MimIN

I've gone through the messages to date and gathered a list of everyone that wants in on the challange. Here is the list so far, if I've missed you or you want in on the challenge let me know! TamifromAL BJean SLHarrison Gonnabethin Jodi-T MimIN Sandranoelle Kareyquilts Katt TrueBlueSue LindaN Lauriegee What kind of challenge does everyone want to do? I think pounds lost with an optional exercise challenge would work for everyone but what do y'all think? I was thinking if we did do pounds lost with optional exercise challenge those that chose to take the exercise challange would also run an exercise ticker. Eg: if we decided on 30 min sessions 3 times a week x 11 weeks... Should the Challenge begin January 1st 2007 or on Saturday January 7th (St. Patty's day falls on a Saturday this year)? I personally wouldn't mind starting a little bit earlier...

I spend 80% of my life on a computer unfortunatly so I guess I am kind of computer saavy;) I am more than willing to keep track for the next challange if there is no one else out there that has their heart set on it. St. Patty's day sounds good to me too, Easter is a little far off and Valentine's day is a little too close so St. Patty's would be a happy medium.

Just back from Fargo, ND and thought for sure I would weigh in 10lbs heavier but actually down another 2lbs and have NO IDEA how - I ate the crap (but it was oh so good!!) I am in for another challenge! The last one has kept me moving and motivated and would love to keep it going.

down 4lbs this week, I may just make ONEderland yet!

Hi Val, I take phentermine, it is a prescription appetite suppresant that I have used for years. I had some left over and after banding found that it helped a lot before I got a fill. My PCP knows I am taking them and renewed my prescription when I explained how it helped. I would never endorse it as the best thing to do but it has helped me when I have felt out of control, esp during TOM.

Hey Laurigee, Don't stress it! You have lost 50lbs, that is amazing! I actually have more in my band then you do and my Dr said they can fill it upto the max - you still have 2cc's to go. at 50lbs in 3 months, you are kickin' butt! I too have used diet pills on and off through this process, I find when I have restriction I am good but need them to help curb the hunger when I'm not so restricted. If you really feel you are not restricted enough you can always get another fill. .1 cc can really make all the difference, my last fill was .4 and it was to much, I will need to go back and have a bit removed. Don't give up or get discouraged, you are half way there!

I think the weigh in after a fill is my favorite! I am down another 7lbs.

I have seen Dr. Curry for all of my fills as well. He and his staff are fantastic!

You name it, I've tried it. Xenical was aweful! I was absolutly disgusted by the orange 'liquid' and never gave it a real chance, I stopped taking it after a month. Meridia worked really well for me but I was super bitchy and to save my relationship I had to get off of it after 4 months. I also took Wellbutrin XL at the same time and may have contributed to the success. I love Phentermine and still use it periodically for the days I could eat my arm if I let myself.

I go to Dr. Curry in Cincinnati for my fills and all have been done by feel. I have had 3 fills and all 3 times it was done in seconds. My port is positioned well and easily found but he would use Flouro if need be.

Has anyone experienced really good restriction for a decent period of time and then poof - it's gone? I had my second fill about a month ago, initially it was kind of tough but after a week or so it was perfect. I was seldome hungry and eating 1/2 to 3/4 cup of food and feeling satisfied and thought for sure I was lucky and at my 'sweet spot' after just 2 fills. I was wrong, A few days ago I realized I did not have any restriction at all, I was eating quite a bit at one sitting and constantly hungry. I gained a couple lbs between Monday and Wednesday and freaked out. I emailed my Dr, he told me what I was experiencing was normal and I probably just needed a fill - so today I got my 3rd fill of another .4 cc. What I don't understand is how one day the restriction is perfect and then the next it is gone, it boggles my mind!

I didn't do a darn thing this week, stayed the same.

Your fills are similar to mine and I felt the same way - I was so scared I was too tight and was going to damage my band OR starve to death but decided to give it a little time. Within 10 days or so everything eased up and now it is perfect! I am seldome hungry, eating my 3 small meals and 1 to 2 snacks and losing weight consistantly. I don't know about you but I had no idea what restriction felt like until the second fill, it is a strange sensation but you get use to it.

Not to bad for a holiday weekend, down 2lbs this week...

