Done it, just one of those fads. If I were you I would look into zija, its a nutritional system product. It really works. Out of all the crap I have gone through and taken I wish I would have found this earlier, we shall see. I have just been on for 3 weeks and lost 9lbs. You can go to drinklifein.com to get more info on this As far as the hcg you have to be pretty compliant only having 500-800 a day no sugar salt, its very strict if u want it to work. You will lose its just keeping it off and sticking to their plan. With zijz u dont have to change your eating habits, its always still a good idea to eat healthier, just no diet drinks or fruit juices as these contain artificial sweeteners and fructose syrups.You can contact Donna at 1-270-465-1143 and say Jackie referred you. I hope it works for you enjoy the results!

Hello everyone
  I am new to this forum. Long story short I was approved for lap band about 2 weeks ago. It all was approved so fast I barely had time to think. OH was a wonderful place for me to learn a lot about he band. After a long and agonizing week of thinking I canceled my surgery that was scheduled for 9/3/10. I felt I needed to give myself one more chance at doing this without surgery. I have a nutritionist who has given me a plan of action so I hope with her help and all of your encouragement I can do this!!! Hugs to all

Hi. I'm new to this board, but I wanted to post anyway. I've spent years thinking, researching, and even planning to have the Duodenal Switch, which was my surgery of choice. However, I every time I'd shy away thinking "I wish I could do it on my own."

I was also over 400lbs and felt like it was too much to do. At the end of last year though, I started doing some internal work. I just tried to get intouch with me, figured out how exactly I was feeling at every time of the day, and began working on my self - esteem (which was a big part of my problem). I lost a little during that time (probably about 15lbs from Nov. 09 - Dec 09). Then in December I had a long talk with myself and basically told myself, and the fat, that the fat was free to go. That I no longer needed to use it as a sheild, a cover-up, a protector, or anything else I'd been using it as. Ok, it wasn't as simple as that, but that was the beginning..lol.

From that moment to this I've lost 93lbs. Now I have much more weight to lose (I'm currently at 320lbs), but I know I'll be successful. I do it by focusing on the goal of 10lbs per month. It's small and do-able. At the end of the month, I celebrate that 10lbs and move on to the next 10lbs. The only changes I've made are making better food choices, watching my portions, and making an effort to be more active (I'm not as active as I probably should be, but I'm more than I was).

Internally, I pay attention to what it feels like to be satisfied. I'm aware when I'm in an emotional state that used to make me eat that comfort food. I acknowledge, feel the feelings, and let it go. I pay attention to calories but I don't write everything down because I'm not good at it. However, there aren't very many things I'll eat that I don't know the calorie count of.

I have to say it was hard in the beginning. I wrote letters to whatever food was calling my name telling it to leave me alone! LOL.

Example: Dear Cinamon Roll, I hear you over there in the snack bin calling my name. But I'm not answering you today. I love myself too much for that. Call someone else. Love, me.

It's silly, but it helped. There were many other tricks I used. If you would like to talk further, don't hesitate to email me or respond or whatever folks do to contact each other on here...lol.  I'd be more than happy to help.

Melodie

Hi - well I haven't "won" the battle - yet, but am fighting the battle.  I also investigated WLS and went for a surgery consult, but just wasn't ready to do it.  Am losing it on my own, albeit slowly.  I can only speak for myself - but know I don't want the surgery.  Will I succeed in the long run?  I don't know, I have failed before.  I am happy for all those who have had surgery and are living their new lives.  I have been overweight my entire life and perhaps haven't hit rock bottom?  I wish I could be of more help to you but whatever you decide I hope it works and makes you happy!

Hi everyone. I'm currently living in Columbus, MS. I too have been given the option by my Doctor to consider the WLS. My insurance will only cover the Gastric bypass. Everyone's post on here is very imformative. Skylark Orchid I would like to thank you for your post, because the WLS is not on your mind, its your body, and unless your mind is in the right place, then the WLS is void.  I was 366.6 on 12/09. By May I had lost 60 lbs.  Everyone noticed it. My clothes were hanging off me. I had to even purchase new underwear!!! My weight loss was noticed by everyone who knew me. Slowly I have began to pick the weight back up. I had an argument with a very close friend of mines. After thatI started to feel worthless.  I stopped going to the gym. I can say the month of July was when I really started eating "bad". I have come to the conclusion I am an emotional, and conpulsive overeater. I binge too. I go well for so long, lose alot of weight, then I start back eating like crazy again. I'm seriosly consider this WLS. but Im going to try this UNjury got the next month to see what happens. Thanks in advance for reading my posts.