boos02

Phyllis - Do you have a home address for Janet? I'd love to send her a card. How coincidental that she was working on photo albums, reminiscing about family, etc. I'll keep her in my thoughts. Kathy

From what I hear this seems to be outside the norm. Unfortunately, there are no other doc/fill centers in my state. I'll have to look around for some in other states.

Hi everyone - I posted this on another thread so for some it may be a repeat. Yesterday I received the bill for my first fill - $1600!! I was shocked. I didn't think the fills were going to be that expensive. I've had two so far so the next bill should be arriving soon. I called the doc's office and the business manager said that I could expect to pay between $1000 and $1600 each visit. Is everyone paying this much? Our fills are done in the hospital out-patient under floroscopy.

Hi everyone - Yesterday I received the bill for my first fill - $1600!! I was shocked. I didn't think the fills were going to be that expensive. I've had two so far so the next bill should be arriving soon. I called the doc's office and the business manager said that I could expect to pay between $1000 and $1600 each visit. Is everyone paying this much? Our fills are done in the hospital out-patient under floroscopy. This could be a big deter to future fills.

Gail - My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sorry for your loss.

Elizabeth - Thanks for posting a "check in". I keep seeing people adding their goals but I haven't seen any progress reports - and I need motivation! September wasn't great for me either, but I have renewed hope for October. Exercising more, but need to cut back on the calories. Hopefully we can use this challenge thread as a support thread also.

How do hear about the seminars? I'd be interested in attending.

Kimaly - That's great. I hope to be in onederland by January 1st! How exciting!

Seems like we're a creative group - quilters, sewers... Any rug hookers? I started last year and I love it. I'm also a knitter. I think a get together would be a blast! I'd consider it.

You all are so funny with your QVC, TJ Maxx, Fashion Bug ... It really made me smile reading all the excitement. I hate to shop! Congrats to all the weight loss gals! What a great accomplishment. Like Ellen, mine is coming off a little slower. I'm not worried though. I know it is a process. Have a good weekend everyone - - Kathy

It is frustrating isn't it? I have had two fills and can eat much more than I am supposed to. But your doctor is right, we need to work hard at this and try to control portions. As my doc says, the band is only 10%, I need to do the other 90%. Hang in there. There will be struggles, from what I hear as we get more fills it will get easier.

Janet - The before and after pics are true inspiration! I look forward to the same success. (Notice I didn't say hope - "hope is not a strategy"!) Kathy

We all seem to be in the same place with fills. I had my second and can still eat just about anything. But as my dad says just because I can doesn't mean I should! I'm trying to watch calories, exercise more and record everything - good or bad. It's amazing how much I can eat without even realizing it. BevDiane - it does sound like you are too tight. Do you want to be that miserable? I'd have it checked out.

Leese - Congratulations on your surgery!

Kimaly - I also got my second fill yesterday. I'm at 4cc's. I'm on liquids for three days. To be honest, I can't feel a difference. I'm starved. I'm hoping when I switch to solids I'll be able to notice. Glad to hear you were able to get corrected. It sounds like you were miserable.

Janet - I just firmed up plans for a business trip to Palm Springs Dec 6 - 11. I would love to get together and meet our Mentor! I'll keep you posted as we get closer.

Joann - congrats on the date. It will be here before you know it. Long - great job on your weight loss. I'm very impressed. I'm stalled and it is frustrating, but I'm not discouraged. I'm still working on the necessary "head changes" that need to happen. I had my second fill yesterday so I'm on liquids for 3 days. I'm sure that will kick-start things. I don't know how you guys stay on top of these threads (lol)! I try to stay connected on 50+, July Bandsters, and here. It seems like we're all intertwined on the same three threads! I can't remember who posted what on which thread!! Kathy PS - Fall foliage is in full swing here in Vermont. It is spectacular!

Hi Carolee - Congrats on the surgery. You'll start feeling better every day!

I don't know how long you have been at this plateau, but a woman in my local support group recently said that she was at the same weight for 6 months before starting to lose again. Everyone is different, but if you continue to do things correctly you'll see the right results.

I'm so sorry. I know it's hard when we're in the thick of stress like this, but take time to care for yourself. This too will pass. I know it sounds trite, but it will. I'm sending cyber hugs your way.

Diane - Nice to hear the fills are working for you. I was able to move up my second fill to next week. I'm excited because right now I have absolutely no restriction and it's hard to maintain control. Kathy

Not sure if I'm making changes right, but I'm down 2lbs! Name_________Start Weight___CurrentWeight______Goal________To Go *****<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" filled="f" stroked="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe">:sad:</v:shapetype>***********:girl_hug:*************:tt2:**********:girl_hug:*********:rolleyes2:* agreatknead........237............201...........180...........21 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......287............251...........200...........51 Boos02.............226............224...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............217...........191...........26 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Cadets71...........223.4..........220.4.........189...........31.4 Claudine...........250............250...........225...........25 Bunkey1965.........194............187...........170...........17 Cutiew/booty.......251............249...........220...........29 cQQlgirl...........195............193...........175...........18 crzytchr...........276............275...........246...........29 Dionna113..........199............198...........160...........38 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............232...........190...........42 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............150...........130...........20 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 Jeni.85............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............210...........185...........25 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 Lalaredd.....................235...........208..........173........35 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............251...........200...........51 Liquidbluegal......225............220.4.........199...........21.4 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 lotzasunshine......292............290...........250...........40 Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Mamanmidwife.......295............295...........260...........35 MELISSA ...........266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............285...........270...........15 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............252...........208...........44 rainer.............236............233...........199...........34 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............199...........165...........34 srknepler..........285............285...........255...........30 squale.............353............353...........325...........28 Sunshine2..........177............171...........160...........11 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............231.4...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 Turler.............219............219...........194...........25 youcandoit!........196............196...........162...........34 __________________

Kimaly - I've been meaning to ask - where did you get the exercise emoticon? I'd love to have it. Kathy

I was told 5 - 8 lbs a month. I'm going to work hard to make that happen. Boy, this is harder than I thought it would be!

Hi everyone - I've been reading this thread and feel like I have to chime in as well. I was banded in July, so my process began with Dr. Forgione and staff in January. I can say that it has been nothing but professional, timely and successful since then. Yes, DW can be off-putting, but I believe the rest of the staff has been great. I know I wanted a quick fix. But here are the realities. We must follow a low calorie (I'm at 1200 calories/ day) and we must exercise everyday at an aerobic pace. Also, eat slow and chew and don't try to "test" the band. Like the band, Dr. F and staff are there as a tool. It's still 90% up to us. I do believe he is conservative. But, you can talk it through with him and he is blunt, but honest about the process. I think that's what we want and need. We need to remember, we were told we would loose an average of 1-2 lbs a week if we followed the plan. Here's why it's working for me: I log everything that goes in my mouth, I try to stay under 1500 calories, I exercise "hard" at least 5 times a week. Yes, I hate that it's still hard to loose weight and I thought the band would make it easy. But, I wouldn't change it for anything. Hang in there. And, try to stay positive.