dreamhappy07

Yeah I hear ya on the infections and sores being a MAJOR reason on getting the medically necessary insurance coverage for this saggy skin side effect. Thanks so much for the pep talk and advice. I tried a couple times to get my insurance to cover my lapband and reimburse me for what I paid in TJ, but it was a brick wall and no matter what they refused. I also tried to deduct it in my taxes and since I owed already, it didn't even make a dent. I was so upset and frustrated. YEs, my comorbities have been grately helped and done with, but it would have been nice to get some money back to be able to fly back to TJ for a fill. Oh well...maybe this year sometime. Take care, Judy

Hey all, I finally changed my avatar and thought that I probably should finally post about my sagging skin problem. I still have much more weight to lose, but being 90lbs down now is really making the skin thing start to bug me. It is starting to hang a bit over my knees and my apron belly is alot of saggy skin now. Yeah it's great that it isn't that heavy, chunky fat that I used to have, but really starting to bug me cuz I still have to lift it up when I wash in the shower and all. ( There is no way I am gonna ever be able to have surgery for it, unless I can get it somehow medically necessary approved through my insurance. Yeah sure. My drooping belly skin has been causing some sores and inflammation underneath a couple times, but that isn't enough. I have barely any boobs to speak of anymore...LOL I guess for those of you that had questions and/or concerns about saggy skin. Yes, it does happen to some, but if you can be active and exercise enough to prevent it, that will help. I had knee surgery and couldn't do any kind of exercises....so that's my excuse. But will be walking more soon and hopefully more than that. Keep your chins up all...we will all still be beautiful no matter what is under our clothes! Peace, Judy

Thanks for the tip Paula! I have my scale on my hardwood bedroom floor and it never sees me more than maybe once a week or two. I only get on it if I feel lighter, which usually shows I am just at the same weight. And, yes, it is always zeroed out...LOL

Hi Michelle, You are so sweet to check up on me. I am still struggling but ok. My weight keeps fluctuating(different times of day), but staying pretty much at 85lbs. down. I am seriously considering going back on the pre-op diet with the protein shakes and lean cuisines to try and kick start my metabolism again or whatever. I try to drink more, but not water...Vitamin water is my drink of choice and when I get really thirsty, I chug that. Guess water would be better. The VW has some sugar in it, and that doesn't help quench thirst but make it worse sometimes. I have stayed away from the cookies mostly. I have very good restriction and my band has reminded me big time several times, but it's usually in the mornings and only once has it been in the afternoon. It depends on what I try to eat. Sometimes I wait too long to eat, that I get so hungry, I eat too fast or don't chew well enough. Need to stop that. I am such a poor example to the newbies out there, but it is JUST ME who has to straighten up and fly right! Thanks for caring and way to go on your great success so far! =D> I had that when I was first banded too. I will get there again. Peace, Judy

WOW! YOU LOOK MAHVELOUS! THANKS FOR SHARING THE AWESOME PICS! I AM SO JEALOUS THAT YOU GOT A PIC WITH THE HUBBA HUBBA DR. ORTIZ!!! HE IS SUCH A HOT SWEETIE! ALL THE BEST ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY! TAKE CARE! JUDY

Thanks for the reply and advice mona! They are both neutered males and only Milo is spraying and sometimes he has tried to mount the other cat(Pencil), but never gets too far cuz they fight. Milo is the dominate and he was here before Pencil, but this spraying started for the first time this year when the weather started to get nice and he started seeing more neighborhood cats outside the windows, which he has always loved to sit in since he knew how to get up to them. It's not his fault that the other cats can see him and he sees them, but he knows he cannot get to them and yes, he is marking his territory, but like I asked earlier, why now? Maybe because there are many more cats roaming around and living in the neighborhood? He wants to have more "friends" than Pencil to be around? LOL They share a litter box and it is pretty big, so I don't think there is a problem there. I will look into getting some enzyme cleaner and spray to keep him from spraying if that is possible. I just hope there isn't a physical illness kind of problem with him. Maybe he needs to be caught up on his vaccines? Don't know. Thanks again. I will let you know more later. Judy

