emjay

Skinipete - You hit the nail on the head with keeping busy, specifically - your hands busy! I crochet in the evenings while my husband watches TV (then I don't mind the flipping of the channels back and forth). Or I get on this forum to check the latest postings to keep me in tune with what I need to do. We hike at a nearby reserve any chance we get, and don't buy snacky type foods that aren't nutritional or low-cal (I can usually stay away from those, but at least it's a better choice than high cal junk). Reading books also helps, go to a movie, anything to get your mind off of food. Find a walking buddy, join a gym or the local "Y". Many have challenges and trainers that can customize a workout routine for you. In other words, get your mind and your hands away from food. Easy to say, hard to do. But you have to be willing to change your habits. You've already gone thru the surgery, now get your mindset tuned in. Support sessions can help get you motivated and perhaps get a weight loss buddy from the group that can help you through. Don't mean to be "preachy" either, just trying to give you something to consider. Good luck and don't give up. We're all in the same boat!

Yes I was. My hubby is a fast eater too, but this has actually made him slow down a little since otherwise he has to wait for me to finish when we eat out. It just takes practice and reacting to what your body is telling you.

Congrats - I hope I get there someday. Right now if I walk around the house in my undies it feels like I have each cheek is boxing the other one. I'll be really glad when the junk in the trunk is gone forever!

Eating slowly is extremely important. Let's just say your body will let you know when you're eating too fast. You'll feel that lump in your gut or in the base of your throat that feels like if you take another bite - you'll be seeing it again. Try and cut your solid food in very small pieces and eat slowly - or take a little less than normal bite and chew well and swallow only a little at a time. The latter seems to work for me better. It took some getting used to but it really does come with practice. Believe me, when you get restriction and try to eat too fast or take too big of bite - you'll know it! You just really have to listen to your body and what it is telling you and you'll be fine. I know if I am in a hurry and try to eat it just doesn't work. My #1 suggestion - work on eating slowly and chewing well...put your fork down between bites, wait until the food feels like it hits your stomach and doesn't feel like a ball in there before taking another bite. It's a learning process but very do-able.

Hi Aimee - if you are having a hard time getting your liquids in and are eating plenty of protein, then maybe switch to some warm liquids...coffee, tea, hot chocolate, broth and maybe that will help increase your intake. Don't worry so much about your weight - if you're still losing without restriction you're doing great! Don't worry if for a week you haven't lost anything. That's very common. Alot of what you lost initially could have been "water weight" and that comes off very fast. Also since you are recently banded you have the swelling issue. Any weight you lose after getting banded and before restriction is kind of gravy at this point, since basically after you regain your appetite, you're "dieting" to lose weight until the band does it's job. It's very hard to be patient with the band. Be happy you're not hungry - that will come soon enough! Be sure to get in enough calories because the body does start to conserve if you don't and you're metabolism can slow down (as mentioned previously). 1100-1300 calories should be sufficient and still lose slowly. Just don't obsess over the numbers yet. It's too soon to be concerned. Good luck in your journey!

All I can say is WOW! I'd hate to have to pay that as a self-pay! Good thing you have insurance! My facility bill was around $8450 - I only know this because they sent me the bill by mistake. I was self-pay until my insurance decided after the second appeal to approve the surgery. The total was $15,900 for 2 years of free fills, facility, anesthesia charges, surgeon fees, consult, nut eval, nutritional counseling and any port revisions, dilatations that need done within 2 years (facility fees extra if needed).

You sound like you need an unfill...today! Don't wait until after the holiday weekend to have it done. You may very likely end up in the E/R if you wait. If you have tried the small bites, chewing well, taking a minute or two between bites and even soft foods like yogurt and pudding aren't staying down - you need help. BE ASSERTIVE and say you need an unfill. A slight unfill may do you a world of good, you don't have to deflate the whole thing. Remember, this is YOUR body, don't let them make you feel like you're being paranoid. It is stressful enough when your band is tight, let alone when you can't get anything down. Please call them and demand they see you today. I wish you well.

Sounds like you've had plenty to stress about lately. I know it's easy to dispense advice when you're not in a situation such as yours, so I'm going to suggest that if there is a way for you to get out of the house every other day and maybe trade days with someone to watch your kids, you could find a way to volunteer somewhere and take your mind off your troubles. A hospital, charity, goodwill-type store, nursing home, help an elderly neighbor or friend, something to keep your mind off your issues and help others, it may keep your attitude more positive. Please don't think I am not sympathetic to your struggles. I know very few people who haven't been effected by what is going on with the economy right now. I guess my best advice, whether it is volunteering or whatever, KEEP BUSY! Tackle a closet you've been meaning to clean out, garage, kids room, whatever, and get your mind focused on something else besides food and your situation. Good luck and I hope you are able to get back on track. We all know something about struggling with food issues, stress and emotional eating, so please don't think you're alone. But remember that the band you have is there to help you, but you have to help yourself also. Maybe that is not focusing on the amount of food you eat, but what you are eating at first. Then gradually reduce the amount, which may mean eating smaller portions throughout the day to keep you from getting hungry. Try and fight the urges to eat mindlessly...by being occupied with your time. I wish you the very best and please know you have people thinking about you.

Centrum chewables for me. Oscal chewables for calcium and 5000mg of Biotin (mixed with my protein shake in the morning). I did recently get the Viactiv chewable vitamin and calcium supplements and they were very good also. Kind of like your "hit" of candy every day.

If I gulp water, it will surely come back up. I can take a few swallows (2-3) at a time, but no more. My swallows are less than they use to be, and I have to drink more frequently, but I don't have to exactly "sip", but gulp - nada.

Jen - you and I were banded less than a week from each other. It took 4 fills to get my proper restriction. Some days my band feels tight, and I do drink a Protein shake every morning for breakfast - my choice. On the rare occasion that I do eat solid foods for breakfast I have no problem. I may "feel" tight, but as long as I take my time, swallow well-chewed, little portions at a time and wait about a minute or two between bites, I'm okay. About twice a week I feel tight much of the day - but like I said, I've never had a problem getting food down. As far as liquids though, cold liquids go down much, much slower and I need more time between sips to allow it to go down. I mostly drink room temperature Water. Not that I prefer it that way taste-wise, it just goes down alot better. It took 4 fills to get to proper restriction, but once I got there, I knew it very soon after. I also gurgle alot, especially with any drink that may have a little foam or air in it (like a protein shake). But I'll live with that if it means getting to a healthier weight. No reflux problems or Pb'ing - oh except once when I drank too much milk in a hurry. I think you will be fine. Pay attention to what your esophagus and stomach are telling you. If you do get hungry, a small low-calorie snack should be just enough to get you thru until your next meal if you're worried about the hunger issue. I view the band sort of like my "other" husband - I have to work, compromise, be patient, listen, and be adaptable with the band if this is going to be a lifetime achievement!

My "official" title is Office Manager. Which is our office means administrative manager/IT manager/Health Plan Administrator/COBRA-FMLA-Payroll Manager/Advisor, etc. Small office - we wear multiple "hats". My undergrad was in accounting & finance, my grad degree was MBA with mgt concentration and SPHR certification in HR. Every day is different and challenging.

Her plan is required to notify all participants when there is a material modification to the plan within a certain time period after the change. She should ask for a copy of the amendment to the plan or the "summary of material modification" to the plan if this was changed. If there isn't one, and it is past the time period they have (which I believe is 60 days if it is a significant reduction in benefits, otherwise it is 210 days after end of plan year) to notify participants, she may have a legitimate argument to appeal her surgery. Believe me - if there wasn't notification - a lawyer would be very interested in helping her getting her surgery approved. She has every right to have a copy of the modification to the plan and the employer/insurer has an obligation to provide it. If it wasn't provided - she has a legitimate argument in getting the surgery approved. If her Summary Plan Description (insurance manual) was re-printed, then the summary of material modification would not be needed since it is already considered part of the re-printed manual. Sorry this is so long and might be boring to some other people - but if she has any chance in the world of gettting it covered, I thought you might be interested.

I concentrate on eating better overall, however, on the weekends I cut myself some slack. If we are going out with friends and get a pizza, I'm going to eat pizza. I just don't eat 1/2 a pie anymore! I tried 2 sips of Coke one day out of my husband's can, and had the feeling of severe heartburn for 30 minutes - after that, no more soda for me! I broke the caffeine habit after 25-30 years and am glad. I try and limit my sugar intake, but do indulge occasionally. I'm trying moderation - something I was never very good at. Cheating? Well - if a snack here and there is going to be considered cheating, then I'm guilty. I just make way better food choices now than before and the weight is coming off just fine. My doc - he's great. He's interested in what works for me, and knows this is a lifetime of adjustment, not a diet. If a snack in mid-afternoon will allow me to make good food choices for dinner and keep me from the late night munchies, then he's all for it. Moderation and choices...

