PamRN

I finally got my calendar a couple of weeks ago. It's really pretty decent! It's very cute, in a pop/candy kind of way, so I gave it to my teenage daughter. She loves it, and hung it up right away. It only took a month to get it, and it's nicer than I expected! Thanks for the info!

How are you doing with your midband now that you've had it a while? Were you able to find local aftercare?

I still haven't made that second appointment because I've been tanning all winter and they say it works better if you aren't tan... anyone having good results with multiple sessions? I'm wondering if it would be worth it for me to fade and go back.

See?? It's a birth defect, we all start out as girls you know.

ok Ms. Delarla...some time has passed... what's the verdict ? Really works or Rip-off?

I'm going to check that out site out today. I have weeks where I don't lose a pound, and may even go up a couple, but my friends will swear I look like I've lost even more. I'd like to be able to look at measurements during those times to see if it's real or they're imagining things. I seem at this point to be stuck at my current weight with only the same start and stop weight fluctuation points. I am giving serious consideration to getting a fill for the first time in 17 months. Since I'll probably have to go to Tijuana to get it, it's going to take considerable cash and planning on my part. Now I'll need a passport that I didn't have to have in 2004. I'll have to con someone into going with me... another passport... another plane ticket... I think this is going to get pretty expensive! Didn't someone post about a Texas doc that would do mexican band fills?

That was just MEAN! He probably has few "short comings" himself, and picked on you to vent his own issues. What a PIG he is! Just know that a person like that doesn't need you to hang him. He's the kind just arrogant enough to think he can hang anyone he wants, will braid a noose far superior than any other, then to prove how great it and his method are, he'll put it around his own neck, thereby hanging himself. Poor guy, we should probably feel a little sorry for him... but... I DON'T

After 20 years of marriage, our friends STILL call us 'the rabbits' ... 'nuff said?

That made me laugh so hard I had tears in my eyes! I really thought I was the only one with such an idiot for a husband... I mean really... I think HE thinks it's a romantic gesture!! LMAO!

You girls are flippin' awe inspiring! Absolutely LOVE the bull, and the belly dancing?? Vines! You look HOT! Kudos to you porcelain for realizing you're looking really good too! And yep... can DEFINITELY see where Jon's daughter gets her good looks.

I've never done the zoom, but the crest premium white strips gave me noticeable results after using them the first day, and it got better each use after. My DH said they made his teeth too sensitive and he quit using them, but I do ok with them. I'm using them again as it's been a couple of years and I want to brighten up.

Jan 20 -1 @ 186

Jan 20 -1 @ 186

Pre op Highest weight 280 09/21/04 Banded weight 268 -12 lbs 10/20/04 1 month post op 253 -27 lbs 11/09/04 6 weeks post op 248 -32 lbs 12/02/04 10 weeks post op 244 -36 lbs 01/03/05 14 weeks post op 237 -43 lbs 02/20/05 5 months post op 227 -53 lbs 03/14/05 6 months post op 220 -60 lbs 04/20/05 7 months post op 212 -68 lbs 05/05 8 months post op 209 -71 lbs 07/05 10 months post op 200 -80 lbs 10/05 13 months post op 192 -88 lbs 11/05 14 months post op 190 -90 lbs 12/05 15 months post op 188 -92 lbs 01/18/06 16 mth postop 187 -93 lbs 01/20/06 186 -94

Jan 18 2006 -1

WELL??? Where are you hiding her pictures?? Hmmm did someone call in sick of working today? "hi erin <cough,cough> I can't make it in today <achoo> my new bike has given me a severe case of spring fever <snniffff>"

Tell them you've been a nurse on a cancer unit. It's just another example of how much you take care of others first. Some people go to school to become nurses, others of us were born nurses... I'd be willing to bet money that YOU were born a nurse. Best of luck to you! Hey tell them to come ask US who they should pick!

Well if temper tantrums are all it takes to start looking as good as that new avatar you have... I'm startin' one RIGHT NOW! You're looking great vines! NOW GIMME BACK MY CRAYON!

Thanks for all the encouragement! For the first few months I think I weighed myself many times a day, then I slowed to daily, now I hit it every few days. Handling it on the slower/no loss months is ok for now, because I'm at my lowest weight in so many years that I'm just enjoying being here for a while. But in the early months, I thought for sure I would be the one the band didn't work for. I know that my weight loss is in direct proportion to my eating habits. I've been on and off the careful eating wagon many times in my life. Since banding the menu has changed because of restriction, my eating habits... not so much. Since banding, while on the wagon, I lose, when off, I maintain. The band is my saving grace, it keeps me from eating too much, and prevents intake of many otherwise fattening foods. My losses are slow, but at least the scale, no matter how slow, is going in the right direction finally!

Jan 18 2006 -1

You really are looking great, how do you feel?

Michelle...1206 pounds?? LOL! I've lost 92 pounds, I've been banded 16 months, and I'm very pleased so far. I've been one of the extremely lucky ones, with no fills needed so far, and no complications.

Quinine is another drug prescribed for RLS. I don't have it as bad since I've lost so much weight, but after a particularly hard nights work or extreme fatigue there it is... I don't take anything for it... Yet... but if it worsens again I will, it's an awful feeling!

Wow what a tough call! What does John say? Does he really want you there supporting him with this, or is he understanding that TBL is something really important to you? He has other friends going there with him? TBL would be an awesome opportunity in itself, but I can't imagine anything more romantic than a trip to the south of France! You have to do what feels right. I tell my kids, "follow your heart with right and wrong, follow your head with love". I hope they call you for the show right away and say it starts filming at the end of June!

I drink coffee nearly every day, usually a cup or maybe even two if the band will let it go down. Some mornings it won't take more than a couple of sips. I drink starbucks cold coffee drinks or the occasional moolatte from DQ in the later day. I drink the occasional soda, 1 a week maybe, but it has to be in a cup over ice with a straw. Some of the carbonation releases before I get to it. I had a peach margarita Sunday with lunch, and I've had beer a handful of times since banding without problems. In my opinion, your body will let you know what works for you and what doesn't. Use care, and listen to it's signals and you should be fine. If your weight loss stalls, if gas or bloat is a problem, or if Pbing or pain is an issue, then re-evaluate your diet. Common sense and moderation is definitely the key.