FrancoPitt

Hello from Pittsburgh. I was going to have the surgery last year on July 29th and I decided a few days into my liquid diet not to go through with it. I kept the weight off for a few months then I started putting it back on. I have probably lost a couple hundred pounds over the past 48 years of my life and I am ready to put an end to the cycle. I have my appointment to see my surgeon on July 8th, 2011 and I am hoping that I don't have to go through the entire 6 months program like i did last time. I have HighMark PPO Blue and they said that I should still be covered since it has not yet been a year since I went through the program. I love food, but food is what has had been on the roller coaster for years. I know that this is what I need to change my life and I look at this as a positive change. Lots of people tell me I should not have the surgery that I can do it on my own, but as I said before I have lost hundreds of pounds over the last 48 years. I won't say that I don't have my fears because I do, but I know that if I am ever going to end the cycle it has to begin with me. I look forward to hearing from all my follow banders for guidance, friendship and advice. Until then......Frank

I use Slim Fast Low Carb I actually don't start my liquid diet for 4 weeks, but I have been introducing them into my diet twice a week and I find them to be very filling. The one thing that I have found from these drinks is that they have a lot of fillers in them and they can be hard on your bowels. A sweet, satisfying shake with fewer carbs you can enjoy as a meal in your Slim•Fast® 3•2•1 Plan. All of our shakes provide about one-third of your recommended intake for most essential Vitamins and minerals. Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 Can (325mL) Amount Per Serving Calories 190 Fat Cal 80 %DV Total Fat 9g 14% Saturated Fat 1.5g 8% Trans Fat 0g Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Cholesterol 15mg 5% Sodium 260mg 11% Potassium 550mg 15% Total Carbohydrate 6g 2% Dietary Fiber 4g 16% Sugars 1g Sugar Alcohol 0g Other Carbohydrate 1g Protein 20g 40% vitamins & minerals %DV Vitamin A 35% Calcium 40% Vitamin D 35% Vitamin K 25% Riboflavin 35% Vitamin B6 30% Vitamin B12 30% Pantothenic Acid 35% Iodine 30% Zinc 15% Manganese 35% Molybdenum 35% Vitamin C 100% Iron 15% Vitamin E 100% Thiamin 35% Niacin 35% Folate 30% Biotin 35% Phosphorus 40% Magnesium 35% Selenium 20% Chromium 35%

Well. my insurance has approved my surgery and I spoke to the surgery scheduler and my surgery is scheduled for September 1, 2011. I have been working really hard these pas 7 weeks diet and exercising and I have to say it is paying off. I started out at 297 and I am down to 268 and I have been taking spinning 3 days a week, yoga once a week and really controlling my diet. I will have to do the liquid diet the week prior to my surgery so I have been having two days a week drinking my protein shakes so that I will know what it is like not to have solid foods for a while. A little nervous, but also excited. I am hoping that with all of the success that I have had in the past 7 weeks will continue until my surgery date as well as after so that I can use the band strictly as a tool and not have to go through the filling stage of being banned. Look forward to the journey with my fellow banders.

I went to see my surgeon today and I have restarted my process today and I am waiting to find out if all the testing I did last year will be good and I should be scheduled for my surgery with in the next month. I felt good today not nervous like I was last year. By starting my exercise plan and staying focused on my diet now this time it is easier, I am still nervous of the life change, but I am looking at the band strictly as a tool. I will loose the weight and I will use the band as a tool to help monitor my intake and to keep me focused. As much as this website can be good it can also be bad at times when you hear the negative, but the one thing we all have in common is our weight and that is what brings us together. as we loos the weight we are all on the journey together and here to support one another. I welcome all conversations so please feel free to email me anytime.

I went to see my surgeon today and I have restarted my process today and I am waiting to find out if all the testing I did last year will be good and I should be scheduled for my surgery with in the next month. I felt good today not nervous like I was last year. By starting my exercise plan and staying focused on my diet now this time it is easier, I am still nervous of the life change, but I am looking at the band strictly as a tool. I will loose the weight and I will use the band as a tool to help monitor my intake and to keep me focused. As much as this website can be good it can also be bad at times when you hear the negative, but the one thing we all have in common is our weight and that is what brings us together. as we loos the weight we are all on the journey together and here to support one another. I welcome all conversations so please feel free to email me anytime.

The same thing happen to me last year. I lost 60 pounds last year and the week before my surgery I had to start my liquid diet and all of a sudden I changed my mind I thought I have lost all this weight on my own I don't need help. Now fast forward almost a year to the day and I had ended up gaining all the weight back that I had lost. I have decided to have the surgery now and I am actually meeting with my doctor today to find out what I need to do in order to have the surgery. I have been dieting and exercising for the last month and I have lost 20 pounds so far. I know I need the surgery because I have been riding the weight roller coaster for years and it is time to make a life change. I think we all get nervous it is natural, but you have to think what is best for you. Do you think you can loose the amount of weight that you need to loose and can you keep it off for the rest of your life? Do what is best for you that is what is most important.

I will be meeting with my surgeon Dr. Quinlin at UPMC Saint Margaret to see what test I will need to retake. This is my second attempt to have lap band surgery I was going to have it last year on July 29th, but I freaked out and canceled it. My insurance company says that the diet that I did last year still qualifies me for the surgery I just need to find out what test that I need to retake so that I can have the surgery. I am still a little freaked out, but the fact that I failed to keep the weight off that I lost last year has made it easier to move forward. I started my own diet and exercise program on June 6th this year which was my 48th birthday so I consider that my reborn day. I joined a gym and have been adding exercising to my program I even went white water rafting for the 4th of July and I have to say I am feeling good. I have already lost 20 pounds since the 6th of June and I am trying to stay busy and focused so that I don't loose track. I have a lot of people telling me not to have the surgery, but I do not want to fail again and I want to be healthier. My partner has been very supportive and he has been joining me at the gym as well he is very healthy, but he is being very supportive and is very loving. As the dates get closer I do have my fears, one of the things I have not been doing is reading every post on this site on a daily basis. When I start reading every ones post I start to get nervous so I have reduced the amount of time that I spend on this site,l but I still educating myself on the process and trying to take the good with the bad and making the right choices in my life. I appreciate all of you that have been responding and enjoy talking to you and look forward to a long last friendship with all my fellow banders.

I will be meeting with my surgeon Dr. Quinlin at UPMC Saint Margaret to see what test I will need to retake. This is my second attempt to have lap band surgery I was going to have it last year on July 29th, but I freaked out and canceled it. My insurance company says that the diet that I did last year still qualifies me for the surgery I just need to find out what test that I need to retake so that I can have the surgery. I am still a little freaked out, but the fact that I failed to keep the weight off that I lost last year has made it easier to move forward. I started my own diet and exercise program on June 6th this year which was my 48th birthday so I consider that my reborn day. I joined a gym and have been adding exercising to my program I even went white water rafting for the 4th of July and I have to say I am feeling good. I have already lost 20 pounds since the 6th of June and I am trying to stay busy and focused so that I don't loose track. I have a lot of people telling me not to have the surgery, but I do not want to fail again and I want to be healthier. My partner has been very supportive and he has been joining me at the gym as well he is very healthy, but he is being very supportive and is very loving. As the dates get closer I do have my fears, one of the things I have not been doing is reading every post on this site on a daily basis. When I start reading every ones post I start to get nervous so I have reduced the amount of time that I spend on this site,l but I still educating myself on the process and trying to take the good with the bad and making the right choices in my life. I appreciate all of you that have been responding and enjoy talking to you and look forward to a long last friendship with all my fellow banders.

I will be seeing my surgeon next Friday and find out what test I have to repeat in order to have the surgery. This is my second time around I got scared the first time and I back out of the surgery, if I would have had the surgery it would have almost been a year that I would have been banded. I have to say I'm still nervous, but not like I was last time I guess the fact that all the weight I lost last time I gained all back. I am taking a much healthier approach this time I started dieting on my birthday the 6th of June and I have lost 18 pounds since. I try to have protein drinks two days a week and no their food. I have really trying to watch my food intake and I have slowed my pace of eating. This site has been very helpful and I appreciate the people that have responded to my previous post it is comforting to know there are so many people out there to talk to. I did notice that it is mostly woman who talk and comment on this site and that the guys are few and far between. I would love to hear from you all and I am a good listener for anyone who cares to share and talk.......Frank

Thank you for the words of confidence. I had the panic attack a few days before my surgery last year. It would have been a year July 29th that I was going to have my surgery, but I worked my self up so much that i called it off. I'm doing much better this time I know I will still be nervous, but I am trying to talk to as many people as I can so that I can educate myself. I wish you the best of lock in your recovery you will have to let me know how things are progressing for you. Sincerely, Frank

I will be seeing my surgeon on July 8th to go over what test I need to retake since I did not go through with my surgery last year. I don't have to wait 6 months since my insurance company said that my 6 month diet was good for two years and I am still with in a year of the diet so I can just move to the testing. I started to do liquid Protein drinks two days of the week so that I can get use to drinking my meals. I have lost 11 pounds in the last two weeks and I am not as hungry as I use to be. I am looking forward to talking to the surgeon and getting back on schedule to having my surgery. I am still nervous, but I know that this is something that I need to do for myself and that it will be a life change with a positive change to my life. Always looking to meet people and build friendships along the way so if anyone ever care to chat please feel free to message me anytime. Frank from Pittsburgh

Candi Sorry you have to pay for your fills :-( The one good thing we do have is health insurance so that 12 hours a day I work I work for good health insurance. You should be proud of yourself for loosing 50 pounds it is not easy, but you are doing it. I figure we did not gain weight rapidly I believe it happens over time we just forget what time it is so it will take time to loose the weight. I wish you a great and healthy life......Frank

I have been battling my weight for the past 20 years. I was going to have the surgery last year and I changed my mind a few days before the surgery. I lost about 45 pounds of weight prior to my surgery and I am back to my heavy weight again 292 and I am 5’ 10”. One of my largest fears is that I will never be able to eat again. I am a person who loves to cook , loves to have dinner parties and the company of my friends and family. I am not a drinker or a smoker, but food has always been the way that I celebrated life. I just turned 48 on June 6th and I know the way to eat I just can’t seem to control the amounts that I do eat. I have a very loving and supportive partner and I know he will be there for me no matter what, but I have a hard time with control. I started back on my diet on my Birthday and I have been doing Protein shakes for lunch and Breakfast, but I have trouble at night when I get home from work I am hungry and I know I am eating more than I should. Last night I made a giant vegetable salad and a grain salad to have for when I get home instead of eating non healthy food. Also I have noted that most of the people on this site are woman and I was wondering if there were any men that I have lap band surgery. Nothing against you ladies, but are bodies are different and I wanted to get a man’s opinion as to lap band surgery and their issues and success. I look forward to hearing from everyone and look forward to making some friends, building support through this website and continue building that friendship through life experience. Frank

Everyone has been so supportive I am starting to feel like this will become part of my family. So far everyone has been positive and I know this is tough forvall of us to go through. For those of you that have been based applaud you ando thanks for the support and guidance you are giving us future banders.

I want to thank everyone for all of the messages and sharing with me your life experiences. I am looking at everything in a positive way and I am doing this for the right reasons my health. I started my diet on my birthday and I will be going to see the surgeon on July 8th to see what test I need to redo since it has been 9 months since the last time I was going to attempt this. I think one of the things that I am taking from what people have had to say is this is a life style not a sentence. I know there are things I will not be able to eat anymore and that I will have to reduce what I am eating, but I know that this is what needs to be done. I greatly appreciate all the support that everyone has given me and I look forward to going through this will all of you my lap band family.

Thanks for the good words and advice. I am doing a lot of reading this time and I know that I am addicted to food. I know that this will be a life change and I know it will be hard, but it is something I need to do. I know that if I do not have it done I will continue to battle an not get healthy. I have really been trying my best the last couple of days to get on track and stay focus. I have been drinking Slim Fast High Protein Low Carb drink for breakfast and lunch then having a regular meal for dinner.