Pattman

Biggest problem we have experienced on the road is being able to ping an IP address; but people not being able to bring up websites.

There are a few different fixes for this issue, but it's dependencies are related to different factors of the PC.

At home I primarily use Firefox 3.03.

At clients homes I mostly use IE 6 or 7 depending on what they have installed on their Windows based systems.

Safari if on MAC's

However, if I am having troubles getting anything else to work I keep a copy of Opera on my thumb drive as well :thumbup:

Rob,

Honestly I have not been to see "Iragau & Company" in probably close to 2 years. Since the last time they changed there insurance policies, now my Primary Insurer considers them "out of network" and it would cost close to $250 / visit - I'm not financing their new Hummer, when I had to give up my second vehicle myself, and still not making ends meet.

As for my weight loss and current fill, I believe I am at 50% fill on the VG band. I've gained weight since the last time I was there. I was down to 215 (original surgery weight was 285 July 28, 2004). I am probably at least 225 now (we don't have a scale in the house because we both are worried we'd obsess about it).

I am not aware of any local support groups, but I also have not been looking. My job has me doing weird hours and shifts.

However, if you'd like to get together sometime, let me know. I think it'd be great to have a few friends out of work and home {tough socializing much these days).

Pattman,

I'm in Newark. Who's your Dr.? Mine's Irgau.

Rob

Iragau, Wynn and compay for myself and my wife as well.

My wife was banded in January of 04 and mine was July.

... hubby does not care for it cooked

I'm in a similar but reversed boat then you. Wife does not like smoked fish in ANY form. I miss smoked salmon and smoked whiting :smile2:

I have to agree with you Jack.

I no longer have my card (and with my insurance no longer in Iragau's list of approved / accepted insurances I have not been to them in probably 2 years or so. {my wife is still on their approved list and - in fact is on her way home from them right now}.

I also either order form the appetizers, plan on 'take home' or split with my wife (when we can agree on an entree to share)

Wilmington - Prices Corner area

Hi Caelyn and Debbie,

I haven't been involved with the forums in a while, but I am trying to get more active in it. I live in Wilmington (near Prices Corner actually).

Feel free to say hi.

Been 'out of the loop' from this forum for a long time. I really should get more involved, and going to try to.

Have you seen me in my Geek Squad bug, or at your house? LMAO.

Be checkin in more often, just need to figure out my ICQ ID now ... <grin>

... Like now I eat only dark chicken meat because breasts are too dry. good luck.

If youur chicken breasts are dry, then there is something in the way you preparing it (I would think).

I'm no chef, but I have done Chicken breasts on the stove, in the oven, on the rotisserie (can't beat that!) and even on the grill without dryness?

Have you tried marinading them in like Paul Newman's dried Tomato dressing (at least an hour before cooking?) or any light but flavorful dressing?

Just a thought, you're welcome to contact for recipes.

My wife loves it when I cook!!:crying:

Not too far from my own personal recipe. I don't do the Buns myself, but my wife still does.

I've made Sloppy Joe's with almost everything under the sun - ground beef/pork/chicken/veal/turkey ... haven't tried it with buffalo yet, but I do know where I can get some.

Sorry, I NEVER measure my ingredients, just do it to taste (nver failed yet).

A little Olive oil in the pan (enough to keep the meat from sticking while browning) as the meat is browning I add a pinch of salt (always worried about my salt intake), some ground pepper, and about 2 tablespoons of Hickory barbecue sauce.

Gently stir while browning. Drain well.

Put back in pan, add a little Water as your cooking this to keep the meat moist and to have 'some' gravy.

Add mustard (I use yellow, but have fun), ketchup, a 'little' vinegar, brown sugar, white and black pepper.

This is a 'tasting' dish, so add small amounts as you go until you reach your own taste.

I'd be interested. I love to cook (although I don't have as much free time as I used to) and I am sure my wife would love me to cook more often (especially if it were more band friendly).

To be blunt, my job doesn't help my extended weight loss, neither does my Dr. changing his insurance plan requirements.

I know I need a fill, but not going to be almost $300.00 just to get it!

Puddin,

I am sorry to hear you are having troubles. I know where you are at with things.

I was banded in July of 04. My pre-surgery weight was 285. My weight day of surgery was 265. I have the Vanguard Band (14cc?) with (last time I was at the Dr's) 7cc filled.

The lowest I got was 215. At that time I was 7.5cc fill; but I was having troubles with constant indigestion.

