WOWOX7

Pink, I would say to pick a Dr. If you are self Pay.. be selective , it is your right to choose. Make sure you are happy with them. Ask questions about after care, do they have a 24 hour emergency line? what all does the price include, how many fills, for how long. Even if that Dr is more expensive than the others or Mexico, I found that having complete faith in my Dr and having him 30 min away was SOOOO worth the extra money. You can not put a price on health and PEACE OF MIND. Once you select your Dr, since you are self pay, it should go a little faster. You SHOULD have some medical testing to do. Also, double check with your insurance, sometimes they will pay some on the fills. Congrads on your decision, You will not regret it. Lois

Getting there. NAME----------------------START-------------CURRENT-------------GOAL------------------TO GO 1000words..........220............218............210...........8 annjones...........277............277............267..........10 AuntieGG...........286............282............270..........12 Barb12590..........185............185............175..........10 Bonnielass.........168............166............159...........7 Brandy.............198............198............190...........8 crzytchr...........250............244............240...........4 CubsGirl...........150............150............140..........10 Cutiew/booty.......224............224............212..........12 Imgoingdown........239............199............189..........10 janesays...........230............230............215..........15 Jodi_620...........160............160............148..........14 karebare714........283............277............265..........18 kikival315.........219.5..........218.5..........210.........8.5 LauraP.............170............170............155..........15 lcwils01...........227............225............213..........12 Leslie2lose........229............223............219...........4 LilMissDiva........253............244.0..........239...........5 Long2BThin.........216............212.7..........205.........7.7 Loveislovely.......223............216............208...........9 ltgordon...........264............263............250..........13 Mair...............231............231............220..........11 Mamanmidwife.......264............264............250..........14 misskitty84........313............263............243..........20 mominlv13..........270.2..........270.2..........260........10.2 SanDiegoPhotog.....263............191............179..........12<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> Sistergrl25........359............289............264..........25 Tabithan...........246............246............236..........10 Terilynn112........224............224............200..........24 Tuger..............192............192............185...........7 twinmommie.........207............207............193..........14 wowox7.............173............170............163...........7

cool, this year should get me to my goal. I AM IN !!!!! Name_________StartWeight___CurrentWeight______Goal________ToGo *****<?xml:namespace prefix = v /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" filled="f" stroked="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe">:cool2:</v:shapetype>************************:tt2:*********:thumbup:****** :wink_smile:*** Brandy.............198............196...........166...........28 Chocolate_Snaps....244............244...........175...........69 Ebonie.............307............307...........200...........107 GratefulHeart......226............223...........135...........88 Lindar172..........246............246...........150...........96 LocomotiveEngineer.376............311...........220...........91 Long2BThin.........216............212...........169...........43 lotzasunshine......270............270...........180...........90 Loveislovely.......216............216...........175...........41 Mamanmidwife.......264............264...........200...........64 Under200...........242............199...........155...........44 vzghj3.............202............202...........150...........52 WOWOX7..................173...................170..................125.................45

Gingerbug, A year does make a big difference. I do not see my weight loss on myself except when I look at pictures, then I see it. but looking in a mirror or looking down at myself, I still see the old me. My Laundry NSV is when I fold my underwear... Not Tent-N-Awning anymore. 40ismyyear. congrads.... How wonderful. scale Victories are just as important. I know this band IS the single best thing I have ever done for myself. Self pay.. yep, and I would pay it all over again... Double it even. I AM WORTH IT. Again Congrads.. I need to set my final goal. How did you set yours? Lois

All, Today is my one year anniversary of my surgery and I was wondering how everyone is doing on their Anniversary. I would love to hear from all of you as your DAY approaches. As of today, I have lost 115 since the begining of my journey. I can not tell you how much better I feel and all of the NSV I have had. I started out in a 26 jean or 3x and am now wearing 12p jeans and some med tops. I went from 3x scrubs to wear to work, to now buying mediums. More important, I feel so much better. I can breath, I am not short of breath anymore, I can walk from the parking lot to the store, or into work. I can reach things so much better, not knocking stuff over with my butt.... My chances of diabeties has lowered, my blood pressure has lowered. I can now sit on the floor if I want, I can cross my legs... My thighs dont rub as bad. I feel healthy... finally. I love, love ,love my band and want to hear your stories. Following those band rules. Lois

Mim, How exciting.. I know how you feel... remember this feeling and keep those old big jeans. As you lose, the days that you may not be losing the "pounds" and are discouraged... try on those old big jeans. IT WILL PICK UP YOUR SPIRITS. Today is my one year anniversary of my surgery. I started in a size 26 jeans and wore size 12p out shopping today. Congrads, and follow those banding rules. Lois

