TracieR

I am almost a year and a half out and I still weigh myself everyday. I only record it once a week on Thursday's. I figure avoiding the scale is what got me to almost 400lbs. It works for me. You are doing awesome - 13lbs in 9 days is amazing. Good luck to you!

I believe Dr. Garber's office does not take any insurance. I have bcbs federal and I had to go out of network. I was told that as long as your insurance pays 75% they will take that as a full payment. I have had no issues with billing.

I have gotten stuck twice where it did not pass or come up! I had to go to my doctor for a small unfill. Both times I actually felt it pass when she took the Fluid out. It was sweet relief! Both times I was stuck on chicken. Totally my fault, ate too fast and didn't chew enough. I now know I can not eat chicken breast. It doesn't work for me. I can do dark meat chicken when it is very moist. It is the worst feeling when it does not pass. Glad you finally got it to come up!

Mine is in the center below my sternum. So far so good!!

UGH - I know the feeling! We have done two months of fertility treatments and still not pregnant. Took this month off to destress! I was hoping the weight coming off would help me but that is not the case! Trying to be positive but somedays it is just too hard! Good Luck to you!

That is one of the things I can do now that I lost some weight and can fit! Ride away!!

YAY!! Congratulations! I love that feeling of smaller sized clothing! I just got rid of all my 3x/26/28 stuff. I will never be there again!!

Thanks for sharing! I've done a similar thing to your lemon sour cream using low fat greek yogurt. YUM!

for mushies I did ricotta, tomato sauce, and cheese baked. Lots of soups. I still am a big Soup eater. Just watch the sodium on the canned kinds or make your own. Greek yogurts. Watch the sugars on the flavored one though. I use the sugar free syrups and add them to plain yogurt. YUM!! I have a hardtime with Water so I do decaf crystal lite iced tea and add lemons. Or just regular decaf tea or decaf coffee. Good Luck!

@Pink Dahlia - Borrow away! I am on my way to being a runner. What has helped me is signed myself up for a 5k in July. Now I have no choice but to get it together!! I also am addicted to Spin Classes. @JustDoIt - Don't you love pinterest? Once you get the hang of it, it is sooo addicting! I also find most of my motivation here, but needed to switch it up sometimes and Pinterest is great for that.

Lately I have had some setbacks. Gained a few pounds after a 1cc unfill. Making poor food choices. But I have been back at it 100% for the last week. So at night after I've worked out and finished eating for the day I usually go online. I come here, facebook, and most recently pinterest. Pinterest is my new motivation spot. I go to their Fitness Boards and "Pin" different things that keep me motivated. Sayings, healthy recipes, exercise tips, snack tips. All sorts of things! Have you tried Pinterest yet? I will warn you it is addicting. It is also loaded with everyday tips and recipes (I stay away from the sweets recipes). So here a few of my favorite pins that keep me motivated: I would love to hear what you use to Stay Motivated?

We all slip up sometimes! The vomiting is not a good thing for your band though. I would just get back to following the rules your doctor gave you. Do liquids today to give your stomach a rest. If you are not able to get liquids down or just don't feel right definitely call your doctor. Good Luck!

My BMI was 54. I'm glad I had the lapband. I agree with the above poster about how you really have to trust your doctor. Do your research and find what is right for you!! Good Luck!

I was one of those people who got restriction quickly and lost a lot of weight quickly at first. 14 months later I am at a stand still. i know it is my fault and my eating habits. It also is that I have not dealt with my head issues. I have an addiction to food. i have had a couple of unfills over the last couple of months due to stuck issues. Yesterday I went in after having 1 cc taken out 3 weeks ago and i gained almost 6 lbs. I wasn't surprised. More surprised that it wasn't more, honestly. I've been an eating machine. I've been drinking sugary drinks, eating ice cream, cake. Anything i wasn't supposed to be. The unfill was like a free pass to eat in my head. UGH!! I have kept up with exercise routine though. It is definitely the reason I hadn't gained more. So yesterday I had .75cc put back in my band. This morning I got up and went to the gym. As I write this I am drinking my protein shake. I have already had 32 oz of water. I am back full force. Tomorrow I made plans with a friend to go to the local hs track to walk and do the stairs. 6lbs scared the crap out of me. It can come back so fast. At that rate I would put back the 130lbs I lost in less than a year!!! I will not do it. I did not put myself at risk to have surgery to be a failure. I will suceed at this. I will be a long term success! I will do it for myself and my family. I am so much happier now. I feel so much better on days when I work out and eat healthy. I just have to take it one day at a time like i did in the beginning. I'm going to post on here daily to keep myself accountable. I will set one goal a day for myself! Today my goal is to find a therapist and make an appointment. I need to work on the head! I'm looking forward to a great weekend!

Walking to break it up, a heating pad and pain meds were the only thing that helped me get through it! Good luck!

I am so sorry to hear this! She was always ready to tell you exactly what she thought, good or bad - I appreciated that! I pray that Shirley's family can find peace during this very difficult time!!

I eat spicy food all the time! My only issue is not being able to drink with something spicy, but I love it so much that it doesn't matter.

I can't eat it as a "yogurt". I eat it more as a sour cream replacement/dip. Mix salsa with it and dip veggies. Add it to a soup to make it creamy. When I think of it as sour cream instead of yogurt it works, if that makes sense!

I would say if you have to go for work and don't feel comfortable making an issue out of it just go slowly! Take a little bite from each course and move on. As for the sushi - I break the rolls apart and eat the fish and dip it in soy sauce. I usually just move things around and pick at it when I am in a bad food situation. This is life and we have to just make it work sometimes! Good Luck!

Hi Moses! Welcome! I had my surgery with NY Bariatric Group but with Dr. Garber. I am very happy with them. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself! It was (and stil is) a lot of hard work but sooo worth it! I wish you all the best on your journey!

I use it when I hit a plateau or notice myself picking up some bad habits. It is kind of like hitting the reset button for me! It gets me back to basics. Works everytime to put me back ont he right track! @bluetigereyes - google it!

Congrats! That is an awesome accomplishment!!

I have a protein shake every morning either right when I wake up or after the gym at about 6:30. It has been working for me. My band is super tight in the morning so this way is the only way I am going to get any protein down first thing. I then have a snack (cheese stick, 100 calorie pack almonds) once I get to work.

So sorry to hear about your Mom! I'm sure she was extremely proud of you for taking control of your life! Small bites of things are not bad, as long as it is once in a while and doesn't get out of control! You are doing so great, keep up the good work for you and your Mom!!

My doctor gave me clearance to start working out with no restrictions about 6 weeks after surgery. I started working with a trainer a couple of times a week. It has definitely been the best thing I have done (other than have surgery). I try to be at the gym 3-4 days per week. Have fun!