IneedMajorHelp

jess that is just the most awful thing I've ever heard - that is not how a mother is supposed to act at all - when I told my mom she was 100% supportive - more than 100% - she wrote out the check for the surgery - she's given me a 1st and 2nd chance at life

thanx for the info - guess I'll stick with my SwiMP3 player for the time being - but good to know that the nano can pull double duty

I didn't know they had something like that - any more info? do you know if they have one for a regular sized iPod?

NO MUSIC?! - Finis, Inc. | High Quality Aquatic Equipment | Swimmer's Gear | Underwater MP3 Player | SwiMp3 - the SwiMP3 player - I've had one for 2 years - little pricey but if you love to swim you have to get one - $180.00 on amazon.com [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Finis-Waterprrof-Swim-MP3-v-2/dp/B000I4YGR6/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-6906808-5994256?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1186853415&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: Finis Waterprrof Swim MP3 v.2: Sports & Outdoors[/ame] - totally shamelessly plugging this because they are AWESOME!

amen to all that has been said here so far - you also said you've lost inches - that is nothing to sneeze at - you could also be gaining muscle which weighs more than fat - so don't just go by the scale - the first 2-3 weeks suck bigtime but it gets better - don't get discouraged

the packet that Dr. McKeen gave me for the insurance coverage said that you have to be on a Doctor supervised diet for at least a year, psych eval, etc etc etc - just making you jump through all the hoops - definately easier to self pay - they also gave me info on a payment plan - so you don't have to come up with it all at once - I'll see if I can dig it up - banded is the safest route - the way McKeen explained the difference to me was GB weight comes off faster but after you still have to do the work to maintain (portion control, excercise) and with the band the weight comes off slower but with the good habits - bottom line at the end you're still at the same point - I think LB is the healthier choice by far IMO

I'll probably have to have mine out - had an attack friday night - hurt like hell - called the doc and described it, he said that it happens with rapid weight loss sometimes and he said to get the ER - they did the ultrasound and gallbladder is full of stones and I probably passed one - thank goodness for demerol!

I got banded 4/30 - self pay Dr. McKeen in Provo - he didn't have me do a pre-op diet so the week before I didn't gorge, but I didn't diet either, just had some of my favorites, saturday before had my last 64oz mtn dew - didn't have any real "pain" just muscle soreness in my abs - felt like I'd done a million sit-ups - I've been back 3 times for a fill and so far I don't need one - still losing slow and steady - riding my bike and swimming - excercise is the key - when I don't do it I plateau - I still eat pretty much whatever just much much smaller portions - I do try and avoid the carb-y stuff (pasta, bread, rice, potatoes) and still no sodapop or coffee - its a good thing to do - I would do it again in a second - good luck to you

Thank you - I'll pass that along - good that it's in Highland and close - it's been about a year since he's been banded so he's due for a fill.

Grace, do you know how much they charge - my friend had his done in Mexico and needs a fill - thanx in advance

been there done that - 2 weeks before, I hit all my favorite places - especially pizza - good thing is now it's over I really don't feel like doing that anymore so that's a load off

stick to liquids and soft foods in small amounts - it's not about that you can eat whatever you want - your body has to HEAL - it's tough but stick with it - the first couple of weeks are rough

I've been the same all week - went for a fill - but I was down 5 since my appointment 2 weeks prior - so still no fill - I have slacked on the excercise this week though - so. . . it's kinda my fault

when my dad got his elbow done a few years ago he DID jump up off the table pull all the IV's out and run down the hall in the hospital gown the ones with the breeze in the back

whats up with kids like that - I know exactly where your coming from - about a month or so ago I was riding my bike - I'm feeling good - down about 30 at that point - getting easier to ride my bike - sunny day - good mood then BAM! bunch of teenagers in a car yell "your ass is too wide for the seat there buddy" - no shit sherlock why the crap do you think I'm riding a bike in the first place - or going to the pool is the worst with the 12-14 year olds - I'm thinking - hey you like to have a happy meal? - welcome to your future you miserable little bastards

right on - totally agree. I will say I'm glad I picked the earlier surgery date - waiting 2 more weeks would've made me nuts 2nd guessing myself - best thing I've done - why the hell did I wait to do it?!

Hey Gaffer - $16,000 man - love it - ain't it the truth

maybe get some bar ends - they attach on the ends of your handlebar - here's a link to a picture - [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Pyramid-Pro-Alloy-Mountain-Black/dp/B000ESNHR6/ref=sr_1_24/102-3129109-7481725?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1183933103&sr=1-24]Amazon.com: Pyramid Pro Alloy ATB Mountain Bike "Ski Bend" Bar Ends: Sports & Outdoors[/ame]

I say go for it - I'm already down at least a size and have started putting notches on my belt. I'm into a whole cache of clothes that I haven't worn for years + I've got dozens of concert shirts and a Paul McCartney Levi jacket that I've never been able to wear because they usually only carry up to XL

Amen to the being healthier part - IMO the recovery time alone is worth being banded vs. GB + it's reversable (if you want). I think it's better if it comes off a little slower, it's teaching you healthy habits by reducing your portions, chewing your food, laying off the carbs, and getting off your butt and excercising.

that first week post-op was brutal - being on the liquid diet - I was ornery as catshit that week

still no fill for me - 2nd follow up - doc says everything still A-Ok - month # 2 - maybe next time

I'm gonna have to pimp Dr. McKeen too - very good - I was a self pay but I think Blue Cross should cover it - you just have to jump through alot of hoops to get them to pay for it - you have to be on a Dr. supervised diet for a year, see the head shrinker, nutritionist etc etc etc yada yada yada . . . good luck out

yes Isagenix is MLM - which I hate (I've had friends try to sell me Amway/Qwikstar etc etc etc for years and it drives me crazy) - but the products do work - my neighbor got me onto it after she lost over 100 LBS and has kept it off - then my wife started on it and has lost 50 since january - so it's in the house and I need the Protein so now I'm on it - they really do have the best shakes from all the ones I've tasted - they stay with you all morning - it is a little pricey compared to the others - EAS you get way more bang for your buck, like twice as much for the same price - and Sam's Club has a liquid Vitamin that is very good - Liqui-Max I think is what it's called - out

I know that Sam's Club and costco have the EAS Protein shake mixes for about $23 or so for a big bag - chocolate and vanilla - also I've been doing the Isagenix system - they have very good shakes and they also have a unflavored whey powder that has 20 grams per scoop that you can add to the shakes or really almost anything - I usually mix a scoop of the Isagenix with a scoop of the EAS for Breakfast. out