New Hope

You can click on someone's ticker tape and it will take you to the site. Create your tape, then cut and paste it under your signature. Have fun!

Please follow his/her post-op directions so your band will anchor properly and you'll avoid future problems. This is temporary!

Like Penni said, everyone is different. Have you had any surgeries before? The laproscopic surgery is so much easier to get over than an open-method. It took me a couple of weeks to really get back on my feet. But I had some other things done besides the banding and I'm sure that slowed me down. What type of work do you do? A sit-down job, lot of standing, carrying things, etc.? Your date is just around the corner! Best of luck to you! Please let us know how you're doing when you feel up to it.

Are you eating more now? Without a fill, it's common to be hungry because you have no restriction. You may find yourself eating pre-band amounts. Are you exercising consistently? Getting your waterload in (but not w/meals or 1 hour afterwards)? How about tracking your foods on www.fitday.com ? It helps when you can see how much you're eating and what types of food you're eating. Best of luck to you.

Joanie, I felt all kinds of little aches and pains while healing. It seemed like one would stop and a different one would pop up somewhere else. But they do go away. My surgeon, and several others, stitch the port in place to a muscle. That can be uncomfortable until it heals. Some signs of trouble would be redness around the incision area, fever, pain that intensifies, feeling of heat around the area. I'm sure others will have more specific answers. Are you incisions healing well? Any sign of infection, pus, inflammation, foul smelling drainage, etc.? Have you done anything that could have aggravated your port? Heavy lifting, etc.? Hope you're soon feeling better.

Congratulations on getting your band and on your great weight loss!

Wow, Truth can certainly be stranger than Fiction! Glad you got this corrected. Happy healing!

I couldn't have said it better! Alex, that is a wonderful NSV!

Hi Spaqueen, congratulations on getting your band. What type of liquids does your dr. have you on right now? Clear or full?

Thank you, Betty! Glad that you're following Greg's previous suggestion. Look forward to what the month of March brings.

Wow, Vera, you're one tough little gal! So glad that is behind you. Please take care of yourself and heal now. Hopefully you won't be needing him anytime soon so it won't matter that he's not close by. (((Hugs)))

Scotty, you probably are in starvation mode. Have you tried keeping track of your foods on www.fitday.com ? This is a healing time, not meant to worry about weight loss. How about some rich cream soups? I know that you're an excellent cook. You will have a flurry of emotions surface during this journey. Not eating all the time to stifle our emotions means we have to face them. Also, you're still recovering from surgery. It really will get better. Congratulations on your great weight loss. You're already biking? That's wonderful.

Hope you're feeling better soon. Is your infection clearing up?

Roxanna, Congratulations! So glad that you've done careful research. Like already stated, please be sure that you have your after care lined up before you get your band. Best of luck to you!

Thank you, Penni. We all have different ways of handling things. It will take time, but hopefully everyone will heal.

I know mine isn't right. But it's been so long ago, I don't remember what I told them. But a ?? to any bandsters, has it ever been ?? that you DON'T look like your DL picture? I think I should look a little different (-56 pounds), but I've yet for anyone to comment on it.

Ryan, best of wish to you and Patty! I hope her health is improving day by day. Please take care of yourself and continue on your way to better health. (((Hugs))) Hopefully this will all blow over soon and we can all heal.

Dearest Betty, I'm so sorry. I know that both of your parents were amazing people. Look at the great daughter they have! I hope you have lots of photos that capture happy memories of your family. Though they're no longer here physically, they will always live in your heart. (((Hugs)))

I got a rub-on from Coppertone last summer that works really well. The trick is to apply evenly and sparingly. It will definitely darken up. Then wipe off excess around ankles, knees, elbows...and scrubb the palms of your hands well. I used "Coppertone (Oil Free) Sunless Tanning Lotion"..in Light/Medium. It is slightly tinted so it's easy to see where you've applied it. I've also heard the spray tans leave you orange.

Seems like tuna fish is a bandster staple. But I'm getting bored with it. How do you fix yours?

We have really gotten some great recipe ideas, haven't we?

Yes, definitely, tuna or chicken! We're just usually thinking convenience by using the canned t. or c. I'd love to have home canned tuna. Thank you all for the great responses! It's so interesting to see the different recipes from such a variety of regions.

I remember waking up w/my heart pounding from a dream about not getting married. But I was already married!!! 32 years later, I can tell you it was the best decision an 18 year old could have made. You'll soon feel that way about your band and your life! It will just keep getting better and better.

Renee, please read the old threads. You will find plenty of posts on Dr. Lopez and Dr. Kuri. Which doctor is doing your banding?

Frank, I'm so sorry you lost your father. I agree w/what everyone has said. Please use your faith to help comfort you during this trying time. (((Hugs))) and prayers.