hagerteresa

Hi Tanya, Hopefully you'll get there. I know the insurance route can take a VERY long time sometimes. Other times it is surprisingly short. I knew my insurance wouldn't cover it so I didn't bother fighting them and ended up being a self pay in Mexico. I wish you the best and know you'll get it eventually, Teresa

Hi Jack, I had your exact fears about the band not working on me. I KNEW I was going to be the one who did not lose weight. Well low and behold 5 months later, I was definitely wrong. I can still over-eat, eat the wrong foods, etc, but the quantity isn't the same. The band IS a tool and a pretty effective one if you follow the rules most of the time. My biggest tips- drink enough Water during the day and chew well enough at meals. Ginny you've done great but you do need to have the fill checked. Keep us posted, Teresa

Hi Kelly Ann, Best wishes to you and a speedy recovery! I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. Teresa

Hi Betty! I can't wait to hear from you after surgery and know everything has gone great. I know it will. I am so glad you are finally getting the long waited opportunity for your band. See you on the other side!!!! Teresa XOXOXO

Lovemeacb4e, What happened to your liquid phase? Any solid food for a while after the surgery is a bad idea. I remember having a creamy Soup that was slightly too thick in my liquid phase that caused me to slime and gave me that golf ball feeling. Awful!! I can't imagine getting pizza down. The hunger and liquid phase after surgery is not unbearable and is only temporary. Newbies must give everything time to heal and adjust without stressing the system. We have all been hungry during diet attempts and the early phase of the banding isn't any more painful in my view. I know its hard and I was hungry too but for the sake of long term health and healing doctors rules MUST be followed. Good luck to all of you and your banding research. Teresa

Hi Tim, I had my surgery in Mexico and it cost about $9000 which included all pre-testing, hotel, hospital and everything except flight. I know you can find it slightly cheaper in Mexico too. I used an american company that helped arrange everything and I know the cost would have been a couple thousand lower without having used them. I would skip their services. Its not worth it. In the states I have heard prices range from $12,000 to $20,000. Good luck on the insurance route. Teresa

It looked like a TON of food at your house Lisa! I told my mom that we still haven't learned to cook for the band portions. I ate my heart out on the crab dip and had a small plate with a little of each thing, but that small plate took me all day to finish. It was all SOOOO good though. Glad you got a nice dinner out. Teresa

Celery works fine for me but you'll have to see how it works for you. Chewing is the key to food success. Teresa

I think the heavier a person is the easier it is for weight to come off. I have heard that before and that has kind of been my experience. I have also read of 700 lb people that have gotten that Inamed balloon and then had a band placed after a substantial loss with the balloon. The balloons aren't FDA approved yet but they do the procedure in Mexico. I too thought this particular story was amazing. What a terrible life it would be being unable to move or function. I thought it was bad enough at my initial weight. All the luck to him, Teresa

Michelle, I will keep my fingers crossed and pray for you as well. I have watched my parents anguish every year since my older brother died of cancer around christmas and his birthday. He died from nuero-blastoma 27 years ago but it forever scarred my parents. I imagine your son's symptoms would be very worrisome but hopefully it ends up being something minor. My mom saw your Vegas pictures tonight and thought you were absolutely beautiful. She sure sympathizes with you and can totally relate about losing a child and worrying about the living ones. Your in my thoughts, Teresa XOXO

Megan, That was wonderful to read! You have done great this past year and I don't think you should think any less of yourself for being a slow loser. I have always heard that is the best way to lose anyway. You can tell an obvious diference between the pictures and must say you are looking fabulous darling! It was so nice to have met you last weekend and I really miss you all already. Can't wait till next year. Keep thinking positively girl! Teresa

Hi R, Could you possibly be filled a little too tightly? You really should be able to eat solid Protein. I really have to chew mine a lot and I find dark or tender meat works better than chicken breast or toughter cuts of meat. I agree the bad things do go down entirely too easily but I try to replace them with healthier versions. One thing I recently found I liked were baked lays. They kind of reminds me of pringles. Something I tried tonight at my moms that was good was: some chicken (she used tenderloins but I think anything would work) 1 can of rosarita enchilada sauce, a few olives, and topped with some taco cheese. It was really good! I was thinking of making it but adding in onions and mushrooms as well. Kind of enchilada like without the tortillas. Best of luck and hope things improve, Teresa

Good luck to both of you! Betty I sure hope you don't get sick. Things are going around here in Oregon too. I came back from Vegas and heard from several people they were all sick LAST week while I was gone. I felt relieved... I still need to try to get in for a flu shot. That food poisoning incident woke me up regarding vomitting and needing to be prepared. I probably only get the down and out vomit flu every couple years but its not worth risking the band. I can't wait till your banded!!! I'll be thinking about you and sending warm fuzzy thoughts, Teresa

Great job Katie!!! Congratulations!!! I also notice and appreciate those small noticable changes. Keep up the good work, Teresa

I hope Lisa doesn't have erosion. I also hope Teng will end up taking her. At least then she wouldn't have the drive to California for check-ups. Thanks for the update. I thought it was funny that I woke up today and here is a newly formatted lapbandtalk. Alex must have ESP! Well hope you have a good day, Teresa

Bright, Nice to hear from you and glad your getting out into the "world". I think you'll enjoy it a lot. Best of luck on your fill and let us know how it goes. Good seeing you and wish you the best, Teresa

Also... I WANT THE REST OF THOSE RECIPES!!!

Wow Karen, That is amazing! I love your pics! It was so nice to have met you in Vegas and I'm glad to see you posting here. You have done great and have inspired me immensely. Best wishes to you and your family, Teresa P.S. Between us though I still think you were more attractive heavy in Hawaii then the Ex-mother in law...

Hello, You do have the cutest face and sweetest smile. Best of luck on your continued weight loss journey. Its nice to see so many pics of people. Best wishes, Teresa:)

Hi Penni, Glad you woke up and the pain was gone. Did you get another fill recently? Seems weird it would get sore and painful a while after a fill. Hope Dr. Billy's new technique works better for you and can't wait to hear whats in store for Lisa. Penni you are such a blessed sweet angel. Best wishes and good health, Teresa Whats the deal with this website recently? I can't get everything to work smoothly...

Hello Miss Lisa girl, Sorry you have been blue today. I have missed you all too. Vegas was such a magical time for me and I can truly say I had an absolute blast. I wish we weren't all so far apart. I had a busy long work day and then went to Water aerobics. Now I am about to go watch one of my few favorite sitcoms Survivor. I don't know why I love that show but I have watched it forever. I loved that Rupert fellow the last season. I am glad you enjoy riding the motorcycle more than you thought you would. They are really cool looking. Do you feel comfortable letting Chris drive you around? I would be a paranoid freak. I have a hard enough time keeping my mouth shut when KC is driving a car. How is little Cloe? I really think something should be done about that situation. I know you don't want to play God or anything but you would feel terrible if something ever did happen to her and nobody had done nothing to change the situation. You and Chris should take the classes for foster care just for kicks. Maybe fostering to a special child is something you might consider some day (right time/place). My neices are caught in a precarious situation too but at least they are not abused, have two parents at home all the time (they refuse to keep jobs) and are well loved. If any of that ever changes though I would step in quickly. Anyway, hope you wake up in a sun shiney mood tomorrow. At least you have warm sun shine there. We came back to Oregon and we felt totally unclimatized. I went and weighed in today after our vacation and only lost .2 lbs. NOT MUCH!!! Oh-well, It was vacation... I was mainly just happy I didn't gain after vacation. All of those yummy alcoholic drinks and road food.... Sigh... Well, chat later, Teresa:)

Hey John! I too loved your music and we were thrilled to have met you. I didn't get one of your cards though...(POUT) I knew I should have gotten an autograph while it was possible. LOL... You and Penni are wonderful and I am so glad you came to the event with her. Thank you for dragging us around (we were entirely too fearful of the Vegas traffic) and thank you for being great Breakfast companions. Keep in touch and best wishes to you. Teresa:)

Thanks Lisa, I will use one of those. That was really nice of you to do that. Teresa:)

Hi Bobby, I sure hope it all works out. My dad left when I was 7 ish and has been remarried many many times. Some of the wives I have liked and others I didn't. My mom on the other had always took the greatest care of us and married a wonderful man. He has been my step-father for almost 18 years now and I adore him. I love my dad but it seems that relationships with women are more important than those with his children. We still talk weekly and he'll always be my dad but his frequent marriages have caused a long source of conflict in my life. I understand parents should be happy too and have a good kind loving spouse but the kid comes with you and your wife should love her as well. I was a monster during my teenage years so I do no they are not always cute and lovable but she should be accepted under your roof none-the-less. Best wishes to you, Teresa

Hi Lisa, You need to do whatever it takes to get that thing healed. Its ridiculous that it has taken so long. As far as the pool thing, I had no idea I was supposed to stay out of the Water so as soon as my plane landed home from my surgery trip, I was in my hottub. I do heal pretty easily and never had a problem from that but I hadn't even thought about the perils from using the tub either. Keep the chin up and hopefully it all gets figured out. Are there immune booster things? Teresa