Numbrgirl

Because I have a goal set for my bday in Feb and a trip to Maui scheduled in June.........don't want to go to Hawaii again and be the biggest girl on the beach!!!

Hello Everyone~ Tambo - I have been off the board for while - with my hectic schedule. What symptoms did you have that made you want to go in for the tests? I have noticed only recently that on some days I seem to be having "acid reflux" type symptoms and I cannot understand it because I have never, ever had any problems with my band. I haven't been filled in quite a while and I seem to still have plenty of restriction (some days seemingly too much - but I have noticed this changes with the stress/hectic schedule, etc). I am not scheduled to go back into the doctor until Feb 6 and don't really want to miss work (it is always a long wait in that office....) Has anyone experienced this?

Because my scale is going down.....down......down!!!

Brandy - what a great blog you have...that takes some dedication. Turler - new job? I missed the post..... Congrats to you! I started a new job at the end of October. A CPA firm. Am having such a good time getting settled in. The staff is wonderful. I feel very blessed. Hope everything is going great for you!! Tambo - I want to weigh less than my husband. He is a solid 180 so it is still a while off yet.............I am about 1/2 inch taller than him in flat feet so it would be good to be smaller around......since I can't do anything about the height. Down 2 lbs since I last posted. TOM makes me not want to exercise but I have to work through it!! All you gals are an inspiration!!! 8-)

Hi Anne31, I did not go through insurance. I checked with my provider and for me - the criteria and hoops to jump through at the time were too extensive and didn't make a bit of sense to me. 6 months of this and 6 months of that and then if there was no change......blah, blah, blah,........ meanwhile to get the lapband one has to prove that they have been trying to lose weight unsuccessfully for the last 4-5 years.........why would the provider want a 320+ lb person to stretch it out even another six months?? What is preventative about that? [that's my soapbox]. I was there because my knees were in such bad pain and I was tired all the time, etc. 6 more months of that..........ugh.......just felt like I couldn't do it. I used the Capital One Medical financing and effectively paid cash. I qualified on-line and even though I have great credit the finance chg was still about 14%. Once I received my first bill - I paid a significant portion of the balance from the deposit I had saved and transferred the remaining balance to a 0% interest credit card that extended out for 18 months and I am paying it each month out of my budget. Now I understand that everyone cannot afford it or are not in a position to do this type of payment plan. For me it was an opportunity and I took it. Looking back after this progress I have made, I would go through any program necessary to get the lapband but of course hindsight is 20/20. I certainly wish you the best in your pursuit of this avenue.

YOU AND YOURS!!.......<sorry!!>

Hello Everyone! Haven't posted in a while as I went on vacation to Costa Rica for 10 days and Walt Disney World or 6 days. We walked EVERYWHERE!!! You should have seen the amount of heavy people that were riding those go-go scooter machines around Disney World- man I thought they were going to run us over some times!! I felt so sorry for them and couldn't help but think how that choice has probably contributing to the incredible amount of obesity in our country............fat everywhere....... anyway, it was the first time I came back from vacation and weighed 3 lbs less than when I left. I have to give a huge majority of the credit to the lapband. I did indulge and have fun but the restriction and walking really made the difference. Today I finished my exercise session - 3 miles in 36:30 - I am feeling good about that accomplishment. Each time I get on that treadmill and crank up the rate to run I want to beat the last time but so far this is as good as it gets and it feels so good when I am finally done!! I have found the right combination of songs on the IPOD to keep me going. My goal this year is to continue to increase the exercise and try to hit 5 days a week. I have been going between 3 and 5 but my schedule seems to get in the way....with tax season on the horizon I think I will have to roll out of bed much earlier in order to accomplish this. For the first time in a LONGGGGGGGGGGGGGG time I am under 100 lbs overweight and I think that at my current rate, I will make my 100lb loss mark by my one year anniversary on 4/30. I have to say thanks to all of you. Whenever I pop in you have all been an encouragement and inspiration. Thanks for letting me share the board with all of YOU. Happy New Year to YOU and YOUR!!!! PS - As far as the protein shakes - MUSCLE MILK still rules!!

