Melinco

It'll be two years in April (if I recall correctly) that I started my blog. I use blogger as well. The Winding Road to Parenthood My blog started out documenting our struggle with infertility, and now documents my WLS as a next step toward fulfilling our ultimate goal of becoming parents. Not only will you find lots of band bloggers on the left hand column, but if you are in the IF (infertility) community, you will find many resources to help you with that struggle, including many IF bloggers, further on down the left hand column. I am considering putting together a WLS Community gathering place for bloggers where you can go to one blog site and have access to all the different weight loss bloggers. We'll see as I know it will be lots of work and effort. Or perhaps LBT can create a dedicated forum here for everyone to list their blogs. Anyway, blogging is a great way to document your progress, to lay out your feelings, and just connect with others who are going through the same thing you are. I know I've "met" lots of wonderful women in my IF community, and am meeting lots of great people here in the WLS community. Oh, and also, if you don't have a reader to help you keep track of all the blogs you read, I highly suggest using Google Reader as it will let you know when the blogs you follow have updated with a new post. Google Reader - Tour

I don't get my first fill until a week from tomorrow. I still have some restriction, but not as much when first banded. However, I'm eating LOTS less than pre-band, which in and of itself is huge! I've lost 3 pounds this week and am only 2 pounds away from my Valentine's Day Challenge of a 12 pound loss. I'm very happy with my progress so far. I'm hoping that with my first fills, I'll be even more restricted and the amount lost will increase. I'm only 6 pounds away from what my driver's license reads! lol

I lost 3 pounds this week! I'm only 2 pounds away from my goal! Woohoo!! It's interesting, this last week I've been eating more than what I was, as I am entering that period of bandster hell. However, I think that it bumped up my calorie intake enough that my body no longer thinks it is in starvation mode, and so is now releasing the fat. At least, that's what I hope it is. Also, this morning as I was getting ready for work, I noticed that when I hold up my breasts, instead of being all firm and full (rather than their normal hanging down near my knees! lol), they are wrinkly! I guess I actually am losing some of my breast fat, thank the good Lord! I was afraid these girls would never get smaller. On a NSV note, I'm wearing a shirt I was given last year, it's a 2XL, that was too small before, and it fits! There is a tiny bit of gaping in front, but not enough to not wear it. YES!

The Winding Road to Parenthood

I'm 5 weeks post op and most week days I have a Lite string cheese (8 grams protein) and a CARBMaster yogurt (10 grams protein). Weekends I find I usually don't eat breakfast, but an early lunch. And I always have a cup of coffee with french vanilla creamer before eating.

The Wii Fit Plus is SO much fun! Depending on what your original level of activity was, you can get quite the workout. However, if you are already used to doing 45 minutes of Bootcamp, then maybe not. However, if you are just starting an exercise routine, I think the Fit Plus is an excellent way to begin exercising and enjoy what you are doing! Because if you don't enjoy it, you're not going to stick with it.

My lapband surgeon, Dr. James Smith, left for Haiti on January 16 and will be there for about two weeks helping with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit the region. He is blogging about his experiences. If anyone would like to follow him, here is the link to the local newspaper article: The Pueblo Chieftain Online :: Pueblo doctor blogging from Haiti Here is the direct link to the blog: Health4haiti's Blog I ask for your continued prayers for all the people of Haiti as well as for the safety of all the medical providers and others who have gone to Haiti to provide relief. Thank you!

While my insurance won't pay to put the lap band in, if I had complications, as long as it isn't coded as lap band surgery, then they'd pay for it. Hopefully it never happens! Best bet is to read the policy exclusions and see if it specifically excludes both the surgery as well as any related complications. And, for additional comfort, call your member services # that is on the back of your ID card and ask.

I don't know if anyone is still reading this thread or not, but I know one of the posters asked if there were any support groups in Southern Colorado. Dr. Smith holds a support group meeting the first Tuesday of every month at his office in Pueblo. The meetings usually last about 90 minutes and they start at 6:30 p.m. There won't be a meeting in February 2010 as he will just have gotten back from Haiti, but the next meeting will be March 2, 2010. You should call his office at 719-561-4300 to make sure you can attend if you are not his patient as I have no idea what his policy is regarding these meetings for non-patients.

I tend to weigh myself in the mornings, if I have time. This morning I woke up so late (like one minute before I was supposed to be at work!) that I didn't even bother. However, I use my Monday morning weight to adjust my tickers below. Then my weight at the doctor's is his official weight for me. Oh, and I do sometimes weigh myself before and after using the restroom, both #1 and #2. Not because I'm obsessed with my weight, because I want to know how much my poop weighs! lol My husband thinks I'm so classy. :biggrin: And my morning weigh ins are totally naked. That way there is no room for error on clothing weight.

