dawneb

one more thing - support groups are usually free!!!! They are in my area any way (Pacific Northwest). I have two different groups that I go to and know of three others- all free!!! Don't pay for one.

That doesn't sound right to me at all. I am a self pay patient and my fills have only added up to $750 for this first year. I would definitely not do that. You might want to consider finding a different surgeon.

yes, if you purchase a used bugg then you have to register it in your name and get your own password etc. It's a little expensive to start - I think $149 for the first three months but then it's a lot less for the continuing months. I also purchased mine on ebay but made sure that it was New in the box with the 3 month free membership. Got a pretty good deal - only $179. Any help here would be appreciated. I've been wearing my bugg for a week now and logging meticulously. It shows a deficit of at least 1,000 calories a day and I still haven't lost any weight. I've basically been stalled since April. Thought this would help me see what's going on. All it shows me is that I'm staying on track food wise and exercsing but not losing the weight. How can this be??? I'm so frustrated!!!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!:thumbup:

I went to register my new bugg - yeah!! - and they say I have to have physician's permission! What's that all about. The only thing I listed was Lap Band. How long is this going to take. I emailed the nutritionist like they said I should. Urghhhhhh!!!!:biggrin:

Hi all, I'm new to this thread. I just purchased my Bodybugg on Ebay. Pretty good deal, NIB with 3 mo subscription for $179. I looked all over and found some pretty good deals on used ones but then you have to sign up for the new user account and they really get you. If you don't get the account with a new bug they charge - I think if I remember correctly - $149 for a start up fee which includes 3 mos. I really don't think it's worth getting a new one unless you can get it for like $30 or so. Can't wait for my bugg to get here. I'm really hoping that it will help. I've been stalled for about 4 months now. Urrgghhh!!! Everyone sounds so pleased with theirs on here so I'm really excited. Dawn:lol:

Sue - you look phenomenol!! Your new picture is fantastic. Love the new hair cut. I'm praying that you haven't slipped. From what I hear that's usually pretty painful - have you been having a lot of pain? I just went and got another fill. Haven't had one since March. Hoping that this will "jump start" me again. I basically haven't lost any weight since April. I've actually gained 5 pounds - very depressing. My body seems to want to stay at a weight that I was at for many years. Just started doing the Biggest Loser DVD - hoping to give my metabolism a kick. They say the same type of exercise over and over can stop having results. Dawn

Hi Misty, My Dr. is Dr. Srikanth and he is wonderful. He has an office in Federal Way but they just opened up one in Redmond I believe. That probably wouldn't be too far for you. He has a fantastic record for success (meaning the most amount of weight lost). I believe that Dr. Srikanth and Dr. Oh have the best record in the state. They are also the most strict. I went to alot of different free seminars before deciding which Dr. to use. I loved the fact that Dr. Srikanth used to be an organ transplant surgeon. He obviously knows his stuff. Anyways just an option for you. They are all wonderful at his office. Dawn

Hi CindySue I'm in Pacific too. I live right off of 5th. I also have a neighbor who was banded in October. Maybe we could all get together some time. I was banded 6/12/07 so I just passed my one year mark. Doing well. Dawn:thumbup:

when is the next support group meeting at St. Joe's? Anyone know?

Thanks Stacy - you're right. I have to just start again (so to speak). Try to make good choices each day and be happy with a 1/2 pound loss a week - if that. I guess it hard because it was so easy at first. I "knew" in my head that it wouldn't stay that way. I have to keep telling myself that this is a tool, not a fix. Feeling pretty good today and I have started exercising again. If I can lose 10 pounds in next 2 - 2.5 months I'll be really happy. small goals for now.

Thanks Phyl, Ok - I'll do the challenge with you. You're right, I just need to re-focus. One day at a time for now. Thanks for the encouragement.

hello all, feeling very down here. I almost don't even want to write but I figure what can I lose. Encouragement would be good. Over the last 2 months I've gained 8 pounds. I'm so disgusted with myself. Yes of course I have excuses - I hurt my back and couldn't exercise, then I pulled a muscle in my leg the day I went back to exercising - so there went the exercise again. Excuses, excuses. Now that I'm better I feel like what's the point. others have lost a ton of weight and have written that they don't even exercise. I feel like maybe this is my lot in life. whoa is me!!! sorry to be such a downer. I just hate that I've slipped back into old thinking patterns. any words of advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Mer, How are you feeling? Can you tell a differnece yet or are you swollen? You sound like you're feeling pretty good. I'm so glad. Cant wait to see you at the meeting at St. Joes'. Gig Harbor is just a little too far away for me. Dawn

Mer, Praying for you today!!!! Let us know as soon as you feel up to it that everything went OK. Dawn

Hello all, I'm sending out prayer requests to all who feel led. It's a very sad day for my family. My cousin has been in ICU since last Friday. They have diagnosed her with Moyamoya disease. It's very rare and usually only occurs in women of Asian descent so this is very rare in a caucasian. Yesterday they did an MRI and have confirmed that she is brain dead. She is only 48. My heart is just breaking. She has two boys, her youngest only being a Junior in HS. Now her husband has to make the terrible decision to pull the plug or not. This is all just so unexpected and so horribly, horribly sad. I'm pulling on all my faith to try ---- not to understand for that might never happen, but to have some peace with this and also for God to give me the right words to try to help her husband and boys. Please everyone, take very opportunity you have to let your family and those close to you know how very much they mean to you. In a split second everything can change. Dawn

HI Cheryl, Welcome! Wow - sounds like you've done really well. Congratulations. Alot of us are still fairly new bandsters - less than a year- so it will be nice to have a more experienced bandster around. Who is doing your TT? I'll be praying for you that it all goes well. I'm hoping to have one as well once I lose all the weight I want to. I'm 5'5" and I want to get around 130 I'm around 170 right now, so I still have a ways to go. Please write and let us know how everything goes for you. Dawn

I know - CHOCOLATE!!! I gained 2.5 pounds from Saturday to this morning - YIKES!!! I just can't have that stuff in the house. I wont buy it, but if it's there - watch out! Hopefully it will come off again fast. It's amazing how long it takes to take off a pound and how fast it will come back. It's just not right. Take care everyone. Dawn

Mer- Your TT is April 1st right? It's coming up. I've been reading up on TT's a lot and there are quite a few PS's who don't think you need to wait for a year before having one. I think you're right on schedule!!! I can't wait for you. It's all very exciting. When I went to the Dr.'s yesterday for a fill/follow up - his nurse told me that I realistically could be within 20 pounds of my goal weight! Talked about shocked!!! Of course she thinks my goal weight should be about 150 and I think 130 so we're off by quite a bit. I'm just wondering how much would come off with a TT. Maybe I'm not as far off as I think I am. Did Dr. Foley give you an idea of how much weight will come off with the TT?

Hi everyone, I won't be able to make it tonight. I've thrown my back out and boy oh boy does it hurt!!! Especially since we can't take NSAIDS! Yikes! It's getting better but I dont want to push it. Let me know how the meeting goes.

Hi Mer, Yes I've met Dr. Foley before. His office is in the same building where I used to work (oral surgery). A friend of mine had a procedure done in his office. She was happy with everything. What is he charging for a tt? Dr. Reuss is also in the same building, same floor actually, he's another ps doctor. I called his office because I'm a little more familiar with them and also his CRNA who does the anesthesia, I used to work with her - she's great. Anyways, he charges between 4,500 and 6,000 for a tt depending on how much extra skin etc. I thought that was really good. Great for you going for it. I'm jealous. Can't wait til I'm there. I'll be praying for you. Dawn

I agree. I thought it was a great meeting. He seemed very down to earth and very approachable. Not at all arogant. YEAH!! Lots of good info. It would be hard to wait for a year after weight stabilization! I do see his point though. My husband is not too thrilled with any of it. Its a cost thing with him so we'll just have to wait and see. It was a great turn out last night. It would be nice to see that many people for our regular meetings.

Hi Sue, Mer and hopefully lots more, I'll be at the meeting tonight. Can't wait. I made us come home early from the ocean for it. I've been waiting all month!!! I'm hoping that it will be very informative. Do you think he'll look at us and tell us what he thinks? Maybe that's asking too much. See you there, Dawn:tt2:

way to go Sue!!!!:biggrin: I'm very happy for you. Cant wait to see you at the meeting on Monday. Make sure to wear those size 12 jeans now!!!! Dawn

Sue, I didn't get to make it last night. We ended up having people stop by and then didn't leave til after 7. I bummed! What did he seem like? Any idea on prices? It will be nice to meet him on Monday. I'm really having a problem getting in my second shake. I never seem to remember til I'm lying in bed at night - urgh! Maybe I need to have it at lunch time instead of waiting til night. Anyone else having this problem? Dawn

Sue, That's right the meeting is on the 18th. I think that I might go to the open house on Tuesday (today). Depends on if my mom will watch the kids or not. Its a good way to see the office and the staff without having to pay for a consult. I went to five different seminars before I chose which doctor to go to for the band. Chuck, As far as the pre-op diet - Dr. Srikanth and Oh both want their patients to go on a 10 day sugar free clear liquid diet pre-op. It is extreme compared to other doctors but they have fantastic results. both offices have 70% success rates as far as patients losing the weight that they want and keeping it off. I believe (from when I did the research a year ago) that the norm is 50% for other offices. You might want to consider doing it. The first two days are the hardest, you get very hungry, but then it settles down. Good luck with whatever you decide. We're all here to support you with your decision :scared2:. Dawn