Dr. Curry is my aftercare doctor as well, he is awesome. I was weary of going to anyone "local" and really wanted to go back to Dr. Ortiz but could not afford a trip to Tijuana every few weeks. I decided to visit with Dr. Curry for my first fill and was so impressed with his level of expertise and honesty that I will not go anywhere else. It is nice to have a Dr that cares.

Another 5lbs down, weighing in at 216 today...

Maybe a little heathy competition brewing....

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz and am also in Indiana. I go for followup care with Dr. Curry in Cincinnati - He's awesome and an affordable alternative. He will us fluoro if he needs to. First fill with consult is $300 (extra charge for fluoro from the hospital if needed) and every fill/unfill/checkup after is $150.

I am so sorry you are have to deal with this. denials are so stressful and discouraging. I too have UHC and your story is very similar to mine. I did not have a copy of my certificate of coverage and relied on calling UHC and asking if lapband was an EXCLUDED procedure under my group plan and I was told it was a covered benefit if deemed medically necessary. I too went through all the motions of gathering all the documentation the asked for and 3 weeks after I submitted to insurance for pre-determination I was denied based on exclusion. I got in touch with my company's UHC account Rep via email and had her admit in writting that it was their mistake. I had everything documented including the reason I did not have a copy of the certificate of coverage is because UHC had not given it to my HR department yet (we had newly switched carriers). Although I had all this documentation I was denied on the first appeal. I consulted a lawyer who thought I had a case and I took it to a second appeal hearing. I was given the opportunity to state my case, spoke with the hearing board and actually ended it feeling very positive. 5 days later I received another letter and again I was denied stating it was an exclusion and it was not their responsibility to tell me what is and isn't covered under the plan. At this point I gave in and went self pay but I did submit to the state because they should not be allowed to get away with treating people like they do. My best advice is to get a hold of the certificate of coverage (not what they have online, it is a 40+ page document your employer should have) and analyze it, document everything and get names of everyone you speak with. Keep going if even in the end it doesn't work out because you never know, you may be the one that beats them at their own game.

It is Monday and I am actually happy to report my loss today as it has blown me away. 7lbs this week! I did just have a fill and have been on a modified diet and may be a little to tight but I'll talk it anyway!

Lisa, Dr. Curry's nurse does the fills as well but she didn't end up doing my fill. After she talked to Dr. Curry he decided to come in and do the fill as he had some free time. They are both really great! A week after my first fill I didn't feel any restriction at all and even before then the restriction was limited. This last fill I can tell already there is restriction and maybe too much. I'm going to wait out the weekend and see if it gets any better but I may have to go back and have some removed. I pb'ed on my pills and water this morning:(

I had my first fill two weeks ago and for the first week it was awesome but come week two I had zero restriction. Yesterday I went back for fill #2 and Dr. Curry's nurse asked me if I wanted to go agressive and go up another 1cc bringing me up to 2.5cc in a 4cc band - me of course am right on board. Before doing the fill she went to consult with Dr. Curry who said max he'd allow was .8cc. I was disappointed b/c I've heard that even as little as .2cc can make a huge difference.... However there is a reason he is the Dr and I am the patient. Today I am on liquids and first thing in the morning I take meds well I took one of my 4 pills and instantly felt FULL, nothing painful but I couldn't take the rest with fear of overdoing it. Then later this afternoon I 'forgot' I just had a fill and chugged back some water - oh man my band did not like that one bit. I had a golf ball in my chest for 40 minutes, a little bit of a pb and a whole lot of regret. I think with the .8cc I might be too tight and can't imagine what it would be like with a whole cc. What I have learned from this is if your Dr says no there is a reason!

No change for me:( Better than gaining I guess...

I had my first fill last Thursday and on Sunday I had my first "stuck" feeling. It was quite painful and felt like I was punched in the chest. and after throwing up weird liquid substance the pain subsided after 20 minutes or so. The rest of the day I went on liquids and felt fine. Well Monday at lunch the same thing happened and again today at lunch. This is not happening in the morning or evening, just at lunch. I am terrified I have slipped or done damage but to get a floro it will be several hundreds of dollars out of pocket as I was banded in Mexico. Has anyone else experienced this?

I'm glad to hear that it is somewhat normal, I was so scared I messed the band up. I go back to the Dr in a week and a half, if I'm still having problems I will have him remove some saline. I haven't eaten real pizza, it was 'crustless' pizza made with egg/creamcheese for the 'crust'. I never had a problem with it until Monday but don't think I'll be trying it again!