laurigee

You did your research and determined it was useless! I think most people will be able to determine her motives! I'm not saying it works or not, I have no clue! People that prey off others weaknesses or insecurities are repulsive! On the other hand, if it helps one person feel better, that's great! I bet alot of us on here have spent thousands on weight loss gimmics. I would hope most of us would have learned our lesson by now and do more research before purchasing a promise! Lol.

I would do like some of the others suggested and go visit the gym first. You can watch a class or just peek in on one to see if it is something you would be comfortable with. Ask to see if there are different classes for different levels of fitness. Most gyms will be happy to sit down with you and answer all your questions! My first question was, what time is the gym the slowest! Don't feel self conscious! Most people that go to the gym are worried about their workout and could care less about your size or workout! Sometimes when we feel uncomfortable we feel like everyone is looking at us, but that's usually very far from the truth! Example: a guy came over to me and asked me if I was interested in talking to him! I asked him why he would think that! He said every day when I was on the treadmill running I would be watching him on the elliptical! I had to explain to him that I alternate running and walking on the treadmill and the only clock I could see in the gym was above the elliptical machines! So with that said, congratulations on your weight loss and don't worry what others are thinking, do it for you!

I hate to be naive but, who knows! Everyone is soooo different! I was almost 300 pounds and don't have any hanging skin and have had 2 babies, one was almost 9 pounds and only a few little stretch marks you can barely see. Actually if I didn't tell you they were there you probably wouldn't notice them! Most don't believe that! I think everyone's body responds differently to different things! Just like the band! With some problems people complain about there are no logical or scientific reasons why, however, they are real! I'll give her the benefit of the doubt! I personally think she was just sharing her excitement and offering some alternatives to others! You can accept or reject her information! However, this may be just the thing someone else is interested in. If you think it's a scam you are out nothing. Just my opinion! Nothing personal!

My surgeon said that at the most recent seminar that he attended that current research has shown it does not make a difference whether you drink before, during, or after a meal. However, personally for me, I am unable to drink with eating. It will bring up my food 98% of the time! I think it is a personal thing. When you try different things, you will figure out what works best for you! When I was first banded my surgeon recommended no liquid 30 minutes before. No liquids with meal. Then no liquid until 45 minutes after a meal. Now after the last seminar he still gives those guidelines, however, he says they are not set in stone and encourages us to find what works well with us personally. Every person is different and every band feels differently in each person. I still prefer the old way and it was never really hard to follow.

I'm scared for you! Why are you drinking and smoking if you normally don't ? Please get counseling! Are you trying to replace your food addiction with something else? Addictive personalities often have this problem. Many people give up an addiction just to replace it with another! Until you know what the void is your trying to fill in your life you will always be haunted by some demon! Please see someone for help! You can lose weight and feel better physically but a big part of overall health is your emotional well being. One doesn't come automatically and follow the other! They both have to be worked on individually! I wish you the best!

I have had the band for over 6 years and have lost over 100 pounds. I did gain back about 40 pounds. I am on my way to getting rid of that! It will be up to you whether or not you gain it back! Do your homework! There are pros and cons to everything. My decision was strongly based on the fact that the band is reversible! I think everyone gets the jitters at one point in their journey! Good luck, and try not to over think it!

I have low blood pressure also! That's weird!

I wish that people would put this much thought into having children! LOL! For some reason no one worries about failing, how much money it costs, or how it will effect their lives and lifestyle. Put it into perspective and go for it! Have more faith in yourself! Life is to short!

I have the same problem. I have what looks like dark circles and kind of like bags. I went to the plastic surgeon for a consultation and he said that they would look less noticeable if I would get filler injected into the creases to puff up the skin in the hollow space. Do you have just dark circles or a crease where the eye and cheek meet?

I have FM. I have not really noticed a great difference in my symptoms. The only problem now is that my medication that I took before the surgery that relieved some symptoms I can no longer take because it's not good for the band! My flare ups and frequency have not changed either. For me, the band is awesome, however, it has not improved the symptoms of my FM. I do feel that because I feel better about myself that I handle my flare ups more positively. However, I can usually not exercise during those times! It may not fix my FM but it has been one of the most positive things I've done for myself! Everyone's body is different, so who knows, it may help you! Congratulations on starting your journey!

It was a personal question that shouldn't have been asked! However, when or if people find out the truth they won't think of her question as rude, but you as a fibber! I personally never told anyone, but those who did ask I told the truth. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed of my decision. I could care less whether people who are not a part of my immediate family think! Dont put your credibility on the line for anyone. If you don't want to answer the question, just say your not comfortable having the conversation with them or tell them it's none of their business. Either one of those comments in my opinion are better than a lie! Now your going to wonder what she told others and you'll have a hard time looking anyone in the eye! Good luck at work, I hope it works out for you! Gossip at work sucks!!

