scodwyer

It really does help reading everyone's comments. I was so motivated I took my teenage daughter to the gym ! We began on the treadmill and then did a full 2 set of weights. I never wanna exercise but I always feel good both emotionally and physically afterwards. And now that my daughter is old enough to work out with me, she kept me going when I wanted to stop after the treadmill. We have made a commitment to go 5 times per week. I am gonna be sore tomorrow but that's a good thing! Thanks everyone!

I too am on Medicaid. I go to Dr. Vitelli at Highland Park Hosp in Downers Grove. You are in and out in 15 minutes, he gives liberal fills, and Medicaid pays for fluoroscopy. He charges 150 cash or 100 cash without fluoroscopy. You might call him to see if he will give a discount since you are on Medicaid. He is wonderful and treats many patients who have had there band done in Mexico. His number is 312996-2077 and his email is jvituic@comcast.net. Tell him susan o'dwyer recommended you! Keep me posted...

Hi CarrieLynn! I can only say for me, that it is my fault it is not going quicker. I seldom exercise and I am quite sure that I have a slow metabolism. It sure would be great to reach my goal by my 1 year date (8-1-10), but I must be realistic. I am setting a goal of 5lbs per month beginning today. I would love to be below 160 by that date! As far as I am concerned, any weight loss is great, and I honestly believe that the slower it comes off, the less likely I am to regain. Keep me updated!

Hi ALL! Just checking to see how everyone is doing. I have not been following any plan really and have lost a total of 35lbs. I am still satisfied because without this surgery I would probably have gained that much weight by now! My bmi is 28.8 and am relieved that I am now in the overweight category. I know I eat more than 1 1/2 cups per sitting. Here are some of the foods I can no longer eat because my band won't allow it : Calamari, ground beef, flour tortillas, bread (most bread products) chewy veges, rice, sushi (I really miss this one!)...I don't really like sweets but I do love flavored yogurt, which I can still eat. I tend to eat alot of soups. I don't enjoy meat so much anymore. It is too much trouble to get it down. I think one of the main reasons I am still losing is just the fact that I have had to cut out much of the starch that I used to eat. I don't do diet sodas anymore, just Water with a lemon wedge or diluted propel, which I love. What have you guys had to cut out food wise?

Hi ALL! Just checking to see how everyone is doing. I have not been following any plan really and have lost a total of 35lbs. I am still satisfied because without this surgery I would probably have gained that much weight by now! My bmi is 28.8 and am relieved that I am now in the overweight category. I know I eat more than 1 1/2 cups per sitting. Here are some of the foods I can no longer eat because my band won't allow it : Calamari, ground beef, flour tortillas, bread (most bread products) chewy veges, rice, sushi (I really miss this one!)...I don't really like sweets but I do love flavored yogurt, which I can still eat. I tend to eat alot of Soups. I don't enjoy meat so much anymore. It is too much trouble to get it down. I think one of the main reasons I am still losing is just the fact that I have had to cut out much of the starch that I used to eat. I don't do diet sodas anymore, just Water with a lemon wedge or diluted propel, which I love. What have you guys had to cut out food wise?

Thanks! You too! I was beginning to think I was all alone out there! Nice to know someone still is fighting the good fight!:thumbup:http://www.lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/default%20smilies/smile.gif

Anyone still out there? It is slow going for me but atleast I am not gaining. I need to try harder! It is difficult to break lifelong habits. If you still watch this board, let me know how you are doing!

I seem to have broken this plateau, but I will check the scale in 1 week. Right now, I am committing to exercising 5 out of 7 days. I have a vacation planned in June and I am determined to get to my goal...I need all of the encouragement that I can get. Is anyone still following this thread? If so, please let me know your goal and what you want or have to do to meet it!

Am stuck at the moment. Seem to be in a slump and have not exercised in 3 days. I relapsed , went to Mcdonalds, orders a quarter pound cheeseburger and medium shake. To my relief, my body won't accept them anymore. I have realized that it is extremely unpleasant to attempt to eat beef, especially ground, so I only had 3 small bites b/f giving it to my son. And as for the shake, I had about 4 sips before realizing I did not want it. I think one of the tremendous benefits of having this surgery has been this: Even though my mind sometimes (less now) craves these unhealthy foods, I can no longer do it. I only began exercising last week, but before that, I only began to watch what I eat a month ago. I began at 208lbs and am now at 182. Could I have done better? YES! Am I going to beat myself up about it? NO! I have done too much of that my whole life. I am just thankful I am still progressing slowly and don't intend to give up.

