iteachurkid

I'm still here and doing well! It is absolutely crazy to think it's been almost 3 years. This time three years ago I had no idea how much life was getting ready to change (I was self-pay and didn't even go to my seminar until the end of April). Best thing I've ever done for myself and I'd do it again in a heart beat So glad to see life on this board! Looking forward to hearing from others!! Jennifer

Good to be back on here! I'm doing well. I lost about 140 pounds in the first year and have pretty much maintained over the last 20ish months. I have 5 pounds that I go up and down pretty consistently, but I feel like that's normal. It's good to see so many people back here. It's hard to believe it's been almost 3 years since I started this journey. Best decision I ever made by far Have a great evening everyone! Jennifer

Hey everyone! I feel like it's been so long since I've been on here. Life has been quite busy. My weight was moving in the wrong direction which was scary and I was really feeling like old habits were creeping back. I had 5 pounds that I was ok going up and down (still not at goal, but plataued for about 8 months) and I got on the scale and was 5 pounds above my high end. Then there was Easter weekend and yep, then I was 7 pounds higher. I knew I needed a fill (I could eat WAY too much), but I didn't have the money. Well, I got my tax return so I called last week and b/c they knew I was on spring break, they got me in in two days! My band was "wide-open". I went from 6.5 to 8.1 and she said she probably could have added more (I'm glad she didn't as I feel just a tiny bit tight, not bad though). It's amazing to get full again when I eat just a few bites and to stay full. I'm not thinking about food all of the time again!! I'm so scared of failing. I feel like my whole life people have watched me lose and gain weight and I laid here last Sunday night so scared that I was failing at this. Now I know I'm not. I'm so happy right now! I've lost 7 pounds since last Thursday (gotta love 3 days of liquids and then soft food) and I stated Jillian Michael's 30 day shred today (thought I was going to die :cool:). I'm hoping to keep seeing the weight fall and maybe just maybe break this plateau I've been waiting to break for so long. I love reading how you guys are doing! I miss this board not being so active...hard to believe it was 2 years ago when we were all joining this group, asking questions, scared yet getting excited...oh, how life has changed! Have a great evening Junies :eek:

Hey gals! Just thought I'd drop in and say hi. Things are going well. I gained weight for the first time over Christmas and am working on losing it and then the other 16 pounds I need to lose to hit goal. I really need a fill, but don't have the $200 it costs :confused: Oh well, I can do this! We got over a foot of snow yesterday. Stuff like that really doesn't happen in VA (especially when we got like 10 inches 6 weeks ago). I have a snow day tomorrow and am guessing I probably will the next few days. Snow days are definitely one of the best parts of being a teacher Hope to be on here more...hope you all are doing well! Jennifer

Congrats Angel!! Just wanted to drop in and wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Hope you all have a great day with family! Love to all of you!

So Cathy...where are you meeting these guys??? I'm not getting any younger and haven't been on a date in a year (AH :smile:). I guess I should probably do something besides just go to work (in a female dominated proffession). I'll take any tips you've got :tongue:

It's 16 pounds that refuse to leave me (I haven't lost a pound since August which is just CRAZY!)...I know I've gotta get back exercising and I'm hoping that will do the trick So much for being at goal by Christmas, but maybe by Valentines???

You girls look great! So wish I could have been there with you Hope everyone is doing well!! Miss everyone!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Allie, I'm so glad you are doing well :thumbup: Apple's I'm so jealous you and Great are meeting! I still think we should all try to get together at some point. You guys are my lap band family :biggrin: If any of you are doing Black Friday shopping, have fun!!! Jennifer

Hey everyone! I'm so glad to see some action on this board. Life has been crazy and I've been MIA :thumbup: Gotta get back to my Junies!! Allie, I pray everything went well and I can't wait to hear/see all about it! I haven't lost a pound since August...I know I need to get back in an exercise routine. Just gotta figure out how to fit it into my schedule. So glad to hear everyone is doing so well! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Jennifer

Just thought I'd fill you guys in on the ongoing saga that would be me trying to get a fill. I talked to my doctor's office last week and was essentially told there was nothing they can do. The hospital cost for the fill is $250 and my surgeon's cost is $250 (seems to me if they really cared about keeping me as a patient, they could wave that, but whatever). So I called today and scheduled an appt with one of the doctors in what used to be his group. I've seen him before for a fill, but have to have a new patient appt. They said he may end up doing a fill in office or if he feels like it would be better under xray, we'll schedule it after the appt. The whole situation is just really messed up and not something I ever thought I'd be going through, but oh well. I did find out I can still see my nutritionist, so I'm really happy about that. Hopefully next Tuesday I'll get a fill and get this whole process rolling again. I'm ready to be done (and I say that knowing, it's not ever done), I can see the finish line :cursing: Hope everyone is doing well! :scared2: Jennifer

WOW!!! Apples, you look AMAZING!!! Congrats to you :frown:

I've had such a frustrating day and I feel like no one will understand or be of help anymore than you guys. So I called this morning to find out about the fills/unfills at my surgeon's office. To give you a little backgroud, there are three surgeons in my practice. 2 only work at one hosptial and then my surgeon works at 2 different hospitals. I dial the number and it says the number has been disconnected. So I'm a little confused and call the other number and it says "Welcome to Dominion Surgical Group"...yeah, I was banded by Richmond Surgical Group. I wait on hold and end up finding out that my surgeon has left the practice and both have changed their names (Ummm...I spent $13500 less than 18 months ago, don't you think you could have spend $.42 on a stamp to send me a form letter and let me know?!?!). So they give me the new number, I call my surgeon's office and find out because he is now only affiliated with the other hosptial the cost of a fill under XRay has gone from $258 (which I already didn't have) to $524. I cried on the phone. I mean really...I'm so close to goal and I need to finish this. Everyone says I look great, I don't need to lose anymore, etc, but I NEED to do this for me. I need to feel like for once in my life I've hit that goal. So I talked to one of my teammates and ended up calling back the other office (that my surgeon is no longer affiliated with) to find out if I can get my fill there. This is the same hospital that I had my surgery and where I've had all my fills. They said it's going to depend on if I signed a Bon Secours contract (where I had my surgery) or an HDH contract (where my doctor is now). If I signed an HDH contract, then I'll have to, once again, pay the $195 consultation fee like I paid before surgery to go in and them tell me I can get a fill (keep in mind, I've seen all the doctors and the NP in this office). If I signed a Bon Secours contract (keep your fingers crossed), then there is no consultation fee. But, in order to get a fill through Bon Secours (where it's half as much) I have to transfer care to one of the other surgeon and leave mine. I know it isn't that big of a deal, but at the same time it is...he's been with me through this whole thing and to just essentially cut ties...ugh! So I've got a couple of phone calls in. One to find out which contract I signed and the other to one of my favorite nurses to find out if there is anything on their end that can be done. If you are still reading, thanks! I just can't believe all of this has happened...it just stinks :thumbup: I'm going to bed early....I laid awake last night trying to figure out where to find the moolah for the fill and then once I decided to do it, this morning happened. I'm going to bed early tonight! Love you guys!

I just assumed it would be a charge. I'll have to call and find out. That would really ease my mind and make me more willing to spend the money on the fill. Thanks for the info! I'm sure finding out that you wouldn't have to pay for surgery is quite a bummer, but like you said, think of where you'd be if you hadn't had it. You've added years to your life that you wouldn't have, if you would have waited. You'll be at least 2 years ahead of the game :thumbup: Glad you are doing well!!