I guess we got moved. We have a new spot on the main page where it will

be easier for people to find the rest of the slow losers.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone!

I am excited that I lost one stinkin pound. 6 lbs away from goal but it will probably take months. This month I lost 1 lb. That is unless by some miracle, I lose another one by the 1st.

The good news is I lost 5 pounds since last month's dr. visit.

The bad news is until today, no one at all had said anything to me about having to self pay for fills (Insurance covered surgery and fills for three months afterwards, today is in the fourth month). They are submitting NOW for pre approval and we'll see what it pays. But, I was VERY upset that no one bothered to mention anything at all to me from the first day I went in until now about having to pay ANYTHING besides my copay. I left crying. I'm sure that all you self pay people have gone through much worse, and I know I am fortunate that things have been covered up to now. But, it really ticks me off that they didn't bother to mention it until today when I show up at the office for a possible fill.

Candy, sorry you had a bad day. My Dr made me sign a paper BEFORE my surgery that I would have to pay 250.00 for each fill because ins doesn't cover it. What pissed me off is that on top of the 250.00 he charges me my 40.00 co-pay as well! Thats 290.00 for each fill! That is why I have only had 2 so far!

That's horrible. I don't know why some people charge so much for fills.

It makes it really hard to get the right restriction. Doctors should know that.

I'm working on trying to get them to approve the extra visits now. I guess what upsets me the most is the fact that I wasn't told about it before showing up at the office yesterday. I did write a complaint letter to my doctor and told him I wasn't upset with him, but I was upset with his staff. It seems like they drew me in, operated on me, and now I've been dumped!

Candy I hope they approve your fills. It takes awhile to get perfect restriction and people need to be able to see their doctor without having to worry about the cost.

I am very excited that I lost another pound. My last fill was in Dec. and I know I don't need another one. Once you get close to goal, the

fill lasts because the fat around the stomach shrinks. I am glad I am

still losing and I don't have to worry about another fill. I can eat small

amounts of anything I want.

I hope my last 5 lbs doesn't take too long to come off, but I am thrilled

to be this weight. I haven't weighed this since I had kids about 27

years ago!

Just a suggestion, but is there any chance there are fill nurse clinics around that charge less. I know some Canadian that go down to Seattle in Washington state. There are two fill nurses who have excellent reputations and they charge considerably less. Have you all checked around your city? Doddie

Doddie, thanks for the suggestion. If Insurance denies me, I will check into that.

Denise, YES, 1 pound is a good thing. Just think of how we were before surgery? It was gain 1 pound, or gain 2 pounds, NO losing at all.

And, the good thing is even when we don't lose pounds, we are losing INCHES. I can tell such a difference in my clothing already.

THANKS for the well wishes and advice, everyone!

Whoopee! I just did my weekly weigh-in and lost 8 oz. In total for the month, I have lost two lbs. Not any record but I'll take it. Sure beats a gain. It does get a tad bit depressing when I see others losing 2 to 4 lbs a week. Jealousy is more like the word I am looking for. I wish I knew how t speed things up but I am eating the required amount of protein and veggies,fruit and exercising within my capbabilities. If it wasn't for this link I would have given up long ago. Doddie

WTG!! Doddie!! You are right 2 pounds less is a wonderful thing! Anything down is great! We will all get to our goals, one pound at a time!

Best Wishes

Thanks wishes. Your stats are pretty impressive, WTG to you too. It is encouraging, in a circumspect way, to know I am not unique in this word of bandsters. Hope others keep posting. Doddie

It does get really hard as we get older. Our metabolism slows down and it

does get depressing.

And, one of my problems is besides getting older, I find it REALLY hard to make myself exercise now. I was doing some before surgery, but not very much since. What is the problem? I wonder if I have some sort of mental block and why would I put myself throught that when I really want to lose so badly. I had searched for exercise videos online, and found some, and STILL cannot force myself to exercise.

and Doddie, CONGRATS on the 2 lbs!!! I'll take EVERY pound less I can get!

I am glad I got hooked on the gym long before I got banded. I joined

4 years ago in an attempt to lose weight. I didn't lose weight, but I

discovered I felt so much better when I go to the gym. There are

days that I just drag myself there. I have to really talk myself into

going. But when I leave, I feel fantastic and I am really glad I went.

When I don't go to the gym, I am grumpy and depressed. Those endorphins make a huge difference in how I feel.

I know, I did join a gym last year but I drive an hour one way to work and the gym is about halfway on the way home. Seems like most nights I feel too tired to stop by.