Dianechef

Where do you work & what do you do?!?! What a great boss!! A great support system is a MUST & it sounds like you got it!!!

This is so exciting!! What's her reward? You gotta have a reward!!!

I'll have hubby take pictures of me tonight & send them over!!

I second the Oprah idea!! Try Dr. Phil too!! Send them pictures. I think they'll be just as impressed with you as we are!!! Go Illude!!!!!

WOW!! I am dumbfounded, just like your doctor. That is VERY, VERY good!!!!! Please share with us what you're eating. Do you exercise? How much Water do you drink?!?!?! This is very exciting for you! When ever you get over your camera shyness, we want PICTURES!! You go girl!!!

Thanks for the understanding Shawn!! I am down 3 lbs. & only have 2 more to go!! I'll be covered real soon. Maybe I should start up smoking or something & see what happens. Oh.....just kidding.

I currently DO NOT have any health insurance. No independent insurance will cover me because "my build exceeds the limit of acceptance." I am currently 5'7" & weight 212. When I initially applied for insurance I weighed 258. I had the lapband placed to help me lose weight & qualify for health insurance. My husband is self-employed so we have to find independent insurance. My family is insured, but not their fat mother!!! I don't smoke or drink. Heck, I don't even drink caffeinated drinks!!! I don't have high blood pressure, diabetes.........NOTHING!! My doctor told me I was in perfect health except that I am overweight. However, when I went to re-apply for insurance since lowing weight, the insurance has told me they will not cover me unless I weigh below 208. I could get my own "special" insurance & it would cost $650/month for me alone. I don't have $650 a month!! Heck, I NEVER go to the doctor except for regular routine checksup. What would that $650 cover?!?! Is this discrimination or what? They will cover people who smoke & drink, but not ME!! They cover people who have high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, problems with all kinds of stuff. They are cover these people because they are under the required weight limit. Something is SO WRONG with this!!!! I know I should just lose that extra 5 lbs. & suck it up, but REALLY.......this is just so frustrating!! I should be covered!!

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">When I started eating better, I realized how much more energy I had & how I was an all around a happier person!! I realized that my family had all fallen into the same trap that I did. It was my fault because I was making the meals & buying all the food. I DO NOT KEEP THE JUNK IN MY HOUSE ANYMORE!! If the bad food isn't good for me, it isn't good for my family either. I 100% agree with Delarla & also Photonut who said that food is tied in with family & memories. We all want to sit down to a good meal & enjoy each other!! My family still does. There is no way I could eat somewhere other then with my family. I make the same food, only healthier. We all eat macaroni & cheese. I always serve a salad & green beens. However, the REAL JUNK like cheetos & gummy bears are OUT!! I have decided that Fridays are FREE NIGHTS! :hungry: We all (myself included) get to choose one junk food that we want to eat while we watch our movie. I specifically go to the store & buy the requested junk & it is eaten & gone before the night is over. (NOT STORED IN THE HOUSE!) It has never sabotaged my weight at all & I don't feel deprived. Moderation in all things!!!! It really does work, even with junk food! Thanks for starting this thread Dawg! It's been very entertaining!! :clap2: </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">I agree. If she wants to keep her WLS to herself, that's fine. However, she wrote & book & is telling the entire world!!! I think if you're going to tell the world, you might as well be honest about it.</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HA!!!! I love this. Dang. All that money I wasted!

Ditto above. The story you have on here & the story on your blog are totally different. I re-read both of them thinking I may have mis-read. But, NOPE.....they are different. I'm a little confused. Can you explain please?

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">I belong to a gym & love it. But, with little kids, I don't always get to go when I want to. (usually because one is sick.) I am looking for a good workout video I can do at home. Any suggestions? I would love something that has a lot of dancing or fun moves in it, but I'll take any suggestions. I went to Walmart & couldn't believe how many there are to choose from!! </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I am tempted to try this at night when I feel like I can eat the whole house!! My band seems to be wide open at 7:00 p.m. & on. Do you think it would hurt the band or should I just not even go there?!?!?!?!

<p><TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">Why is there such a big space afte my messages? See, it's doing it again? I promise I didn't hit return 20 times. </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"></p> <p></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></p>

Hi Alex! I live in AZ & I have never heard of partnering up as an LLC. Hmm... that is definatley something to look into. It is our Broker who has been helping us get Health Insurance & is also a little unhappy that they STILL aren't covering me because of my weight. Maybe he already knows that we don't qualify for this program or hey, maybe HE just doesn't know about it!! I'll ask! Thanks for the tip. All in all, I only have 5 lbs to lose before they will qualify me. I'm sure the easiest thing to do is just LOSE THE EXTRA FREAKIN' POUNDS!! It just bites.

