TamifromAL

I had a tough week, and actually gained two pounds mid-week, but by the weekend I had dropped two, and then two more by this morning! Yeah! So, that's -2 for the week. I like doing a challenge like this, because I really do think about the Monday weigh-in, which helps me be good over the weekend! Has anyone heard of the new program by Oprah's Dr. Oz (and Dr. Rozein?) called "You, on a diet"? I'm picking up a copy of the book today. I'm not sure whether it's completely compatible with band-eating, but I like their very healthy approach to eating, so I figure I'll gain a little nutritional knowledge, even if I can't follow the program 100%. Tami

You're welcome! I figured you might want to know that you might have a challenge in getting approval by insurance. But, if you're willing to pay for surgery yourself (I did!), then you have more options. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with someone going for a band at a lower weight. I think this is an amazing tool, and if it helps you gain control over your life and health *before* gaining 100 lbs., you're that far ahead! And one big bonus is that you'll have less sagging skin at goal! By the way, regarding your question about what other people think...why tell them? A lot of people choose to have the surgery without letting others know. If they comment on how little you're eating, just tell 'em that you're working on portion control, and let them be amazed at your self control! Good luck, Tami

My surgeon didn't require a pre-surgery diet (other than liquids the day before surgery). For Breakfast, I usually have either: **a poached egg with 1/2 sl. 2% American cheese and a sl. of Pepperidge Farm thin bread. **oatmeal **Kashi Cereal with 1% milk lunch and dinner vary, depending on what's in the fridge, or what I'm fixing for my family. I try to cook a batch of something once a week that I can grab for a quick meal...like turkey chili, or veggie beef Soup (lots of beef & veggies, & little broth). Edit: Oh, and for Snacks I usually have V-8, turkey Jerky, raw almonds, or sugar-free, fat-free yogurt or pudding. Sometimes I have those 100 cal. packs, but if I eat carbs then I'm hungry much quicker. I'm trying to avoid pre-packaged foods and fast foods, so I'm actually doing more cooking since I got the band, even though I'm eating less food! But, I find I can have something a lot more healthy and tasty if I fix it myself. Tami

Michelle, Based on your height and weight, your Body Mass Indes (BMI) is about 34.2. Most US doctors/insurers require that you have a BMI of 40, or 35 with co-morbidities (like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, etc.). I think some Mexican doctors are more flexible, but your insurance wouldn't cover the surgery out of the country. Tami

Hi Chrissy, I've been very fortunate with steady weight loss in the 8 weeks since my surgery. Here are some of the things that I think have helped: No sugar. Limited fats (the good ones, like olive oil and canola oil). Bandster portions (a cup or so of food per meal). 3 meals per day, and up to two Snacks, each under 100 calories. At least 8 glasses of Water per day. A Multivitamin (children's chewable) each day. Fibersure 3x/day. Chew, chew, chew, & eat slowly (even before you have full restriction) That's about it. Good luck with your weight loss journey! Tami

Hey, I might take you up on that. I've been thinking about doing some kind of needlework in the evenings while watching TV, just to keep me from snacking. I don't have much faith, though, in my ability to produce anything wearable! I guess I could at least make the little afghan squares. Thanks for the idea! Tami

Hi Lisa! Welcome to LBT. I know you're excited about next week (and a little nervous!) The liquid diet is tough, but after the first week, you get a lot more filling options. I admire you for having the guts to do this right before the holidays! I don't know about you, but I tend to gain 3-5 lbs. from T-giving to Christmas, and this year we'll be losing instead. Best wishes! Tami

I had my first fill of 1 cc in a 4 cc band 2-1/2 weeks ago. This week I've noticed that I'm much hungrier between meals, and can eat more (if I let myself). My doc's office scheduled the 2nd fill 6 weeks after the first, and my appointment is the week after Thanksgiving. They did say, though, that I could move the appointment up if I felt I really needed it. So, I'm wondering whether I should see if they can get me in before Thanksgiving, to help prevent me from overdoing it that week. On the other hand, I have lost weight (questionable this week!), and I'm afraid she'll say, "You're still losing, you don't need a fill." So, is hunger a good enough reason to move my fill appointment up? Or should I wait for the scheduled appointment or until the scales stop moving for a week or two? Tami

I missed you soooo much! Tami

Congratulations! You and your baby will be so much better off because of you losing the weight first. Trust me, it's no fun being obese and pregnant in the south! Best wishes, Tami

I noticed that some messages are gone, too. I'm guessing they had to reset it back to a certain point or something. (Can you tell I'm not the most computer-savvy person? )

You really need to go over your medications with your surgeon. I know aspirin is not recommended, at least not on a regular basis. As for the Water, I didn't have any trouble drinking water, and still don't after one fill. Good luck with your surgery! Tami

Hmmm....how about a dip in the hot tub? Tami

I agree with Jodie. Instead of getting confrontational with your daughter, make the time she is at home pleasant. Make it a place she wants to be. Invite the boyfriend over. Understand that this is someone special to her, and for that reason alone, he is worth getting to know. Then, maybe you can enlist *his* help. He's probably already feeling the sting of not having an education. If she agrees to at least finish high school and go to a local college, she'll be so much better off than where she's headed now. But, she needs you to not only set some reasonable limits, but to also be her cheerleader during this difficult time of transition. Good luck, Tami

I've heard of Dr. Stahl, too, and I know he has a good reputation. Plus, Shelby Medical will be a little closer to you. Good luck on your lapband journey. Tami

