maddy

I just started ww last week as my weight loss has stalled, sadly. Banded 4/08 & have lost 40lbs, need 2 lose 15more and nothing. 1st year just cut down on portion sizes, now having to completely revamp all food & amts to get results. Dont mind ww just hate exercise, but will do. Whatever it takes, I guess

This shot made me completely insane, was on it years ago for 2-3 year period. No one has commented on weight gain with it, so I must!! I gained 50-60lbs on this stuff...it is nasty and unlike pills, u are stuck with if for 3 months even if you want off of it.....to each his own, finally had tubal ligation after last son was born. Not to scare anyone, just check it out thoroughtly before trying.

I was banded 4/08 and immediately had pain. It went away for a while, but has come back with a vengeance lately. My shoulder hurts chronically down into my hands, all week this episode. Wednesday my port site hurt or was really sore to the touch(something nu). Thinking of having it removed and replaced by sleeve if it doesnt cease or continues to worsen. Im really at a loss of other options but know I cant live like this,even off/on, for a lifetime. Otherwise band is perfect and Im 10lbs out from goal. I use heating pad and lay down when cant stand. Havent taken pain relievers. Guess I should try! calling dr. soon, but went in for this last year and they told me 2 go 2 gp--it is the band, not chasing that rabbit only to return to home base! Ive just tried to live with it as I do like band and wloss:)

frozen marguaritas a must.......once a week:) never giving it up!!

My weight loss has been slow but steady.....35lbs 1st year and still losing.....25lbs left to lose. Due to medical issues this year, I have not exercised much either, so am glad with what I did lose. Dont panic, I did, but did realize I had to eat healthier, most days, for weight to move, it has, tg. Everyones different, but it does come off, patience maddy

Goooooooo Tyme!!!! Congrats and make note to NEVER exit again Celebrate in a big way, you deserve it!! Staying on plan b/c put on few lbs. on mini vacation...... pounds-on-off scale --up-down getting tired/bored with the whole thing :thumbdown: mads gads

Staying on plan b/c bottom roll of stomach fat is deflating more everyday I stick to plan. Protein Protein Protein.... faddy maddy

WhoooHoooo!!Tyme! Onederland is wonderful and well worth the work. Youll want to stay 4ever. Thumbsup 4 U :ohmy: staying on plan, to splurge n eat(cheat) this weekend on mini vacation to San Antonio without the kids. Gotta keep working on keeping tummy down to stay in capris(no other summer clothes). faddy maddy

Fanny, 401k savings plan in US in simple terms is retirement plan that is set up in companies by choice for employess and a percentage of employees salary goes into fund non taxed. In addition Employers may choose to match contributions sometimes dollar for dollar up to a certain amount. Our medical and 401k's are offered by most employers, we have small company and offer these, and depending on what type of plan employees choose depends on benefits and cost. We pay a portion of medical, but the gold package costs employee more than bronze package per se. Single healthy adult may choose bronze package and pay less than say a family of four who may choose gold package and pay more, but can go to any doctor any time and be covered. The US government waters down just about everything and we spend more here on our puppy check up visits and get better care than most state run hospitals with patients. I wouldnt step foot in one, cant imagine. Our government officials surely dont darken their doors either. People may fear losing job b/c loss of insurance, but again insurance is a product to be purchased, not just FREE service. Ive always heard, you get what you pay for, and we pay high price for insurance and care is a phone call away. If our government gave it to us, who knows we may wait days or weeks for visit if sick, cant imagine. Right now if I wake up sick in morning and call dr by 8:00am I should expect to see dr of MY choice no later than noon, primary care physician. Im glad it works for you in your country, our government is slow and does things their way on their time, which is just about opposite from most independently owned companies in US. We have large companies as customer base we must answer to and employees to take care of in order to stay in business. The big business of government here answers to no one . mads gads

I have great insurance, but I didnt qualify for surgery w/BMI, according to them. According to ME it was looooong over due. The day came I signed up and had it done within a month . When I signed up for consult didnt know how to pay, but I had 24 hours, told husband made some calls and there.....it was done!! Had I had to work for it, I would have. Im not a Neimans girl, but I want what I want and NO doesnt go over well here, neither does begging. Just like I dont ask/wait for government to give me new home or car(yea right!!), this is elective so definately not on WICA plan or purchased w/food stamps!! Elective surgery is just that. Consumer good to be PURCHASED. IF there is another way,I cant seem to find it!! Crying.....well that takes up prescious problem solving time, get busy and be creative, I did and never looked back!! mads gads

Go maryrose! Wish I was losin like you, just zippo for me today........so it goes ughh! Whatever your doing, keep it up grl :thumbup:) on plan b/c I must be able to fit into size 12 capris that run thru dryer.....losing on hold--need to fit comfortably in these capris/sit down too!!

