Melinco

I had the consultation today with the surgeon. It went well. I had lots of questions and he was able to answer them all. I've got the appointment with the dietician next Tuesday afternoon and tomorrow I'll set up an appointment with the psychologist. I'm really hoping I can have the surgery before the end of the year. I have a question for those of you whose insurance didn't pay. If your psychologist was in network, were you able to get that covered, or would it be billed as related to the lap band surgery and therefore not covered? Thanks for your input. ETA: When I weighed in at their office, the scales said 288. I used my weight from my GYN's office as my starting weight. So I may not have actually lost anything so far, as it could just be the difference in scales.

I've been thinking about this too, how to start making these changes. I've become more aware of what I'm eating, I've been trying to take smaller bites and chew chew chew. Sometimes I'm successful, other times, I'm not. But I guess the first step is awareness of what you're doing and then the change. I've always been a big drinker during meals, not unusual, especially if out to eat, to drink two or three glasses of iced tea or diet pepsi. Those days will soon be gone. My only concern is what happens if you eat something really spicy! Am I going to have to give up my Mexican food, especially the salsa? I'm not concerned about making it healthier, as I think that will be easy to do, but I don't want to give up the flavors. I guess I'll just have to adapt.

Oh, I forgot to mention that when I asked him about the pre-op diet, he said that he doesn't do the liquid Protein diet, but a solids protein diet, like Atkins. He said that the key is low carbs, high protein, to reduce the fat around the liver to make it easier to do the surgery. That should definitely help in keeping up the energy levels and the general blah-ness away. He also is pretty aggressive with the fills, meaning he doesn't have set times between fills, but instead goes by your hunger level. Assuming I can get in to the psychologist within the next few weeks, I'm hoping for a surgery date in December. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well.

Yes you can.

If you have a Goodwill store available near you, I'd say go and check it out. Many of them have work out gear available, such as hand weights, elastic bands, yoga mats, and even work out videos or DVDs that you can buy for CHEAP! If you can do a work out tape at home, just add hand weights to the exercise. Or see if you can find ankle weights to add while walking. I love Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds videos. You can choose from her 15, 30, or 45 (1 mi., 2 mi., or 3 miles) minute work outs, all low impact. She also has a kick/punch work out that is low impact. I love that one when I feel the need for some extra sweat. Gym memberships aren't needed. They're nice, but not required.

I'm not banded yet, but I know back when I was trying to lose weight, I'd only weigh myself once a week. Doing it daily can really get us down, because we may retain Water one day or have eaten something heavy the next (even though not calorie laden), making our weight fluctuate daily. Shoot, even not having a BM can making us go up a pound. Perhaps you should try that so you're not beating yourself up so much.

I just thought if you had a blog such as through blogger, I could follow it in my reader. But I'll follow it here instead!

Italics, are you using the LBT blog or did you set up a blog through blogger, as example. Will you share your blog address? Thanks!

No, Andrew, I don't think he's got another hole he's dipping in to. Thanks to all the other guys who gave helpful and encouraging words. I appreciate your input and will be talking with my husband.

For those of you who make your own mushies, do you ever use a food mill? I have a food processor, but was wondering if a food mill would also work. Thanks for your input.

I saw this link in a post yesterday that I think does a great job of not only giving advice on what to do after you first get the band, but also gives sample menus during each of the stages after the band. Maybe it might help you. The info starts on pg 83. http://www.permanente.net/homepage/kaiser/pdf/39806.pdf P.S. I'm not banded yet, waiting for my consult next week, but I read these boards for encouragement and advice. I wish you luck with your weight loss journey!

I'm not banded yet but went through IVF w/ trigger shot. The HCG shot, because it contains the same hormones women produce when they are pregnant, can mimic the nausea and all the other pregnancy symptoms, such as sore boobs. So it could just be from that. Good luck with your attempts TTC. If you have a blog, or even if you don't, you can get some great support from Lost and Found and Connections Abound and Stirrup Queens . They offer lists of blogs of other women and men going through their family building process. I haven't been successful yet and that is part of the reason for the band, so we can do donor eggs or embryos and not have to worry about my weight causing complications during the pregnancy.

Maybe you can call some of the surgeons in the towns surrounding Denver. I've not been banded yet so I can't give you any real advice other than widen your search a bit. Even if you had to drive to Pueblo (for example), it's only a 90-100 minute drive (depending on where in Denver you are). Good luck!

I think I'd feel uncomfortable if my doctor (MD or PA) did that, but then again, I am married and also 16 years older than you. While I can appreciate the good looks of a man, I think it would be inappropriate for the PA to hit on you while you are his patient. Just my two cents.

My consult is scheduled for November 2! Just a week and a half away. Now we've got the ball a rollin'!

Best of luck with your upcoming surgery! I look forward to reading your updates.

Congrats on a surgery date! Time will fly by now.

Yea for surgery day! Good luck with a easy surgery and speedy recovery. We'll be here for your update. Take care.

2 sm cartons fat free key lime jello 1 8 oz carton extra creamy coolwhip (don't use fat free or it won't set) 1 sm pkg sugar free lime jello 1 cup boiling water 1 low fat graham cracker crust (or make your own) mix water and jello til disolved. let cool 5 minutes. add in yogurt, then cool whip. pour into crust. chill til set. very tasty and low cal. you can use any flavors you want to change it up, such as orange creme yogurt and orange s.f. jello, strawberry yogurt and jello, etc.

Congrats on your weight loss! That's great considering you haven't even had a fill. Good luck with your continued success.

So, I've got my paperwork off in the mail for the surgeon, so he can call and schedule my initial consult. I've already been to a seminar. Today, I applied online for a loan to cover the cost of the surgery. The initial offer that came in was for about 2/3 of the total cost. They are going to check with two other lendors and see if I can 1) get a higher amount, 2) get lower interest rates or 3) lower payments. Have I put the cart before the horse? Should I have had my consult first then applied for the loan? Your input is appreciated. By the way, as I was on the phone with the loan consultant, a little gnat flew by, and as I took a breath while talking, I sucked it in and swallowed it! Ugh, I'm still gagging.

I haven't been banded yet, but the way my surgeon described it is head hunger. Sometimes it takes a while for the head hunger to go away and for us to register actual hunger. So instead of listening to our heads, we have to learn to listen to our stomachs.

I called the surgeon I'm interested in using today to see about setting up the consultation. However, I must first mail in the packet of completed information then they will call to set up the appointment, which will be in about 2-3 weeks after I get them my packet. So, now I just need to mail in the packet.

Good luck with your upcoming surgery! I'm sure the time will fly by.

This morning as I brushed my tongue, I gagged, which brought up a bit of undigested food from my stomach. This made me think about slippage of the band. Since I tend to gag, especially when brushing my teeth (well, actually my tongue), do you think that I should 1) consider gastric bypass or 2) quit brushing my tongue? What would you do?