FunnyDuddies

Oh that is awesome!!! I hope that your bandiversary sees you in that dress!!

I couldn't think of anything. So I went and looked. That was a really bad idea. You know how the meat and cheese drawer covers the lower shelf? Well there was a plate, with something on it, covered by celophane. I don't know what it was. It refused to come off the plate. Everything went into the trash. It is a plate from a set we no longer use. I am so afraid of what it might have been. Other than that, my fridge is pretty empty. I go grocery shopping once a week, and only keep the food we will eat in that week in there. It is a new tactic. That way I won't eat what isn't on my diet, because I wouldn't be able to have anything to eat at the end of the week. Amy

Only thing I have been able to buy at lane bryant for the last few years is bras and panties. I did, on a whim, go in about a year and a half ago and find a really sexy nightgown (red satin, plunging neckline, floor length skirt) that fits wonderfully, but it will be so nice when i can go there to buy jeans. I am wondering how long it will be before I buy a skirt again. That is a big one for me. Skirts are so NOT on my list at the moment. So it will be really nice to be able to buy cute clothes. Amy

I heard a rumor from a friend who is related to one of anna nicole's chefs that she had the band. and she had lots of complications from it too because she refused to follow the rules when it came to eating, but eventually it made her so sick she started following the rules. she left the country to have it, and she has actually been "altered" in the head less due to less drinking and less pill popping. but it has really helped her back pain losing all that weight. And she did use trimspa after the surgery. It helped raise her resting metabolic rate, because she refuses to work out. she says she likes the soft look, and doesn't want muscles. Amy

LOL I am a big wuss when it comes to scars. But even if I just wear this in the presence of my close family or friends, it will be well worth it. Hek, even just being able to put it on alone in the bathroom will make me do a little wiggle dance. LOL Amy

I am going to go for the full monty. I have a BADLY sagging belly. I forget what it is called, but I don't see anyway that is going to absorb back the way it is supposed to. And my butt is HUGE so I am sure there will need to be lifted. My legs aren't too bad in the lower half, but my thighs will prolly need to be lifted when the tummy and butt is. And my arms will need to be done I am sure, but they aren't as bad as the tummy. I had a breast reduction about 9 years ago, and they have lost some of their perkiness after the kids were born, so I will prolly have them lifted, and maybe made slightly bigger. Depends on how much volume I lose. My face should be fine. No need for a chin lift I don't think. Amy

The funniest thing my DH said to me the day I scheduled my surgery and made it all definite... "It makes me want you more now because I know I am never going to make love to you, the way you are now, again. It is like I am going to get a whole new wife." This took me a bit of time to digest, and in his weird male way (sorry guys) it was touching. LOL He has even suggested renewing our vows after I reach goal. Amy

I have United Healthcare, and they are really pushing companies to put in the written bariatric surgery exclusion. This is something new, and unfortunately something I am being blocked by. I have to self pay for my surgery. Hopefully they will not have the written exclusion for my mom, because it would be hard for her to save up that cash. Amy

Anyone out there with before and after photos with reconstructive surgery after WLS? I would love to see the "final product"! And those who have decided they are good without the surgery, show off those tummies!! I am concerned about how much sagging skin I will be left with and want to see how well you all "shrunk" back to you final sizes. Amy

Congratz!! That sucks they didn't pay for the surgery initially. My mom wantws the surgery done and she has pacificare. Amy

Not banded yet, but I have lost almost 40 pounds on my own, and YES! DH is very happy. Plus after two kids, my drive was totally gone, but not lately! It is like we are newlyweds again!! LOL Can't wait to see what nooky is like at 100 pounds lighter! Amy

How much of all this cost is offset by the cost of food we are NOT eating! After the band I am going to put away the amount of money i save on food and put it towards clothes!! Amy

Congradulations!! This weekend I got into a size 26 jeans. They were tight as hell and I didn't wear them all day, but the freaks zipped up!! Amy

I actually checked with my insurance comapny for a similar situation. Only I was checking for Tubal Ligation. My insurance will cover that surgery in full. But if I have the lap band put in at the same time, they will cover NONE of it. I have United Healthcare and there is a written exclusion of any bariatric weight loss surgery. So that nails the coffin shut on insurance covering any of my WLS. Amy

