silvers320

You had a rough experience and I am sorry for that. But I have to ask you a few questions: 1. You know your body better then anyone else. Why did you wait 4 weeks before going to see/ DEMANDING to see the doctor? I get that you wanted to see if it would loosen up - but 4 weeks? I ask you this because I see people that "dont want to bother" the Doctor - "Hes too busy" etc. Thats BS! They provide a service. And if were in a hotel and they put you in a room next to a bunch of parting kids - you would demand change, no? Then way is your body less important? 2. What about you did the new Doctor say was the reason that the band would not work for you? Did he learn something new about you that the Old Doctor didnt know? Just wondering. Is this worth it? For many people (including me) without a doubt, it was 100% worth it. I had some problems but I would also never be happy if I pb-ed everyday, or threw up for a month. As to talking to your friend - this isnt an easy road and you shouldn't sugar coat your experience. Be honest. They is good and bad in everything Good Luck.

I am sure if I did the math -my food bill dropped. I was a huge fast food, sandwich, deli, and pizza shop guy pre-band. Once I moved over to regular food post band my actual grocery store bill went up but my total food bill dropped. You will be shocked at how many meals one package of ground beef becomes. However, I did spend more money on "better" things within the store also. Meaning the can keep the 3 for a $1 dollar nasty yogurt give me the $2.00 per yogurt good stuff. At the end of the day what you might end up in saving in total food is going to have to go towards the purchase of new pants. So don't plan for any savings!!!

I live in NY but was banded in CT too. Greenwich hospital here, 7/2008. So am a 1/2 a CTer too

I do 1/2 CL ice tea and 1/2 CL lemonade. Its a nice change up from water

Let me tell you the dehydration is no joke. It came over me quick - mostly because I didnt know the warning signs - muscle spams, fatigue etc. But I passed out on a subway - hit my head on the floor, spent the morning in the ER! As bad as it was - I was lucky - what if I had been driving? Point being - watch the water table!!!

I can relate. I had those same issues/concerns but not until the day after my surgery. My issue was not so much what I ate but the volume. I was never happy with a cookie, I needed 1/2 a bag at a sitting. It's hard to explain, or describe but the band works for many folks- myself included. Did I change what I was eating - yes. But know I now that I could not have changed the volume of what I was eating without the bands help. I know this because I had been trying for 20+ years. And as the weight dropped - and I was starting to see results, I found the time for the gym. To the point that I actually enjoy it. No one can make the choice for you. And you should consider the other WLS. Best of luck

It sucks when you seem to be doing everything right and the weight still seems to be working against you. As a general rule - I eat pretty balanced on a day to day basis, but here are some things that worked for me to break the plateaus: 1. I would log my food. I know it takes time but the insight can be really helpful. You dont have to do it forever but just to see what your intake. I used the DailyPLate.com and it made the task tolerable. 2. I would throw in a couple of days of protein shots from GNC. 3.If I had been eating normally (say around 1500 calories) then I pump up the calories for a couple of days, then I drop it back to 1500. 4. I found interval cardio really helpful. Its all about tricking the body. Good Luck -I hope you find something that works for you.

I used to look at unanswered posts when I had the free time and try and answer some of them. My thought was that if someone took the time to ask a question - they should get at least one answer. Anyway with the addition of forums for intros, and doctors, I can not longer do a quick search to get this answered posts. I can't believe that I am the only one who has this problem.

I used to be a footwear buyer for a small sporting goods store. At the time - about 10 years ago, the biggest Nike made was EEE in very limited models - around 6 or 7. Reebok was the same in terms of width but did have a few other models. I believe if you live near a town that as a Niketown they have a machine that will make a ditigal print of your foot and will make a custom shoe for you - but its crazy expensive.

I'll tell you that my fixation of the insurance company approval, turned into fixation on having the actual surgery. This became a fixation new food & nutrition (I used the early stages of mushie etc to learn about calories/portion etc). So about 4 months after surgery I was a little worried that I had swapped my fixation on white breads and carbs into a LAPBANDTALK and general lapband fixation. The good news is that at a little over a year post surgery - life is returning to normal. Actually a new normal- the band is a part of me and we work together. But I dont fixate on it.

For the most part I am anti- reality shows, but I had to watch this. And what a train wreck.... 1. Did we need to know the girls weights? I mean you could tell they were not size 2s. Did it add anything to the show to know that they claimed to be 220lbs? 2. As with all fat folks the second thing they said to each other was "What's ur favorite food". I know that has always been my go to pick up line. Well right after "Need more blue cheese" 3. Felt it was a little heavy (no pun) on the "No one loves me cause I am fat" and a little light on the "I like me for me" 4. Loved when they took back the rings. I give you my heart - WAIT stop - NOW I need it back! Classic. 5. After all these years of these types of shows do these people really believe they are going to find the love of thier life here? And after 20mins? Maybe I am just hard hearted. Part of me doesn't know if I can sit through another hour of this but part of me wants to see how many fat sterotypes play out.

Its a year tomorrow, and I have lost about 117 lbs. Would love to lose another 5 but if it never happens, that's cool too. I was pretty luckly only had two fills - can still eat everything, just not in the Fred Fintstone quantities I used to.

If your insurance company has a 4 month wait period - I doubt there is anything your Urologist is going to tell them to move that process along. From an insurance company's point of view - the more they drag it out, the hope is that most of the folks drop and therefore save them money. About the testing- is it possible these items are required by the WL institute? I know I had to the sleep and stress testing. It might also lead to things that would help the case with the insurance company. This is a major change in your life. Four months will really seem like nothing 6 months post op as you learning to re-eat/ change habits etc.

