Chris61

Well Spring is finally here. I hope it starts to warm up and stay that way. Hope everyone is doing well and getting ready to be outside more than in. Iam ready to go biking along the beach. One thing I have notice this year is that my skin has been a lot dryer or more itchey since I have lost the weight. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed it as well. I do feel I am drinking enough fluids etc. Chris

It is the best thing that my wife and I have done for ourselves. It has forced me to eat slower than I have done before. Also it forces you to not eat much at one time as well. Right after being banded I went with a group of guys for lunch and went to pizza Hut and some of them got 8 pices and I could only do about half if that. They even drink large soda as well. Insurance covered it for us as well. Good luck and if you have any questions just ask away. Chris

I have 6.5 CC in my band. Some doctors are conservative in regards to how much you get at a time. The 2nd and third fill I made sure he put more in. Its been at least 6-8 months and now I need another one. Chris

I will be 2 years in Sept. I have also been thinking about what new goals I need to look at. I think the biggest thing I need to work on is to keep working out and to make sure that I do not over do it on eating and to keep that in check I need to make sure that I get fills when I feel that I need it and not let others try to change my mind because they think I do not need a fill because I have lost more than they think I should. Glad to see that everyone else is doing real well and pleased with there results. I can say that this site has helped out a lot. Chris

Welcome to the group. Glad to see that you are doing very well. Keep up the good work. If you feel that you need to get a fill go and get it. We are all here to support you. I am 18 months out an have lost over 75 lbs and very pleased with the results. Off CPAP, no gout problems and no BP problems. Chris

There is nothing that I would change. I was at peace with myself and ready to make changes in my life. I would make sure that you are at peace with yourself and that you are ready to make the changes. Take it one day at a time and keep postivie with everything. Make sure that you do your homework and ask all kinds of questions no matter how silly they may sound. We are all here to help you. PM if you have any other questions or need someone to talk to. Chris

Was a nice weekend in the NE. Got the bike ready for spring bike rides. Can not wait for all the snow and wet weather to be gone, and warm up. Chris

I was banded in Sept. 07 at Des Pers along with my wife. We are here to help you. Any questions just ask. Chris

Just like everyone one else has said, try not compare the weight loss between the two of. My wife and I were banded a week apart, and my sister-in-law about 3 weeks later. Iam down 75 lbs and my wife is about 40 along with her sister. Give support to each other but do not compare as this can cause friction between the two of you. Everybody is there own person. Chris

COngradulations on getting approved. It is amazing how a lot of people like to hold other backs and not get things approved for people who need to have medical treatment or other things like loans etc. Chris

I hope that everyone is doing well. Looks like it has been to cold and snow to go bike ridding. Looks like it will be another 4-6 weeks and we should be out of the cold. Getting the bike waxed and ready to go. Chris

I can do bread if toasted, and real fresh. Others fill me up to much and not fun. Rice cannot do. Chris

Why not go to all your doctors and get them to give you all the weights for when you visted them over the last few years. I had to have 5 years and put it in the letter and doctor signed it and had no problems. I would even go to your OBGYN and get help. If you have any questions just ask. I cold even e-mail you a letter that I used to get approved. Chris

Thats great Ray, glad to see you got it done in the office. I wish he would do it more like that than going to the hosp. all the time. I know he does unfill in the office. Chris

Insurance companies are just amazing. We love them and hate them. You will get approved. It just takes a little longer. Chris

Looks like the weather will be much better on Wednesday the 4th in New Haven. Hope to see everyone at the meeting. Enjoyed last month meeting. Chris

How did your first fill go? How are you doing other wise? Hope all is well with you. Chris

What kind of BS are you getting from the insurance company? I feel that Minkins office does pretty good with the insurance companies. We had some problems with our insurance and so I just worked through the back door and worked with Minkins office and we got approval. If you have any questions just ask. We are here to help each other. Chris

Just like everyone else has said above, but also make sure you do not beat yourself up because you go slow. This is not a race. It took many years to get this way and many years to drop down. Take it one step/day at a time. Take charge and if you see or feel problems talk to the doctor and others on here about things. We are here to help everyone. Good Luck. Chris

Iam thinking about going to New York for the metting. A lot will depend on funds etc. Glad to hear you are doing well Sil. I am looking at going to the meeting next month as well. Chris

Is this on Tuesday January 20, 2009 and not the 21 which is Wednesday. Just checking since I would ike to take part in it. Chris

Just give it time. My wife and I have been banded for 18 months now and I can tell that things are a lot better and I have notice a lot of changes as well. I would say it was about year out before I really notice the big changes that I see now. This is a great post. Chris

This thread and site is real good and learning soething new all the time. Chris

Zero here. Told cold to ride a bike at least for me. I have seen a couple of people out walking in shorts and even ridding a scotter. We had another 2 inches of snow yesterday. I am able to get excerise in with walking about 3 blocks from the parking area to the project site. Iam now working in New Haven, CT (Yale) and go back and forth to St. Louis. Chris

My wife and I went to Dr. Minkin and really like him well. I was wondering if the poster has found a doctor yet? Iam down almost 70 lbs. Chris