I pulled back to 7cc (current) and gained a little of the weight back. Last time I checked (I don't keep a scale in the house, I know I'd be compulsive about it) I was 215. I don't check anymore.

My Dr. has since changed his Insurance Policies and my current provider would end up costing me $225/visit - so I have not been to see him in over 1.5 years.

I am telling you all this to kind of let you know I know where you are at {long winded way around, I am sorry}.

The band is supposed to be a TOOL to assist us in gaining the upper hand on weight control. However, I have some pretty good control (that's been improved since getting banded) but as you can see self control for me is not the total answer ....

As was already noted, you should stress to you Dr. that you haven't yet reached YOUR perfect fill - that point where the band IS helping you as the tool it was intended to be. Suggest that he fill you some more, and that you and he monitor your progress.

I can only hope this helps, good luck with your journey. I am struggling with my own right now, and with the other struggles going on in my life (personal, house, work). I am glad I am getting back involved with this forum. I am hoping it will help me with my weight, and maybe even some further insight to the rest of my troubles.

Remember you are beautiful, each part of this journey begins daily with a single step. Good luck on your journey!

I googled "BMI calculator" and chose the first one on the list. I put your data in and received this answer: 44.3

Would i qualify with that?:confused2:

As already mentioned, it should qualify you, there are other factors that may make you "more easily qualified" {see your primary and your beriatric for further information} edema in the legs, High Blood Pressure, sleep Apnea, diabetes ..... but it sounds like you 'should' qualify.

Good luck on your journey.

Whats the average time after a fill to start eating again?

As mentioned, check with your surgeon/doctor's office; but with that in mind, our doctor (both myself and wife were banded) always told us 24 hrs on liquid, then 24 hrs "mushies".

His reasoning was that a change was being made to your physical condition, and you still needed a chance to get your body back in rythem (spelling?) and give your body a chance to "heal" from the change (even though it's a minor one).

His other reason was a psychological {spelling?} one in that it gave you 1 to 2 days to "think over" that you will be eating less, and "mentally" plan and accept that you would not be able to eat as much as you did before the fill (if you were increasing fill). If we were getting an unfill, he said to think of it as 2 days to think how you can stay "on track" instead of "filing in" that extra space you now have.

I'm sure it sounds backwards or something, but more or less he wanted us to keep the changes in our bodies "on our mind" - it kind of makes sense to me, but I'm not right in the head anyway!! LMAO:biggrin:

Welcome to the groups, and good luck on your new journey. YOu are welcome to stay in touch with me along the way.

As Far as your question:

...In hindsight, would you do the Lap Band again or would you go with the bypass? ... Thanks so much!

No doubt or question in my mind YES I'd do it again! for the following reasons:

1. It is completely reversible.
   
2. Less potential for complications during the surgery, or long term.
   
3. You can still eat almost anything, just in smaller proportions {yes, you have to control WHAT you eat, not just the volume.
   
4. Weight loss is more gradual so (at least in my case) no need for re constructive surgery.
   
5. not as much 'on going' maintenance.

Also banded by Iragau (both me and my wife) in '04.

Nice people at the facility - I'm a little P.O.'d right now as they dropped United Health care as 'in network' and I REFUSE to pay $125.00 for a visit to hear that "I'm doing ok, still need to get more exercise, but keep up tyhe good work" LMAO

Otherwise the staff is GREAT!

I have the VC band as well and am currently at 4.5 (or is it 5 cc's?). While I have not been able to get 'over the hurdle' of the the last few pounds (40 to go to reach the goal that CHRIAS wants me at - I'd be happy getting to 200 or even 190}. I am reluctant to go in for another fill right now as there are times when I feel I can barely eat, and then there are times when I feel like I could (and it seems like I can) eat a horse.

The big problem (for me) is having a very sedentary job. If I don't have my butt parked in front of a PC it's parked in the drivers seat.

I currently work out of the Best Buy Montgomeryville, PA store and get to enjoy the 1.5 to 3 hour commute (one way) daily. Often times I leave the house at 7 am and am lucky to be home before 8pm.

The pay is good, but the lack of physical exercise (or even the opportunity for it) kind of sux.

Well I am glad you understand my "not being right on the spot" for responses I have a "pen pal" { or would it be more correct to say email pal} that gets a little annoyed sometimes when I am not able to respond back immediately. Thanks again for understanding.

While I am not a huge fan of their French Onion Soup (it's me, it's not them - LMAO}. I do love their Boston Clam Chowder, and their Brocolli is good to.