Name...........Start Lbs.........Current..........Goal....To Go 1000words.....220..................218.............210.........8 Barb12590.....185...................185.............175........10 Bonnielass......168..................168..............159........9 Brandy...........198..................198.............190.........8 crztchr...........250..................247.............240........7 CubsGirl..........150..................150.............140.......10 Imgoingdown...239..................199.............189.......10 janesays.........230..................230.............215......15 karebare714....283..................283..............265......18 kikival315........219..................219..............210.......9 LauraP............170..................170..............155.......15 leslie2lose.......229..................223.5............219......4.5 LilMissDiva.......253..................249.2..........242.2......7 Long2BThin......216..................212.7.............205.......7.7 Loveislovely.....223..................220.............208.......12 ltgordon...........264.................264.............250.......14 Mamanmidwife .264.................264..............250.......14 misskitty84......313.................263..............243.......20 SanDiegoPhotog..263...............191.............179........12 Tabithan.........246..................246.............236.......10 Terilynn112.....224..................224.............200.......24 Tuger............192..................192..............185.........7 twinmommie....207..................207.............193........14 wowox7.........173..................171..............163........8 __________________

Name...........Start Lbs.........Current..........Goal....To Go Barb12590.....185...................185...........175.......10 Bonnielass......168..................168............159........9 Brandy...........198..................198............190.......8 crztchr...........250..................250...........240......10 janesays.........230..................230...........215......15 karebare714....283..................283............265......18 kikival315........219..................219............210.......9 leslie2lose.......229..................229............219.......10 LilMissDiva.......253..................250.6.........242.6......8. Long2BThin......216..................216............205.......11 Loveislovely.....223..................220............208.......12 ltgordon...........264.................264............250.......14 Mamanmidwife .264.................264.............250.......14 misskitty84......313.................263.............243.......20 SanDiegoPhotog..263...............191............179........12 Tabithan.........246..................246.............236.......10 Terilynn112.....224..................224.............200.......24 Tuger............192..................192..............185.........7 twinmommie....207..................207.............193........14 wowox7.........173..................173...............163........9

I to did the pre op diet twice, my first surgery was canceled the day before surgery. So I had to do another two weeks liquid diet a few months later. It is very hard to stay on track, but YOU can do it. IT IS SOOO WORTH IT. I drank the protein drink from walmart three times a day, and then supplimented with jello,broth, hot tea.... alot of hot tea. I also ate sherbert. Hang in there. it will be over before long.. two weeks is a small price to pay when you are talking about your health.... lois

Name...........Start Lbs...........Current..........Goal..To Go Brandy..............198..............198...............190........... .8 janesays............230..............230...............215..........1 5 LilMissDiva........253..............250.6...............242.6........ 8 SanDiegoPhotog ..263..............191...............179..........12 Terilynn112..........224..............224...............200.........24 Tuger.................192...............192.............185.........7 twinmommie.........207..............207..............193..........14 Loveislovely.........223............220..............208..........12 wowox7...............173............173...............163...........10

Count me in. I have been on my journey for a year now, and the pounds are coming off slower. So, my goal is 10 pounds by Valentines day.. stretch would be 15 lbs... good luck and follow those band rules.... Lois

Hello everyone, It is so good to see that everyone is keeping on track.I had to have a slight unfill right after halloween and am slowly getting filled back up. The last month and a half has been very slow for me. I did gain a little when they did the unfill. I had less restriction. Plus, I am trying to get back to regular eating. I had restricted myself on so many foods and am now eating potatoes, rice, starches a few sweets. Just trying to ease back into it. I went today for another fill, so hopefully I will really start to lose again. I am very happy with my progress so far. I did not take pics of my surgery day. I took them the day I started my Liquid Diet 12/20/2007, had surgery on Jan 3rd of 08. So I have taken year shots from when I started the Liquid diet. I am going to try to add them. if it does not work, They are on my signature. It has been quite a year, No regrets. Happy Holidays to all, and looking foward to a slimming new year.

I have always,, always been hot natured. Never wore long sleeves always short sleeve and not heavy material. I am now freezing all of the time, I wear pajamma pants and socks to bed. I guess the trade off is that I can now wear sweat shirts and sweaters that I love soooooo much. I love, love,love sweaters. Now I can wear them and be comfortable. Lois

You look wonderful and soooo much younger. Thank you so much for posting, I have had my band for almost a year and love to hear from old band timers.. AND WHO ARE THE HOT MEN IN THAT PIC??????? LOIS

Congradulations on your decision to be banded. Being healthy is my main reason for doing this. I was self pay, and would pay it all over again. Absolutly no regrets.. except that I should have done this sooner. Follow those BAND RULES, and remember that everyones journey is different. Keep up updated... Best of Luck. Lois

OK... I must chime in and give my two cents worth. Not only am I not invisible anymore, I have "grown smarts" since I have lost weight. Before (At work) I was treated like I didnt know anything, now I am treated more as a equal and know what I am talking about. Very strange. Lois

I had surgery on a thurs and I took two weeks off. I have a physical job of lifting patients and tugging. If my job was not physical, I could have went back on the following monday.

M51 Please go to another Dr. Dont stop at just one. I went to three Drs before I chose. 1st Dr was just a "prick", the second surgery center I went to basically lied and said anything to get me into the door to collect my $150. consultation fee. I did not wait around to see the Dr. I was self pay and the decision on the DR and PROCEDURE was MINE and mine alone. Please dont give up. It is soooo worth the head aches.......