Howdy, neighbor! Welcome to LBT. Have you selected your surgeon yet? Dr. Miles at Medical Center East did my surgery, and I really like both Dr. Miles and Dr. Schmitt, his partner. Tami

I was going to Walmart this afternoon, so I took a look at the Protein Drink you mentioned. Be careful...that bottle is very deceptive. It's 19g of protein in the whole bottle. According to their website nutritional data, an 8 oz. serving has 160 calories and 10g protein. Tami

That's my philosophy, too! So, I'm going to have one piece of Halloween candy (if I really want it), but no more than that! Any leftovers get donated to our local firestation on Wednesday morning. Tami

I'm down another 4 lbs. this week, for a challenge total of 12 lbs. Sue, I wish I could bottle whatever it is that's boosting me along, and share it. I've been where you are many times, during many diets. I don't know what it is that puts you in the right mind-set. At least now when motivation leaves, we do have the band in place to help us along until we can get it back! Besides journalling, which you are already doing, here are some things that help me: **Water. Lot's & lots. **Be prepared. Keep on hand plenty of easy to grab, but healthy snacks. Some of my favorites are raw almonds, turkey jerky, and SF pudding and yogurt. **Eat good food. Take the time to prepare tasty, low-fat foods. Then, freeze away left-overs in bandster portions. I love turkey chili and veggie beef soup (so thick it's really more of a stew). Hope this week is better for you, Sue. Tami

Howdy, neighbor! Welcome to LBT! Tami

Here's my day: B: Poached egg, 1/2 sl. 2% Am. cheese, 1 sl. Pepp Farm Thin bread Coffee w/ Sweet N Low & lite Creamora L: Schlotsky's small original sandwich, top half of bread removed S: About 15 raw almonds D: Cobb salad S: SF FF Yogurt I was really hungry this afternoon, but just kept drinking my water to tide me over until dinner. The Monday weigh-in tomorrow is helping keep me on track! Tami

Yeah, but that's part of the Maryland forum. Tami

I like the idea of posting what we're eating! Here's what I ate today: Breakfast: Coffee w/Sweet N Low & Coffee Mate Lite Poached egg w/1/2 sl. 2% American cheese and 1 sl. Pepp Farm Thin bread Lunch: Cobb salad: 1 c. green leaf lettuce, chopped, with 1/2 c. toppings, which included turkey, hard boiled egg, lite cheddar, lite blue cheese, bacon, almond slivers, avocado, with about a tablespoon Caesar vinaigrette Mid-Afternoon: Small FF, NF Dippin' Dots ice cream; later a cup of coffee w/Sweet N Low and non-dairy creamer. Dinner: 1 c. Ravioli w/gourmet turkey sausage simmered with seasoned diced tomatoes and portebello mushrooms. Snack: SF Tapioca pudding I love this program. I'm eating YUMMY foods (in small quantities), and losing weight! I haven't started exercising yet because I have plantar fasciitis, which limits most exercises. I keep hoping that losing the weight will help my foot heal so that I can get moving! Tami

Vertical gastrectomy is mentioned as a safer option for people considering weight-loss surgery. San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 21, 2006 -- In a recent study, a group of physicians from Switzerland led by Dr. M. Suter, MD, PD, FACS, examined the long-term complications related to LapBand® weight-loss surgery. The study demonstrated that LapBand® long-term complications increase over time. The study followed 317 patients who received LapBand® surgery between June 1997 and June 2003. The physicians gathered data from 81.5% of these patients after seven years. Patients were followed for an average of 74 months. The patients received a LapBand® or a SAGB (Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band), according to the surgeon’s preference. (Studies have demonstrated no significant statistical difference between the complication rates of these two devices.) Overall, 33.1% of patients had at least one long-term complication related to gastric banding. Long-term complications related to LapBand® included leaking, progressive food intolerance, and band erosion. Many of these complications can be avoided and have been reduced with more careful patient selection and improvement in surgical technique. Despite the seemingly unfavorable results of Suter’s study, the average amount of weight loss after the surgery remained very acceptable. When asked to comment on the long-term effects of LapBand® in terms of this study, bariatric surgeon Gregg Jossart, of Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco, said, “Even at 10 years, there are a lot of LapBand® patients with good weight-loss results and no complications. In the end, it’s up to the patient to decide on the course of action they feel is best for their overall health. Our own surgical data demonstrates that the vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a good alternative to the LapBand® in decreasing the likelihood of long-term complications.” Although other studies have followed the results of gastric banding, most reported data within a two to four year period. The Suter study concluded that, until more is learned about decreasing long-term risk, alternatives like vertical gastrectomy should be considered. About Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco (LapSF) is a team of surgeons with a compassionate approach to patient care and a proven commitment to laparoscopic advancement for bariatric surgical procedures. Specializing in the four main bariatric procedures: Roux en Y Gastric Bypass, Vertical Gastrectomy, LapBand® and Duodenal Switch, LapSF has performed over 1,500 procedures, and is recognized by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) as a Center of Excellence. ### <!-- <rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf=http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:trackback="http://madskills.com/public/xml/rss/module/trackback/"> <rdf:Description rdf:about="http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/10/prweb453368.htm" dc:identifier="http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/10/prweb453368.htm" trackback:ping="http://www.prweb.com/postback/pingpr.php/VGhpci1Qcm9mLVpldGEtQ3Jhcy1JbnNlLVplcm8=" /> </rdf:RDF> -->