Alwaysinpain, Im a year out from banding, but between months 4-8 I had excruciating pain all up that side, ribcage, shoulder, and down into my arm. Went to doctor and he did flouro and said band was perfect that he wasnt sure but thought mentally I could be in pain b/c of how I handle stress. Not what I wanted to hear of course, but I rode out these last months and have noticed a difference. Im not saying you should do this, just my ordeal. If the pain had not subsided, I was looking into options(sleeve) b/c I couldnt stay in such pain. The pain is now gone unless I go for long periods of time without eating. Hope this helps and you find comfort with or without the band soon! maddy

lean turkey breast is making me lean lean lean!!! Go turkey! I just hope I dont turn into a TURKEY, lol.

Go Maryrose, good for you! Staying on plan to make up for yesterdays pizza, ugghh!

the thought of even being even chubby thru another texas summer is unthinkable!

Hi 1980 I had my surgery done in Plano texas at TLC edge, was self pay at $9990 with 6 months fills, no flouroscopy, though, in April 2008. By going thru TLC I paid $9990 w/6 months fills. Going directly with the very same doctor was $15000 w/1 year fills. Ive found doctors can be tricky and higher priced than companies, be careful. Your smart to do your homework and it could save you big bucks. I went with the cheapest banding I could find, all I could afford, and had wonderful doc in brand new surgery center/hospital 1st floor. So cheap isnt always bad!! No flouro fills was fine for me until 6cc-7cc and I had to go to Docs office for flouro and more doc/patient customer service, but in no waydid it diminish service of TLC. When I went back to doctor David Kims office in Colleyville, this fill cost my insurance $220/fill, but this is just what i need now a year out. Dr. Kims office is super customer oriented and listen to me in that now I just want to go up 2cc a visit, no more. TLC had rushed me a bit much w/fills, which was fine the 1st year, but tweaking band has been a little challenging now as it can become really tight. Still working on sweet spot, but will get there soon! Im very happy with TLC and my doctor, wouldnt change a thing :tt1: pm if you like Ill be happy to give any info from TLC. maddy surgery 4/08 H 5"5 HW 205 C 170 G 145

just bought 4 lbs. of lean turkey meat and 2 bottles bbque sauce to make last big push to get off final 20!! Facing the hard truth today. mads

equation is simple: Lapband + diet + exercise = goal weight No tricks No secret No magic

With the band, I wasnt looking for the quick easy "fix", I was wanting a permanent "fix" when all is said and done. It has been challenging for me to lose, 170lbs from 205 lbs in 1 year and slowly losing to 145lbs. My hope and expectation, via my doctor, is that I will get to goal(doable) and STAY there(challenging). Although it has not been easy, it has been worth the work and effort. If your willing to change eating habits and work hard and exercise, the band does work and the weight would come off! Good luck on your descision :smile: mads

Hi Netty How funny you brought this up! My wloss has stalled and upon explaining this to my np he looked and said my pouch was fine and not stretched (wasnt aware it could stretch). I needed to eat better, less and not drink w/meals........you know the drill. Sounds like a good plan to unfill/refill, hope you get good restiction pretty quickly. maddy

Rodriguiz Yes, Im at 6.9ccin 10cc band and can drink dcoke all day, but dont b/c could cause band trouble(?). I cannot drink out of bottle, but cans and fountain drinks are fine. If its with food it has to be slow and easy. Really the more carbonation the better! I guess every bandster is a little different mads

The food changes do affect mood swings. Cutting back on calories in general was challenging, but by taking it slow and day by day helped. My depression does increase and when it intensifies, I nap on those days. Caffine is permittable, as far as tea is concerned and sometimes I do drink a dcoke. Overall, this was a good descision for wloss. my best mads

My doctor charges for everything, I guess, we never really talked about problems(oops). Its been a year now and so far so good tg. As far as I know and was told by doc they will pay for any procedures from date of banding forward. They are paying for fills, less copay of $30 and any surgeries less the deductible. Please note when I asked doctor if fills were covered under my insurance they said no, but paid when filed. So you might want to ask insurance company also. mads

I have seen negative lap band experiences, but had it done anyway. A friend had it done, she ate incorrectly, band slipped, and she was in massive pain at times. When we would visit, either she would eat everything in site and vomit or she could eat nothing. I knew she wasnt following plan ,but seperated her inconsistences from band. I have had band for 1 year and 1/2 way to goal , happy thus far. For me staying at goal will tell all, thats where I fall short with the weight game. Anyway, friend gained weight back and I have lost, so In my experience its more about the patients actions, really than what they say. She has never said a negative word about band but neither has she mentioned revision as I dont think she wants to change her eating habits. Good luck! mads

When visiting for the summer one year, my cousin told me she uses 2 super tampons at a time on heavy days. To bring me back from shock she did demonstration. Learn something new..... mads grl