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I was doing fine until I went berserk last night. The scale says I've gained three pounds! So I am bringing in the rear, here. Nancy

Chrissy, I understand why you are so disappointed and worried about your continued weight loss. I hope that Inamed can offer some support. Nancy

I'm so happy for you, Ryan. It's great that you have been able to experience so many of the benefits of being banded so soon. Keep up the good work! Nancy

Carmen, let me just add my "thank you" and "congratulations!" to the list. I am so glad that you posted this because I could see myself in so much of what you wrote. My weight loss has been even slower than yours, but it hardly matters. The most amazing change since getting banded has not been getting thinner, but getting more confident and assertive. And productive. And creative. I am not really sure why all of these changes happened when I began to lose weight, but I am very grateful for them. And I'm grateful to you of reminding me of them. Nancy

Sorry you've had such a rough time. Glad you're feeling better. Nancy

I cooked the whole Thanksgiving meal by myself over the last two days. Yesterday I was inside cooking all day, so no exercise. I splurged a bit at the Thanksgiving meal, but not much. I gave away all of the dangerous food to my relatives. But nobody would take the pies (3). I threw two away this morning, but the third one is still sitting in the fridge. And it's calling me. I feel as though with all that giving away and throwing away, I've just run out of discipline. And I didn't exercise today either, which is what worries me the most. Because I've been into exercising before and I've learned that all it takes is a few days of not exercising and I'm out of the habit again. Tomorrow is a new day, I know. I'm determined to get back on track, but I'm also a little concerned. Nancy

I'm so sorry this happened. I know it must be very disappointing. My insurance company gave me the same story, but it was five years instead of one. I was probably my insurance company's dream because I just gave up and went the self-pay route. I wish I had appealed. I am no expert on insurance issues, but just from reading the boards I have learned that your policy probably allows you only a limited number of appeals. So make sure the first one is as effective as possible. I would also consult the lawyers at Obesitylaw.com. They specialize in this sort of thing. And make sure that every time you visit your PCP, he puts obesity down as a secondary diagnosis. It's very frustrating, I know, but you can fight this thing! Or you can go the self-pay route. I thought about it like this: It wouldn't seem extravagant for me to pay $14,000 for a car. My life is more valuable than a car. And it is cheaper than that in Mexico. Nancy

It sounds like she gave you good advice. It will definitely be easier after you get a fill. And look at you! You are losing at an unbelievable rate! You are doing a fantastic job. Nancy

No, no sweet stuff for the dog! That sounds disgusting! However my dog did eat a whole bag of chocolate covered coffee beans once. He didn't seem any more manic than usual. Needs and Issues, I like that! Nancy

Becky, I think you are indeed nuts. I can't imagine taking 5 kids anywhere. Lisa, good for you! You don't have to like it. It's flooding down in Texas, for all you Stevie Ray Vaughn fans. I walked in the rain and the 100% humidity. I slipped in mud, got bitten by mosquitoes, and was followed by a stray Pit Bull who fell in love with me, but I walked 2.7 miles. Nancy

Good luck. It's natural to worry a little, but this is a very safe surgery. Sending prayers your way. Nancy P.S. I'd tell your endocrinologist that if you die, you definitely will not be calling him. It's unfortunate that he doesn't understand physiology better than that.

Vomiting blood is not good. And not being able to drink anything but Clear Liquids is not good either. How are you going to get any nutrition? Being overfilled is definitely not good and can lead to slippage and other problems. It think the suggestion of calling Dr. Rumbaut's office is a good idea. Please don't delay. Nancy

Thanks, Betty. Very cool. Nancy

You seem to be saying that you can feel your pouch working because you say you can only eat a certain amount. And your weight loss is great. So if it were me, I would wait. My way is to let the pouch tell me how much to eat. I stop eating at the first sign of feeling full regardless of whether it's a half cup or a cup. If you do that, don't drink with meals, don't eat beyond 15 or 20 minutes, and choose primarily solid Proteins, you should do well and I personally wouldn't worry too much about whether it's half a cup or a cup or more. If I wanted to continue weighing and measuring foods, I wouldn't have gotten banded. Good luck. Nancy

