MidniteLady

It's good that you are going to more than one seminar. As you can see from my signature, my surgeon is Dr Dunshee, he is at Tallgrass. I was self-pay. I originally wanted Dr Malley, but my insurance wouldn't pay, he wasn't in their network. Then I went to Dr Augustin at Truman, they wouldn't pay for another reason. I decided I would just pay for myself. I didn't want to wait another year for another possible denial... It's great that your wife is on this journey with you. There is something to be said for having someone in your family to support you in your journey. Did you say your wife is going to have surgery, too??? Or am I dreaming that??? Good luck in your journey... Can't wait to "see" you shrinking...

Hey, Mr, are you on the KCBandster's list @ Yahoo? I think I recognize your stats. I started to answer your post on 7-10, but I am sure you have a far greater knowledge now of the lap band and what goes along with it. If you are the same person I am thinking of, you said you work nights and couldn't attend the KCBandsters support group meetings during the week. Dr Malley has support group meetings on Saturday morning, you should attend so you can get a bandster's version of what you are in for. I highly recommend using the support group to help you in your journey!!! Good Luck!!!

Congratulations, Joyce. You have made some awesome progress. Keep up the good work!!!

Date Banded:12-29-2005 Country:USA Doctor:Carlyle Dunshee II Erodoed: N If Eroded Date Removed:

Happy to help, Mert. I was LOL at the idea of you actually trying to eat that much meat. You could never do it with full restriction. It reminded me of the story of the lady at the WW meeting saying she could never drink the 68 glasses of Water they suggested she needed... LOL Wow, you are so close to B-day, I bet you are excited!!! Good luck...

Careful, there, Mert, that was 60 grams of protein, not 60 ounces of meat. I had to read back through the thread to be sure of what was said... LOL, that would be a lot of meat in one day. There are 6-7 grams of protein in an ounce of meat, so you would be looking at 9-10 ounces of meat, but you can get protein from other things, too, like cottage cheese, eggs, milk. A grande latte at Starbucks has 20 grams of protein... I can just see the size of your eyes, looking at 60 ounces of meat... LOL

I was self pay at Tallgrass. My surgeon is Dr Dunshee. I paid about $11,000. I get a year of follow up for that price. At the time I had my surgery, there was only $100-200 difference between Rumbaut and Tallgrass. With the price of airfare and the price of paying for fills by Dr Malley, I decided to have surgery closer to home. I tell you, though, if I had opted to have surgery in Mexico, Dr Rumbaut would be the doc. I hear Dr Malley's price may be changing for self pay. You may want to check on that as well. As for how to approach your spouse, it's best to get all your research together and sit down with him and discuss it. I would do it before you went to the seminar. Then take him to the seminar with you, encourage him to ask questions, voice his concerns. Make him a part of this road to health for you and he will be more inclined to Celebrate your success with you. Good Luck...

Speaking of RNY, anybody seen the commercials for Celebrity Fit Club 4? Is that Carny Wilson among the hopeful losers??? Are my eyes playing tricks on me??? There is a good advertisement for not getting an RNY. Hasn't been that long since her surgery and already she is needing help to lose weight she had already lost at one time...

I was almost done with a lengthy post and somehow lost it. If you are interested in my journey, you can view my blog at http://360.yahoo.com/mary.daily Yeah, I talk about stuff other than banding there, but for the most part, it's about my band. I have gone from 390 pounds on 5-4-2005 to my current weight of 331. I love my band and I want to keep it forever!!! I was self pay, after being turned down by Humana HMO twice. I could have taken their direction and tried a six month medically managed weight loss attempt, but I was afraid they would just turn me down again for another reason. If I had not paid for the surgery myself, I would probably be having my surgery about now. Instead, I am at 6.5 months and down almost 60 pounds... :clap2: I haven't always followed the rules, but I feel I am a success at being a bandster most of the time. I love my band and wouldn't give it up for anything...

I am 48 and had a BMI of 62 when I started this journey. I have had three docs try to talk me into RNY, but I stood my ground. Yeah, I was afraid I wouldn't be capable of achieving the loss I want from my lap band, but I found someone on a mailing list who was -196 after two years and she was over 50. She has since gone past that loss and I have faith that I can as well. So far, I have gone from BMI of 62 to BMI of 55. Good luck in your journey...