VegasGrace

I'm 30 pounds away and feel so far away. What's considered 'life at or near goal weight'? Like 5 pounds or something?

Saw the VA mentioned as I'm 100% and use the VA...they aren't worth the drive! Move is a joke...but makes the dept happy they can SAY they have a program. I went to Mexico and was banded. Too bad the VA won't compensate me now I no longer need the meds for the comorbids I had... I'm saving them a ton of money! oh well, I'm glad I took the step and got the band on my own.

I loved Curves, but moved and there's not one inside my living room so I don't go anymore. Get a 2 week free pass and try it out.

Wow, thanks for sharing the story. We leave to much up to the docs. I was also banded in Mexico, use fillcentersusa. I read my instruction manual front to back several times. I knew going in that I was going to receive a 2cc fill. And I knew going back that I'd get around .2-.5...I got .2. The book explains it all. But that's true, the fillcentersusa doc only does my fills...nothing else. If I need something done with the band I'd go to my surgeon or go to the fillcenter doc as a patient...not thru fillcentersusa. I'm 30 pounds away from my goal and this was the best $8000 I ever spent! {airfare, surgery, surgicenter, fills, everything}

Yes, sounds like it. I had no restriction even at 2cc. At 2.2 I have restriction and it's been about 5 weeks and still restricted.

Yahoo home page. Let's see if I can find it.... hope these are it. Topomax (Topiramate) May Treat Alcohol Dependence Alcoholism : Addiction Medication : The Addiction Recovery Guide

I'm stuck at 169. I've been here for 2 weeks and no, a fill is not in order as I am really tight still. I started out at 190/183 and have lost 14 pounds in 4 months. How do I get over this hump?

You'll be fine. I was up doing my normal thing. Now, I was tired alot, not going to fool you. But if you ever have been sick...the flu...anything...this is just like that. Good luck!

Wow, I voted.... 7% agree w/ me....hahaha. And so many wouldn't even consider it. I learned a long time ago... a doctor is nothing more than resources. If he/she is only required to attend the seminar ONCE to get approved thru the makers of the band.... why can't we? It's not rocket science. But there are those that like to put the responsibility/risk into someone elses hands...I'm opposite. I like to be responsible for my actions and therefore in control of the outcome. If I goofed, it would be my fault and therefore I would have to live with it. If a doc goofs, he doesn't pay for it, he doesn't have to live with it. I DO! Just my 2 cents worth. {of course, I do my own brakes on my cars because it's so easy and the price mechanics charge is so outrageous...learned how and did it}

It's the TRUTH!!!! One day, and soon like within the next 5 years this will be an acceptable practice. NAFTA will soon become NAFMA. North Atlantic Free Medical Agreement. We are treating illegals already and taxpayers are paying for it (not debating...just stating a fact) So why can't good taxpayers go to Mexico to SAVE that same money? And for every horror story in Mexico about botched surgeries... there are 2 here in the US...so I don't buy into that. Viva Mexio :cool:

It's not free. Some how, some way it's worked into their fee. I was self pay, 7k and my fills are 155 and have only needed 2 so far and am about 30 pounds away from my goal. I'd rather have a low price for surgery, no 'program fee', and a simple low fee for the fills. Comes out cheaper for the consumer.

Yes, me too. I've not buged a pound in over 2 weeks yet last night I took my skirt off just by slipping it down...didn't have to unbutton or unzip...that was weird! Skirt is a 14 so I may be in a 12 or 10 now. But this stupid pound...won't go away.

