Leecelove70

Pinky: Thanks for reminding me about journaling,I had been told to do that by my Nurse Np Dory when I went for my first consul in April of 2006. I still have my journal but I stopped writting in it a while ago. I do get a 3 month Journal with my Weight Watchers At Home kit I will be getting by UPS today. I says you can track food, water, exercise and activity in it so I guess I can use that for a while and keep it in my bag. I also get an electric points finder with the Deluxe kit so that will be of a help. Wether I do the Points or Core food Plan. My husband and I are looking foward to doing this together- as he put it " You were doing it alone for all these months and now its my turn to work with you towards a healthy life"! I also found that back when I journaled my food and feelings I lost more weight. In the beginning when I journaled I was not even filled yet and I had lost 40 pounds-- so there is something to being accountable for your eating! Thanks Pinky and Morning for the encouragement and ideas! Love and Hugs, Lisa

Pinky: Thanks for reminding me about journaling,I had been told to do that by my Nurse Np Dory when I went for my first consul in April of 2006. I still have my journal but I stopped writting in it a while ago. I do get a 3 month Journal with my Weight Watchers At Home kit I will be getting by UPS today. I says you can track food, water, exercise and activity in it so I guess I can use that for a while and keep it in my bag. I also get an electric points finder with the Deluxe kit so that will be of a help. Wether I do the Points or Core food Plan. My husband and I are looking foward to doing this together- as he put it " You were doing it alone for all these months and now its my turn to work with you towards a healthy life"! I also found that back when I journaled my food and feelings I lost more weight. In the beginning when I journaled I was not even filled yet and I had lost 40 pounds-- so there is something to being accountable for your eating! Thanks Pinky and Morning for the encouragement and ideas! Love and Hugs, Lisa

Thanks for the encouragment! For me its the dam sweets lately and its starting to effect my Bipolar moods- My hubby says thats Iam so dam edgey and I pick on everything lately! Sugar is not my friend and has never been! I did do well yesterday with making healthy eating choices and that made me feel good about getting back on track. When I wanted a treat I ate fruit and I made airpopped popcorn for me and my son-- squirted " I can't believe it not butter" spray on it and we both enjoyed the popcorn together:) ! I should be getting my Weight Watchers at Home kit today in the mail and my Hubby and I are looking foward to following a healthy eating plan together. This will be alot easier than cooking for two people which I was doing since I could not always eat what I prepared for him. I like to cook and experiment ( It's the Italian cooking that my mom taught me -lol). I agree with morning, little changes mean alot and only weighting once a week, I have not choosen a day for my weight in yet. I have made some changes: started drinking alot more Water with Crystal Light in it ( I peeped so much yesterday-lol) and also adding more fruit. I love fruit but was not eating them that much. I have always eaten my veggies, I love veggies, so to me that was not a problem. Will post more later. Love and hugs and Good morning to all, Lisa

Lisa: From one Lisa to another Wow! I also had a premature baby. I had my son at 32 weeks and I had a palcenta abr- uption. He was due Nov.22, 2002 and was born on Sept.19, 2002 weighing 2 pounds 11 ounces and 15 inches long. He was in the NICU from his birth until Nov.11, 2002 Then he was transfered to a rehab hosptial for a week,and we took him home finally on Dec 5,2002. He was on CPAP, and vents and O2 while in the NICU and needed 3 blood transfusions. Andrew James Hall came home from the hospital on O2 and a sleep apena machine but was taken off of everything by the time he was 6 months old! Now 4 1/2 years later he is perfectly healthy and goes to pre-k. He only has a mild speech delay and gets services for that in school. I was banded on June 13th,2006 and I have lost 57 pounds. I wish you the very best of luck with get back on track with your weight. May God Bless you and your beautiful baby girl! Please keep us all posted on her progress. Love and Hugs, Lisa Ann Hall

Count me in Pinky! I have to get back to eating my fruit more! Also do not forget the veggies. Steamed veggies are great also. I steam mine and then sautee them in a little garlic and some olive oil ( Iam 100% Italian -married to a half Spanish from Spain and half Hugarian!) Other suggestions: To replace salt craving For Salt cravings try Glenny's soy crisp - they come in alot of flavors and are really good! Go to the site www.glennys.com. Sugar-free puddings for sugar cravings- you get the chocolate taste with-out the sugar! I like the Water idea and Crystal Lite has some new flavors for those who hate just plain water. We can do this ladies!:clap2: Love and hugs, Lisa

Right now Iam being honest about my cheat, at my Feb. 8th weigh in I was 233, and when I weighted my self yesterday and the scale said 240 which is a 7 pound gain with or without PMS! I should be getting the Weight Watchers at home Deluxe kit tomorrow but since my Mom is on the new plan, I made copies of her book to start today. Iam starting off slowly on the Core Plan since it has wholesome foods from each food group and no sugar. I an not beating myself up anymore for my slips and I will keep on moving foward towards my goal . Thanks for the encouragement and reply to my post. Love and hugs, Lisa P.S. Is there a spell check when you post a message? Iam curious, since my typing is so bad, I sometimes take forever to write a post since I have to re-read it to make sure I spelled everything right!-lol

I so relate to what you posted above,my weight has taken over every aspect of my life for so long. I have finally made a decison today after talking to my mom, to join Weight Watchers so that I can make better food choices and learn in a group setting how to handle emotional eating. My husband wants to do this with me so I ordered the Deluxe at Home kit from the site and I put a rush on it! Also I found my card that the Nurse Practioner writes your weight( the one in the LapBand kit) on and I have to admit to all, I have not been honest about posting my weight on here. I guess I was so caught up on trying to lose more than everyone else that I always added a pound or two to the actual number. WELL NO MORE LYING! IAM SORRY --I FEEL LIKE SUCH A CHEAT:think ! So below are the actual numbers from the card --NO LIES! Consul weight 290 Day of surgery 6/13/06 283 6/29/06 271 7/26/06 261 8/23/06 252.5 9/27/06 250 10/25/06 249 ( 1st and only fill of 1cc) 11/22/06 239 12/21/06 236.5 1/25/07 238(had period day of weigh in) 2/8/07 233( had complete unfill) So I actually lost 57 pounds before my food fest and I have curently gained 7 to bring me to 240. That is the currect number. If PMS water weight weights anything then that number might be off by a little, but, not much! Still I have come a long way from that 290 and Iam proud of my accomplishment. I have to stop beating myself up and get back on that horse and get back on the losing path! AGAIN IAM SORRY THAT I LIED ABOUT MY WEIGHT! I HAVE BEEN ASHAMED OF IT FOR LONG AND I GUESS IT GOT THE BEST OF ME !:angry Love and Hugs, Lisa

Regina: Thanks for the reply,but, why so may explanination points are you yelling at me?--lol You brought up so up good points and thanks for the suggestions. I think Iam going to hang in here a little longer but maybe just as a reader and not post as much until I get back on track. I will keep you all updated about what happens when I get my fill on March 15th and I will continue to read the post. Notice that I update my ticker to reflect the weight I gained - I weighted this morning ( still have" the monthly friend" so some of that is probably water weight) but the ticker is accurate right now! As for my problem with my best friend, if anyone has any advice on that, Iam still waiting for suggestions. Thanks agains again for hearing me out. Love and hugs and well wishes to all, Lisa

I updated my ticket to show more weight gaind since unfill !:think

Melissa: Sorry to hear about things with your dad,my prayers are with you both each day. Hang in there with setting up the at home office , it will all work out, remember take it one step at a time and do not stress out(I should take my own advice!-lol) As for me: Well I asked for advice on Sunday on here and have yet to get any replies. Iam ready to just give up!:think I have my 9 month follow up appointment/fill on March 15th and I can not push the appointment up, since my Nurse Practioner (assistant to surgeon) who does the fills, is on vacation this week. She will not be in this office the week of March 5th. So I have to wait for my fill! My eating has been out of control and I have been eating sweets. I feel so horrible afterwards and now both my husband and mother are giving me hell --" I though you were never going to go back to eating like that after you had the surgery"?-- "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" exactly.......WHAT AM I DOING??? I posted on Sunday for support and advice and waited all day for a answer, a private message, and nothing! I really need some support here from my Junbie friends, we are all in this together, I know that alot of us are having problems lately getting back on track, lets support each other. Lisa:think :phanvan :cry :help: P.S. Iam actually thinking of leaving the room until I get my act together and head back on straight! Also mouth shut!-lol

Hi all! Iam still nursing this dam cold/upper respiratory infection! Iam on Zithromax for the rest of the week. Iam not doing well with the getting back on track thing...Before the kit came I was having a few Cookies here,half a chocolate bar, a scoop of ice cream. I kept saying I will get back on track. Then the bariartic one week starter kit came on Tuesday and I did it all day Wednesday and part of Thursday until I started to get really sick from it (terrible case of runs and gas). Since I stopped it I have been back to the Sugar again and it had not helped that " the monthly friend " makes me crave sweets even more! I did join for a free trail week on Weight Watchers online and I posted a thread on there asking if anyone joined after having Weight Loss Surgery. I posted this on the getting to know you board. I explained that I had the surgery and that I have to avoid sugar, so I want to do the Core Plan. I also posted that I had my surgery due to extreme health problems and morbid obesity! Well the responses I got were interesting: Why are joining WW if you had Lapband surgery?, How come you have to avoid sugar?, You really should post only in the 100 + pound board since they can relate to you ! I only had one person tell me that here husband had Gastric Bypass three years ago and that she undertood me, but that she choose WW since she saw what he went through and did not want that for herself. So, now Iam so confused, I was seriously thinking of getting the kit and doing the program at home with my husband and joining the online support to track my food and points . My mom is on the program and doing so well with a 40 pound weight loss and she has 20 more to go. Why is it that I was judged since I had weight loss surgery? I did not take an easy way out! Also my best friend who has lost and gained the same 200 pounds-- (yes-- 200 pound) twice since 1997 seems very jealous of me lately. She has always weighted about 300+ pounds since we met in 1992 (she is now 43) in OA. She then lost 200 pounds for her 1997 wedding. She then gained it all back. Then she had her daugther in 2002 and again lost 200 pounds. She then gained it all back and more and currently was 360 pounds. She seemed supportive of me and my surgery at first. She had just started a new job when I had the surgery so she was unable to see me for while after my surgery. She saw me for the first time at my son's 4th birthday party in September and I was 40 pounds down. I have not seen here since then in person, even though we talk every day on the phone. I still have her daughters Christmas gift in my house. I keep inviting her over my house and she keeps saying we will get together at my house or yours and we never do. She keeps saying she is busy and has other commitments on the weekends. I can always make time for her even if my weekend are busy since our kids are three months apart and they love to play with each other. She complimented me on our Christmas family photo on how great I looked and seems happy when I tell her my weight loss ( she even askes me after I got to my follow ups). The thing I think is weird is that she is now feeling what I felt when she lost all her weight . When she lost all here weight and I was still big she brushed me off. Unlike her, Iam not doing that Iam have been the upmost supportive to her. Right now she finally confessed to me that since December 26th she has been on Medifast and has lost 35 pounds. She actually came out and said," This is as close as I will come to surgery!" Since Iam trying to be the supportive friend here, I said nothing. Then I said to myself,this just shows that she is jealous of my weight loss surgeryand weight loss out come so far. How do I handle this with her now that the tables are turned? I have spoken to my mom about this, but I wanted other perspective on this. Thanks for letting me vant.

Ron: Does that include Empire PPO? I had my surgery on June 13th, 2006 and was approved on June 1, 2006. I was just wondering for in the future in case I have any problems? I am guessing it depends on what form of Empire that you have. Iam under my husbands insurance, he works in an hospital. Thanks for the heads up. Lisa Baned 6/13/06 Dr.Daniel Davis Lawrence Hospital Bronxville, NY( Westchester County)

CONGRATULATIONS! I know that feeling when you get the call, I got my call on June 1, 2006 and had my surgery on June 13,2006. Iam now 57 pounds out as of my 8 month follow up on Fe. 8th! Good Luck. By the way I have Empire BC/BS PPO of NY! Love, Hugs and Support, Lisa Dr.Daniel Davis Lawrence Hospital Bronxville, NY ( Westchester County)

Iam so sorry to hear of all the problems so many of you are having with Blue Cross /Blue Shield of New York. My BMI before surgery was like 45 I think ( I really do not remember its was so long ago). I was 290 pounds back then when the approval process was done in May of 2006. I recieved my approval on June 1,2006 and had my surgery on June 13, 2006. I have lost 57 pounds as of Feb.8th, my 8 month follow up. I do know that I got the answers I needed when I became very assertive and spoke to a Medical Management representative. This is not the same person for regular Empire claims but a seperate department. Medical Management deals with all surgical claims and pre-certifications. They also can tell you their guidelines and where to find them on the site. I just feel so bad for those of you who are having so much trouble with them, my experience was good. As for the person with the very high BMI, I do not know who you spoke with, but I would have asked to speak to a supervisor, no one should speak to you like that! To all of you I wish you good luck in your journeys--- you have my love and support! Lisa Banded 6/13/06 Dr.Daniel Davis Lawrence Hospital Bronxville,NY( Westchester County)

Hi there! I have BC/BS PPO of New York and was appproved with no problems on June 1st, 2006. I had my LapBand surgery on June 13, 2006 and Iam now 8 1/2 months out and Iam down 57 pounds! My doctor and his staff have said that Empire is the best and I agree! I have had no problems with them. Their medical management department has been very easy to work with when it comes to my claims and any bills. Good Luck to you! Lisa

Thanks Melissa, I feel so horrible and then add the " monthly friend" into this and its like :sleep :Cry: :dizzy: :dizzy: :yuck:! Then the bariatic kit I have been on since Wednesday is giving me the runs and terrible gas so I had to stop it! I just went back to my Designer Protein shakes and eating fruit and veggies and high Fiber Soups like Minestrone with out Pasta in it and Lentil Soup. I am going back to eating chicken, fish and turkey--REAL FOOD! I am also looking into rejoing Weight Watcher since my mom is doing so well on the new program and I have been talking to Pinkylee and she said she seems to like it also and she did well this week. There Core plan is base on wholesome food and no sugar and it has only healthy carbs and whole grains. Getting weighted each week will make me more accountable for my food choices and will keep me more on track. I figure a 2-3 pound weight loss a week for the 15 weeks leading up to my June 13th one year anniversay will get me to my goal of a 100 pound weight loss in one year!. I add more exercise to that and it cam be even more! My brother is getting married on September 15th in San Francisco, I wanna be able to wear a elegant but sexy dress with out having to wear a uncomfortable piece underneath -- ladies you know what I mean!--lol Well have a geat weekend all -- I will be nursing this dam cold!:sick Lisa

Poddles sounds like you gave me your cold:sick I have been so sick all week and I tink I got another one of my sinus infections, I have all the signs and Iam not looking foward to the Zithromax route yet again. Iam allergic to all Penicillin so this is all I can take safey with my Bipolar, cholestrol and blood pressure medication ( will be off blood pressure meds very soon !). I hope you feel better soon, its so great to hear from you again in the room!:biggrin1: Lisa