Wow! You must feel great! But where is you picture?:thumbup::thumbup:

Wow! You must feel great! But where is you picture?:thumbup::thumbup:

Wow! You must feel great! But where is you picture?:thumbup::thumbup:

Wow! You must feel great! But where is you picture?:thumbup::thumbup:

44LBS! That is great! I have lost 25 and believe it or not, am happy with that. I guess I am the 1 lb a week person. I don't know what the sweet spot is. Maybe we have not been banded long enough to have that. I have had only 2 fills. After my 2nd fill this month, I could not eat solids for 1 week and threw up alot if I tried. Now, there are things I avoid, like chewy foods, hard foods, and bread products. No matter how much I want to eat them, I can never keep them down and they make me miserable. I honestly think that just cutting that out has made me lose weight without really trying. But, since it has been so slow, I am now going to the gym. I have gone 3 times this week and my goal is 5-6 times per week, NO EXCUSES. I will be pretty interested when I weigh myself next week how much I have hopefully lost. I am 50 years old and I know my metabolism slows down every year so this is really not an option for me. This is what I try to do to curb my appetite. I try to have a cup of soup (could be vegetable, tomato, broth, or anything that is low in fat/calories) 30 minutes before 1-2 meals a day. This fills me up therefore I do not eat as much at a meal. You can also have fiber rich foods: think apples or vegetables. What this does for me is it allows me to go without getting hungry or feeling deprived , which would set me up for overeating. Keep up the good work!

Yes.. Dr Joseph Vitello gives me fills at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. He is great! ILLINOIS Dr. Joseph Vitello 312-996-2037

I am happy to post I have lost another 2 lbs. I am aiming for 2 lbs for week as a goal. I have found that if I do not set goals, I slip from the path. I have been watching the biggest loser. I have watched it for several years now, and even though I don't think it is realistic , I find it inspiring and I weigh myself after the episode. It makes me feel like I am a contestant.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Maybe you need another fill? Too me, you have lost weight and that is good. I cannot compare myself to others as I find I always seem to get disappointed! Hang in there!:tt1:

I am glad I helped someone! I hope we get some more replies, not matter what. It helps me to see other people on this thread are still in the game. A status report from all following this thread would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I must admit that I have not followed the suggested diet plan after surgery...I thought that there was n way I could lose weight...To my amazement I got on the scale and since my surgery, I have lost 21 pounds. That is 4 lbs a month, which is slow, but guess what?! I now know that if I try, I can lose may 2x that much. If not, I will lose no matter what I do. I think the slower I lose, the better chance I keep it off. I have not exercised at all. Tomorrow , I will begin exercising at the YMCA... TBC...

Boy, what a difference a fill makes! I had gained some of the weight back that I had lost and now I am back to my original weight loss. It does not take much to fill me up but I have found that at the beginning I was not chewing well enough, so I had some pbs. I have also found I cannot eat spinach dip anymore which I love! (I guess because the spinach is too stringy and I cannot chew it well enough! My goal is to have a 2lb weight loss per week so I hope I can stick to it!

Tonya, I can tell you that honestly in general I have found that many doctors in the US are prejudice against patients who decide to have lapband surgery in Mexico. For some, it is a matter of economics, for others it is misinformation and dare I say racism. I live in the Chicagoland area and I experienced the later when attempting to get my first fill. It is shameful to be price gauged just because you tell them you had surgery outside of the US! Before deciding to have surgery in Mexico, I called around and thought I had found an acceptable bariatric center to do my fills and an acceptable price. After coming home, having a great experience, I then called to schedule my fill. I hand delivered my xrays plus my operation report. After 2 weeks, and several calls, they jacked the price up 3 times what I was originally quoted! They made some pretty discriminating comments about Mexican surgeons, which even more lessened my opinion of them. I found a great doctor from the U of I that does my fills now . My doctor had much more experience (4000 surgeries) than other surgeons in my area, but because as one bariatric center told me, " because you did not have surgery with us and especially since you had it in Mexico, our fill rates are higher." Well, it is good to shop around: she quoted $950 for a fill plus initial consult, but I received a fill for $150.00 from another Chicagoland doctor. Not all doctors are alike. Ultimately, you need to do your homework and research and talk to real patients. The surgeon you have chosen has a great reputation , and just remember, just because they don't reside in this country, doesn't mean they are leSss capable or caring. Susan

I had the same problem ,except they wanted more! I was told one amount before I went to Mexico to have my lapband, then the bait and switch came! They jacked the price up to just under $1000.00!!! I was furious and found Dr Joseph Vitello who charges $150 for fill and does the flouroscopy @ Good Samaritan hospital in Downers Grove ($125.00). I live in Des Plaines, and the suburban clinic in Hoffman Estates was just looking to punish any patient that got their procedure done in Mexico and pretty much was biased from the very beginning. That is NOT the type of doctor or clinic that I would support. There is no reason to support any clinic or doctor that treat people like that.

Hello everyone, I just got back from having my first fill. I honestly did not feel any pain whatsoever. He filled 2cc of a 4cc band. I am so glad because now I will have real restriction and can begin losing again. I hope everyone is doing well!

To tell you the truth, after healing right now I don't feel any restriction and cannot wait until my first fill...I am trying to not gain back the weight I lost since my surgery . I know it will be ok when I get my first fill. Try going back to liquids if you can.

All you have to do is just click on someone's ticker and it will bring you to the website so you can create your own. Good luck! Susan:rolleyes::thumbup: