AngieB

RCR - I feel for you, and let me say that you are doing better than what I did. I didn't hang tight for the 21 days....sucks to say that, but it is the truth. I had cheats plain and simple. So you are doing awesome, hang in there and you will feel so accomplished by the time you are done. YOU CAN DO IT! I ended up making mushy mush out of some of the foods I made for my family the last few days....cooking for the fam killed me... At anyrate, I love love how my life has changed. It has not been as easy as I thought it would be and I have learned a shit load about myself that I knew about, but not to the extent I am aware of now. Thanks for your comment....oh and aren't those portions awesome! I love love love the amounts I can eat. Someday I miss being able to eat more, but I am not turning back the clock...no sr ee.

Hey everyone.....I listen to a good amount of you tubers vids during my work day....some peeps really speak to me more than others. This chicky poo I really like. Her messages make sense to me and speak to me. I would like to share her, if you are not already aware....she is a good bander! This video she shows LOTS of portions and talks about her transformation of thoughts and behaviors......LOVE IT! Hope you enjoy here too! ((HUGS)) Angie

I bought into a "package deal" which was that I paid $1000 up front, which covered the first 4 fills. I had/have to pay a $50 radiology charge each time as well that is not included in the initial $1000 up front. I choose a local bariatric team for serveral reasons. 1. I have a family that I would be leaving for each trip. 2. Cost of airfair and hotel or a long all day there and back trip. 3. Time away from work. 4. Local after care in case of emergency or need for an unfill. So each fill for the 1st 4 fills cost me $300 a pop. Then the price drops and each fill is $125 + the $50 dollar radiology charge. So bottom line is now my fills or unfills cost $175 from here on out. Before I had my surgery I called the local hospitals and found the pricing for each surgeon. I also found out if they took mexican banded patients. This helped me out so much. For me the initial cost of the package was more than the trips back and forth to the OCC. BUT after understanding that I could need an unfill and how your fill can be fine for months then turn on you. (say after a stuck episode or a high stress time in life, it seemed very comforting to know i would not have to get a last minute flight to go to the OCC.) Now the cost is cheaper than any trip to the OCC and I am VERY BLESSED with the standard of care at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Most of the staff are WLS patients. Very cool.

Hi Greg - Sabrina is right....you are not alone. I feel the same way. Not gaining much, but not super motivated on the food choices right now. My RN asked me to snack and let me tell ya.....that was a bad turn for me. I was talking to her about a slight unfill and she advised against it, as she feels I am at my sweet spot. (Which I agree with her. I am at my sweet spot.) Only thing is it is not working for me because I am not at the place where I only eat 3 meals a day now. Snacking has thrown a monkey wrench in my daily diet plan. So now I have to break that habit. I would be freaking awesome if I could get my poop in a group and ONLY eat when I am hungry. Snacking for me was a huge wrong turn cuz I am a grazer. Grazing can add more calories to your day than an acutal meal. I understand busy schedules and life. I leave my house before 6:30 am and run until later evening. Making exercise something low on my list. I changed up my schedule and now use my lunch time during the week to walk. It feels great to break up my day and it's like a bit of me time. I feel a slight resentment with my me time in my daily routine. So this helps. I am not sure how you feel, but as a mom, wife, and being in the work force, I seem to jip myself on me time. So any little bit helps in reguards to doing things for myself. My point is we have to make time. Fit things in anywhere we can. For me, this is a life style and not a race. I don't mind if gaining health takes me a few years. I have lost 50% of my weight in the first year. My first year was a huge learning curve for me. I think this year will be good for weight loss if I can get my eating under thumb again.... I am only chiming in cuz I am singing your song and don't want you to feel like you are the only one out here that is not doing the deal. I have little to add in the way of suggestions as I am feeling my way though my own issues. Great topic and I look forward to reading more of what people have to share. Oh, and I agree with the beverage subject. I have a water bottle filled with crystal light with me 90% of the time....that really helps get my liquids in. Now if I could get off the drug...I mean sugar.....I would kick some A$$!

I am still not changing the ticker....but we walked 3 miles yesterday!

My BMI was and still is higher than what your BMI is currently, so we are different in that respect. That being said, we are very much alike in our desire to live a healthy life and do it at a normal weight!!! What 'Hope', my band helps me to do is keep my portion sizes in check. She also eliminates almost completely the hunger I felt. Now I deal with my nemesis HEAD HUNGER. I believe the band would help anyone regardless of the BMI level. It makes some of the choices for you or despite you. Over all getting Hope was one of the best things I have done for myself.....

Welcome to bandland! Congrats on your life changing surgery!

E - I have to say be careful, if you were drinking warm or hot liquids in the morning to open up your band, this fill will be the one to keep the restriction. When you say your restriction is gone.....is it? OR has it slacked off. To me, I wouldn't think it would be gone gone....given you were at a point that drinking warm/hot liquids to open you band up was not that long ago. I'd be intersted in hearing your portion sizes. How much weight have you lost since your last fill? I point this out, because I want you to be aware. After this fill, things will be noticebly different. No eating bread right after.... Let us know how it goes!

Hi Dan! I had to chime in with a similar story. It is not health insurance related but my tid bit is on life insurance. I applied last year for additional coverage. I was declined due to my weight. This year I applied again, being in the "acceptable" weight now, I was declined due to my surgery. I realized going into the process, I was going to be shut out, but decided to do it anyway. Sure enough, it was a no go. Bummer....

E - If you have "lost" restriction go for a fill. When you have restriction that stays....it may change during the month. For me I have a few tighter weeks, and the others looser....but it is always there. Just flexuates a bit. Building up is a process.....keep on keeping on girly!

LOL at you! Very funny!

I walked 1.5 miles over my lunch hour!

Lindsay you hit the nail on the head there. I know your travel day was way more intense than mine.....and the airport is a place to bring things for that is for sure.