faithmd

That's true, in the mixed and chopped pickles state, but I love/loved to have a little glob of mayo, a dollop of ketchup and pickle spears or preferably slices of those fresh pack pickles like Claussen or Trader Joe's Sour Garlic pickles. Drag the pickle in the mayo, then the ketchup, then eat. Mmmmmmm

:welcomeB: You should go check out the LapBand FAQ and References Forum Also, there are a couple of threads floating around out there with more recent lists, here's the links: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/pre-op-lap-band-shopping-list-41927/ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/preop-shopping-list-updated-prices-42494/ Just an FYI, the search function here is great, I almost always use the Advanced Search and then look for thread titles only. For these I looked for "list" and poof! There they were. It's great when you want to know something NOW and don't want to wait for someone to respond to a thread. Also, there's loads of great info out there from people who have gone through it already.

Lauren, that is soooooo od that you say that. I was thinking the EXACT same thing (for myself of course), I love a great historical romance and would go through periods where I was reading one every few days. Makes me think of Stephanie Laurens or Mary Balogh or Kelsey (?) MacGregor. Dang, now I'm going to have to cut my Tami Hoag habit and pick up some more Stephanie Laurens....

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL :biggrin1::biggrin1: That's funny I know you don't know me, but that was hilarious! LOVE it! Most folks think my odd food cravings should have something to do with pregnancy. I love some odd stuff. But no, if I were pregnant it would be another Immaculate Conception, or a REALLY long gestational period-longer than that of the majestic elephant.

Yes, it is! WOW!

Mmmmmmm, mayonnaise Mmmmmmmm, mayonnaise and ketchup Mmmmmmmmm, mayonnaise and ketchup and pickles

Please keep us informed about how you like it. I've been debating whether to order one of these devices myself. It will be great to read your reports about how yours performs. That's one thing about the Bodybugg that I don't like is not only is it EXPENSIVE as heck, but you still have to pay MONTHLY to get the full training benefit from it???

Unfortunately no one here can tell you for certain what the office will say, tomorrow is fine to hear what they say. One more day likely won't make a huge difference. Some surgeon's do not want you taking them, others say it's fine. The concern is the BCP increases your risk for bloodclots, so sometimes you'll end up with a few more blood-thinner medication shots, sometimes not. The key is to WALK WALK WALK. Get up and MOVE.<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Lisa: :welcomeB: to LBT! There are loads of threads about this here on LBT, but it boils down to the theory that weight loss and a low calorie diet pre-operatively will help to shrink the liver. The liver is in the direct visual field and operative field when placing the lapband, it needs to be moved out of the way. The liver is fragile and friable and slippery as heck, if you can lose some size and fat out of it pre-op then that makes it easier on the surgeon and safer for you during the surgery.

I noticed the OP joined in Aug 2006, but if she is in Oz, she could have the AP, and she could have the VG.

But the new AP small band IS 10cc/10mL band, and isn't the VG a 10mL band as well?

Go Losing, GO!!!! I'm soooooooo geeked for you!

I think Port Huron is a great place to be banded. Hurley in Flint is also a Center of Excellence and I've been pretty happy there as well. If you are planning to go with your insurance to pay for this, then I'd give the insurance a call and make sure who they cover versus who they won't. My insurance would only cover for me to go to UM (hadn't done a single band at the time), the Beaumont system (same thing-Dr. Deol's up front fee turned me right off-thankfully, cause now she's leaving for Chicago, and the other guys were okay, but I didn't really "click" at the info session) or to Hurley. I went to a free info session at Hurley and decided then and there I wanted to see them. I ended up being banded by Dr. Wagner even though I had originally been scheduled to see the Director, Dr. Obeid (but he had a health crisis). I was very happy with the care in the hospital, I'm learning to navigate the clinic and overall I can't really complain. the only thing about Hurley is that you have to purchase their pre-op/post-op diet kit. It's based on your BMI and mine was above 50, so I had two weeks of a low calorie liquid pre-op diet and two weeks post-op (everyone got that, some pre-ops are only one week). It was only $249 for four weeks, and frankly, I'd spend more than that on groceries, so I was too taken aback. I just wish someone had told me upfront.

Not for myself, but I'm sure my 81 year old mother who probably loves Hip Hop would appreciate it as a gift. Stocking stuffer, ya know?

