paula

Way to go Heather! And hope you have continuing success!

This is a great question - and I think a big reason people choose another weightloss surgery instead of this one. Its the mental pre-occupation of having something foreign inside of them. What helped ease my worries is thinking of the number of people who have other types of implants - knee replacements, pace makers, hearing devices... the list goes on forever. After pondering this, my band decision wasnt as major as before. Try putting it into prespective, and get a "mind over matter" thought going... good luck!

Soon after banding, I called my pcp for an anti-nausea med just incase I did get a "bug". Ive never used it, but like the insurance in having it. Just a note of experience... during my year of being banded, I have actually vomited several times (this is grose, I know, but its life!). Not as a result from a virus, but just a here and there thing (ate something that didnt agree). Stomach convulsing for several hours or vomiting for many days is what needs to be highly avoided.

Betty, What a wonderful year this has been for you. Looking at the list of your life changing experiences is a big source of encouragement for me - especially the "looking people in the eye" one. I just looked at your total weightloss, and WOW!!!!!! Last time I checked you were around -70. You are truly a success AND an inspiration. ((hugs)) to many more HAPPY years!

Sue, Im so very glad you shared this. Your story is one of the reasons I opted for the band as being my first choice - because if it fails, I can go to plan B. Would you mind giving us hungry nosey folks an explanation as to why youve chosen the DS as your "plan B"?

See??? its not always about the numbers on the scale. This is a major NSV for AGB - not just your hubby. This is one that needs to get documented in Penni's lap-band book!

They have just issued a mandatory evacuation for my area. In 2002, when hurricane Lily came, we stayed with some friends about 30 miles north of here. We had planned on going there again, IF we needed to evacuate. But from what we are hearing, that may not be far enough north. Please pray for all of us. Our school systems were closed yesteday (not going to reopen til Monday) for officials to use our school buses for transporting the Katrina survivors to more northern areas. They did this for safety concerns AND to allow our local residents a place of refuge, since many were stilll at our main shelters. Just a word to all of you - GET GAS NOW!!!!! This storm will certainly have SOME impact on the Houston refineries. Ultimately, this storm will affect most of you. what chaos. Leatha pmed me yesterday to offer a place of refuge for us - THANK YOU fom the bottom of my heart! And for all of you who have been so kind to offer shelter, big hugs and a genuine thank you! LBT, you never cease to amaze me. I love you all.

I eat popcorn nearly every day. Just regular micro popcorn. Ive never had any problems!

Hey Darcey, so glad to see you! Im just here to wish you the very best. We miss you! Oh, and Leatha was also rebanded. Good luck.

Parvarthi, You lucky thing! How did you get ONLY night-cravings, when I have ALL-day cravings? My problem starts around noon time and usually ends with dinner - actually when I am SICK of eating. The only things thats saving my innerds from popping is the fact that I dont eat a big amount at once time. A bag of popcorn. Hour later a bowl of cerel. Hour later ANOTHER bowl of cerel. Hour later a hard taco. Hour later dinner time!!!! No wonder the scale is moving in the wrong direction.... duhhh! I sure wish I could give you some great words of wisdom here, but actually I stopped in to get ideas for my own self!

Could someone send over the bottle of xanax, please?

De - just be careful! There are a lot of freaks out there that are still waiting for David Koresh to lead them out of Waco, Texas. I think it has to do with details. Too many details of private matters (like religion or sex) could be offensive. I honestly havent been offended *maybe shocked* but not offended by details in discussions on this board... and this includes religious talk as well. Banning religion, sex, political talk on this board wouldnt "solve" anything. Too many people come here to vent and enjoy the "commeness" and relaxed enviroment this place offers. Keeping in mind that we want to include and NOT exclude - ANYONE! Whether it be the un-churched, the un-sexed, the uninformed... This is the point I was trying to make on my first reply on this thread. Its all in the details.

Lisa, You brought up alot of good points here. But this one, I need to defend for just a second... There's proof God doesn't exist but there's no proof he does. My son had emergency brain surgery 3 years ago. He was only 6 yrs old. When he woke up, he told us that he saw the Face of God during his surgery. For many weeks post surgery, he would see 2 angels following him everywhere he would go. This isnt in a book, this was from an innocent child. My child. I believe him. I believe he saw the Face of Father God. He knew who he saw from the moment he opened his eyes from the surgery. He didnt see Batman, he didnt see his baseball coach, he didnt see grampa jones that died before he was born... he saw God. This is one of the many reasons why I believe in God... and how I know He is real. Not from a book. Not from a story told to me by gramp's. But from personal experiences. Now, lets get back to the xxx stuff! Youre making me think too hard.

Vines, I think you need a new avator.... the pirate one! Terri, what cutie's!!!! and that cat! That cat has the most beautiful fur!

WOW! I am so honored that you guys would wish me well. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Youve made me smile!

...and Dee Dee, we LOVE you too!