WOW! I have 2 boys and they are about 6 yrs. old. The youngest(by 3mths.) is neutered since a kitten and has just started spraying the windows and tried to spray my other cat. What the heck is up with that?!!! Why or how can he do that, being neutered and all??? They are both inside cats and they have no problems so far going to the bathroom. I didn't think they could spray if they are neutered. And since he can, WHY NOW? After 6 yrs.? Hope someone can help. He has been in alot of trouble lately when seeing his "girlfriend" running around outside. LOL Thanks in advance for any advice! Judy

Hi Kimmie, Welcome to band land! I have been following your posts and all and you are so sweet and helpful to others and I wish you great success on your weight loss journey. Yeah, I remember asking Dr. Miranda on my day of surgery about hearing people say that they can't eat in the mornings because of being too tight. She said(and I live by these words today), to drink warm or hot tea or coffee for a while first thing in the morning before attempting to eat anything, and that should open things up some. Of course, since my second fill, I am lucky to eat ANYTHING too early in the morning. LOL It has gotten better now that I don't try to eat too early and just sip my coffee for a while. Take care and keep in touch. Peace, Judy

WOW!!! AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME! THANKS SO MUCH FOR THAT! MADE ME REALLY WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL LIKE THAT, BUT HERE I AM, 2 MONTHS FROM MY BANDIVERSARY AND NO WHERE NEAR THAT SUCCESSFUL AND THIN. MY OWN FAULT I GUESS, BUT I CAN GET THERE SOMETIME THIS YEAR I HOPE.

THAT IS AWESOME! THANKS FOR THE UPDATE AND INFO. YES, DR. ORTIZ IS DEFINITELY A HOTTIE! LOL I AM REALLY SURPRISED YOU WERE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE SAME NIGHT. I HAVE READ ABOUT OTHERS WANTING TO JUST GO BACK TO THE HOTEL INSTEAD OF STAYING THE NIGHT AND THE STAFF WOULDN'T ALLOW IT FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. YOU MUST BE VERY SPECIAL! TAKE CARE AND KEEP US POSTED. PEACE, JUDY

Hi, I had my surgery last year and at that time people were seeing that also and not getting it. That information is old and hasn't been updated on their website. I and many others did get a small fruit basket though. I believe it had like 3 pieces of fruit in it. Like I said...small. That was nice, but unless you ate it the day before surgery, you kinda hope your companion will help themselves...lol Peace, Judy

Yes you are! Thanks again! You have reminded me to read Dr. O's book again to refresh my brain on some things. lol Glad you had your hubby with you. Those vendors saw the four of us women get out of the cab in probably the most aggressive part and saw fresh meat for sure. Wish we would have had some guys with us. Might have helped. I am tall and of course large, but I was a little dog with my tail between my legs avoiding any confrontation at all. LOL Keep in touch now. Judy

Hey Paula, Awesome story about your experience! Thanks so much! It was so interesting about what Dr. Ortiz said. That is something I did not know and so glad it was explained to you and you told us! Good job! I do have his book, but don't remember reading that, but it has been a long time and I guess I should read it again...lol Soon I hope to post my experience, even though it was last May. It was different in some ways than yours and some others. I can't believe they still only have the ONE receptionist there! That poor girl needs some back up for sure. I can totally sympathize over your shopping experience. But, you bought alot more than I did. I couldn't handle the aggressiveness of the vendors for sure. I bought very little, but my mom and the sisters we were with bought a few items. My mom was shopping the day I was in surgery with the one sister and was stopped by a security officer there because she was sold fake gold jewelry and the officer helped get her money back. Pretty cool huh? Good luck and thanks again! Peace, Judy

Hi, I was told to lose as close to 36lbs as possible and had a rough time. I was also told to have a shake for breakfast, lean cuisine for lunch, and a shake for dinner. I was starving so I had some high fiber, low sugar or sugar free snacks, or veggies(which I don't like much), then I was not losing much, but was losing. Then, I gave up any kind of soda or other carbonated drink, and the weight started falling off. This was about 5 weeks before surgery and Dr. Miranda was very happy that, by there scale, I lost 23lbs. Whew! I have never touched any kind of carbonation since and probably never will. One, for my weight loss, and two, for my band. Gotta protect it as much as possible. Hope this helps some. Peace, Judy

