burnsun

Ours lock on- I got them from One step ahead (I think) I love the net idea (but we have a 7 acer lake. Big NET!!!! I am going to get the GPS watches for the kids- I realize will only work if they leave them on- but it makes me feel better and what else would I do with the monitoring fee each month!

We don't have a pool- but we have a large lake (7 acres) in our back yard! So with the four little children. I bought them each a turtle lock on wrist watch looking thing. It sets an alarm off if they get it under Water ( I tied it to my roof alarm) Great fun- when Colin learned to stick it in the toilet!!!! I also have the alarms on our doors and windoes- but I freak out Anyways. (Believe me when we move- I 'll be replacing them with the GPS locator watches) If I could put a micro chip in them I would!!!! Eric thinks I am nuts- but he has never taken all four out on his own yet (he barely survives three at home for an hour while I sew or run to store)

I have only had one fill- 2.6 and a tweak. I returned to Mexico for my check up and got ti then. It is still working perfect and I ain't messing with it!!!!! I didn't feel it was too much however occasionally I get a day (somehow related to moon position, the planet saturn's postion and how Pujols is hitting) where I can't eat much. But that is usually few and far between- about 1 a month. 5 or 6 days a month (corresponding to cycle- I can NOT eat befor noon - but other than that- I am fine for all other meals those days! I prefer the fill with floro scope and have them watch it go through and see how quick the pouch empties. It makes brain sense to me and if they have been doing it longenough they will have an idea of how to do for your best benefit.

bjtravelgirl- for you infor with my loss _ I went from a 44 d to a 36 b/c (I sort of feel I look really shriveled-or great grandma like- but it is so nice to have them smaller.) I also am still nursing but I have always spent the $ to get good support bras- now I just added some padding to make me feel a little rounder! I live near st louis and My mother in law (also banded) has used Dr, Wagner for her fills. His price was relatively the same cost of going to Mexico for a fill (however we go to TJ- so just a priceline to San Diego) about $400 fore the ones with floro. But I haven't used him yet. I am stull on my first fill. I think they are more agressive in Mexico with their filling techniques- mom is on her second fill.

I agree with Shell. I am almost at 100 lbs gone in and still have 1 1/2 months till I am a year out! I am happy. I am even 14 lbs away from normal.. I can eat almost eeverything (including a piece of cheese cake on stick at out local festival yesterday- which I did share with all three of my kids) with out fear of fainting or "dumping" or having violent gaseous explosions. It fits well with my life and my kids have not noticed me droping a ton- it has been a slow change and only a few people have really noticed the weight loss (usually people I don't see daily) and commented. I have limited hangin skin - except bat wings and I expect all but the batwings will resolve mostly on there own. I have been able to exercise consistently- 3 miles fast walking 3-5 times a week (never could have done that before) as well as Water aerobic 2 -3 times a week. I actually can say I love exercise! (Never thought I would say that!!! ever) I also never missed a stride with my kids- from 6 hours after surgery till today. I wasn;'t to tired from quick loss to play of do stuff. I love it!!! Last week an aquaitence of mone had her RNY (she needed it for a variety of reasons as well as only thing insurance will pay for) I watched her with her pain pump and her drains and all and watched her limp around all this week and she still can't stand straight. I know I am not normal- but we went to a museum the day agter surgery- I sat by a pool watching my kids swim sipping apple and pineaple juice that evening and I never had to worry about loosing my milk supply- I just had to work hard to make sure I got the right amount of carbs and Protein and such. My only real regret is not doing it sooner. But that is life- and I am really feeling great!

My pharmasist said mine were fine to crush (doc freaked out) but they are not the extened release- so it shouldn't matter to much. I have a tendency to trust the pharmisist when it comes to drug interaction and stuff. To the original question- I crushed at first and then I moved to the 500 mg pils and then I cut in half and have no problems (bit I was at about 7 months post banding) Show the pills to your band doc and see what he thinks. I do not think the xr will make it through the stoma (I got some as a sample to stop the lows & highs I still have (but not like before) I was afraid to take them when I saw how large the 500 mg pills were.

I have just had one. I have 2.6 ml (again don't compare fill amounts) but I went back to Dr. Martinez for it and they don't do the US- add a little bit at a time. I think he hit it right the first time!

Please don't compare the dosages. but before surgery 850 mg X 2. I had to chage to 3 1/2 500 mg pills 4 x day to get it through the band (it sucked crushing it and really tasted so bad and gave me really bad lows when crused (and I don't take the XR). I know takke 2 1/2 500 mg pills over course of day still 3 times I also take 2 calcium pills (chewable and one childrens vitamin and I am takinging a folic cupplement.

