blklab70

Here is a good one, my boss said that I was losing the "easy way"! Ha! Easy! That just shows you the world has no idea what we are going through. I also hear about the aunt, uncle, friend of a second cousins hair dresser who had it done and threw up all the time or gained the weight back etc. I just let it roll off. I know from all the stories here that this is good stuff and it works as well as you are willing to invest in it. I know that if I did not have it I would say to myself that I can have that apple pie or shake because I did a mile on the treadmill. So for me, this is what I needed to save my life. Yup, I choose the easy way! LOL

I just got my bill and it was $44,000, but have great insurance so I only had to pay $250. Anyway you can get private insurance and wait a couple of months???

Tap, thanks. I do have three black labs (Rookie, Tonka and the puppy Gunner), my passion!!! Ok, so I am working out and increasing every week. Yesterday I did 2 miles on the "bike" in the morning and then did 3/4 mile on the treadmill at night. Son of a gun, I lost 2 pounds! Wow, you think there is something to this exercise thing? Next week I will start doing one mile on the treadmill then maybe trying the hills and valleys program the following week. It is hard! But you know when I get done I feel like I have done something huge and I am so proud of myself.

I purchased a scale that is digital and shows every part of a pound, so if I lose a point I am happy because I can see a loss. The old scale I had only showed whole pounds and it was so disheartening. I get so excited at .1 pounds lost that I work harder and today I was down 2 pounds from yesterday! I also made a calander so I keep track of the pounds lost for the week and then for the month. It really helps to see what has happened and the progress. At the end of each month is a place to put the grand total weight lost. Because I am so into this, I also keep track on a daily basis of what I weigh. Yup, for me it was that digital scale. The one I have is the glass one from Curves (you can buy it from Avon), only runs about $40. I love it! Keep on working out and best of luck.

Thanks nazzy! A couple of years ago I had a very bad infection from my gallbladder and the doctor had to make several cuts in my stomach to let the infection drain and did not numb me at all. It hurt so bad! I just think about that and I get scared of the fill needle hurting too. I just love to hear that you did not hurt, that gives me hope! Thanks!!

This is the best thread I have seen! Thank you so much. I am banded just one month tomorrow so this is a thread that is so important to inspire me. I have lost 32 since Dec but not very much since my band. It is now starting to come off but slowly. I will get my first fill on the 23. I am scared! Whosyadaddy you are doing so great! Thank you and I would love to see your whole story, do you have it posted anywhere? You are so awesome to share! Thank you all!!!

Welcome! This is the best decision you have made, it was for me anyway. I decided in Dec 2008 that this is what I wanted to do. Insurance approved in less than two weeks. I saw DR WETTER for the first time on 22 Dec 2008 and between that date and my visit in Jan I did all the pre testing with the shrink and nutritionist. I was banded on 10 Feb 2009. I am so excited about this journey and the changes that I am going through. I am still having trouble with drinking enough water and not drinking with my meals, but I am working on that. My insurance paid for the whole thing except for $250 which I had to pay the hospital. I even had a private room! Be sure you ask lots of questions and search here for any you may have. The people here are the best! They have always given me great advise and are there to support you. Glad to have you joining us!

I have been on the treadmill everyday and change the amount of time and the speed each day. Today I did 1/2 mile at 2.6 mph. Tomorrow I may due 3/4 mile at 1.6 mph, just depends on how I feel. I read somewhere that if you don't do the same thing everyday you lose better. Also, they said that you should go fast and slow in your work out but when going fast do it really hard for a min or something like that. I am hoping to start working on the hills and valleys on the treadmill in a week or two. Now won't that be fun? I was banded on Feb 10th and so exercise for me is new.

As I recall the choices were Obama, and an exPOW who wanted to keep my son in a war that we are not winning. HUMMMMMMMMMM, guess I did right voting for Obama. First time in my life I have voted dem, but I am happy with his work so far. Come on, give the guy a chance. Another four with Bush? That would never have happened, too many of us Rep would never vote for him again. As for the bail outs, I could sure use some of that money! How can I open a bank?

If you are diabetic make sure you look at the sugars. Slim Fast has tons of sugar so I had to stop taking that one. I now use the protein powder from Costco. Runs about $30 here in CA, but it is worth it. Very high in protein and not too bad tasting, at least I like it. I blend it in the Magic Bullet with ice and milk. Makes a nice milk shake. Remember you can add any flavor extracts too so you can experment with your shakes. I tired one made from hemp and it was just aweful. The GNC protein powder is good also and you can get it unflavored so you can really have fun with extracts. Good luck, it is a wonderful journey so far for me.

oregondaisy, that is the best I have read, very informative to those of us who are new. I was banded on 10th, so no fill yet. Now I will chew, chew, chew for sure. I guess I will post a train for my tracker to remind me to chew,chew,chew! Now, I have a question. I have lost 32 since I first went to the doctor on 22 Dec 2008. But now it seems just really hard to lose. Will the weight lose start again once the band is tight or am I just wanting too much too soon? I live in CA we want everything quick! LOL Thanks!

