saraincincy

Hi All, I haven't been on in a while, busy with life. I was banded on Jan 11th and just had my second fill last week. I'm down about 25lb which I feel great about (no pre-op diet, lower BMI). I have a question about Sliming v/s PBing. It seems like since my 2nd fill I am much more restricted and even after 2 bites of Oatmeal, I find myself bringing up salavia (I guess that won't go through?) Is that what is considered PBing? I know you need to try and stay away from PBing, and i'm not really throwing anything back up~ no food. It's just like nothing can get threw. I know this may be to detailed but I'm not sure if I should go back for an unfill, the last thing I want to do is cause a slipage but not sure if I'm just going through a learning curve. I know I need to learn to slow down and eat MUCH smaller bites. I feel like it is great that I finaly have restriciton but not sure if it is to much. Is this normal? Sorry to ramble but any advise would be great. You guys are the best. Congrats to all the great losses! Sara

This Week is the 8 week mark. I have already had 2 fills almost 3 weeks apart ( just because I had strep) and finally feel some restriction. Not complete restriciton but a more, ecspecially in the morning, I just took 2 bites of Oatmeal and started sliming ( I hate that word). But by tonight after work I will be hungry and able to eat almost anything, Well anything legal and way to much of it. My goal this week is to stay away from carbs, not that I have tons but do find myself reaching for the kids stuff when they have a treat or at work a cracker or chip. I have lost about 25lbs in 8 weeks and I have to say it is the "easiest" 25lb loss ever, Not that it was easy but it seems the band changes what you crave. For the first time in a VERY long time that I am not obsessed with food and junk. I now eat a lot of things I would have never imagined me wanting, Tuna, Turkey Chili, Salad with grilled Chicken. I am very glad that I choose this path, I believe it will for ever change me. I just wish the fear of slipping and erosion was not so intense. I know if this were to happen it could really affect the future of our marriage for even the surgery has taken on a major affect on our fianances. I often feel selfish for making this decision but at the same time think that because of it I have such a greater chance of leting my kids know what a healthy self esteem looks like and that is priceless.

This Week is the 8 week mark. I have already had 2 fills almost 3 weeks apart ( just because I had strep) and finally feel some restriction. Not complete restriciton but a more, ecspecially in the morning, I just took 2 bites of Oatmeal and started sliming ( I hate that word). But by tonight after work I will be hungry and able to eat almost anything, Well anything legal and way to much of it. My goal this week is to stay away from carbs, not that I have tons but do find myself reaching for the kids stuff when they have a treat or at work a cracker or chip. I have lost about 25lbs in 8 weeks and I have to say it is the "easiest" 25lb loss ever, Not that it was easy but it seems the band changes what you crave. For the first time in a VERY long time that I am not obsessed with food and junk. I now eat a lot of things I would have never imagined me wanting, Tuna, Turkey Chili, Salad with grilled Chicken. I am very glad that I choose this path, I believe it will for ever change me. I just wish the fear of slipping and erosion was not so intense. I know if this were to happen it could really affect the future of our marriage for even the surgery has taken on a major affect on our fianances. I often feel selfish for making this decision but at the same time think that because of it I have such a greater chance of leting my kids know what a healthy self esteem looks like and that is priceless.

150$ out of pocket w/ Dr Curry in Cinciny first visit is 300$

I was just banded in Jan 07, so I would by far say I'm an expert on this. Before surgery I was VERY worried about not being able to eat good food and enjoy food ( my husband is a professional chef and we are both very much foodies). I find the biggest difference is I no longer want cheese burgers and fast food like I did, do I still have a bit of "bad" things like pop corn at the movies or a couple M&M's with the kids yes but I find it is still working for me, overall my choices have been MUCH better and I am just now getting to the point of feeling some real restriction. I have lost 25lbs in 8weeks and I am happy with that. Yes many people have lost more and been stricter with there choices but I think you need to find what works for you. If I was only eating 600 calories a day I would not have the energy to be active like I am and there for build muscle back up which then leads to more calorie burning. Any way I don't mean to be long winded but I think that it is possible to lose and live a normal life, I eat salmon, Salad's from McDonalds (grilled chk) Wendy's Chili, lot's of Tuna and wheat thins for lunch, lots of fresh foods not processed. I have lost 10% of my body wieght with not a preop diet and very lienent post op diet, I have yet to feel hungry and believe that I made a great choice. I just wanted to add to the mix that there can be a "real" life after the band again I am not saying I am a pro and that I know how everyone is but this is my story.

Nope they wouldn't even send it through ;( Oh well. Maybe I will be a lucky one and won't need many fills. Crossing my fingers.

