Manatee

Well, I've had my band for 3 months. I'm not quite at the right restriction yet, but as of now I haven't had any problems. Eat slow and pay attention to what your band is telling you. For me, I get a pressure in the chest that says "you're done." If I ignore that, I start to get hiccups. No sliming, no pbs thus far. I can't eat bread, but other than that I'm eating normally. I still go out to eat with friends and family. Very occasionally I will have to stop during a meal and just sit there waiting for something to clear, but that's only happened when I was eating too fast. Let me be clear about this: this was one of the best things I've ever done for myself, and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

Stalled. Bummer. Stuck at 225 for a while now. Do y'all think going liquid for a week will break the plateau?

Glad we got their coach, but did we have to get the Southlake costume designer too? BLEAH! Bring back the Flying Worm

You know, they have these things called "airplanes" now :confused:

Maybe I missed it, but did you get a second opinion from another qualified doctor? If so, what did that doctor say? It's important to get that independent viewpoint, to get some 'new eyes' on the situation. If you had a wound on the outside of your body that bled for months, you wouldn't just live with it. Why give an internal wound a pass?

I highly recommend Dr. Curtis Mosier in Denton, Tx. Excellent service, he seems to actually care, his coordinator is incredible, and prices aren't bad for the self-pay folks. Home Page

We can't help you. We can sympathize and empathize and write encouraging messages, but YOU are the only one who can change the situation. Until he's physically forcing food down your throat, you are choosing to eat more to pacify him. Really, you have decision to make: continue to take the abuse and eat more; make him change his behaviour and eat less; or leave him. I know this sounds harsh, but as someone who has FINALLY removed myself from an emotionally abusive relationship I know that those really are the only solutions. Hopefully you can find the strength to stand against his unreasonable demands. It's time for you to blossom.

I'm bundling all my outsized clothes and dumping them in the clothing bins outside of Lowes. I figure someone needs them far more than I need the garage sale money. I go out and buy 3 pairs of slacks on sale, and when they get too baggy I repeat the process.

Can't say I've suffered from any of that, and I'm down over 40 lbs in under 3 months. In fact, I just got back from a steak dinner Maybe you need better aftercare? I can direct you to a really good doctor/program.

It's becoming obvious that I'm hopelessly out of touch. That's to be expected, coming out of a 10 yr marriage and 3 years of dating before that. How on earth does one meet other singles when you're almost 40? Work is out thanks to all the harassment minefields, I don't bother with church, and the clubs all have the 20something kids in there. Fortunately I'm spending the next year focusing on me and getting in better shape physically and mentally, but I'm trying to think ahead. Suggestions?

Dr. Mosier in Denton. About $15K all in for self-pay. He did my work, although my insurance company paid. I'm very pleased. (Curtis L. Mosier, M.D.<br>Victor L. Cobos, M.D. - ) Curtis L. Mosier, M.D. & Victor L. Cobos, M.D.

+1 on the sleep study. You're describing the classic symptoms of interrupted sleep patterns. Many obese people require CPAP assistance to get a good night's sleep.

It's just one day. We're all human. Just jump back in with both feet tomorrow and keep rolling. You'll be fine. Remember, the eventual goal is to eat like a "normal" person -- and that does include the occasional rare treat.

Remember -- your doctor works for YOU, not the other way around. You may have gone against her "wishes", but she has no grounds to get angry at you. Should she start barking, put a stop to that immediately. Too many docs have god complexes, when they're just handymen.

It's not the insurance company that you should be irritated with, but rather the company that employees you. Insurance companies provide a buffet of services, and each company decides what the best combination of coverage and cost fits their needs. Talk to your company's owner or HR department, many companies are right now in negotiation for their 2008 coverage and a gentle nudge might help.

Well, first day of eating solids after the second fill, and that restriction is very definitely in place! I can barely get half a small chicken breast down. I can tell I'm going to have to retrain myself with my portions. :car:

Only had mine 2 months, but I've had no issues with the Vanguard band. I've heard that it takes a while to get a proper fill, but I just had a barium-assisted fill and the doc was able to close it up just fine.

I do -- but not NEARLY as often. I simply know that when I have my <multistep overpriced coffee order here> that I am sucking down X calories and will have to be on my exercise equipment for an extra hour or so that day. See starbucks® beverages & food details Some of those drinks are downright scary -- might as well get a milkshake

Had my barium-assisted fill today. Went from 3 cc to 4.8. Definitely a tighter restriction, and I could actually feel it this time. If I were to do this over again, I would have had the first fill done this way. The sensations are simply too unusual on that first fill to know if you're telling the doc the right info.

Had my barium-assisted fill today. Went from 3 cc to 4.8. Definitely a tighter restriction, and I could actually feel it this time. If I were to do this over again, I would have had the first fill done this way. The sensations are simply too unusual on that first fill to know if you're telling the doc the right info.

Huzzah! Hit my first short-term goal, 22X by 7/29! Next stop, 20X by 9/22

Welcome to the Band, Bill

Try taking up smoking :car: For me, I've found that I'm now a lot more aggressive/assertive than I've been in the past. Between the slight loss in weight and not being able to sublimate when things bother me, I tend now to just take things straight on. Maybe not the best way to handle things, but then again the jerks always seem to get ahead :car:

I scheduled an x-ray assisted fill for Tuesday, hopefully the restriction will be better this time.

Thanks for the tip on adjusting the Remstar machines. It worked great on my Remstar Plus