Here is the recipe I made for our New Year's Eve party. It was quite tasty. Hot Wing Dip 1 8 oz package cream cheese 2 cups sour cream 1 cup bleu cheese dressing ½ cup buffalo wing sauce 2 ½ cups shredded cooked chicken 8 oz provolone cheese, shredded Mix cream cheese, sour cream, salad dressing, provolone cheese and wing sauce, blend well. Stir in chicken. Pour into a greased two-quart dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly. I've not tried making the low-fat version, but you could by substituting low fat or non fat cream cheese, low or non fat sour cream, light bleu cheese dressing, and if you can find low fat provolone cheese.

I have some really good food finds, but don't have the nutritional information handy as I'm at work. However, they are really tasty and good for you: omelet (made for 2) 2 whole Egglands Best eggs 1/3 cup Egg Beaters Whites only Beat the eggs with the egg beaters, add S&P to taste, a couple of dashes of cayenne pepper. 2 Frigos Light String cheese, cut into tiny pieces 1 roasted red bell pepper from jar, patted dry with papertowel prior to chopping into small pieces Place 1/2 teaspoon of canola oil in nonstick pan, take a papertowel and spread the oil around (or you can use Pam spray, but I don't like using Pam spray on my non-stick pans). Heat over medium heat. Add the egg mixture to the pan, let set for about 45 - 60 seconds to set a little, then begin to make the omelet. Once almost cooked through, add the cheese and pepper. Fold over the sides, flip to finish cooking. Serve. When I made this, I served myself 1/3 of the omelet and gave the other 2/3 to my hubby. I also made some Banquet turkey sausage links. I had 2 and gave hubby 3 (3 is a serving size). This makes a great breakfast!

My dietician allows me to have 1/2 to 1 slice of well toasted whole grain bread. So what I sometimes do for lunch is make an egg salad, but I chop up the string cheese into small pieces and mix with the egg salad. You really cannot tell that it's in there, as it looks like the chopped up egg whites. Also, if you can have raw veggies and like to dip them, you can take 1/2 cup of low fat or no fat cottage cheese, put it in a food processor, blend it with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the dried Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix, add a drop or two of skim milk if you like it thinner (as it's pretty thick), and dip your fresh veggies in that. It's high in Protein, low in fat (or no fat) and low in carbs, plus you really can't tell it's cottage cheese (it is the ONLY way I'll eat cottage cheese). If you are eating yogurt, I eat the CARBMaster yogurt from Krogers (King Soopers or City Market grocery store). It has 3 or 4 carbs, 12 g. protein, very little fat (like 1 or 2 grams) and only 80 calories. I don't know if you have tried several different types of string cheese, but the brand I prefer is Frigos Light String Cheese. It's mozarella and tasty. They also have a swirl string cheese that is mozarella and cheddar combined. That one isn't too bad either. If you like to make omelets (using the Egg Beaters Whites only) you can add the chopped up string cheese to it. It melts and is really quite tasty while adding additional protein with very little fat. I also like to add a chopped up roasted red pepper to it for some yummy goodness. Good luck with your journey!

I've bought them but haven't had them yet. I bought them in case I don't have a lunch prepared and need something to take to work (so I don't go out to eat). I think if you make sure you are keeping up with your Water intake and make smart choices (like the Lean Cuisines) and not eat the Hungry Man dinners, you should be okay. But, as always, you might want to ask your dietician or surgeon just to be on the safe side.

I've named my band Bruce, after Batman's alter ego. The band is not a magic wand (nor a super hero). However, he makes it possible for me to succeed (as Bruce Wayne does for Batman). I've not named my port.

My pre-op was actually really easy. I was told to do a solid food high Protein, low carb diet. I was feasting on steaks, pork chops, chicken, steamed broccoli, cauliflower, etc. My hubby and I ate really nicely prior to my surgery. Now that I'm post op, and starting to enter Bandster Hell, I'm not eating the steak, pork chops, etc. But I'm eating way too much (in my mind) as the swelling has gone down in my stomach and I don't get my first fill until February 2. I'm losing (albeit slowly). I'm looking forward to my first couple of fills, so that I can really restrict how much I am eating so that the combination of exercise and eating less will kick into gear and begin the serious weight loss. But it will be so worth it in the end!

