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He has an office in Albany, but to get a fill there it's $100+. If a patient wants the promised bariatric support and "free" fills, you have to drive to Macon. It's the hospital system's fault, not Bagnato's; but either way, it left patients in a difficult situation. I got insurance approval, which was a year-long fight, and had my fills at the bariatric center in Albany. Since I moved six months ago, I've heard the center in Albany had to close. I am glad to be out of SW GA for many reasons and getting support and care for my band is one of them. I wish you much success. I have nothing but great things to say about Dr. B as a surgeon.

Office....typos drive me nuts!

Yep, he did my band back in 2011. We lived in the Albany area at the time and Bagnato was the best around. His iffice staff was fantastic. It was not a good scene when he moved to Macon and left a bunch of us in a pickle though.

I used to participate in a boot-camp mentality board for weight watchers folks. Obviously, I can't post there anymore, but miss the daily interaction and accountability. I'd like to start that here if there's anyone out there willing to participate. It's a new year with lots of new possibilities. I got off track over the holidays and could use a little tough love! I can get us started each morning and then we can post our eating strategy for the day and anything else we need to post to be held accountable. No excuses, no justification, and no whining...boot camp attitudes. We can Celebrate successes, share ideas, and hold one another accountable. I'd love to do it with some of you here, those of us who have been banded for a while. Anybody want to try it?

How are we doing??? Water, check. food as planned, check. No exercise, hectic day. I'll get it in tomorrow. Let me hear from you!!

Hey there!! Glad to see everybody's making it happen today!! My food is logged and on track, Water is almost all consumed, and I will try to get some exercise in today. My daughter has a dentist appointment and then a basketball game, so we'll just have to see. Have a wonderful afternoon!!

843 calories, 1 hour of walking (video), 72 ounces of Water, 32 ounces of Protein shakes...Protein, Fiber, & carbs are all spot-on. I've had a stellar day! Hope you all have as well!! I'll check in tomorrow. Let me hear from you!!

Good Morning!!! What a BUSY weekend! I read every post via my phone app, but didn't get to post. It was a great weekend with lots of movement. I've logged food and exercise and have a plan for today. I'll have my breakfast and lunch Protein shakes, and then dinner will either be taco soup or chicken a la king. I will do an exercise video this evening with the family and will report back for accountability. I LOVE reading what you guys are eating and how you're exercising. It gives me motivation as well as new ideas!! It's going to be a STRONG week!! Let's make it happen!! @JustWatchMe glad to hear from you and to hear you're on the mend! @titan05 Glad you jumped in! I'm curious about the pouch test...what's that involve? @punkinvine I always enjoy reading about what you're up to! @MarieMarie You're working that FitBit, aren't you?!? Did you win the weekend comp? Keep up the good work!! @@m.simpson88 Two jobs?!? You're a busy woman! What is your favorite Protein shake?

I will gladly work with you! In fact, I needed the same thing and we've got a small group of us posting daily, at minimum, to hold one another accountable. I think it might work, just jump in with us! Check out the thread: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/329299-accountability-group/page-6#entry3727206 If you don't want a group setting, let me know and we'll go another route.

I got my exercise yesterday by walking at the mall. We had to go to pick up something for my daughter, so I killed two birds with one stone. I've got meals planned for the day and plan to do an exercise video this afternoon. All is well in my world and this thread seems to help me with enthusiasm and accountability, so THANK YOU guys for that! I hope all of you have a wonderful day. @JustWatchMe Thinking about you today. Hope all goes as planned. Praying for peace and comfort.

@JustWatchMe I'm sorry you're starving! I feel the same way when they put me back on liquids for whatever reason, so I know how you feel. @2babutterfly I don't see an issue with a handful of chips. Is it me? I mean, if you were replacing chips for a meal or were eating a bag of them, it would be a different story. I've always been encouraged to eat what I want, in moderation, and document it. I'm amazed you can eat banana...I'd love one, but would be so stuck that I'd wish for death.

I think I'm going to try quinoa too. I must tell you that I'm drooling at what you call "traditional meals". I love Louisiana and all of the food; used to spend quite a bit of time there as a kid. If you break out shrimp po-boys and beignets, I'm on a plane and on my way! Safe travels today and I hope all goes well with your daughter's surgery. @@JustWatchMe How are you doing on those Clear liquids? YUCK! Let us know everything is okay as soon as you can after your surgery. Meals are planned and I'm already halfway through my Water. I'm going to walk the mall tonight and will post when it's completed. Have a wonderful day!!!

Don't know how to delete a post...

@HealthyNewMe I know what you mean about old habits. Good for you for coming up with a plan to work in the gym before your flight! Met my goals for the day. I ate OP, drank all of my Water, and just finished a three mile walk video. Hope everybody's rocking their plans too! Let us hear all about it!!

I can't drink too soon before eating, about 15 minutes, and not for at least an hour after I eat. If I do, I have similar issues. You could also not be chewing as thoroughly as you should. Do you use a baby spoon or fork? i find that helps me tremendously to control how much I put in my mouth at a time and slows me down enough to prevent issues.

