Mert

I'm just glad Walmart is doing this. Oh, of course the pharmaceutical companies have the politicians in their pockets and cannot get rich enough. I'm just happy for a price break on my generic prozac !!

I can't wait to do some serious pretty clothes shopping, myself. A new Ross opened in my area and they have so many bargains and cool stuff in the smaller sizes. I look forward to being able to wear cute shoes again too. Orthopedic and New Balance are all my feet can take these days.

You are a gentleman and a scholar and that guy is a rude idiot. So, there you have it. I am, personally, tired of ill-mannered, uncivilized people who cannot even exchange some pleasantries in passing. It is downright uncivilized.

I cannot stand Rick Perry. I can't wait to vote for anyone besides him. What about the Texas Lotto? the proceeds from that were supposed to go for education!! That was the lie under which they got it passed (another tax of the poor) and how much of that money are we seeing in our classrooms?? Not a red cent, I betcha! Rick Perry is worthless. I will vote for Carol or Kinky, I like them both. Anyone but Perry the Dingleberry.

Stephanie, They require a list of things, among which are: *12 month medically supervised weight loss attempt *comorbidities *documentation of 5 years of morbid obesity *psych evaluation *letter rec. the surgery from your doctor *and so forth... Call the customer service at bcbs and ask them. They'll mail you the list. They waived the 12 month medically supervised diet for me...why? I have no idea. I was just so happy to be approved I didn't even dare ask. Write a letter about your health and send as much documentaion to them as you can gather from your doctors about weight related problems. send me a pm if you need some more info. best of luck to you!

I just got banded on the 11th of August. I am not getting any full sensation from the liquids I'm consuming. Should I stop anyway, instead of drinkng all I want? I have no nausea at all. Just soreness from incisions. I have no fill yet, jus the band. any help would be appreciated.

I like to shop at Catherine's and Ross. Also, the brands I really like are Wee Be Bop and Key Lime Pie. You can find those brands online. good luck.

I too am insulin resistant, had babies late in life, and at surgery had a BMI of about 48. The doctor told me he gave me a 10cc VG band because I have a large stomach and needed the large size, just like I wear big shoes because I have big feet. My large girth on the outside may be because of my large stomach on the inside, I don't know. So far, with no fill, I feel little restriction. The band is allowing me to lose very slowly, just like it should and I am having no problems at all. I get my first fill on 9/25. We'll see what happens then.

I am 49 years old and my brothers are 59 and 54. In other words, old enough to know better. They have been treating me like crap ever since I have become obese, about 12 years ago. It is getting to the point where I am wondering if I ever want to be around them anymore. It hurts me so much because they are the only siblings I have, no sisters. I am very hurt by my brother's most recent comment: "How can you stand her at home all the time?" He said that to my husband. I was embarrassed, hurt, crushed... Mom says they love me and ask about me all the time, but they treat me like I am a pain in the rear and are VERY disrepectful to me. I have forgiven and forgiven. I really love all my family, but don't know how much more pain I can take. Any ideas out there? I hate the idea of cutting ties with them, but dread their hateful comments too. My heart is aching... I am a good person, a teacher for 23 years, Mother to two beautiful children, Wife to a very nice guy who works hard on my family's land, don't drink, smoke, lie, steal hubcaps, etc etc .. Have a good sense of humor, caring, fun to be around... I just don't get it. I am worthy of respect as a human being and as their sister!

I was banded 8/11/06 and after two plus years of no periods (I thought I was menopausal) Aunt Flo comes for an unexpected visit and is just like in the old days...Period started 9/1, after a loss of only 5 pounds since banding. Has this happened to anyone else? This is so bizarre.

I will miss the Croc Hunter. I thought he was crazy too, but good crazy. He had what looked like a fun and exciting life and a beautiful family. He was a good educator. What a loss for us. My kids enjoyed him. My 11 year old said "now we will only have re-runs" 'Tis true, 'tis pity.

Good advice, Tired Old Man. They have both been nicer lately. Who knows how long this will last. Next time will be the last time and I will tell them WHY I am stepping out of the family scene. Brother who made the comment about "how can you stand her blah blah blah" KNOWS how much it hurt me because I stared crying right away (darn it). I hate that.

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one this has happened to. I will go see the ob/gyn and get checked out. I think my hormones are returning to normal, though, for some reason and I am OK. I'm not bothered by Aunt Flo, as long as her visits are predictable. Healthwise, I see this as a good thing.

