when it come to it to be honest, my 3 closest friends, each had 2 boys apiece.....no help!!! Patty--Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Sorry Johnny was not up close and personal for you!! When you start feeling down, read Cindy's post, and smile serenely at your BOYS!!! Sherry --Happy Anniversary! Sounds like you found a keeper, glad he works to make you feel special, it is such an amazing thing when it is the right one!!! Sounds like Donna had a wonderful time on her surprise vacay too!!! I wanna get away!!! Hopefully Betty is on the lake, relaxing....I am trying not to be jealous!!! Hubby update---someone mentioned his blood pressure, sorry it is on June...and I am too lazy to go back!!! His blood pressure is just fine. He developed a blood clot, at the site where they did his heart catheterization. He is good for now!!! Surgery on Aug 2nd. Baby is awake gotta run!! Kat

Betty I am so glad to hear things are settled enough for you to get away for some good times for a change. Have a wonderful weekend! Cindy--pet them for me!! I go outside and brush my cantankerous old cat, Bailey, every other day or so. I pet him and feed him daily, but he is not a people cat!! He has Cattitude plus! He was mean tempered 14 years ago when we got him, and he remains so today. Everyone pretty much steers clear of him. He tolerates me, my DD, and amazingly a little girl I babysit for (well she isn't little anymore) they were babies together, and she can hug and kiss on him and he lets her. Anyone else would be bloodied!! My Dad insists he will eventually win over Bailey, and tries to be nice and pet him, he takes it for a few minutes, then out come the claws, and my Dad is nursing a scratch!! He KNOWS better!! Everyone asks me why I keep him...I keep him because he is mine, I took him all those years ago, and they aren't disposable!! Besides, they keep me and I have a bad attitude too! Eileen--I wanna stay home!! I am nursing a stupid summer cold, and not feeling great, and we have a Blues Festival to go to today. I think iced tea under the A/C is more to my liking!! Well our luau went great!!! My folks were so surprised. We had a good crowd, and lots of food, and fun. I had a yard full of little girls in grass skirts! We used grass table skirts, and also skirted the back porch and turned it into a hut, had Tiki lanterns strung, had leis for everyone. Pineapples on the table that when you pushed the button or walked by them a hula girl come up dancing to "Wipeout". We played Hawaiian music, had coconuts for my parents to drink from. Grilled fresh pineapple, and all kinds of kabobs (not into roasting a pig). We had lit Tiki torches ringing the yard, which not added a nice touch, but burned citronella, so helped keep the skeeters away. We had palm fronds, orchids, sand and sea shells on all the tables, and skirts around them, the yard looked so festive! It clouded up and blew earlier in the day, I was so afraid it would ruin things...but it just ended up cooling it off nicely, I couldn't have ask for better weather! It was such fun. I looked around and thought, now what am I going to do with all this stuff!!! But my best friend thinks we should have a yearly luau, and just keep getting bigger & better....I said Sure, at your house and you store all this stuff!!! Company gotta go!!! Kat

We went to the Texas Roadhouse the night we left town to go to MX, I had steak, salad, and green beans, I tried to stay away from the carbs. I had no gas pain what so ever. Good Luck in your surgery, it will be wonderful!! Kat

Mines on the left side, not far to the left tho, and about 3 fingers down from my rib cage, and is a low profile. And yes the fill Dr. said they are much harder to hit...I felt like a pin cushion for a few minutes!! Kat

Busy here too!! Trying to get a lot accomplished during DH's week off. He works 14 days and is then off paid for 7. So we are trying to get things prepared for him being down for awhile. They got his blood to a therapuetic level, and will now monitor it weekly, and as it stands now, the surgery will be done August 2nd, the day before his birthday!! Anyway tomorrow is my folks anniversary, and the luau we are having. I am hoping the weather holds. We unlike the rest of you have had NO rain, we are in a draught.....so IF it is going to rain it will be tomorrow!! We have been getting the winds, just no rain to go with it. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather, and good times!! I don't think they suspect anything. We told them it was just going to be us and a simple cook out in the backyard. I will try to get some pics of all the goodies we found!! Betty, I read your post and sent a prayer up right then and there, and will continue to do so. When this is all done, I will do personals...but for now, I have shish-ka-bobs to thread!!! Before I forget tho, welcome Cindy!!! These are some of the most amazing women you will EVER come in contact with!!! Good Luck on your surgical application! Take care all, love ya!! Kat

Well, I am fair, fat, female, and forty +, I am not fertile tho, had a hsyterectomy several years ago. I still have my gall bladder, and have not had any issues with it in years. Many years ago I suffered for a period of several months, and I know that is what my problem was, I too had lost a lot of weight at the time, but I had no insurance, so was brushed off with one stupid diagnosis after another. Finally eased up, and settled down, and no problems since. My Grandma did the same thing, and she had a stone caught in a duct or something, and as soon as that moved, she was fine for for awhile. They removed hers a few years later when it flared up again. But her problems continued. Through ultrasound they found another stone stuck in the part of the duct that remained in the body, they romoved it and she was great! My entire family has had theirs removed...so I figure sooner or later I am headed that way. I am concerned about that, since my band was done in MX, I wonder if they will try to say it is my band, and brush me off again. Heck I hope I don't assume it is my band!!! Kat

