DebLPN

DBAGuy summed it all up, as far as I'm concerned. I'm going to counseling to deal with some 'issues' that are holding me back in different areas of my life, and overeating is a result of some of those unresoved issues. It helps me to think back and remember what I sacrificed in order to pay almost $20,000 for this surgery. Is that bite of forbidden food worth $20,000? I admit,,sometimes it is, but 99% of teh time I choose not to take that bite. It's a slippery slope and I dont want to go back to doing the same ole things that got me the same ole results. Thanks everyone for your honesty. banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 1.66cc/4cc

I was banded 1/29/07, have had 2 fills, I'm at 1.6cc/4cc band and feel no restirction. I'll keep plugging along , get another fill at the end of the month, see if it finds my 'sweet spot'

I'm on my second fill (now at 1.6cc in a 4cc band) and still dont really feel any restirction. I've read that obviously, its not hit my 'sweet spot' yet. The only time I feel anything is when I tried to eat a hunk of chicken and didnt chew it well enough and I thought my chest was gonna explode! Staying busy helps me not to ruminate about food and staying off teh computer and away from teh tv helps too. Wter aerobics is fun for me, so I'll keep that up. Hopefully, my next visit to my surgeon, I'll ask for a fill and see what happens from there. banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 1.6cc/4cc

Now ya'll have me worried. I woke up 2 days ago and thought I had a crick in my neck. Wasn't too bad and I went to water aerobics but when nighttime arrived, it got worse. I took a painpill(yessss,,leftover from surgery)and went to bed. Had a toss and turn night. Woke up with a sharp stabbing pain up at teh top of my upper arm(above my smallpox vaccination, for all us older folks)Is this the type pain ya'll are talking about?? I have no insurance and cant afford to have my gall bladder removed, so I'm hoping I just slept on it wopsided,,lol.

I admit, I had 2 really reckless weeks 3 weeks ago. Anything that was bad for me,,I ate. chocolate, pizza, fried green tomatoes,,lol,,and portions that were too big. Still havent found that 'sweet spot' yet, altho I've had 2 fills. Back on track for over a week now and feeling so much better, physically and mentally. Went back on my antidepression meds that I was taking prior to surgery and that has helped. Going to Water aerobics 3 times a week. Trying to not sit in front of the tv or on the ciomputer as they all lead me to snack. Regardless of what I read here and everywhere else,,no matter what I was told, I honestly thought the band would cure my obesity and I would never have to worry about overeating again. I'm an intelligent woman, but it's funny how my mind wanted the easy way out of a life-long problem. I still have the head hunger, problems with portion size and food choices. SOme days, I wish I had done the gastric bypass instead of the banding. Those are the bad days,,and theyre few and far between. I'm also going to counseling once a month(thats all i can afford) to work on some of my issues. Went to a presupport group counseling session that the psychologist offers at no charge (if you have no insurance)and then to the support meeting. There were about 25 people there and I was the only one with teh band. One gal was there as part of her presurgical thing and she was having teh band. Got alot of encouragement from the group, altho, I wish more band people had shown up. Not nearly as many bandsters in my area. Thats why I'm glad I have this site to visit. Thanks ya'll!!!!! banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 1.6cc/4cc

Hi Lee, I go to a gym to do my Water exercises so I dont have to rearrange my schedule. I go 3 times a week,,maybe 4. My knee is shot, so water is best for me. Regarding the ticker, just go to: Graphical Tickers for your Signature, Message Boards, Blogs and Web Page choose the ticker you like , click next, choose again,,click next enter the info it asks for,,click next It will show you your current wt loss and BMI scroll down and copy the bbCode to to EDIT SIGNATURE on lapbandtalk.com paste it in the blank box,,click ok Post something and it should show your ticker at the botton of the post. I just did it for myself,,I was having a friend do it for me, cause I'm a dummy when it comes to these things! Ya'll keep posting,,its comforting to see people close to me being successful!

WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Doesn't it feel GREAT to see the scales moving DOWN for a change? LOL Keep up the good work!! banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 331/273/150 1.6cc/4cc

Rick, One thing about my self pay option was that I got a package deal. Cost me $16,500, but that included all the presurg lab and any complications for 6 months and all the fills I required for a year. One girl who had insurance told me they billed the insurance like, $24,000 and she has to pay for all her fills, plus she had about $3,000 out of pocket. Being in insurance for 25 years before becoming a nurse,,I know doctors will bill higher on the insurance than they charge a self pay,,eith way,,they get their money,,lol. Presurg-arrive at hospital at 5:30am put on gown, wheel me to the production line,,lol meet anesthesiologist, nurse, see my surgeon again,, they pushed the meds in my IV,, I remember waking up in my room and hurting I have a low threshold for pain, got lots of meds Stayed overnight, went home around noon. No gas,,just hurting, bent over. One a scale of 1-10, it was about a 4. I kept looking at my incisions and saying GEE! That wasnt so bad afterall! Was it worth the money? ABSO-FRECKIN-LUTELY!!! Would I sacriffice alot to do it again?? NO QUESTION!! Good luck and keep on posting!!! banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 331/273/150 1.6cc/4cc band

