lose2regainme

I am 8 months post band, have lost only about 30 pounds so far. Spent nearly two months sleeping most of the day, then the Dr did some blood work. She started me on Glucophage for sugar/insulin balance, Bio-identical Estrogen (she said my level was basically ZERO!!!!), and also my thyroid level was at the rock bottom of the normal range, so she started me on Porcine Thyroid. Foot note: I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago, leaving one ovary and have not had to be on HRT yet. Also I was "pre-diabetic" before surgery and took Januvia, but went off of it after some weight loss. (I also got to go off my BP med!) Can anyone tell me if the addition of these meds (especially the thyroid) will help or hinder my weight loss. I regained about 5 pounds over the holidays. I eat when I don't feel good. I haven't mastered that yet. Any advice will be appreciated!

We're considering a move. Would really appreciate surgeon and group information.

The move fell through. Thanks to all who e-mailed me with information about the area. We are disappointed about not moving.

Hey fellow bandsters! I just had my surgery June 19, and my family is considering a move to Round Lake, IL. I would love to hear from someone in this area, or farther north. I need advice on a surgeon to look into for fills and support group if we DO move. Also, any advice on middle and high schools and neighborhoods (buy in the $130K range - rent in the $1K range). The real estate web sites don't seem to have many houses in this price range, so I may be waaay off base for the new area. We own our current house in an older (mid 1960's) suburban subdivision. 1400 sq. ft. 3 bedroom/1.5 bath/1 car garage all-brick ranch. Corner lot. Lots of renovating going on in the neighborhood. We love it here, but hubby may be getting a new job. It won't be much of a raise, and I am a stay home mom, so I really would appreciate any advice, as the cost of living issue could mean he shouldn't accept the new job.:smile2:

You really need to get that protein in! It's common for banders to have some hair loss (among other issues) when you are not getting enough protein. Try Muscle Milk Light. I buy it by the case at Sam's Club, and each little juice box like carton is only 8.25 ounces, but 15 grams of protein, zero sugar, 5 grams carbs and only 100 calories. It tastes really good, too. No mixing or blending. I grab one on my way out the door often, and take them in a little lunch box/cooler on daytrips. My 12 year old son even loves them! Try to make every thing you eat or drink protein packed. If you can't make yourself eat much, what you do eat has to really count towards that protein goal. You are still early enough post surgery that you are still healing. Your appetite will get better. I had similar issues, but finding a few things that I really liked helped tremendously!

I didn't vote for Obama, but kept an open mind when he was elected. I hoped that this obviously intelligent young man would storm into Wasington and stir things up. Clean up the mess left over by the past several presidents. Cut the fat and get us back on the right track. Save us. That is not what is happening. We're going downhill faster than ever. I am not a radical who thinks both Bush presidents walked on water and hung the moon. They made mistakes. But this health care reform really scares me. Making government bigger scares me. It is putting more power into the hands of those most of us don't trust completely already. I want to have affordable options. And I don't agree with spending money the country doesn't have to bail out big corporations that are floundering. Where will it end. Each time something like this is done, it sets a precedent. How do we make it stop? How much debt is too much? Did it really help the economy, or just prolong the inevitable? Benjamin Franklin said it well......"Trade freedom for security, and you will have neither." We are giving up too much here. Don't want to offend anyone with differing opinions, but that is how I feel.

Mine is pretty simple, too. I hope to lose the extra weight to become more like my old self. Hence the username : lose2regainme :confused:

I would like to purchase a few Lap Band books to read this winter. I have read a few posts that mention a few books, but I can't seem to remember them. Please tell me the titles (and authors if you know) of the ones you like. Cook books are welcome, too as long as they are specifically for Lap Banders. Thanks everyone!

I have quite a list going now! I found a few other threads, but you mentioned a title or two that had not yet been mentioned, so I am really glad I started a new thread! Must be new recently published titles. Any more suggestions? Thanks everyone!!!

