socalgal3

I've never posted a photo before cuz I am a closet bandster! Plus., I couldn't figure it out. I'm in red. This was last September.

I've heard of Glamour Shots, but I've never done it. That is a great idea though! It celebrates how far you've come and doesn't involve food! It will probably keep you motivated to see how great you look! You'll have fun in San Fran and that will be a great incentive for you to stay on track too-so you look wonderful for your brother's wedding. I'll make sure Barb has a great time in Vegas (as will all of us) for you and the others who can't join.

Are you measuring? Sometimes you are building muscle which weighs more than fat. If you are getting your calories in and exercsing, take measurements! You may find when the scale doesn't move, you have built muscle and lost inches. Also, there are plateaus along the journey. Your weight loss may stall for a few weeks and then start coming off again. If it was as easy as counting calories, none of us would be fat in the first place! haha There are many factors that play into this.

Did anyone watch him last night on Larry King? I did. Someone asked about his health. Apparently he has Hepatitis C. I do agree with assisted suicide as long as the patient is able to choose. Dr. K said he always did psych evals before conducting his procedures to ensure the patient was of sound mind. He also rejected people who he felt were not 100% sure. I definitely admire his courage.

Oh, also, if you are too tight, you may not get enough calories in causing your body to go into starvation mode. Or, you may rely too much on liquid calories and soft foods like mashed potatoes, creamy soups, etc. Those have alot of fat and calories, so weight loss will slow or stop.

I have had 2 unfills. Getting the proper amount of restriction takes some adjustment. My first fill was 1.2cc and I was too tight-not getting fluids down. My doctor tried 1 cc the second time and again I had trouble getting my fluids in. I go again in a few weeks and we will try .5cc. Everyone's body is different and there are different band sizes, so fills vary quite a bit. Some people also have to get unfilled for pregnancies, other medical concerns/procedures or by personal choice.

Yay! Best of luck Alex. We are pulling for ya!

Mine cost $3500 plus $250 for the endoscopy in Mexico. Good luck! I hope you don't require another surgery.

Glad you are doing well Regina. Your surgery is on my bandiversary-June 29. How is your weight? Are you maintaining? My minor victory this morning was that I needed caffeine and I drove through on of those little coffee huts. I was all set to order a full fat/sugar mocha with whipped cream and some pastry! I talked myself out of it and got a sugar free, fat-free coffee with no pastry. (I had a nectarine and a protein drink in my bag for breakfast anyway). Sometimes that damn head hunger demon is so big and strong! But, this morning, I WON! Have a great day everyone.

Butch- I once went to an OA meeting and this man was sharing how he put the fast food in the back seat of his car so he wouldn't eat it on the way home, but then he was reaching back to get some fries and nearly had a serious accident. That always stuck in my head because I realized what a serious addiction I had to food. Rosie O'Donnell once wrote an article in her magazine(before she went BAD-haha) about her addiction to food and she wrote it just like a drug addict and it was very good. Like the cop pulls her over and instead of alcohol on her breath and bloodshot eyes she has frosting on her face and a glazed over sugar rush in her eyes. I'm glad we decided to address our addiction and I hope we all have the strength to stay on track until the end. I see the beast trying to sneak up on me and sometimes I let him. Thanks for the wake-up call.

Good to hear from you Leece! I'm glad you are back on track and that your scare today wasn't more serious. Good thing it wasn't gallstones! I rode my stationery bike for 30 minutes, took my vitamins, got my water in today and stayed within my calories. I'm like an alcoholic-ONE DAY AT A TIME! Anyone getting themself a bandiversary gift? Mine is VEGAS! (Combination bandiversary/birthday gift)

Happy early bandiversary Julie! What are you doing for exercise? I pretty much walk or ride my stationery bike at home. I know I need to kick it up a notch.

Hey Cali friends. Anyone going to the get-together this weekend in Anaheim? Some of us are getting together at the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney at noon. I grew up in Riverside, so I live in San Diego. Down about 60 pounds in 11 months. Just saying HEY!

I am sorry to hear about your brother Poodles. Let's hope he is on the fast track to recovery. Congrats on your bandiversary(a day early). I know you aren't where you hoped you'd be, but 28 pounds is a big improvement. Try walking around with two 14 pound bowling balls for about 10 minutes and you'll realize that! My last day of school is June 15 and I SO cannot wait! I think the stress of being at work definitely adds to my stalling. I usually lose weight during summer break, so let's hope I do this year as well. I hope some long lost Junebees come back to post foir their bandiversaries. Melissa-you look great! Can't wait to meet you in person in Vegas(17 days baby!) I've been good today- a protein shake for breakfast and a frozen meal for lunch. I need to get motivated for exercise! I think I can, I think I can!

I am so sorry the appeal was denied. Keep fighting! We are all sending good vibes your way that the insurance realizes this is a replacement and therefore necessary. I can only imagine the frustration and disappointment, but you really seem so strong and I know whatever happens will be for the best in the end. Maybe your dream was prophetic....you are able to have a meal instead of surgery! Hang in there!

I thought you were going for the VG band? Can I ask what made you choose this one? It sounds smaller? Sorry, just curious.

Cascavel- I think the thread is called Super-sized bandsters or something. Hopefully you can find the answers to your questions there. Fay- You really didn't give enough information for us to help you. 31 pounds in 5 months sounds pretty darn good to me! That is 6 pounds a month. You should expect to lose 1-2 pounds a week, so you are on the right track. What is your fill level? What was your starting weight? Are you exercising? Did you have comorbidities at the time of surgery? Only you can decide if the band was a waste of time and money for you. I hope you begin to feel better about your weight loss and the band.

My slip symptoms were: back pain, not being able to eat solids, having trouble getting liquids down and bad heartburn. The only sure way to tell if your band has slipped is to have your doctor check it under fluoro. I had to pay $3500 for the revision surgery in Mexico, plus $250 for the endoscopy. Good luck Myra! I'm thinking positive thoughts that your band has gone back into place.

Hey! Where is everyone? We are all approaching our bandiversaries and we need to get motivated to get rid of those final pounds! I have been slacking big time! I may go for a fill on the 6th or 18th. I haven't decided yet. I am excited for VEGAS!!! I'm off for the summer starting June 16 til Aug. 20, so without the stress of work, I am determined to exercise and eat better. I have been good about my water and not drinking soda. I have been avoiding coffee too because I think it was irritating my pouch. Post and let us know how you are!!

I went alone to Mexico for my surgery and had no problems. Feel free to PM me with any specific questions.

How nerve wracking! You have such a great attitude. I check the thread frequently to see your news! Congrats on the 6 pound loss! Keep that momentum going. I have no fill right now and I was up to 190 from my low of 181. But I have avoided the scales the past few days! I'll probably get a small fill of .5 in a few weeks. Keep the faith.

Your doctor should have instructed you to eat 1/2- 1 cup of food per meal. When was your last fill? Are you have any other issues such as heartburn, sore throat or back pain? I would recommend going in for a fill if it has been awhile. Have your doctor check your pouch under fluoroscopy if possible. Then they can see if you have stretched your pouch or caused a slip. Best of health!

I agree with most of your post, but I can't agree that if you gain weight back you don't "deserve" the band. There are several people who have lost their band to complications or have been unsuccessful for a variety of other reasons and I don't think they should be blamed or meant to feel like they didn't deserve the band. I know some people "eat around" the band or don't follow the rules, but there are many who just don't succeed with the band, despite their true effort. PS-I haven't lost any friends due to the band, but I have had people act differently towards me since I'm not the jolly fat girl anymore. I don't think I act different, but maybe I do and that bothers them. I try to be the same person.