TracyinKS

I don't like the Protein powder (choc/van) but I can take the clear drinks...... but mainly the grape frost.... The green one I could not stomach.. (I bought the variety pack and wished I could trade them in for the flavors I could stomach)

My docs self pay price is 16.5K with one year of fills and aftercare. Denver is about the least expensive place in the states to get a band, there is a huge thread in the Doctors section of happy customers. I had researched options prior to insurance and if it had been me, my options were Denver, and also Tallgrass Surgical Center in Topeka KS for around 11K (at the time) Denver is a quick flight from Kansas City, and Topeka would of been a 60 minute drive........ My sister has been in contact with a cordinator from Mexico and she was quoted around 7K for their package...... Also, remember if your BMI meet the Obese category, you can write it off on your taxes and or use a FLEX SPENDInG ACCOUNT for part of it. (Where you take pretax money out of your paycheck) my employer allows us to divert up to 5K into an FSA, then we are issued a Visa debit card to swipe at doctors, dentists, vision, and even Walmart for Over the counter stuff........... I used my Flex to pay all my deductibles and the co-insurance plus more... Also some people take a loan out of their 401K, or a HELOC on their house........ GOOD LUCK

Good Morning! NO Onederland today....... scale bounced back up to 202 grrrrrrrrrr (I had the camera sitting on the bathroom sink ready to go) JINX I did eat more yesterday than I have been... so actually I think I won't get an unfill. We got about 2 inches of fresh snow and its still snowing...... my truck (even in 4wheel slid through two stop lights, because there is a nice ice layer under the snow) the lights in question are both on the middle of a hill and I was on the down hill slide..... this is the most snow we've had in years so the city was not ready. Its Friday and we pick up the boys tonight.... the house is a huge mess because I have done nothing but come home from work, fix dinner, give Robby his bath and then go to bed by 8:00 p.m. (I have a head cold, and the meds knock me out for the night) Have a great day!

Congrats SADES!

Go find Audrey (Babygotback) she uses it.

I lost 19 lbs on the pre op liquid diet... a diet that I put myself on, as my doc did not require it of me........ I also lost before my first fill........WHY? because I was mentally in diet mode, and ready for the change...... because I have lost 70 lbs 3 times and 0-30 lbs more times than I can count...... drop in the bucket... as I am an expert dieter........ my problem is MAINTENENCE....... which is why I chose the band.... the maintenence factor. I know I can lose this weight, but keeping it off will be my real challenge. Also....... when I've lost before it was a daily struggle.. a fight within myself to stay on plan....... I put myself on and stuck to a low carb diet until my fills started kicking in and now I do it because I am no longer hungry....... and with the level of restriction I have now, I couldn't eat a piece of pizza even if I wanted to....... straight dieting wouldn't prevent this and I would of jumped off the wagon by now or feeling guilty from jumping off the wagon for the holidays........ You will hear this over and over again.......... the band is merely a TOOL........ a TOOL to HELP you stick to your plan. The plan you set in motion is merely up to you.

awesome post Barb! My tendancy to be complacent is WHY I CHOSE THE BAND! If I get to where I'm eating too much.. I will run not walk to my doc and get a fill! Getting under 174 will be my true test... as I don't remember a time that I was under that weight..........EVER

I think you will lose back and side fat.... I can wear smaller bra's now but it is mainly the fat loss in those areas.... I have a Victoria Secret underwire push up shaper and HOLY COW it takes my flabby boobs and REALLY makes them stand at attention...... DH REALLY likes it

2008 will be your year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was me April 1st........... Miserable, Swollen, Sad, I didn't even have the will to do my hair or makeup........ Then this is me last week............ Feeling good, rings are fitting, eyes have gotten back their sparkle. This is my wish for you............... getting back your sparkle. I had no idea I looked so sad before...... YOU ARE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON AN AMAZING JOURNEY!

You will make it.............. very liquidy sf pudding, tomatoe soup made with milk, sf popsicles, egg drop soup... anything that you can puree.

