New Hope

You are so right! I think the "head work" is probably the hardest part! I see you enjoy sewing. What types of things do you like to do? That will come in handy, as you alter your too big clothes down and make new ones.

Each surgeon has their own proven favorite. I have a "sternal port". It sits about 3" below my bra band, centered. It doesn't bother me at all and clothes don't restrict it.

Margie, you've lost 35 lbs. w/o a fill? That's wonderful! I'm with you, I tend to be very cautious and want to know a reason why, before I do something. But it does sound like your surgeon needs to take more individual "hands on" with his patients, instead of running them through in masses. I did the informational seminar (complete w/ very detailed Lapband video). Then I scheduled 2 different appts. w/ my surgeon (for one on one info.) before being banded. Please remember the info. we share is from banded patients, and not medical professionals. Best of luck to you!

Nope, not me. I really miss our old LBT forum! Now, I usually check the Main Forums, and check the sections that show "new mail" on their little bulletin boards, then also check on "New Posts" at the top. But I agree, I'm missing several of them and it's inconvenient. P.S. I've also pm'd Mr. Alex about removing that "Moderator" thing he put under my name. I can't get it off (had Alexandra and Penni try, too). It sounds so pretentious! I agreed to help, because I didn't want him to shut down LBT. I can't find my way out of a paper bag!

Delarla, could you have hit the return instead of reply? And now I'm curious, should it have been deleted? Hmmmm.....

Katie, check out fitday.com. It's free. It will also help you keep track of how much you're eating and exercising daily.

So you KNOW you're a lot healthier than some of those skinny, minnies walking around out here! Great news! Now, all systems go for your band!

Now, Penni, try weighing w/o all that gold on. That's probably a couple of pounds right there! Nah, really, congrats. and your rings are beautiful! Better wear them as much as possible before they get TOO big!

Hey, I have the feeling Betty Boop is going to "blow our doors off"! Read "Betty's Surgery" thread under Support. She gives a great descriptive of her surgery and a bean bag. That's all I'm going to tell you. It's very, very interesting! (Suspenseful music.)

That bear has the same shape I do! Hey, congrats. on the 50 lbs. Penni!!!!

Katie, you can get an ID card from your surgeon's office.

Darcy, it's under "Houston, Texas" thread.

NG tube is a feeding tube, used for someone that's unable to eat, so they can get their nourishment. Using one could damage our pouch by overfilling.

Katie, depends on what type of band you have. I have an Inamed, no fill at surgery, had to let it heal. I personally waited 2 months for my first fill.

O.K., Veronica, here's the hard part...STAY OFF THAT SCALE until next Monday (Oct. 25). Then be pleasantly surprised! Look forward to your weigh-in.

Yeah, candy is just too sicky sweet now. What a great problem to have! So I should stay out of the Halloween candy this year. LOL Recently, in the grocery check out, I picked up a small Snickers and read the label. It had 240 calories! The post-banded me thought that's a Bandster meal! The pre-banded me never looked on the back label.

You can use coke to clean the toilet ring inside your toilet and clean the battery terminals on your car. It works like acid! Potent stuff!

Kim, if you can drink those Adkins shakes, each can has 20 grams protein. You only need 60 grams a day. Do you have a wholesale club nearby? I've found them cheaper there, than even Walmart.

Good news, think of the $$ you'll save in conditioner and the time on fixing your hair - with it shorter! Mine's short now, wash and go, love it. I haven't lost any more hair than usual. A few years ago, my hormones were "out of wack" and I did - really bad. It would stop up the bathtub drain. But I didn't have bald spots or anything. But I do notice that I get cold easier now. This is from a person who seemed to have the thermostat "stuck on high" all the time for years. It was a standard joke here, "Oh, Mom's having a hot flash." The kids kept sleeping bags in the front hall closet because I always had the a/c cranked down.

Wow, Pam, 15 lbs. already! Fantastic! Yes, join that weekly scale challenge. It will save your sanity! LOL

Pam, it does take some practice to get that water habit down! I usually drink a good amount of water right before I start eating. It helps moisten my throat. Then afterward eating, I go floss and brush my teeth and rinse my mouth out w/ water. Must have the healthiest teeth in town! But I just don't want to be walking around w/ broccoli stuck in my teeth or something. LOL

Your surgeon should have given you an Inamed I.D. card for your wallet. It states no feeding tubes, has your dr. name, address, phone #, and fax #.

Yes, you can be filled too tight. This can cause you to pb (throw up), not be able to eat the proper foods for nutrients and keep them down, cause band slippage, possible band erosion, and could cause you to have your band removed. Usually, a slight "unfill", (removal of some solution) is all that's needed. Excessive pbing should be avoided!

I can't get this to open up. That's a little creepy to me!

Greg, mine was a candy bar and Diet Coke. LOL