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Friday, June 19, 2009 Sugery's Done, New Life's Begun Surgery went well. The Dr. fixed a hiatal hernia (common with overweight people) which should fix my GERD (gastroesophogeal reflux). That'll be one less pill right there. However, with laparoscopic surgery air gets put into the abdominal cavity. Every time I take a sip of liquid and I swallow some air goes into my stomach which pushes on the air outside the stomach which presses some nerve in the diaphram that sends referred pain to the shoulders. I should absorb that air in a few days. My stomach's a little sore, but so far, there are very few repercussions to me physically. I'm only allowed to drink clear liquids for the first 5-7 days, and believe me, that's all I can handle. I can't garden for a few weeks or take a bath or go swimming. There's a port under the skin that the Dr. will use to adjust my lap band (think inflatable doughnut.) He'll put a needle through that port to blow up the ring as my stomach shrinks and the band loosens. If I have complications, the band can be removed. I am quite mobile, I can walk as much as I want, I just can't do anything strenuous that might move the band out of place. I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. I was very at peace before the surgery that I was doing the right thing and that God was with me. I'm excited and scared about this new life but I know God is walking with me through it all.

I got banded on thurs am, and after I was VERY groggy and sore across my torso. I got home yesterday and was still very sore. Today I feel much better. Whenever I got to the restroom, I try to walk around for 10 minues and then sit for 30. I think that is helping. Going from layig down to sitting is the most sore. Good luck!

Thanks for posting this thread as we all need the motivation. I have a theme this month: March is a Verb. In otherwise, time to get marching! I am working out 80 minutes 4-5 times a week and really need to make sure I am doing something every single day, or even doubling up some on the days when I have a workout. So, my goals: 1) Get back down to the basement for sporadic 10-20 minutes on the treadmill even on days when I've already worked out 2) Any day that is not too cold call a friend to walk at the lake. 3) Check out the pool at parents' retirement facility. No one uses it and getting a little swimming in would be a great thing. Can start slowly. 4) Do PT exercises with my husband -- they are great for me, too (working with weights). 5) Keeping drinking lots of my drink (32 ounce glass bottle filled 3/4 way with Water, then cranberry juice unsweetened, aloe vera and magnesium). Get in 2-3 of these a day.

Two things have about trashed my month of July - as well as my fragile lap-band routine. At the risk of sounding like making excuses, we've hosted three teenage grandsons for the last three weeks - nice kids, but very hard to manage everything with house guests. Eating out a lot, no down time, no organization time. This was not a good event, starting just days after my first fill. Also, have been working early and late on a big project (many 12-14 hour days). In combination with above, did not do a good job of bringing healthy lunches / dinners. That being said, have managed to manage my weight - about 235 (down 32 total since starting program in Nov 08). But so disappointed, wanted to have made more progress by now, almost 2 months post-surgery. Also, am just plain overwhelmed. Made a list of all the things I'm stress over, and it is very long. DH isn't a worrier, and can't figure out why I worry about things I can't control. We have a strict policy: I worry about everything, he worries about nothing. No wonder I tend to overeat. Visited the "Struggling" section tonight. I'm not feeling like a failure, but I can see one could fall off the grid very quickly - especially after the tremendously long build-up to surgery. I think my other problem is I need a fill. I have 3 ccs in a 10 cc band. Virtually no restriction. Was going to wait until Sep, but will call and go asap in Aug - why wait. Got to jump restart. Hope FitDay is fixed by now on this site, need to drink the water religiously, get back to walking more. Well, signing off for now. Be back tomorrow, I know that helps a lot, too.

I mentioned how desperate I was right…. Well, yesterday I drank two cups of a laxative tea called Smooth Move (one in the morning and one on my way home from work). My husband, bless his soul, also went to the store and bought me a drink called Simply Apple (amazing what an apple can do!). Now I don’t know which one did it or if it was a combo of the two but things got moving! Now I am all better. I knew there would be some difficulty going since I wasn’t putting all that much in my system to begin with, especially the weekend after my surgery. I knew I was slightly dehydrated and that would slow things down. But the bloating and pressure was getting way too uncomfortable. 10 days is a VERY long time to go without having a BM. Now I can get back to my diet plan and hopefully stay moving. I’m thinking of adding some Activia yogurt to my daily diet plan to stop this from happening again. But a little fiber in my protein shake every morning sounds like a plan too and cheaper I’m sure. I can’t tell you all how much I love this place. Everyone is so wonderful and helpful. And yes, for sure we are all a family! I wish I would have found this site sooner… Thanks to all! You guys rock! P.S. I don’t know if I’d ever recommend the above combo to anyone for relief. Even though I feel much better now, it was a desperate measure and it was painful. For me it was worth it as I finally feel normal. Plus now I can feel that I lost weight - NO MORE BLOATED TUMMY! I’m going to be sure to add something to my daily diet so that I never have to go through that again! XOXO -D :sneaky:

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Saboteur-Perfectionism Perfectionism can sabotage compulsive overeaters very quickly. As I read the posts of other bandsters I can see people sabotaging themselves, beating themselves up, setting themselves up for failure, because they were less than perfect in their adherance to a food protocol. Many bandsters are able to relax with their bands and trust the bands. But not those going through band or bandster hell--that time when their bands have not yet been filled enough to create the restriction they need, and they're trying desperately to maintain the food protocol and lose weight using all the tricks that never worked for them in the past--at least not for long. I've been losing weight while I wait for my first fill on August 11, but it's slowed way down. I told myself that it was good enough not to gain during this time. I've also given myself the accountability of writing in this blog every night and I think that really helps. I'm very aware of the trap of perfectionism and am trying to avoid it. There are some posts from people in bandster hell that are almost despairing. They were so excited by the weight loss they experienced while on the liquid portion of the food protocol and are now utterly dismayed that as their eating returned to normal their weight loss has stopped. I particularly feel sorry for those who've had several fills and are not yet experiencing restriction. I also see the addiction to weighing every day on the scale and how a normal variation in weight that causes a temporary small gain can sabotage them. Most times its just water weight from PMS or traveling in a car, but it sends them into a tizzy. One bandster unexpectedly reached goal when her Dr. looked at her and told her to not pay attention to the BMI guidelines. She hadn't lost in a couple of months and was despairing of reaching a healthy BMI. Fortunately her Dr. looked at her and not at the charts. The woman is 175 lbs but wears a size 8 or 10. She has to be a beanpole and very tall or very muscular to weigh that much and wear that small a size. Or maybe she has thick legs. But she went from a size 26 to a size 8 and she was beating herself up for not being able to lose the last 7 or 8 lbs to reach a "normal" BMI. Various people were posting about their BMI's (Body Mass Index) and whether they wanted to go for the "normal" BMI or the BMI Weight Watchers has said is the "healthiest." Thank God my Dr. never mentioned my BMI. He just eyeballed me and said, "Based on your age and your height you probably ought to go for about 170 lbs." I was so relieved. That'll put me in a size 14 or 12 which I am perfectly happy to wear. I feel great at that weight and look fine. I have no desire to be skinny. Trying to look perfect was what got me started dieting when I wasn't even fat and led to the cycle of binge/purge(diet) that screwed up my metabolism and got me fat in the first place. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt. There was only ever one human being that did life perfectly and I'm not he. I'm me. And I'm loved for the Cheri I've been, the Cheri I'm becoming, and the Cheri I will be when all my warts and peccadillos and struggles aren't eliminated, but are transformed into something beautiful when he comes for me. None of this nonsense about food and weight and being perfect is going to amount to a hill of beans when he gathers me up in his arms and holds me and calls me his precious child.

Are you measuring and logging your food? If not, you might find it helpful to start. There's no way to know for sure where (or if) you're off track unless you can look back at a week and analyze it. If you are already a logger, how many calories and carb grams are you eating per day typically? And are you certain you are continuing to drink the recommended 64 oz. of Water per day? I'm 10 months out as well and I find myself getting lax in that department. But it is really important.

Mandy, My story is very much like yours. Here is a post i made almost 2 years ago now. Please stay with it. Kelley and Walter Lindstrom are so helpful. I am 21 months post surgery now and slightly below my goal weight. Search for my posts to see my frustrations while going through the approval process. I picked this one as it made me very happy Posted August 4, 2011 - 3:10 PM Congratulations to everyone that was approved. I have Aetna and was denied. the denial was upheld in the first and second level appeal by Aetna. It was so stressful. The final appeal is an independent external review process. This is where the decision goes out to an independent doctor not associated with the insurance company who will decide based upon the information provided if the patient meets the standards published by NIH and other medical groups. Mine did and the decision by Aetna was overturned. The entire process took almost 10 months and was SO stressful. All of my appeals were done with the help of http://www.obesitylaw.com It cost me nothing and Kelley is the BEST !! She called me 2 days before I was going to Disney to tell me the good news. She even offered to give me passes to Disneyland that they use to take out the employees in the office each year. Unfortunately I was going to Disney World in FL so I couldn't use the passes. She was so nice I decided I would tell everyone who was having issues with approval about them. They provide an awesome service to people who could really use help. I believe her husband Walter had both Gastric bypass and a Lapband revision later on. Good Luck to anyone having to deal with Aetna. 1st Lap band seminar: 12/14/2009 Highest weight: 253 Pre-op diet starting weight: 247 Banded: 12/28/2010 : 236 1st fill: 2/8/11 (4.5cc) 2nd fill: 3/15/11 (7cc total) 3rd fill: 4/25/11 (8cc total) 4th fill: 9/30/11 (8.5cc total) 18 months post-op: 175

