musicalmomma

I think you made right decision about job and not eating ice cream :-). Takes a lot of mental strength to make the decision and stick with it! I'm looking into lap band. Where did you have yours done? Costs? Thanks.

Thanks

I had it done in Green Bay Wisconsin. By Dr. James Kemmerling. My insurance covered 90% but it was around $19,000.

You can have it done cheaper other places and A LOT cheaper in Mexico. Good luck.

...

The same discomfort happend once when a coworker with whom I've been very open about the my surgery (she's heavy too) started talking about it in front of someone I didn't know at all. She was asking me stuff I'd share with her one on one but not with someone I didn't know....

I SO relate to this...I told this lady about my surgery, because she was thinking about getting it! She then started discussing it openly, in public forums. So I told her that I didn't want a lot of people to know and that I only told her because she was considering WLS. She apologized...THEN...just a couple of weeks ago, she introduces me to another lady then says right in front of her..."So, how much is it now?" I looked at her puzzled...she looks at the lady I was JUST introduced to and says "She had that LapBand surgery....so, how much have you lost now?" I looked at her and said, "Gee, thanks for giving my medical history to my new friend here ". We had a good giggle, but I think she FINALLY got the point!

It's funny how conscious I've become of how much people eat. Just tonight, DH and I went to Applebee's...we had grilled chicken salads. It took us forever to eat (we're both banded) and we noticed large people eating large portions and recalled how we used to eat like that...and more! Before, we'd think "how much food can I get for the least price?" It was almost a game! Now, we look at those ginormous portions and it makes us feel woooooozy to think about trying to tackle those plates.

One day, when those co-workers are pigging out...you'll be wondering HOW in the WORLD they can eat so much....because there's no way you can eat like that any more :car: It will be a good feeling...knowing you have control, thanks to you and your lil friend, the band!

Long Story:

I've been working with a temp agency, trying to find a job. The economy is bad here and therefore finding a job is not easy. SO, they send me on interview after intervie, submit my resume to dozens of employers...NOTHING.

THEN about a month ago, they call me with a sweet credit union teller job, just 2 miles from my house. I go on the interview, get called back by the temp agency and get told that the credit union president interveiwed several people and narrowed it down to me and another girl. SO, I took the bank teller test at her request. I got a 92%, not too shabby considering I've never been a teller!

THEN I get the call...they picked the other girl

SO, I took a job at Culver's (a fast food chain), making $7.25 an hour for a mon-fri position...not bad, but not my idea of a career move!

After working there 1 week, I get a call from the temp agency "Um, the girl that took the credit union job isn't sure it's a good fit for her. If she quits, would you want the position?" I said "Heck yeah!".

SO, the girl decides to quit, but said she'd stay until I was trained.

SO, I started last monday....trained quickly and was perfoming better than the girl that started two weeks before me. She was a nervous wreck with the money and froze at every computer transaction...it was painful to watch!

SO, today, I get called into the credit union president's office..."Um, Kim decided to stay, so even though you've fit in here perfectly, we're going ot have to let you go. BUT if anything opens up, you'll be our first call!"

WHAT THE HELL!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! This girl QUIT! LET HER GO!!!! She's a nervous wreck....we ALL know she'll quit within the next month anyway and they'll have to rehire me AGAIN...only I won't take the job!

OK...venting over....it was just a sh*tty day!!!! I wanted to drown my sorrows in ice cream, but then I realized...I'd not only be depressed about losing a sweet job, but about gaining weight!!!!

Thanks for reading :think

:clap2::whoo: That's GREAT!!!!!! It's so wonderful to find a band friendly surgeon!!!!!! DH had a BMI of 60 and our surgeon looked at him and said, "You will definately be a challange for me, but we'll make it happen!" He warned that he may have to revert to an open procedure, but the doc was able to do it laproscopically (sp?) and DH is doing great!!! Most docs would have pushed him to do gastric bypass...heck most docs would have pushed ME to do gastric bypass too! But our surgeon LOVES the band and even has TV advertisements with one of his patients, advocating lap band. I just love him!!!

