paula

Girl... lighten up on yourself!!! We knew you were joking! ((hugs))

LOL....hehehe! Thats a good one!!!!! You are right, it fits this thread.

Ethel (and Leatha), Out of curiosity, did the doctor mention giving you a discount on this second surgery? My thought is what IF your insurance will not pay - will the doctor just remove it, or will he replace it??? Or just leave it alone till you can afford to do something?

and its no-sugar added (splenda) - which makes me feel like Im REALLY saving on calories!!! Something cute - the Turtle Sundae flavor has little chocolate turtles mixed into the ice cream. Kelly, I like both about the same. Betty, trust me - they are good!

Trish, (((hugs))) I cant say much more then what Alex and Kelly havent said, but just know that WE LOVE YOU. Hang in there - its almost your time!!!

Very Good Information. :cool: Thanks for sharing it!

Nancy, I had to come back and say that I have this problem more often then I thought. Since reading this, it has happened to me at least twice. Ive noticed that if I bend over a couple of times (like Im picking something up off the floor) MOST of the time I feel that horrible discomfort pass and I let out this hugh burp - then its all better. (And then sometimes I end up having to PB.) I guess I never thought about it stretching my pouch... good question.

Becky, I am around 5'5" . My doctor wanted my goal weight to be 150, but since I (in all honsety) do not think I will be able to to get that number, I would be tickled pink to see 170! So thats why I have 170 as my goal weight... I know, Im crazy!

Great information Alex! Ive seen the google spider on our user list as well and wondered the same thing. Thank again!

Hi Kathy and WELCOME! Give youself a pat on the back, youve been doing your research! Glad you found us - hope to see you around often!

Angela, Before stressing too much, I would go puchase a home pregnancy test (EPT) and get an immediate result. If you are positive then Congratulations!!!! This MUST be the path that God has chosen for you. And like Marie suggested, this is something that you need to discuss with you doctor. But, in MY opinion, I would NOT recommend having the band placed during pregnancy. Us women have plenty of trials to contend with during pregnancy- like morning sickness. FYI - stomach convulsing (vomiting) is the number 1 reason that our bands slip off and need to be replaced. IF you were already banded and your body was 'used' to it, then it may be a better situation. About your insurance; IF you are pregnant, I would suggest calling your insurance comp. and explain the situation to them. Hopefully they will be able to hold everything until after delivery. God bless you (everything's gonna be ok!)

Kelly, they are both so cute... but that black lab is beautiful! He has the healthiest coat! And Becky, duuuh!!! I am so very sorry about not mentioning that awesome weightloss! Somethings not right, you had sugery only 1 month before me and you are down a whopping 70 something pounds - and Im only around 40... ??? Tell me your secret!!!

Hey Ryan, Marie and I were saying earlier that we wish we would live closer to you, just to help with meals, laundry, house work, etc. Heck, I wouldve even gone to Walmart for you the other day! (((hugs))) God bless you!

Julie, I was hungry going into surgery, I was hungry AFTER surgery, I was hungry on liquids, I was hungry on mushy foods... it wasnt until I got my first fill and was on solids that the hunger was better! Good luck!

ooohhhh, please forgive my misunderstanding.

Hey Nancy! So sorry you are having this trial! Every now and then I having something like this happen. Its really embarrassing! And when I do have it - its because I drank too fast and swallowed air. Im with Leatha, I would try other swallowing techniques before getting my fill reduced.

(((hugs))) Momma L - you did it! Woooohoooooo!!!!!!! (I knew you would, you were waaay too close) ok, now we need to get together to celebrate! Nancy, this ones for you... I was looking at your numbers day before yesterday and started thinking what you said you were in Galveston... GIRL, youve lost like 10 pounds since then! Way to go!!!!

OMG.. Ive NEVER seen anything like that! Thank you so much for posting those. Although it may be an aggravation to live in (last pic of hubby shows us that ) only one word can describe this... BEAUTIFUL!!!! Thanks again!

Alex.... PLEASE post some snow pictures. Down south we very seldom have snow; maybe every 10-12 years and it does NOT stick to anything. Certainly never seen 24"!!!

AMEN, Alex! Im with you on that one! But i am going to get my doc to prescribe me something like Nexium or Prevacid. After reading this article it scared me having it remain untreated.

Trish, those LOOOONG wiskers! How cute! And Becky... I bet he's warm to snuggle with!

Ive been doing some digging and found this explanation of reflux/GERD. I did NOT realize how important it was to get properly treated for this. Ive been doing my own med's at my own pace. Now that Im scared, Im definately gonna get a MD's opinion and presciption. What is GERD (acid reflux)? Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD, or acid reflux, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up, or refluxes) into the esophagus. The liquid can inflame and damage the lining of the esophagus although this occurs in a minority of patients. The regurgitated liquid usually contains acid and pepsin that are produced by the stomach. (Pepsin is an enzyme that begins the digestion of Proteins in the stomach.) The refluxed liquid also may contain bile that has backed-up into the stomach from the duodenum. (The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine that attaches to the stomach.) Acid is believed to be the most injurious component of the refluxed liquid. Pepsin and bile also may injure the esophagus, but their role in the production of esophageal inflammation and damage (esophagitis) is not as clear as the role of acid. GERD is a chronic condition. Once it begins, it usually is life-long. If there is injury to the lining of the esophagus (esophagitis), this also is a chronic condition. Moreover, after the esophagus has healed with treatment and treatment is stopped, the injury will return in most patients within a few months. Once treatment for GERD is begun, therefore, it usually will need to be continued indefinitely. Actually, the reflux of the stomach's liquid contents into the esophagus occurs in most normal individuals. In fact, one study found that reflux occurs as frequently in normal individuals as in patients with GERD. In patients with GERD, however, the refluxed liquid contains acid more often, and the acid remains in the esophagus longer. As is often the case, the body has ways (mechanisms) to protect itself from the harmful effects of reflux and acid. For example, most reflux occurs during the day when individuals are upright. In the upright position, the refluxed liquid is more likely to flow back down into the stomach due to the effect of gravity. In addition, while individuals are awake, they repeatedly swallow, whether or not there is reflux. Each swallow carries any refluxed liquid back into the stomach. Finally, the salivary glands in the mouth produce saliva, which contains bicarbonate. With each swallow, bicarbonate-containing saliva travels down the esophagus. The bicarbonate neutralizes the small amount of acid that remains in the esophagus after gravity and swallowing have removed most of the liquid. Gravity, swallowing, and saliva are important protective mechanisms for the esophagus, but they are effective only when individuals are in the upright position. At night while sleeping, gravity is not in effect, swallowing stops, and the secretion of saliva is reduced. Therefore, reflux that occurs at night is more likely to result in acid remaining in the esophagus longer and causing greater damage to the esophagus. http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroesophageal_reflux_disease_gerd/article.htm

This happened YEARS ago... My cousin and I went into a bank to withdraw my last $20 so she and I could go eat lunch. We were young (immature) and giggling the entire time - causing a lot of attention to ourselves. When we were leaving, I realized that I had left my keys in the car ignition, and of coarse, the car was locked. So, back into the bank we went. By this time, the security guard was completely annoyed with us, so he refused to let me use the phone (this was back in the days of no cell phones). Now this is noon time, and the closest pay phone was about 3 blocks down the MAIN drag! So here we go, WALKING down this major busy street, still a giggling! Get to the pay phone, call Mike at work. (good ole' Mike to the rescue!) He calls the "pop-a-lock" people then he comes and picks us up and brings us back to my car. Pop-a-lock man comes, unlocks the car, and guess what his fee is..... yep, $20!!!! But the BEST part of this story is - upon giving the pop-a-lock man my last 20 bucks, I found a SPARE KEY to my car in the bottom of my purse! There is a dumb ass and her name is Paula!

**off topic for a second** Church Lady, I DO believe that is a ROSARY hanging on your wall!!!! (see, your not as bad as YOU THINK you are)

Lisa, I get mine at the 'Shop Rite' convience store. There is a flavor that makes my mouth Water - Swiss Mocha. You MUST try! Ive been drinking 1 - 2 a day, and lost about 2 pounds this week... so something is going right!