Charlie

Haven't lost a pound in almost a year. Wonder why I put myself through all of this and now, when I need to continue, can't seem to find the motivation. RA makes is very difficult to exercise. Walking is a chore but maybe the new med will help. Need to give it a try. In the meantime, I need to stop with the sweets and things that go down easy. Need to find my way through this fog..... and get back to business. Lost 43 pounds quickly and haven't lost any more. What to do?:biggrin:

Haven't lost a pound in almost a year. Wonder why I put myself through all of this and now, when I need to continue, can't seem to find the motivation. RA makes is very difficult to exercise. Walking is a chore but maybe the new med will help. Need to give it a try. In the meantime, I need to stop with the sweets and things that go down easy. Need to find my way through this fog..... and get back to business. Lost 43 pounds quickly and haven't lost any more. What to do?:party:

Dr. Maese is WONDERFUL. He is the nephew of Dr. Sanchez (Monterrey Mexico) who did my banding. If you go to the Dallas office, insurance will cover the fill (BCBS - but did not cover the surgery) Dr. Maese and his staff have been great - see me when ever I need to have a fill - no wait. He is fast and no pain... yes, he is a cardiologist but totally understands how obesity leads to many diseases, especially heart disease. I'd recommend him to anyone.

Hey guys - you get out of this what you put in.....having a band doesn't mean you can still eat anything you want. It's a tool - and only allows a small amount of food to enter. It's what you eat that counts. BIG difference between candy and veggies - ice cream (which goes down so easy) and fruit. As with any weight loss program - you still have to watch what you eat. The band just makes it easier = but you still have to make the CHOICE. Even RNY patients have to make choices. This is much less invasive and easier on the body. It's taking personal responsibility.......that's all.

Hi Ya'll - I've been banded since Dec. 04 - and have been looking for a support group. Just found you all and am really inspired to continue on this trip. My weight loss has been slower than I thought it would be. Maybe because I am older and with RA am unable to exercise like I should. You've been a big help - and I hope to see many of you on the 25th. Think name tags would help? Would love to meet someone else from the Austin area.

Wow - How do you all eat chicken? It really sticks and hurts....I tried it with mayo and found it goes down better but am concerned about the mayo???? Peanut butter? Haven't thought of it - but used to eat it on occasion. Lettuce wraps with peanut ginger sauce is awesome..... Been unbelievably bad lately - just sold my house - should close tomorrow - had a lot of last minute anxiety...lost a key person at work and now have to stay and finish...cause I'm the boss...and there is NO overtime...so, us poor salaried persons have to stay....want to change jobs but concerned about my age and weight....going for a fill on Friday....maybe that's what I need???? that and to slow down..... anyway...been great hearing from you all....as above, is the fill the answer? Will see.

I know it's really hard - especially when you have others in your home who don't have to worry about the amounts they eat - even junk stuff in massive quantities. Not fair and not helpful. Maybe a junk drawer with a lock and only he has the key? Otherwise, it's the same old callings and unfortunately, will power did not come with a band. Ice cream goes down too well - so does pudding, pie, and scotch.....at least it's not going on - not losing but not gaining......hate the plateau - but really do know what needs to be done to start on a downward trend....GOT TO DO IT.....

I also was told no carbonated drinks - but was told the carbonation stretches the pouch - guess slippage can come with this....I've tried some - just out of seeing what I can add back - and don't find that they taste the same. I actually love to drink ice cold water. It tastes better than anything - except ice tea - but can't in the afternoon cause of the caffeine. Have a hard enuf time sleeping.....This is the best web site EVER - I feel that I can pour my heart out - and speak of the error of my ways - and only get support and encouragement back - You all are GREAT - I look forward to my daily new e-mails and wouldn't be trying as hard without you..... THANK YOU.

I did great - until we had an ice cream social at work - we all brought obnoxious goodies to put on the ice cream (as if that in itself isn't enough) - and I had the works - after scoffing it down, I realized it was because my check-out/biller is out of maternity leave (this was her office shower) - and I'd have to take up her slack - which means working till 7:00pm at least - for the next three months - The date for the closing on my house has been changed - now sooner - and I'm in a panic as to how to get everything out by the 28th. I only have this weekend....for help.... and boy - did the ice cream help???? nothing like doing something that makes you feel worse....How and why did I think it was OK to do? Stress, stress, stress - must stay in my zen.....

Where is Dr. Smith? I'm also a Sooner in Austin, Texas and have great fun with all my OU stuff. Sounds as if you're doing well. Please let me know.

I was really looking forward to meeting you all on the 25th - but my house just sold - good news - bad news = I have to be out by the 30th =====no time to play - just work, work, work - where will I put all my STUFF???? sure have been carrying alot around with me - time to get of the stuff and weight - freedom's right around the corner...no, it's here, just need to lighten the load..... Ya'll have fun - NEXT TIME....

And I thought this would be easy - banded and filled - can't eat as much and the weight comes off. Well guys, it's still work.....and hearing from all of you tells me that we all need to get in touch with why we went through this - there is no easy way.....this is just a help.....think the best way is to keep a food diary - to include all the stress cookies I ate today, the cream in my coffee and the crab-cheese dip I had for breakfast. Yes, the stuff goes down easy....but that not why we did this, IS IT? SUPPORT, SUPPORT, SUPPORT - and make every day accountable.... START NOW! OK?

Unfortunately, you are being held hostage by your insurance company. HMO's are very strict in who you see and where you go. The Dr.'s get paid to not refer to specialists and you may have to "play the game". Is the Dr. you saw your PCP? You can write to your insurance company, explaining your situation and medical condition to see if they will pay for surgery. I just gave up and paid for it myself - and took the tax deduction. GOOD LUCK........

I went to Monterrey and had Dr. Sanchez - he came highly recommended and since I'm a nurse, I was skeptical at first. I did a lot of research and wouldn't have done differently. If you want to stay in the US = find Dr. Fred Maese in Dallas at the Preston Cardiology Center. He is Dr. Sanchez nephew and does my fills. He will do it for the same price as Dr. Sanchez. Either way - DO IT....it's the best thing I've done for myself.

June 25th - in Dallas?? Let me know if this is correct = and where to meet - COUNT ME IN....can't wait to meet ya'll...Charlie

I've tried every diet out there and some I invented myself = obviously my diets didn't work or I'd be sitting on my tush making lots of $$$$//// This was the answer for me - and I wish I had known about it sooner. Let me know if you have any questions. Been there - done that - and am sooo happy that I did. Charlie

I;m a self pay and after seeing what everyone else was charging, I got on line and found Monterrey, Mexico. I am a nurse and was very skeptical but kept asking questions, found others who had surgery with Dr. Sanchz and said, YES. It was cheaper than anywhere inthe US = the hospital is US owned and everything was incredibly immaculate. Better care than in any US facility. My surgery was 8700. but I think it's cheaper now. Try, ready4achange.com.....I would recommend Dr. Sanchez and his staff to anyone.

I've often heard, "The best revenge is getting thin" Don't let anyone ever get in the way of your goals and dreams. You need to keep yourself in sight and remember who you are doing this for - should be for YOU.... and although it is wonderful to hear compliments from others - how 'bout patting yourself on the back = look in the mirror - and smile - at what you have just done and will continue to do. KEEP ON TRUCKIN

Absolutely - this is just what I've been looking for - I live in Austin and will go almost anywhere. Who ever suggested this = name a place, time and count me in.

I was told drinking was a NO NO - but that's not the case. Gimme a scotch and look at me go... Can't drink as much as I used to - and it seems to go to my head quicker - sure helps with the I can't go to sleep syndrome...

I wanted to find a support group because I can't lose any more than my first 25 pounds - and that's since Dec. 04. I've had two fills and am thinking of having another - Maybe I need to eat rice and scrambled eggs - two of the foods I can't eat. My stress level brings me to the candy drawer at work - instead of the apple or orange - a lifetime of bad habits and choices. I too can't believe I spent this money and can't seem to find the will power to abstain. My email address is cabarbini@austin.rr.com, if you want to reach me. Best of luck - and good wishes. I know how difficult it is. I'd like to think it's my age but know differently.

I manage a Cardiology group in Austin. I have 9 Dr.'s and 25 employees - not including our nuclear and CT department. Way too busy and way too stressed. I am divorced (was married for 23 yrs and took a long time to leave a harmful situation), lost my Mother and son within three months of each other and now live with my daughter and family - their idea - but it turned out to be a good one. Needed to have positive reinforcement and something to look forward to and decided to explore banding - haven't lost as much as I need to and still use food as a crutch. BUT - I continue to try....

Good for you - Surgery was unbelievably easy - I was up and about in three hours - and went shopping the next day - I had mine done on a Thursday and was back to work on Monday. Yes, I did take pain medication but not as much as I thought I'd need. My first "meal" was mashed potatoes on Christmas. Wonderful. The weight comes off slowly but it does come off. I'm very impatient with that but also need to exercise more. I just want you to know the best is to come and encourage you to continue your dream.

I'm 62 and couldn't handle being an obese woman. I was banded in Dec. 04 and and have only lost 32 pounds - but the way I was going, I would have been at least that much heavier. One problem at a time - first the weight - then decide what to do with all the extra skin. At least by losing slowly, some of it tends to shrink. I'm getting discouraged at how slow it is.....but then, I'm not making the right food choices - nor am I exercising. I NEED TO DO BOTH. Decided to find a support group and hope this will be helpful.