Ms_C

I'm glad you're doing ok. It must be so exiting to buy a smaller pair of jeans. I've only gone down one size that was a awesome feeling for me

Yeah I hate looking at my self sideways too. I feel like I look pregnant! I really wish there was something that would help us with that. Other than cosmetic surgery I mean. I live in Victorville and I work in Downtown Los Angeles. Yeah that 405 must be hell! and yes the weather is beautiful! I went for a walk for lunch

Thank you for the compliments. You should try to update your pictures. They really help. I'm trying not to weigh my self because i don't want to get excited about losing weight and stop trying like i'm supposed to or get discouranged because I haven't lost any. I just take a lot of pictures and compare them to the old ones.

Oh, and I'm glad we met too. You are so positive and encouraging. It's contagious.

Hi Shelly,

I know it's a long process. It took me over a year to get approved. I think it was close to two years as a matter of fact. I had to go through all this tests and stuff but the wait was worth it. I was bandend on May 26. So far so good. I have my days when I get depressed but I suppose it's normal. This process has it's ups and downs and we just have to be strong.

I have found a lot of supporters on this site. It's a blessing. Stick to it.

Goof morning,

Yes WE CAN DO THIS! Going for that walk helped a lot. I went again yesterday. I think I just needed a little push. Last night my 3 year old ran 2 miles with my little sister. I only did 1 and 1/2 so that's pushing me to strive for better tonight. I guess I made it a competition between my son and I. He's 3 for crying out load. I should be able to keep up with him.

I think i'll stick to the walking/jogging/running for a while. If I stay at home, I'll just sit here and be lazy. Also, I read a response that seemed good and it works. Since I have a long commute by the time I get home I'm starving but once I eat all i want is to go to bed. So, I leave before eating dinner and eat once I come home. Plus I was told that walking before eating helps to boost your metabolism. It's worth a try so i'll stick to it.

How are you doing? have you started working out? I hope so. Lets do this together.

WE CAN AND WE WILL DO THIS!

Good morning Sandra,

Thanks for the request but mostly thanks for the encouraing words

LA commute is the worst isn't it? I work in down town so that tells you a lot.

I'm so glad I went for that walk. We went again yesterday and walked a little more than what we did the previous day. My younger siblings are very helpful. They are going with me and pulling me to run and not just walk.

How's everything going for you?

Hello Shelly,

Thanks for the friend request. Have you got a date yet?

Thanks for the request! how's your journey?

I'm still not done with the transition & I know it's hard, trust me! I have a 3 year old and at times, I have to make two meals, 1 for him and 1for me it's tempeting & I give in sometimes but look at it this way, it's not a diet, you are still eating and it's not like you're starving your self. You're just going to eat healthier. Better food choices and smaller portions and as you get your fills you'll feel less and less hungry and that's when you start losing the weight. Of course, excercise is essential as well that's a challenge for me but i'm trying. I know can do it. I know there are really bad stories here about the band but don't get discouraged. We can do it. We can make it work!

Good morning Mell,

I understand getting it done outside the US might be a bit of a struggle. It's something you will not regret though. I have my ups and downs & depressive moments but when I get over it, I see it's worth it. I'm losing the weight slowly but I am & it feels great when people ask if you're losing it.

The eating part will come naturally. Your body will tell you what you can and can't eat. I started making changes 2 months b4 I was banded. For breakfast I ate a cup of oatmeal with skim milk, sprinkled cinnamon and a few raisins. That kept me full until lunch. That was pretty cool Even during lunch I was getting full faster. I was told oatmeal keeps you full longer and it does indeed. I also tried adding & replacing meats and starchs for veggies but I did this slowly. It helps believe me.

Oh and about the insurance, they called me this morning. I have PacifiCare HMO and they told me that my medical group had paid for a full year in advance so I had nothing to worry about till then. Dr. Lourie will continue to see me and help me achieve my goal. I'm so happy about that. Is your appointment with Dr. Martin or Dr. Lourie? They called me to tell me that Dr. Martin was no longer at their office. Yes, again. They seem to be having a bit of a problem getting their appointments together. I suggest you call them and verify your appointment so there are no misunderstandings.

I hope you do continue with Dr. Lourie.

Hi Isa,

How are solids working for you? Hope all is great!

Getting stuck really hurts. I know i'm supposed to be on liquids and mushies for a few days. I just tried it this weekend and felt fine so I figured I would be ok eating solids. That's what I get. LOL i' doing better now. I'm on protein shakes (I mix it in the blender with ice and a few strawberries - Dr said it was ok) and baby food which is working out for me just fine for now. I'm scared of gettin stuck again and it's keeping me full for a few hours. Hopefully the swelling goes down soon.

Yes, Dr. Lourie did my fill last Thursday. He was great. He answered all of my questions. There was no pain at all. He didn't numb me at all. I just felt a tiny little pinch. He inserted the needle through the scar. I never saw the needle so if you dislike needles you're good to go.

Joannie!

Where are you? Haven't heard from you in a while. I hope everything's ok with you.

email me. Let me know how you're doing. Me, I finally got my first fill.

Hi Mell!

How are you? Sorry to hear about the fills part. Don't worry things will work out for you. I felt alone when My Dr. left the practice but I was lucky enough that his partner took my case and he's willing to give me my fills from now one. I'm sure there are doctors out there who will be willing to help you.

I was banded on May 26, 2010 and my highest was 283 I am now at 267. I haven't lost a lot but that was partially my own fault. I haven't been exercising the way i'm supposed to and I know i'm not eating as healthy as I should be. Plus I had not gotten a fill which by the way i feel is helping. I can't eat as much or everything like before the fill. I will let you know how it goes.

Good luck with your BAND and don't give up. It's soooo worth it. Even though it's been a slow process for me, the weight I have lost, is weight I was not able to lose on my own.

Claudia

Good morning Isabella!

I'm glad to read you're gonna stay with Dr. Lourie. Hopefully you'll have no trouble with your insurance. Let them know he and Dr. Martin were in the same practice. My first fill. It's different. I got stuck 3 times this weekend. Before the fill, I was able to eat everything. On Sat. I tried eating toast and I got stuck. Later on, I ate some eggs with bacon and got stuck again and Sunday, I ate an enchilada and got stuck again. So i guess I'll have to start cutting down on lots of food. I went back to protein shakes and baby food. I'm scared to eat real food.

How's it going for you? are you on solids yet?

Hi Mell!

I hope you enjoy your vacation! You should go for it. Get as many details as you can befor the surgery. It's a big step and although I have not lost a lot of weight, it's weight I wouldn't have lost without the help of the band. I hope you decide to schedule that appointment soon!

As for me, I'm a bit sad today. I still haven't gotten a fill and to top it off, i just found out my Dr. has left the practice so, I'm unsure what's going to happen next.....

Hello Heather, I'm glad you're seeing some progress! I'm so excited for you. Have you had any fills yet?

As for me, well I still haven't gotten my first fill. It's been over two months and I just found out my Dr. left the firm so I'm a little discourange and disappointed. I'm not sure what's going to happen next.