Hi everyone,

I am going for my consult tomorrow with Dr. Bagnato and if everything goes okay, I'll be having my surgery on 2/27! I'm a little scared but very excited. I've had to do this self pay and I'll admit, the idea of this much debt really bothers me, but I figured I'm 37 years old and every year I think THIS is the year I'll finally get my weight in gear and so far, it never seems to happen. I manage to loose only to gain it back and I'm so sick of the cycle.

Anyway, just thought I'd say "hello!"

Hey Allykat!

Glad to hear you are joining the Bagnato Bandits! I absolutely love my band. I have good days and bad, but the bad days aren't near as bad as they were pre-band. Where are you from? Albany?

Good luck at your appt. Let us know how it goes!

Welcome Allykat - I also was self-pay and it was well worth the money. I only wish that I could have found the money earlier and had it done. I think being self-pay has helped me stay focused. My family had to give so much financially that I can't let them down.

I hope you enjoy your band as much as I do mine. At times I feel it's too good to be true. I've tried all my life to diet and have always failed. This is the first time in the past 30 years that I've been able to loose more than 20 pounds. Hope all goes well.

Hi, everyone. I was banded on May 21 and I've had no problems at all. I've lost 20 lbs so far and will have my first fill on July 2. I am getting a little nervous, as my appetite is beginning to come back and I'm having a hard time eating in a group situation. We will be going on vacation the week before my fill and I will have to be at restaurants at each meal. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stay on track?

RosieJo

RosieJo - You will just have to decide ahead of time how much you are going to eat. Then ask for a to go box before you start eatting and put all extra food away. If its not on your plate to start with you won't be as tempted to overeat. I'm also on vacation at the moment and even though I have some restriction, it's easy to make bad choices. I'm at my parents and there's stuff to nibble on all the time, like homemade pie. So I went and got some healthy snacks so I can grab those when tempted to eat the bad stuff. Good luck on vacation and I hope you have a wonderful time.

RosieJo - Welcome! and diddo to what Nip50 said about the to go box. I also order off the kids menu when I can. Most restaurants will let you do that. It helps me control my portion and I still usually ask for a to go bag up front too.

Since you are still in the mushies/soft food phase I'd also look at your choices on the menu. Baked potatoes are pretty good and usually you can order one without getting an Entree. I also like getting a baked sweet potato if I'm at a steak place. Mexican - the refried Beans have a ton of Protein and I lived off of them during my mushies phase. I had some grilled chicken at restaurants right before my first fill and and made sure I ordered some dressing of some kind to dip it in. I was so afraid of getting something stuck. I still stick to that rule. The one time I didn't - guess what, got some chicken stuck.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm still doing a "modified" version of Sugar Busters--modified, meaning that I sometimes cheat, but I'm really tired of the "same old things". St Simons will offer a variety that can only cause trouble--Mullet Bay, Barbara Jean's, The Crab Trap, Spanky's and of course, Waffle House for breakfast evey morning. I can't believe it myself, but I'm beginning to try and talk my husband into staying home!!!! I guess nothing will calm me down until it's over.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm still doing a "modified" version of Sugar Busters--modified, meaning that I sometimes cheat, but I'm really tired of the "same old things". St Simons will offer a variety that can only cause trouble--Mullet Bay, Barbara Jean's, The Crab Trap, Spanky's and of course, Waffle House for breakfast evey morning. I can't believe it myself, but I'm beginning to try and talk my husband into staying home!!!! I guess nothing will calm me down until it's over.

Rosie Jo- if you go to brunswick eat at a place called JinWright's its just down the road from spanky's and has EXCELLENT seafood, much better than spanky's and much more affordable!! We usually go to st. simon's and jekyll each year and I love it! I also like mullet bay but its a little more expensive than JinWright's and IMHO Jinwrights is a ton better! GOOD LUCK!

Thanks for the suggestion. JinWright's isn't familiar to me at all, but we will definitely try it. Even though I'm bored with what I eat at home, it's still "safer" than eating out where I will be greatly tempted. Are you the one getting married soon? If so, I wish you a long and happy marriage. We'll be celebrating our 36th anniversary this fall.

I am! Our wedding is june 21st!! I am so ready for the big day to get here! I feel like I have everything ready and am just sitting here waiting on time to pass by so our day will arrive! Its been a big hurry up and wait game, lol... I know though the few days before are going to be so chaotic for me! Definately check out JinWrights, it's well worth it. We always get the seafood platter for two and it is wonderfull! From where spanky's is you just continue going lke you'd go to st. simons and its on the left hand side of the road. It's not the fancy atmosphere like mullet bay but the food is WONDERFUL!

Hi everyone! I am new to the group. I was Banded Friday June 13, 2008, and I had my first fill July 29th. I have lost 15.9 lbs.! I have had a great experience with Dr.Bagnato and on the friendly, helpful ladies. Both in the Office and ATC. Ya'll be patient,:confused2: I've never joined a group before.

Yaya - Welcome to the group and congratulations on being banded. Tell us about yourself - are you from Albany? I'm over in Douglas, and we also have people from Moultrie and Tifton. Have you noticed any difference with your first fill? For most people it takes a couple so don't get discouraged if you don't. Good luck with your band.

Thanks Nip,

I am from Fort Valley, I am an artist(sculpting and Jewelry) and I also handle dogs in dog shows, all-breeds. This (dog handling) is one of the main reasons I got banded. I couldn't run around the rings comfortably anymore. And I am a Grandmother, hence the name Yaya. 9 grandchildren.

Thanks for the comment on it taking more than the first fill....I am definately heading back to Albany in 4 weeks! LOL

Thanks for the welcome! Yaya

Welcome to the group YaYa!

How are you doing so far? If you have any questions - please ask away. I was banded back in April. I love our group here - everyone is so wonderful. Dr. B and everyone at the OTC are great! They are always so helpful.

Welcome Yaya! I hope you stick around and post often!

Welcome to the group yaya! This is a great bunch of people who give wonderful support, so be sure to stick around. Take care.