Maggie63

thanks for your support. i work for the department of defense (federal employee). they occasionally ask for volunteers to assist in efforts like the war in iraq and natural disasters. i love getting out of the grind of the office and getting my hands dirty.....i have been very blessed in that my command is supportive of employees who assist in these efforts. i am supporting fema as a technical montior. i go out to group sites (manufactured homes and trailors) to make sure homes are designed to spec. the trailors are fema's answer to getting folks out of the cruise ships and hotels and into this temporary housing until new homes are built. harleynanna-i am staying in a hotel, although i had planned to live in a tent (lived in a tent for 36 days while in iraq...talk about an experience!!) the best me - i think what i need is a kick in the pants....but thanks for the hug, i probably needed that also : ) i know i can do this. it is funny but had i not had the band and lost 40 or so lbs before i got here, i probably could not have come. i do a lot of walking to sites and i could not have handled it physically. thank goodness for my band as it helped me live life instead of watching it go by from my couch!!! paula-where do you live? i took 10 to NO the other day, and was shocked that cars were still on top of homes, and debri is everywhere!!! thank you all so much for you support. i vow to go out and buy some Protein bars today so i am not eating junk!!!! i also vow to get my Water in and hit the treadmill before going into the joint field office!!! thanks again all...it means alot to me that you took the time to open this thread : )

Hi all. I am currently in Baton Rouge, LA to support the Katrina Relief effort for 30 days. I volunteered for this assisgnment and could not wait to get here and start helping. It is a very stressful environment (I had to drive to New Orleans by myself yesterday and check up on some manufactured trailer sites in questionable area's....it was interesting but stressful seeing all the devastation and knowing I was driving around where 6 feet of Water once lay). I am a relatively new bandster and have done well. I feel myself creeping into my old eating habits in the last week ....mostly stress related eating. Lately I have been just grazing all day long, eating things I should not. I eat when I am not hungry, I eat before I go to bed. We work 13 hour days and there is always food around the office. I am making bad choices. I am not knew to being in a stresful situation. I spent 7 months in Iraq to support the war effort there. But for some reason this situation has be edgy, I even broke out in hives 2 days ago and can't stop itching!! It is 530 AM here and I have been wide awake for hours...just can't sleep. I know I must do this myself, but I guess I am just looking for some support from all of you. If you have any advice please pass it along!! Thanks for listening.

strawartS- i love the colonic administering hippie thing....i will try the fleet stuff first.....thanks for the advice : ) i will let you know how it goes.

thanks ladies...i appreciate the advice!!

cellulite is actually going away for me. my breasts are hanging pretty low. i had a consult for breast reduction surgery (i am a 44 DD) i want to get it done before i loose too much weight and they are not big enough for a reduction. a friend of mine has gastric bypass, lost all her weight, and insurance denied her breast reduction because they were not big enough anymore, although they were down to her waist!!!!

i know. the thought of pooing in front of someone does nothing for me either :confused: , but a friend suggested i look into it because i am so constipated. i used to be a pretty "regular" girl. since the surgery, things have slowed up a bit. i actually feel bloated and puffy in my tummy area. i am eating a lot less food than i used to, but i should still be going every day...i am not. a colonic is also suppossed to act as a detox for the body and get everything running smoothly...... so, has anyone ever tried a colonic and did it cure what ailed you? :sick

thanks for this thread. i had very little restriction after my first fill. if i ate slowly, i could probably eat an entire horse. just got my second fill (1.7cc total in a 4cc band) a week or so ago. i am feeling REAL restriction now. i have to eat very slowly (or i pb), and after 1/2 a cup or so i am full. others bandsters i have talked to have completely different stories. i really do believe it depends on the individual : ) schel-if you are wondering if you fill is working it probably isn't. go back and see your doc :confused:

i am so sorry to hear about your loss. don't beat yourself up for the eating...but do reach out to someone for help. do you have a support group, family member or church group you can go to? reach out and get the help you need..you will be in my prayers

i have a 4cc band. my first fill was 1cc. i felt occasional restriction, but could eat about anything i wanted if i ate it slow. went in for my second fill the beginning of the month (.7cc) wow, what a difference. it has changed my eating habits completely. the fill, in my opinion, is the key to this whole business : )

i also wrote off my surgery, as well as doc appt, dentist appt, prescriptions, etc. it made a HUGE difference on my return this year!!

this is great news. i am fighting my insurance company to pay for my surgery. i hired a lawyer for my final appeal, and they said that since medicare is now paying, others should follow. she also thinks it will help win my case. yippee

you look amazing...congratulations...you are an inspiration to all of us.....

i had botox. the first time i did it i loved it. i felt like it really opened up my eyes. the second time i was not so happy with the results. i have crows feet and it did not get rid of any of those, and i feel like my eyes are not opened as much as the first time. this could be the technician, not the treatment. i think i paid $450 a treatment. would have to double check. as with the band, i would research research research and find the best doc in your area. pay a bit more it you have to make sure you are getting quality : )

i had botox. the first time i did it i loved it. i felt like it really opened up my eyes. the second time i was not so happy with the results. i have crows feet and it did not get rid of any of those, and i feel like my eyes are not opened as much as the first time. this could be the technician, not the treatment. i think i paid $450 a treatment. would have to double check. as with the band, i would research research research and find the best doc in your area. pay a bit more it you have to make sure you are getting quality : )

jonathan-i am new to the band and your posts helped me in many ways...i want you to know that and thank you for it. my thoughts will be with you on this new journey : ) let us know how you are doing.....

for me, it is all about the restriction. i just got my second fill and am feeling some real restriction now. it is helping out big time and i am not always hungry like before.....just my 2 cents : )

for me, it is all about the restriction. i just got my second fill and am feeling some real restriction now. it is helping out big time and i am not always hungry like before.....just my 2 cents : )

285, almost 3 months, 50%, 0 minuntes, 2 fills, no diet drugs, caucasian, 39 lbs lost

vera-you and your family are in my thoughts today. i am so sorry to hear of your devastating loss. m

i used to have it years ago.....have not had it since till after my second fill. went to 1.7 and now have been getting it on and off. if it continues i will go in for a slight unfill. great restriction though...muchbetter than before.

Self pay --How long have you been banded? (in number of months)2 1/2 months --What is your AVERAGE weight loss since banding? (total weight loss divided by number of months banded) about 16 lbs a month --Have you had any complications? If so, what? no --Have you had your band removed? no --What country was your band placed in? usa --What is your age? (I know...touchy. LOL But it does go along with the question.) 42

Banded: 12/02/05 Where: Harrisburg, PA Doctor: Dr. DiMarco Complications: None <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

i work for the Department of the Navy as a civil servant (no wise cracks here about gov't workers) lol...i have been all over the world with this wonderful job, including 8 months in iraq a year and 1/2 ago. i am getting ready to go to new orleans to assist with the katrina relief efforts there.

Two. The one I picked came highly recommended. There are only a handfull in my area. Really just two practices with several surgeons in each.

Jenna- I have already paid for my surgery out of pocket. I am now trying to get reimbursed. When I first called my insurance company they told me I would be covered. It was later that I was denied. They also denied me calling lapband surgery "experimental" I need someone to help me prove it is no longer considered experimental. That is why I need a lawyer that is experienced in this business. If the cost of a lawyer is to high, I will continue to fight on my own. Anyone that has anything they can tell me about these two lawyers (or any other) i would appreciate it. Thanks for your advice!!! M