katskradle22

I went to my first consultation. I was a little nervous but felt pretty confident until my Dr began to undress me without first letting me know. :biggrin: He asks me to lay down on the table, then he lifts up my shirt, and then without saying anything to that, begins to undo my pants! WTF mate? Anyhow, other than feeling slightly violated (and I am only partially jesting...), we got along well and I liked him. But I began to wonder if this is right for me, right now. I think I've decided to hold off on the surgery. But I have to say, having my PCP suggest the lap band AND finding this site, has been a life saver for me, and a real eye-opener. I began to tweak my diet so that the lap band diet wouldn't be so drastic, and in doing that, began to lose weight on my own. I now work out about 5 times a week in half hour sessions, in addition to riding my bike with my husband/kids/dog(s) and hiking/swimming at my leisure. My entire family loves the strawberry kiwi NECTAR protein smoothies I make, and I am actually drinking water now. Not only that, but I am eating so much fruit, which I love, and we have started our own veggie garden. We no longer eat canned veggies, but I make all fresh veggies. The dinners are so tastey, and I don't restrict myself. Several times a week when the baby goes down for a nap, I sit on my deck with a book and read in the sun while eating fruit or a salad with one of my parrots. The sun has really helped my acne go away, and I've developed a nice, light tan. It de-stresses me and my hubs has noted my new (better) attitude. I'm now 241.5lbs. I'm losing 1-2lbs a week, most weeks. I hope I will keep losing like that. I'd love to be down to 220 by September/October. I was really happy when I took a week's vacation to Illinois and "pigged out" compared to what I normally eat, (and didn't work out at all), and didn't gain! I'm kinda waiting for a shoe to drop here....it seems too good. I also tried to buy a horse, thinking it'd help tone me up. Unfortunately, I got on the wrong horse and got bucked off of it...and won a one-way ticket to the ER. Five hours, 3 CT scans, and a full set of x-rays better, I left with a concussion, banged and bruised but apparently not broken, and with a hysterically scared family. So I won't be getting a horse anytime soon...but I will be starting lessons in the mean time. Lapband may still be the way for me to go. And I hope no one cares if I continue to use this to blog about my weight loss even without the lap band...because the lap band has been my sole reason for being able to lose this weight. :thumbup: Just a short few months ago I was tipping the scales at nearly 270. I can't believe I actually can use the "200" weight bar instead of the "250", when I hop on the scale. There have been a few bandsters who have had the band for over 9 years who cautioned me to really think this through and think it over...that if they had the chance to go back and make the same decision, they probably would not have done it. I really took that advice to heart and I think I'm making the right decision. The time for me to work out and eat right isn't after I get the band....but before. And *if* I can do this on my own....and not gain it all then some...and keep up with just being healthy...I'll be so grateful to everyone who has helped me, talked to me, given me criticism and/or suggestions, or just kudos on this journey. So many of us can't lose the weight without the band. And maybe I'll get to 240 and realize that I have hit my plateau and can't get below that, no matter how hard I try. But I'm going to try! It's all about getting healthy, with a band or without. Congrats to EVERYONE who is doing what is right for their health, no matter how they are doing it, as long as they are healthy and true to themselves. :w00t:

I went to my first consultation. I was a little nervous but felt pretty confident until my Dr began to undress me without first letting me know. He asks me to lay down on the table, then he lifts up my shirt, and then without saying anything to that, begins to undo my pants! WTF mate? Anyhow, other than feeling slightly violated (and I am only partially jesting...), we got along well and I liked him. But I began to wonder if this is right for me, right now. I think I've decided to hold off on the surgery. But I have to say, having my PCP suggest the lap band AND finding this site, has been a life saver for me, and a real eye-opener. I began to tweak my diet so that the lap band diet wouldn't be so drastic, and in doing that, began to lose weight on my own. I now work out about 5 times a week in half hour sessions, in addition to riding my bike with my husband/kids/dog(s) and hiking/swimming at my leisure. My entire family loves the strawberry kiwi NECTAR protein smoothies I make, and I am actually drinking water now. Not only that, but I am eating so much fruit, which I love, and we have started our own veggie garden. We no longer eat canned veggies, but I make all fresh veggies. The dinners are so tastey, and I don't restrict myself. Several times a week when the baby goes down for a nap, I sit on my deck with a book and read in the sun while eating fruit or a salad with one of my parrots. The sun has really helped my acne go away, and I've developed a nice, light tan. It de-stresses me and my hubs has noted my new (better) attitude. I'm now 241.5lbs. I'm losing 1-2lbs a week, most weeks. I hope I will keep losing like that. I'd love to be down to 220 by September/October. I was really happy when I took a week's vacation to Illinois and "pigged out" compared to what I normally eat, (and didn't work out at all), and didn't gain! I'm kinda waiting for a shoe to drop here....it seems too good. I also tried to buy a horse, thinking it'd help tone me up. Unfortunately, I got on the wrong horse and got bucked off of it...and won a one-way ticket to the ER. Five hours, 3 CT scans, and a full set of x-rays better, I left with a concussion, banged and bruised but apparently not broken, and with a hysterically scared family. So I won't be getting a horse anytime soon...but I will be starting lessons in the mean time. Lapband may still be the way for me to go. And I hope no one cares if I continue to use this to blog about my weight loss even without the lap band...because the lap band has been my sole reason for being able to lose this weight. :thumbup: Just a short few months ago I was tipping the scales at nearly 270. I can't believe I actually can use the "200" weight bar instead of the "250", when I hop on the scale. There have been a few bandsters who have had the band for over 9 years who cautioned me to really think this through and think it over...that if they had the chance to go back and make the same decision, they probably would not have done it. I really took that advice to heart and I think I'm making the right decision. The time for me to work out and eat right isn't after I get the band....but before. And *if* I can do this on my own....and not gain it all then some...and keep up with just being healthy...I'll be so grateful to everyone who has helped me, talked to me, given me criticism and/or suggestions, or just kudos on this journey. So many of us can't lose the weight without the band. And maybe I'll get to 240 and realize that I have hit my plateau and can't get below that, no matter how hard I try. But I'm going to try! It's all about getting healthy, with a band or without. Congrats to EVERYONE who is doing what is right for their health, no matter how they are doing it, as long as they are healthy and true to themselves. :w00t:

Best of wishes on your journey, Betz! I wish you luck with your insurance. It's so tough to deal with them :thumbdown: I have my first consultation on May 8th! I wish you luck with your surgery and hope for a fast recovery!

You're not the only one I myself have only my first consult and nutritionist scheduled and I am already having' doubts. I've lost about 21 lbs on working out and rearranging my diet. I, too, am wondering on if I can do this 'on my own', without the band. However, I agree with some of the others, too. Though I've never lost a considerable amount of weight (over 20lbs) before, it's so true that keeping it off is the hardest part, and no one can 'diet' forever. Can I keep working out every day, forever? Can I maintain the food schedule I'm on now, forever? Probably not. I'm excited to continue this journey. I wish you the best of luck with yours!

Hey Deb! I have been trying out quite a few. Slimfast isn't bad, but can get a little expensive. If you go to their website, you can get coupons that will lower their price to about 0.50 a can. I really like Syntrax nectar, particularly the strawberry kiwi flavor and then the roadside lemonade. You can mix them with skim milk, Water, or with frozen fruits for an awesome Protein smoothie. I mix the stra/kiw with 1/2 bananna and 4 frozen strawbs and 6oz of skim milk for the smoothie, and the lemonade in a 50/50 mixture of that and decaf iced tea for a summer beverage. However, just mixing it in water is quite tastey, too. The powder itself is only 90 cal per serving and 23g of protein per serving. The powder comes in a huge tub and dissolves quickly, and doesn't leave a powdery texture or funky after taste. It's by far my favorite. I get it off of Amazon, but you can get it at GNC. It's one of the less expensive products as well, with over 36 servings per container. If you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend it!

My first consultation is May 8th. :w00t:I'm really nervous. My dietitian appointment is going to be set up shortly after-wards.:w00t: I'm starting to wonder if I am strong enough and able to do this on my own.:tt2: My fear is I've gotten down to 238 before, but then I always gain it back, plus 10 or 20. I don't want to dance that dance again.:tt2: The LapBand is really the only way I can be more secure that it won't happen that way. That I can lose more, and keep it off for good.:glare: I'm having way too much fun with the smilies today.

My first consultation is May 8th. :w00t:I'm really nervous.:wub: My dietitian appointment is going to be set up shortly after-wards. I'm starting to wonder if I am strong enough and able to do this on my own. My fear is I've gotten down to 238 before, but then I always gain it back, plus 10 or 20. I don't want to dance that dance again.:crying: The LapBand is really the only way I can be more secure that it won't happen that way. That I can lose more, and keep it off for good. I'm having way too much fun with the smilies today. :wink:

Well, it's been over 2 weeks and I still haven't heard from the Dr's yet as to when my first consultation might be. I'm starting to get really anxious. With my PCOS, I began to get really concerned if the LB would even help me. I've read so many PCOS bandster's blogs and posts about how they might have lost 20lbs in a year since the LB. PCOS makes it so damned difficult for so many of us to lose the weight; But we can't get rid of the PCOS (or lighten the symptoms) without the weight loss. It's a catch 22. Especially since I've been working out since mid January and I gained 5lbs...:tongue2: However, since prepping for the LB liquid diet, I've lessened my diet to 1-2 protien shakes a day, and 1-2 meals (I shoot for one but sometimes the midnight cravings get me since we don't go to bed until about 1am and I'm back up at 7am), and added a bunch of strength training to my work out, I've lost that initial 6lbs, plus another 6! So I am now 254. Small victory! ::Crowd goes wild:::smile2: I took some bandsters advice and obtained some Syntrax NECTAR protein powder off of Amazon.com. I bought the strawberry kiwi and the roadside lemonade kinds. I'm very impressed! It doesn't have a funky protein drink after taste, the powder isn't chalky in the drink (it fully dissolves, and quickly), and there is only 90 calories, yet 23g of protein per scoop. So every morning I've been making a strawberry/bananna/protein scoop/skim milk smoothie that the entire family loves. I add the roadside lemonade with 50%water 50% decaf iced tea, and it's a great Arnold Palmer drink, perfect for sipping on the deck in the beautiful spring weather. The cost is great, too. Life Changing, I tell ya. Another tip I have, is I like the Slim Fast shakes. So I signed up on the SlimFast website, and they send me coupons every 1-2 weeks for $3 off any size pack of slim fast bars or shakes. My local Walmart always has bonus cases of buy 6 get 2 free for $5.50. With the coupons, I get 8 shakes for $2.50. Who said protein shakes have to be expensive? Also, I hate water...despise water...it's gross. I try to drink a bottle a day but I usually can't....but I am making a point to make sure that 90% of what I drink, other than the protein shakes, doesn't have calories in it. So I drink a lot of PowerAide Zero. Has lots of vitamins, is flavored, but no calories. And they're less than 50cents a bottle. I've cut out over 800 calories a day just by doing that! So...I'm pretty ready, I think....C'mon Drs! What you waiting for?!

Well, it's been over 2 weeks and I still haven't heard from the Dr's yet as to when my first consultation might be. I'm starting to get really anxious. With my PCOS, I began to get really concerned if the LB would even help me. I've read so many PCOS bandster's blogs and posts about how they might have lost 20lbs in a year since the LB. PCOS makes it so damned difficult for so many of us to lose the weight; But we can't get rid of the PCOS (or lighten the symptoms) without the weight loss. It's a catch 22. Especially since I've been working out since mid January and I gained 5lbs... However, since prepping for the LB liquid diet, I've lessened my diet to 1-2 protien shakes a day, and 1-2 meals (I shoot for one but sometimes the midnight cravings get me since we don't go to bed until about 1am and I'm back up at 7am), and added a bunch of strength training to my work out, I've lost that initial 6lbs, plus another 6! So I am now 254. Small victory! ::Crowd goes wild:::scared2: I took some bandsters advice and obtained some Syntrax NECTAR protein powder off of Amazon.com. I bought the strawberry kiwi and the roadside lemonade kinds. I'm very impressed! It doesn't have a funky protein drink after taste, the powder isn't chalky in the drink (it fully dissolves, and quickly), and there is only 90 calories, yet 23g of protein per scoop. So every morning I've been making a strawberry/bananna/protein scoop/skim milk smoothie that the entire family loves. I add the roadside lemonade with 50%water 50% decaf iced tea, and it's a great Arnold Palmer drink, perfect for sipping on the deck in the beautiful spring weather. The cost is great, too. Life Changing, I tell ya. Another tip I have, is I like the Slim Fast shakes. So I signed up on the SlimFast website, and they send me coupons every 1-2 weeks for $3 off any size pack of slim fast bars or shakes. My local Walmart always has bonus cases of buy 6 get 2 free for $5.50. With the coupons, I get 8 shakes for $2.50. Who said protein shakes have to be expensive? Also, I hate water...despise water...it's gross. I try to drink a bottle a day but I usually can't....but I am making a point to make sure that 90% of what I drink, other than the protein shakes, doesn't have calories in it. So I drink a lot of PowerAide Zero. Has lots of vitamins, is flavored, but no calories. And they're less than 50cents a bottle. I've cut out over 800 calories a day just by doing that! So...I'm pretty ready, I think....C'mon Drs! What you waiting for?!

That would be awesome. It'd be great to know someone local who is going through it, too, especially at the same time. I turned in my paperwork on March 24th--been anxiously awaiting the call for the first consult. I feel like it's taking forever haha! In the meantime, I've been working on cutting back on bad foods and drinks and trying to get myself 'in the game'. I'm really glad to see a fellow Cox patient! :eek:

You should truck over to Wal-Mart and/or GNC and pick up some pineapple/papaya enzyme chews. From what I've read, (and they only work if eating protein like eggs, meats, etc) most bandsters chew up three of the small tablets and feel relief in about 3 mins. I don't think it will help if it's bad enough to make you vomit, but if you are getting stuck on things like that and sliming, it should help. They're about $4 per 100 tablets and you can keep them in your purse.

Welcome! I too have UHC, but they are covering all but my deductable on the surgery? You may want to call them directly. I had the same worries when my dr recommended this and I began investigating on United's website on what they would cover; Their website states they don't cover WLS, even for medical, but when I called them in person and went over the questionaires I had to fill out for my preliminary paperwork, I discovered that they actually do. So I'm pretty stoked! Best of all, they don't require a lot of stuff that other insurances require, like a 6 month dr monitored diet etc. You do need to have a BMI of over 35, but if you are over 100lbs overweight, that shouldn't be an issue. Either way, best of luck to you on your journey!!!

Well, based off a different post, I bought myself (on Amazon.com) some Syntrax NECTAR. It has 0 carbs, 0 fat, 23g of protein per scoop and 90 calories. It comes in six or so flavors and it's AWESOME! :thumbdown: It cost me $26 for a gigantic 2lb tub. I haven't been happy with other powder proteins but this one rocks. You can add it to water, milk, whatever. I got the roadside lemonade, and the strawberry kiwi kind. Today, I mixed skim milk with frozen strawberries, a bananna, and a 3/4 scoop of strawberry kiwi in a blender and voila---an awesome, totally healthy, *fresh* protein shake. If you are looking for something to drink, the straw kiwi doesn't have (any?) citrus in it and you can add a smidge of powder to your water for some protein as well as taste factor. The powder dissolves easily and it doesn't have that chalky after taste or texture. Just another addition!

I second RangerGirl's advice. I perused the site for quite some time (LOTS of information to be found here. Check out the pre-operation section as well, it has a lot of answers to basic and not-so-basic questions those of us who haven't been banded might think of!) If you have insurance, call and see if Weight Loss Surgery is an option for full or partial coverage and what the requirements are. Some require a year or 6 months of a dr observed special diet. Others, like mine, just need a BMI of over 35. Most will have a specific network you need to use and/or specific doctors. You can start there, and then call up that hospital that is 'in network' and request a seat at the next seminar, which is a free 1-2 hour group presentation. You'll get a packet of information detailing the seminar and other information, and it should also include a packet of cash pricing and loan information, if you aren't covered by your insurance. Each hospital is different, but most cut their surgery down to $17,000-$25,000, which usually includes 1 year of fills/unfills post op as well. Most seminars will have the RN in charge, the doctors who do the surgeries, and a few other key people to present the seminar, as well as past patients who have undergone the surgery (they also did Q and A with these patients at the seminar I went to) and some even have a Plastic Surgeon do a presentation as well. They also pass around a real lap band on a stomach model so you can see what it actually is. Ask, ask, ask. I just turned in my preliminary paper work that I received after the seminar. For about three weeks I've been glued to this site, asking questions, reading, and even starting my own blog. I am nervously awaiting the newest part of 'me' to arrive. I wish you luck on your journey!

Congrats!!!:smile2:

Any Cox patients out there? I've recently had my first seminar at Cox South and met with their three surgeons (Dr Tom, Tim and Dan), but haven't had my first consultation yet. I've spoken with my insurance (UHC) which say I'm a slam dunk for approval so I'm not worried about that. Reading through here, I see most if not all went through St Johns. :cursing: I'm a local (Nixa-nite), 'recently' came to the area from Chicagoland area a few years back. Love it here

I was diagnosed back in 97, I have just about every 'typical' symptom of PCOS plus non typical symptoms. Like yourself, the PCOS has made it very difficult for me to lose weight, impossible for me to get pregnant, and has made me emotionally miserable for many years. I have yet to get the lap band (just turned in my preliminary pprwk, hoping for May) but PCOS is the main reason why I am getting it. I've read a few books on PCOS through the decade (it wasn't commonly known in 97 but now it's pretty well acknowledged) and have been a part of a few forums and have done a lot of research, but it is changing frequently. Many women (here included) rave about how when they have lost 50+lbs, their symptoms have ceased either completely, or at least, majorly. Many people also attribute these changes to low-carb diets (of about 50g a day) Many symptoms known to go away with the weight is amennorhea (infrequent or nonexistant periods) hirsutism (excessive hair on face), infertility, insulin resistance, acne, depression, and others. Drugs typically perscribed to help with PCOS is the BCP, which dissolves the smaller cysts and allows you to menstruate fairly regularly. Others are the Metformin in up to 2000mg dosage, which can also help with fertility (often paired with clomid), welbutrin or other antidepressants, Spironolact in up to 200mg dosage or other high blood pressure medicine, which is known to help with the hirsutism and acne. They're trying out more and more drugs to help every moment. Other than trying desperately to lose the weight, start or keep exercising. I find that even though I've been exercising regularly for 4 months and haven't lost a pound or an inch, I have been *feeling* better emotionally and mentally, and it helps deal. My advice is to keep in touch with your PCP/GP as well with an/your OB/GYN. Make sure you get tested for Iron and diabetes, and get regular paps. People with PCOS are more likely to get endometrial cancer. Keep your head up! One of the most discouraging things all three of my diagnosing doctors told me, is that this isn't something that can be cured. But the more I talk to people, the more I find that isn't completely true. And if losing the weight doesn't cure it completely, atleast I'll be healthier and the symptoms won't be as bad, so it's win/win if you can lose it.:cursing: There is a light at the tunnel you can strive for.