Well things have gotten much better since my last fill. 2 weeks of hell afterward seem like a thing of the past now. I still find it difficult to eat anything in the mornings even after I've had 2-3 cups of coffee. Usually I just have my coffee and then a protein supplement. Lunch has been touch and go. Sometimes I can eat sometimes I can't and its another protein supplement. It seems like the flood gates are wide open at night though. By dinner time I'm usually loose enough to eat most things. But I still watch what I eat and keep the portion small, 1/2 to 1 cup of food and I'm done. I did discover today that deviled eggs are working for me. Last night I grilled hamburgers baked beans and deviled eggs for the family. I ate about 1/3 cup of beans, about 3 oz of a hamburger patty and 1 deviled egg. Today at lunch I ate 3 (halves)deviled eggs and had no problem keeping it down. Tonight I went with my DH and DD to a buffet restaurant. I started out with a bowl of cream of broccoli soup It was sooo good! Then I ate 2 small pieces of fish and 2 shrimp with lots of cocktail sauce also a couple of bites of mack and cheese and 2 bites of my DH steak. I steered clear of the desert bar and ice cream machine! Yeah Me! I'm still averaging about 1 pound every 3 days which is supposed to be average. I know it could be more and would be if I would exercise more! The problem is that right now in KY the heat and humidity have put the heat index at 105-110 every day. I'm not a morning person during the summer time and by the time I get up at 8 - 9:00 it's already to hot to walk. I have to wait until 9:00 at night to walk my 2 mile route. But my DS is on 2 baseball teams and for the past week I've been at the ballpark every night, but 1 until at least 10:00. I did walk on the 1 night that I was not at the ballpark. But I know it needs to be more. I just don't like walking that late at night by myself! I am starting to get a little nervous though as it is getting close to time for Aunt Flo to visit again. That's when I went through the 2 weeks of liquid hell last month. The week of Flo being here and the week after. I was filled 2 days before her visit and I'm pretty sure that I'm one of those people that retains so much water during that time that it makes my band tighter! :thumbup: I guess time will tell and I'll know in about another week or so!

1.hiking 2.Frisbee 3.Swimming 4.Walking outside 5.My teather tennis ball throwing game thing 6.volley ball 7.badmitten 8.catch 9.going to the park 10.grooming horses, horseback riding, walking them around 11.Dance Dance Revolution 12.shopping 13.the fair(does that count? i say it does cuz you need to walk around to get to the ride you want, plus there are games to play that you need your arms for) if i had a trampoline, i'd be on it everyday, i love them and i always have fun on them =/ dont have the money tho i would love bike riding if the road wasnt so busy but i can find a diff place to ride a bike id like to go rollerblading if i had some i think thats all lol kay laterz <3

Hi, Just an update on my progress. I was banded 01/16 in dallas by Dr Felts at the Richardson surgery Center. The last week has been stronger hunger by the day. Sticking with the Isopure drink am, then bowl of soup afternoon. Usually a sugar free popsicle and yougart in the evening. I'm flying to Dallas Thurs. for an appoinment for a fill. Pre-op 270/day of banding 247/ current 229. Hopefully this fill will curb the appetite. Regards, Steve

September weight loss challenge support for motivation. https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/427650-💜-sep-2019-challenge-💜/?page=3&tab=comments#comment-4809589

I started my 10 pre-op diet today , So far I do not feel hungry but I do have a headache .... otherwise I hope to stay on track. I am only allowed 3 protein shakes per day .... good luck to us all

I am going to Tijuana, Mexico with Dr. Fernando Garcia on September 10

I have lost 10 lbs in seven days. I am so happy. I'm starting a new business to. Mobile airbrush sunless tanning, like Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson and Paris all do. Beginning stages, this looks like fun!

Just found out i was denied =( . thought it was pretty crappy . i was told that although i did meet requirements for the surgery . i did not lose 20 lbs or 10% of my weight so there for i was denied . i called my surgeons office and they told me that they will be appealing it as soon as they get the paperwork . on my consolation the surgeon told me that i did not have to lose weight but that i could not gain not even one pound and if i did he would cancel the surgery . so the guy that i talked to at the surgeons office told me that it should be oKay and that during the appeal they will state that the surgeon did not feel it medically necessary to lose before surgery. although i did lose weight during the 6 months but not the full 20 .. I'm just angry that i did everything the 6 month reg. asked for . and nowhere in the paperwork did it ever state that i needed to lose 10% of my weight . trust me if it did i would not have bothered sending anything in until i did .i feel like i have waisted so much time and money for nothing . but i guess till i get back from the appeal i will keep my head high . well for the most part it still is disappointing anyone have ideas on what i can do or has anyone been in this situation ?

Just found out i was denied =( . thought it was pretty crappy . i was told that although i did meet requirements for the surgery . i did not lose 20 lbs or 10% of my weight so there for i was denied . i called my surgeons office and they told me that they will be appealing it as soon as they get the paperwork . on my consolation the surgeon told me that i did not have to lose weight but that i could not gain not even one pound and if i did he would cancel the surgery . so the guy that i talked to at the surgeons office told me that it should be oKay and that during the appeal they will state that the surgeon did not feel it medically necessary to lose before surgery. although i did lose weight during the 6 months but not the full 20 .. I'm just angry that i did everything the 6 month reg. asked for . and nowhere in the paperwork did it ever state that i needed to lose 10% of my weight . trust me if it did i would not have bothered sending anything in until i did .i feel like i have waisted so much time and money for nothing . but i guess till i get back from the appeal i will keep my head high . well for the most part it still is disappointing anyone have ideas on what i can do or has anyone been in this situation ?

My life has been moving at a very fast and stressful pace the last couple of days and I did not get the opportunity to detail my first visit with the doctor this past Monday which now has become a slight blur after a day of meetings and the training of 2 new assistants. But the details are simple..the appointment was longer than expected mostly due to waiting..I saw the bariatric doctor first and she gave me a full examination and a clean bill of health to proceed with getting the procedure. That was no surprise since I have been blessed to live all these years with extra weight and none of the health problems usually associated with being obese. She asked me how much weight I was looking to lose and agreed I would be a great candidate for lapband. The nutrionist came in next and spoke with me about alot of the same things she had discussed at the seminar I attended a week before and little tips on how to "practice" what will become my new style of eating. I kinda felt like she probably did the same speel with everyone and could do it in her sleep, but like everyone on the staff, she was really nice and it probably was more me, than her feeling like there was nothing this woman could tell me about how to eat properly, the food pyramid, reading labels and exercising...I knew the rules..I just did not apply them to my life. The surgeon met with me last with his plastic stomach replica to show me how the band actually works and also touched base on my concerns about blot clots since I had a clot last year. He was very patient with my questions and made me feel at ease. The fact that I had checked him out online when my primary doctor gave me the referral, helped alot. By the time I left (3 1/2 hours later) I was exhausted and starving :biggrin: but smiling brightly because I had my appointments scheduled for the necessary tests all patients have. My sleep study was the only thing not scheduled but with another 6 weeks before I return to see the doctors, I will wait to hear from them for my appointment. On a good note...I met my angel. Despite some distractions she had that morning, she managed to meet me and sat with me while I waited to be seen. She was just as beautiful as a person as I imagined and having her there for support was truly special. She is highly opinionated on some things, but I like her spirit. On a quasi bad note..I have been smoking. Considering the fact I am doing it sans any smoking aids and for the first time ever since I started smoking at age 20, I think I am doing pretty well. I bought a pack on a very stressful morning when I couldnt "bum" one and found myself reaching for them as my stress continued. I smoked about 8-10 cigarettes a day before I decided to quit, now i have been smoking about 2-4 a day. I will not give up. I will just continue to try because I know I have had enough and have been tired of the habit for a long time. Its just been a really long and stressful work week. (and its only Wed) Its no excuse..but its the truth. On another good note..I weighed in at my appointment at 270. That was a 8 lb weight loss since I saw my doctor last month with no real effort. Just small changes to my diet and doing those little things like walking a little further and just getting off my ass. My appetite has also decreased because I have cut back but today I felt as if I really cheated myself because despite the intent to have a heatlhy lunch that I bought to work, I rushed when I finally got a chance to eat without being abel to savor my food and of course ate more than I would have when I got home for dinner if I would have been able to eat what I took to work. I am truly trying to embrace my life and I am looking forward to process ahead of me simply because I know as I complete each phase, it is just taking me closer to getting banded and the road to making positive changes in my life.