CONGRATS DAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who's probalby not reading this because he and DSW are doing the horizontal bandster bop! Gotta luv the bands

Oh and what I tell people.......... Since I'm eating 1/2-1 cup of food 3 times a day.. what I eat MUST BE QUALITY NOT CRAP........... protien/nutrient packed... but know this I am not a perfect bandster.... ice cream goes right through and I've been known to eat a blizzard now and again..... (but I get a kids size instead of a Large)

What a person can eat is largely YMMV! For instance Refried Beans early on sent me to the floor... my system didn't like them yet most people use them as a mainstay early on. I had a meeting with a nutritionist required by my insurance, but she and I got into an argument until finally I just started nodding my head so she would sign the dang letter! (Long story) but each doc even varies on what they require... My doc let me have coffee while in the hospital, and he gives back diet soda after the first 6 weeks........ some say you must give it up forever..... again YMMV.. Sometime the carbonation bubbles make me feel uncomfortable and drinking my once beloved dt. dr pepper is a waste of time.. but other times it goes right down....... ymmv. I focus on Protein and cutting the carbs and calories come naturally because I actually forget to eat at times... ( it is weird) The band (for me) when doing its restriction job....... means that I rarely actually get hunger pains.... PURE BLISS.. a freedom from food that has never happened....... but wrapping your head around it is a whole different enchilada.

Here you go!

Isopure GRAPE frost is about the only one I could drink easily... I like these Protein Slams (bullets) also found at GNC... they are like Jello shots of protien... easy to slam down and have your protein... Also... while your at GNC you might pick up the OHYeah wafers they are seriously delicious (kind of like a dry kit kat) but they work for me even at tight restriction and have lower carbs/sugar and a lot of protein. What I usually do is find a product in store and then if I like it go on line to order in bulk using promo codes .... GOOD LUCK!

CONGRATS! 2008 here you come!

Some people just don't know how to show gratitude! I swear.......... I busted my ass looking for the boys Christmas.TWO MONTHS trying to find a deal on a DS... and NOT ONE TIME DID THEY THANK ME... it was all.......... THANKS DAD! THANKS DAD!!!!! oh well....... moms get overlooked so often. :eek: I am on my second glass of SF orange drink (CL wannabe)

Nancy: I have a little card that my docs office gave me to show restraunts. They don't have to honor it, but most do. Most times I just order alacarte. Laura: There will be more candy...... get rid of it.. today is CUT THE CRAP DAY! :eek: I just got back from lunch with the sisters.......... I had a bowl of veggie beef soup (mainly broth) and SF bananna pudding... a spoon of mashed taters with chicken gravy...... it was nice because I was eating and it wasn't really noticable that I hardly had anything..... and I am ful. WWJD!

drinking orange off brand crystal light............... yeah me

oh heck.............. one of the sisters invited me to lunch in their dinning room.......... CRaP! it is nice, but they get charged per person and even if I just eat soup.... it costs them an entire person. (they don't know about my little silicone fist) Terry: great to hear from you........... I was getting worried. OK.. time for some water!

CLOSE CALL TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First step onto the scale read 199.2 lbs I was so dang excited that I hopped off to fetch my camera, and much to my dismay when I hopped back on........... it settled on 201.2 grrrrrrrrr so off and on again.......... the same 201.2 lbs! I am soooo close.. I am going to push water today and TRY to get there before New Years! ONEderland here I come!!!!!!!!!!!

I love feeling mine just under my skin, especially when I'm laying flat.......... makes me feel skinny! :eek:

Steve: Yes......... Dr. Malley is my doc as well! He is extremely quiet and layed back.......... He is very good, and so is his staff.

First CONGRATS on making a decision! Second.. attend several seminars and take your hubby to at least ONE of them.. I know this helped mine understand it much better. They get freaked out because its human nature to resist change and if he is like mine... they wanted to know how it would affect HIM. It is mentally hard for HIM to see me eat so little, but he is getting used to it. It is Mentally hard to go into a buffet and pay $15 for a cup of Soup...... but YOU WILL GET OVER IT, because you are full and not feeling deprived of food. That is the best feeling ever......... to be FULL.. to FORGET to eat! freaking amazing...... Pre Band we would go out for mexican......... I would eat: 1 basket of chips and salsa 1 order of chicken fahita's with extra shells and whatever was left on my sons plate. plus at least 3 glasses of diet coke NOW: 1 or 2 chips w/ salsa 1 crunchy taco OR 1 cup of chicken tortilla soup PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome To Bandland!!!!!!!!!!!!!