warmmorningsun

I was self pay, $8,450 to the hospital by certified check (you go to the bank with your cash and the certified check is a guarantee from the bank that funds are adequate) and $4,500 to the MD (for one year of unlimited visits, fills, etc. - fills after a year are $50 each). I was fortunate in that my fiance gave me the money. He was concerned about my health and when I told him this is what I wanted to do he gave it to me with a smile and a kiss and said, "I'm just glad that we're going to be together for a lifetime - this will hopefully lengthen that time" (he's a sweetie). My understanding from my physician and from my insurance company (I was not covered) is that in the event a removal or emergency treatment is required, insurance will cover it. Had insurnace not covered it I KNOW I still would have done it.

we were in labor not far apart...my girl was born 12/1/01 at 11:11 am in rm 111 at a hospital located at 1111 W. Memorial. needless to say, you know her lucky number.... That story reminds me clearly that children have such clarity and I honestly think they see things we're too cynical to believe....my baby told me that to go to sleep at night she talks to Jesus. I asked her what He says to her and she said "He said to tell you that He talks to you too". And she says her guardian angel plays jokes on her and brushes her hair. I hear her giggling sometimes at night in her sleep and she murmers "silly angel"..... Who knows maybe they're more connected than we are because of their child-like faith.

you never know; just don't wait for the plumber to diagnose you. to the activia shelf with ye now! :huggie::hungry:

how about "you would be a knock out if you could lose some weight". I bet pretty much everyone has heard at least some form of that one.... The one that hurt the most was from my dad. It was unintentional I know for a fact. Because when I told him it hurt me he apologized and hugged me and said he didn't realize it would be hurtful. He's such a practical man - a farmer who has spent his life doing hard physical labor and eating healthy things from the ground, he has never had to deal with the emotions of being overweight or the emotions that I dealt with by overeating. He asked me when I told him I was getting the band "Aimee, can you just do what your sister did to lose weight? Just eat less and exercise more?" And he honestly and sincerely thought he was giving me an idea that I had not tried. He has been so supportive of me and this choice since then, but it's been out of love, not understanding. And I think this hurt most because it's my daddy.

wow, what an inspiration - that is wonderful! I am still so amazed at the rate of your loss. congratulations. :clap2:

I think that deserves a thread in itself! My finace did the same. at 305. he's been wonderful too. I did set a goal...however, it's almost immaterial to me because I just want to be "less". As in less than I am now. I've tried so hard not to push myself to unrealistic goals and not to beat myself up for cheats, etc. Some might say I'm taking it the lazy way...but I feel better about myself than I ever have. And I know on May 25 2007 (my day ) I will be happier because I'm healthier and starting a wonderful life with my guy. but...I also have the corset back...ha

I have scheduled a fill for next tuesday to hopefully get me to the sweet spot...but if this is it (where I'm at now)...I guess I'll be back. I really just wanted to know what it "felt" like because I'm having a hard time determining what exactly I'm feeling.

Maybe I need to introduce exercise (wow what a concept, huh?). I've eaten pretty much everything with portion limits, but that has included carbs. So I have lost weight, just not to the extent you have. Again, I'm really impressed with your results - wonderful! I also eat mexican once a week, usually chips and queso and bean and cheese nachos. I'm starting to think though that maybe I'm eating too much and need a fill...and I love sweet tea too! But...CONFESSION COMING UP...I'm seriously falling for M&M's still and I'm trying to say goodbye for good to those. Sorry for the rambling...

Trust me, it was one of those stories you wouldn't dare tell, but couldn't help it because it was so semi humiliating, semi hilarious. I have a friend who I could tell and she laughed so hard she cried. It was a lot more expensive than breaking down and buying activia - that's for sure! So I might try that activia...

I've lost my 5 year old! Not really, just the equivalent to her weight. I can't say that out loud for sure except here hee hee Have you exercised? What has been your "food routine"? Do you mind me asking? That is so wonderful.

rroswelltx - I just read your 'signature' - am I reading that right, you've lost 87 lbs?????? That is wonderful. How on earth! I've been away from the thread for a while and am just getting back into the swing of things, so it may have been discussed earlier and I missed it (your success). Any tips would be welcome! Barbara 465 - I will try the activia - I've really had horrible constipation - so bad I have a home insurance claim due to it.... XXX for those of you who are put off by bathroom humor, this might qualify as bathroom humor and you may not want to read further XXX Okay - my constipation has been pretty bad. Christmas eve was particularly horrible. It took considerable effort to go to the bathroom and I honestly thought I may need medical intervention... three days later, my main pipe in the house overflowed and my wood floors soaked up much Water. The culprit....you guessed it. I think the plumber's comment was "this person must be eating rocks"...... So, a $6000 claim later, I'm thinking I might want to invest in some activia!

Barbara, I'm glad you survived! Quick question: did the activia help with your constipation. I'm really having issues with that...

barbara 465 - how did your fill go? how are you feeling?

Just a quick question....what is "omnipacque"?

