Vera

Tanise You are my Hero! Congratulations and Thanks for sharing I love Liz Claiborne pants.

:banana :banana :banana Congratulations Betty Penni, is this now concidered excersize? :Bunny

As some of you know from the Vegas bash, I'm a Salad lover, even when I was very restricted, I would dice/chop/shred salads and still do. My problem is I like Blue cheese and Ranch dressings and they can be high in fat, calories and carbs. So, I was wondering if any of the wonderful bandsters on this board have any suggestions besides olive oil & vinegar, that tastes good and is good for you. I have spent time at the grocery store reading labels but wish I could just taste them all. What are some of your favorites??? :lick Also, with the rains starting and the colder weather it seems like I want stews and rich foods...anyone else feel a change in food cravings?

Thanks Becky, Pesto Ranch sounds good, even on a bean salad and marinated mushrooms or pickled beets. I love Balsamic vinegar Marie, as well as Bob's Big Boy Blue cheese Michelle! Now I want all your stew and soup recipes, at least your favs! That squash sound real good about now Teresa. Every time I get a ham, I always make a split pea/bean soup with carrots and celery with ta bone! I can almost smell it.. I'm glad your enjoying those Capris Michelle.

I've got it bad!!! Too....

The best to you Baby Betty. Get up and walk as soon as you can. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hi Mag, Marie, Jodie and Jock, Difference in the Inamed and J&J Swedish band The J&J band is 11mm tall about a ½ inch. The standard Inamed band is 9mm tall about 3/8 inch tall. I don’t know about the Inamed Vanguard band, which is said to be larger, or if it’s any taller then their standard band? The J&J band is wrapped and clasped like a tiewrap with notches….avoiding a buckle. It will pop open under extreme vomiting apparently to prevent slippage. I don’t know if that’s a good feature, just listing this I’ve read. Also, the J&J port is titanium. I spent my first few banded months comparing my band to the Inamed and the placement is the same, they work and function the same. I just get larger fills…I could be at about 7cc’s and will find out for sure on 11/11 under fluoroscopy. As far as erosion rate between the 2 bands, I would like to see the documented facts. I am fortunate to have a follow-up doctor within 20 miles that will service a Swedish band. I’m very pleased with my results thus far and happy with my decision to be banded.

Oh My, More Postive thoughts coming your way. Please keep us updated on his condition and sometimes it's just good to talk...call anytime. Just gave my kids a hug and sending you and your family hugs and prayers.

Wow! You go girl. You are so beautiful inside and out! You have me crying too.

Carol and I flew in Friday at 9am to be greeted by Michelle, Leatha, Ginny, and Texas Babs. Within minutes Lisa and Chloe drive up in the Jimmy and off we go to Lisa's...with a quick stop at the Liquor store for the Margaritas Carol provided, Thanks Carol, great recipe!. Lisa has a Fashionable house with a swimming pool and the cutest pets greeting you. After unloading luggage, Lisa brought us to the strip and dropped us off at the Luxor till our rooms were ready. The Luxor is a grand pyrimid, Carol and I started window shopping, they are plentiful and a bit expensive for me but a pair of shoes caught my eye, unfortunately not in my size. Soon Carol and I seatlled in for lunch at Madala Bay. We split a slice of meatloaf and I could see how restricted she was. Carol had 4 bites while I managed to get all mine down. So off to more shops and dropped a few coins in the slots, within a half hour Carol was cashing in 73 bucks off a nickel machine. Caught a cab to the HoJo where we were greeted by the same ladies from earlier. A few of use were discussed by the rooms and cancelled our reservations. Leatha was able to get a room at the Westin and with Lisa's help over the phone, on the computer, over the other phone, Lisa was able to get a room for Michelle, Carol and I at the Excalibur. By this time its close to 5 and the Taxi that was called has not arrived so I started to hale one...jumping up and down flagging my arms for a cab... a gray mustang drives up and its Teresa and K.C. The smile on her face as she states she wasn't expecting a welcoming committee, was humorous.... A wonderful lady (cab) pulls up and before we get to the Excalibur she's got all the scoop on the band with websights written down. We get to Beppa's about 6 and meet most of the gang. Donali gives us all a chocolate egg from Germany and Penni gives out metals for being winners/losers. The food is great as we all chat, laugh and eat. Finally Teresa and K.C. show up, they walked 2 miles. Across the street was the Terribles, we play a few games and we go our seperrate ways. Carol, Michelle and I were sitting at the Excalibur bar when who do we see...Teresa and K. C.. They proclaimed they didn't walk there and we chatted for awhile. Saturday morning Carol treated Michelle and I to Breakfast at the Bellagio. I highly recommend the Crab Cakes eggs Benedict. Thanks again Carol. Carol and I go shopping up at Cearars while Michelle plays and guess what I found... those shoes, but not my size. We get to Lisa's as everyone else arrives including Megan and the Bridgetts! It was truly a wonderful party with lots of conversation, food and Margaritas. I think the pictures tell a great story. Yes I have the thong shots but will not post them....I missed out on Letha's boob, there was a time I feared being throw in the pool so I kept my distance. Lisa slapped sticker/names on everyone's back as we had to ask questions to find out who we were, great game. Donali was so generous with prizes and gifts and the hand painted cards are beautiful and precise, she is quite talented and sweet. After many hugs and saying our good-byes, Leatha, Ginny, Michelle and I met up at the 4 Queens in downtown. How crazy can that place get! At one time we sat at the slots and within a minute Leatha wins (in think) $140, we grab dinner at the Horseshoe then gambling for a time while every hour you can go outside and see a laser light show over a canopy stretching 2 city blocks on Fremont st. At one end Kenny Logans was playing while at the other end Eddy Money was playing. Fun! We all jumped into the same cab and got a crazy ride back to the strip and off to bed. So I snore, sorry I didn't warn you Mustang "Blue Eyes" Michelle. I had the best roomies anyone could ask for. Sunday was filled with more sight-seeing, shopping, and munching... then off to the airport. Sure enough passing one last store I see those shoes, again not in my size. I finnaly got home about 7pm fairly tired. After hugging my kids and downloading the pics my daughter Roxanne says "Now that Mom is home can we have sit down dinners?" I'm crying now cause I realize what loving, caring, wonderful friends I have made. I miss you! Lets do it again! Pics are in no particular order..... P.S. I love all the new avatars Heres the PhotoJam Enjoy!!!! http://www.shockwave.com/rd/photojam4/?14705035/1097548834364_459

Betty Counting down the hours...nervous and excited. By now your ducks are lined up, pictures and measurements taken, shopping done, cabinets full of protein/soups/sauces and the bags are packed. Its like nesting to have a baby. Which you should be treating yourself like, a Baby. Baby Betty take it easy, relax. We'll all be thinking of you come Monday. "a whiskey bath" :lick ...LOL

I'm glad everyone enjoyed the photojam and pics, it all seems like a dream now. My vote for the next bash - Dublin with a stop-over in Houston! Bright, It's been awhile..Hope your doing well and your flip-flops are getting big. Are you still giving out your diet secret of Ox-tail Soup and wasabi on everything? LOL. I think of you every time I have sushi with wasabi...

Holly Macaroni! Karen My yaw dropped! Seeing you last weekend, I had no idea how much weight you've lost! What an accomplishment. Thanks for posting your pics and it was so nice meeting you. Thanks for the resipe too.

Dear Lisa, Its a Canon PowerShot A95, 5.0 Megapixal W/4.1 Zoom. 4 AA batteries (long life). It takes movies (mpeg's) w/sound. While in Vegas I took a movie and didn't know it till I got home and was downloading. It's a 2 second clip of Kenny Logans(not worth posting) So I'm still learning all the features and I need a larger memory card. Bought it on E-bay about 4 weeks ago for $330. One of the main reasons for choising this one was the 4 batteries vs. 2, I've heard of camera batteries dieing fast, this one lasted me all weekend. So far I'm trilled.

Ouch! Good, a healthy heart! :cool:

I can smell the honeysuckle on the wind Thanks Ryan... you'll be back on her banded! But maybe with the smell of oil? shift, lean, shift, dream.......sweet

perfect pics! When you move and the barium flows, you see it on the screen "live"

Dr H is one of the best! From what I've read he just un-twisted Nicci's stomach. The pain she's been feeling since banding was intence. Her doc said to remove her band. But Dr. H fixed her up. Glad to see all the documentation! I would have replied the same to his question about going to MX, and I have.

I've been so busy at work and with the kids...this is the first time I'm sitting! Lisa..everyone, Take a hot bath...with lots of bubbles and music. go shopping go to the beach/lake. Plan a trip, even if it's a small venture. I like to lie on the ground in the sun... and eat chocolate! Hang in there, keep smiling

I'll be thinking of you... Glad your seeing your sweety doc. Hopefully it's simple, you might even wake up in the morning and its gone...

Theres more, takeing a break... Now that I know how to resize, let me know if....Oh Lisa G....LOL:cool:

Flags fly, Crown high

New York

Teresa

not in the pool