Brandy

Dini, Congratulations on 163! I would be absolutely thrilled if my scale said that, but not too much longer for me. Lindaa, I bet those compliments made you feel wonderful! Congratulations.

So, are you getting any refund. Or did you pay $8K and the insurace is getting their entire $9.6K back? If you read my post a couple days back, my insurance company not only turned me down for a partial refund, but went back and disallowed consult appt claims they'd already paid. Ridiculous! But hey, like you, it was worth it!

And another thing! Remember that I didn't tell anyone at work that I had the surgery, which I still think was the right decision. I've been getting a lot of compliments at work and of course, everyone wants to know how you are doing it and I imagine if they knew I had surgery, they would just dismiss the amount of effort that's actually been involved and think that it was easy. And we all know that this hasn't been easy. I do think it's a sure thing and that you'd have to go a long way to mess it up, but it certainly hasn't been easy. It's that sureness that keeps me motivated, when the weight loss stalls a bit! But, I know that I have worked hard for every pound of my weight loss and continue to make good eating decisions going forward because of it!

Jackie, Perhaps you should move on to solids. I was doing the same thing eating only 500 to 600 calories and exercising vigorously, and Dr said I should be between 800 and 1200 calories, I believe and said once I got my first fill it would be 1200 to 1400, I think. I'm now averaging in the 800-900+ range. Had some days that weren't typical, as I was in Vegas or ate out, which usually means more calories. But anyway, I've been on solids since first fill, a month a go. And I can eat anything. Bread goes down just fine! I buy the Nature's Own light honey wheat bread, only 40 calories a slice and a good source of fiber. I toast it with a little bit of whipped butter, and it is delicious and makes your meat seem more like a meal. I eat chicken, turkey, ham, canadian bacon, hamburger, steak, porkchops, etc., without problem. Small problem with first porkchop, but I was eating too fast and didn't chew enough. Also had biscuits and rolls at restaurants and they were fine too. It's all about moderation. Decide what you are going to eat and then stop. I know there is restriction, but I still think it's all about portion control! I'm better at home and when i pack my lunch than I am in restaurants, but that's mainly because of the type of food. At home, I measure out the meat, etc., and eat only what I've put on my plate. I may feel the restriction at the end of the meal, but I was going to stop when I finished my plate anyway. DH thinks I could have just done this on my own without spending the $14K, but I don't think so. I have good self control, but need to be working a plan to stay motivated. Like they say, it's a tool, not magic. I am working the plan. Without the plan, and the knowledge that this is going to work and I'm going to reach my goal eventually, there are times that I probaby wouldn't have been able to stay on a diet on my own. At first it was the pre-op diet, I stuck to it cause I didn't want my liver to be too big for the surgery, so there wasn't a chance of my cheating. Then you had the surgery and there was the fear of stretching something, so you stayed on the liquids, etc. Then there was the fill and you feel pain if you eat too fast or don't chew. So, that's why this has been successful, more so than doing it on your own would have been. Well worth every penny, although i still wish my insurance co would have stepped up to the plate!

Had one fill a month ago and got 2 cc's, on top of 1.5 or whatever was in the band originally. Didn't feel it at first, but after awhile started to. Have 2nd fill on Thursday. Think I'll just get a little fill. At first thought I'd pass, but I guess I do need a little more, as I'm starting to get hungrier in the afternoons now.

Thanks for noticing Jeanie! It goes kind of slow for a few days and then you see some movement. Some weeks it's only a half pound, others it's three and a half, but it seems to all average out at 2 per week, which I guess is probably the best thing for us all.

Okay, now I can visualize it, I was thinking full long sleeved blouse.... ha ha. You are doing fabulous!

Phyllser, I was sharing the blouse story with my DH as well and he thought it was funny too! It's quiet on here today, so I'm probably checking out. Will check back later. I lost another pound today, so I'm a happy camper as well! Keep working it!

CeCe, That's not bragging! But even if it was, you deserve to brag! You are doing great and have a positive attitude. Now, how exactly did you lose the bouse, you mean it slipped off your shoulders and down both arms???? Having a problem visualizing it! Regardless, it's funny when you can share it with others, isn't it? And isn't it a wonderful feeling to try on old or new clothes that fit or will in a week or two and getting rid of the old ones. I've got quite a pile of old clothes for Good Will. Keep up the good work!

I didn't notice a great deal of difference with my first fill at first, but over time, things appear to be more restrictive. The last week, though, I've been feeling more hungry than before, especially while at work. I think it is more my control that keeps me from snacking between meals, etc., than the band. I have had more trouble with eating too fast, etc., and experiencing tightness. Next fill is next thursday, and I'm not sure whether I'll get anything added or not.

He actually is and that's why they paid for all the consultation appts originally, I suppose. The problem is that I didn't have a high enough BMI at present, nor do I have any co-morbidities. But, I thought it was worth a try. I just hope they don't go back and try to unclaim all the other stuff they paid. Like the same day they disallowed the surgeon's fee that I paid in full and just submitted with the letter asking if they'd consider covering any of it, they paid the doctor who read the X-ray after my surgery. Makes no sense! Oh, well! Was willing to be completely self-pay in the first place, was just hoping I'd hit someone on a good day.....

Ruby, Way to go with outlasting the other girls on the treadmill! All, I'm a little depressed. After Lynette got her surgery paid, I decided to go ahead and submit my hospital, surgeon, and anesthesiologist bills with a letter stating my case. No response, but I checked on line today and they listed the hospital as "requesting additional info" and the suregon as not covered. But, not only did they list the surgeon's bill, they'd added other appts to it that they'd already paid. So, I'm afraid they are going to get their payments back and dr's office will be looking to me. Hopefully, if that is the case, they'll settle for me just paying the amount they'd gotten originally from the insurance company.

Dini, Thanks for thinking of me. I'm doing well! Lost another half pound today and feeling really motivated. 2nd fill is next week, but don't know if I need to add anything at that time as I'm doing good. If I do, it won't be much. DH doesn't think I should go as I'm traveling out of town the next day. 30th HS reunion. He's afraid I won't be able to eat at all. Didn't have a problem the first time, but who knows. Don't want to cancel the appt though. Doesn't cost anything for the first year following surgery anyway, thank goodness!

I just do it, regardless of how I feel. I come home and change into exercise attire and grab a bottle of water and hit the exercise bike mainly (or treadmill) and try to do 40 to 45 minutes, then some handweights, situps, squats, etc. Whatever I can fit in while I watch a show on DVD. Then I take a bubble bath and go downstairs and eat dinner. Then, I can relax and watch TV, go online and see what everyone is doing, etc. etc. It's just a matter of doing it!

Welcome Chloe!

Tenille, We'll all be pulling for you to make your goal. Hope you are feeling better!

Marcy, Nice to hear about your anniversary surprise, how very romantic!

Guess what? I'm going on a cruise in November and wondered whether my formal dresses would still work, so I decided to try them on this morning, well they fit just fine, so I decided to try on another work dress from 13 years ago. And it fit, so I tried ten more and I'm very close to getting into all of them again. It's funny, but I've lost weight differently this time. (It's happened in the past too.) When I was last in the mid-high 170's in 2004, these clothes were still too tight, but this time they are going to work. They are very nice dresses, but most have shoulder pads, which probably aren't in fashion now, but I've never let that dictate. I'm going to wear them. I shouldn't have to buy any clothes until I reach my goal, assuming I make that. DH is thrilled too, less money to be spent!

I decided to give it another try and ate another 3 oz pork chop for lunch today and it went down no problem. It was extremely filling however. I'm still feeling quite a bit restriction so I may skip the next fill. Will let Dr decide what's best.

Okay, I think I may have slimed last night. Is this what it's like? TMI follows: I was eating a porkchop, only 3 ounces of meat and it was tender. I cut it up into small bites and believe I was chewing enough, etc. etc. But, I had a cat practically sitting in my plate begging, so I think I was eating too quickly. Well all of sudden I felt the tightness in the chest, but that usually passes, so I didn't worry. But, then I decided to walk around and sip some water. Next thing I know, I'm hanging over the kitchen sink, trying not to retch, but then I start gagging and there's all of this saliva coming out practically in bubbles. Nothing disgusting, just clear liquid. And lots of big bubbles. Then after about the fourth time, there were tiny bits of meat, but still not like getting sick, just slimy saliva. It was wierd. Took about ten to fifteen minutes, before the discomfort passed. What do you think?

Ruby, Congratulations! Good things come to those who deserve it! So happy for you!

Hi folks! Sounds like everyone is doing so well! Phyl, Glad you got them to work you in. Kathy, Congratulations on your fill! Ruby, what a lovely post! I really enjoy checking in each day and seeing how everyone is doing. I didn't tell anyone here about my surgery, so you're my sounding board and the ones I confide in too! Sure glad I found y'all! Have a good night!

Hi everyone! I'm absolutely thrilled! I lost a pound and a half yesterday, so I'm at 178.5!!!!! I'm so happy! Also, since my surgeon doesn't have any of the cards, I called my contact at the bariatric center. She said she had a few and would get them laminated and send them to me so I could keep them in different purses, etc. How nice is that?!!! I'm still feeling quite a bit of restriction and can't eat too much before I know it is time to stop, so I may not need anything added at my 2nd fill appt scheduled for next Thursday. I let him decide based on my progress. He does the fill himself, no fluroscope, no drinking, etc. Just has me lay down and keep my legs straight and raise them slightly. Needle looks bad, but you just barely feel it. So, I can't complain! Congratulations to everyone on their success and their exercise programs. I'm impressed!

Hi there! I'm doing fine! Lost a pound yesterday, so now I'm down to 180, very excited about getting into the 170's again. Haven't been there in three years. As to triggers, I used to eat mostly from boredom at work, for comfort, for the taste, when angry, and when sad, to celebrate, etc. I didn't eat too much, never binged, never purged, etc., just ate the wrong things. Now, I only eat when I'm physically hungry. Three meals and no Snacks. I try to make smarter choices. I'm still eating too fast and not chewing enough as I feel the restriction in my chest at least once a day, but I'm trying. I do miss going out to eat with my DH. He misses it too. In Vegas, it was kind of sad that I couldn't eat more at the buffets like I used to. Oh well.....will enjoy getting back my body more than that.

What's the issue with using a straw? I drink my shakes in the a.m. with a straw everyday.