ladykcusa

Phyl - My PT advised (regarding gym workouts) -- because of knee replacement on degenerative joint disease in hip -- low resistance and high repetition on bike and elliptical. She assured me weight loss will not be affected. But - even if it is affected - at 67 yrs young - I can't live with the pain of aggravated joints (new or old). Congrats on getting back to the gym for both of us.

Arlene - Queen for the Day Congratulations, my friend. Correction re: My doctors fees. I rechecked today and a fill is $130 (whether doc or assistant administers it) and appt w/o fill is $65. We discussed my decision to move slowly and he advised (and added) .5cc. He is very happy with my progress (average 7 lbs a month) and I need not return for 5 weeks. yippee P.S. I showed him my baggy underwear and he confirmed the scale does not always reflect all the success. Sure I gave him a laugh for the day.

Laura - I was self pay and my fills are covered for the first year (Feb. 2011). However, I saw a sign in office two weeks ago to notify price increase. $165 for a fill. It do not mention a difference if doctor or assistant gave fill. There is another bariatric center in town that takes Medicare and I'm considering changing to it when my year ends. Very little follow up thru current practice. I'm always interested to see how prices differ in locations and in other practices. Joyce

Linda - sorry for your stuck episode today. Can't imagine continuing to work and dealing with it. Sadly, I've experienced stuck, slime and vomiting since the band. Therapist advised me to consider these as learning experiences - getting to know my band and my new body. Mine only last about 15 minutes - but are miserable events. Also thank you for encouragement to continue to fill. So scary when I've already been stuck to add more fill. But, I'm ready to move forward.

This banding is such a learning challenge. Laura - so interesting that we will continue to eat when we "know" we should stop. Thank you for sharing that as an issue for you too. Tomorrow I'm scheduled for my third fill. I know I need it as I'm able to eat 4-5 oz protein and I'm not losing, BUT I'm still afraid to move forward. I'll go and follow doctors advice in spite of my fears. This journey is about losing weight, NOT maintaining 20 lb loss. Will continue exercise and continue this journey. Joyce

Phyl - Love your darling little animations to match all your comments. Very clever. Good for you starting at a new gym. Will you & DD be able to buddy up there? I spent 30 min. on bike and 9 min. on elliptical for a total of 153 calories burned. Sure makes you take a hard look at calories in - when it takes so much to burn them off. General question: Are banders to avoid drinking thru straws???? Joyce

Welcome back, Karen - you were missed. Hope you made it thru lunch and can rest until the vertigo passes. Jessica - those grades sound wonderful. Hold on this week and you can take a break. Congrats on NSV. Julie - I'm also mad at the lady? who loves to criticize, but won't step up and take charge of a project. grrrrr....... Jodi - happy belated b'day. What a bright daughter you have - to see the family drama exactly for what it is. Slimnole - hang in there. The fills will help. And 13 lbs. is a nice beginning. Janet - love how you "lay it on the line". We all want to think that once the weight is off, we can splurge. Sadly - not true. Moderation and minimal treats are the reality. I'm off to the gym. Hi to all. Joyce

Laura - love the pictures - you are such a fun mommy - I might have to come and play too. Darn that donut - one thing about the bad, if we eat, we suffer. That won't happen again.

Jessica - sounds like an unfill is needed. Wish I could give you some extra energy to make it thru the last week of school. Hang in there, my friend. Julie - I've been praying and thinking of you. Can't bear to think of your pain and frustration. Have you considered a second opinion? Might be good to have a new physician explore your symptoms and review your history. Sending hugs. Had a nice lunch with my daughters today. Nice walk with my puppy tonight. After 5 weeks of PT, the walks are easier.

JerseyGirl - Congratulations on WL and good luck on your bowling. Have a blast and show off that healthy, lovely body. Phyl - thanks for sharing the xray. Very interesting.

Julie - I'm so sorry your appointment was discouraging. I'm praying for you. Eva - wonderful on those smaller size capris and shorts. It's new underwear time for me too. 23 lbs. less makes them very baggy. But I don't think Victoria Secret will be asking me to model. Have a great weekend, ladies. Joyce

Laura & Arlene - congrats on WL PT again today - so better get ready.

Congratulations, JerseyGirl - What an accomplishment. So happy for you. Enjoy your trip. Raining in KC for the next 3 days.

Spartan - Love your humor. Well done.

