iteachurkid

Have any of you purchased a medical bracelet to wear that says you've been banded? I ran across the pamphlet on medical bracelets that I got before I was banded and realized I hadn't purchased one. They aren't ugly, but I'm not really sure I want to wear it (but will if I should). Just wondering what you all thought. Happy Thanksgiving!!

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!!

It's so great to see some action on this board. Long, I'm so glad that your surgery went well and you are recuperating so quickly! That is awesome! Allie, I can't wait to see your pics after ps!! It's definitely something I want to do one day, but I just can't afford it right now. Gotta pay off one surgery before I start on another :thumbup: I'm in Philly visiting my sister and we are getting ready to head out shopping. It's crazy how much I love shopping now (my Loft card would say I love it a little too much :tt2:). I'm calling the clothes I buy now my "forever clothes" though as the ones I've been buying I knew wouldn't fit the next year. I still haven't lost a pound (it's been a good six weeks). I haven't gained either, so that's a good thing. I just really want to be at goal which is less than 20 pounds away. I had said before that I knew I'd be there by Christmas and now I'm not sure if that's going to happen which is kind of disappointing. I really need a fill, but I just can't afford it right now which sucks. I wish my doctors office did a payment plan vs me owing $250ish. I'm also scared of the whole process now that I'm paying. I mean if they put too much in, then I have to pay again to have it taken out. I guess I'll figure it out. Hope everyone is doing well!!

This board has gotten soooo quiet!! Where is everyone??? I'm back in school. Tomorrow will be the end of week two. I hate being out of my normal summer routine. I went from working out 5 days a week to not. I'm trying to start walking with a girl I work with after school, but we are both unmotivated (not a good combo :thumbup:). I'm maintaining my weight. Up and down the same 4 pounds. I still want to lose another 15-20 to consider myself at goal and it's frustrating that it's not working. I know I'm not eating as well as I should so that's my fault. I honestly probably need a fill (can eat way too much, getting hungry way too soon), but don't the $150-$200 that it's going to cost. I'm starting to see some old habits trying to sneak back in (eating when I'm not hungry, craving chocolate and sweets which I haven't done since surgery). WHY?? I mean really, how can you go 14+ months and then all of the sudden this start?!?! It scares the s&*t out of me. I turn 30 next Wednesday and my sisters have put together a big ole party tomorrow night at Dave and Buster's for me. I'm really looking forward to it. It does begin what looks like to be a close to week long bday so I gotta really make sure I'm working out the next several days. I'm hopng after my bday I can get back into eating a more healthy, balanced diet. Hopefully some people will pop back up on here...I miss my friends :smile2:

I miss everyone too!! I should really be in bed, but I'm not. I was planning on attempting to get back on a schedule this week before starting work next week. Yeah, not going to happen! I'm going to see Keith Urban tomorrow night and I can't wait. The last time I went was the day after I saw my gyn who suggested I look into the surgery. I didn't fit in the seats. I'm pretty excited to go tomorrow night. Should be fun! I really don't want to go back to work. I've gotten in such a good exercising schedule this summer and am really afraid that I'm not going to be able to get up early enough to get it done. Guess it's gotta be mind over matter... We'll my sisters have decided to throw me a 30th bday bash at Dave and Busters. It's my absolute favorite place (it's a Chuck E. cheese for adults :blushing:). I am actually excited about turning 30. I feel like everything has fallen into place...my 30's are going to be great! Hope everyone is doing well! I miss you guys!! :w00t: Jennifer Oh and Long (aka Great :thumbup:) our trackers say the exact same thing...136 lost, 10 to go. I love how we've stayed so close to the same throughout this whole process!!

Hey Vz! I came on here yesterday and was thinking that people must really be enjoying their last few weeks of summer!! I can't believe this is my last week before I have to go back to school (the kids come back the day after labor day). Part of me is excited about getting back in to a routine, but the part of me that likes to sleep in isn't looking forward to going back! I hope everyone is doing well. My weight is pretty stagnant right now, but I'm okay with that. I've been eating what I want and have drank more than I have in a while. I'm figuring getting back to school will help get those last 15 pounds off Hope to hear from everyone soon! I miss you guys!!

Love your new name...how am I going to call you Great though?!?! You've always been Long to me :biggrin: I LOVE Loft! Did you have the friends and family 30% off coupon? If not, I can send it to you ( and if you feel up to it) you can take it back and get the 30% back. Just let me know. I'm planning on going on Wednesday to see what new beautiful things they have :biggrin: Let me know!

