thebandedgirl

You might want to call your insurance company and see if it's covered, then go from there. Generally, I think you need to go to your PCP for a referral. I financed because my insurance didn't cover it, though. This information might be completely wrong.

I have an office job--I sit most of the time. I had surgery on a Thursday and went to work the next Wednesday or Thursday. I really wish that I could have taken a full two weeks, but I was unable to afford it. Short-term disability shouldn't be necessary unless something goes wrong. I've not heard of anyone needing to use it. I just told people at work that I had company coming into town (my mom came to help out, so it wasn't a total lie). After I went back to work, nobody really noticed that I was holding my tummy every once in a while. Ultimately, it's nobody's business. "I had a medical procedure" should be sufficient.

Like others, I don't find it difficult at all. I order water when I go out to eat and then ignore the glass; it's just easier for me than arguing with the servers about a drink.

It'll be awesome!! :tongue_smilie:

Congratulations! I love your userpic, you're adorable BTW :tongue_smilie:

I am so sorry for all of the tragedy that surrounds your home right now, but don't feel guilty for being happy! A positive experience is still a good thing, even when there is a whole lot of bad happening otherwise. Congratulations on getting your date!

I personally wouldn't have been able to drive a bus after two or three days. It took about three weeks before I felt human again :tongue_smilie: But, judging from others' posts, I had a harder time of it than most. No matter what, good luck to you!

Congrats on your banding! (colorado.girl, the Vail area is one of my favorite places ever!)

Woooo! Congratulations :drool:

After losing my 3rd generation Nano (*sadface*), my Boy bought a 5th gen for me to use at the gym (*happyface*). I have a dilemma, however. I know that I can use the iPod without an armband, but I think it would really make my life easier if I had one. My upper arms are really fat, though, and I'm concerned that I'll purchase one only to discover that it doesn't fit. Does anyone have experience with 5th generation iPod Nano armbands? Will any fit around my unfortunately huge upper arms? I would also like for it to work with the Nike+ sensor. I was also wondering how those who use it calibrated their Nike+ system. Treadmill? Elliptical? On the sidewalk? Thanks everyone!

First of all, congratulations on your loss so far, you're doing awesome! Second, four ounces isn't a lot of food. No wonder you're not feeling satiated. My surgeon recommends double that per meal! Definitely talk to your surgeon, but you might want to think about eating more at meal times in addition to getting a small fill to increase your restriction. You shouldn't be hungry all of the time--that's part of why you got a band, isn't it? Good luck to you :thumbup:

The last supper thing is pretty common. Keep in mind that you're going to be able to eat most of what you eat now after you're banded. I can still have bread, Pasta, tortillas, etc...just not so much. Eating less isn't so bad. Get a smaller plate, chew a lot, push the plate away when you're full, don't pick at what's left, pay attention to your body's signals. It sounds like a lot, but it's not so bad. You can do it :thumbup:

Wow, you're doing great! Welcome to LBT and good luck on your journey :thumbup:

I've only lost about 30 since I started my pre-op diet. No advice without further information, but I wanted to let you know that you're not alone when it comes to slow loss. Hang in there.

I'm super tight in the morning and really really open at night. I've been wondering about a fill--should I get one when mornings are so difficult for me? Last night I ate *way* too much. Well over 2 cups of food, I'm sure, and I didn't overly full after. But in the morning? Forget it. Anyone have an opinion? (Sorry gatorgirl, hope you don't think I'm trying to hijack your thread!)

Without going to a BMI calculator, it sounds like you might. Remember that there are a lot of insurance requirements (if you're going through insurance) and the company has the final say. I had a BMI of 51 (eek), high blood pressure, and PCOS. My surgeon's office had no problem with approving me and I was a financed patient.

I'd really done a lot of research before I went to my first seminar and didn't have a lot of band questions to ask--they were mostly practice-specific things, like what their pre-op diet consisted of. I also asked about the number of bands the surgeon had placed, the post-op diet, what kind of pain relievers they allowed, and what their fill policy was. There were more, but I can't think of them off of the top of my head :thumbup:

I keep a water bottle in sight at all times. If I don't see it, I forget about it entirely. I've discovered that I do a much better job of drinking it if it's cold, so I stick my bottle in the freezer for 45 minutes or so every once in a while.

As anti-intuitive as it sounds, I think you need to eat MORE calories to enable your body to let go of its fat stores.

I live in the Phoenix area--going to Mexico would only have involved a 6 hour drive and would have been a lot less expensive. I decided to go locally anyway, just because it felt safer to me (I have no real reason for that feeling; it is what it is). Thanks for the kudos :biggrin:

1. After Lap Band is it hard to sleep at night? Can you comfortably sleep on your stomach or your side? I was in pain and had trouble sleeping the first few nights, but I haven't had problems since. I would be able to sleep on my stomach or port side if I wanted to, but I've never been a stomach sleeper and prefer to sleep on the side without my port (since before surgery). 2. Gummi Vitamins yes or no? I take gummy adult vitamins and omega-3s in addition to Calcium chews. I've had no problems. 3. What is everyone's exercise routine? Is everyone hardcore for daily exercise? Trying to get hardcore. I'm planning on starting my routine on Monday, now that I have the appropriate gear for it (a sports bra that works). 4. My main problem is that I NEVER feel full, even after I eat. Will the band help me FEEL full on just a cup of food sufficiently? Well, it depends. If your hunger is "head hunger" you may struggle with it forever. If it's honest physical hunger, the band should help considerably. 5:A lot of my extra weight is in my hips and thighs. Does this weight come off last after stomach weight? I think it really depends upon genetics. No two people are the same, unfortunately. 6: Anyone have the band for over 5 years here? Any long term problems? A few people have been here for a long time. I've been banded for a few months. 7: Do you find that you are satisfied on eating less by feeling full after wards? I'm not exactly sure what you're asking here. Does less food make me feel full? Yes. Is it a cup of food? Not yet. But I'm getting there with fills and think I'm pretty close!

Yeah, I had that yesterday, too. I wanted to die.

My insurance wouldn't cover my surgery, so I financed. Making the monthly payments is hard. It's discouraging to think that I'm going to have payments for the next few years, but it was even more discouraging to think of being 300 pounds (or more, at the rate I was going) for the next few years. I'm sorry you're feeling upset about the situation--I understand. I hope that you're able to reach the decision that is best for you quickly.

"Itch" sounds like an allergic thing to me. Is there any way you could be having an allergic reaction?

You got dates to the dances?? :blushing: I wouldn't worry too much about the Lortab refill. I was using Tylenol on the second or third day and needed one or two doses of the stronger stuff after that. I still have most of my bottle! However, we all handle pain differently--it is better to be safe than sorry if you have a lower pain threshold. Mine's medium to high.