I made an appointment today as well for next week; I want to see if my doc can give me some insight. (novel idea, no? ) I also am rarely caught off-guard. That "golfball" feeling is that feeling of "yep, that's going to hurt" for me...it's pain, kind of like pressure. Takes my breath away a bit. And when it goes down (if it does and doesn't come back up as a PB) I can fell it kind of KERPLUNK it's way to my stomach. What is a soft stop? I've not ever heard of that before. I can't honestly say I've followed 'bandster rules' so I'm trying to follow them a little closer in hopes that I start to lose more weight. Thank you for your insight!

bump bump do tha bump

I go in spurts; 3 lbs here, nothing for 3 weeks, 3 more lbs. I don't really have an idea for what "works" to continue the weight loss. I'm kind of befuddled.:help:

I know I've not been on recently and probably should not be the one to offer advice, but my concern would be the same as what Pinkylee stated...that if you're not in optimal health, will your fill result in non-optimal results? I know I personally have changes in the 'tightness' of my band related to minor things: TOM, a cold, etc. It stands to reason that the band can react to your body and if you're not 100%, react not so well. Barbara I hope that you are able to feel better soon! And get that fill when your body is in it's ideal state. I haven't had the flapping skin yet... (notice I said YET) but I think that's due to slow weight loss. So YAY me, no flapping skin. BOOOOO me, slow weight loss. I'm not sure which is better I haven't been following 'the rules' so I'm back on track this week. Aimee

I have no clue or answer, but I wanted to take a guess....I'm assuming that the MD is eliminating any potential liability by removing the original band in the event slippage occurred due to malfunction? Like I said, just a guess.

Hi Pinky, thanks for the welcome back It has been months since I've been on; I've not really kept up my end of the 'deal' with this band, so my weight loss has been strictly without trying - which is great....IF I didn't have another 100 or so to lose! So I'm back on the wagon. My engagement was actually 6 months prior to my banding. And my sweetie loved me enough to pay for this when my insurance said no. He hasn't really had an adverse reaction to my weight loss (jealousy, esteem issues, etc). He just seems to really encourage me and I'm thankful for this man! I can't tell you how thankful I am. He's truly wonderful. Enough bragging on him (I try to any chance I can - he deserves it!). I would LOVE to go to Vegas with all of you. Timing is just off for me this year. I think it's so wonderful that the Junebies have such a supportive group here.

Hi everyone - long time no post! I have been crazy busy with life, my little girl, wedding plans, etc. I've lost right at 38 lbs...slow in my estimation...but I honestly can't say I've done what my MD said to do with this band. My new years resolution is to go back to basics...so I start tomorrow (I know, why not today?) I would love to go to Vegas, but I'm getting married May 25 and we will just be returning from our honeymoon; I don't think work will be that forgiving! So glad to see everyone doing so well

Okay, this was our summary of Junebie Locations: </O:p</I></B> Texas - 8 (Houston and Dallas areas) California – 7 (Southern CA) <B><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comTexas</st1:State><i>– 8 (Houston and Dallas areas)<O<font face=" /><st1:State w:st="on"><FONT face=Verdana>Louisiana</st1:State><FONT face=Verdana> – 2 <ST1:p<st1:City w:st="on"><FONT face=Verdana>Vancouver</st1:City><FONT face=Verdana>, <st1:State w:st="on">BC</st1:State> <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region><FONT face=Verdana> – 2 <st1:State w:st="on"><ST1:p<FONT face=Verdana>Oregon</ST1:p</st1:State><FONT face=Verdana> – 1 <st1:State w:st="on"><ST1:p<FONT face=Verdana>Washington</ST1:p</st1:State><FONT face=Verdana> – 1 <st1:State w:st="on"><ST1:p<FONT face=Verdana>Massachusetts</ST1:p</st1:State><FONT face=Verdana> – 1 <st1:State w:st="on"><ST1:p<FONT face=Verdana>Tennessee</ST1:p</st1:State><FONT face=Verdana> – 1 <st1:State w:st="on"><ST1:p<FONT face=Verdana>Nevada</st1:State><FONT face=Verdana> – 1 <st1:State w:st="on"><ST1:p<FONT face=Verdana>Arizona</st1:State><FONT face=Verdana> – 1 <st1:State w:st="on"><ST1:p<FONT face=Verdana>Delaware</st1:State><FONT face=Verdana> - 1 <st1:State w:st="on"><ST1:p<FONT face=Verdana>Indiana</st1:State><FONT face=Verdana> - 1 <st1:State w:st="on"><ST1:p<FONT face=Verdana>Virginia</st1:State><FONT face=Verdana> - 1 <st1:State w:st="on"><ST1:p<FONT face=Verdana>Arkansas</st1:State><FONT face=Verdana> – 1<O:p</O:p<O:p <FONT face=Verdana> <FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana><FONT face=Verdana>So far I think the suggestions we have for locations are Las Vegas, Chicago (to see Oprah), and, um, not sure where else....Why don’t you guys post or submit PM’s to me about suggestions and I’ll put a poll together after that so we can vote. Let’s set a new deadline to submit ideas of locations for August 31st at midnight.

Hey guys, I'm so sorry, I've had so much going on in my personal life that I haven't been back on in a few weeks. Work, school starting for my little one (pre K! *sob*), the flu (yuck). Suffice it to say things are slowing down and I'll get back on track by doing a vote. Please forgive! I'll post this weekend a list of names, etc. I have. and then we can do a vote.

sorry guys I totally flaked on putting up the vote for where we meet for 2007 bandiversary; too much going on this week;not all bad, just too much! I will work on having that up, along with a recent list of Junebies who want to participate, tomorrow. Love ya guys! Randi L, I have been thinking about you and hoping you're reaching the end of your antibiotics dosage. Hang in there, you're suffering through a temporary set back. Just keep going one day at a time until you get past that. *HUGS*

It's so hard and my parents think I"m a tree huggin freak *LOL* but I do want her to be tolerant of others. I just don't want her to judge a person based on some physical attribute or stereotype. If she meets someone and as an individual that person exhibits behavior that's disrespectful to her, I want her to take up for herself (like you said you do if someone disrespects you - that's not selfish or rotten at all). But I don't want her to meet someone and judge them because of some generalization she may make. I dont' think we can all understand each other, but I think we're obligated to TRY. And the uppity bone *LOL* that's what we call it when someone acts arrogant! Thanks so much for the complimentary post!:Banane27: