JustCallMeKelly

Would still love to meet up sometime, just pm me for my number and we can coordinate. KKG

Karen, I'm thinking it was atleast $500 total that I had to pay out of pocket for Dr. Cywes' extra "stuff" (nutritionalist, phsyc appt., etc.) but I could be wrong...maybe someone else with a better memory could let you know...or you could just ask the office coordinator (Dana Zamont I think is her name). Good luck to you. KKG

Kerrie and Sue, hello ladies (and anyone else that wants to meet up in OP)...so sorry that I've been MIA again from this site...I just can't keep up with my 2 moms groups, doctor appts., and all the emailing and websites I check these days Anywhosy, I wanted to say that I would love to get together with both of you (and of course anyone else that wants to join us), I would love to share my experience Kerrie and would also love the chance to pick your brain Sue about how you made it to goal! I'm fine with either sometime during the week (Mon/Thurs/Fri.) but I'd have to bring my 3 yo and could either meet for coffee at SB (I LOVE lattes and the venti only has 25 grams carbs w/splenda) or could do lunch at Panera (they have a great tuna salad salad that I eat there). Or since Sue is better for the weekends I could do a Sat. afternoon (my son has Little Gym in the am) at the park or somewhere for lunch. If either of you would like my cell number to call and we can coordinate then please pm me and I'll give it to you. Look forward to talking with you both and meeting you soon. KKG

Hey Kerrie! Congrats on surviving the summer w/2 tween boys Yes, I'd love to get together with a bunch of bandsters here locally anytime. I wouldn't even mind having a monthly get together here at my house if we could just get it all coordinated. I do know that Susan (JaxBandster) was trying to find a location that was centrally located for us all to meet up but not sure if that ever happened since I was MIA for the last couple months from this board (maybe someone else can fill me and Kerrie in if you all ever got together). But if you'd ever like to meet for coffee or lunch sometime just to chat and get to know each other I'd totally be up for that. I live out in Oakleaf...where are you? LMK and we'll try to coordinate something soon. Maybe if I can hang around with some other bandsters (or soon to be) then I can get my motivation back and maybe motivate others as well! TTYS. Be well. KKG

We did just fine here in Oakleaf, some minor standing water and some down small trees (shallow root systems) but that's about it. Hope you are fine as well... I know there were some tornados in the surrounding areas last night! Hope everyone here survived this weird bizzare storm system. xoxo KKG

Thanks for the pep-talk Karen, it is much appreciated! I do know that I have to keep on going... especially since I still have 104 more lbs. to lose to get to my goal of 180 (Dr. C says I should be at 160 but I'm shooting for 180 instead). My biggest problem is that I did such an extreme LOW Carb for the first 5 months (under 15 grams/day), which is why I had such great success in losing, but now I just can't seem to get back on the low carb wagon... I've tried and failed like 9 times in the past 2 1/2 months!!! I don't know what's wrong with me! Every day I wake up and tell myself that today is the day that I'm going to start being a better bandster, but when lunch time comes I fail every time! I really think I'm going to have to get some professional intervention here...maybe some sort of addiction program. I will say this, especially to reassure those of you that are newbies or are getting ready to have the band, this lap-band has saved my life!!! And although my own demons are making it harder for me to lose right now, the band has kept me eating small meals and it keeps me from eating ALOT of the foods I'm most addicted too...breads, rice, and pastas! If it wasn't for the band I would never have been able to lose this weight and I certainly would not have been able to keep it off after 2 1/2 months of cheating w/no exercise. I just really need to find my focus and determination to get the rest of this weight off! Thanks for listening. Much love to all. KKG

Hey Kerrie and welcome to the Jax group! I live in OP too, Oakleaf to be specific, and have a 3yo son. LMK if you'd ever like to get together, how old are your boys? Well good luck with the process and just try and keep your patience throughtout. Take care. KKG

