silvers320

Too be fair, I heard it was a Dwarf, Tanzanian witch doctor, and the guy didn't die but did grow a second head. Oh and there was a bloody hook on his car door handle when he left the hospital.

Thanks babygirl - Should be illegal. Or at the very least have a sin tax on it. Is it any wonder our obesity rate in the US climbs higher every year.

Hey 70 is nothing to sneeze at, so dont let her tone put down your success. I can understand if your having financial pressure feeling like you might not be getting what you are paying for. BUT.. While how she said it might have been really bad (and it seems like it was), I think her questions made some sense. Take a look on the this board and see how many times you can find things like " I am at 9.998 cc in a 10cc band and I live on chips and salsa" or "I throw up everything I eat" - that is not how this is suppose to work. It's about working with the band to make better choices. I think there was a chance her questions were targeted to see if you are making the lifestyle changes we need to with the band.

I was a big meat eater, ate quickly (since I was a kid), and in large volumes, couple of sodas a day, but without the fast metabolism. I also like a sweet once in a while - but not a huge every day sort of things. So 10 months and 110 lbs after the band - as a guy- let me tell you my thoughts: 1. The band forced me to re-learn how to eat. Eating fast makes me sick - I dont like being sick -so you learn to eat slow. 2. I think I choose meat most of the time because it was the most filling - and I needed the most food at a sitting to fill me up. While I still eat meat, I love fish because I am full after a normal fish meal. 3. Soda was hard to give up but I didnt have a choice - it was part of what I signed up for. I thought the benefits were worth the trade off - and I was so right. Don't miss it at all. 4. The band forced me to eat more often, smaller meals etc. 5. Having dieted for years (20+) this is the first time I dont actually feel like I am on a diet. I eat "right" 95% of the time but if I want a cookie - I have one. But I am happy with one or two as oppose to 1/2 a bag. 6. There is something to the losing weight being addictive. While I have dropped 50+ a couple of time over the years, thing time was different - cant explain. The bottom line is he has to decide if it's the right choice for him. I am happy to answer any questions

For Encouragement - just look at this site and look at the number of successful people on here! Next, consider that with the internet you can connect with someone no matter your location, age, etc. That's encouragement. Call your doctor and maybe a theraptist to discuss the mental part - which I think many (myself included) downplayed the importance off. Good Luck

I am with you guys these last 10lbs have been a real SOB. I lose 3 of them - put it back on- it stays on for a week or so - I lose 2. In the world of Charlie Brown - UGH!!!! I am past my orginal goal so that makes me happy but these last 10 are hanging on like an Astor on the Titantic.

I second that - We tend to focus on pool openings, bbqs, and white sales and forget the true point of the day!

It has the makings of a great afterschool special.

I think I was 3 months after surgery. But seems each doctor is different with this too. Be prepared to be a cheap date.

I have never been a huge fan of the veggie but I am trying to expand my horizons post band. My problem is I live alone, and I dont seem to be able to eat salad "parts" before they go bad. I hate frozen meals- the photo on the package always looks great but leads to disappointment! I have gotten very good with cooking meats etc on a Sunday for a few days during the weeks but need help when it comes to veggie ideas. Ideally things that can be made in a batch and frozen into smaller portions..... I know I want it all

Rice is one of the few things that does give me a problem. Add to that the size issue - its hard to take a small bite of a sushi roll and it has the makings of a bad night. I stick to Tuna Shashmi these days

I went thru a couple of big changes during my WL - I left a job I had been at for years, which took up an insane about of my life and I had broken up with my long time love - FOOD. My mood swings were off the charts - I should be happy because I am losing, but I missed my old job (dont ask me why), I had all this free time on my hands for the first time in years and all I wanted was a hero sandwich. All kidding aside there was about a 3 month period were the depression was unbelievable. I gave thought to getting some help but thankfully snapped out of it on my own. I think anyway.... there are some days were I still wonder if a few sessions on a couch wouldn't be helpful. Damn society for making men think needing help is a flaw!

Wilkie I was one of those luckly folks who got a port infection along the way. Yes, this resulted in two additional small surgeries and yes it was a pain in the butt BUT I would do it again in a minute. I like to think of my self as a typical guy - I ate too much at one sitting and too fast - both things the Lap Band helps address. I think people that elect to have one type of surgery will always feel strongly about thier choice and try to "show you the light" but you have to make the choice that is going to work best for you.