I have it- I have done really well with the weight loss. PCOS doctor didn't think I would do as well as I have. I have been able to cut my metformin in half- I tried cutting it all out- but I lost my cycle again. I will say or warn you- I had a period ever 13-16 days for the first 9 months of my banding. Doctor felt it was due to the losing weight then "dumping" the estrogen stored in that fat therefore causing the hormone spike that starts your cycle. But after 10 months I am finally back to normal (well as normal as I could be) I occasionally still have spikes- my acne is slightly better- but I think the met did more of that and I still have hair in weird places- but it isn't falling out (however could be do to Protein intake) I also had a baby before banding- 13 years of trying then two adoptions baby out of blue then another adoption. SO I am up to four. If we get pregnant again I will be happy- because I really want to look pregnant- I never looked pregnant just fatter! (I actually lost 50 lbs when pregnant- but 330 to 279 didn't make that much difference) Good luck!

I like the pro perfomance 95 from gnc. 25 g soy protein + the amount from the skim milk. Icould eat three a day and not want to kill every human. The taste was good for me- I liked the vanilla, choclate - but there are other flavors cookies and cream and bannana and strawberry. I have mixed in berries or cinamon or 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee or a bannana to vary the flavor and get me some more carbs (I was nursing at the time) or a punch! I occasionally still use one when I am to tight (for what ever reason about 1/3 the time in the morning) or when I am making shakes for dh and the kids with ice cream. I am a big believer in soy protein! And occasionally I need it to keep my protein above 75 g (again - I am nursing still)

I love those (.(6 skorts- I bought several in many different colors. YOu look great!!!

Krystal- I wish you luck in your journey! Ihave four children and live in the STL area too! Thank the lord our zoo doesn't have many hills, I am forever pulling them in the wagon there (we moved from TN and our Knoxville zoo is on the side of a small mountain - ok large hill) I hope you get your call back soon. An aquaintance of mine just had the bypass, (I tried to explain the benfits etc- but insurance only paid for this & they appoved her plaxzstics already too- oh to have her policy on that). The docotrs here are really great, but I went to Mexico and am so happy weith my loss. I am really doing great (or so everyone tells me) Wishing you the best!

I hope it works!!!!! Remeber what goes up can and will come down (except mayber in CA- you guys are just crazy!!!)) I think I have lost what you will gain- but somebody gets to get - I am glad it is a bandster!. our farm in TN has been for sale for four years. (We lost all of our industry- etc) We finally have an offer almost 400K less thans appraised value 6 years ago! But I can pay off the bank and get out from 4 years of two payments (there and STL).

My goal by BMI for my height is 125 to 164 lbs. I decided on 160 lbs myself. I have a huge frame and bones and have been overweight for most of my life - so I have high density (yeah no osteoporosis)! My OB thinks I should be about 175 to 180 not pregnant (so who really knows) I would go with what you want. I figure when I get to 160- I may re=evaluate also but I know that less than 145 would look ridiculous cause I have a big but and I would be so bottom heavy that it would not be curvy

My mother in law and I got banded on the same day. (possible regret) It was good and bad. We have someone to ask questions of (ok- she has someone to ask questions of) We went back for one fill together and she has had one fill here in STL. My only regret is really not being able to do it sooner. I got pregnant (after 13 years of trying) while saving the $$$ UP THE FIRST TIME. wAITED ALMOST 2 YEARS then was able to do it. My small little problem is I am a great looser (if all goes well I will be well over 100 lbs lost before my 1 year anniversary- same as expected on bypass) Mom is not doing as well she is a very slow looser ( but if she followed any rules she might do better- her worst is the alcohol/wine every night & she refuse to do an exercise. She is closer to 45 lbs loss now. But it is still a loss. She is mad at me because I am in size L or 12/14 and she is still in 18's (I was 3x before). She also started out with miuch quicker losses before our first fill and I felt like a failure then. So I guess it evens out! But if they take my band- I would just cry and cry!!!! and probably make them wire my mouth shut. My only other regret is I can't enjoy a salad yet. It just sucks and tastes crappy after all that chewing. But when I get closer to goal- if I can't eat it then I will have some taken out!

You will do great!!!! We had a wonderful woman who was there when we got banded last July. We went to dinner together and I made sure she was ok before I left the hospital to go back to the hotel. She and I still email!

From one who went to school has a BS and MS in Physics and taught for 11 years and did semi profesional theater as well as high school and college theater while I was teaching. I do now love staying at home with my kids. But that was and is my choice and not that of others. (though I never at 23 or 26 thought that at 38 I would love this!!!!) I also have my monster in law living woith us (she even got banded at the same time) - but she wlives with us- not the other way round! It does have a few advantages- I can run to the store in the moddle of night with DH and she doesn't have to be driven home after she babysits or holidays etc. I lived for a while in Mexico and saw this as common for most families untill they built up enoguh $$$ to get their own house/apartment etc. However all the people I knew doing it had small houses on the family house or studio apartments, etc. Good luck and wish you all the best

You hit the nail on the head with your question about the size thing. I finally bought new clothes this past weekend. I was really wondering this too! (future reference if your ever in STL area and see a stressed mom shopping with 4 kids running in three carts in a department store stop and ask her if she wants help- IT IS ME!!!! I have never taken the kids anywhere where you had to go in to get carts new surprise and not so fun- moral I will shop with two and only two if I am by myself! I got mostly 14's but 2 sixteens and 3 twelves. bUT ALL LARGES (THOUGH i THINK A MEDIUM MIGHT HAVE FIT) So I am so confused (but the only pair of gap jeans I ever owned and fit - size 14 still can't even pull up past mid thigh (from 1989 or 90 my one skinny month) tHE VERY NICE LADY TOLD ME i HAVE PROBABLY NEVER HAVE WORN CLOTHES OR SHOES THAT FIT CORRECTLY AND i HAVE A WHOLE NEW EXPERIENCE COMING. My new NSV was to go the Fox theater, have plenty of room in the chair and be able to comfortable cross my legs and not crowd dh or my neighbor!!! ANd BIG RIVER WAS AWESOME!!!! Though a co worker of DH recently go back after 4 months abroad for work and saw our new family photo and asked Eric if he got remarried. I think that was good! Anyways congratulations and have fun!!!

Well 150 puts me right in the middle of the desired weight by BMI for My heoght. I would settle for NORMAL which is 164.7 for my 5' 8" frame

I have been in the "obese" catagory my entire teenage and= adult life (except for a skinny week t=here and there). I also taught high school for almost 11 years- Kids are mean!!!! They were mean to me and I have seen many kiddos on the brink of suicide because of this (the tteasing the people who threw things at them from moving cars, put stuff in their lockers , etc) I am really concerned with ever telling Adrian I had surgery for that very reason. I don't want her to think I took the easy way out and so can she. I want her to make healthy choices and do so appropriately- but gosh darn it wendy's fries DO taste better than the fruit!!!! Sorry but they do. She is my little one and I already see her ability to have my thighs (Oh how I was hoping for dad's legs) I hope to educate her a lot more on BMI (if she asks) I know half of my problems could have been corrected if I had thouroughly understood I was " not that fat" - because of warped understanding of what was/is normal Would I want my child (or any other) to undergo that teasing (and it is really bad!) or unecessay years of pain while waiting for surgery and age 21/ No probably not. I also have three children with whom weight will definetly be an issue and this is never going to be an option for them! I just keep running them around (or they run me - I am not sure) But we can't even get insurance to cover most adults, who decides who gets it and who doesn't and I sure don't want to tell a MO child that they have been declined when there hopes are high there is an end in site!!! Been there done that and gained it all back with some friends.

I was just thinking about posting this topic today! I was looking at my Sillouttes catalog an loving some of the new dresses- and realizing the XL would just fall off. I can't find that dress (or a few others) in another small person catalog. At walmart the other day- I couldn't believe all the things in the plus size I liked and they would never fit and that there was nothing in the 12-14 range I wanted. (thank the lord my butt is still a 16/18 - i think?)

Oh- i understand about the bat wings!!!! Mine are huge almost 6 inches. I used to teach ap physics and other science- so I determined the other day they were long enough to show the direction accereation by their movement on a ride at six flags and I didn't need to take my portable one if I was interested in knowing (not sure which is worse- that I want to know or that I can now use my arms) But I agree with Alex. It may resolve a little to a lot depending on how long you have been overweight (mine won't) and even DH said surgery would be fine for those. I figured I save the tt for when I was out of child bearing age or I just got so disgusted. It can be toned but the hanging skin is something that is just plain annoying (I can't fit in smaller shirts cause of arm flab now-poo!) I don't have neighbors in visual contact- but plan on those 3/4 sleve sets they had many cute ones at target and walmart that were cheap enough for one year if you loose more. I got a couple of cute light sweaters to cover up when I leave house for sun dresses etc. But I may eventually give up and let it hang when it al gets to hot. FYI- I got the worst sunburn on the hanging part this weekend- I don't think it had ever seen the sun before and I was mowing lawn and forgot to put extra sunscreen there (never had that problem on the "under area before"

Great job MIchelle!!!!!!! I am so happy for you (I say that as I am eating a choclate chip cookie my daughter brought me) Thank God for the band because before I would have eaten 10- now one is a lot, but I doubt I'll get to a size 10 my but is so big BUT YOURS LOOKED GREAT IN YOUR Before/after photos!! Way to go!!!!

My before and after photos (I'll change the after when I get a better one) and here is hoping I get taller. before at 330# at Melea's christening in August of 2002 3 weeks ago at 193 (and I am now 189!!!!!) I just want to be taller now

I find that I had to find a new way to sit every 10 -20 lbs. IE - Sit proper or my port had fat/ flab rubbing against it. The more I sat wrong the more it hurt like your describing, As I lost weight it has gone away (unless I slouch at the computer screen a lot).