mattie7632

I am such a huge advocate for putting good things into our bodies. I have absolutely zero doubt that the toxic foods, vaccines, meds and other environmental wastes that we breathe and consume are the cause of our demise. Even with my un-wavering beliefs I haven't been able to overcome the hold food has on me, and the absolute addiction from these food ingredients. That is why I am now a bandster. You are living proof that what we eat matters...chemotherapy is devastating on the body but proper nutrition and Vitamins CAN be the difference. I'm so sorry you are going through this, but keep strong, I know what you are doing will be all the difference in the world.

I was the same way. I walked into the hospital that morning thinking "what am I doing?". So far I don't regret my decision, I was banded a little over 2 months ago--

Do you happen to know if the 4cc bandsters get the same success? I've read that a lot of folks here have much more than 4cc in their newer bands.....or is the 4cc band smaller/tighter so there is not a need for up to 7-8-9 or more cc's to reach ideal restriction? Sorry if off topic....

No Dave, it's a mechanical patsy......!!!!

I'm thinking about adding a smart a$$ response inspired by David Thorne. http://www.27bslash6.com/ His use of internet correspondence is positively hilarious. If you got nothing better to do check out this site. Some of the more notable letters of his are "overdue account" "please design a logo for me. with pie charts. for free" and "the ducks in the bathroom are not mine" amongst many others.....

Yeah that makes sense.....following the diet but not knowing all the rules.....got it. And yes, he meant week. Just the other day told me a guy lost 16 lbs that week. Of course, I think that's the initial weight loss, I wouldn't expect this continues....but hey I don't do the diet so what do I know!!!

If you recall the Adkins Diet......you were allowed regular salad dressing and didn't have to watch fats either. People allegedly lost a lot of weight. The only thing is that there were concerns that eliminating that much carbs long term was not good for you. Or at least that's what I recall reading....

That is really awesome! Must be hard to stick to less than 20-30 gm or carbs though? My chiro pushes this low carb-high Protein diet where he swears his patients lose 10-15 lbs a week. It's so expensive that I only get the Snacks right now, but what he is telling me is consistent with your results after cutting out the carbs! Great job!

Dave you're so funny! And I love how you give real life examples of what your "mechanical helper" does for you!!!

Okay, call me stupid, but I've seen "NSV" all over this board, what the heck does it stand for???

Good for you! I'm telling you, nowadays if we don't take our health into our own hands, we end up getting ripped off or not cared for properly!

Pain from your cervical spine would generally be felt radiating down the back and through the shoulder blades. I would not think pain near the collar bone would be associated with your neck. I would consider that the band or other issues are at play here..... Also about losing weight or not losing weight....I also don't seem to be losing by just eating less. I find I have to span my calories into about 6 little meals instead of 3 meals, to keep my metabolism working. It's more discipline, but it works if I stick to it. The idea is the band will make me full after this small amount at some point....but right now I'm not restricted enough so I have to work harder at making sure my little meals are just little!!!

$750!!!!! Well I hope you got your money's worth and not just a mere cc or something! That's criminal. My fills are also under fluoroscope and are $100/cash.

Depending on whether or not and exam is billed along with the fill, my copay is either $35 or $150. If I pay cash instead, it's $100. I will probably just pay cash when they start coming out of pocket.

Wow! that's just crazy! My husband said almost the same thing you did, about the regulars eating you alive if you don't post exactly right. I think they use forums as an outlet for their rage!!! I have not personally experienced that much hostility on this board. Or seen it. Yes, there have been some comments but nothing like what I saw on freeadvice.com--so far. And I have posted a few exasperated comments myself. But all in all, this board is much more pleasant!

This is a great question and one that I ponder myself all the time. This forum is fun and you get some answers you need, etc. but in the end, the reason I was banded had nothing to do with what is posted here. It had to do with the real life results I have seen from 3 friends and co-workers. Co-worker #1--Banded in 2009 original weight about 350, now a size 11-12 Friend #2--Banded May 2009 start weight about 220 was 105 in a year. She said it was easy, a no brainer, why wouldn't anyone do it.....etc etc. Acquaintance #3---Don't know her start weight but probably the 200's and she now is slim. Family Friend #4--300# plus, lost most of excess weight. Did gain some back but also did not continue with fill maintenance after first year So, THIS is what motivates me. If these people could do it, then so can we. I KNOW they didn't suddenly go from 350 pounds to citing "it's a tool" and doing all the work themselves. Their bands are largely responsible for their weight loss, not their diets. And no, they don't exercise either, at least the first 2 I know quite well do not. Let me clarify: I'm not saying don't exercise and diet, not at all! I do believe that will render best results!

Holy crap! I needed some clarification on a State Statute for a client of mine, and I wasn't finding the answer by Googling it, so I asked the question on www.freeadvice.com, which I was a user back in 2005 for a short time. If any of you have ever heard of it, it's supposedly free legal advice. Well, I got the answer I needed alright, but not without attack like you wouldn't believe! I was called a SNOB, RUDE and told THEY WOULDNT FORGET....I was like....What the???? Why? Because I followed up my question with these little words "please, only lawyers or law students". I had no idea that would be so offensive, but I apologized right away and clarified that I needed info for a client, not public opinion-but the attacks kept on coming from the same mean people I remember way back then!! So what I'm saying here is....wow, if you think some of the posts on this board are rude, go post 1 question on freeadvice.com and you'll be running back to this board for safety!!! Signed, Put in Her Place

I had my first fill Feb 10, a conservative 2cc's. I definitely had restriction for about a week, almost 2, but then it was gone. POOF! Like I never had it. Now I feel pre-band again. Can't wait for my next one. That feeling of restriction really curbed my appetite, but still allowed me to eat regular food. It was great. I would like to achieve this as my norm

Funny you should mention about how much sleep you get! Not getting enough sleep (my issue) can cause real problems and even affect your weight loss!!!

Yeah I know, I wouldn't try it for a long time, thought my friend was nuts. I'm not liking the alfredo sauce so much this batch, today I prefer the spaghetti/meat sauce over cabbage. I once took a hamburger patti w/cabbage on the side and topped it with a little gravy. That was pretty good too.

Yeah I agree with her - it's not so fun. You will be hungry most likely, a couple of the days I was really in physical pain from the hunger. But that too shall pass, and you will probably lose a good amount of weight those weeks!

I just wanted to say there are a lot of nice responses here! Even though this wasn't my post, I found them helpful too! Sometimes people's responses are.....less than productive but this is a good thread. Thanks everyone for the good info that was also encouraging

That sounds delish! I'm such a bland boring cook, but I love cabbage. It's turned out to be a great low cal filler. I like the sound of the beef/bacon combo, think I'll try that! Wish me luck

I'm married now.......but back in the day I had a handful of blind dates as well....you're right, it seems you're always set up with someone who ...yeah, someone you wouldn't date. You WILL find the right person....when the time is right! I was 32 when I met my husband and we married the day before I turned 33. No, don't call me old.....I plan on looking like Jennifer Lopez before long.....LMBO!

Hey we all like hotties, right? But when it comes to love and marriage, it's not necessarily the hottie that wins!!