Hi, There was another post titled SMOKING and I left a long reply there, but to be short and sweet on this one, I quit withing a week to 4 days before surgery and smoked again after. Right when we were dropped off at the Hotel. I haven't quit and sometimes think I replaced food I don't or can't eat anymore with smoking, but I don't smoke more than I used to, probably about the same or less. Not very healthy, but weight lost is making healthier by not being so heavy and I am not ready to quit yet. I really believe you have to be ready and really want to quit to be successful. So, that is my story and and I will hopefully quit soon, but not just ready yet. Good luck all with your weight loss and smoking journeys. God bless you all! Peace, Judy

WOW! Thank you all so very much! Every day I tell myself I lost 83lbs. and think good on me!, but the next time I get on the scale, it's up and down and that bugs me. I waited too long for my second fill so I fell into some of my bad habits again. It has been really hard to say no to my fave cookies and chocolate, but I know I can do it and I WILL! I want to exercise like walk so badly, but my stupid healing knee keeps me from going too far. I have been going through alot of stress and emotions lately I know it can play a big role on craving carbs and such. The protein advice was a big time help because I know that but don't drink or get enough of it. Thanks again to everyone! I knew I could find super support here even from the newbies! LOL I haven't been a very good example of a bandster lately, but I am only human and have weaknesses too. Love, peace, and (((((((((HUGS)))))))))) Judy

Hey all, I was so happy with my weight loss and now I am creeping back up and down and up and down. What the heck is wrong with me? I know I have restriction because today for lunch at work I decided to have a little indian food. Took 4 bites and it got stuck. Then later after it settled, I ate a couple of cookies...BAD BAD BAD girl! I know I know! I think I was so hungry at lunchtime, that I ate too fast or didn't chew enough(which I am normally VERY good at), and I felt like I got gipped when I couldn't eat a decent meal, so I resorted to the nearest sweet. Now I feel awful because I have been in this bad habit(cookies) too much lately. HELP ME! What can I eat or drink or whatever that will make me stay away from sweets??? I want to look like CLynn and others with awesome bods! No really, I do. I had my last fill on 2/9/08 and like I said I have restriction, but never get to test it because of the "eating around the band syndrome". I AM SO DANG DISGUSTED AND FRUSTRATED WITH MYSELF!! I know the band is my tool and friend, but I am trying to overpower it in bad ways. ugh! Someone once said if you think you are hungry and know you shouldn't be, drink as much as you can and the head hunger should subside. Well, that has been hard too because I am usually not thirsty. If it wasn't for that darn knee surgery that is taking forever to heal, I would exercise ALOT more, but can't! Ok, can't go on and on about my problems, so maybe some super successful bandsters out there can help me. Peace, Judy

Name and Location: Judy, OR Age: 45 Gender: F Band Date: 5/21/07 Height: 6ft Highest weight: 396 #-o Current Weight: 290 as of 3/9/08 Goal Weight: 195-210 :-? Not doing very well since my second fill. I know I have restriction, but can eat too easily on most foods...good and bad. Guess it is a slower process, but I better be down 100 at least by my bandiversary! Peace, Judy

OK, GOTTA 'FESS UP ABOUT THIS SUBJECT. YA KNOW...YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO QUIT SMOKING AT LEAST TWO WEEKS BEFORE SURGERY. I STOPPED KINDA SORTA A WEEK OR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE SURGERY AND SMOKED AGAIN WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE HOTEL. I HAVE HAD MANY SERIOUS SURGERIES AND AFTER ONE OF THEM, QUIT SMOKING FOR FOUR MONTHS, BUT THEN LIFE AND STRESS HAPPENED AND STARTED AGAIN. STILL SMOKE AND SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE I HAVE REPLACED EATING FOR SMOKING. I MEAN, WHEN I KNOW I AM FULL AND CANNOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING FOR AWHILE....I SMOKE. I HAD KNEE SURGERY A FEW MONTHS AGO AND STILL HEALING, SO I CAN'T EXERCISE LIKE I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO. IT'S REALLY HARD TO WALK VERY FAR WITHOUT MY KNEE GIVING ME PROBLEMS. THAT SHOULD CHANGE SOON I HOPE. PROBABLY MAKING EXCUSES HERE, BUT I KNOW IT'S A BAD WAY OF DEALING WITH LOSING ONE HABIT(OVEREATING), AND REPLACING IT WITH ANOTHER. I LIVE AT HOME WITH MY MOM AND BROTHER RIGHT NOW AND THEY BOTH SMOKE(MUCH MORE THAN I DO), AND ALOT OF TIMES I THINK OF QUITTING, BUT THEN WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WITH SECOND HAND SMOKE. MY MAIN AND HIGHEST PRIORITY RIGHT NOW IS TOO LOSE ALL THE EXCESS WEIGHT I CAN AND BECOME HEALTHIER AND FEEL MUCH BETTER ABOUT MYSELF. THEN, I GUESS WILL BE QUITTING SMOKING. I JUST CANNOT DEAL WITH BOTH YET. HOPE THIS DOESN'T SOUND TOO PATHETIC. PEACE, JUDY