Goooooood Morning!!!! Yesterday was a win for me. Getting closer to finding a center/surgeon that will take me as a patient and let me come weigh monthly. Meals planned and put into my fitness pal. Water and exercise were checked off. I think I'll just repeat it today! I'm going to have leftover spaghetti sauce, make an ounce of barilla plus pasta, and call it dinner. I'll have protein shakes for breakfast and lunch. I might even have a cup of cafe escapes. Ooooh, living on the edge!! I'll get my water in and do an exercise video with the family this evening. After trying MANY protein shakes, I settled on Syntrax Matrix. The milk chocolate and mint cookie are my normal flavors. I find if I mix them the night before and let the sit in the fridge, they're much better. What brand are you using? What have you found works best for you? We are making it happen! I am loving this thread, having you all to check in with. I hope you are too. Have a dandy day!

ROLL CALL!!! How are we doing today?? @@JustWatchMe @@punkinvine @@2babutterfly @@Puppypaws57 @@HealthyNewMe @@amponder @@MarieMarie I'd love to hear how all of you are doing!!! Talk to me, peeps!!!

Back for accountability!! Had one Protein shake, didn't get the second one in today. I've got 1 cup of homemade spaghetti sauce and Barelli Plus Pasta - 1 oz - for dinner. I've had all my Water today and completed exercise too. Getting back into the swing has made me miss my bariatric nurse/center. I previously posted about my struggle finding local support/care for lap banders. I've contacted two more surgeons today and have potential with one. They're going to review my records and said I will probably be accepted as a patient. If that happens, I can go to them for adjustments. More importantly, they'll let me come in as I wish to weigh for accountability. I signed the records request and I've contacted my previous center for a transfer of records. I need this to happen and they're notorious for slacking on paperwork. I'll push, push, push if needed. I'm hesitantly excited, this would be an answer to prayer!! Off to have an early dinner and take my daughter to basketball. Have a wonderful evening! @rthogode I use Syntrax Matrix and it shows on the tub that it's aspertame free. Not sure if that helps you, but thought I'd throw it out there since it's good stuff. I do see in the ingredients acesulfame-k and sucralose, not sure about those...

@JustWatchMe Please stay! Quick post for me before I shower and head to the dentist. Because DD has a basketball game tonight, I didn't risk waiting to get my exercise in today. You guys holding me accountable is getting into my head and making me keep my word. Exercise...check! I did a 35 minute interval video that kicked my butt. THANK YOU for holding me accountable!!! I'll check back later to post my plan for today.

I totally agree with @B-52. When I start having similar issues, my nurse practitioner always has me go back to liquids. I do nothing but Water and Protein shakes for 3-4 days and that seems to do the trick. It could quite possibly be something that you're eating or doing has irritated the band and you're dealing with the swelling side-effect. Try going to only shakes for several days and then ease back into food by going to mushies, soft foods, as you build back to regular food. I'm certainly not an expert, and have zip medical training, but I have had my band for a while and communicate VERY regularly with my bariatric nurse practitioner during these types of things. I'm just passing on what I've learned... Keep us posted!

@@2babutterfly Welcome and jump in! What can you do for exercise tomorrow? I struggle with it too, but I post here and ask to be held accountable.

Isn't this AWESOME?!?! Being able to use SKINNY to refer to yourself is such a WIN!! I'll be glad when I'm there. I want to get about 20 more off, I think. That number may or may not be accurate, but the pants are hanging in my closet and I'm at goal when I can comfortably wear them.

@punkinvine Lucky duck getting some snow! I was hoping that our move northeast 500+ miles might mean we'd see snow, but not yet. Not sure about the Iron, other than supplements. Sounds like you've got a plan! @newmetwenty15 Those of us posting are veteran lap banders. We've had our bands long enough to know what and how to do it, just holding each other accountable, sharing ideas, etc. There's a whole group of folks with the sleeve, which I think you have or are having per your stats, and you might those boards more helpful. The forum is here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/3-gastric-sleeve-surgery-forum/ However, if I'm mistaken, jump in!! I don't want to come across like I'm turning you away or anything like that; it's certainly not my intention. I just want you to find the place that will benefit you the most!

@HealthyNewMe Glad to hear that about your mother & MIL. I'm also glad to hear you're staying off that scale. Me too! @JustWatchMe How did you do on the stairs? Get them all in today? As for me...exercise...check! I did a Leslie Sansone 3 mile walk video. I've had all my Water and all my food today. VICTORY! Shout out to all of you that are making it happen too. Let me hear from you!!!

@Puppypaws57 Well, thank you! You can jump in...the water's fine! Anyone else not hungry today? Wow! What a cool thing to be able to post! I think it's because I'm so frustrated though. I moved to TN in May from GA. In GA, I weighed in and met with a nurse practitioner on a monthly basis. It just worked for me, so I kept doing it until I moved. Well, I can't seem to make it happen since our move and have been diligently trying to find a bariatric center that will work with me. I've been told "no" by two, only one left in a 50 mile radius. Fingers crossed! I've had a Protein shake - 46 grams of protein, 18 carbs, 4 sugars, 11 fibers. I will eat my dinner and exercise! How are you guys doing???