My approach to liveing the rest of my life banded was to change my eating habits. For brekkie, I have a cup of coffee w/ skim milk and take my Vitamin, Calcium, Biotin. 30 mins later, an Adkins Advantage bar. If I want a mid-mornng snack, I'll grab a Carb Master yogurt. lunch, turkey and low fat swiss or american cheese wrap. Perhaps a piece of fruit midafternoon. Supper, a slice of quiche or spaghetti(no pasta), really whatever I want, just small portioned. I CHOOSE not to eat breads, white rice, refined white flour in any form and no refined white sugar. I try my best not to consume empty calories. Lots of Crystal Lite Pink lemonade and H2O. If I go out to eat, I simply eat healthy things and ask for a container for my "encore meal". I try my best not to fight the band, altho sometimes my hard-headed rebellious nature wins, but its rare. I try to go with the flow, be mindful of what I'm eating and why and things go pretty smoothly. banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 331/273/150 1.6cc/4cc

Do you feel like the fat girl/guy walking in a room? ~I"me usually the fattest person in most rooms i enter. Hence the overcompensation by being the wittiest, funniest one, teh life of the party. *gag* Do you feel like people stare at you because you are a fattie? ~YES. Years ago, I was walking down teh street with friends and a car full of teenaged boys drove by adn one of them stuck his head out of the window and yelled " MOOOOOOOOO" I wanted to crawl in a hole and die. Do you not fit in an airplane seat either? ~I fit in it but it AIN'T comfy! I DO ask for a seatbelt extension. Do people turn their noses up at you too? ~I've gotten my share of disgusted stares from strangers.

It cost me $16,500 for my surgery in Jackson, MS. I also had to have an MRI of my chest, as they thought they saw 'something' on my CXR. Turned out to be nothing,but that cost me another $3,000(it cost $6,000, so they said, but since I had no insurance, they only charged me $3) the cost of surgery included any complications within 6 months and all fills for a year. Banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 331/273/150 1.8/4cc

I don't notice any bump where my port is located and can only feel it upon moderate palpation. I never give it a second thought. Should it ever become noticable, it's a small price to pay for the release from being morbidly obese. Banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 331/273/150

I forgot to mention,,,my nursing instructor(I graduated last year) asked me to come talk to her Nutrition class about my surgery and the diet modificatins. GAWDDDDDDDDD,,,talk about feeling awful,,I've not been a shining example of a person living a healthy lifestyle lately. Perhaps this little assignment was God's way of pushing me in the right direction. :-)

Hi Ya'll~~ I've had lots of emotionally stressful events this past month and I've been reverting back to old eating habits and self-destructive, negative thought priocesses. I had my 2nd fill a month ago,,and I cant tell any difference. I'm tight in the mornings,,that's about it. The ohter day,,I bought the Deluxe brekkie at McDonalds(egg, sausage, biscuit, hass brown, 3 pancakes)and ate almost half of it. Makes me sick to even think about the shame of doing that. Thru the grace of God, I've only gained one pound. I"ve been going to the gym almost everyday, using the machines, the pool,,steam room,,trying to at least be more active. I live alone, way out in the country,,no real friends, no job at the moment, all great excuses, eh? PFFTTTTTTTTTT Ohyeah,,and I turned 53 June 7th. Today, I woke up and said this is enough!!!!!! My pity party has run its course and it's time to get my bum in gear! I've lost 51 pounds since my banding Jan 29th, and I'm thankful for that, but I'm not going to let this situational depression ruin what I paid almost $20,000 for,,nor allow it to shove me back into the miserable existance I endured for so along. Thanks for being here,,each of you,,I appreciate you all. Ohyeah,,I'm going to a support group meeting tonight,,anything to get my head clear. banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 331/280/150 2 fills to date-total of 1.75ccs in a 4 cc band

Well,,,,,i was banded Jan 29th, 2007 and have lost 51 pounds so far. Just popped in and will be back to catch up soon. Thanks! Banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 331/280/150

