Laurinda

I hear it ALL the time. I have a ways to go granted but I have come far. Instead of even TALKING to people about it any more and feeling like I have to "argue" or justify my weight loss goal, when they ask if I am "done" losing weight because I am "just fine" I smile and say "Yes, yes I am done" then go about my life

I don't think it's a "sweet spot" if it comes with so many issues. When I hit my "sweet spot" and from what I have heard and read from many others, it's a point where you have very good restriction and yes your weight loss picks up. I think if your getting stuck all the time then maybe yes you should talk to your doctor about a possible slight unfill. Getting stuck all the time is no way to live..Good Luck to you!

I think your doing great and I agree that any loss is a good loss! The first 6 months after surgery I too felt like I wasn't loosing very much very "fast" and then BAM! It all came together and became steady. I found my "sweet spot" and noticed a HUGE difference. Hang in there your doing fine! I have talked to SO many people who are frustrated within the first 6 months because their expectations and results are not equal but it comes :purplebananna: It comes!

I kept one pair of jeans to reflect back on...other then that I get rid of em ASAP!

I have heard chew to a "paste"

131 down :thumbup:

I had my surgery at St. Vincent's in Jax Fl. I only paid my co payment my insurance company required for out pt surgery. I have been hearing more and more lately about what I conceder "extra expenses" that are being charged. I am hearing of this after care stuff and diet programs (??) I don't get it all. IF you have insurance and they require a co-payment,that you pay...why these other charges? The dietician was not covered on my insurance so I paid that out of pocket $100 The psych eval was not covered so I paid out of pocket $150 Then I had my out pt surgery and paid a co=payment Insurance covered pre/post care ( I would think if insurance was gonna cover the surgery they would cover pre/post) One of my patients/customers had her surgery done at another hospital and had all these extra expenses, they put her on a low carb diet, have her taking a TON of supplements ( provided by the doctors office) and after so many months are up she is expected to continue to purchase these supplements from them. Sounds like a racket to me. Granted things change and I am sure some things have changed since I had my band but it sounds to me like the more popular the band becomes the more they come up with things that are "needed" When I researched/got the band I learned that the band was a tool to asset you not a cure,I also learned that you do not have to be on a "diet" but rather change your eating and life style habits. Some of the follow up diets are so strict I would have become frustrated and burned out long ago (like I never tried a diet before???) I have not been on a diet since getting the band. Sorry I didn't mean to go on there, I just think there has been a lot of unnecessary Lap Band related things surface that are designed to take your money, turning a simple situation into a complex one. How did the rest of us survive with out all these special after programs? I would keep looking around in the area and nearby areas,compare cost and what they offer ,call your insurance company and find out exactly what they cover.

Coffee has been talked about on this board many times and I am not sure there is "ONE" right answer. I have heard not to drink it because it is a diuretic,because it is an appetite stimulate , it can erode the band (?) I dunno. I drink it and have never stopped. My doctor has no problems with it. If the ONLY reason my doctor told me not to drink coffee was because it could stimulate my appetite I would not be overly worried about it, you know your body best, if you find your abnormally hungry after drinking coffee then ,maybe take it under advisement..other wise :thumbup: perk up!

Don't let getting stuck make you fear getting the band. Yes it happens and yes it SUCKS but I promise you learn from it :thumbup: You learn the signs your body makes and you learn to LISTEN to them. (Sorry you went through that in public iwalktheline) I have had a few "mini" stucks (pressure slight pain) and one MEGA stuck that caused me to paninc. I learned not to eat fast, chew to a paste, not swallow a large amount at once and if I feel any pressure it's time to stop. The band has been a wonderful tool! We all have to just learn what we can and can not tolerate.

I had to have an unfill about 7 months ago because of being to tight . It took several fills to get me back to where I was (wanted to take it slow after that) It can be frustrating yes but hang in there! I had slow weight loss periods and greater weight loss periods during this time but it was worth taking it slow so I didn't hurt myself or the band trying to rush my fills. As for that doc that is closer to you....Ummm NO!!!! Why pay someone to make you feel like crap? Attitude is just as important as competency and ability, just because he knows HOW to do your fills doesn't make him qualified to do your fills Good-Luck to you

Kidney infection?

Good-luck!!

Hey there I can't help you out about the fills and what not but I am sure if you keep reading the board you'll find what your looking for! Good-Luck to you~

You sound like really want this and THAT will help you succeed!! As you will read over and over the band is a tool not a "fix" but I have to tell you it has been a blessing to me. I have not had to "diet" thus far and am doing pretty good. I have changed my eating habits, portion size and my food choices, all with the help of determination and the band. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! :laugh: Good-Luck to you on your journey and tag back to read more info to help you as you go!