Hello to Everyone - It has been a while since I posted. I went on vacation to Costa Rica for 10 days and then to Walt Disney World for 6 days and we walked, walked, walked everywhere. This was the first vacation I have ever went on and when I came home was actually 3 lbs less!! I want to encourage everyone who might be a little discouraged or wondering if it is all worth it. For the first time in a long time, I am less than 100 lbs overweight. As of today I am down 71 lbs and feeling so much better. I finished exercise this morning and ran 3 miles in 36:30 minutes. God is good. I still have a way to goal but at this rate, I will definitely make my 100 lbs loss by or before my one year anniversary date on April 30. Keep it up - there are times when it is oh so slow and times of plateau but God is there to help every step of the way and the lapband is such a blessing and effective tool. Take care & God Richly Bless......

Man! I haven't been on in about 3 weeks and suddenly a whole new look!! Where do you go to find or restore or redo all the different threads you subscribed to? Trying to move through this new format.......a little confusing.

Man- what happened to this board? I haven't logged on in about 20 days and suddenly it has a whole new look. I can't seem to find all the threads I was linked too.....cosmetically it looks better but proving to be a bit challenging with all the bells and whistles!! Just wanted to check in to say that GOD IS GOOD!!

I agree with Phyl - it is amazing that you can still enjoy some really great food with the band - I have successfully stayed away from bread, cookies, pastries, sodas, etc. I now eat lots of fish which is really healthy for me. I am working on getting to the 60lb mark by Halloween - which will be my 6 month anniversary - I can't believe it has gone by so quickly! God is good. I would love to reach the 100 lb mark by/before my anniversary date.

I am staying on plan......because I am coming up on the 6 month mark and want to see 60 lbs gone!!!! Lord help me!!!

I want to see the pics everyone is raving about.....what is the thread? or point me in the right direction --------> <--------------- I enjoy popping in and reading all the posts. It is amazing how encouraging everyone is. Struggling with TOM this week too.........but hoping for a drop off once it is over......reaching my 6 month mark on Halloween and hoping for the 60 lbs loss.

Renewed = Thanks for the encouragement - I am still running along............

So much stuff goes on in the post ............you ladies are busy!! Just wanted to add that Muscle Milk has become a really good source of protein for me. It is even available in Lactose free. The protein is high and the carbs/sugar are relatively low. It is also very convenient as I am often running out the door with no time to spare.

Nothing - like the beaches in Kauai.......it is one of our favorite places on the planet.............

Staying on plan because the scale keeps moving down, down, down.....

Renewed - 29.20??? I am doing the "not worthy" signal!!!!! Wow - I am just hoping to hit 3 in 36!! What an inspiration!!!

Thanks! You can go to tickerfactory.com - you have to create and then do some cutting and pasting.....in the signature area of the profile. Mostly by trial and error for me........Good luck!!

The bottom line - it is a lifelong battle.....but now I (we) have the tool to finally help make some significant strides. Thank God!!

Any loss is worth something.......it is so much better than it was 5 months ago....... there are other things that come than just the numbers going down....many have said that they got to go off medication.....I have left my knee and joint pain behind. I also like the response from Jachut.....getting there is not the end of the battle...........

I agree with Jachut (as usual) - Oprah does lose some credibility because every year in seems to be the same up and down yo-yo. I am so thrilled with the lapband and know that it is a tool that I can continue to use. Oprah has become larger than life and it is amazing to me that she can promote something or say something and HUGE crowds of people agree and/or purchase the item just on her word. I think that she is definitely over-rated.

Because I hit my 3 mile run at 38.45 min today and am sooooo proud of myself!!! I see a loss on the scale this morning and my pants are starting to get too loose for comfort!!!! I am thrilled with my band results!!

It is amazing what weight loss will do.....I wasn't taking any meds prior to my surgery but I experienced such deep pain in my knees and joints. Now after 54 lbs.....I don't experience this pain anymore. As a matter of fact, I take up my bragging rights and was so proud that I hit my 3 mile run at 38.45 mins today.....my best time yet. I am aiming for 36 min - Encouragement to all.......we really can make a difference in our physical make-up if we just stick with it. "I can do all things through Christ......." YES!!

Turler - OH NOW I SEE IT!!!!!! Cutey!! Thanks for clearing that up - I was thinking it was all kinds of bizarre things!!! Ran my 3 miles in 38.40 minutes today - which felt sooooo good after being light on the exercise earlier this week!!! Man it is such a motivator!!! About the wine......I asked during my initial consultation if I had to give it up....I wasn't ready to make that commitment!! But my doctor told me NO......and I have enjoyed a glass or two quite frequently and it has not seemed to hinder my loss at all........guess everyone is different. I am glad it is still possible to enjoy life!!