Maggie63

vines-just wanted to say thanks so much for your positive attitude and bitchiness....it is so empowering. although i feel great about how the weight has come off, i still feel insecure about doing "normal"things...belly dancing? although it would be so fun...i think i would rather have my fingernails pulled out...i would feel so insecure. i hope that i can slowly get over feeling like i need to hide myself under sweaters and blazers. just wanted to say thanks for putting it all out there...... : )

good for you!! it will come soon enough. i would suggest trying to lose before the surgery. i did and felt really great the day of. let us know how it goes : )

i am in!!! official weight on 3 Jan is 255 goal for march is 230 nsv i am in an 18w...have not been there for a long time!! yoo hoo!!

hello fellow december bandsters. i was banded dec 2 2005 and feel wonderful. i have lost a total of 22 lbs...and could not be happier. i did follow my doctors eating directions completely, which i think helped with the quick weight loss. i have been walking 3 miles twice a week, and now that the holidays are over plan on making it every day. i did have 2 incidents where i ate food too fast that brought me pain in my chest. it only lasted about 10 seconds, then i was fine. i stopped eating and slowed down then. the band did exactly what it was suppossed to do. i don't have a fill yet so i am thrilled. i threw up twice on Soup in the third week...eating way to fast. it was yucky but what i needed to happen...it has not happened since. i do have my hunger back, but i am trying so hard to stick to the rules of Protein first (i love meat and can eat it just slowly). at first i was just eating mashed potatoes and soup. the thing about that is i can eat alot of it!!!! eating protein for me first (actual food, not a shake) works best for me. i am full and have a lot more energy than i did in the beginning!! i think we should all joing the wl challange...we can do this together!! hope all had a happy new year!!

no, i have not. i used the weight loss clinic in harrisburg pa...dr dimarco was excellent. the staff is not so great. go to obesityhelp.com and they have a actual pa chat site. someone there may know. they also have a list of doctors and ratings for each. good luck. send me a personal message if you have any other questions!

thank for all of your comments. i guess more research is needed here (for me anyway). i will contact inamed and see what they have to say. hope all had a wonderful holiday. i got see my doc on monday for my first fill, and am a bit nervous...wish me luck!!!

i am in!! thanks debby-do. i need accountability!!

i voted. i paid $12,660. my insurance denied me but i am fighting. they said it was experimental........ aahhhhh!

wow...i am 4 weeks out and my port incision (all incisons) are completed healed. if mine looked like either of yours i would be in my doc office until he agreed to see me. i know everyone heals differently, but that does not look like a wound that is 4-5 weeks out. go see your doc now!!!! let us know what they say.

i took zoloft once about 6 years ago. it was not for depression. i was on phen phen (i loved that stuff), when it was pulled from the market. my doc suggested zoloft, he said it helped other patients lose. i took one pill, and did not sleep for 2 days!!! lol isn't it funny how meds work differnently on everyone. i would not take it again!

Good Luck!!! You will do wonderfully : ) Let us know how it goes. I think it is great your parents and dh are going on liquids with you...that is SO cool!!!! I went to sister's for christmas. I was banded 2 Dec and was nervous about all the food that would be served. I walked into her house, and noticed a rubber band around her wrist. What are those? I said. She said those were her lapbands, and we would do it together. It made me feel so good to have that kind of support!!

way to go keri!!! posts like this help to keep me pumped about my decision to have the band...can't wait till i am in a 16 with you!!!

congrats!!!

Ruthie- Congratuations!!! My goal is to be there some time in 2006. You are an inspiration!! BTW, my toes are way hairier than yours : )

best of luck to you!!! we will be looking forward to hearing when your surgery date is!!

i just had my surgery on 2 dec. now that the scars are healing and a lot of the puffiness is gone, i do feel an occasional "pull" where my port is. it is not painful, nor is it uncomfortable, it is just an odd feeling like someone hung a ring on my belly (and they did). i happened to be in my doc's office when i crossed my legs and felt the "pull". he told me it was normal and not to worry about it. is it painful? if it is, you should see your doc immediately.

congratulations. let us know how the surgery goes...

your words ring true for so many of us. i am a 42 year old single woman with no children who kept saying i would find love when i got skinny, have kids when i got skinny. i am a very outgoing person and used to have a very active lifestyle. when i became mordidly obese i stopped returning phone calls and lived my nights and weekends alone in my townhome. i have turned a corner with the lapband surgery. you have friends here that will be there for you whether you decide to get a band, lose weight on your own, or whatever it is you decide to do. the first step is doing what you did, reaching out to talk to someone about your pain. we are here for you!!!!

tricia- congratulations!! that is wonderful. i was just banded last friday and it is so inspiring to hear these good news stories!!! i hope i can do as well!!

sorry tropicana. i self payed. it is difficult, but after my insurance denied me, i paid myself and i am going to fight them. they told me a month or so ago i was covered, than called me later to say i am not. they would be happy to pay for gastric bypass, but not the band. makes no sense!!

i got a AAA visa card with 1 year no interest. i put the whole thing on that and will pay it off this year so i do not have to interest. if you think you can pay if off in one year, excellent no interest option. m

i had my surgery 2 dec. i took a week off and i think that will be perfect. it is day 7 for me and i feel great!! i was in pain the day/day after surgery. my doc gave me vicadin. i was still in pain but didn't really mind (i slept mostly)!!! pain from the gas was really bad, but the only way to get rid of it was to move around. after 2 days mine was gone!! my tummy is puffy but other that that i feel pretty good. i am moving and lifting like normal...no problems. best of luck!! i was really scared, but now i am so excited!!!

just said a prayer for your brother and your entire family....hope all goes well!

penni-today is the first i have heard all this. i had my band put in on 2 dec, so i have not been out here as much. i am so glad to hear you are okay!! my prayers are with you!!

i am was incredibly emotional (banded 2 dec). the day of surgery i started crying when the doc was talking to me and my family came in. they gave me something (i think they give it to a lot of people to calm them down) and my tears dried up and i was ready to roll....you will be okay, but if you need something before the surgery, don't be afraid to ask for a sedative or whatever it was they gave me!!