I like the one (reply by 503) where I take the mature approach, look them in the eye and knee them in the crotch :banana: :dance: thats a great plan...

I was banded on 8/11 and I don't feel any restriction at all. I have been staying mainly with liquids. I have lost only one pound since my pre-surgery weight. It is difficult for me to stay on track. I want to hurry up and be filled to a tight cinch so I won't be able to consume so much. I don't have much willpower, obviously. I hope things change a lot after the first fill. Has anyone else been through this experience? :help:

Thanks, I think I can too. You're doing great.

Thank you for the great suggestions. I will check into carnation instant breakfast and unjury. wow good ideas. thanks a lot. I'm not as upbeat as I was a few days ago because I feel like I'm losing control of my eating. I need to kick myself in the butt, but I'm not nimble enough.

I am eating a sensible breakfast (one little bag of instant oatmeal) or a protein smoothie, one bowl of taco soup (meat and beans and corn) for lunch and then when I get home from school or on the weekend, snack snack snack. I think I need some regimen when I am home. I do fine at work when there is a lot of structure (I teach, so its not appropriate to eat whenever the notion strikes me). When I am at home I seem to go overboard. Like today, cottage cheese and sugar free jello (about two cups) then ten circle melba toasts, a popsicle, a cup of sherbert. I get so stuffed I hurt. The pain is in my back, oddly enough (is that restriction?) I have been seeing a dietician as part of the surgery education package, and she suggests healthy choices and low fat, low calorie intake, three meals a day and three only. Writing about it now helps a lot. Thanks... I really think I need to find something to do to replace the eating in the evenings. It would be ideal to walk, but the temperature is about 98 and the humidity is the same.

True, after reading some of the posts about people suffering with too much restriction, I don't want that. I am not eating as little as I'd like to now. I have read other posts from peole who don't feel restriction after surgery. I was under the impression that I would need to start off measuring what I eat in one ounce cups after surgery. Not hardly. I still get ravenously hungry.

TX Terry, Thanks for the reply. I got a vg band too. what does it mean? I guess I need to think protein protein protein until my first fill. That is the only thing that stops the hunger for me. Iluvharleys, thanks for the reply and congratulations on the 92 lbs lost. What an accomplishment. (I'm jealous). I'm hoping for three fills rather than five.

Best of luck to you, Em. I am cheering for you.:clap2:

Well, brothers seem to be acting better since my surgery on the 11th. Who knows? I can't figure them out. I just have to be cautious of them and not become vulnerable or they might strike at me again. Sad, but true. I have support from others, don't really need to rely on them for support. Although it sure would be nice to have a good, close relationship with them. They have hurt me so many times, I'm not sure it is possible to repair the damage now because I cannot trust them anymore than I can trust a rattlesnake.Thanks for listening.

it is wonderful to have some folks to share these experiences with. I am very thankful. I felt so helpless and hopeless only six months ago and now...I can fly to the moon and back. Maybe it is a dream, but please don't wake me up.

Yeah, I've had to be treated for a wormy heart a few times in my 49 years. Those heart worms can do you in if you don't shed them quickly. The protein powder my hubby found (not a wormy husband) was at Walmart and is called Body Fortress, Whey Protein, unflavored or vanilla flavored. It has 20 gs /serving and is quite tasty. I am blending with ice, frozen peaches and splenda and skim milk. Blend, blend, blend to a super liquified smoothie. yummm-o. My family is very supportive thank goodness. I got real excited and told anybody who would listen what kind of sugery I was having, so I've been getting lots of phone calls of support. I had plenty of folks praying for me and I attribute that to my doing so well. My tummy is itchy today. The incisions look like they have superglue on them. I can't tell if there is an incision in my belly button or not. There is one sewn up with real fine thread, that is the big one above the belly button. that big incision is rainbow colored, blue, green ,red , pink but looks dry and is not hot to the touch. There are 5 incisions and maybe one in the belly button (six?). I have still not been nauseated, just sore but very very happy....

Thank you for all your good wishes. I am taking hydrocodone liquid, but it still doesn't eliminate the pain at the port incision. I have an appt with Dr. Davis, my surgeon, on Thursday afternoon. I am feeling great, except for the incision pain and am very happy I did this. My little girl (8 years old) made me a card that said: "Dear, Mom I love you so much. You didn't have to do the lap band surgury. I love you the way you are."