I am 9 weeks out, and can do anything I could before, probably more, now that I am minus the 30 pounds!! I haven't had the opportunity to ride a roller coaster, or I would have. That was one thing I always worried about before, fitting on the rides...sure will be nice not to think about that next time!! Good Luck in your surgery and recovery!!! Kat

I was told nothing on under the gown and to leave it untied in the back. So I figure it was removed, then slid back on, when I was in recovery. I did not have a catheter. But my daughter who is a nurse says the same thing, that you are draped completely with only a window open where they are operating. They wash you down with the betadine solution (or something similar) and the drapes cling to it so they do not slide off. And let me tell you, what they used on me was sticky!!! My gown stuck to me, the sheets, heck it took 2 hands to peel my own breast off where it had laid!!! Those drapes didn't go anywhere!!! Sounds like you may need to discuss your nudity issues with the Dr. to see if he can make any adjustments for you. Best of luck to you!! Kat

Hi Alisha, I was banded in Mexicali MX, on April 24th. It was a great experience. If I had been able to get my insurance to cover me I would have done it here, but, am not unhappy with the way I went (welllllll, I would rather have kept my money, but ya know!!!) I live in NM and there is not a Dr. i the state doing the surgery or the fills anymore. So I go to CO for my fills to the Dr. I origianally planned to do the surgery, before insurance crap. If you would like details, costs, names, etc, please feel free to PM me, and I will be glad to share. I am never sure what is going to cross the line, in the open forum, like I am promoting someone. Whatever you choose, do some serious research, on how many they have done, what their statistics are. Make sure you have met and contacted someone locally to do your fills, and aftercare. You need someone closer than Mexico, just in case you have something that needs to be addressed immediately. Get the costs of EVERYTHING up front, from both the surgeon, and the aftercare Dr. There is no sense in getting the band and not being able to have it filled etc. I am not trying to make this sound doom and gloom. I did it! You can too! Good Luck to you!

I had my surgery in MX, but had my fill done as close to home as I can at the surgeons office I would have used, had insurance approved me. The surgeon himself does the fill, his nurse/medical assistant was in the room, she draped me, and set up his tray for him, at which time she was gloved up. He ask for a differrent size needle, she got it for him, took off the gloves, put on new gloves, and come to stand next to the exam table again. The needles were individually wrapped, in the pull apart kind of package, he opened it half way, and pulled the remainder off when he filled it with saline. Other than that I would say all she did was watch and offer me a hand up when it was time to sit up again. My SIL and I went to be banded together, also to get filled at the same time, and we discussed it, in detail on the way home!!! About the sterility of it. I felt very comfortable in how things were done. He also counseled us on eating habits, gave us instructions on how to eat the next few days, liquids, mushies etc. He was happy with our weighloss so far, but he was EXCITED to hear I no longer take meds for high blood pressure or pre diabetes. I attended his seminar, and his excitement at this surgery being cutting edge for the diabetics was contagious, you could see what drove him to become a Dr. I do not know if his assistant is trained to be in the room while it was being done, but since she didn't touch ME I wasn't real concerned over it. I have almost always had a nurse/assistant in the room when a Dr. is doing any kind of procedure, I think it is to protect him as much as me. I had never thought about it!!! Kat

I'm glad for your mental security that the Dr. called in a new one for you, but I agree with the others, you likely will not need it. they put something for pain in my IV not long after I got out of surgery, but that was it. They told me if I needed it to ask, I never needed it. I flew home from Mexico, a 5 hour plane ride, followed by another 5 in a car, and only took one shot of liquid Tylenol. You will be fine...relax!! This is likely the best thing you have ever done for yourself!! I do agree with Donna tho, find the original, take it in so THEY can destroy it, and restore the faith!! Good Luck...you are on your "weigh"!!! Kat

I would ask my Dr. but if he says it is ok, you shouldn'thave any problem. My SIL and I were banded at the same time, and we flew home the 3rd day after surgery with no problems at all. It was a 5 hour flight, followed by another 5 in a car. The chairs in the airport,(we were way early) hurt me, and I took a shot of liquid Tylenol, but it was my back that hurt the most! We both did fine on the trip. But get you Dr.'s ok first, everyones surgery is different. Good Luck and I wish you a speedy recovery! Kat

You can order unflavored protein powder that can be added even to clear liquids. I order mine from www.unjury.com they also sell flavored ones. I use the unflavored in everything, from juice to spaghetti sauce! Any time I think I need to bump up my protein I sprinkle some in. I have seen some ads on here, in some of the signatures about proteinshots, 20 g. in like 3 oz. of fluid/jello. Look aroundon the food threads, for ideas in each stage, amazing what some people have come up with! Forgot to mention this before!!! Kat

I would urge you to contact your Dr. and have a chest Xray. Some low fever for a short time I could see, but 2 days, and pain makes me think infection, possible pneumonia. Call him, and I would not let them put me off. Some people experience hunger, try some protein powder in your liquids, the protein made me feel fuller. Good Luck, and I sure do hope you feel better soon! Kat

Hi everyone, welcome to LBT. This is a wonderful site, you can ask absolutely anything and get answers. One thing you will soon realize tho, is that while everyone is willing to help, everyone has had a different experience, and every Dr. has different "rules" to follow. In spite of that, I have got amazing support, and made great friends here. Tomorrow will be my 2 month bandiversary. It has been so easy that it almost does not seem real sometimes! I was self pay, I was denied by BCBS of TX 2, times, and chose to go self pay in Mexico as opposed to waiting an additional 12 months or more with my ins. I went to Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, my SIL and I went together and had it done. The hospital was immaculate, there were occasional language barriers, but they always had someone who could speak English, so it was not a big deal. I had my surgery done on April 24th, most of that day, I slept off and on to be honest! Nerves had kept me awake the night before!!! I walked the halls but also slept quite a bit, they did put something for pain in my IV just after surgery. The next day I was up and walked all over the hospital, and had nothing else for pain, I "ate" broth, jello, apple juice, and tea for each meal in the hospital...of course the broth flavor, and jello color. They offered me a sleeping pill if I needed it. The 3rd day, we flew home, 5 hours in the plane, and another 5 in the car. All I needed for pain was one shot of liquid Tylenol. The day after I got home, I was out shopping. I have never taken anything else for pain. I felt run down on days, and knew I needed more protein. My husband recently was diagnosed with a heart issue, and my stress level has been off the chart, and my eating plan kinda went out the window. But as of this morning I am down 32 pounds. I need to change my ticker! I feel full on MUCH less food! I have had one "golfball" issue is all, no PB's yet. The band has been just great! My only regret is I didn't have it done years ago! I would suggest this to my mother, sister, or daughter if at anytime they needed it! Good Luck to ALL!! Kat

I have really tried to approach this as a lifestyle, not a diet. No, I do not get or do all the things you mentioned. I do try to make more healthy choices in foods, whether it is a snack or a meal. Some days I graze, I just try to keep what I am eating healthy. Other days I have to try to remember to eat...just like I did before, only then I ate anything I could get my hands on without regard to whether it was a wise choice or not, I felt like it was an impossibility to ever change. Now I know I can and will change. However, I need to do it to my schedule, or it will all change when I eventually have to go back to "normal". I can only eat a portion of what I did before banding, so I have that to help me along. Knowing I am only going to eat a smaller amount, keeps it in my mind to make them wise choices. The one thing I DO try to make sure of is the water. I try to get in no less than 80 ounces of water/decaf, unsweet iced tea. If I slow down my fluids, I halt my weight loss. So I do push the fluid, and make sure I get my vitamin each day, and also make sure I try to get maximum protein out of a meal. If I had time to sit down and log each bite as they offer on the websites, I might have time to get all the other things together with this. But I figure I am going to be doing this for the next 30 years or so, so I better make it a plan I can stick to. I likely would see quicker weight loss, but as they say I didn't gain it all overnight, it is going to take me awhile, but I am going to go on enjoying life while I take off the weight. I hope you can make the changes you need to to find the happy medium. It is a personal balancing act, only YOU can feel when the right balance is at hand! Good Luck to you!!! Kat

Maybe if you changed it up Diane....go swimming rather than to the gym to work the machines. I know right now, the thought of getting all hot & sweaty working out, and then going out to my hot car is just not appealling! I feel lethargic in this hot weather. Unless I take my granddaughter out walking early in the morning, it is too hot for her (and me!) We have been running in the sprinklers! I know it is not a consistant workout routine, but it is activity, one we both have fun at. Surely all the giggling we do burns some calories!! Does your band allow you to eat salads? I know some can, some can't. Maybe a trip to a produce shop, to buy up a load of good for you stuff to have on hand...and clean out all the bad stuff. You can do it....look at you so far! I saw your pictures, you are rightfully proud of yourself! You will get back on track, it is just another hurdle yet to overcome...will they never quit????!!! Good Luck! Kat

I still must be missing something, according to the weight lost X 12.7272 I have lost 369 scoops. But I saw Trish say she had lost 356 and I know she has lost weigh (yeah I did it on purpose!) more than I have so far....lucky her!! Oh well regardless, I know I have lost more of the ice cream I have eaten since getting the band than I would have without it! Good Luck All!! Kat