Still no restriction. I'm having my second fill on Tuesday 8/18. On Wednesday, I am having Cataract surgery!! I am only 40!!!!!! How many fills did it take to feel restriction for all of you?

I've been using sugar free flavored syrups in my Protein Shakes and was hoping someone could tell me where I might find a coffee flavored Sugar Free syrup, preferably decaf. I currently have a carmel and a khalua. They really improve the chocolate and vanilla shakes! No sugar, carbs or calories! Both are Di Vinci Gourmet brand. Any other good flavor combinations?

Feeling good, 25 pounds gone FOREVER already!! I had my first fill 7/30, 2cc's. No restriction yet. NSV = 6 inches from my waist already!!! :ohmy:

I have the Di Vinci Gourmet Sugar Free flavored syrups in Caramel and Khalua. I have used the caramel in chocolate and vanilla shakes and the khalua in vanilla shakes. All very good. The vanilla shake with khalua tasted like a Khalua and Creme!!!!!!!!!! Yum!!!

I used to live in Lafayette, LA and I miss the south soooo much!! In an earlier post I promised to tell about somethng that happened to me when I was 19. Here goes..... I got married at 18 and moved to California with my husband, who was a US Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton. (oooh Rah!) We lived in brand new base housing, I worked on base, we had lots of friends around us in the housing area, etc., but when my husband had to be away from home for training I was a little scared. (very young country bumpkin + strange place 2000 miles away from home with no family around = well... you get the picture) Anyway, I woke up one morning very early sobbing and shaking. I remembered that I dreamed my husband and I flew home to Indiana and we were at a hospital visiting someone who was dying. I had no idea who. The doctors were saying anytime now, etc. Well, being alone, I called my mom and asked her if everyone was okay, especially my great grandmother who was in a nursing home. She assured me everyone was fine and I was just afraid because my husband was away training. The next morning I again awoke sobbing and shaking. This time my dream was again home in Indiana, but this time we were attending a funeral. I could see the coffin at the front of the funeral home, but we could not see who was in it. I again called home asking after my family. Again my mother assured me everything was fine. I went to work that day as usual, and although my husband was not due back for 10-12 days he and some other Marines showed up at our apartment on base shortly after I returned home from work. A fellow Marine who was from Indiana ( he and my husband had met on the plane going to boot camp and had been close ever since) had gone AWOL and had been murdered in Arizona trying to drive home to Indiana. My first dream was determined to be at the time he was shot and the second dream.........exactly when he was found. I did not get to travel home with my husband for his funeral because of money, although he had spent a lot of time at our house and I considered him like a brother. The following summer we went home on leave and went with another couple to visit the grave. We parked the car, my husband turned off the radio and A/C and we stood around the grave talking and crying. We got back into the car and as soon as my husband turned the key, the radio (turned off remember?) BLARED Aerosmith "Angel", which was his favorite song. He sung it all the time, complete with comical air guitar. He had even attended a concert in L.A. the weekend before he went AWOL. No one knows why he went AWOL. or what happened on that stretch of highway in Arizona, but we do know he was trying to tell us something that day. We still think of him often, almost 22 years later. Especially when I hear that song!!!

Do whats comfortable for you. You may find afterwards, when you start getting nice comments, it's easier to tell. But there's nothing wrong with "keeping it in the family", if thats what you are comfortable with. I am finding I would gladly shout it from the top of the highest skyscraper! I have surprised my self with how many people I have lifted my shirt for and shown them my stitches, and now healing scars. I haven't had one unsupportive thing said to me. Family, friends, other parents in Boy Scouts, neighbors, etc. And to think, it used to irritate me when people would put their hands on my belly during my pregnancies to feel the baby kick without asking first. Now I'm walking around in public being an exhibitionist!!!:smile2:

You really shouldn't be THAT hungry if you are getting in your protein and your fluids. There is no limit, as long as you are eating and drinking approved things, keep eating and drinking if you are still hungry. Starting the mushies too soon will affect your healing. I made sugar free Jello using a liquid Protein Drink as the "cold" water part, and ate two or three servings a day. Sugar free popsicles are awesome, especially if you miss sweets and chewing. Crystal light or Propel water to add some flavor to water, without sugar and calories. Add nectar Medical unflavored Protein powder to your chicken broth. Get 50-55 grams of protein in a day, your Vitamins and lots of fluids. Be creative with your options, and take it easy. Now is the time for healing, not really losing. The liquids part will be over soon, and scrambled eggs, yogurt and cottage cheese will never taste so good!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! My surgery was June 19. I just got through this, and you can, too!!!

I know everyone has mentioned a heating pad, but honestly I preferred a hot water bottle. You know the old fashioned kind of rubber bag with a stopper? I didn't care if it was warm or not, it was the weight of it laying across the top of my abdoman that felt so good to me. Also sugar free banana popsicles. I am 8 days post op and that is the best there is as far as I am concerned! I also have an awesome husband and appreciate him very much. It sounds like you both are on the right track. Follow the doctors orders for best healing results and stay strong together. ....... That's all for now, I need a popsicle!!

I think the low single digit numbers you mentioned sound like A1C (a lab test that gives your doctor a better "big picture" view of how your sugar levels are doing) , while the 60 was the test you do on a meter to tell you what your level is this second.

Go with the scale. The measuring cup is for liquid measurement.

I am having really good results from the Tums QuikPak. It is an individual dose in a packet. An instantly dissolving powder. It works, tastes good, and you get 400 mg of calcium! It tastes a little like candy, so it's actually kind of like a treat. I bought berry fusion, but I think there is another flavor, also. I am 8 days post-op and have used them since day one. Works for me.

Hello fellow Hoosiers!!!! Is anyone else seeing surgeon Dr. James Bradley Ray for their Lap Band in Bloomington/Monroe County area? I am still in Insurance Pergatory at the Pre-Op stage right now. Made the decision (or rather finally agreed with my PCP that this was necessary) and got the referral in March 08. Saw Dr. Ray for first consultation in June 08. Six month PCP monitored diet, Psyc and nutritionist evaluation done. Insurance declined due to "PCP notes not specific enough". Can you believe that??!! It's almost as if the insurance company is waiting for my deductible to expire! Dr. Ray's staff is awesome. Very supportive. I love the support group. Can't wait to get this ball rolling already!!!!! Anyone else out there with Dr. Ray farther along than me? Would love to hear about your experience.:thumbup:

It was so sad watching the 5th season premiere last night. I have really enjoyed the series so far, but last night was sad. I always thought that Kate was a bit bossy and harsh to Jon, but sort of thought it was just the way the show was edited. They talked about it just being their way of communicating. I am sure the tabloids are not 100% accurate, but it breaks my heart to think of what they are going through. I feel so sorry for the kids. What does everyone else think? Is it time for them to quit the show, get regular jobs and seek marriage counseling? Maybe just a yearly special update?

I am 40 and will be banded June 19th. I wish I had done it six years ago, the first time my doctor recommended it. I never had a real problem with my weight until having my babies in my mid to late 20's. By the time I was 30 I was having so many health issues. I have had 7 surgeries in the last 10 years. I sort of feel like I missed my thirties, but I am looking forward to making up for it in my 40's!!! :redface:

I sympathize with you. I have a 15 year old daughter and a (next month) 12 year old son. I truly think that boys are way easier. My daughter dies her hair red, this was a compromise, I said no to black. She wears skinny jeans, high top Chuck Taylors in weird patterns and colors and punk/goth band t-shirts. She actually had the nerve to tell me a while back that I have no fashion sense!! Some days I prefer my dachshunds!:redface:

My surgeon won't do them together. Too much increased risk for infection. My husband said it's probably so he can charge for two separate surgeries (giggle).