Jodi - what an interesting story about the little girl and what a beautiful heart you have. How exciting that after working without pay, good karma brought enough money to pay your way thru college. Good works always bring joy. Altho - sometimes delayed in in disguise. I'm so proud of another day at the gym. Burned a whopping 153 calories in 45 minutes. Oh well........ Interesting to see how different costs are in other parts of the nation. My gym dues are $66/month and personal training is $80/hr. It is a first class gym with indoor/outdoor pools, child care, camps for children, yoga, all equipment, TV's, cycling, showers, spa, etc......towels furnished - I like that - and lockers. Ladies, tell me about your gyms so we can compare. Beautiful 80 degree, very windy day in KC. Have PT tomorrow and one more on Monday, then I'm on my own again to attend gym. yippee

Lori - Regarding communication while you are traveling, I do alot of international vacationing. My phone works worldwide. Just contact your provider & have them change your setting. I have T-mobile and can check on-line to verify cost per minute whereever I will be. My husband wants to be able to reach me when I'm gone. So he can call my phone anytime. The rate can be as much as $3.50 a minute, but it's worth it to be in touch. Eva - My best friends daughter just accepted a job with a TV station in Tucson (sp?). I promised her I'd visit with her once her daughter is settled. So perhaps we can meet. Karen - enjoy your lake weekend. Wish I was going. Another trip to the gym for me today. Scale is moving again and want to keep it going.

Jessica - I agree that your visit with your brother reopened some of the doors to painful past. Karen has the right idea - talk to someone about your feelings and you will find peace again. That is definitely what is triggering your hunger, but you already know that. Good luck and congrats on your test. Lori - can't wait to hear about the offer on your house. Hope it is high and firms up. Laura - love the idea of first job reflections. I was a swimming teacher in the morning, then rode my bike to the country club and life guarded all afternoon. Had a great tan and toned body. Karen - can't believe how much work was placed on you in your childhood. Wow.

Debra - In response to disclosing lap band to friends and family, I elected NOT to share with others. So much educating is involved in explaining how the tool works, and I decided to keep my decision to myself. Family knows, but others - not.

Debra (Froggie) I thought I recognized your screen name. Dr. Malley performed my surgery on 2-22-2010. Self pay - so no insurance issues. My son-in-law had Dr. Hoehn for gastric bypass in June - and has lost from 427 to 245 and is thrilled. He speaks at the support meetings occasionally. Welcome again. You are really doing wonderfully.

Welcome Debra. You are doing outstanding, congratulations. Lots of wonderful ladies here with great experience to share. Joyce in KC

LauraK - you are truly a loving Mom to include ex's. What we will do for our children never ends. Lori - I loved Karen's idea about the condo. With all your traveling, that would certainly simplify life and allow for early downsizing. Julie - prayers do work -- I had prayed for an earlier date with your doctor (as had others here). Now lets hope some relief is in the very near future and permanent resolution. Karen - I love to hear the dog runs for the truck when the phone rings. My beloved yorkie used to stay with neighbors when I was gone and always ran for the door when the phone rang. He sensed it was me calling to announce I would pick him up. Maids were here today. Their business is 30% off with this recession. So, I offered to increase their business by allowing them to wash all the windows in the house. Leave it to me to support the economy. We have a sunroom that is more enjoyable with sparkling windows. Off to the gym - first time in two months. Cutting down on PT will allow gym time.

Julie - I'm so angry at the doctors for putting you off until May 14th. It's just not fair. Please feel free to complain - since that seems to be your only relief. grrrrrrr....... Sorry to hear Mimi is having difficulties also. Karen - welcome back. Sounds like a lovely lake weekend. Sending hugs to all other ladies. Joyce

Arlene - Sorry about your mom's hospital stay. The shakes will wait. Sending prayers for her. Jewell - your transformation thru your pictures is truly amazing. Rock on.

Lori - good luck with eating choices tomorrow. Very exciting that you will be looking at houses on Monday in SLC. And also wonderful that so many are looking at your current home. Fingers are crossed for you. Phyl - I love my Blackberry too. But I hear such great things about the iphone. Maybe the next one. Movie was a B-. Better take daughter and let husband miss it. Had a tough Pbing episode tonight. Hope to master chewing better and eating more slowly. My husband doesn't know what to do for me when he sees me miserable. Guess he will have to learn, this is a part of banding. Sleep well, ladies.

Cheri - congratulations on losing more weight. I read your first paragraph twice. Very interesting that you are able to loosen your band, by losing more weight, without getting an unfill. It is comforting to realize that we have more control over the band. This is such a journey. So many changes - early on. All good. Taking DD#2 to see "The Backup Plan". Gloomy, rainy Saturday in K.C.