Candle

I was approved with GHI about 2 months after starting the plan. I had to do a 6 month diet but I started it before I started the plan anyway.

I guess I'm at "goal". I'm not really sure. I've been in this weight range for about 2 months. I'd like to lose another 10lbs and then another 10lbs with a TT. I'm trying to base my goal weight on the way clothes fit me and having a healthy activity/energy level but needing a TT, affects those things and makes it kind of hard to tell where I'd ideally like to end up. I have no restriction with my band. I can't even tell it's there. Some people would say I've lost my weight with diet & exercise alone but I think the band has played a roll. I feel full on a smaller amount of food and for a longer period of time. I definitely burp a lot more. :bored: Plus, I've never been able to lose this much weight on my own. I figure if I feel myself start to lapse into old patterns, I can always start getting my band filled. That is my safety net. I wish I had more optimistic answers but I'm just getting into the maintenance mode and feeling a little anxious about it still. I run or walk 2-4 miles per day with my dog about 6-7 days per week. I also ride a bike and just started rollerblading. I need to get to the gym this winter! I'm not really counting calories any more but I do watch what I eat and try and coordinate my level of exercise with my calorie intake for the day. I've had a crazy sweet tooth lately! Ugh! I'm in Patchogue :smile2:

Most people here will say the band because .... most of us have the band.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> If I were to choose something other than the band I'd go with the DS. The sleeve is also an excellent option.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> RNY :smile2:

1.) Who's you're insurance company? Anthem BC/BC 2.) What state do you live in? NY 3.) Was your plan provided by your employer or do you pay for it out of your own pocket? Employer 4.) Are you banded yet, waiting for approval, denied...etc. Banded Aug '07 My BC/BS plan had an exclusion so I got a self pay plan (info below) that covered my band. I'm now back with BC/BS. If anyone in NEW YORK needs help, drop me a note. 1.) Who's you're insurance company? GHI 2.) What state do you live in? NY 3.) Was your plan provided by your employer or do you pay for it out of your own pocket? Self Pay. $415 per month. Didn't cover office visits but paid for my band 100%. 4.) Are you banded yet, waiting for approval, denied...etc. Banded Aug '07

What does your doctor say about that? What now? A third upper GI? An EGD I hope!! ASAP Please keep us updated.

I relate to a lot of what you guys are saying. I'm not really too much happier with my body now, than I was at 300lbs. I feel better, I'm healthier, and it's a thrill to not shop in the plus size section any more but there's a flip side to everything. I can buy a size 12 but they have to be mom-jeans that come up over my muffin top. No low rise. I have to buy long shirts to cover my panni. I have to wear 2 sports bras and a Spandx tummy shaper to exercise/run and I'm still uncomfortable with the jiggling. I can't wear tank tops because I have bat wings AND a roll of fat over my bra band. I've been getting rashes. etc etc etc .... Sometimes I just get really bummed out about the damage I did to my body. I guess today is one of those days.

I do 1 cup of cereal to 1/2 cup milk (1%)

I was having the same issues for while but it seems to be better now. I was also having dizzy spells. My doctor was worried about anemia and low iron but all my labs came back fine. Have you had any blood work done recently?

Since this thread is over 2 years old, I don't know if the OP will see your post but I did want to comment. There's a big difference between 235 and 300lbs. Body type certainly comes into play as well. I've been over weight my whole life and am an apple shape. My high weight was 311lbs. I could drink all the water in the great lakes and run from NY to CA - my loose skin and huge panni aren't going to get any better. PS really is the only answer for some people. Unfortunately, I'm one of those people. :sad:

I had some x-rays done recently on my back and I was surprised at how clearly you can see my port!!! I thought this was really cool. (the rods are from a previous spinal surgery) The quality isn't that great - I took a picture of the x-ray.

