Well, it's been a long time since I posted here. And I have to say, I never thought I would be following exactly the same story as so many on the different posts. The first few months I was ok, patient with the process but also impatient to get the weight off. Ate a few things I shouldn't have. Tried more than once to eat a food that wouldn't go down just to prove to my brain that it was a "no go". Worried this would be another attempt and failure when I hit the first plateau.

It did move slowly but surely, in small spurts. Then I got to a plateau and stayed there a couple months, and I was hoping and praying I hadn't wasted all that effort only to lose 20lbs. But once while I was in the plateau I thought, well if the lbs aren't moving but I'm feeling smaller, why don't I take some measurements? Well, I had lost 4 1/2 inches JUST FROM MY WAIST!!!! And an inch off each thigh!! I couldn't believe it! That was the encouragement I needed at the time.

I've gotten a total of 5 fills so far. The last one was very small but effective. Some days are easier than others and I feel sometimes like I work for each pound that comes off. But I am down 42lbs so far and can't even believe it because it's been so long since I've been here!

I've been walking 3 miles 3 times a week, bootcamp 2 days a week, on the odd weekend I might wake up early and add another day of walking, kettlebell work out or wii fit. One day the bootcamp had us carry 35lb kettlebells to work out with about 1/4 mile to the park. I was so tired after carrying it that far but I was thinking, "My god, I was carrying more than that much around on my poor body. NO WONDER I felt so bad!!" That thing was so heavy! Anyway, the alternating vigorous workout and moderate workout is working to get the lbs moving and I look forward to the workouts more and more and have to talk myself into it less and less. I'm getting there.

I'm so happy I did this. I am still learning I've got to take small bites or suffer the consequences, eat slowly, give each bite the time to work it out before taking another. I've been successful at quitting soda, caffeine, sweets, most carbs most of the time. I have learned that ground turkey or chicken in lettuce wraps are very tasty and satisfying and can be found at many restaurants. (I even make my own version of it at home.) Eggbeaters can be satisfying for breakfast, a breadstick really can be enough bread for a day. Cooking a big bunch of protein food for lunches is easier than trying to find a variety of places to eat where there is actually something healthy to order off the menu. I try to vary my food choices and add green veggies when possible. Grilled aparagus is so yummy. I can't imagine I would have said any of these things prior to having this surgery so I am thankful it has helped me to make a lot of changes that have been good for my health, mind, and the shape of my body. The brain is still taking a while to keep up with the food and body changes, but I actually had a dream that I was looking down at my body and it was healthy and at a healthy weight and looked awesome so I figure my subconcious is finally getting with the program and letting me know. I am THRILLED with the progress I've made so far, even if it's slower than some.

A footnote here...I was covered by Tricare Standard for the surgery which was done in Oct 09, and they just finally settled with the hospital (6 months later) after sending it back denied 6 times for some nitpicking detail. My cost out of pocket is just over $800 and only because a surgical assistant was used that didn't have what Tricare considered the "right" credentials to perform the assistant duties for the surgery. When you schedule your surgery, make sure the Dr takes Tricare and is a Network Provider and gets preauthorization. Make sure the assistant they use is approved and preauthorized and accepts Tricare, ditto with the anesthesiologist, and same with the hospital. Each of these participants must be approved, preauthorized separately and preferably in Network or you may be stuck with more of the bill than you expected and it's up to you to ask each of them the questions and verify with Tricare that they actually are approved, Network providers, preauthorized, etc. NO ONE WILL HELP YOU WITH THAT. Then, it is up to each of those participants to file all the correct paperwork with all the exact coding to ensure they get the claim paid (I made a lot of phonecalls when I started to get nervous that the bill wasn't going to be covered). I guess the moral of the story is, if you make sure all of the participants have worked with Tricare enough to know and comply with all of their requirements, you hopefully won't spend 6 months wondering if you'll get stuck with a $43,000 hospital bill and all the dr, anesthesiologist, surgical assistant bills. I'm just so glad the claims were finally paid. Thank you Tricare!

THANK YOU MOST OF ALL, DR. SARAH J LEE FOR CHANGING MY LIFE!!

Hi there! I was banded Sept. 09 and I've kind of hit a plateau myself...I've lost 33 lbs and it's coming off very slow! I get so discouraged when I read other peoples blogs about them being banded around the same time as me and yet they've lost twice as much. But I have to realize that everyones "body" is different. I'm happy with what I've lost and have upped my exercise regime so hopefully I'll get out of my plateau soon. Sounds like you are doing awesome....keep up the good work.

Congratulations on all of you success! You must feel so great from the weight loss, but also from all that exercise. Way to go!!

Thanks for the comments! I do feel great! Some suggestions for breaking plateaus...1. eat more protein, 2. cut out carb foods, including yogurt, bread, rice, potatoes, 3. eat green veggies, 4. drink a lot of no calorie beverages, 5. don't eat late in the evening, and if you can do this for 4-5 days in a row, the lbs get going again. I try to stick with this plan, and I stay around 800-1,200 calories a day.

I tend to lose better if the calorie level is not the same every day. I'm not always consistant on my plan, but I do get back on track quickly if I get off track. I forgive myself for my slip ups and move on. And don't stop moving. Do something everyday for exercise, even if it's just standing up longer when you're hanging around at home. Find something to do that keeps you on your feet, walking, exercising, cleaning. I'm doing more cooking for myself than I've done in 10-15 years, just so I can keep food available that's healthy, lo cal and low carb. Keeping the right foods on hand is key to my being able to stay on my plan.

I think my next habit to break is TV. Turning it off instead of watching whatever is on even when nothing good is on will probably help me be more active. So we'll see how that goes. I'll report back the first time I try it...heh, heh, heh...

I'm glad to hear your insurance finally paid. Your doing great!