BandDiva

I always get the roasted chicken from Costco or Fred Meyer and then portion it out. I have not been able to eat dried out grilled chicken for two years...nor am I going to drench it in sauce to get it down.

The roasted chickens are always crazy moist and do not require sauce dipping

Same for me, this is the only kind I can eat and it still depends on the day of the week. I can't eat chicken if I cook it. It gets stuck and I am miserable for hours.

I have been going to a local authentic Greek restaurant and eating a side of gyro meat with a small Greek salad. Does anyone know if gyro meat is healthy? It doesn't seem fatty or greasy. I get full off a small amount and feel full for about 5 - 6 hours after eating. Thanks for any input!

Mark

If it is working and you are losing weight....keep up the great work!

BRIAN, LOOKS LIKE YOU'VE GOT ALOT OF GOOD ADVICE HERE AND I'D JUST LIKE TO ADD ONE MORE THING, GOOD AFTERCARE. HAVE A GOOD DR LINED UP FOR YOURSELF LOCALLY EVEN IF YOU PLAN ON USING THE OCC FOR YOUR FILLS

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU

Thumbs up!! The OCC can give you a list of doctors in your area. This is soooo important!

First off, thanks to all of you that take the time to post on this board. It has been extremely helpful to read your comments and virtually experience your journeys. It is because of the things that I have read here that I felt so comfortable booking with OCC and Dr. Ortiz.

I am currently scheduled for my procedure on 5/7 and I can't wait. I realize that change that is coming and I (think) am prepared for it. I am confident that this will be a successful experience for me. I am currently doing my pre-surgery weight loss regimen and will endeavor to lose the required amount of weight prior to my surgery date.

Does anyone have any info they care to impart for someone at this stage of the game?

Thanks again!

Brian

Starting Weight: 413.4

Current Weight: 409.0

Brian!

Congrats on making this decision, that I believe will change your life forever! I was banded in October 2008 and I am still on this journey. I would just tell you to really wrap your head around the idea that you have to mentally fight hunger after your band. That part never goes away. It doesnt just fall off and stay off. You will still have those cravings and want to eat. Start with good habits and dont break them. Dont drink with your meals, dont get your fill so tight that you live off slider foods that are high in calories. Stick with meat and veggies and lay off the processed foods. Get in a routine of daily exercise and dont let anything stop you from doing it. Get all the junk out of the house and tell your family you need their help by changing their lifestyle too. You will find that chips are so easy to eat, dont buy them! lol

Take care of your band. Follow the liquid diet exactly as you are told after surgery. You dont want to slip your band and these few weeks are crucial.

Good luck! It will take some work and some days you will wonder why you did it. But, one thing I can tell you, your band will help you not gain. I have wanted to lose more, but when I think about it, atleast I am no longer steadily gaining weight. I am thankful & I believe you will be too. Can't wait to hear about your journey!

Dana

THANKS DANA, I'M FEELING JUST FINE NOW I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ON THIS TIGHTENING AND MUCH LESS OF A FILL AT GOAL BUT THOSE QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED IT LOOKS LIKE IN TIME

GOOD TO SEE YOU BACK ON

I recently got an unfill. I probably (most definitely) waited too long. I wasnt PB'ing all the time, but I was eating slider foods. Which caused no weight gain, but no weight loss. I feel so much better since my unfill and feel great about 2010 and getting to goal! I have learned--that it definitely takes getting used to (the band) & with trial an error, we learn.

Hope you feel better Pammie!

I'm still interested in hearing updates from those of you who are right now getting these injections. I know everything doesn't always work for everyone, but when you do hear many success stories it makes me wonder. Seems like it would be worth a try. So anyone have more information and/or updates, please share.

Thanks so much and good luck to all!

I sent you a private message. Good luck with what you decide.

Here are a couple of recent pics. The 2nd one is Halloween of course..lol. It's so great to get updates from all of you!!

Girl!! You look fabulous! Way to go!

Thanks. I was all ready to go a month ago. Now as time is getting closer I'm getting more anxious. If I could stick to shakes and/or portion control I wouldn't need to get the band. I'm really trying now!

I just wanted to say that the pre-op diet is to help you, give you a boost before surgery. Alot of times when we are over weight our liver is enlarged, the Doctors need to be able to see and have plenty of "wiggle room". haha

Anyway, we all fail at diets and that is why we chose the band. We need help! Don't look at it as it is a diet over the next month, yet preparing yourself for the operating table. Just 10 lbs can make a big difference. Good Luck & be encouraged! It was hard for all of us, but we did it sweetie, and so will you!

Thank you so much everyone for the great comments and encouragement.

I really believe what did it for me was cutting out sugar as the 'white' stuff is not on my menu anyways for obvious reasons! LOL

I think when it really hits is when I get down to 160 and only have 20 lbs left. In fact, I just realized that the last time I weighed 170 is when I got married in 1998 and I am only 5 lbs away from that!! (holy cow!)

You rock! Keep it up sweetie!

Denise!!! You look fabulous!! So happy for you!

Hey Robbyn!

You look fabulous! So glad you liked Dr. Jay. They are all great there! Just so you know, I tested the OCC after fill rules and Dr. Jay's. I did much better being on liquids for a week. I was still swollen after a couple days and food just did not work. I know it is personal preference but I like the week of liquids.

So glad you are in town now!! Can't wait to see you!

You are awesome! Keep up the great work! So proud of you!

I am thrilled for you Jude! the best is yet to come...and the rest will begin dropping off!

*muah

Congrats Jude! You are awesome and we all love you!

LisaLaw--

I think a trip to Dallas would be just what the Dr. ordered. I am sure your Vitamin D would go right up!! HAHA

Now, I am freaked. Guess I should get my blood checked again.

actually, I did not even think to post where I found it until I got an email from an Admin telling me we have to now.

LOVE ME SOME WATERMELON!! Think I will have that for lunch! XOXO

I am so very sorry for you! I am an avid animal lover and know how badly you are hurting right now.

And yes, this can make you incredibly tight

If you want, you can go to my website (petlossmemories.com) and I'll make you a memorial for free, ok?

(((((HUGS)))))

Mona--You are too sweet!

Shiney--God bless you for taking good care of Rocky. We need more good pet owners in this world. I absolutely love mine. I lost 3 in one year, back in 2007. I have got a house full again and though a new pup never takes their place, it does ease the pain. I hope you get another furrbaby one day. Stress absolutely tightens your band, take it from me. I have been tighter than a frogs butt lately & I KNOW it is stress, I also cried alot the other day and the next day hardly anything would go down. Just get some rest sweetie.

I was afraid I was eating too much and stretched it and they told me I was fine. I am trying not to think about it now. I just eat so incredibly slow....which takes awhile to get used to!

Also, I will have to start it next month, we just couldnt afford it this month.

I think there is some confusion between a scientific study and a testimonial. The positive results you might be finding on Google are just people talking. The studies that were mentioned were double blind studies performed in a controlled environment. It's not possible for them to be "blowing smoke". That is the entire reason to perform studies in that manner. The subjects of the studies DO take the hCG. Well, at least half of them. The other half would be given a placebo. It has been proven to not work on a scientific level.

I see a few people here that say they've never heard of it. Or they're having a hard time finding a place to get it. Ever wonder why that is? My guess is because it was proven to not work over 30 years ago. A man was actually put in prison for making false claims about the effectiveness of hCG for obesity.

With that said, there's no harm in trying if you want to spend the money on it. The mind is a powerful thing and in the end people are going to believe what they want to believe. If it works for you and you lose some weight that's awesome! Losing weight is the main goal and if for whatever reason it helps you out then that's great. I'm certainly not trying to start an argument...I was just presenting the facts that I found when I researched this a while back.

Edit:

I thought I would add a link to this page. There are many references at the end of the page that link to information about many of the studies that have been done. They all come to the same conclusion. These studies have been performed all over the world. Not just in the US.

http://www.dietscam.org/reports/hcg.shtml

I understand where you are coming from. Just depends on who does the study! Dr.'s who actually endorse the product have done their studies too. I wouldnt have spent my money if folks werent losing weight using it. Ive done Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and never saw these results, so I believe in it!

You are doing great my friend! Keep up the great work!

They don't require a detox in Tulsa either. They will also send them by mail to you. If you fax your weight and bp every two weeks. Not sure if they require the initial visit or if you can get your blood work elsewhere and they mail everything. I will find out, maybe folks that dont have a center near you can do it at Transformations via mail.

Christy,

You look great! It is not a race to be thin, but only to be healthier. You are doing awesome. It has been almost 10 months for me and I have lost close to 50, right about 48. I would also like to lose 60 by October, my one year mark.

I have never wanted to kill myself with this. I am losing at a decent pace, working out like crazy and figure it will all come off if I stay focused. It will for you too!!

It’s been around for over 50 years, studies have been done on it since the 70's.

It’s not been found to be harmful, however there are no studies that show it actually works - I do B12 shots, love them (for the way they make me feel - I don't lose weight with them) and many feel it’s a placebo effect - I don't care - they work for me. It’s the same concept - if it works for you go for it - we're adults and will make our own decisions - what I like about this is you find different viewpoints to gather data.

Would I do it - no, but don’t care if someone else does. It’s your money and your body - so your decision.

Best,

Lisa

You can google it for weightloss and find MANY positive studies from people who USED it. Not people just trying to blow smoke! Like I said, I have had 2 aunts do it, one lost 60 and one lost 30. They both got to their goal. My mom did it, I did it, my cousin did it. All at the same clinic, Transformations weight loss in Tulsa Oklahoma. My Aunt who lost 60 would fly there from Michigan to do it! I don't know of anyone that has done it after the band, but I dont know why it wouldnt work just as well, if not better. I agree we see all viewpoints here, but again, seems we should be doing more research and talk to the people who actually took it. Rather than googling and make our own minds up. lol Funny how you can google negatives about HCG and find it. You can also google negatives about Lapband, but we all still chose to do it. You can always call a clinic and get your own info. I am going to do it, but my first month will be about 225.00 for bloodwork and HCG. That is going to have to wait a few weeks.

Yes, everyone has a right to their opinion. I just think folks shouldn't tell someone it wont work they just read on the internet and haven't tried it. I mentioned several in my family it did work for and they kept the weight off. People can argue whether or not it works, but most of them haven't used it. LOL

HCG attacks the stored fat in the body, the fat that has been there forever. So, when you eat really low fat, you naturally burn that off in the day and the HCG attacks the old stuff. I know people mentioned 500 calories. I ate more than that, in fact I didnt count calories. (I ate smart & healthy just didnt count) I counted fat grams--its been 2 years since i did it, I cant remember but I think I kept it around 15 grams a day. At any rate, I am going to see if I can be seen tomorrow, so I will let everyone know what the new rules are. CHEERS!