Hello all, I remember seeing on here that a couple of people that paid out of pocket or even Mexico Bands got fills covered by insurance? Does any one have any info on this, like what insurance companies covered it, and how did they send it through? I am getting my first fill this week and would love to know if it is a possiblity to send it to insurance as a specalist procedure? I have United Health Care which is supposed to be pretty good about covering band ( and would of coverd mine if my company didn't have a discloser on weight loss surgery). I was banded in Mexico, and plan on using Dr C in Cincy for the fills. Thanks in advance, Sara

Welcome C.M. You may want to jump over to the "January Bandsters" (If you haven't done so already) lots of people in the same spot and a great support system. I was banded about 4 days before you but luckly found this board before hand and it has been a great help. Congrats on the incredible loss, even though I'm sure it's been a tought road. Sara

I am in the same boat, I'm trying to make what I do eat a protein which seems to help with the hunger but really the only proteins I can handel is Tuna and Eggs. I have never liked Tuna and all of a sudden I'm eating it twice a day. I hate to admitt it but I have also been eating way to many illegal things~ Wheat thin crackers with my Tuna, baked lays with my Tuna, handful of kids pop corn. All things that I shouldn't be able to eat but manage just fine :phanvan At least soft bread's (a bite of a soft pretzel, bite of pizza) definatley are a no go, one bite and It feels like a lump which makes me stop. What are you eating, have you been able to eat ANYTHING or just to much for your liking of legal things. When are you going to go for a fill? I am thinking about trying to aim for 5 weeks instead of 6 but we'll see. At least I am still losing. Keep in touch it's good to see someone in the same exact spot. Sara

Hey Carole, I had my band done the same day as you and have lost the same amount so far. I guess we are true band twins Hope all is going well. Sara

Today almost to the minute 2 weeks ago I had surgery. I must say that the recovery has been pretty easy, at least once I have gotten home ( and not running through customs and ATL 2 days after surgery!) but there really hasn't been anything I couldn't or can't do, I probably shouldn't have been holding my big baby 4 days after surgery, but what am I to do leave her in her crib? Eating is getting a little trickier, ecspecially when I am out. I need to figure out how to work around that, I LOVE eating out, it is one of my biggest pleasures in life. I also love being on the go with the kids or even for a little alone time. How do you spend the evening in a book store and movie theater when you can't eat anything they have besides a bottle of water and maybe a latte? I really also find it hard because many of the things they say are on the O.K list I refuse to eat ie... Cottege Cheese, Tuna. I'll have to try and make a plan to have on hand things I do like for on the run. But even then I know how I am I get bored easily with soup in hand and protein shakes. I know this is just the begining and at this point I am probably just grieving the foods that I will probably never be able to have again. I'm thinking that I may try a little Salmon this weekend for Superbowl Sunday. Erik makes the best grilled salmon, my diet for week 3-4 is soft foods still but even now allows for a little more give. At least that is a big change from last year with feasting on chips dip and hot wings. I have yet to get on the exercise band wagon, just getting back into the normal routine has been hard enough with very little family time due to my new work schedule. My goal is to walk tonight at work on breaks and be prepared with dinner at my desk and Mp3 player and walking shoes. No more excuses.

Today almost to the minute 2 weeks ago I had surgery. I must say that the recovery has been pretty easy, at least once I have gotten home ( and not running through customs and ATL 2 days after surgery!) but there really hasn't been anything I couldn't or can't do, I probably shouldn't have been holding my big baby 4 days after surgery, but what am I to do leave her in her crib? Eating is getting a little trickier, ecspecially when I am out. I need to figure out how to work around that, I LOVE eating out, it is one of my biggest pleasures in life. I also love being on the go with the kids or even for a little alone time. How do you spend the evening in a book store and movie theater when you can't eat anything they have besides a bottle of water and maybe a latte? I really also find it hard because many of the things they say are on the O.K list I refuse to eat ie... Cottege Cheese, Tuna. I'll have to try and make a plan to have on hand things I do like for on the run. But even then I know how I am I get bored easily with soup in hand and protein shakes. I know this is just the begining and at this point I am probably just grieving the foods that I will probably never be able to have again. I'm thinking that I may try a little Salmon this weekend for Superbowl Sunday. Erik makes the best grilled salmon, my diet for week 3-4 is soft foods still but even now allows for a little more give. At least that is a big change from last year with feasting on chips dip and hot wings. I have yet to get on the exercise band wagon, just getting back into the normal routine has been hard enough with very little family time due to my new work schedule. My goal is to walk tonight at work on breaks and be prepared with dinner at my desk and Mp3 player and walking shoes. No more excuses.