Ang1982

This was almost as if I wrote it myself (with the exception of having the forums before surgery) I too am a slow loser. I was fatter, I'm still fat and I have a ways to go as well and my surgeon is a great person but has told me he won't give me anymore fills and I'm not at my sweet spot at all. I never had the option of a nutritionist, it was just me my band and the world. This place provided me with a lot of very great support and information as a new bandster and I am thankful for LBT and the support and people. So I agree, thank you.

Things are going well, perhaps not as quickly (weight loss wise) as I would have originally guessed but I'm happy. Need to get in for a fill soon though I think. I lurk around every once and a while to see what's new and exciting lol. How are you doing?

As Krtork suggested I would go to a running store. I went to The Running Room here (chain, perhaps one near you) and they picked out what I consider to be a great shoe for me and it's made a world of difference.

Well it's been an incredibly long time since I posted on LBT. I occasionally browse through but not as often as I used to. I've had my share of ups and downs and plateaus that made me CRAZY but all in all this has been a fabulous experience. My main thing I need to get in control is not so much how much I eat as it is what I eat. Even with my fill level at a good amount (ie: I can't really eat before lunch time and even then it's touch and go) I do not PB at all, I will occasionally slime and feel uncomfortable but it always goes down. Lucky? Maybe lol. As for exercise I go through phases where I exercise a lot and then I will be lazy for a bit but that's going to change for good I tell ya! Even though I'm not on here often, I do update my blog and post pictures on there. :scared2:

I'm so sorry to hear. Wishing you a speedy recovery back to good health! You will be in my thoughts.

I can't believe I never posted these here - I posted them on the main photo thread but not here, silly me! First pic 319.5 lb pre surgery, Second pic Oct 30 256lbs

18-20,000 in Canada?! :smile2: Where do you live?! In BC you can get it done for $14,000. An alternate suggestion would be to check out Dr.Kirschenbaum in Denver, CO - I believe he is approx $9,000 and has done MANY MANY bands.

Way to go girl!! Good on ya! And I too would take some extra motivation if you are sharing! hehe. I am going to the gym today to check out their membership packages though so hopefully they will be decent because I need to get my butt in gear if I am going to continue on my road of trying to join the police force in Canada (RCMP).

To be honest, I do not think that BC MSP will cover the lapband at all, no matter what the circumstances. Not to be the bearer of bad news but I could be wrong so good luck and keep us posted. BC MSP does cover gastric bypass except I believe that the wait list is currently 5 years or so.

I just want to throw out there about Dr.Woodhead, I was banded by him in January of this year and had a fabulous experience. I was not stitched shut by him, glued and normal and showering within two days. I had no shoulder pain from gas whatsoever, minimal bruising and no oozing. I think everyone's experience could be unique and I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone. Personally, I again would pay the extra to know that I am set for life with aftercare and do not have to pay for aftercare (I know some people have to pay up to $200/fill and at the 5 fills I have had this year that would be another $1000). And no, Dr.Woodhead does not fill other peoples patients. In my research if you are going across the border for fills (to Arlington or Everett, etc) you are going to have to assume that you will be paying at least $175 per fill and at our current dollar that would be almost $200 Canadian for a fill not to mention the cost of driving to wherever it would be vs driving to someone more local. I am absolutely not against someone going to Mexico or anywhere providing they have found and lined up proper aftercare before they go. The reasons I went local over Mexico (high considered Mexico as well by the way - or Denver)... 1) After care and fills all taken care of at no additional expense 2) Cost of time and travel for fills (1.5hr drive to Dr.Woodhead from where I live in the fraser valley and no border wait) and how much time I would have to take off work to get said fills done. 3) If I got a fill that once it settled it ended up being too much or I needed to reach Dr.Woodhead in an emergency for an unfill I know that I would be able to get into him asap and that he would accommodate me the best that he could because I am his patient and he is responsible to care for me. I'm not just another random number at a fill clinic. God forbid I should have to make an emergency run for the border for an unfill and have to sit for 2 hours at a border crossing during peak times. Those are just my opinions and experiences with Dr.Woodhead. There are a lot of people on this forum that have had surgery by him after I have (or before I have) that would recommend him absolutely and I would be more than willing to point them out if you need... Good luck in your decision and congrats on making the choice to better your life! :biggrin: (sorry if this seems like a long ramble!). Ps - if you visit my blog and go back into the archives I go into depth about everything w/ my experiences, how the day of surgery and Dr.Woodhead etc.

bandfan1 - thanks! Those pics are getting a bit old now, I REALLY have to get some new ones done. I think I will get my girl friend to take some of me next week and put up a new comparison. WOWOX7 - looking fantastic!!!! (and adorable baby pics on the wall in the background!)

Happy Birthday Alex!! Thank you for everything you do for us!!

Yah I would mention it to your doctor too - that's weird! How frustrating for you!!

So I haven't been faithfully updating my pictures like I should have (took them, just haven't "spliced" them together yet). However I did take a couple of pictures in the mirror at work today. Not the greatest quality but it's something... 62 lbs down @ 262.5lbs

I too have voted and will continue to do so as much as I can!! Good luck!!