You must do what you feel is right for you. FOR ME...... No more diets!!!!! This WILL be the last time at losing. It is an end to the constant dieting, feeling of failure. Sure I could lose the weight, but keeping it off was my problem. My health is the most important, and right now is the time to take care of this issue. FOR GOOD !!!!!! Best of Luck with your decision. Lois

4,700 sounds like a good deal to me.. I paid 16,000. But my thought is "CAN YOU PUT A PRICE ON HEALTH?" I used half savings and then put the rest on a 3.9 credit card. paying it off monthly. The intrest paid is sooo worth it... 111 pounds lost so far.

I also have used Cottage cheese as a staple since my band. I absolutly love putting it on my lettace salad either with or without added meat. You can cut down on the amount of dressing you put on your salad also. I also put sliced pickled beets on that same salad.. WONDERFUL I am now to where I am venturing out alittle and adding some starches.. I eat cottage cheese on a baked potato and then top it off with pace Pacante sauce...TRY IT. One way that I got my Nieces and Nephews to eat Cottage chesse is to sprinkle the Season All or Lowerys Season Salt on it. Bacon bits is good also. Like someone else said, you can use it instead of dressings... I put it into my tuna salad and chicken salad. best of luck to all. Lois

I have bought differnet sizes from Walmart, both Glad and rubbermaid. So I have quite a few. I use them soooo much. I like freezing taco meat, soups,chili ect. I used them alot at the begining with making mushies,, egg salad, instant mashed potatoes.. ect. I could make it ahead and use the amount I needed.

Sick over the weekend, but feeling so much better. had to have a slight unfill. NAME********START WEIGHT*****CURRENT WEIGHT********GOAL********LBS. LOST ****:w00t:*************************:tt2:*************:biggrin:*******:w00t:* 1dayatime..........263............261............243............2 2BHealthE!.........194............179............194............0 ahsem2bme..........244............244............225............0 aJoneen............223............213............213...........10 Aphrodite1984......208............208............190............0 Ariel..............199............191.3..........185..........7.6 ArmyWife4life......209.5..........209.5..........190............0 Barb12590..........228............212............213...........16 Bea1128............210.5..........201.5..........188............9 blueriley..........206............206............190............0 Brandymom1234......227............151.9..........135..........4.1 Caramia71..........208............202............195............6 cQQlgirl...........194............191............180............3 Crzytchr...........281............266............265...........15 DebinFl............181............177............168............4 georgiagirl........245............227............220...........18 HarleyGirl.........188............182............175............6 HeatherA...........210.5..........199.4..........200.........11.1 HeatherO...........155............143............140...........12 Ivyrose325.........212............212............199............0 Jazzyywan..........255............255............190............0 Jodi_620...........196............177............177...........19 KikiVal315.........237.5..........229............220..........8.5 Lana24.............208............194............185............1 laurigee...........180............169............160...........11 Leslie2Lose........220............214............205............6 lindar172 .........274.2..........258............256.........16.2 LisaB..............205.5..........192............180.........13.5 livn4thm...........235............229............210............6 Long2bthin.........248............227............230...........21 Luu2008............203............199.5..........183..........3.5 Mamanmidwife.......299............276............280...........23 mamato3............186............186............170............0 MarinaBleu.........226.5..........226.5..........216............0 memom..............210............210............168...........42 Minxz..............299............286............280............9 mominlv13..........299.8..........282.4..........280.........17.4 Momof5.............192.5..........187.5..........175..........5.0 nip50..............175............166............160............9 NukeChik...........218............213............208............5 NurseNiki..........258............244............239...........14 odamay.............242............242............225............0 paige65............252............240............232............8 Peaches11..........205............205............194............0 pj_txlady..........220............213.5..........200..........6.5 Redtulips3.........180............171............169............9 Renee74............214............200............199...........14 Renewedhope........171............167............150............4 reif78.............294............195............185............0 savimama...........216............216............200............0 shaversd...........230.5..........225............210..........5.5 SpecialK...........294............286............280............8 Sunshine2..........177............167............167...........10 Tess...............304............296............280............8 thatDEgirl.........211............191.6..........195.........19.4 tp78...............201............192............180............9 Turler.............225............215............210...........10 wendyw.............192............188............172............4 wowox7.............195............175............170...........20 WyominGirl.........327............321............312............6

As an addition to luluc, I mixed up alot of egg salad, I could make it as thin as needed and it is wonderful protein. I put some garlic powder,pickle relish,mayo in it.. as I got out of mushie stage I even added shredded cheese to it. I also ate alot of Cottage cheese, again you can fork it and make it thin. When I got tired of it, I sprinkled McCormick's "season all" on top. later, after I was out of mushies, I topped my lettace salads with Cottage chesse as well as a very small baked potato for some added protein. Lois

I was self pay at $16,500. That includes fills for a year. but who can put a price on Health? I would have paid double that to get the results and health benifits I have had so far. Just keep checking Drs in your area.There are many that have payment plans. I was lucky enough to use half savings and the other half I put on a very low intrest "3.9%" credit card and paying it monthly.