leatha_g

Drats!! Yes, she's gorgeous... Story of my life!! lol j/k. It's great that you're both taking control of your lives this early. There is SO much to do out there! Go for it!!

I don't know any particulars, but most docs require you to see a psychologist (my advice, locate your own if they'll allow it) and a nutritionist/dietician. Some require other testing according to your co-morbidities. I hear Dr Smith is a great guy! All in all, it usually goes pretty quickly once your insurance has approved the surgery. It takes longest to get the Dr visits and insurance approval. Good luck with that! Congrats on finding someone!

Umm.. YUCKK!!

YES!! I hope I get some of that!!!!

Definitely! Although, I just don't feel that I lose as many inches as everyone else. Isn't it weird how we see ourselves so near the same? Like, I look at your weight, 173 and I think to myself, that's just 10lbs or so less than me, but there is no way I appear as small as you do. You must be all muscle. I think I'm all FLUFF!! lol.

ONLY 30lbs??? that's 10lbs per month. you are in the HIGH average for the band Enjoy it, rejoice in it. That's great loss!!

LOL Well, thank you, but due to my height challenged status, I'm really still sitting at around 50-60%. If I never lost another pound, I'd still be SOOO much better off than I was, but I would like to lose 40-50 more lbs. For now, I'm just trying, however inadequately, to maintain my loss up until now and if I can find the right combination, possibly continue to head farther downward, one pound at a time. This has been a very slow process for me and I admit I have been my own worst enemy all along. If not for the band, I have no idea how much damage I could have done, BUT we're down to that place where I'm going to have to answer for every single thing that crosses my lips. No more free rides from here on out. And, I think it's become clear that with my painfully slow metabolism I will really have to keep an eye on the calorie intake.

:knockedou :banana :banana :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :D :D Woohoo!! I broke 183!!! Finally, since friggin Labor Day!! This morning my scale says 181.8. I know that's not a big loss, but I have been so bad and unable to break that darn 183. I know by evening, things will change but I have SEEN 181.8!!!! I have been working hard to get off the carb machine, so maybe I am headed in the right direction. I may see the 170's yet!!!

Hope you have a good visit!!

YAY!! Welcome back Janie! We've missed you!

Well. The problem isn't always with the husband or wife of the person who's lost the weight. Often, the person who has lost the weight begins to think in different terms.. maybe how much 'better' they could have done. Now that they're thinner and looking better all the sudden new things come up. Men flirt, women flirt, you get attention you aren't used to, but it feels good. It is true, there have been a lot of divorces, but most often it's the newly toned person who's emerged from some cocoon they've been living in and suddenly they're out of control. Seems like maybe we have a built in self-defeating gene? With our weight, we cover it up. Without, all the sudden we're looking for greener pastures? Partying, wearing more provactive clothing, seeking attention from someone other than the one we've made promises to? I can't say this is my story. I was divorced 6 years ago, but I have seen others fall into this who have been banded. But, you're right, most often this is merely an outcome of something that probably had a few cracks in it to begin with. Often women who have gained weight wind up marrying someone with whom they're not all that happy, men too, I suppose, but once the weight is off and the new self emerges things can happen. I think it's wise to seek counseling if ANY danger signs present themselves.

lookin good, ryan. maybe you should post the bigger version of that pic? ya think? huh huh?

lol, yikes..

is that like pork, the 'other' white meat? lol... i'm a vixen in my dreams... or, should i say, they don't call me Lethal fer nuttin?? haha

To get your Protein in first. This way, if you run out of room and have to stop at least you haven't missed out on the all important protein which helps you to maintain muscle and lose fat. Also, the hard Proteins fill your pouch faster and sit longer in the pouch. Just FYI - I was informed on another board that veggies ARE carbs. These are really the only carbs encouraged with the band, which are good carbs vs 'bad' carbs/starch/sugar/etc.

To get your Protein in first. This way, if you run out of room and have to stop at least you haven't missed out on the all important protein which helps you to maintain muscle and lose fat. Just FYI - I was informed on another board that veggies ARE carbs. These are really the only carbs encouraged with the band, which are good carbs vs 'bad' carbs/starch/sugar/etc.

It's only 'kinky' the first time...

Actually, you DO want to do what is called 'water loading' up until the time you eat - some say 30-45 minutes before, some say it's okay all the way up until you begin eating. This, in fact, does cause you to feel more full and less 'hungry'. THEN, when you do begin eating your protein/veggies, you DO NOT drink at all. This allows the hard proteins to sit longer in your small pouch - above the band. After 1-2hrs you can then begin drinking again.

I can see that Dr Cribbins in Plano has taken Tricare Prime in the past. He's got an excellent reputation. You might try calling him.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/DFWBandsters/ - you can find Charlie here.

Tammy, There is a guy named Charles Collings on the Yahoo Groups DFW Bandsters who has Tricare Prime. I do know he had some issues with this problem too and he may be able to tell you who all he found out takes this insurance. Also, you can find this out on www.obesityhelp.com website as well. If you click 'Find a Doc' you can choose your area and it will list docs, then by clicking on the doc, you can see the insurances they have used in the past. Good luck to you!

Get started walking or working out. Build up your muscles if you can before the surgery. Start practicing eating with no drink until 1-2hrs afterward. Stock up your cupboards with broth, soups, protein drinks, etc. Start a list of all the things you hope to do once you've lost enough weight to be healthy and active again. Look only forward.. Congrats on your date!!

yea. How old ARE you anyway, Johnathon?? wink, wink..

Jerky is an excellent thing to have around. There is a Tillamook brand that is awesome. It can be ordered online as well. I have an aunt who makes her own and it runs a pretty close second.

I forgot to mention. Most all sugar-free candies have an ingredient called malitol in them. This can also aid in getting things moving.