I am really excited about this. I will sure let you know if I can make it. We usually take the dogs (we have three black labs)to the dog park in Morgan Hill on Saturdays but if I don't promise them then they won't miss it! LOL

This is wonderful news! I will see if I can attend that day. It is so nice to have a group this close to me, I am in Gilroy. How many attend? I am very excited to have this support of local people who understand our way of life (we know we are different, we are from Cali) LOL!

I was banded on 10 Feb 2009. The best decision I have made and would recommend it to everyone. Ok, well not everyone! If you have your head together and you want it for the right reasons not because someone else wants you to do it, then it will work. Someone wiser than I said it so well, food does not taste as good as thin feels. I have lost 32 since 22 Dec 2008 and have a long ways to go, but that just feels so good to have lost 32 pounds! Yup, you need to seriously look into it, it is easy to do, recovery is quick and the support from all the people here is the best! Good luck, keep us posted.

I am newly banded too, 10 Feb 2009, but I have been on protein shakes since 22 Dec 2008. I use them for a breakfast meal replacement. Put some ice in the Magic Bullet and get it really fine, like snow, add a scoop of unflavored protein powder, a cup of milk and a sugar free Instant Breakfast, blend it all up and run out the door. I drink it on my comute and I am not hungry till about noon. I will keep doing that till I get really tired of them, which is not going to be soon. It is like starting your day with a chocolate milk shake! Yum! A man who has lost over 100 in a year told me he gets the Banana protein and the Chocolate protein and mixes them for breakfast. He says they are very very good. I am going to GNC this weekend to get that.

I was a big chicken when I took mine off. I used Avon Skin So Soft and just worked them off! I hate pain and that was just such an easy pain free way. I guess I should change my name to big chicken (big bird is already taken).

I was banded on 10 Feb and I am feeling great. I have a throbbing once in awhile, but nothing that I can not live with. I am still on liquids for another week then start the mushies. I think that sore feeling around the port is normal it seems we are all going through it. If you are concerned that something is wrong, please call your doctor. I am sure they will not be upset and they have heard it all before. I even had my 70 pound puppy jump in my lap lastnight and I did not feel hurt by it. I get hungry once in awhile, but then you have to remember that this is a new journey and you have to retrain your thinking about food. Your relationship with food needs to change. I also find that if I drink something, crystal light or something, it helps. Best of luck!

apples2, that is the best! I just can not wait to have the same news to share. congrats!!!!

I did not get staples either. They "glued" the skin then put a sticky sticky tape over it. Or maybe that is how the glue it, I don't know. It healed really nice and pretty quick. Shaggs, you made me laugh! Thanks!

I am feeling so good! This was such a great decision and I am glad to be where I am right now. 32 pounds down since my first visit with the doctor. Now here is my question for everyone. I am having a throbbing pain off and on where my port is. Nothing bad, but I feel it for sure. Anyone else have this happening?

Indiogirl, you are awesome! What wonderful support you are to everyone. I was banded on 10 Feb 2009, not too long ago. From my first appointment in Dec till today I have lost 25 pounds. No pre-op diet, but I did start on protein shakes on my own. I am still on liquids till I see my doctor on Monday. this is the best decision I have made. I feel great! Having the support of people on this thread has helped me so much by seeing what you have gone through. If you can lose below your goal, then why can't I? Ok, then I will set that to be my goal, going below my goal! LOL I am now working out on the treadmill but only up to 10 mins a day at 2 MPH. Ok, don't laugh, it is a start. The first time I got on there the dogs sat there and watched me, I know they were laughing! Anyway, thanks!

The IV was the thing that worried me the most and the dr who put it in was so good I did not even feel it. The next morning after my xray they took it out and let me have something to eat, ok, to drink! LOL As for shoulder pain, I did not have any and the RN told me most people here don't. I too had the pain in the middle of my chest, but it was kind of like heartburn pain not a real pain. After I walked it went away. So, like everyone says, do that walking and you will be just fine.

When I could not sleep I would count the months and what I should weigh on the first day of that month. It was so fun and I always feel to sleep before I got totally skinny!

I was banded on the 10th. I was able to sleep on my stomach in two days, walking on treadmill in three days. I did not drive till one week, but that is because we live in the country and it is a long drive to go anywhere. I just stayed home and enjoyed doing nothing! Best of luck. This is the best decision I have made.

Imhopeful - That is such great news for you! I too am type 2, I was banded on the 10th of Feb and have not had any shots for 8 days now. My morning sugars are nearing 120 now, going lower everyday. My doctor says I can adjust my meds as I need to so I don't go too low. I would much rather pop a pill than do those darn shots! Have lost 8 pounds in last 10 days. I will take that even if it is not exactly what I would like, heck, better than if I had just lost 5 pounds! Good luck to everyone, this is something I am glad I did. I am even wearing a pair of black jeans today that I could not fit into when I bought them. Once I shrink out of them I will get rid of them, not holding onto anything that I no longer can wear. That makes more room in my closest to buy more clothes!!!!