Good for you. If nothing else, it feels like progress. My PA had trouble finding my port also....she said it was really shallow and I didn't have a fat layer over it. I had to giggle...I have fat everywhere but where you expect it I guess. She said she was actually in it the whole 10 minutes she was fishing but that she must have been backed into the wall because it wouldn't do anything. Did you have any fill from surgery. I had 3 cc's I believe. PA said it was to help seat it as it healed and then she added some. I'm not keeping track of my total fill level. I figure it doesn't matter how much I have in there, just how much good it is doing. I'm sure you're much more relieved than last appointment. Keep telling us how you're doing.

I recently bought a Weight Watchers digital scale from wal-mart. It was like 30-36 dollars and has a BMI calculator, tells bone mass, water percent and body fat percent. It also holds information for up to 10 people (not sure how many people have 10 in their family lol). I use it in my kitchen on linoleum. I think it should be on a flat surface but if its only on a small shift because of the house tilting, as long as it doesn't move when you stand on it, it should be fine.

<p>I personally like the Atkins Protein shake in chocolate, when it's cold it really good. It ALMOST makes you forget it's a Protein Shake.</p> <p> </p> <p>Have you tried eating steamed/baked fish or baked chicken for your protein. You are on your third week now, you can have oatmeal, eggs, and grits for Breakfast and different things for lunch and dinner. I was also banded on 10/1 and am able to tolerate all foods without nausea. As for liquids, my nutrionist said Diet Snapple is good to drink also (and doesn't everyone have a favorite Snapple flavor). Crystal light is good (Raspberry Ice is my favorite).</p> <p> </p> <p>Good Luck</p>

I'm only 10 weeks out but here's a typical day for me: Breakfast- 1/4 cup of egg whites and a slice of cheddar cheese (not the american cheese slices) Snack- 4oz Breakstone Cottage cheese Lunch- Spinach stuffed shell (stuffed with ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, diced spinach, and spices) Dinner- 1/2 - 3/4 homemade hamburger patty with ketchup, french style green Beans, tiny bite of baked beans Evening snack- String cheese/Greek Yogurt with fresh fruit/Frozen yogurt/More egg whites

Same here!!! Over two weeks!!! Started a week afte surgery!! Lost 10 pounds since surgery and thats it...Im majorly discouraged!!! Ive had stalls with lap band but not right out of the gate!

I feel down today. Just straight up BLAH, sad, depressed....... WHY???????????????? I have no idea- i have everything to be happy about: great family and friends I tucked my shirt in on Friday for the first time in years. I have lost 19 pounds since surgery almost 6 weeks ago and 41 overall. I have shelter over my head I have a great job Oh well, it's just one of those days....I am kind of hungry as I write this and I think that may have a little to do with the BLAH'S. My first meal of real solid food will be on Thanksgiving day. I guess that will be the test of my first fill - to see if it worked enough or not. Take care all!!!! After all, tomorrow is another day. :biggrin:

Well, I started out good with a very yummy less-than 300 cal, hi-pro, low-fat, veg breakfast. I came up with it on the fly so I thought I would share: 1/2 c Egg Beaters 1/4 cup chopped bell peppers 1/4 c sliced raw mushrooms 1/2 chopped green onion 1/2 cup leftover spinach/pine nut/garlic mix (I got this at the Market Street Deli. But you can just add fresh spinach, a little garlic, and a little red pepper to taste. If you have pine nuts, add 'em. If not, it's no big deal) Mix all in a microwave take-and-go container with a lid. Lightly place the lid on top but don't latch it. Cook in microwave for 2 minutes. Then, take out and mix. Cover and let sit. The egg mix will continue cooking in the steam while you pop 2 morningstar farms veggie breakfast patties (tastes like mild sausage patties) in the micro for two minutes. I was tempted to add cheese but I decided to try it first. It was awesome even without cheese! You can also add tomatoes and a spoonful of plain greek yogurt (which tastes like sour cream) Cal: 231 Carbs: 14 Fat: 10 Protein: 33! Now, I am going to get cleaned up and try to find something to do with myself and the family today that involves exercise. Maybe I will break my "no more plus-size clothing" rule and buy a new bra at the mall. Since I hurt my shoulder, I can't fasten them in the back anymore. I am tired of hunting down my husband to fasten them for me or going bra-less half the time. It's time for a front-loader, I think.