tonya66

Thanks so much for doing that....that is good to know. I am going on a cruise August 5th so I would like to be finished with the challenge by then, so I will need to start 4/23. I'm 3 mos post op and my doctor just released me to do weight training, so not sure what your docs orders are, but make sure you check with him before you start.

You can do it! So sorry for your loss, even though it was 15 years ago, I'm sure it still hurts. Losing a parent at an age where you really need them must have been hard. Your mother would be very proud of you for taking the right steps in order to turn your life around, that is what counts!

OMG - you took the words right out of my mouth. I went thru that too, no makeup, my hair looked like dog do do, always thrown together. And now, I feel like there is real hope.

Kim - I've read that some theories for erosion and/or slipped bands is the fills being too aggressive. Which, worries me a bit, because my doctor is very aggressive. So don't get discouraged with your fill level, just keep getting them increased until you hit that sweet spot. Slow fills might be the way to go and have less complications in the end. 21 lbs is a great loss. It only takes 10 lbs to make some healthy difference in your body, and you have already lost 21 lbs, that is great!

Thanks nerveragain. I have read the book, and I know it works because I saw my friend do it - and win! I really just want to complete the program, just to say I did it. If I don't complete it, I will always "wonder". So, I'm gonna do it! Feel free to join in too. I've been exercising, but not as intense as the BFL program, and I haven't been doing it 6 days a week. So, it will be interesting to see what my progress will be.

I think I'm changing my start date to 4/23/07. I'm getting pumped up to start it. I'm anxious to see what my results will be after 12 weeks. I've started the program before BUT NEVER finished. I really want to finish it. Maybe posting it here will make me accountable. For all of you guys, I also need some cheerleaders to hold me accountable. You can pop in here and ask me how I'm doing to push me. I need some pushing - lol. So, I'm making it official and declaring to the entire board of members - I AM DOING THE BFL challenge. I'm starting 4/23/07! I will finish the 12 week program, I will not give up. I will post my before and after pics of the 12 week program and give updates every week!

Its a fat burning pill, its designed to increase yur matobolic rate, boost energy etc. I take a similar pill called Thermo Dynamx by EAS.

I know what your saying! I would KILL to weight what I did in high school, or even when I got married (which was 140 lbs). I remember being so depressed at 140lbs. I would now be jumping with joy if I reach that. lol. Yes, what I used to consider fat, I now consider SKINNY!

Your doing great!

I have UHC, and also diagnosed with a very large hiatal hernia, and insurance paid for that and the band. Had the hernia repaired the same time as my surgery. I haven't had refulx since. Because of the hernia, I also had to have my esophagus stretched, along with my stomach pulled out of my ribbs and put back into the propper place. All this was done the during one surgery by my Bariactric doctor. I haven't felt this good in YEARS. Insurance paid for it all (except my out of pocket expenses, which was about $1,000)

Chris I feel the same way, if I can't get out of the 190's I know that the lap-band works. I always get stuck in the 190's then get discouraged and pack on the pounds again, its been a viscious cycle. I go for my 2nd fill next week too (Tuesday the 17th), I can't wait, although I'm nervous. I have restriction now, but not so much where I PB or even have to take small bites. I can eat what I want and nothing gets stuck, but I can't eat a lot, but eat more than I should be able to. I'm at 2.2 cc's, so not sure how much I will get. I have a questions for anyone out there. Have you heard that your tighter during TOM? TOM is due next week, the 17th to be exact, the same day as my fill. I'm wondering if that will mess up my fill? Or make me seem tighter than I really am and then not get a good fill? What do you guys think? Yes, where are all the missing January Bandsters, come check in with us, we miss you! Chris, your doing good, 40 lbs is a great loss!

Wow, brought tears to my eyes. What an eye opener for anyone.

