Amanda1982

Yes, I'm a little over 1 year.... What does the program consist of? You can see in my "sig" everything I had to do before surgery.

IMO...17 is very young to make this type of decision on your own. How do you plan to pay? Do you have your own insurance or will you be self paying? Talk to your family and your pcp, make sure that you have their support (especially if they will be paying the bill .) If you have your own insurance call them and see if they have an age requirement. Whatever you decide, be sure that you are ready for the life style change that comes with this choice. Good Luck.

Since it varies from Insurance to insurance, I would suggest you contact your insurance company and ask them to explain it to you in plain english. You should not be expected to understand "insurance lingo" lol. I know United Health Care (my plan anyway) only required co-morbid conditions if your BMI was very low but sorry I cant remember the numbers.

I agree with everyone, it sounds like your calorie intake is very high. Try lowering it and increasing your activity a little more. Good Luck.

Well Said....To the OP Good Luck on your journey .

LOL, I just read this 1 year and 1 month later....I happy to say that not only am I my surgeon's star patient, That I'm just out of the 10-12 pants .Down 73 pounds and pround of every one of them. Back then 190lbs seemed so far away and now it's just around the corner. Heck I may change that goal to 180... just because I know I can do it. Good Luck Everyone.

I have 5, 4 of them are really small after being banded for 13 months I hardly notice them. The one where my port is, is a little larger about an inch but its still not as bad as my c-section scar lol. I'll take some pictures tonight and post them in my profile tomorrow so check back if you like.

Just like that you are already on your way to becoming a healthier you Good Luck

Toddy, I personally consider any amount of weight loss a success. We are all so different and lose weight at different speeds 5 pounds to me just might mean success if I've struggled with weight my entire life. But for others it may be 25,35 or 45 pounds. The band is going to involve life style changes so we should not count on restriction to get us to our definition of successful weight loss. Don't get me wrong "Restriction is Great" lol but its just like us its individual and some get it at 3cc's and other like me it will take 7cc's. IMO we should work on the life style changes 1st and when restriction comes it comes as an added bonus to what you've already been doing. Good Luck to all who share on this Topic. To me you are all successfull because you have decided to make a change.

Hi, I started my journey at 276 pounds. 4 months I was about 30 pounds down. 6 months 40-50. I ‘m a little over 1 year and I’ve lost 68 pounds. Feel free to take a look at our pictures. Good Luck

Here is an interesting article on African American Women and their BMI http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYD/is_20_39/ai_n6346067/

When was the last time you had a fill? It sounds like you need one. Carbs can stall your weight loss (so I suggest backing off from them for a while), but once you get going you can slowiy add small amounts back in, so you don't have to give them up forever. I would suggest you talk to your doctor and ask for a fill . I know this is eaiser for me to say becasue I'm not self pay, but try to save up for it until you can get one. In the mean time please don't give up. Get into an exercise program that you enjoy. Get back on the wagon..... Track what you are eating and when you are exercising so when you go for your fill you have someting to show him. Are there any nutritionist in your area? If so they are a great resource for healthy eating habits. Good Luck too you! I hope others will offer more suggestions. Youre right the band is not "effortless" .......It's not supposed to be

Hey, I'm sorry about your struggles, do you mind if I ask you how much weight you've lost? Have you had any fills, if so how much is in your band? Tell your story maybe we can help or at least offer suggestions. .

I want you to know that I just lifted up my shirt in the middle of my office for you... I have 4 or 5 (not sure if one has always been there or not lol) and just like others my largest one is where my port is about 1in long. I've been banded for about a year, the scars are almost faded away. But I think my complexion has something to do with that.

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Dont get yourself down. some of us are slow losers. My 1yr anniversay is tomorrow 3/7/2012 and Im just at 64 lbs down. I was feeling the same way you do this morning and my nutritionist told me that I'm doing great. Try not to compare yourself with others, make sure you are workig out, and eating right the weight will come off. Good Luck!.