Name...Challenge Start Wt...Current Wt...Challenge Goal...To Go Huntersmom...... 174........... 172....... 159............ 13 SWEETY.......... 202........... 195....... 180............ 15 MJsafari........ 268........... 250....... 238............ 12 captdanbo....... 211........... 211....... 185............ 26 PaulaD.......... 216........... 216....... 199............ 17 Stefanie42467... 206........... 200....... 175............ 25 Suzzzie......... 349........... 334....... 320............ 14 glindab......... 277........... 269....... 250............ 19 MM.............. 242........... 227.2..... 218........... 9.2 finallythin..... 254........... 254....... 225............ 29 BeckieT......... 259........... 252....... 239............ 13 Miscontext...... 303........... 303....... 275............ 28 ja9va........... 207........... 199....... 182............ 20 wombat712....... 180........... 171.6..... 165........... 6.6 Texasmom5573.... 252........... 252....... 230............ 22 Waters.......... 214........... 213....... 190............ 24 lessnless....... 206........... 191.2..... 179.......... 12.2 MissDarlene..... 223........... 223....... 195............ 28 o2bthin..........238........... 233....... 215............ 18 insubordination..300........... 288....... 283.............05 Holliwagz........325........... 315....... 295.............20 cc...............202............200....... 190.............10 Texasmom5573.... 252........... 246....... 230............ 16 Grace........... 173........... 169....... 165............ 4

Oh my goodness yes. Everything else failed...so why not this, too? Only makes sense. Right? This works because it's the only thing that does make sense... actaully cut off the pipes.

I'm a Pepsi addict and since being banded can't tolerate pepsi. I switched to Mt. Dew and do 1/2 and 1/2. I get 1 22oz every day from the store in the AM. WARNING: this will sabatoge weight loss. Believe me!!! I have only lost 14 pounds in 4 months and I think it's because I haven't changed what I eat...only the quantity of what I eat. But soda goes right down w/o restriction. So liquid candy is a no no for weight loss.

Well, well. You are just like me. But I had no insurance so I had to be self pay. Mine was only $7,000 and included everything and after thinking about all I paid for Weight Watchers/Jenny Craig/Slim Fast/Trim Spa/Phen-Fen/Fastin/Meridia/doc visits/high blood pressure pills/ the list goes on.... 7k was so cheap to NOT have to do this anymore. But if you have an opportunity for someone else to pay...gain the weight back...but be careful. I'm afraid that if you continue using the same doc those who we don't mention WILL FIND OUT. So disappear for a while, eat like crazy Mt. Dew yourself and go see another doctor and do not disclose ever...ever seeing someone else. Good luck and keep us posted.

Extrememly. Addictions are the devil. I was banded to help me with mine...you know in the Bible it says something about ... if it offends thee, cut it off... so when I learned about the band, I thought this could be it. I haven't lost a pound in over a week, I still vomit by eating too fast. Slime all the time. I drink Mt. Dew like crazy. (1/2 and 1/2 though diet and reg mix) But at least no Pepsi, chips, doritos, etc. Just have to kick the habit!!!!

It's time for another fill. What size is your band and how many cc's do you have?

Dieting should result in 2 pounds a week weight loss. That's what the medical community says a person can safely loose. The band is supposed to help us do that. I'm lucky if I lose .5 pounds a week... and I'm happy with that.

Good questions. 1. I don't know anything about my cholesterol. 2. I know within minutes. 3. No, I can't eat steak now. But I am well restricted. But I don't miss it. Funny...never thought I'd say that! 4. The unknown is scary. I was too. Good luck and keep us posted.

Yeah, was going to say the same. I was self pay so when I made the decision, I did the research on a surgeon. And after making that decision, picked up the phone and made the appointment. Was banded within a few weeks.

Don't want to hijack your thread but there is a medication that treats addiction...one you'd never expect. I stumbled upon this years ago.... I had migraines and wanted to die. Was shooting myself-shots-daily. Googled research and found a drug w/ OFF LABEL use CURED migraines but was not FDA approved. Was an anti seziure medication. Well, side effect was weight loss. hey!!! I took it to my doc, talked him into it. Dropped 70lbs in a year. FDA finally approved this drug for migraine therapy. Just this week article published saying this same drug has been shown to treat addiction to alcohol. Addiction to food, addiction to alcohol... hmmmmm.... topirimate aka topomax we shall see!

I'm with you.... fortune 500 companies aren't the only ones who can benefit from outsourcing!

Me too. I am a stomach sleeper and for the first few days was grumpy because I couldn't manage to get comfortable. Now...it's not a problem.

I'm in Provo and was banded in Mexico. Doing fine, moving along okay. Hoping to reach my goal this coming spring.