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">Kathy, please keep us posted!! We are all thinking of you!!</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

You are so right John!! 2 yrs. ago my husband lost is job which had great company insurance & I was 8 months pregnant!! AGH!!! For the first time in my life, we qualifed for AHCCCS & I have never been treated so good!! They GIVE you stuff just for showing up at your schedule appointments. We got a free carseat, free baby formula, bottles, & lots of baby bags & other stuff. I never paid a dime for any of my appointments or to have the baby. 6 months later my husband started his own business & now we are making enough, but we are right in the middle where we have to pay ALOT to have personal insurance. It's just even more frustrating that they won't even accept me AT ALL because of my weight. Something just isn't right! :straight

Hey Jenna! The insurance is private. My husband & I are both self-employed so we don't have the option of getting work insurance. By the way, I got your private message & tried to respond, but it keeps coming up as an error. E-mail me at Dianechef@cox.net & I can answer your question. Not sure what the deal is!! Sorry.

DITTO!! I feel the same way. Other people are always saying how great I look & I keep wondering if they're just being nice!! :eek: I think it's because our body SHAPE is the same, but the SIZE is smaller. When we see our legs, they look just like they always did. My stomach still hangs over, my thighs still have the same cottage cheese.....need I go on?!?! Our body is the same shape, but not the same size. I am now wearing a size 16, when I previously wore a 22/24. I am still amazed everytime I stick my buns into some size 16 pants & they FIT!!! I'd love to know how many fills everyone has has so far? I've only had 2 & I think I need one more.

First of all, it's hard enough to be FAT. Then to have WLS & have it fail, is even worse!! Penni, I can't even imagine your personal struggle along with all the rest of you who have lost your bands!! It is unsensitive for a doctor to make any comment about someone to get over it. I am very happy to hear that he apologized. I have always loved reading your posts & love the support you give to the rest of us. YOU CAN DO IT PENNI!!!!!

I had some candy bars left from the original box I bought. (The same one I ate that was artificially sweetened.) I thought I'd try them again just to get them out of the house. I also thought that maybe this time I wouldn't have the same reaction. (Who knows, hormones, stress.....it could have been a factor!!) I ate the candy bar 2 hrs. ago & I am locking myself in my office so I don't eat some crackers, Cookies, & M&M's!! Did I mention my husband is a soda pop & snack vendor? We have LOADS & LOADS of any kind of junk available. You name it, we got it!! I think I'm sleeping in here for the night!! Artificial sweeteners are BAD!! They don't do well with me at all!!

Okay, anyone remember when Delarla told us that her doctor said to NOT eat artificial sweeteners because it makes you crave sugar more?!? I don't normally eat artificial sweeteners & wasn't too concerned. Well, yesterday I bought these new candy bars made with Splenda. They were the kind with caramel & nuts. It really tasted like a candy bar & only had 3 carbs. I have been doing very good lately with my calories, Protein, carbs & exercising. 1 hr. after eating that freakin' candy bar I wanted to eat the whole house!!!! I ended up drinking some pop, Cookies & grazed on junk the whole night. I was out of control!! I was so mad at myself!! THEN, it dawned on me.......I ate that candy bar & it was all down hill after that. NO MORE ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS FOR ME!! I have done great for 3 weeks & one little candy bar made with splenda did me in. I'm not even going to weigh myself.......ugh. Today is a new day!!!!!

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">Banded 7/15/05 TJ, Mexico - Ortiz No problems at all!! :puke: </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Okay, I just saw this thread. Not sure how I missed it!?!?!? Great topic! I love your picture Vines. You look great!! My problem is the exact opposite of all of you. I look at pictures of me NOW & say - "Who is that?!? That is NOT me!!!" I still see the thin me that I was when I got married. I have my wedding picture on my wall & when I think of myself in my head, I picture myself as that person. This fat suit I wear everyday isn't for real & I'm just wearing it because it won't freakin' come off!! Am I totally messed up? Am I not seeing myself for who I really am? At my highest, I was 100 lbs. over weight!! I was and still am OBVIOUSLY fat!!! Body Disphormia is REAL!! I do the same thing to my husband when we're in public. I ask him all the time if he'll compare me to someone that I am about the same size as. He will point out someone & they are BIGGER then I think I am. BIGGER!! We had to stop doing that because my poor husband felt bad...

Hi Everyone! I was banded on 7/14/05 & to date have lost 46 lbs. Only 4 away from the -50 goal!!! I haven't had any complications & am THRILLED with the whole banding process. :puke: Great to hear from everyone!!