Thats so stange I have Empire Bc/Bs PPO of New York and my first three months were covered for everything even my first fill! My Nurse NP(surgical assistant who does the fills)did not feel I needed a fill with in the three month time frame since I had lost 40 pounds. I had my and one any only fill on Ocotber 25,2006 of 1cc which I did not pay for, just paid for the office visit. My monthly follow ups are with my Nurse Np and dietican and they are not covered by insurance, they each charge $80.00 each which is out of pocket. I am able to get remburished for my out of network fees up to a certain amount. I have to sumbit recipiets each month. I have lost 57 pounds since my surgery on June 13th and Iam 8 1/2 months out! Most fills after the first three months are usually not covered by insurance,I would call your insurance ask for Medical Management department and ask alot of questions on how Lapband bariatric surgery is handled. I had to do this with Empire when getting my approval for surgery they were both informative and very nice. Good Luck -- Hang in there the journey is so worth it! Lisa

I have not been doing well since I had to be unfilled due to extreme stress(My hubby had a health scare with his heart and I almost had a slippage with my band). Since I was unfilled on Feb.8th I have not weighted myself at home. Yesterday I started a one week Bariatric starter kit ( Since yesterday was Ash Wednesday for us who are Catholic and it was my way of doing my fasting!)it consist fo the 5+1+1 plan. Its the 5 protein shakes a day + 1 protein bar a day and then 1 protein meal day of 4-6 oz of protein with 1 cup of starch and 2 cups of green vegetables. I got on my home scale was shocked to see that I gained 5 pounds since my unfill!:omg: I have been so out of control with my eating and I actually took Fat Tuesday literally!-lol I had went from my highest of 290 down to 228 which was 62 pounds. Iam still doing well at 233 from the 290 with a 57 pound loss, but what a blow-- 5 pounds!:think This so bothers me since after surgery up until October I was not filled and I had lost 40 pounds with just my band on my own. I hope that now that I have stepped up my exercise more and I have started this one week plan that i can get back on track. I worked so hard and I never want to go back to that miserable 290 pound woman ever again! Love and Hugs to all, Lisa

Hi all! I recieved the one week Bariatric Starter package I was waiting for on Tuesay night from UPS. I started it yesterday morning (It was Ash Wednesay for us Catholics so, I felt it was a good time to do a cleanse and start a new!) The program is base on the 5 +1+1 Plan of eating which is 5 protein shakes a day + 1 protein bar a day + a protein mel which muste consist of 4-6 oz. of lean protein, 1 cup fo starch, 2 cups a green vegetable. They also want you have your Mutltivitamin and the 8 glasses of water a day. The shake/pudding mix you are to mix with 6 to 8 oz of water or skim milk and were not bad as long as you throughly mixed it or you were left with a gloppy lump in the cup. The bar was horrible but they let you subsitute it with a package of soup mix which was cream of chicken or tomato soup which is mixed with water, it was not bad. The only draw back to all of this was the terrible gas,so I just took a pepcide. I figure I went through this same thing when I did the one week with Optifast to prepare for surgery, and I made it through. I can do this for one week to get myself back on track! Speaking of getting back on track.... After my unfill I also found out from my home scale that I also gained back 5 pounds!:cry So my ticker now reflects that. I also took Fat Tuesday literally and ate everything in site feel free to add in your favorite cheat food in the blanks---------------lol I looked back at my card that the Nurse Np gave me with my LapBand package, you know that little card that they can register your weight on and the card that you put in your wallet saying you had Lapband surgery which the surgeon signed. It shows that I lost 40 pounds after surgery without a single fill until October, which was my one and only fill. Now that Iam totally unfilled once again, why can't I control my self? Right now Iam doing alot more exercise and Iam hoping this kick start is going to help get me back on track, because I worked so hard and I never want to go back to that miserable 290 pound woman again!

Dancing Queen: My mom's friend whois banded and refered me to my surgeon( she was banded August of 2002) had problems both before and after with gallstones. She has said that the problems got even worse after her LapBand surgery, and now that she is almost at maintenance.( She is 57 years old). I really pray that all works out for you, please keep us posted! Lisa

Dancing Queen: Please keep us posted! I hope everything works out for you :omg:!