New Hope

Pretty puppy! Bet she'll outgrow that basket pretty quick. Looks like she could be related to my 9 yr. old cocker/mix.

Babs, you have made an amazing journey! Congratulations!

Best of luck to you on your journey to better health! Isn't it a shame that we have to hope we have bad enough health problems so insurance will o.k. us for a band? Hopefully, someday all insurance companies will acknowledge that tools like the band can certainly decrease or completely stop health problems, reduce RX expenses, surgeries, and early deaths.

I tried the chocolate after Michelle recommended it. It hits the spot when you've got that craving!

Pat, those are all so cute! Thanks for sharing!

My dr. worked w/Capitol One.

Leatha, I gave myself Lasik surgery for Christmas, too! I originally financed it, but when I talked to Jackson Hewitt, they said I could only deduct the amount that I actually paid each year. So you should have the majority available to you for 2005 taxes.

Yeah, Pat, sounds like that second visit was successful! Now, let's watch that snail get in high gear!!

Good for you Estela! It really helps keep you motivated if you have a buddy to exercise with. Keep up the good work!

It is stuck.

Julie, you will feel all kinds of little aches and pains as your body heals. But you should get to a point where your port doesn't bother you. It just takes time. Just drink water as much as possible, walk around as much as you can comfortably, and be careful not to overdo or lug and tug on anything. Really, you'll be fine!

Ethyl, do you think you're possibly filled too tight? Coughing and throwing up could be signs. Hope you get some relief very soon!

Hi, Julie! How long does your dr. want you on clear liquids? How long on full liquids? You can do this, girl! It's very, very important to follow your dr's post-op rules. He/she has those there for your benefit...to let your tummy heal and your band anchor itself before you start running foods through it. Just try to take it one day at a time. Do things that are non-food related to keep you busy. And keep sipping that water - lots of it - every day so you don't get dehydrated. Congratulations on getting your band!

I don't weigh or measure my food. But I do eat on a salad plate, seem to be able to control portion size easier. Eat leisurely and chew well. After 20 minutes, get up and away from the table. Go do something non-food related, walking, biking, treadmill, etc. Don't drink for at least one hour after eating, so you keep that full feeling longer. Personally, I've never felt my food sliding down the pouch. Other more experienced bandsters may be able to tell you more about that. Are you currently banded? Good luck!

Bobby, how tall are you? 230 may be a good weight for your bodyframe and height.

Hi, Gloria, you've done amazing! Congratulations! I had just posted to you on the other thread before I saw your intro. Hope to get to know you better on here.

Congratulations and welcome, Gloria! How long did it take you to lose your weight? Great job!

If you have any large, solid capsules you can either break them in half or dissolve them in water in a very large spoon before taking.

Wade, what do you think your weight would be at if you hadn't got your band? You've done a great job and will get back on track. Leatha, great post! I needed that pep talk as much as Wade did!

Leatha, that's pretty smart! My husband's ENT has him flushing his sinuses out several times a day w/saline mixture (same thing you're doing!) for chronic sinus problems. Do you have any family near by? Someone needs to come and take care of you, girl!

Fresh out of the garden!

Poor Leatha! Does taking a hot shower or sitting in the bathroom w/the shower going to create steam help w/your breathing? Do you have a vaporizer?

Good for you, Pat! But in all fairness to you, it sounds like the dr.'s technique was your problem last fill. Hopefully, that's a one-time event!

Banded, what type and size of band do you have?

Estela, I'm 5'3" and was a lot heavier than you. You've done very well! You need to remember your family loves you for the real you (inside and out). That precious little girl was just telling you the truth, from her heart.