socalgal3

Momma- I just hit SEARCH and then type in June. We are usually on the 1st or second page. Anyone who knows a better way, just let me know! Today I wore a pair of Size 14 Dockers to work! I haven't worn these pants since 2000, so I was happy. I need to be good since I'm still kinda too sore to exercise and I have no fill. I'm not obsessing over the scale either. I figure, I would love to reach goal by my 1 year anniversary, but I'm in such a better place, I truly will be ok if I don't lose more. I chose this surgery because it would be slower and more natural, so I need to remember that. Have a good week everyone.

I'm just curious what the requiremnts are for Lap-Band through Kaiser. I have Kaiser and was told they only did GB, for which I did not qualify, nor did I want GB. But, at that time, they were also requiring participation in their weight loss program(Optifast + counseling) for a certain number of weeks. Good luck to all of you using them. I wish my surgery would have been covered but I'm still glad I had it done.

I've been having a heck of a time logging on to the site, so I haven't been posting. DQ-Have you tried liquid vitamins or chewables? I take Liquid Health multi everyday plus their calcium. It tastes good! I've been on liquids so much, I need to get my nutrients in! I totally understand if you wanted a complete unfill, but see what your doc says, maybe just take 1/2 your saline out. I wanted my doc to leave some in this time, but no go. I'm super hungry and frustrated cuz I can't really exercise til my bruising goes away. No news from the insurance, so I'm getting impatient about that too. Sorry about your MIL Leece!

I'm kinda wishing I had one at this point.............

I'm so sorry! I had one slip and live in fear of #2. I was totally unfilled AGAIN today and I swear I've been following the rules to a tee this time. Hopefully, you are covered by insurance! I was self-pay. Best of luck in your healing and with the rest of your weight-loss journey.

I've tried the pudding, not the chili. The pudding is not that great, but much better well chilled. I've have the chocolate and vanilla-chocolate is the better of the 2 IMHO.

I feel like I'm the only one posting these days........ Anyway, I once again got a total unfill-ugh. The doctor said that my esophagus was irritated. He wants me to be on liquids for 3 days AGAIN! Then he wants me to go back in 3 weeks and he'll try .5 or .6cc. I told him that I've been so good and I don't understand why I can't handle fill. He said don't worry, that I am just sensitive to fills and that there are so many other factors like allergies, PMS... I think I have only lost weight because I have been on liquids so much! If you add up all the pre-op diet, post-op liquids(twice), 3 days of liquids after fills, being on liquids due to my slip or being too tight, it has got to be 4 months! Grrrr I am frustrated. Luckily the drive across the border and back was a breeze today. I got a coupon for a free all-fruit Jamba Juice, so I got one with a protein boost. Hope everyone else is hanging in there!

I tried it and I don't mind it at all. The Caramel Nut bar is the best. I like the hot cocoa and chai latte because I have trouble with solids in the morning and the warm beverage help me get my protein in and loosen up my band. The oatmeal isn't bad. I've never been an oatmeal lover, but when I was strict on liquids, it was nice to have "food". The Orange creme shake mixed with Orange sunrise Crystal Light tasted good to me too. I guess it all depends on your taste buds.

I had to have an endoscopy to rule out erosion. I don't really know all the medical jargon, but that's all they told me.

It was $3500 plus $250 for the endoscopy. Not too bad, but it was quite a blow right after Christmas and after I had just returned from vacation in Costa Rica. Then my roomie moved out and now my car accident, so I am poor as a church mouse! Thank goodness I already paid for my airline ticket to Vegas and Celine for the Junebee celebration! Hopefully, I'll win BIG and pay everything off(yeah, right)

Congrats! Over 100 pounds lost! You ROCK!

Have fun and CHEW that lobster well!

My symptoms were constant heartburn(I've never had this pre or post band til then), pain in my back and the inability to eat anything solid. Even liquids were a struggle! I'm beginning to think I am one of those people who can't handle fills! I am going in today at 2pm for an unfill. I'll let everyone know how it goes when I return! I am glad that I am so close to Dr. Ortiz. I can't imagine being so far away like you Janelle. And I have personal medical insurance for an emergency as well. I'll pray you don't have a slip and you are just swollen from being sick. Regina-where are you? I am thinking of you and hoping you are well.

Glad to hear from you Janelle. Do you have any other symptoms like heartburn, PBs, etc? It is hard to tell if it is band related since you have been sick. When I have been sick in the past and have a sore throat, even drinking hurts, so it may be that. But if you aren't able to drink your water and get your protein in, I would get to the doctor ASAP. Did you call or email Dr. Ortiz's office? They may be able to answer your question. Good luck and don't be a stranger!

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (it's a Rachel Ray-ism)

Being too tight can cause a slip. The band is designed so that you can eat solid food, just in smaller portions, not so you can live on liquids. It may be tempting for rapid weight loss, but many doctors will also tell you that you won't lose if you are too tight. Sure, you can live on protein shakes and liquid vitamin supplements, but is that any way to LIVE? Even if you are tight, you can still have things that you shouldn't like milkshakes, etc. The goal is to be able to eat healthy foods and lose slowly. I've been so tight before that I couldn't get water down-then you risk dehydration.

Omnipack or Omnipaque

You are only a month out, so be patient. Are you getting all of your water in? It looks like you have already lost 28 pounds, which is great. 2 pounds can be from constipation, PMS, etc. Don't fret! Exercise and a fill should help. Try taking your measurements, you may see a loss there when you don't see it on the scale. There are so many non-scale victories out there for you- have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked, try on an old pair of pants or look at some fat pictures! Life is getting better everyday, even if the scale disagrees! Hang in there.

It really depends how you are healing, but I would say by the 2nd or 3rd week after surgery you could ride.

I just picked 150 because it was a nice even number and according to BMI charts, it puts me in the "normal" range. I probably last weighed that in high school, so who knows if I'll actually make it. I think I will adjust my goal depending on how I feel and look.

I think the papaya helped a little. I am sipping water right now and although it is gurgling alot, it isn't just sitting in my chest hurting like before. For those who haven't tried it before, it is worth a shot.

I have a rental now- a Saturn Ion 4 door. They are towing my car tomorrow to appraise it and I should have a compensation offer by the end of the week, so I'll keep you all posted on the "new" car. It really depends on how much I get. My car was paid off and I can't handle much of a payment right now. I bought some papaya enzymes today, so I'll let you know how that goes. I did much better with liquids today. Didn't get 8 in, but about 5, which is a vast improvement over the past few days. It is only 7pm. I'll try to get a little more in before bed.

Like Bruce said, not while you heal, but certainly after. I sleep on my tummy all the time. A disclaimer though, everyone has different reactions to the band and some have a sensitive port area for a long time, but hopefully, you'll be okay!

It's not cheating. It's using all the tools in your arsenal. Sometimes I feel a twinge of guilt, but I get over it quick. I was talking about this to a friend of mine today who is nearly 300 pounds. I said if someone didn't physically stop me from eating, I would be as big as a house. The band physically stops me from over-eating. You said "I'm just afraid of how I would feel about myself". You will feel GREAT about yourself, because you will be healthier, more active and look better too! Good luck to you and keep us posted on your decision.