I'm so jealous of your new booty!!! Mine is .... gone :thumbdown: I'm doing GREAT! Thanks for asking. I just posted some new pics in the Aug thread. My back is doing soooo much better!!! My doctor seems optimistic that things got better so quickly and it sounds like I might be able to hold off on surgery for a long time. Years even. It's a compression issue so we'll see. With that new body, are you shopping like a crazy woman? :cursing:

I just saw that. You're welcome :thumbdown:

You can kind of see the actual band in one shot. I'll see if I can get a picture of it. These are full, 36" x-rays, so it's hard. This is an actual x-ray of my back, not from a fill under floro.

That's really cool! Thanks for sharing. I recently posted an x-ray shot of my port :thumbdown:

Name: Bergdorfblonde Weight loss from day of surgery: 32 lbs Total weight loss: 32 lbs Name: Brandottie01 Weight loss from day of surgery: 32 lbs Total weight loss: 32 Name: Candle Weight loss from day of surgery: 114 lbs Total weight loss: 128 lbs Name: Ceradad Weight loss from day of surgery: 102 Total weight loss: 122 Name: Frangipani Weight loss from day of surgery: 119 lbs Total weight loss: 125 lbs Name: Gometros Weight loss from day of surgery: 52.9 lbs Total weight loss: 74.9 Name:Gweniper weight loss from day of surgery: 57 total weight loss: 91 Name: hf2havefun Weight loss from day of surgery: 41 lbs Total weight loss: 56 lbs Name: JudiM weightloss from day of surgery: 73 lbs total weight loss: ?? Name: KarenG. Weight loss from day of surgery: 98 Total weight loss: 98 Name: LessNLess weightloss from day of surgery: 63 lbs total weight loss: 69 lbs Name: NanaRenan Weight loss from day of surgery: 77 Total weight loss: 97 Name: Nikki S Weight loss from day of surgery:102 Total weight loss:102 Name: Pammycakes Weight loss from day of surgery: 113 lbs Total weight loss: 115 lbs Name: Pizzicato66 Weight loss from day of surgery: 75.5 Total weight loss: 87.5 Name: purplegirl1818 weightloss from day of surgery: 73.5 lbs total weight loss: 90.5lbs Name: TexasBecky Weight loss from day of surgery: 111 Total weight loss: 121 Name: Salsa Weight loss from day of surgery: 105 lbs Total weight loss: 105 lbs Name: SPEBSQSAlady Weight loss from day of surgery: 57.8 Total weight loss: 57.8 Name: Valstar Weight loss from day of surgery: 52 lbs Total weight loss: 57 lbs

Thanks girls!! I feel awesome! You all (y'all for Becky :thumbup: ) have been MY inspiration!!

That is an awesome NSV!!! When we're out in public I'm constantly asking my boyfriend "Am I bigger than that girl?" "Is that girl skinnier than me?" It's hard sometimes to see ourselves in our new bodies and getting some outside validation is always nice!! ____ Maggie - Make sure your doctor does every test in the book. To *me* a SLOW leak is not restriction one day and nothing the next. Port replacement seems like a pretty minor procedure. I have my fingers crossed for you.

That's funny you say that. When I saw the x-rays, I called my band doctor right away to ask what that was and "alphabet soup" was how I described it to him. I guess those are the anchors for the mesh, which holds the port in place.

This is my favorite thread! I love seeing everyone's progress. Such an inspiration!!! Here are my latest ... I'm getting there

My latest

I read on OH that he died recently. No mention of this suit but I guess OH wouldn't want that on their site.:thumbup:

I'm here! I'm here!:thumbup: Ready physically, not yet financially.

Hi Salsa! Those last pics look great!! How are things now? When are you looking into round 2? Are you back in school now?

Hey ladies!! Frangi - I'm sending good vibes your way. Ike is not looking good. I'm so glad to see you are doing well! Sadly, I haven't had much free time lately to keep up with everyone. I'm so jealous of your progress! :thumbup:

twiceblessed - I had to do a sleep study. 2 actually ... 1 to determine I have(had) sleep apnea and 1 to see what levels I would need for a CPAP machine. (that I never used) I'm not going to lie, it wasn't fun but it was a requirement. Scheduling wasn't easy so you should look into it ASAP!