Hi Cindy, So sorry you having a rough time...with heartburn no less. I was taking Prevacid for many years because of GERD(acid reflux), and since banding have never needed it again except a tums after a PB episode. Are you able to tolerate liquids and are they going down and staying down ok? Maybe it has something to do with what kind of liquids you are drinking. Maybe too much acidity in them? Someone else may be able to shed more light on this problem. Good for you that you called the doctor. Those things should definitely help, but as for me, I would only take the Maalox and not a pill or capsule unless I really needed to. Take care. Peace, Judy

Hi, As you can from my sig. I have only had two fills since my banding last May. The average first fill in a VG or 10cc band(which I have), is 4cc, but when I had my first fill on July 21st(two months later), I only needed 3.2cc because I still had some restriction. My second fill(6 1/2 mths. later), the doc started with 2.5cc and ended up taking out 1cc because my restriction was still good I guess, even though I could eat pretty anything, but never as much as before being banded. That is definitely and always a good thing. I have very good restriction now and am continuing to losing weight. She said I probably don't need another fill for another 3-5 months. Yeah, we will see about that, cuz I am good and restricted for now. As long as I am losing weight and can barely eat a full meal, I'm good! I waited too long between fills because I hit a plateau and then gained some back, but lost it again and got that second fill as soon as finances allowed. Good luck and take care. Hope this helped you because everyone's experience with restriction is different. Just listen to your band and you will do great! Peace, Judy

Thanks for the tip to all current and future bandsters! I wish I would have known about that stuff when I was banded. I had a HORRIBLE time with constipation. I was absolutely in love with the protein shake Muscle Milk chocolate and so I was getting the protein in and all was well. I never would have thought that I could not tolerate the soy in those shakes! It was so depressed to have to say goodbye to my muscle milk, but I can drink whey protein now and be ok when I want to drink some protein. Take care and good luck on your weight loss journeys! Peace, Judy

Yeah, definitely sounds like you are over filled. You need an unfill right away. My fill doc says to NEVER try to work through being too tight because you are putting your band and yourself in serious risk. Sounds like that fill doc was too aggressive too. My fill doc also decides about how much of a fill to start with and then as I take sips of water, she listens and has me tell her where the water is and from there she takes out as much as needed for me to feel comfortable. I thought my last fill would be 1.8cc, but she started at 2.5cc and as things went, I ended up with only 1.5cc. Good enough for me. Have really good restriction. Still learning to eat less without getting into a little discomfort. Hope all goes well with you soon. Peace, Judy

Hi dmee, Yes, depending on how much restriction you have and everyone is different, those foods including some others may be difficult. However, cabonated beverages are not allowed until at least 6 months post surgery. That is what Dr. Miranda told me, but some have tried sooner. I quit soda and and any carbonated drinks since my pre-op and dropped weight quick. I have never touched another carbonated beverage since and probably never will because I feel it would hurt my pouch(expanding), and probably slow my weight loss too. Hope this helps you. Peace, Judy

Hi Kimmie, I have had two fills since my surgery and I go to a local doctor that takes care of Mexico lapband patients since most bariatric docs that didn't do your surgery won't touch you. She does not use flouroscopy, but is totally experienced and knows what she is doing. It's amazing how she finds the port the very first time poked. She has many years experience too. She used to be a chemo nurse and got trained as a fill doctor about 20 yrs. ago. I have the bigger band, which is the VG band and have only needed 2 fills. Everyone is different, so you will know cuz your body will tell you. Depending on how much you can eat or not eat. Hope this help some. Judy