I cant help with the back pain - as I have a bad back for years. But I had port replacement about 4 months after it was installed. After the new port was installed, I ended up with a huge seroma, by the new port. It has been about 6 months and it is only just recently started to break up on its own. Good luck.

I could have written your post. When I first started I never thought a BMI of 25 was possible. That would have meant a loss of 125. For a while, I was really focused on this- not so much these days. I am at 25.4 - an could happily live with that. However, much like HH - I have lost muscle that needs to be replaced, which I haven't really figured out how to do yet. But if one more person says too me "you're so thin". I suppose its better then "you're such a fat ass" but still. If you hear something enough, you start to wonder. As you did am I going to far?? HH - I love the Tear Down, Rebuild idea!!! Going to adopt it as a thought process.

Today's newpapers covered no less then 4 topics all related to dirty/ self interested polications. Am I the only person who see this as crazy? First, you have the Assembly woman, who it turns out wasn't really living in her district, a voliation of the terms of being an assembly person. This was discovered when she tried to cheat on her taxes by claiming STAR exemptions on both homes. When caught - her story has changed more times then MJ's skin tone. NOW we learn that for almost $100,000 a year this woman only bothers to show up 36% of time!!!!!! And she doesn't resign.. the moment this little fact is released??? Next up - the city council man who plead guilt to missing taxpayer funds. The best thing I can say is that least he resigned when it was uncovered. Then came the state house. First up is the now democratic senator who just got a chairman ship and a 12,500 raise. Why does this matter. Well, 3 weeks ago he left the party to join the replubicans so they would have the majority. Now days after he returns to the dems - he is rewarded with cash and a new title. Wow, how do i get a job where NOT looking out for the person who hired me is in my best interest? Last..... The Governor has found someone qualified and more importantly willing to take over our transit system, this requires House approval. However, they are going on vacation - cant be bothered. Plus they are still miffed at the governor for his handling of the whole, change in majority that took place 3 weeks ago, so lets behave like 2nd graders.The head of the transit commissions is quoted as saying "You know how Santa laughes... HO HO HO" when asked about it. What is most stunning to me as think about all of this is this: I would bet the average NY state resident could tell me about the Governor of SC's affair, about the details of MJ's death, and Farrah's cancer details but NOT how insane thier own officals have become. What a disgrace. So much for entering poltics for the greater good......

Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says city will pick up $1.4M tab for Michael Jackson funeral I am not sure how the taxpayers got suckered in to paying for this unneeded expense. Why not have the family pay for it? Or I am sure the Franklin Mint or one of those places is going to make some kind of collectible- strike a deal with them. Whatever you think of MJ (and his life) - I am not sure any private citizen warrants a $1.4 million dollar taxpayer funded sendoff.

I become a fan of the Skinny vanilla latte. The skinny means its skim milk and sugar free vanilla. You can get it iced or hot. Granted - It doesnt sound very manly (a problem you wont have to deal with) when its called out but I have come to terms with there are worst things than being called skinny.

I had picked up one or two from TJ Maxx I think... spending $35 bucks on an undershirt just seems wrong to me. It fit snug for a week or two but I lost pretty fast so beyond that it fit like a regular undershirt. I skipped it going forward... an now sort of at the maintence phase I am not sure it would have done anything anyway. Plus wearing it I couldn't help but think of the Seinfield with the BRO.

I suppose its worth trying- what could it hurt right? But I would still start the waiting period requirements so that if in a month the letter doesn't count for anything, so havent wasted a month. I have Aetna and had to do the 6 month wait/diet. Then was denied, then appealed and approved. So document everything. And in the mean time do your homework so you use the 4 months to your advantage.

I will second the this is a lifestyle not a diet concept. Telling myself I could never again have X or Y was not going to work for me. But I have found ways to curb the carving without keeping me on the treadmill for an extra hour. chocolate - a SF pudding - with a teaspoon of Peanut Butter. Taste like a big reese cup! Two cravings in one. I also keep a small block of really good dark chocolate in the house. One square goes along way. Milk doesnt seem to work to curb the craving - dont know why. chips - it still has to be chips. I can't buy a "family size" bag because eating the whole bag is still too easy a year out. So I spend a little extra and buy the small lunch bag size. Usually only have chips once every two months or so the extra cost isnt going to keep me from retirement!

Welcome Steve. From a fellow Hudson Valley-ite. I lived in the newburgh area for years, now outside Poughkeepsie Dennis

I had a similar experience at a BBQ. And the husband who was fat, wanted to know what I did and I was trying to not make a big deal out of. His wife whispered to him. "oh he had that surgery" It REALLY pissed me off at first - for 2 reason. 1. Yes, I did have a surgery. I used 150-200 of medical advances. No different then a polio vaccine. If I had a pace maker put in - no one would bat an eye. 2. Second, yes I had a surgery but I have never worked harder at anything in my life. I had to change 30+ years of bad eating habits and lack of activity. In the end they can think what they like, you can't change people but I know the truth.

I agree that the whole slime/pb thing is different the throwing up. And its going to happen at some point - its a fact of life, you are trying to change a lifetime of habits and there will come a day when the old habits will resurface - if only for a moment. And you will take too big of a bite, of not chew as well as you should or whatever. And it will be uncomfortable and gross but part of this is behavior modification. And the pb/slime is like the dog with the electric fence who trys to leave the yard. On the other hand there are people on here here who it seems have accepted pb-ing as a daily life fact. I think that is wrong.