Oh, it was HUGE! Dr. C freaked out when he saw my results...but then you have to consider that I haven't lost any more in the past 2 1/2 months so when you average it out, it's more like 90 lbs. in 7 months, which is still great, but just not great considering I still have about 90 lbs. left to goal. I never meant to imply that I wasn't happy with the results I had in the beginning, it's just been these past 3 months that have been the killer for me!!! I know it's common for it to happen cos' Dr. C did warn me that between 4-6 months is when most people either fail or get started...I'm just mad at myself for failing my bad :-( Sorry if I gave the impression that I wasn't happy with my success cos' I'm thrilled, the band has saved my life... I just wish I wasn't such an addict to carbs cos' that is one thing the band cannot fix for me; I have to conquere that one all by myself and I'm afraid that I never will. Take care. KKG

Hello all, hope this finds you all doing GREAT!!! I've been MIA for a couple months but got the friendly LapBandTalk reminder to come back so I figured I'd start here! It's been a couple of tough months for me... all self inflicted unfortunately! I've completely fallen off the wagon and although my band has kept me from gaining I haven't lost at all. So in the first 4 months post-surgery I lost about 90 lbs. (give or take a lb. depending on scale) and in the past 2 1/2 have gained about 4 back :-( I've completely stopped exercising and have started eating carbs with every meal and have cancelled my last two appts. w/Dr. C...not out of guilt but just felt like there was nothing he could do for me since I didn't need a fill, I'm pretty much at the sweet spot as far as fullness goes but still battle with my carb addiction and laziness in exercising. Anyway, that's what's going on with me. Sue, I wanted to congradulate you on doing so wonderfully, I'm really proud of you and you look great! I'm posting my 4 month progress pics here so you can see how far I got before stalling. Much love to all. KKG

Oh okay, now I understand your situation...well for me I finished the 6 month waiting period in mid-November (which then triggers approval from insurance company) and had surgery Dec. 26th. Hope that helps. Sorry for misunderstanding the first time I responded. Take care. KKG

Thanks Juno for replying...you are awesome cos' I notice you respond alot on this thread and I know it is appreciated. I wish you much joy during your pregnancy and many blessings for your little miracle. Be well. KKG

Hey everyone, well I was just wondering how long after being banded did most of you wait to start trying for pregnancy? Also, how much did you weigh when you got pregnant? One of my main reasons for being banded is so that I can have another child. When I got prego w/my son 3 years ago I weighed 300 lbs and although I had no problems conceiving i did encounter problems during pregnancy due to weight issues (high bp, gest diabeties w/insulin, low blood sugar for baby when born, etc.) so when I got the band my goal was to lose 110 lbs. before even thinking about trying for #2, but now it's been 6 months and I've lost 90 lbs. (20 to go) but I'm getting so anxious and worry cos' I'm getting older by the day (which means so are my eggs) and I'm starting to think I should just throw caution to the wind and start now, even though I'm not to my pregnancy goal weight yet (my ultimate goal is 180 but I'm already 35 and will be 36 in Nov so don't want to wait till I reach 180 cos' that just seems too far away). What do you think? Any and all input would be appreciated. Peace to all. KKG

That's right Sue we ARE ONLY HUMAN and each of us has to face our own private demons everyday we wake up, but atleast it's better than the alternative right? Anyway, just wanted to tell you that I'm thinking of you and hoping that you are enjoying Vegas but are making good choices at the same time! After all, I KNOW there are alot more fun things to do in Vegas than JUST EATING! So focus on those instead of the all you can eat buffets and if you do choose to indulge than just accept it and move on to the next bite or meal and make it better than the last! Good luck and remember to enjoy life every day...Peace! KKG

1000Words, Well I don't know about your insurance company, but mine required me to do a 6 month doctor supervised weightloss period, so even though I went in for my meeting in May of last year, I didn't get the surgery till 12/26....so it really all depends on what they find out from your ins. co. but I will say that Dr. Cywes' office is very proficient in finding out the info they need to get you started...after all they don't get paid till they DO the surgery so that will be their goal, as well as yours. Hope this helps. Take care and good luck. KKG