Michee

Due to diabetes, I am probably eating more food per day than other bandsters, so will likely have a slower weight loss. My diabetic nutritionist wants me to eat 60 g of carbs per day, having said that I think my regularity has more to do with daily raw veggies and fruit, apples. pears, broccoli, etc. than grains.

I have not really had this situation, but I have had friends with businesses (eg home reno's) who would expect me to hire them when I needed work done. What I have said loudly and at every opportunity at parties and get togethers is that I do not mix business with pleasure, I will not hire, invest in, or lend money to friends, because my friends are too important to let material isssues come between us. I have proclaimed this so often, that when I have been asked, I simply remind them, "Oh I thought everyone knew my opinion on that, sorry my policy is ............. and it has served me well so I am sticking with it" If they have heard me say it, they will realize it is not personal. Good Luck with the moochers in your life !!

I love my Ryka shoes, they feel like I am walking on air. I also have 2 pairs of Nikes, one pair is awesome, the other pair is clunky and not as comfy.

I live in Ontario Canada, we are all self pay in Ontario. The surgery cost me 16K. I look at it this way, it was way cheaper than a new car, and I am worth more than a car. I was banded on August 15 2007, I took out a line of credit to get the surgery, I am paying $320 per month. Believe me, I was eating in restaurants upwards of that amount. So in essence I am saving money !!

Check with your band doc first My doc gave me a prescription for protien shakes for my pre-op (optifast). I am certain that the doc did not want people on anything else. Since all docs seem to have there own pre op and post op plan, you wouldnt want to waste money on products that the doc does not want you to use. Just my 2 cents !! Congrats on getting the band

I chose a weight that is near the top of the normal range for my height. You are correct that I didnt chose a lower goal weight because of fear. I wouldn't call being at a normal weight a failure, but I am afraid that I would feel extremely disappointed if I did not reach my goal weight. I am afraid that any perceived failure on my part may trigger undesirable behaviour such as binge eating and eating around the band. Who knows, as my success and confidence grows, I may lower my goal weight

Surgery was at 1:20pm, I was getting into the car for the drive home at 4:30pm - same day. I could have left 30 minutes earlier, but I asked for more demerol.

I would guess that there are much better sources of protien. Once you remove the fat, the salt, and the chemicals, there is probably not much protien left. If you really love it and want to continue eating it, I am sure it is fine as a "treat"

Thanks for the update Laurie, I will be there. I checked the map, and it looks quite easy to find. Note to other lunchers: Bristol Rd is Nowhere near Bristol Circle. (maybe I was the only one who thought they'd be connected) Look forward to seeing less of everyone that I met in July and less of new friends too !!

I had hernia repair at same time as band. I did not know I had a hernia doc found and fixed. My surgery was at 1:20, and I was on the way home by 4:30. Gives a new meaning to wham bam thank ya mam

Hi Voon I am in the process of watching some friendships change, and possibly I may lose some friends. There are a couple of friends who I started hanging out with the last few years. They are kinda like "binge buddies" we would always be going out to eat, then going to get mani and pedi. Never going for walks or any healthy pursuits. As I am not eating much, I am not so eager to go for dinner. I am also spending more time working out, so I am not available for mani and pedi. I am sure shopping is no longer fun either, since they need the plus stores and I am able to wear regular sizes now. I am going through a transition, physically socially and emotionally. I know it is for the best.

I too believe that finding an excellent GP is the ticket to excellent to medical care (at least here in Ontario Canada). I was fortunate to be able to interview doctors when I moved to this city. I found one that I felt comfortable with, and although he has a heavy case load, I can always get in to see him when I need to. I know that in some Canadian cities there are lots of people with no primary care physician, which scares the heck out of me. A good friend recently moved from Canada to the southern US and her docs are ordering all sorts of tests..........I cant shake the nagging thought that perhaps the doc wants a new sailboat, and is trying to get the downpayment on a nice one via these tests.

I noticed the Jello thing too. It's like before the fat was just packed in so tight that it didnt giggle so much, now there is less packed in so it kinda moves about. Less fat is the first step to "not fat" whooo hoooo !!

My doc said 6 weeks post op. I have been doing crunches since then, no problems. Oh, other than the problem of really hating to do crunches

I too live in Ontario Canada, I also hate wearing shoes. When I go outside I wear sandals (to work) or flipflops until their is too much snow on the ground. I love getting pedicures and love to see my painted toes. On cold winter nights I wear heavy winter boots to walk the dog. Basically to me shoes are like mittens. I wear them when I am freezing, but they are a little cumbersome, and I cant wait to get them off !! I take my shoes off at peoples houses. In the winter I sometimes throw a pair of wooly socks in my purse in case they have a cold house. I have a basket of knitted slippers in my front closet, which people can "borrow" from if they are at my house and get cold feet. A lot of people are not used to my hardwood floors and get cold feet. (literally)

2 people, One thought I can't believe you posted this, I have been looking for this info for the last few days. I did a google search and found that roughly the cost is between 4 and 8 thousand. I too would love to hear from those that have had it done, also anyone who has had a body lift. I am getting a little ahead of myself, as I was just banded less than 2 months ago, but I have a feeling I need to start saving now.

Hi Missy I hear you. I will not count calories or buy those weird protien powders. I want to eat real, healthy, nutritious food. I am also a self pay, I paid 16 thousand to get some restriction, to help me control my portion size.

I have a 10ccAP band. I got my second fill today, I am now at 5.8 The nurse said that most people find there sweet spot between 5.8 and 6.8

I paid a $200 consult fee, then when I booked the surgery it was deducted from my $16,000 fee

I had no scabs

I take lipitor (cholesterol) which is very tiny and easy to swallow, so that was not a problem. I was told not to crush or cut the metformin, and due to its size I could not swallow it. I used my glucometer to check my blood, and low and behold my readings are always in the normal range. I have completely discontinued the metformin. Please call you doctor and follow his/her advice

I eat three balanced meals a day. I avoid sugar, white flour, and anything that is heavily processed. As much as possible I buy local, organic foods. I am off my meds for type 2 diabetes, feel healthy, and I am steadily losing weight.

Congratulations to you both I am also a self pay. I was banded 3 weeks after my first consult. The three weeks went my so slowly, I wished I had been banded the same day as the consult !! I was really ready. Anyway, I was banded on August 15th and I have already lost 29 pounds. You r gonna LOVE the band

No One Cares, they are not looking At the gym that I go to most people are really focussed on themselves. They are trying there best to get in a good workout, listening to music or watching TV. I am sure they are thinking about work issues, there own family, taking the car for an oil change etc. The new fat chick at the gym is not on there radar. You are not important to them. In fact if you see them 30 minutes later at Starbucks and say hello, they will stare at you blankly or say hello back just to be polite. They will not even recognize you. Thats what I believe, and I'm sticking to it!!

I got a line of credit from the bank at 6.25%. Check with several banks to get the bast rate. You will feel better that you didn't need your parents help they may feel that there help is a ticket to meddle and comment about your weight. Good Luck you will not regret your band