OMG Stef!!!! You're SOOOOOOOOO close to Onederland!!!!!!! :whoo:

Suzzzie...thanks for keeing the chart tidy...it's makes it so much easier to read

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name...Challenge Start Wt...Current Wt...Challenge Goal...To Go

Huntersmom...... 174........... 172....... 159............ 13

SWEETY.......... 202........... 198....... 180............ 18

MJsafari........ 268........... 258....... 238............ 20

captdanbo....... 211........... 211....... 185............ 26

PaulaD.......... 216........... 216....... 199............ 17

Stefanie42467... 206........... 200....... 175............ 25

Suzzzie......... 349........... 337....... 320............ 17

glindab......... 277........... 269....... 250............ 19

MM.............. 242........... 227.2..... 218............9.2

finallythin..... 254........... 254....... 225............ 29

BeckieT......... 259........... 259....... 239............ 20

Miscontext...... 303........... 303....... 275............ 28

ja9va........... 207........... 199....... 182............ 20

wombat712....... 180........... 172.4..... 165........... 7.4

Texasmom5573.... 252........... 252....... 230............ 22

Waters.......... 214........... 213....... 190............ 24

lessnless....... 206........... 195....... 179............ 16

MissDarlene..... 223........... 223....... 195............ 28

o2bthin..........238........... 233....... 215............ 18

insubordination..300........... 296.5..... 283...........13.5

Holliwagz........325........... 315....... 295.............20

cc...............202............200........190.... ........10

Whoooo...You guys have been BUSY!!!! Way to go everyone! You're all an inspiration!!!!

Well, hitting my fill sweet spot, giving up ice cream :think, and extra exercise is doing the trick, my loss is really kicking in now! :whoo: I'm only 5 pounds shy of moving out of the "seriously obese" catagory and into the plain ole "obese" catagory!!! Sweeeeet!

Keep up the good work everyone :clap2:

Name…………Goal in Minutes…Completed…..To Go

MM………………1380 ……………130……..….1250

Huntersmom..……..540 …………....210……..…...330

O2bthin..…………..550 ……………...0……..…....550

Stefanie...…………2200 …………..330……..…...1870

scgirlafm...……..…..850……………110……..…...740

Suzzzie.....……..…..800…….…………0……..…...800

Sweety...……..……1600……………350………...1250

mrsking...……..…..1000…………….130……..…...870

Mellie…...……..…...900……………120……..…...780

Voondahbah…..…..1100…………..…60……..…..1040

OOOOH OOOOOOH OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH!!!!!! I think I just MAY make my goal!!!!!!!!

Name...Challenge Start Wt...Current Wt...Challenge Goal...To Go

Huntersmom...... 174........... 172....... 159............ 13

SWEETY.......... 202........... 198....... 180............ 18

MJsafari........ 268........... 258....... 238............ 20

captdanbo....... 211........... 211....... 185............ 26

PaulaD.......... 216........... 216....... 199............ 17

Stefanie42467... 206........... 201....... 175............ 26

Suzzzie......... 349........... 337....... 320............ 17

glindab......... 277........... 269....... 250............ 19

MM.............. 242........... 227.8..... 218............9.8

finallythin..... 254........... 254....... 225............ 29

BeckieT......... 259........... 259....... 239............ 20

Miscontext...... 303........... 303....... 275............ 28

ja9va........... 207........... 199....... 182............ 20

wombat712....... 180........... 172.4..... 165........... 7.4

Texasmom5573.... 252........... 252....... 230............ 22

Waters.......... 214........... 213....... 190............ 24

lessnless....... 206........... 195....... 179............ 16

MissDarlene..... 223........... 223....... 195............ 28

o2bthin..........238........... 233....... 215............ 18

insubordination..300........... 296.5..... 283...........13.5

Holliwagz........325........... 315....... 295.............20

cc...............202............200........190.... ........10

Oops I was banded 9/28 not 8/28. Fat fingers.