Another way to look at calories vs. weight loss is there are 3500 calories in one pound of fat. If you burn an extra 500 calories a day or reduce your diet by 500 calories a day, you can easily and consistantly lose one pound a week. At least that is what my nutritionist has told me. For 2 pounds a week you can do both. More than that can sometimes be muscle burning, unless you are very obese, then the weight will come off quicker. Learning what your resting metabloic rate (RMR) can also be helpful to you. Find that and you can make the calculations for how much to eat and how much to work out each day. I have used this formula for the last 4 or 5 months, and have been losing. I need the band because I always gain weight back when I get lazy again. But I have lost about 40 pounds so far with these two formulas. Amy

Kirstie Alley (sp?) i don't think had the surgery, but keep in mind, they do not ever show what the actual weight lost is. It is a marketing thing. They are trying to bring in the folks that have 20 or 30 pounds to lose. Not the 100's. If they show that she has lost 80 or 90 or 100 pounds on their system, those with 20 or 30 will think "well at least I don't have that much to lose. Their program is probably too strong for me. I'll just eat more apples." It is a bit of a joke in the weight loss industry. Usually you can at leasst double the number posted as the actual weight lost. Oprah I just can't tell though. I don't think she has had the surgery, because she does fluctuate so much, and because she has a chef and personal trainer employed. But I don't think she is against it for anyone else. I have seen her and Dr. phil praise people who have reached a healthy life through the WLSs and Dr. phil even had a woman on last week who he is buying all of her plastic surgery for. Amy

I keep imagining when it is time to try it on, and finding that it is too big. It really is great motivation. I even made sure it was a style that will cover scars if I have a lower body lift afterwards.

Who banded you in Mexico? And because of this complication, will they put in a new band for you so you can have one with a port? Amy

LOL I know, its silly. But it is so much motivation for me. Yesterday we took my mother to visit Ron Jon, a famous surf shop here in Florida. I decided I would by myself a little bikini to hang on the wall and keep me motivated, like in that yogurt ad on tv. Its a little black number, size large in case I never make it to a medium or small. But won't I be jumping up and down freakin happy if it ends up being TOO BIG!!! Amy

I just wanted to share because I am happy to the point of tears. My mother is an obese woman as well. I believe she is around 280#. She was a cat on the ceiling when she heard I was going to have surgery for weight loss, and yesterday she told me that after all of her checking into it and all of my excitement and happiness, she is going to have the lap band "installed" herself!! I am so excited!! She lives in Washington State so anyone that has a good name of a surgeon please let me know. It will be hard to not work on this together as well as we could have because of the nation seperating us (I'm in florida) but that is why God invented the Internet!! OMG. I am just so happy. She is single and lonely with only her 83 yo father to care for, and I know she is unhappy. I hope this makes a difference in her life. Gets her to interact with more people. I am sure she will soon be a member, coming here and asking tons of questions in her preparation. Yay Mom!! Amy

I have heard that he was good, but be sure to ask if he will definitely be the one to do the surgery. My husband worked with a woman who had a surgical appt with him, and another doctor from his clinic was the one who showed up to do it, without explination or forwarning. Her surgery went fine, but she said it perturbed her a bit. This is second hand news about him, so I am not sure how true it all is. But it is one of the things I had heard, and should be questioned just in case. Amy

I am going to be banded in Mexico in April, and was told that a great doctor that will complete Mexico fills in the Tampa bay area is a Dr. Jesse (sp?). I will be getting her number soon in email. I will forward it along when I get it. She is in Lutz I think. Amy

Happy to keep in touch. I will be here, lurking and posting Amy

I am scheduled for April for surgery with Dr. Sanchez. How was your experience? And if you don't mind me asking, why did you choose him? Amy

Oh, and some of the things planned when I get to goal weight: Ride a roller coaster Get a butterfly tattoo (for the transformation) Belly Button Ring Plastic surgery to fix any problem areas Marathon (I used to be an avid runner) Topless sun bathing in the bahamas ... yeah I said topless! LOL I will probably never do it, but a girl's gotta dream!!...