Allie, CONGRATS!!! I'm so super excited for you! That is awesome. Joann, it sounds like things are going really well for you! That's so exciting. When things are going good in direct sales, it makes everything in life so good. I'm relaly working to get my PC business back going to a level where I used to have it. It's hard, but I know I can do it! Gotta love all of the positives on this thread! I love hearing how great everyone is doing :biggrin: I've changed my goal weight. I was aiming for 148 which is another 30 pounds. I keep getting told I don't need to lose any more weight, etc and it's not coming off easily. I've gone from losing 3 pounds a week to maybe 5 pounds a month. I've decided to make my goal 160. That will put me at goal definitely by Christmas (especially if it continues at this super slow rate), but hopefully sooner. It's only another 18 pounds :biggrin: Hope everyone has a great evening! :cool: Jennifer

CONGRATS!! WOO HOO!!! I am so happy for you! How awesome is it to think that you don't need to lose weight. I honestly don't know what I'm going to do with myself when I hit that point. I've been needing to lose or losing weight for the last 24 years...it's almost defined me. I've been a dieter...guess that's going to have to change. I'm just so excited for you Long (or should I call you Great :thumbup: ) I don't think it's bragging I think it's the truth...it is GREAT to be thin and in control! Congrats again! So, so excited for you!

Congratulations to your daughter and to you! That is so exciting!!! I'm so happy for you :thumbup: Have fun dress shopping. I've decided dresses are my new favorite thing to wear. Who would have ever thought it?!?! I've thought about looking into the Dave Ramsey stuff. I have a friend who did it and is completely debt free now. Is it expensive? I may have to consider it. I didn't have a one year check-up. My coverage ended at a year, so I'm just supposed to call when I want to come in. I need to figure out how much an office visit is (wouldn't you think they could run that through insurance and I'd pay a specialist co-pay?!?!). My PCP did blood work right at a year and everything was great. I was pretty excited! Have a great evening! Jennifer

Thanks Allie! That makes me feel good b/c I feel like I have so much hanging/sagging skin. It's good to know I hide it well :thumbup: I do love that dress...I just feel pretty. It sounds stupid, I know, but it's been so long since I've really felt pretty in something! Maybe one of those men you are talking about will find me and take me out and I can wear it :ohmy: I say no breakfast or lunch cancels out the Charleston Chew, but only today. It won't work tomorrow! I'm off to bed too...night Junies

Hey everyone! Just thought I'd check in and see how everyone's week is so far. I feel like my summer is flying by and it makes me quite sad. I just sat down to do a budget. I have to say 14 months ago after doing that and seeing what I saw, I'd have headed for the chips and cheese. Tonight I decided I've just gotta do something about it (and food didn't cross my mind...I realized it after a few tears of stress and then cried a few happy ones b/c I've come so far). I'm really going to try to step up my Pampered Chef business this fall. I used to work it much harder than I am now, so I know I can do it. I need the money now more than ever, so I've made the decision to just do it :thumbup: 10 shows a month, here I come...wish me luck :thumbup: So I've been in the 170's for 4 days with no sightings of the 180's...we'll hope it stays that way. I hate flunctuating weight! It's sooo frustrating! I bought Wii Active last week and have used it 6 days (it has you work out 2 and then rest 1). I absolutely love it! I'm sore, but not super sore and really feel like I'm getting a good workout. I'm kind of excited about it! I went shopping the end of last week. I was looking for a white purse for a wedding I was in and decided to check Cato and Dress Barn. I would never in a million years have thought I would find anything there, but I did. They had some really cute dresses for like $20. I was really excited (especially since one was an 8, I'm definitely not an 8, but it fit and I bought it!!). I've got to stop clothes shopping until I hit where I want to be. I've set aside money for clothes and while I know I'll have to spend some for clothes for work in the fall, I'm not buying much. I have so many clothes I wore once or twice and then they were too big. Ok, I'm rambling...if you are still reading, thanks :ohmy: I'm going to attach a picture of me and my sisters at my sister's best friends wedding this past weekend. I don't know if you remember, but a couple of months ago I bought a blue dress that I absolutely loved, it was a dress that I went back 3 weeks after trying it on to purchase, b/c I just had to have it I just felt pretty in it and I love it! Gotta find another reason to wear it. Hope everyone is doing well!! Jennifer