This is the time you find out how much you really want it! My insurance company also excluded the surgery. I worked 3 jobs for over a year to save enough to get the surgery! It's kind of like the band philosopy, you cant wait for the band to do it for you. You also can't wait for the insurance company. If they continue to decline you, what do you plan on doing? Have a plan! Anything worth having is worth working for! Trust me I understand the frustration, we pay over $2300.00 a month for insurance and it sucks it's not covered. However, if you feel your life is in jeopardy if you don't have the surgery you can't just throw your hands in the air if the insurance company won't pay. Come up with plan B! Good luck, I hope it all works out for you!

Almost everything I did before except heaving lifting!

I get like that where I don't lose anything for a few weeks and then I step on the scale and 5 pounds are gone! Stick with it! I think it's more frustrating when I lose weight and my clothes fit the same. I would rather see my clothes getting looser than the numbers on the scale change! It's not a quick fix, it takes time! If you keep putting the time in it will pay off! Stay positive and good luck!

Brag all you want girlfriend!!! I will take any compliment and run with it! If they take the time to say something they are obviously impressed with what they see! Like my mother in law says, don't be uncomfortable with a compliment, just say thank you! Your such an awesome lady and deserve every compliment you get!

I loved my heating pad the first 2 days more than my family! LOL.. Since then my family has worked their way back to the top!

Were you the one that was having trouble eating? If so, how is that going today?

Of all the things that you could worry about your concern is beer? LOL ... What food group do you put this in in your food journal at the end of the day? What healthy food do you plan to eliminate so you can use those calories towards a beer? I'm just messing with you!!!!! I can no longer drink anything that's carbonated! I was addicted to diet soda and thought there was no way I would give it up! Actually now I don't miss it! Which my husband can't believe because I would go though at least 6-8 cans a day! I would drive to McDonalds every morning to get my large diet coke to start my day! Things change as your body starts changing! At the end of the day instead of drinking a beer to wind down you may want to go take a walk by yourself, who knows it may have the same effects as the beer without the calories!

Talk to your doctor. Don't give up on fiber! I did and was told at my last colonoscopy that I have divroticulosos . Now I do what Jean does and use Metamucil.

I have been very surprised even on this site what people consider healthy eating! I don't think the education in nutrition is there. I almost jumped off the couch when I was reading about a person who said they were eating healthy and not losing. When they were asked what they ate that day one of the items was a lunchable and the other was a roastbeef sandwich from Arby's...YIKES...definitely not part of my menu! I feel that before the band when meeting with the nutritionist you should have to submit examples of what you will be eating and what you feel are healthy choices! The lady with the lunchable was probably thinking turkey is good for you, so is cheese and the crackers are fiber! To her she probably thought it covered most of the food groups. This type of thinking is not uncommon. I wish the nutritionist was more a part of the program than it is. I think it would make for more success stories.

Congratulations!!!!! Remember how good it felt when you first seen that number and let that be your motivation for your next goal! Your doing awesome, keep up the good work! I will be watching to see your reaction when you hit goal # 2!

Terry, I love your posts and comments, they are never judgmental but politely honest from your life experience! It always surprises me what people think healthy eating is! My story is a little different, I was thin the majority of my life. I was anorexic/bulimic for 10 years. I knew how to lose weight and keep it off, don't eat! I never knew how to be thin and heathy. So for me as soon as I started getting to thin I would get scared and go to the other extreme. I did this over and over for years. Your right, you have to decide what your willing to give up! For me I'm no longer willing to give up my health whether it be to be too thin or to be too heavy! The band has really given me the moderation that I need to stop being an all or nothing personality. I realized that the crap I was addicted to in my heavy stage I was also addicted to in my anorexic stage. Only difference is during one stage I would keep it down, the other stage I would throw it up! I had to be very careful about eating potatoes and chocolate! They are my triggers! It's getting to know yourself and making choices. Sometime we just can't have it all! If you think you can, you will probably keep asking why your band is not working!

My fitness pal is a real eye opener! If your wondering why your not losing weight you will figure it out real quickly! It's great advise!

I was there for such a short period of time I really didnt take anything with me except my glasses. I also put a pillow and a blanket in my husbands car for the ride home. I wore sweatpants and a zip up jacket and slip on tennis shoes. I wasn't in the hospital over 8 hours. The more you take, the more you have to worry about grabbing before you leave!

Start to journal EVERYTHING you eat or drink in a day. Keep track of the calories and protien! How much are you eating per meal? Are you eating your protiens first? When you see it all written down maybe something will jump off the page that you missed! Good luck, i hope you figure it out!