We have one, too, and I always make my avatars skinny-esque. I can't even stand to see an animated me fat haha! I think it's a great motivator--well, at least, it doesn't hurt anything, right?

I'm very interested in this thread, as I am an avid water hater as well :huh2: I can't bring myself to drink it plain. It makes me want to puke!!! So far, some of the things I've been drinking is Power Aide Zero---has no calories, no carbs, and 10% dv niacin, B6 and B12; Target has packs of 8 for $3.99, making them $0.50 each--not bad! Target's Skinny Water (comes in several flavors, 0 calories or carbs, and a ton of vitamins from vitamins a-e plus almost a dozen others. Target has them currently on sale for 10 for $10, they're usually $1.49 each) Target also has a vitamin water with no/low calories/carbs, and even has some protein, all flavored. There are little/no protein these, but another thread recommended a tasteless protein liquid that you can add to your drinks/food to increase your protein intake, which I am going to start doing. I've yet to be banded, so I'm trying to get all this figured out before it's a must.

Wow, like so many others posted, I relate to everyones pain/stories. And I feel great about getting this off my chest! I am currently pre-band, hope to be banded in May! The earlier the better, baby! Here are some embarrassing moments, and things I won't be upset to be leaving behind: :huh2: I was 5'3" and 160-180 in High School and the third largest girl in our class. Up until my junior year, I wore super baggy clothes throughout school to cover my body. My best friend turned enemy, used to call me Thunder (or something like that) and taunt me every time I entered a class room. My junior year, she (well, someone...) loosened up the screws in my assigned chair and it completely collapsed at the end of class. I was mortified. My then best friend/long term crush had to help me up and I just bolted out of the room. The snotty girls in my next class who witnessed the event, pretended to care by asking *loudly* if I was okay and how *awful* it was to have my desk collapse, being sure to let everyone know what happened. I won't miss being afraid to get on something I love--roller coasters--because I'm afraid of getting stuck, or the bar not being able to lock in with me in the seat. (Both of which have happened) :eek: Planes :heart: Seeing all the cute clothes I know won't fit me because most stores don't carry my size, and if they do, they're generally poorly made and unfashionable. :eek: Being embarrassed for my husband to see me nekkid :blushing:Being embarrassed for anyone to see me in a bathing suit, even with my cover shirt, as I come out of the Water, since the shirt always clings to my body, and people always stare:crying: I hate sneak eating when friends/family visit since I don't want them to think I eat as much as I do. Weighing more than anyone else in my family, including my 6'3" father. Being afraid to go skiing or horseback riding for fear I'll break the 'gear' or be too heavy to ride. :blushing:Having favorite jeans rip/fall apart between my thighs within a few months because of how they rub together. :blushing:All the health problems associated with the weight :blushing:Not being able to keep up with the kids :blushing:Being the largest person in the room and/or work environment most of the time Keeping myself out of pictures so I don't have to see how terrible I look :blush:Having days where I don't want to go out of the house because none of my clothes completely hide my fat rolls and I feel like I'm an eyesore.

Curious to know if anyone regrets getting their lap-band, and why?

I am getting banded for multiple medical reasons, the least important being infertility. However, my doc is fairly sure that once I shed the extra pounds, viola, baby on board. Now I know the literature recommends 2 years inbetween being banded and being pregnant; So aside from that, is there anyone here that has been pregnant after banded? How long were you banded and how did the pregnancy go?:crying: Do they just unfill your band so that you can eat 'normally'? Can you even eat 'normal' with the band there, even unfilled?