Manatee

Since you asked nicely <img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/happy.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" smilieid="60" class="inlineimg" /><br /> <br /> Start, May 17, just before surgery -- 263 lbs, 48" waist pants and 3XLT shirt <--and I was DOWN 20 lbs from my heaviest in February.<br /> <br /> Today, August 20 -- 221 lbs, 40" waist pants and XLT shirt<br /> <br /> Still got a WAYS to go.<br /> <br /> Decided to pass on the offer, just not ready to deal with any of that mess yet.

So, a buddy of mine buzzes me and says "I found a date for ya if you want it." Seems someone at his office was asking him if he knew anyone. I have no clue on what she looks like, what she likes, etc. I don't know really whether to say yes or not. I'm still not happy with my look, and it hasn't been too long since the divorce was final. What's a low-pressure blind-"date" idea?

Yes, absolutely. I know I'm losing, because the scales and the clothes sizes say so, but I still look the same in the mirror to me. I don't know if that's because I still see myself as morbidly obese, or if it's because I never saw myself as big as I was. :shrug: Of course, I remember thinking I was fat back when I was a freshman in college weighing 130. I've never felt skinny or normal, even though pictures from back then show a stringbean

It's the little things that make for good days. My weight loss has been stalled for a while, but apparently I'm still reshaping the body. Yesterday I had to go buy new pants because the ones I bought in July are getting too loose. I'm now comfortably fitting in 40 and a SINGLE XLT shirt. In February I was in 48s and a 3XLT, and barely fitting in those with the stretch waist Still have a pot belly, etc, but so be it...

I'm needle-phobic, and this really isn't a big deal. Little pinch as the numbing injection goes in, some pressure and then there's this big thing hanging out of your skin. Strange. Drink some Water, squirt some saline, it's over. The strangest part for me is the sensation when the doc removes the big needle. It kind of tugs my port. Nothing painful, just strange. When I had my flourofill I was so fascinated by the images on the screen that I didn't even notice the sensations. :confused:

Well, I've had my band for 3 months. I'm not quite at the right restriction yet, but as of now I haven't had any problems. Eat slow and pay attention to what your band is telling you. For me, I get a pressure in the chest that says "you're done." If I ignore that, I start to get hiccups. No sliming, no pbs thus far. I can't eat bread, but other than that I'm eating normally. I still go out to eat with friends and family. Very occasionally I will have to stop during a meal and just sit there waiting for something to clear, but that's only happened when I was eating too fast. Let me be clear about this: this was one of the best things I've ever done for myself, and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

Glad we got their coach, but did we have to get the Southlake costume designer too? BLEAH! Bring back the Flying Worm

You know, they have these things called "airplanes" now :confused:

Maybe I missed it, but did you get a second opinion from another qualified doctor? If so, what did that doctor say? It's important to get that independent viewpoint, to get some 'new eyes' on the situation. If you had a wound on the outside of your body that bled for months, you wouldn't just live with it. Why give an internal wound a pass?

I highly recommend Dr. Curtis Mosier in Denton, Tx. Excellent service, he seems to actually care, his coordinator is incredible, and prices aren't bad for the self-pay folks. Home Page

We can't help you. We can sympathize and empathize and write encouraging messages, but YOU are the only one who can change the situation. Until he's physically forcing food down your throat, you are choosing to eat more to pacify him. Really, you have decision to make: continue to take the abuse and eat more; make him change his behaviour and eat less; or leave him. I know this sounds harsh, but as someone who has FINALLY removed myself from an emotionally abusive relationship I know that those really are the only solutions. Hopefully you can find the strength to stand against his unreasonable demands. It's time for you to blossom.

Can't say I've suffered from any of that, and I'm down over 40 lbs in under 3 months. In fact, I just got back from a steak dinner Maybe you need better aftercare? I can direct you to a really good doctor/program.

It's becoming obvious that I'm hopelessly out of touch. That's to be expected, coming out of a 10 yr marriage and 3 years of dating before that. How on earth does one meet other singles when you're almost 40? Work is out thanks to all the harassment minefields, I don't bother with church, and the clubs all have the 20something kids in there. Fortunately I'm spending the next year focusing on me and getting in better shape physically and mentally, but I'm trying to think ahead. Suggestions?

Dr. Mosier in Denton. About $15K all in for self-pay. He did my work, although my insurance company paid. I'm very pleased. (Curtis L. Mosier, M.D.<br>Victor L. Cobos, M.D. - ) Curtis L. Mosier, M.D. & Victor L. Cobos, M.D.

+1 on the sleep study. You're describing the classic symptoms of interrupted sleep patterns. Many obese people require CPAP assistance to get a good night's sleep.

It's just one day. We're all human. Just jump back in with both feet tomorrow and keep rolling. You'll be fine. Remember, the eventual goal is to eat like a "normal" person -- and that does include the occasional rare treat.

It's not the insurance company that you should be irritated with, but rather the company that employees you. Insurance companies provide a buffet of services, and each company decides what the best combination of coverage and cost fits their needs. Talk to your company's owner or HR department, many companies are right now in negotiation for their 2008 coverage and a gentle nudge might help.

Only had mine 2 months, but I've had no issues with the Vanguard band. I've heard that it takes a while to get a proper fill, but I just had a barium-assisted fill and the doc was able to close it up just fine.

I do -- but not NEARLY as often. I simply know that when I have my <multistep overpriced coffee order here> that I am sucking down X calories and will have to be on my exercise equipment for an extra hour or so that day. See starbucks® beverages & food details Some of those drinks are downright scary -- might as well get a milkshake

Had my barium-assisted fill today. Went from 3 cc to 4.8. Definitely a tighter restriction, and I could actually feel it this time. If I were to do this over again, I would have had the first fill done this way. The sensations are simply too unusual on that first fill to know if you're telling the doc the right info.

Welcome to the Band, Bill

Try taking up smoking :car: For me, I've found that I'm now a lot more aggressive/assertive than I've been in the past. Between the slight loss in weight and not being able to sublimate when things bother me, I tend now to just take things straight on. Maybe not the best way to handle things, but then again the jerks always seem to get ahead :car:

Thanks for the tip on adjusting the Remstar machines. It worked great on my Remstar Plus

Well, I think Chrispy is the only one actually dating at this point. What's that leave for the rest of us to say? "Ummm. Today I went into work on my day off because Legal screwed up again. After blowing the whole morning there, I visited my parents and their new puppies. Left there, went to B&N and picked up a copy of the latest Harry Potter. Came home, cleaned house, surfed internet." Yeah. That's exciting :car:

I too have a problem is low/no restriction. My next fill is going to be done in the hospital so that they can do the xray thing during and make sure I'm closed up well. On another front, this morning I grabbed a pair of jeans out of the closet, and after I had them on and zipped I realized that they were much tighter than usual. I checked, and I had accidentally pulled out my old 40" waist jeans instead of my normal ones. I haven't fit in this this pair of jeans in years! Hurrah! I did end up changing, looked a 10 lbs of sausage in a 5 lbs casing. But still, they buttoned and zipped. :hat: