juliegeraci

Thank you all for your responses. I'm staying on liquids until Thursday.

Looking forward to leaving tomorrow a.m. with my husband to Reno, NV to celebrate our anniversary. I'm down 52 lbs plus my presurgery weight of 78 lbs since last year this time. Can't wait to eat lobster.

We had a blast in Reno. We love the slots. We stayed at the Silver Legacy and I think it was 79, 129, 170 for Thurs-Sun. There are other places that are less expensive such as the Sands which is 1 block from the Strip. I think you can stay there under $100 a night. When you arrive make sure you get a Silver Legacy card or wherever you gamble. We were comped every meal while we were there. We only gamble at the Silver Legacy though. Hope you have fun when you go. Its a blast. We are going back in September for Street Vibrations which is the motorcycle show. Its fun. Julie

I love GNC's products. It has 25 grams of protein and takes great. You should try it. I wouldn't go under 25 grams if I were you. Get the most bang for your buck. Julie

Lobster went down fine with small bites, yummy. The butter coats it well. I also had nice shrimp salads while I was there and they went down fine. I did have a problem with the clam chouder though. It seemed that the potatoes were a little rough on the band. We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary and had a great time. We actually gambled one day from 7:30am to midnight. Thank God I won some money in between to cover the expense! We didn't want to come home! Julie

Protein is your friend. Start with a protein shake, have a few ounces of protein at lunch with maybe a vegie and repeat at dinner. You will lose the weight. Best of luck. Julie

Laureli, I'm sorry nobody else answered your post yet. I remember vividly how the experience was for me. I had to go through all the hoops too and it was so exciting when about 8 weeks later my insurance company finally approved. I am considered an average loser at 1 lb a week. I have been banded almost 11 months and I'm down around 50 lbs. Its been tough adding exercise into my routine but I know I can do this. Just remember to follow the lapband diet and drink your water, take your vitamins and exercise. You will do great! Congrats on the first step to becoming a healthier you! Julie

Congrats at your NSV. That is fantastic news. You are doing great. Keep up the good work.

I shop at Lane Bryant.

Melanie, congrats on getting to your year. You have done fantastic. Julie

I haven't been there in 14 years since the birth of my first son. I can't wait to take off the remaining 50 lbs. Its been a long road. Julie

Dr. McKeen is in San Jose and he is excellent. I was banded 10 months ago and love it.

I have a tablespoon for 100 calories in my protein shake every day.

My doctor didn't mention that at all. He was concerned that I get in all my protein that is it. I eat carbs from day one without a problem. I did lose a little slower though. Its probably for optimal weight loss.

Erin, its due to swelling. Once the swelling goes down you will have the correct affect of the fill. Hope this helps.

Liquids go right through. You should be okay.

Margi, congrats on getting banded. You are doing great.

Hi Ginger, I am sorry to hear about your loss of medical insurance. I really hope you can have your gall bladder out. I had my removed after the birth of my 2nd son 5 years ago. I've been banded 10 months. I'm down 2 sizes on bottom and 3 on the top. Good luck and I hope you can get your fill soon. Julie

Hi Amanda, I have been banded for 10 months and love it. I've gone down 2 sizes on the bottom and 3 on the top. I'm down 52 lbs so far. I am considered an average loser at 1 lb per week. Just know the band is a tool, it is not a miracle cure. You still need to eat right, exercise and drink your water. Best of luck to you. Julie

Tanderson, to be honest with you I would bug the hell out of them until you get an answer. I called UHC daily when I was going through the approval process. They should be able to tell you if they received everything and where it is in the approval process for sure. Keep calling and good luck. Julie

BooBoo Kitty, you look great girl, keep up the good work!

There can be complications with the lapband but the ration isnt very high. Just trust in yourself and your surgeon and everything will be okay. I love my doctor and I love having the lapband.

Terri, is your leak in the tubing or in the actual lapband itself. If its in the tubing you can have them use that thicker solution. It looks exactly like saline but it thicker and stickier. Julie

You have done fabulous in a year. Congrats!

Thank you for the reminder. I have been exercising more as well and it really seems to help.