Well, I just volunteered to help walk a disabled man's dog four days a week. So that should help keep me going. Lisa, um. . .I'm going to send you the definition of exercise. Now, exercising your options may have actually added brain cells, but getting mad at your husband burned them, so you're back to square one! Love your "Science experiment" label. You are so funny. But truly with this band and a few other bionic parts I sometimes feel like a science experiement, too. Nancy

Betty, you are doing so great! Glad you are noticing the change and getting back to your normal activities. Nancy

I want in too! I just haven't had time to read this post until now. This sounds fun! Nancy

You're not the only one who was worried about giving up soft drinks. I was almost addicted to diet Cokes, but I honestly have not missed them. I now drink diet lemonade or Crystal Light and I'm happy. Best wishes for a speedy and painless recovery. nancy

Alex, first of all: Happy Birthday :banana And congratulations on your great progress! I can't wait 'till I don't need any 2s in my sizes (unless it's a 12). You have been sounding so positive lately and I'm really happy for you. I was going to tell you, too, that you inspired me to start exercising more lately and I, too, am noticing that it has changed my body more dramatically than the scale reflects. Keep up the good work! Nancy

I have told a few close friends and my family about my surgery, but I haven't told anyone at work. Today a nurse, who would also be a LapBand candidate, complimented me on my weight loss and asked me how I had done it. I don't know this woman well and I've never had a personal conversation with her, but I told her about the LapBand in confidence today. She was very interested, wanted to know my doctor's name, etc. I also gave her some websites so she can do some research (I didn't give her this one, though, because I need a little more privacy than that). I don't know whether she'll have the surgery or not, of course, but I just felt good that I had told her the truth and that I may have just helped her take the first step towards changing her life. By the way, she told me that the husband of another nurse we work with also had the surgery! Nancy

I was banded by Dr. Spivak in Houston and paid cash. It cost $14,000, which included all fills for a year. However, an acquaintance just called him to inquire about it and she was quoted a price of $12,000. While doing your research on price, be sure to include costs of travel (if any), costs of fills, etc. I've been very happy with Dr. Spivak's surgical skill, his aftercare, and his office staff. He does not have a dietician, psychologist or any of that, but I don't feel I need this because I have learned so much online. If you can find a good, experienced band surgeon in Dallas, that would be the way to go. Good luck! Nancy

Sorry, Alex. I feel your pain. I did eat three desserts at a party this week, but the next day I regretted it because I had been doing so well. Thanksgiving will be hard, of course. But in general, I feel about sweets the same way I've heard alcoholics feel about drinks: One taste and I know I am going to just want more and more. There will never be enough. I will never really feel satisfied. And then I'll have to go through the hard work of going cold turkey again. It hardly seems worth it. Which is not to say it isn't hard to resist. nancy

Yes, it is a very personal decision on who to tell. Aside from my inner circle of trusted confidants, I told this nurse and one other "band candidate." When a very overweight person asks me how I lost the weight, I know they are asking because they want to lose weight, too. It would feel wrong to me to lie or tell a half-truth. But it is very personal and I definitely understand people who don't want to tell. Nancy

You don't say whether you are in an HMO (which requires a referral for the surgery), but that's what it sounds like. I would hit him with a two-pronged approach. The first would be scientific: Go to the website for the American Society for Bariatric Surgeons and go to the section called "The rationale for surgery." It does deal mostly with bypass, but the rationale holds for ALL bariatric surgery. The NIH, The American Heart Association, The National Heart Lung Institue of Health (part of NIH) have all endorsed bariatric surgery for patients with a BMI of 40 and above. I think the Heart Association has too, but I don't remember for sure. Look up their position papers. I know I saw all of these position papers in an appendix of a book on weight-loss surgery (it was about bypass), but I don't remember the name. Then I would get him all of the information on LapBand (maybe Inamed could help you there). But I would also take Alexandra's approach and pour your heart out to him. Document all the diets you have been on, all the weight you've lost, all the weight you've regained. And tell him what being obese has done to you as a person - how you feel. You could do this in a letter if you want, but I would hand him the letter in person. It will be harder to ignore that way. You might also see if ObesityLaw.com has any advice. I think they deal mostly with insurance companies, but they may have some useful info. Good luck. Nancy nancy

Rica, thank you for letting us know. What a relief! I'm so happy to hear this. Nancy