Humming Bird

Yes, I can feel mine sometimes. It is strange, but after time it feels like a normal body part. I am so used to it that it feels like an extra body part I've had all along. Does that make sense? oh well, it does to me .....yes, I can feel it

I don't think the posts here at LBT have been bad at all lately. I read and post here quite a bit and have only seen one post that was "name calling" or "disrespectful" or "rude", but that guy is known for being that way. It was much worse in 2009 with the fighting and name calling. I am one of the few success stories that have stuck around. I am also pro-band and believe my band is magic, but I do agree with Cleo's Mom that I struggling bandster does not want me to rub my effortless success in their face. It offers nothing of value to them and only makes them feel worse. Just because my methods have worked great for me does not make it right for me to post in their "struggling thread" how great I have done and how great my tool works. IMHO that would be rude. It also is pointless to tell someone who has had the band removed how to "use the tool".

Believe me, dental insurance is even worse in many cases. There are quite a few that pay less for a cleaning than the Dr. has to pay a hygienist, so the Dentist is in the red on those. This is why in some cases the dental office encourages "up-selling". They try to get the patient to do extra things like extra fluoride treatments or extra x-rays that really are not needed. When you have to pick a dentist from a list of providers and you find only a few that will take that insurance, that is a sign of those companies who don't pay the dentist well. You may have no choice to get better insurance, so you go to one of those on the short list. You get to the office and feel like you are being herded through and you are just a number. The personalized care feeling is gone. In those cases the dentist and hygienist have to see 2, 3 or more patients in the time they would have only seen one with better insurance. It's the only way they can keep the lights on, buy supplies, pay someone to run the front desk and pay malpractice insurance. There was a case just the other day where the insurance company only paid the Dentist $5 each on a couple fillings he did on a man. The man did not have a co-pay because he pays the insurance company for the upgraded plan. The insurance company is making the money off him, not the Dentist. The dentist paid more in supplies and a dental assistant than what the insurance paid him for doing the fillings. I could go on and on about how the insurance companies are ripping off Dr.s and Dentists. I think it will only get worse in the future.

I get it too and it's just from my own experience. I think all the tool talk is over rated. I think it's pretty magic when the sweet spot is reached, but I used to get flamed quite a bit for that positive attitude. Oh well, it's my own special little piece of magic. The tool people can keep using their tools and I'll keep enjoying the magic (perfect magic)

Wow Leigha, glad to hear from ya, but that sucks.

In dentistry it is not PC to say "dental tools". They are not "tools", they are "instruments". So, I like the sound of "weightloss instrument" better

Ice cold liquids and even eating tiny ice chips will help the swelling go down and the pain along with it. Keep an Ice pack high and to the left as much as you can. I found that this was very helpful. Sleep is very important in healing. Sleep, then walk a bit, then sleep ....... I feel for you, but it does get better. Hang in there.

That sounds kinda yummy. I never really liked cooked cabbage, but my tastes have changed. I'm a bit worried about gas with the cabbage, so I better try it on the weekend.

were you trying to prove CM's point? strange, didn't you read the thread? :der: oh well.....

too funny .... we could start another list ...... installed, placed, fitted, inserted, seated............

Wow, I read this thread awhile ago and see it has taken a few twists and turns along the way. When I first read the OP I felt sorry for the poster. What a let down. It's like having that feeling of another failed diet, but this one comes with a much higher price tag for some. I think she said insurance paid for both the band and the bypass, but geezz, 2 major surgeries. For now I'm a "band lover", but I do feel for the OP. I don't think it helps her much to tell her to "work the tool" because it's gone. I don't think it helps her much to tell her how bad RNY is because it's already done. It doesn't help to tell her you have a cousin that gained back all the weight after RNY. ........................the point of my post? heck, I don't know, maybe just to have some sympathy for the OP's situation I guess. I wish her well and hope the RNY works well for her.

Have you ever heard people talk about after you get married (or shack up) you get "fat and happy"? I think you are going to be just fine because you are catching it before you pack on too much weight. I am glad to hear you are being pro-active to get back on track... and congrats on meeting the girl of your dreams!!

Hitting those big milestones feels soooo good! Wooo Hooo for You!! :bananajump:

Good idea, but don't use it as a selling point unless you are sure you will deliver. (more sex that is)

I don't remember the exact times I was told, but yes I was told no drinking during (I can't anyway) and I think it was something like 30/30 for before and after. In the beginning and as I was getting fills to reach my sweet spot, these rules really helped me in the learning phase. Now that I am pretty much at goal and maintaining, much of it becomes 2nd nature. I think as I learned how the band worked for me I use the rules more like guidelines. I am able to drink all the way up to my first bite, then I have to stop. Depending on how solid the food is I ate, I may have to wait an hour to drink. Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about eating or drinking around the band. I'm just saying that the hard fast "rules" become more like things I keep in mind or "guidelines" and I live a pretty normal skinny life. (or at least what has become "my normal" with the band)

Oh gee Shirley, I really do hope you get this thing resolved. I'm in Colorado, so the only way I can help you is to offer support and say a few words to that man upstairs for ya. Let us know how it all goes.

I agree ..... steak is evil and just because I can't eat steak DOES NOT mean I'm too tight.

I get so tired of the "tool" talk......... I think I like apparatus, device, or gadget better.

I guess it's just another NSV to celebrate! ( I guess you'll have to look back to your teen years to figure out what to do in that work situation)

I will have to give the lemon juice a try, but too much of that can erode the enamel on your teeth. As for the "problem", let 'er rip any chance you get and are alone. :Banane36: :Banane54: And yes, I do believe it is band related.

You go Dave!!!! geezz, what will you get for goal?

Ditto! you hit the nail on the head! Dump the jerk, you can do better!

wow, look at that flat tummy! :clap:

I have trouble with many of the protein bars. They taste very bad to me and most of them are just too *heavy* in texture. Many of them don't really have high protein numbers. The one bar I found that tastes ok and is not too heavy is Atkins Day Break Peanut Butter Crisp Bar. 10g protein, 150cal, 2carbs

Mattie, I think it may take some more fills, but you will get that restriction back. I speak from my own experience only, so keep that in mind. They did put in some fill for me at surgery and I reached my sweet spot at fill number 2 after that. They include some fat between the band and your stomach to help prevent erosion. If you shrink some of that fat, you may need another fill along the way. The band DOES restrict the amount of food I can eat and DOES control my hunger. I do not get sick, slime, pb all the time. The few times I have since being banded were all part of the learning process. There have been a few plateaus along the way, but I think that is pretty normal. I think my body just needed to adjust. I have no willpower and have not really needed much after I hit my sweet spot. It can be a very long road, so you may need patience more than willpower. I agree with keeping a positive attitude. You don't want to get yourself down or set yourself up to fail. Celebrate every pound. I think all the "tool" talk is hogwash. When is your next fill?