okiechick

the 29th will be my second year anniversary. I still say that the band is the best thing that I have done for myself. I started with 250 lbs., in size 22 and now I am at 143-145 fitting into size 8. It feels great, but now I really have to watch myself, because I find myself falling into the old way of eating the wrong stuff. Example: my love for ice cream. Have to fight the craving for it.

I can now paint my toe nails without having someone else do them, because I can reach the darn things. My Grand daughter called me her big Nana one time and now she calls me her little Nana. I can now go up stairs without huffing and puffing. 2 pounds from goal in 14 months.

I miss my salads. I love and even crave a salad, but my band will not tolerate it. I am hoping when I reach my goal and loosen my band a small amount that I can eat it again. I can only hope.. It has been a year since I have had one.

Hi Catherine: First let me say your picture is so cute. I believe it is a Maltese? I have two Maltese and they are both spoiled rotten. Back to the post I too am loving it. I have lost 73 pounds since August 29. It doesn't seem like much, but my goal was to lost only 90 lbs. Therefore, I am close to my original goal, but I believe I am almost to where I need to be. I started out at 230 and now down to 157 and wearing a size 8. I love the new sizes and the confidence I am gaining by losing all the weight. I LOVE MY BAND!!!!!!!:wink2:

HIGH FIVE to you. Great Job!!!!! Doesn't it feel great to meet a goal.:mad2: Keep it up......... You should be very proud of yourself:w00t:

Yes I do sometimes. I was a very avid soda drinker. Should have belong to CA (Coke Anamonis (ms)). lol.... However, I have not had one since August 08. I do miss it sometimes, but now it is better. I HATE Water and use a water flavoring in my water. I am doing okay. I have had three very small sips of coke and it was sooooooo good. I was advised by my doctor to not drink carboninated drinks of any kind. I miss it, but I don't have to have it now.

Thanks for the receipe. I will definitely try. It sounds delicious!!!!

Hey Girl! My insurance does not pay for anything that has to do with weight lost for any reason. So therefore I am also self-pay and could not afford what the price was going to cost me here. I went to Mexico and would do it again. It ended up costing me 7,000.00 + airline tickets for me and my husband. I did go into debt for the money, but it was worth it. I now know several people where I live in Oklahoma that has also go to Mexico and they would not done any different now. I got great care there and had wonderful doctor and nurses. They treated my husband great and he was allowed to stay with me the whole time. They even brought him food so that he did not have to leave the hospital. The hospital was so clean, modern, and very up to date. Dr. Rod was great and answered all the questions I had and there was not language barriers. I was able to find a fill doctor that does a great job. I found him through a threat on this website. The doctor I use is in Dallas and he is great. You can get a lot of support and get answers to most of your question. This is a great site!!!! I hope this helps.

I love my band!!! I was banded in August 08 in Mexico. I read all of your post, but I don't post very often. Everyone here seem so knowledgeable about the band. However, I have to share: I have reach the 50lbs gone. In fact, it is 53 and I can finally get into a 12 and sometimes a 10. I was in a 20 to 22. I know I didn't have as far as some of you have had to, but it sure feels good. I said I wasn't going to buy any new clothes until I lost it all, but I had to break down to buy a few, because the hubby said my clothes were hanging off of me. He was right! They were. That is how I found out what size I had gotten to. It was a great feeling and a surprise. Thanks to everyone on here that I read so much about, because I usually find something that I can use. You are all great!

I love my band!!! I was banded in August 08 in Mexico. I read all of your post, but I don't post very often. Everyone here seem so knowledgeable about the band. However, I have to share: I have reach the 50lbs gone. In fact, it is 53 and I can finally get into a 12 and sometimes a 10. I was in a 20 to 22 I know I didn't have as far as some of you have had to, but it sure feels good. I said I wasn't going to buy any new clothes until I lost it all, but I had to break down to buy a few, because the hubby said my clothes were hanging off of me. He was right! They were. That is how I found out what size I had gotten to. It was a great feeling and a surprise. Thanks to everyone on here that I read so much about, because I usually find something that I can use. You are all great!

I believe I had lost @ 20 lbs the first two months. I was banded on the 29th of August, 08. I have now lost 43 lbs. It doesn't sound like much, but I went from 230 to 187 which was a size 20 down to a size 12 as of yesterday. I feel great and I consider it all a work in progress. I still have work to do with @ 40 more lbs to go.

I live in oklahoma and I had my band done in Mexico. The doctor that I use to do my fills is Dr. Jayaseelan in Dallas, Tx. He is great and the staff is wonderful. His office number is 972-566-2263. His clinic is the Bariatic Clinic of Dallas. They even do fills on certain Saturdays. Hope this helps. Okiechick Pam

What is the name of the Protein bullet at walmart. I don't think I have seen them, but would like to try it. However, I have used the ones at GNC. They are good, but not cheap. I don't have a GNC close to where I live, therefore, I can't get them all the time.

Hi Ella: I was banded August 29, 08. I have lost almost 40 lbs since then. This December was tough, because of all the good stuff I made and ate, but now I hope to get on track. I have had four fills and am planning to get another one this month. It really makes a different to me when I get filled. I also have food that I cannot eat. Don't know why, because there is food that I can which I thought I could not. lol.. But I am learning as I go along. I will be happy to answer any questions that you have if I know the answer, but like you have still have a few. Good luck. Pam

My day started off miserable, but you brightened up my day. You made me smile. I am 4 months out on my band and have lost 36 lbs and went from 22 to 16 and fixing to go down another size. It is great, trying on those pants that you don't think will fit, and low and behold they DO. Incredible feeling. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you too and I hope you have a great new next slim year. Pam

Hi Littlefroggy: This may not be your solution, but 99% of the time that I get stuck, especially when I first started getting my fills (I have had only 3) I am usually doing it my self, by not chewing up my food properly, too big of a bite and eating too fast. When I do what I am supposed to do, I have a easier time and have no problems. However, you may have too big of a fill. My fill doctor has his patients doing liquids for a week after a fill and I know when I don't do as he suggest. Pam

Let me try to help you with some doctors whose last name is Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a common name in Mexico. The doctor that performed my surgery is Dr. Jose V. Rodriguez in Juarez, Mexico, and NOT Arturo Rodriguez. Definitely two different doctors. You can check out the website for Dr. Rob at: www.belitemexico.com On this website, you will see actual pictures of the facilities, and I can vouch that this is the hospital I was in. You can judge for yourself. It was as new, well kept, moder, and very clean facility. My husband stayed with me every second, except in the surgery room itself. That is not any different that the U.S. He had a bed that was beside my bed and the nurses included him in on everything they were doing. You are going to have to make up your own mind. There are definitely people who are on this site that can tell horror stories, but the decision is still up to you. Do your homework. I did and that is why I went to Juarez, Mexico. One of the main reason I also chose Juarez is the cost. I have very good insurance, but it does not cover any form of bariatic procedures. Even if you are in the worst stage of obese. I could not afford the US prices, which everyone on here knows the price. I am no on Medicare or Medicade, therefore, I knew I had to go the alternate route. I had my band put on August 29, 2008 and almost 4 months and do not have any problems. I also have the card that shows the kind of lap band, the style, the total number of cc of the band, and the serial numbers. The band was made in the U.S. I hope this help, but again I reinaterate that you have to make your own decision and not let anyone sway you different. The only suggestion I give is DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!

I had my surgery on August 29, 08 by Jose Rodriguez in Juarez, Mexico. Dr. Rod, the hospital staff, and the hospital were great. He answered every question I had before the surgery. The hospital has modern, up to date equipment, and the hospital was very clean. The nursing staff was great and some of the nurses also worked in the hospital across the border in the U.S. I left with xrays, surgery report, and any other information need for my fills in the U.S. My cost for the total package was $7,000.00 and was with Betalite. My facilitator was great, answered all questions and helped me with all forms. I haven't regretted going to Mexico for my banding and would do it again. Pam

Hi ladies: There is another Slim-Fast. It is for a low carb diet and has 20g of protein, 180 calories and 4g of carbohydrates. It's not bad in taste. I really like the increase in protein and it makes it easier to get the 60g per day. :rolleyes2:

I am 53, female and will be having my lap-band on the 29th of August. I am so excited, but scared at the same time. Would love to have a buddy to help. :thumbup:

Hi Florida Pete: I had my surgery in Juarez, Mexico and I do not regret it. I would do it again because I do not regret getting the band. I had my surgery on the 29th of August and I have lost 21 lbs. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. okiechick