Way to go...I'm getting my band on Nov 19th and my start weight is 226 right now...So, not too far off from you. I too worry if I'm making the right choice - I'm paying as well $16,000.00 in Canada...And wonder what if it doesn't work...But, after seeing all the after pic's I'm sure it's a positive step to lose the weight.

Deb,

I was banded June 28, 2010. I am 5'5 and starting weight was 192. I was tired of trying all the diets on the market and my health was not the best. iwas tired all the time and I had no energy to do anything with my 10 year old son. I am a 41 year old full time single mother who also works full time. I also paid out of pocket $11,000. I has been my best investment yet. I am currently weighing 159 lbs and my goal weight is 135.. Slowly but surely i will arrive and stay there. I feel and look healthier. Trust me there is no better investment than in yourself. May God Bless You, and Good Luck!

I was self pay, $13,4 on June 21. I was 251 and I am now 210. I want to get down to 140 or 150, we'll see how much I need to lose as I am getting closer. I didn't know they would do LP surgery unless you had 100lbs or more to lose????? This was the best thing I ever did.

Good luck.

Hi Deb,

I am also a self pay from Canada (surgery $8000, through Mexico) and I am 5' 4" and weight 229 so I am pretty close to you. You have made the right decision and I hope to follow your journey to see you at the end of your goal weight. My surgery is on the 17th of Nov and I am nervous as well...good luck hun!

I was banded on 10-28, weighed 354, now 326, I am 4 weeks out and 2 1/2 weeks to wait for a fill. The last week and a half has been a little rough, I am somewhat hungrier and do eat a little more, but something in your brain seems to take over, and now, as never before, when I sit to eat, I am really trying to do what I have learned thus far. For a week and a half I lost nothing, but today, suddenly lost 2 lbs. I just act differently now. When you see results here and there, it gives that extra little push that you need. I have no regrets this far, not much pain, hated the liquid phase, now I pretty much eat what I want, just very very small portions. It is the best feeling in the world to sit in front of a full order of food, and get satisfied with less than half.

I am close to you too. Im 5'4 and 220. I was banded 3 weeks ago and my doc put me on a regular diet last week. Im so hungry now. I cant say if its the right choice yet. I paid $14K total so far. I have lost no weight, infact, I gained a pound. I walk 5K a day and eat less than 800 cals a day. Its what the doc said. So right now I think I wasted money, but after I get a fill Im hoping it changes. I eat such small portions now that I cant imagine eating any less in order to lose weight. Im so disappointed as it stands. Ill see what happens in the future. Best of luck to you.

It was great to hear from everyone. Seven more days to go before banding. I have seen blogs on a few folks that did not see weight loss for awhile until after 1st fill. I have not weighed to see if protein diet has done anything, but I can feel a difference at the waist.

Yesterday I went in for the upper GI, EKG, Lap tests, Chest X-ray etc. No food or drink. By the time I got back to the town I live in and to the voting booth I thought I would die from starvation. I went into the store and bought a routisserie chicken. On the way home I could imagine sucking down the entire chicken myself. I ended up eating a thigh and wing and that was plenty. At least it was protein and not sugar or carbs.

I have looked online and seen a big discrepancy on what to eat on the liver shrinking diet. Fortunately, it looks like the biggest deal is if you are over 45 bmi. and an occasional cheat is not going to totally negate a week of great dieting.

I think I may be figuring out how this site works (answering or commenting on blog.... comments). Hi again.

:cursing:

Hi Deb' date='

I am also a self pay from Canada (surgery $8000, through Mexico) and I am 5' 4" and weight 229 so I am pretty close to you. You have made the right decision and I hope to follow your journey to see you at the end of your goal weight. My surgery is on the 17th of Nov and I am nervous as well...good luck hun![/quote']

I think you are going to find yourself losing a lot of weight just becuase of portion control. I found myself fixing larger and larger plates of food for dinner as well as eating/picking at candy and junk. You are on your way to a whole new life!

I was banded on 10-28, weighed 354, now 326, I am 4 weeks out and 2 1/2 weeks to wait for a fill. The last week and a half has been a little rough, I am somewhat hungrier and do eat a little more, but something in your brain seems to take over, and now, as never before, when I sit to eat, I am really trying to do what I have learned thus far. For a week and a half I lost nothing, but today, suddenly lost 2 lbs. I just act differently now. When you see results here and there, it gives that extra little push that you need. I have no regrets this far, not much pain, hated the liquid phase, now I pretty much eat what I want, just very very small portions. It is the best feeling in the world to sit in front of a full order of food, and get satisfied with less than half.

Sounds like your doing great. 10lbs a month seems to be the max weight loss once the initial phase is over. Works for me! I could lose 100lbs but I'd be Hollywood thin and I'm not into the swizzle stick look.

I was self pay' date=' $13,4 on June 21. I was 251 and I am now 210. I want to get down to 140 or 150, we'll see how much I need to lose as I am getting closer. I didn't know they would do LP surgery unless you had 100lbs or more to lose????? This was the best thing I ever did.

Good luck.[/quote']

I am 5'4 and 249. Need to lose 120 pounds. I too am a self pay at close to $18,000. Hearing these stories of no weight loss scares the hell out of me but there are more people that have lost than not lost. I hope I have not emptied my savings for nothing!!! I get banded on November 22nd and pray for speedy recovery and weight loss!