I went through the second round of appeals with my plan and got it approved after the deed was done. They paid all but $4650 of it since it was out of network, so I am being reimbursed for the $11,250 they have approved. I am thrilled - needless to say! I could give an argument for any plan that does not cover WLS. When other methods haven't worked, and in this day and age of "wellness" and "preventative" benefits, not covering WLS seems counterintuitive. I mean, if you can eliminate or reduce the need for hypertension meds, cholesterol meds, diabetes supplies & meds, lower the risk of heart disease, PAD, "female issues", not to mention joint replacements and the psychological issues that are prevalent - in the long run it makes much more sense for a plan to cover WLS than not. I know I got off on a tangent here, but it just kind of feels like getting kicked in the gut when something that can have such a drastic effect on our health isn't covered under the plan because it's not a "core" or statuatory benefit. I actually had a benefits broker try and push his agenda against WLS at me - I was less than impressed. He should have known his audience.

WOW! That is amazing! Congratulations! I'm only 4+ months out and feel that way! You are an inspiration to all of us trying to get to our goal! :thumbup:

Carrie - it really stinks that you doctor isn't listening to the fact that you have no restriction and feel like you're doing this on your own. When you do go for a fill - hopefully he'll do it under flouroscopy so he can tell when you are getting restriction and perhaps get you to a place where it's easier for you. Congratulations on your amazing weight loss! It's amazing you have been able to do all this on your own! Keep a positive attitude and continue to do what you're doing. The end result will be the same, but man is it a test to get there!

Truthfully - not much at this point. My hubby and I walk 3-4 times a week during the summer. In the colder months, we go to the local "Y" and I work out in the cardio room. I know when I am down to the last 20-30 lbs I'm definitely going to have to kick it up a couple of notches. I have concentrated more on eating better and getting my protein in and am happy with the results so far.

Personally I would stick to warm liquids. Cold liquid or iced drinks tend to be alot harder to go down for me. Room temp or warm liquid may be the best. As they say, the band is fickle. Just be sure to be able to get water down...so important!

Count me in too - I'll add to the spreadsheet. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Also, there is approx. 17 grams of protein in the unflavored Fage 2% yogurt. Great source!

You can usually get it in the natural foods section of larger grocery stores. I like the unflavored Fage yogurt the best. I add a little vanilla extract, a packet of Stevia, and add a little homemade trail mix. Usually a 1/2 container with trail mix is enough for me. I agree with the poster who said get the unflavored. You can do so many more variations with it. Also the texture of greek yogurt is like sour cream. Some use it in place of sour cream in recipes. ps. A year ago I wouldn't have even come close to buying greek yogurt. Now - I LOVE it!

I arrived at 6:30 am for 7:30 surgery...out the door at 10:15 am and home before noon. I personally had a wonderful experience the day of surgery. No barium swallow.

I also agree with trying warm beverages or broth to sip on and try to relax your band. You may also want to get some Motrin children's chewables and try them to help with swelling if you are able to get down any warm liquids. Don't overdo the chewables, just a couple may help you. And try to take them with a warm beverage or broth. It's beneficial to take the Motrin with food, but since you're problem is not being able to eat or drink, that's out of the question. Also, avoid salt if possible (with broth this is a problem so I guess warm tea, hot chocolate or coffee is best). And if you are successful getting your band to accept liquids, then keep drinking to keep from getting dehydrated. A few people have posted that the lack of liquids causes a band to tighten - so if you are able to get it to relax - drink room temp liquids. I notice I have a harder time with cold liquids and it's much easier to drink room temp liquids for hydration. Good luck to you and if all else fails - get to the doctor!!

9 bites a food a day for the rest of my life? No way in hell. I'm not viewing this as a race, but a lifetime of eating better. I may be able to eat alot less than I used to, but I can tell you 3 bites won't cut it for me. Good luck with that. Personally I think that doc is off his rocker, but I'm sure if his patients stick to the rules - they no doubt lose. Not of offend, it's just that it seems all of our docs have different opinions about losing the weight. Slow and gradual is good for me (even though I wish it were gone yesterday).