OOOOOOHHHH! That DOES make a difference!!! Yeah, the sipping does end...you don't have long to go now. Hang in there...you'll make it!

Welcome to band land! :wave:

Yep, lots of people have this problem. The best thing to do is walk as much as you're physically able...don't push yourself...but 5 minute walks every 30 minutes...just around your house...will help a lot

Hang in there...better days are ahead! :mad:

You were banded 8/28 are are still at the sipping stages?? It seems to me you'd be on the soft food stage and drinking regularly (just not gulping).

You stated in your original post that it's not because you "can't". So, perhaps you should contact your surgeons office for some clarification. I just know that after the first two weeks, my surgeon said I should be able to increase my drinking and by four weeks, I should be back to normal with liquids (without gulping of course).

thank you guys, you all always have kind things to say to me.

MM I look at pics like this one and I look ripped but in my head I still feel like the "fat boy" a month ago I was 195 lbs I know I am still losing because I keep on having to punch new holes on my belt but when I eat I get bumbed out because I feel like I am eating to much. I think losing this weight is only half the battle the other half is getting in to a new mind set. anyway I am talking why to much I better get going.

Oh gosh! I SOOOOO hear you there Dan!!!! Even though I still have a LONG way to go...I have come SO far and I still think I need 3x's...for instance, a couple of weeks ago, someone was giving me a polo shirt and asked my size, I said "Oh a 2x I guess". She comes back with an XL (smaller than a 1x) and said "give this a try, you don't look like a 2x to me". Well dang if that shirt didn't fit PERFECTLY!!!

I still see myself as that 284 pound woman! Like you said, losing the weight is only half the battle...now we gotta wrap our heads around it!

most people hit a plateau at around 50lbs loss. I JUST got over one! Keep up the good work...it will show on the scales again soon. You're doing great!!

Welcome :wave: I'm in WI too. What surgeon are you looking into? If you're anywhere near Green Bay I HIGHLY reccommend Dr. James Kemmerling. He did my band and my DH's band. We couldn't be happier with the pre and post-op care given. He is REALLY dedicated to seeing us reach a healthy weight...not just in making a buck!

Anyway, welcome to the forum :eek:

Dang Dan!!!! :omg: You're ripped!!!!! What a difference!!!! Great job!

Name…………Goal in Minutes…Completed…..To Go

MM………………1380 ……………130……..….1250

Huntersmom..……..540 …………....135……..…...405

O2bthin..…………..550 ……………...0……..…....550

Stefanie...…………2200 …………….60……..….2140

scgirlafm...……..…..850………………0……..…...850

Suzzzie.....……..…..800…….…………0……..…...800

Sweety...……..……1600……………145………...1455

mrsking...……..…..1000…………..…60……..…...940

Here's what we have thus far

Name…………Goal in Minutes…Completed…..To Go

MM………………1380 …………….70……..….1310

Huntersmom..……..540 ……………...0……..…...540

O2bthin..…………..550 ……………...0……..…...550

Stefanie...…………2200 …………….60……..….2140

scgirlafm...……..…..850………………0……..…...850

Hi Paula :wave: Your feelings are very normal. It's devistating to put so much money, time, and energy into the band and not lose weight.

First, you're not a failure. This is a learning process. Just because the band hasn't been a great asset before, doesn't mean it can't be or won't be now. Yes, you have to stop that grazing and start having regular meal with lots of Protein. This is difficult...trust me, I know. I find myself doing really well in that department, then slipping into old habits, then doing well again. The difference now is, the times where I do well are longer than my slips AND when I eat the right way and follow the band rules, I really don't feel hungry for several hours.

So, yeah, I also get so sick of the band cliche' of "It's only a tool". BAH! A car is only a tool, but dang if you don't get to you destination faster in a car than a bike, or walking! I think by saying "it's only a tool" kinda minimalizes the awesome asset the band really can be and is! It may only be a tool, but it's a fantastic tool...when used correctly!

So, hang in there sister! Take a chance and eat a real meal! Take it one day at a time...you can only control right now

I'm in for 1380 this month. (1 hour Monday-Friday)

Way to go everyone!!!!! I'm going to post October's challenge this morning! I see some of you have already adjusted your tickers and are ready to go!!!

I am UP 3 pounds as of this morning...but I know it's because I've endulged in ice cream a lot this last week...so it's my own darn fault! Funny thing is...I'm not upset over it this time! I know I'm going to make goal and I have NO doubt about it!

Yesterday I cleaned out ALL of my size 22-26's!!!! Except for one pair of jeans and one jacket...to remind me how far I've come! I put them on yesterday and couldn't get over the difference!!!! Whoo hoo!!!! So all the bigger clothes are off to good will!!

Name…………Goal in Minutes…Completed…..To Go

MM………………1000 …………..1490……..….-490

Sweetie…………...1000…………..1010…………..-10

huntersmom……….540.…………...540.………....... 0

Stephanie42767…..2000………...…2515………….-515

brandotti01..………400…………….120…………...280

toniteach…………..450………..…..150………..….350

Suzzzie……………800…………….200…….…….500

Captain Danbo……1800………..…445………….1345

If you or anyone else thinks it makes me a bad person because of my personal preference to work harder for the finer things, I welcome you to have your own opinion and I will hold nothing against you. I just expect the same consideration in return.

I don't think whosyadaddy was saying anything like that! Of course your not a bad person for working hard and thus affording the finer things. That makes you a responsible and mature person. What I think he's saying is, when we get so focused inwardly, and our drive to succeed is our only focus in life, we get off balance. He was just saying take a look around you, life isn't so bad from where your sitting, when you look at the big picture

James D. Rockerfella was once asked, how much money do you need to make to finally have enough? (paraphrased of course) His response: "One more dollar!" So if good ole, rich, Rockafella didn't feel he ever had enough, you probably won't either. I think this was what he was trying to relay....I assume this cuz he's my DH

Hey, you're young and have admirable goals for your life. You seem to be a caring and giving person too. What a winning combination!! I am sure you'll get it all worked out :confused:

My doc didn't want to give me a fill either, because I was losing so well. I told him that I was fighting for every pound and living hungry! That was all he needed to hear and I've had two fills since. I'm finallly at good restriction!! Let's hope it lasts!!

Good luck

PS....for all you ladies who wish you were younger because he's a hottie, go for it! My husband is 11 yrs my junior and it soooooo works!!!

Yep! My hubby is 6.5 years my junior. We've been married 9.5 years and are still very very happy together!!! (Mainly because he's such a wonderful man and puts up with all my crap )

I doubt you'd find a surgeon to do the band that soon after giving birth, especially if you plan to breast feed. Even if you did, and even if you were self pay, the process may not move as quickly as you'd like. So, just keep your mind and options open

Congratz on your new baby!!!

:clap2: WAY TO GO SWEETY!!!! ONEDERLAND!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!! :clap2:

Name.......Challenge Start Wt...Current Wt.....Challenge Goal..To Go

Huntersmom...... 174........... 172....... 159............ 13

SWEETY.......... 202........... 198....... 180............ 18

MJsafari........ 268........... 260....... 238............ 22

captdanbo....... 211........... 211....... 185............ 26

PaulaD.......... 216........... 216....... 199............ 17

Stefanie42467... 206........... 202....... 175............ 27

Suzzzie......... 349........... 349....... 320............ 29

glindab......... 277........... 269....... 250............ 19

MM.............. 242........... 231.4..... 218...........13.4

finallythin..... 254........... 254....... 225............ 29

BeckieT......... 259........... 259....... 239............ 20

Miscontext...... 303........... 303....... 275............ 28

ja9va........... 207........... 202....... 182............ 20

wombat712....... 180........... 177....... 165............ 12

Texasmom5573.... 252........... 252....... 230............ 22

Waters.......... 214........... 213....... 190............ 24

lessnless....... 206........... 195....... 179............ 16

MissDarlene..... 223........... 223....... 195............ 28

o2bthin..........238............238........215 ............23