My last straw - I've been keeping an online jornal since July of 2001 (low carb dieting). I would yo-yo diet from 235 and getting all the way down to 190, but never could break the 190's for FIVE years I did this. Finally, there were a couple of people at my office who had RNY gastric Bypass. I felt this was my only hope, my weight was back up not only to 235, but an all time high of 248. I was depressed, tired, and the most miserable I had felt in a long time. I was also totally embarrassed to see anyone because I felt everyone was talking about how much weight I had gained. I would mention the surgery to my husband and he was totally against it. I was so adament about getting it, I decided I would do it without his support and not tell him until "After" the surgery. I confided in a girl I work with that had the surgery done. Luckily, this girl was a true friend and talked me out of doing that, she then told me about Lap-Band. I had never heard of it. Well, thats what got the ball rolling, I researched everything I could find about it (which led me to this forum), and started the process. My insurance paid for it if I had a BMI of 40, which I did. I attended a free seminar on November 13th, met with the doctor on Novemerber 22, Was approved on December 4th and scheduled my surgery on January 18th. The ball was moving fast. Once I was approved and scheduled surgery, it was time to "break" it to my husband. I told him that I have had it, I had the "last straw". I also was having horrible indigestion, and my test results came back that I had a rare type of hyatal hernia that needed to be removed. Also I had stage 3 of esophogitus, and it was turning into Barrets Esophagus, which can lead to cancer. My DH told me he thought something was wrong because he has seen me struggle every since we had been married with dieting, and he noticed I exercised a lot in the past months but still was gaining. He said he thought the surgery was the best thing for me and gave me his 100% support. So, for me, the last straw was after 5 years of dieting pretty hard, exercising, and keeping track of my weight on fitday.com, I couldn't take it any longer. I knew something had to be done, I had just turned 40, and no longer felt beautiful as I once had felt. I was tired of yo-yoing, I was tired of feeling fat, miserable and depressed. I couldn't go on living like I was. I considered the surgery my last hope, and still do. I am 3 months out, down over 50 lbs, and am making great progress toward my goals. I am in the 190's now, the place I had always gotten stuck before, so I'm anxious to see if and when I can get out of the 190's. Once out of the 190's I will know that the lap-band truly does work. Its not always easy, but it is always worth it to me.

Your doing GREAT! January Bandsters ROCK!

Breakfast - light apple juice with Daily 5 mixed in Lunch - Cottage cheese/sf yogurt/ granola mixed in Dinner - chili Snack - Bad me, I know TOM is getting close, had a few girl scout cookies, DAMN those girl scouts. lol Exercise - PM exercise - 33 min on treadmill, 2% incline, 3.2 mph, 213 calories, 1.70 distance Suppliments - am 2 thermo dynamx, Daily 5, Multi vitamin, B-12, afternoon 2 more thermo dynamx with lunch Notes - wt 196.4 - I must get away from the carb demons! TOM is around the corner, but I will have to say, my sweet cravings are cured with just a couple of cookies vs the entire bag I would have had in the past, so I'm not going to beat myself up, just thankful the band doesn't let me overdue it - we make a great TEAM!

Breakfast - light apple juice with Daily 5 mixed in Lunch - Cottage cheese/sf yogurt/ granola mixed in Dinner - chili Snack - Bad me, I know TOM is getting close, had a few girl scout cookies, DAMN those girl scouts. lol Exercise - PM exercise - 33 min on treadmill, 2% incline, 3.2 mph, 213 calories, 1.70 distance Suppliments - am 2 thermo dynamx, Daily 5, Multi vitamin, B-12, afternoon 2 more thermo dynamx with lunch Notes - wt 196.4 - I must get away from the carb demons! TOM is around the corner, but I will have to say, my sweet cravings are cured with just a couple of cookies vs the entire bag I would have had in the past, so I'm not going to beat myself up, just thankful the band doesn't let me overdue it - we make a great TEAM!

Sure you can, the more the merrier. I added you the list (See very first page of this thread, under my name you will see your name added). Welcome to our group!

I had the same question as you two, however, when I look at the rules there is nothing in there that says anything about weight loss surgeries. I might call the 1-800 number and find out tomorrow. I'll let you know.

Telly, Happy 1 year Band Anniversary to you!

I agree pretty much with everyone else, too many carbs IMO. Instead of bagel, why not try an egg white omlett, the chicken is great source of protein. Instead of trail mix, which is loaded in sugar carbs, why not try SF yogurt, you'll get some added protein as well. Or some low fat cottage cheese, again, more protein and less carbs. Skip the pinapple juice all together - way too much sugar, which also spikes hunger. Lately, my menu or eating has gone up in carbs, however, I've increased my exercise but I'm going to be cutting out some of the carbs as well. Another suggestion, Take your measurements. I take mine 1 x per month, I'm coming up on my 3 month anniversary and can't wait to see how many inches I've lost. you might add just 30 min a day of walking or some type of movement/exercise to your other exercise. 5 x's a week exercise is the best to lose weight, 3 x's is for maintenance. So just add some 30 min of brisk walking in there. Give it another 30 days and compare your results. Take your measurements first, then 30 days later, take them again, you'll be amazed at the inches lost, even if the scales shows little. Also, keep a food log of everything that goes into your mouth, every bite. Sometimes we are eating without realizing it. I found I was eating candy everytime I passed by this girls desk, didn't even realize it until I started keeping a journal. I added the calories up and I was eating another 250 calories a day. I stopped that habit real quick. lol.

I had UHC, choice plus. Now, I know others had this insurance as well and they were not covered, it depends on the policy that was written for the employer, some employers opt to have an exclusion for WLS, therefore, costing them less money for premiums. But, my company did not have any exclusions, so I was covered. I called UHC, the only thing I had to have was a BMI of 40. I went to the doctor on 11/22/06, not sure when them submitted my paperwork, but I assume within a week. I was approved on 12/04/06. I had my surgery on 1/18/07. I've paid right at $1000 out of pocket expense for my surgery, doc and all my appointments. I'm very grateful to have the insurance because I don't think I could have paid for it out of pocket.

Breakfast - 6 oz of light apple juice with Daily 5 mixed in Lunch - Pasta salad, about 1/2 cup with 1 chicken tender added in Dinner - 3/4 cup of chili, no beans, and a few fritos and cheese Snack - No snacking Exercise - Afternoon exercise - 30.09 min on treadmill, 4% incline, 245 calories, 1.59 distance, 3.2 mph. Supplements - Daily 5, Multi-Vitamin, B-12, 2 thermo dynamx Notes - Feeling good these days - need to work on my carbs and upping my protein and increasing my intensity of workout. I am going to start the body for life program, I was planning on starting it 4/30/07, however, think I'm going to start it 4/23/07. This will be right after my 3 month bandanniversary, and I can take my measurements and pictures and use those as my before pics/measurements.

Breakfast - 6 oz of light apple juice with Daily 5 mixed in Lunch - Pasta salad, about 1/2 cup with 1 chicken tender added in Dinner - 3/4 cup of chili, no beans, and a few fritos and cheese Snack - No snacking Exercise - Afternoon exercise - 30.09 min on treadmill, 4% incline, 245 calories, 1.59 distance, 3.2 mph. Supplements - Daily 5, Multi-Vitamin, B-12, 2 thermo dynamx Notes - Feeling good these days - need to work on my carbs and upping my protein and increasing my intensity of workout. I am going to start the body for life program, I was planning on starting it 4/30/07, however, think I'm going to start it 4/23/07. This will be right after my 3 month bandanniversary, and I can take my measurements and pictures and use those as my before pics/measurements.

Well, I really didn't get the protein in, the cleanse is only a liquid drink only, no other proteins should be drank while doing this cleanse. But, I only did it for about 7 days. Here is a link/information on it: http://therawfoodsite.com/mastercleanse.htm

http://store.agoodvitamin.com/jada563ozpo.html this is a link that you can buy it. I actually purchased mine at our local health food store. I love the taste of it, and it gives me a lot of energy.