I can't help you regarding what they do for insurance purposes as I was self-pay. However, for me, after I had my initial consultation, I then scheduled my dietician consult and psychologist consult. My surgeon didn't require any other tests, but that was in part due to the fact that I didn't have any medical issues tha required it (such as sleep apnea). After I finished the two consults, I went in for a pre-op appointment, where they took my official pre-op weight, started my pre-op diet that day, and then 10 days later had my surgery. I found it to be a very smooth process and timely process. From the time I went to the seminar (which was in September), waited for my work schedule to clear (fall is a very busy season for us), had my intial consult at the beginning of November, then pre-op appointment on December 7, and surgery on December 17. Now, from what I understand, insurance can throw a monkey wrench in the entire process, especially if they make you do a six month doctor supervised diet prior to submitting the paperwork. If so, then it won't be so short. If not, you could be in surgery before you know it and on your way to a slimmer new you! Good luck with everything!

I didn't have staples either, but had internal stitches. On one of my incisions, the end of a stitch was actually sticking out. I asked my surgeon about it and he said that it would eventually dissolve, or I could snip it off. About a week later, I was able to snip it off. Once I did, the little hole that was left there started to close back up. I did use peroxide on it, but no neosporin, put a bandaid on it for 24 hours, then have left it uncovered since. As always, if in doubt, go see your doc. Better safe than sorry.

Heating pad - helps with that shoulder pain caused by gas. Gas-x strips Pillows, blanket for while laying on couch All the food needs as mentioned above Get all your prescriptions filled prior to the surgery. Also, look for the liquid tylenol for pains that aren't severe enough for your Rx pain meds. Slippers or slip on shoes for day of surgery, comfy pants (no zipper or belt), and a button up or zip up top (easy to put on so you don't have to lift your arms above your head). Sunglasses - when we left the surgery center, it was so bright outside (after being inside) that the sun seem a lot brighter than usual. I think the most important thing is to have someone available to help you. I found it really hard the first two days (including the day of) to get up off the couch or even off the toilet. I needed Hubby there to help me, I'd hold his hands and he'd help me scootch to the edge of the couch, then I'd use my legs to lift myself up. Good luck! Before you know it, you'll be one month post op like I am and thinking you're ready for your first fill.

I didn't pack my lunch today, since we went out yesterday after church to lunch to Celebrate our pastor's birthday, and then we had leftovers (from Saturday) for dinner last night. What would you say would be a good thing to grab from a fast food restaurant? I'm already 3.5 weeks post op and on solid foods. I'm starting to enter bandster hell, so I'm able to eat more than what I'd prefer! lol I have the following restaurants near me: Taco Bell Wendy's McDonalds Subway (but I'm not eating bread) pizza Hut (salad bar - no pizza) What would you recommend? Thanks!!!

I've not noticed a difference. If anything, I find that I'm colder now as I'm losing the weight. I still get some hot flashes, but overall, I'm finding myself needing a jacket or blanket whereas before I'd be in tank tops. Plus, I'm now using my heating pad to warm up my bed before I go to sleep, where I used to just grin and bare it. I'm sure you have a treatment you use to fix any redness you get, but if not, I use the creamy Desitin (like you'd use on a baby's bottom). If I get red there (or even under my breasts) I put some of the Desitin there for a day or two, and it goes away. It works pretty well for me. Good luck, I hope you can find some answers!

Hi AE, I don't get my first fill until February 2, assuming my surgeon gets back from Haiti as originally scheduled (he goes down there each year to perform surgeries on people who would otherwise not get their issues addressed), and now with the earthquake, he's helping with the after effects. So far, I've been losing, although my losses have slowed way down. I'm down only .6 pounds this last week. But I also kind have been lazy in my work outs. But my surgeon did say it was totally normal to gain some weight back prior to the first fill. Don't despair! We'll get to the losing part soon.

I'm down to 259, so only 5 more pounds to go! I've got to step up my exercise as I'm able to eat more now. Plus, I've got to meet my January exercise goal. Tonight I'll have to get off my lazy (but getting smaller) butt and do my WATP tape!

I'm not worried about it but I do feel it. At first, I didn't like running my hand over it, but now I do it all the time. You get used to it. I haven't had a fill yet, so can't really tell you about restriction. I'm entering Bandster Hell myself.

Each year, for around 8 years, my surgeon has flown to Haiti to volunteer for two weeks performing surgeries on people who otherwise would be unable to get their medical issues taken care of. With the recent earth quake, he is now going to the epicenter to aid there. Here is a link to his story: NewsFirst5.com | Colorado Springs news, Colorado Springs weather, Pueblo news, Pueblo weather |Pueblo surgeon will lend aide in Haiti I ask that you keep him in your thoughts and prayers, as well as all the citizens and others who have been effected by this devastating earth quake.