Today has not been good for me. I was banded 1/29/07, have had one fill in March(he wouldnt tell me how much he put in cause he said i read too many websites and i should concern myself with what is right for ME)and so far i've lost 51 pounds. THe fill didnt make me feel any different. My desire to eat alot disapperared since surgery. If I try to swallow a gulp of anything liquid or dont chew something well,,i DO get a 'globby' feeling in my lower esophagus,,but that only occurs in the mornings. I rarely eat rice,,never Pasta, TINY amounts of any kind of breads. I exercise 2 times a week. I had a nursing job that kept me hopping. This past Tuesday,,,my beloved 13 yr old chihuahua, CHia was attacked by a neighbors dog and was in hospital for a week. SHe seemed tobe recovering, but then quickly took a turn for the worse. I held her in my arms as htey gave her the drugs and she quietly slipped away. I hd to go to work that evening,,,i rarely get to eat during my shift and have been so miserable since that i've not eatten much at all. Today,,i went out and bought crap like a bag of chokkie caramel cups, a tiny watermelon and some bbq porkskins. Needless to say,,i've had my first episode of bing eating and unfortunately no PBs. GOd knows i wish i could trhow it all up. Oh yeah,,i also bought some crabmeat-cheese won tons and general tsos chicken and refried rice. My emotions grabbed me hard and i've consum,ed alot of the avoe in the past 24 hours. I think i'm over the emotional eating binge now,,,but needed to admit it in writing. Tomorrow, i'll got to the gym,,come home adn plant some flowers and stuff i bought today and try to get some fresh air and sunshine. Please pray/light a candle/ whatever it is you do for me. I'm divorced, my daughter is 24 and along way from home, I live alone and i need the support of each of you to help me not wallow in my grief and sabatoge my sucess sofar. Pity Party? Table for one? Time to move on,,,,,,,thanks for listening. Banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 331/280/150 one fill to date

I too am 5'2" and my highest weight was right at presurgery-331. I'm almost 53 years young. All I can say is that the lapband is a great tool for me. I was physically unable to enjoy life being so overweight. Since Jan 29th, 2007, I've lost 45 pounds and feel great. Just like anything else, learn all you can about teh proceudre and the lifestyle of post banding, read the posts of those who continue to have success in their journey and make your decision along with a supportive medical team. You will find honest truth here,,keep coming back! Banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 331/286/150 one fill todate

Ditto what leatha g said!!!!! "If nothing changes,,nothing changes" The band is a tool,,not a cure all. If you keep on doing the same things you used to do,,yoiu'll keep on getting the same results you always have. Personally,,I eat very little bread or rice and no Pasta. You can gain weight forever if you fill your pouch with high caloric foods. Empty calories might make you feel full,,but they aren't good for you and provide temporary satisfaction. My physician is a hard ass when it comes to honesty and following rules. I appreciate that quality in him. He holds me accountable for my actions while encouraging me and guiding me through this change in lifestyle. THAT'S wht this is,,a change in lifestyle. Stick to the hard Proteins FIRST. Trust the diet that your physican/dietician hopefully gave you and follow it closely. I bought a Backyard Burger today,,its big,,with lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion and condiments. I pinch off as much bread as possible and have it still stick together and I slowly ate half of it. I brought the rest home and saved it for lunch tomorrow. It satisfied me for the whole night. I had to learn the difference in NEEDING to eat and WANTING to eat. Keep reading the website and learn, as I have,,from those who have gone before us! Good luck! Banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 331/286/150 one fill to date

oops,,didnt mean to post that link,,arghhhhhhhhhh,,sorry!

i drink too fast and too much and i know it. It seems i'm thirsty all the time and i rarely get the opportunity to eat or drink much of anything at work. When i finally get home,,its almost midnight and i cant get eunough to drink and i eat something small. I had my one and only so far fill last month,,,i dont notice any difference,,but i'm still losing weight. Every once in a while,,if i eat early in teh morning or take too big a bite or not chew well,,it feels like a big glob is stuck in my throat. I go back to my doctor on the 17th,,so i guess i'll find out more then. banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS : http://tickers.tickerfactory.com/ezt/t/wsxelqf/weight.png (http://www.tickerfactory.com/weight-loss/wsxelqf/)

joteddi~ I chose the lapband for several reasons: 1)the lapband simply restricts, the RNY throws the body into a state of malabsorption,,i didnt want that 2)my lapband cost me $16.500 and the RNY would have cost $24.500 and i was a private pay, and 3) i hadnt reard of anyone dying from having a lapband but HAD heard of folks dying from complications from the RNY. Each of us has to make that personal decision,,,I just felt the lapband was right for ME. Good luck with your surgeon appt!! banded 012907 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS (someone else does my tickerthingie for me and i havent sent her my new stats yet, but here is the old one,,lol)

I lost 30 pounds the first month, didnt start exercising, going off plan,,so I've only lost 5 more. I had my first fill April 12th and had lost a total of 35 pounds in all since surgery Jan 29th. AM i disappointed in my weight loss so far? NO,,only in myself for straying off my food plan and not exercising. I feel restriction after my fill and am back on track. One day at a time. Deb Banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS

Good luck Margi!!!!!!!!!! Try to get a good night's sleep,,,practice whatever kind of relaxation techniques, positve self talk,,whatever you do to get your mind in a 'good place'. This is the first step in a life long journey and you have lots of people walking along side you. Some are a step behind you,,some miles ahead,,but we are all taking one step at a time. Deb banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS

From my first pre op visit with my GP, to the MRI I had to have due to a spot on my CXR, lab, etc,,I paid about $18,600 out of my pocket, as at the time, I had no insurance. Banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS

OOPS,,i forgot to post my info: Banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS first fill--April 12th