cashley

She needs to have it done because the Yo-Yo dieting is unhealthly for her life and her self-esteem. I'm not saying that a persons self esteem should be based on weight but each time a person fails at a diet I think it's very hurtful on an emotional level. I choice this surgery becasue I wanted to be healthy and I was sick and tired of "failing" at a very hard honest effort to lose weight. So many people think overweight people are liars since they don't loose on normal diets like weight watchers.... I've discovered that weight watchers is just too many calories for me to lose on... had I not had the band I would have never realized that. I used to use Oprah as my "cope out" excuse. When I would fail I'd say "Hell if Oprah can't do it and keep it off with all her money, personal chiefs, diet coaches, personal trainers then how can a regular person like me do it" And for you people who say "Who Cares...." and act all holier then thou that you're better because you don't look at tabloids; the thing is some of us do care. For me I'm interested because it shows me how hard it is without surgery and justifies my decision.

I was self pay so I'm not sure of any up-front fees since I had to pay everything upfront. I'm very happy with my doctor...

I think that some people are inclined to visit a message board for Labband Support when they "need support"... there are some wonderfully positive people here that do lose and continue to post but I think even in my own experience is that when things are going wonderful "some people" may be less likely to visit as often as they may not need support and forget they may be "needed" to support others. This inturn looks like there are a lot of negative post and few postiive post. I found lots of people at the support group that my surgeon has that are at goal, lost a lot, have no issues, and are there for encourgement to others only. But they don't visit message board to share their postivie message. I used to get very discouraged here... in the beginning I wasn't losing, I was scared of the negative post and the complications. But I realized that there are probably thousands of sucessful lapbanders that just don't visit message boards and the people here are unique and many of them post more because they have more difficulty.

I had my surgery at Caritas Baratric Center (at St. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital) with Dr. Lusco. He's a grreat fill doctor but I'm not sure he does fills for people who were banded by other doctors. I'd call him and ask... 502-366-1090 http://www.lapbandoflouisville.com/meet_surgeons.asp

It says in the Inamed book that it's a No for Crohns. I have a friend that has it and she's about the same size as me... but her doctor won't do it. I'm not sure I understand why since it's not malabsorptive, doesn't affect the intestines and you can still eat normal foods and Fiber?

Congratatulations Janet, That's a good list and very inspiring.

I agree... I had a big wake up call on this since my last fill. I've dieted on Weight Watchers (Atkins, Slim Fast and others) and exercised and not lost weight for month and months straight. I used to think my body was just crazy. I didn't lose even one pound on my one week pre-op liquid phase and was still thinking my body was crazy. Now I'm finally losing and I can see now my calories just have to be really low. On Weight Watchers I was getting 1200 - 1500 calories which I realize now was just too much for me. I'm getting about 800 now and things are finally working. I used to think if I dropped below 1200 then I would go into Starvation Mode but now I realize that maybe that's where I need to be. It's sad because I feel the band is really the only way I could do that since before I couldn't get my "head" around eating less then 1200 calories. (It seemed so low back then)

Kellie - I wish you the best of luck on this matter. You have been a source of great inspiration to me here. I've enjoyed and learned from your post and loved your courage on the PS thread. You are very beautiful and look like your confidence is soring though the roof. My thoughts are with you and hope that the doctor is talking "worst case" and remember it may not go that direction.

1. Where do you get your fills done? Surgeon's Office 2. Who does the fill?? A doctor or a nurse or other clinician? Surgeon 3. Is it covered by your insurance or do you pay out of pocket? Out of Pocket Self-Pay but first year are included 4. What is the charge? ?? 5. What insurance are you on?? (also HMO or PPO) United Healthcare PPO 6. What state are you in? Kentucky 7. Do any of your surgeons provide aftercare as far as dietary classes or excersise classes or support group with and actual counsellor? Support Group once a month but it's a mess / no real counsellor's which I would love. 8. Same questions about how it is paid for?? Insurance or private pay and what is the fee? Private Pay / Not sure the fee yet

You both have to remember that it's your average that is important. If you lost that much since 3/1 then you have to expect to have some weeks with no lose at all. (or maybe even gain). My surgeron says a 1 - 2 pound average per week is what is expected. You're average is way higher then that; at about 10 weeks out your average is about 4 pounds per week.

Well P'nut I'm glad you asked this question... Mainly due to our past conversation on following the rules vs not following the rules. My fear actually comes from failing (not making it to thin). I guess I had so many issues with following all the rules because in the past I've always been very very strict on the rules of any plan I go on. I exercise a lot and still fail. When I made this decision to go with the band it was for the simple "portion control" that it would give me. I didn't want to go on another "rules based to do list" of a diet... I wanted to eat less exercise more and lose weight. Anyway my fear is of failing... that if I don't eat exactly as everyone here recommends and if I have a frosty or something sweet then I'm going to fail. Also I guess i'm lucky because I've been thin before (and not that long ago) and I'm just praying my clothes are still in style when I get there again.

Ok... I must be messing up making my shake. When I went to Sams a purchased it they were giving samples... I had a taste of the choc. and loved it. I bought it (18.88 price I think) whey Protein and it taste terrible here at home. I asked the lady how she was making it and she said with milk but it's too thick for me. So John how are you mixing your? I need assistance since I don't want to waste this big ole container.

Hey Everyone... Wow it's hard to get used to this restriction being fickle. It's like on one day you can get normal amouts of healthy food down and then other day it's pain and PB all day. I love reading here and checking on everyones progress. Does anyone have any good suggestions on canned soups. I'm not a veggie person and cambells taste so "blah" but I still eat it. I've been eating some "soup at hand" and they are ok. I wish there was canned soup that tasted as good as like Applebee's Tomasto Basil or O'Charlies Loaded Potato.

Here's a list of the top 5 bad stuff to look for 1. Hydrogenated oil 2. Suger 3. High fructose corn syrup 4. Enriched wheat flour (white flour) 5. Saturated fat It's on www.Oprah.com there is a whole bunch about the show.

I also TiVo'ed it and watched it yesterday. It was wild. I also have the book which is called "You - The owners Manual" by Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen. It's a great book, very informative and a pretty easy read. They have it at sam's for like $13.00 or so. That heart surgery was so sad I was scared she wouldn't live. I wish the food companies wouldn't quit going the cheap route and use real foods ingredients instead of all the junk. Like the high frutouse corn syrup. I never realized how bad it was.

patience is the hardest thing expecially in the begining. Here are some things that might make you feel better... *Some people don't loose at all until the 2nd or 3rd fill... *Some people never average more then 1/2 - 1 pound per week. (your average is way higher then that) *Everyone says "It's a gift to loose anything prior to the first fill I was fustrated and tried of hearing the above statements since I didn't loose but 5 pounds until my second fill... now that I'm looking at it in hindsite I understand what everyone was trying to tell me. The most imporatant # to tell if you are losing or if this is working is are you averaging (all your weeks divided by your total loss) 1 pound per week loss. I know that sounds hard when you're staying the same week after week.

I forgot about bananas... they are easy on the band and filling. Good idea. Also I think I will get some special K bars and the tuna packs. Expecially for next week when i'm in a conference that has the dreaded "Conference Meals" of Muffins for Breakfast, Roast Beef and uck for lunch and weird for dinner. I'm hoping my taste changes to eat Chili from Wendies because that would be an awsome and quick choice... I don't like Beans so I've never liked it before but I tried some from the insides of a burrito the other day and they weren't bad. It's weird how taste change. Wish me luck on the chili... I hope to magically like it next try. I'm going to get some Frosted Chex also since that will be a nice crunchy subsitute from chips. I've been eating Fiber One for breakfast but it doesn't work as well as a finger food. Thanks Everyone!

I am a software consultant and resell (VAR) HR/Payroll software to mid-sized companies. I sell, train, support and customize their HR/Payroll software to work the way they want. Five years ago I had the opportunity to go on my own or partner with another VAR... I was scared and choose to Partner with a company about 4 hours away. I brought with me approx. 100 clients and a large knowledgebase of the software I support. I am my own boss and control my own income but I'm not 100% a business owner. I'm posting this really to tell you that I regret my fear and decision to partner with an existing company and not go on my own. I guess it wasn't really bad since I don't have to worry about insurance, employees, workers comp, marketing etc. but on the other hand I don't have as much control as I'd like. I look back and know I would be further along with a bigger income if I'd gone on my own when I had the chance. Also, I'm not sure what type of business you are contemplating but I just have to say is the corporate world are in desperate need of consultants. They don't understand technology and are willing to pay someone to guide them. I get asked every day to assist with things other then my 'trained profession' just because they can't find people they trust. I get asked to help with minor software like MSoffice and with their POS or Accounting systems. They are willing to pay me to learn those products (POS or Accounting) just so they can have someone they trust. I also charge between $150 – 200 per hour so if I was on my own… I’d be making pretty good money. It's just weird and all I can say is there must be a shortage of good software people that can communicate with the "regular" people.

Thanks for the tips... I just had 1/2 can cambells potatos Soup for lunch... it was kinda uck but it went down ok and not to many calories. The yougart parfiet (spelling) is a good idea (I'm sure it's better then ice cream). I still have issues with very much chicken and can't eat the wrappers at mexican or the Pasta at Itialian. I had some yummy tomato soup at Applebee's the other day and wish more fast food rest. had soup. I'm eating cambells a lot because it's quick and easy but it's not really that tasty. Also I'm thinking about the Protein bars also. I'll have to experiement to find one that taste good. I heard someone mention a smores one the other day on here.

I did a search and found one article on it but it was from 2002... I was going to post it here but couldn't get it to come up. The article said 'Ann Wilson has lap band surgery" 2002 on the link but when I clicked it said "Site could not be found"

Thanks for the tips. I have found Chik-Fil-A's nuggest go down well and their kids meal isn't too expensive. Abry's chicken has a lot of breading so I've been scared to try it... I've also had a frosty and it went down great but I'm trying to avoid it since it's so much suger. I sometimes get just a choc. milk instead. I'm still scared of salads but I think I'm ready to try them.

Have any of you tried the fruit and apple salad? Does it go down? I have to eat a McDonalds way more then I want to just driving for my job... sometimes it's a choice of McDonalds or Dairy Queen but I'm way skeered of the Blizzard Monster at Dairy Queen. So far at McDonalds I've only order choc. milk and chicken nuggets happy meal. I throw the fries away the eat a nugget or two. I drink the milk before (not during) but I need more variety. Also I got a kids meal from Arbys yesterday and ordered the fruit instead of fries as a side... but they were out of fruit so I had to throw the fries away. I ate the roast beef with no bun but PB'ed afterward.

I'm sure there are lots of people here that had their sugery in Mexico and had to travel home afterward. I wouldn't think it would be problem. As long as you know where you are going you can get in the liquid and/or mushies for your meals then I would think it would be fine. I felt great a week after surgery was back to work and the qym. The hardest part about traveling would be regulating what food you have access too. For some the surgery is harder then it is for others so I'd discuss with your doctor but I was out of town for business the week after (not our of the country though) and the hardest part was finding mushie food to eat. If you know your iterany then you could ask you research and find a doctor in the country your traveling too for any emergencies and have your doctor's emergency information.

Too Funny... I have that purse strap, bra strap shoulder issue too. I hate it when you're in a public restroom and they have the paper towels so high that Water runs down your arms when you reach up to get them. Also I hate when the toliet paper roll is too tight because they think you should only use one piece.

Since the "Ask your doctor" answer is turning out to be the concensus.... we had a lot of debate for nothing. I think a lot of people were "fighting" for the almost the same thing but in some cases the doctor's rules and Inmands rules are different and I believe that is the part that really got some people "exicited" about this fight. I bet doctor's all over the country have this same debate amoung themselves at the big "Inmand User Conferences"