btrieger

Don't beat yourself up. You enjoyed the holidays like a "normal" person. Next time try to keep it to one brownie. There are no bad foods when done in moderation.

The Bodybugg is currently selling for $199. This includes 1 phone coaching session and a 6 month subscription to their website. The Bodybugg armband gives a great estimate of how many calories you are burning. It does not measure how many calories you are consuming. You have to enter what you eat into the website for that. Then you upload the data from your Bodybugg to the website using a USB connection and it displays the information for you and calculates the difference in calories consumed verses expended. The web site is BODYBUGG :: WELCOME as far as I know it is the only place you can get a bodybugg. The other device that people are talking about here is made by the same people and also has a good reputation. Google both of them for specifics and reviews.

Last post from me on this thread. I deleted my post to be kind. Not because it might hurt your or anyone else' feelings. If your intent by reposting was to demonize or make me feel guilty, forget it. Enjoy your free ride.

There are no bad foods when done in moderation. I used to order 3 pizzas at a time. I'd eat 2 for dinner and the third cold for Breakfast. So, tell us, did it taste as good as it smelled? What kind of pizza? If you still feel guilty, go walk around the block a couple of times and you've done your penance.

I deleted my post. I may have gone over the line. Have a nice day.

The band didn't lose the weight. YOU DID! You can do it again. Log what you are eating and start walking a little more every day.

I'd call the insurance company and ask. The bariatric center could probably tell you as well. You can let them do the leg work.

I think these are questions for your insurance company. I'm sure that they all have their different ways of doing things. I was told by my surgeons office that Aetna and BCBS usually approve or deny within 3 weeks of submission.

I will be kind and not answer your idiotic questions.

I just barked at the first couple of people, "get away from me, I'm on a diet" and the rest got the hint. I don't have much of a problem with will power unless the Cookies and cakes are put right in my face and they were doing that.

If you are young enough to work, get a job. My tax dollar should not be paying for anybody's elective surgery. The waiting period for medicaid should be "wait until you get a job." I've never met anyone on public assistance that I wouldn't consider as abusing the system and unfortunately, I know too many. Self pays are 100 times better that any deadbeat on public assistance.

Congratulations and keep up the good work!! The positive testimonials here are very inspirational to the rest of us. Especially when you point out that you are doing all of the work and not treating the band like a magic pill.

The Bodybugg is only $200 and worth every penny of it!!!! It has helped me immensely. Counting calories makes no sense unless you know how many you are burning as well as eating. I'm dropping 3-5 pounds a week and haven't been doing what most would consider dieting. Nor have I been banded yet and I owe it all to the Bodybugg.

The supervised diet period is to accomplish multiple things: - shrink your liver. - lower the amount of fat around your stomach. - prove to the insurance company you are willing to change your eating and exercise habits. - prepare you to modify your eating habits for the rest of your life. 10% is far from extreme over a 3 - 6 month period. It is not difficult to lose a pound a week. Just cut 500 calories out of your daily diet or else eat the same thing and exercise 30 minutes more a day than usual. I think most surgeons have patients logging their daily caloric intake and exercise routines. Use these to make even the smallest changes every day. You can't get upset when you don't lose or when you gain a little but don't try to justify it either.

The going price is $199 at bodybug.com. It has been the best investment I have made in years. Counting calories makes a lot more sense when you know what you are burning as well as consuming.

Nope. I Started the process in September and am hopefully being banded in February. I have absolutely no desire or intention to continue doing what got me to this point and could possibly cause my surgery to be delayed. It's referred to as "Last Supper Syndrome" and there is nothing constructive about it.

I'm shooting for the moon and a BMI of 25 or less. The quotes below, say it all: David J. Schwartz "Think little goals and expect little achievements. Think big goals and win big success." Charles C. Noble "You must have long term goals to keep you from being frustrated by short term failures."

It depends where your fat is located. My 200 pounds is all located in my midsection and the only extra skin I plan on seeing is my do-lap (it do-lap over my belt.) Others have it through out their bodies. It is most noticeable when it is under the arms (bingo wings) or in the boobs. Who said you can't learn anything watching reality TV? I got this on The Biggest Loser.

Welcome and here: BariatricEating.com Health & Nutrition - Bariatric Recipes Someone posted that the other day. You'll never need another recipe.

Contact a local bariatric surgeon in your area and make an appointment for a consultation. There is a link for surgeons at the top of the page here. The visit should only cost you a copay. The surgeon will give you a high level description of the process and what is to be expected. He will also tell you if you are a good candidate for the lapband. Their will be a specialist(s) in the surgeon's office that will be familiar with your insurance company and they will tell you exactly what needs to be done. Usually a 3 - 6 month supervised diet where you log everything you eat; log what exercise you do and meet with a nutritionist once a month. The nutritionist should give you pointers on eating right and how you'll have to eat once banded. See a psycologist for a psyche evaluation. Participate in a sleep study. It's a little overwhelming but the supervise diet period gives you plenty of time to think it over. I'm in North Texas so I can't give you any recommendations for surgeons or shrinks.

Great site. Thanks!

I started at 365 and come Hell or high Water, I am going to reach my 170 pound goal. The surgeon gave me the same spiel about losing 50-60% of the extra weight but that is the average. That includes the people that think the band is a magic wand and only lose a couple of pounds or even gain weight because they don't follow the rules or give up. I can't speak from experience yet, I won't be banded until February but check back with me at this time next year. :thumbup:

That is what is scaring me. I know have that relationship with food. I don't eat just to get full. I eat because food is delicious and I can't get enough of it. Not only do I love to eat, but I love to cook. Thank god my roommate is a human dumpster and will eat anything I don't finish. Needless to say, he doesn't gain a pound doing it. I'm a meat and potatoes guy and have cut down my portions in preparation for banding. So far, so good.

Ground turkey is still cheaper than quality ground beef but the jury is still out on whether it is better for you or not.

Thinking about changing my name to "The Bitter Bandster"