Sorry, I haven't been on in a while, but no, I have not heard of this. There is some really good info on Walter and Kelly Lindstrom's site (it is an obesity law firm that specializes in getting insurance companies to pay) about whether or not there is a chance to fight. Check out their site, it's free to look: Obesity Law and Advocacy Center

I thought I was the only one. Woohoo! I'm not alone! I HATE Christmas music more than I hate Rap/Hip Hop-and believe me, I HATE Rap/Hip Hop.

Bored.com - Fun Stuff To Do When You Are Bored My-Caffeine - Online Games | News | Horoscopes | Videos | Online Dating Fun Things To Do When You're Bored: Free Games, Puzzles Don't know if youve already tried these things, but here's a few links if you haven't. I hate when I can't shut my brain off. I can't sleep, and I get so distracted from everything else other than what I don't want to think about, it's a vicious cycle. How about shopping? I'm not much of a shopper, but sometimes I like to go and just wander and look at things. I seem to remember you mentioning something about wanting to redecorate? How about sitting in the bookstore with some decorating books for inspiration? Here's an interesting site about homes that I found fascinating (wasted some serious time there last night): Earthship Biotecture » Putting Housing Back into the Hands of the People Another good time waster: Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site How about: Album: CHANGING SPARK PLUGS ON A PT CRUISER - SIMPLIFIED Customers Suck!

Many people have had the Band placed over bypass. It's becoming kind of common. I do not know which doctors to steer you towards, but over on obesityhelp.com you can do a search in your area for doctors that place the band then call and ask them if they have experience in placing it over a bypass. Are you self-pay or will you be using insurance? If you are using insurance, I would suggest you first call your insurance company and make sure you have coverage to get the band, some will not cover it, and some have a "one per lifetime" clause for weight loss procedures. Also you'll need to know WHO the insurance will pay for you to see if they will cover it.

I never watch Oprah, so I wasn't sure. Thank you for clarifying, Mindy

Just what I was going to ask. Here's a coup-le of links to a blogspot (and it will change as the blog gfets longer, I'm sure) about it, I found them by Yahooing "Dr. Oz" and Green drink: Raw food, Right Now! Raw in the Real World. Raw Food, Right Now! Raw in the Real World.: Kris Carr on Oprah, Shares "Green Drink" with Dr. Oz

do a search for "sweet spot," there are simply loads of threads out there about that very subject. There are probably as many threads as there are answers to that question. It seems to be a different feeling for each person. I guess the basic answer is if you don't feel hungry for a few hours after a meal, you aren't PBing unless it's an error you made (too big a bite, not chewing well enough, etc) and you are losing well at 1-2lbs per week, you're there. Most folks report it's at least three to four fills to get there. Some docs and nutritionists (nuts) say it's all about exactly how much food you can eat at a time, some say it's more about the feeling of fullness and how the satiety lasts in conjunction with the weight loss.

An actual post (thread starter, to be precise): AACK Day 6 and Not sure!!!! What is wrong with me? I do not feel like I am losing weight, and I am soooo bloated I feel like I am pregnant with a bowling ball. Seriously! That's what I look like! I am hungry, and this liquid diet does NOT satisfy. I am wondering if it was all worth it? Plus, I miss my diet cokes! WAH! I'm a big baby.

Surgery is later this week. How was the Marathon, Julie? I'm wishing you well for the surgery, only a few days now... WOOHOO!!!!!!!!

I'm in a rush and don't have a lot of time to reaserach this, but I know I saw a couple of places that sold various drinks with Stevia, here's a couple of links I found on the fly (WASaBB can you let us know about the quality of the protein?): Jayrobb.com: Jay Robb whey Protein with Stevia and Natural Flavors Discounts on Stevia Extracts powders Drinks Gum recipes and More Natural Whey Protein, Protein powder, Stevia Sweetened Protein Soy Protein with Stevia (Vanilla) - health-marketplace.com Whey 24 Protein Powder With Stevia, chocolate Fudge - Allegro Medical Supplies Bodybuilding.com - Stevia Information and Product Listing! Stevia FAQ!

go to lapband.com (Allergan's site) you can search there by location to find a surgeon for the LapBand. Not sure about the J&J band.