Any loss is a good loss - as long as it healthly so congrats on that. Don't compare yourself to others - some lose fast, others slow. I will agree with the other post about changing up the diet or excerise to break thru a plateau. Do you log your food - if not start, you might think you are within your calorie range and find some surprises once it is in black and white. Also - to you measure out your food? Very helpful in terms of re-educating ourselfs from what we eat to what a real portion of something is.

This thread give a whole new meaning to Ticker.

I too have a bad back - had back surgery in 2006 and was feeling great for a year or two but no having issues again. Anyway - I will second what Jachut said Cardio and Core. My back surgery had me start Spring based Pilates about 4 months ago -its not excatly the most macho work out but the results on both my back and gut have been unbelieveable.

I have had the test done 3 times. I honestly dont remember the costs, as I have been pretty lucky with great insurance thru the years. I doubt there is a home test available, as they had to hook you up to machines that test your air flow, and movement as you sleep. I will second what Restlest said- as much as I hate the machine it has made a world of difference in the quality of sleep I get. I dont know about you but pre-testing I would "zone out" while I was driving which was the final straw.

I think what your feeling is pretty common. I know I went thru the whole "What kind of person I am, that I need this?" "Maybe I could diet one more time" mind -games. It seems the only thing worst then Fat Shame is getting medical help to not be fat shame. To make matters worse, I had to go back about 4 months after my first surgery for a port replacement- when the nurse asked what I was having done, she replied "you dont need that" - Don't tell me what I need! Some professional. Anyway ask yourself this- if you had high blood pressure or some other medically treatable condition - isn't medical help thought to be the smart choice??? This is no different.

Well.. I am about 2 months short of the year mark but I am going to answer anyway. Things rarely get stuck for me. When they do, it has been my own fault. I have eaten too fast or taken too big of a bite. I usually know it the moment it happens. Thankfully in 10 months I think its happened total of about 10 times - so that's not so bad. There is a lot of thought about what to eat and I struggled with that. I planned every meal for months and then I said "I cant live like this" and I tried not planning. And you know what - it was worse. I know like to think I am somewhere in the middle. I plan, and surround myself with good choices but if something come up - it does. Eating the same things: I go in phases - so weeks I am on a taco kick some weeks its yogurt. But I dont think that would be any different with or without the band. I will say that I eat things now that I wouldn't have touch pre-band. I dont know why but I do. I was worried about my love of good food. But honestly, our love as grown deeper as I have slowed down to actually taste what I am eating. Does it get easier? After 30+ years of dieting and failure this feels like a piece of cake ..... dark choc with fudge ....and ice cream (kidding) The biggest changes are the mental- by far. But with time - greatness. At this rate, I should reach greatness about a week after I die!

Ok ... am I the only dork who thought to themselves last night "Damn I wish I had taken a picture each week so I could do one of those cool picture morf sildeshows"

I believe it is a surgery requirement not an insurance company mandated thing. There is a medical reason but I can't remember at this point what it was. If I remember correctly, I was put out for it. But my throat did hurt like hell for a day or two after. No one says to themselves - hey today I think I will go get a medical test for the fun and pain of it. But saying this is a "deal breaker" Really??? Assuming you went ahead with the band - the pain the day or so after is way worse then the Endo pain. But the up side can be out of this world. Assuming you didn't get the band you end up with the long term pain and health risk assoicated with being overwieght. Seems to me like no matter how you slice it there is some pain involued.

I had the same thing and I couldn't stand completely upright without pain (I was slightly angled). My regular doctor was on vacation so I saw his partner who said it was fine, 3 weeks later when I saw my doctor he said it was infected. And the port had to come out because it was now damaged. Point being - have you're doctor check it out. Its worth the visit.

I appealed Aenta. The denial letter was simply said I did not meet the requirements. I got the appeal requirements and appealed Aenta and filled an appeal with the state insurance department. It turned out that they were missing paperwork, which I had sent in. So appeal. Check the facts and date for an appeal to your state insurance department. I remember at least in NY, there being an reason to appeal both the Aetna and the state insurance department at the same time. I think it had to do with the number of days for Aenta's vs the time you had to file with the state.