Be chatting at ya again soon,

Hugs and stay well in mind and body - Mike:notagree

<p>Stacy,</p> <p> </p> <p>Sorry for not responding back quicker. My working hours and travel time make it hard for me to be keeping up with things here as I'd like to.</p> <p> </p> <p>Congrat's on the loss!! That's awesome!</p> <p> </p> <p>I also have the Vanguard band; am at 5cc's; and seem to have stalled around 210 (but hey, that's like 80 lbs down :-) so I'll take it!}. 'Irgau & Company' would like to se me at 175. But unless I can find time to get to a gym, or find some other regurlary stressful activities it's going to be a long hard hill.</p> <p> </p> <p>Your welcome to stay in touch, maybe (if you'd want) we could get together for Soup at Panera's sometime ...... lol</p> <p> </p> <p>Have a great weekend.</p>

Just be careful, and as said - listen to your body. It's still "healing" and you want to give it the time it needs to do so correctly so you won't have problems further along the road.

And then when you tell people that you don't want them, they get all, "But EVERYONE should have kids! They're great!" and they give you weird looks.

They give you the wierd look because the madness has settled in to thier brains and they're hoping that by convincing you their brains won't hurt so much ... lmao

I have 1 daughter from a previous marriage - would never trade her in, but there's a reason I had two surgeries when I went in for my band (had band and Vasectomy at same time). I didn't want to be 60+ and having to go to my kids High School graduation.

Worth all the pain I had for the first few weeks!!!

:faint:

A parent's night before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house

I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse.

Instructions were studied and we were inspired,

In hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required."

The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds,

While Dad and I faced the evening with dread:

A kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot!

And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot!

We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat....

Let no parts be missing or parts incomplete!

Too late for last-minute returns or replacement;

If we can't get it right, it goes in the basement!

When what to my worrying eyes should appear,

But 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear,

With each part numbered and every slot named,

So if we failed, only we could be blamed.

More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out,

All over the carpet they were scattered about.

"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there!

Slide on the seats, and staple the stair!

Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand."

"Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand."

And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact

That all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact

To keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night

With "assembly required" till morning's first light.

We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work,

Till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt.

The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin

Before we attached the last rod and last pin.

Then laying the tools away in the chest,

We fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.

But I said to my husband just before I passed out,

"This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt.

Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring,

And not have to run to the store for a thing!

We did it! We did it! The toys are all set

For the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!"

Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went,

Though I suppose there's something to say for those self-deluded...

I'd forgotten that batteries are never included!

**********************************

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season

I don't have to worry about my port 'popping out', it's always visible ... lmao

My Dr.s tell me that I have very little fat "between my skin layer" so my port has always stuck out. Kind of funnyt when wearing shirts that fit close. All of my family knows about my band, and my port and every family get together its a source of comic relief at times, but a badge of courage and a reminder of what I've done for ME, my health and my family.

But as for you, yeah, I'd have them check it out just in case.

I know this sounds like a contradiction in terms, but every pound you loose, no mater how long it takes is worth it, and you are a better person (physically) along the way for it.

I got banded in July of 2004. While my loss is a sinificant amount (76 pounds) it has taken me over two years to get there. I still have a ways to go (my Dr wants to see me at 175).

My wife has not had as easy a time with hers. She was banded in January of 04. At one point in time was close to 80 lbs down. Due to Acid Reflux, worries of band slippage <thank god it hadn't done so>, having to get her gall bladder removed, and other complications she gained it all back PLUS <they had to unfill and refill her a couple times along the way>.

While this has saddened her along the way, and added more stress and strain then I'd like to our already "at the breaking point" marriage; I continue to give her the same words you see below

"One step at a time, you'll get to your goal"

I also remind her that it took her some 30+ years to get to the weight she was/is, if it takes 2+ years to get to the weight she wants to be, I could care less if the Dr's are unhappy with the speed of the decline - SHE SHOULD BE!

And I say the same thing to everyone one of you "slow losers" - we may be loosing at a slower pace then what is expected, but each one of us is unique, with our own set of cercumstances, needs, fears, troubles and goals.

It's the long term goal we have to keep in mind, not that short term bridge we have to cross. Just because the bridge was there for others to cross, and we had to wade across the stream, does not mean we didn't still finish the race! It may take longer, we may have to fight harder, but we can do it.

Your not in a race with anyone, not even yourself. You have a goal, and one step at a time, one pound at a time, you will reach it and find the person you are along the way, mentally, physically and totally!:clap2:

Congrats and good luck to all the "soon to be" bandsters!!