I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS THREAD!!!! I am telling the -honest to God- truth here... lastnight I was leaving my parents home, and BLOSSOM/Carolyn crossed my mind. I guess I was thinking of freak accidents, and I would say that her death was certainly one. HOW IRONIC that I see this thread today. I remember that she was going to meet us in Galveston for the Galveston Bash in November of last year, so I *almost* met her in person. She was a sweetie!

How sad for Jane. After 23 years of having the same person, well, the hardest thing is to actually accept all of this is happening. Doesnt matter if John is telling the truth. He wants out, and he cheated - so farewell! I know alot of people here believe in this "carma" stuff. Growing up I had 2 bestfriend guys, they were twins. When we were around 13 there dad started having an affair with a woman he worked with. There mother was devastated! He eventually left her (with their 4 kids) and moved in and married the "other woman". Sad to say, the "other woman" developed brain cancer and died a couple of years later. Their dad is now very lonley. On the other hand their mom remarried and is very happy. Sorry Jenna - dont want to steal your thread, just wanted to give your friend some consolation in knowing, "what goes around, comes around". ((hugs)) to your friend. Its gonna hurt for a while.

Woo Hoo, you made it to ONEderland!!!! Enjoy those numbers the scale is showing - you deserve it... Ms."-66 in 6 months"! Girl, look out - Inamed is gonna be calling you to do a commercial!

Eileen, thanks a trillion for doing this, I really needed it! Not such a good day today - hope the next 364 days of being 36 yrs old will be better. Thanks again - all of you are so very special to me!

An oldie, but a good one. I recently picked a new primary care physician. After two visits and exhaustive lab tests, he said I was doing "fairly well for my age". A little concerned about that comment, I couldn't resist asking him, "Do you think I'll live to be 80?" He asked, "Well, do you smoke tobacco or drink beer/wine?" "Oh no," I replied. "I'm not doing either." Then he asked, "Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?" I said, "No, my other Doctor said that all red meat is very unhealthy!" "Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, sailing,hiking, or bicycling?" No, I don't," I said. He asked, "Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?" "No," I said. "I don't do any of those things." He looked at me and said, "Then why do you give a hoot if you live to be 80?"

I love the joke threads. Letter to dad A FATHER PASSING BY HIS SON'S BEDROOM WAS ASTONISHED TO SEE THE BED WAS NICELY MADE AND EVERYTHING WAS PICKED UP. THEN HE SAW AN ENVELOPE PROPPED UP PROMINENTLY ON THE CENTER OF THE BED. IT WAS ADDRESSED, "DAD". WITH THE WORST PREMONITION, HE OPENED THE ENVELOPE AND READ THE LETTER WITH TREMBLING HANDS: DEAR DAD, IT IS WITH GREAT REGRET AND SORROW THAT I'M WRITING THIS. I HAD TO ELOPE WITH MY NEW GIRLFRIEND BECAUSE I WANTED TO AVOID A SCENE WITH MOM AND YOU. I'VE BEEN FINDING REAL PASSION WITH BARBARA AND SHE IS SO NICE EVEN WITH ALL HER PIERCING, TATTOOS, AND HER TIGHT MOTORCYCLE CLOTHES. BUT IT'S NOT ONLY THE PASSION DAD, BARBARA'S PREGNANT AND SHE SAID THAT WE WILL BE VERY HAPPY. EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T CARE FOR HER AS SHE IS MUCH OLDER THAN I, SHE ALREADY OWNS A TRAILER IN THE WOODS AND HAS A STACK OF FIREWOOD FOR THE WHOLE WINTER. SHE WANTS TO HAVE MANY MORE CHILDREN WITH ME AND THAT'S NOW ONE OF MY DREAMS TOO. BARBARA TAUGHT ME THAT MARIJUANA DOESN'T REALLY HURT ANYONE AND WE CAN GROW IT FOR OURSELVES AND TRADE IT WITH HER FRIENDS FOR ALL THE COCAINE AND ECSTASY WE WANT. IN THE MEANTIME, WE'LL PRAY THAT SCIENCE WILL FIND A CURE FOR AIDS SO BARBARA CAN GET BETTER; SHE SURE DESERVES IT!! DON'T WORRY DAD, I'M 15 YEARS OLD NOW AND I KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF. SOMEDAY I'M SURE WE'LL BE BACK TO VISIT SO YOU CAN GET TO KNOW YOUR GRANDCHILDREN. YOUR SON, JOHN P.S. DAD, NONE OF THIS IS TRUE. I'M OVER AT THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. I JUST WANTED TO REMIND YOU THAT THERE ARE WORSE THINGS IN LIFE THAN MY REPORT CARD THAT'S IN MY DESK CENTER DRAWER. I LOVE YOU! CALL WHEN IT'S SAFE FOR ME TO COME HOME.

Jennifer, If you have decided on something other then the band, then why are you ??? IF this is truly what you want, then you should be - along with us! Good luck! Dont forget about us, ok?

With that kind of day, forget the weight loss... how many inches have you lost????

Im just here to second what Lynn said. She is right! It was a big thing for me too, but after I witnessed the way it works, it made more sense. you can do this! Ever heard the saying, "Your attitude determines your aptitude" ???