mommytokk

I'm gonna switch mine too... Good luck JerseyDori, ShayDee, and Mischievous1. Update us as soon as you are able!

Hey...how about "The A-MAY-zing Bandsters"??? We could put something like "I'm one a-MAY-zing bandster" below our names to identify with the May group...just an idea! Good luck to all the May 9th people...good wishes and prayers are being sent your way. And I hope everyone was successful today with their surgeries. You all are in my thoughts during the day (I log on several times a day to see how everyone is doing...it is getting me so anxious for Friday!!) Take Care!

Thanks, It worked no more ticker envy!!!! Good luck, 3 more days~ Metalband, Love the ticker...glad it worked! <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Metalband, I had the same problems!! (you can go back several days and see all my questions!!) I went to TickerFactory, and I made sure I copied everything (the square parentheses and all...whatever they're called!) and pasted it under my name in the signature box (similar to the one I am typing in now for a quick reply). Then, save your signature, or preview it. I kept getting "invalid URL" , and then I had too many lines??? (I read somewhere you were only allowed 6 lines). Anyway, you have to copy everything in the bb code box, then paste it in your signature. Good luck! (it took me a week to figure it out!) Hope everyone's doing well...it's so good to hear from everyone who has had their surgeries and is doing well. Only 3 more days!! Whoo hoo!!

Paulette, I'm so sorry! I'm sure you are frustrated and a little angry (I'd be writing in all CAPS!!) Keep your chin up and keep us updated! NVGirl, Way to go! Welcome home, and take care of yourself!

Melissa, That made me laugh!! But what is even funnier is the "dolphin" I have on my hip. It looks more like a blue whale these days. I would love to get it removed someday, and get a new one. I think the daisy would be perfect!!! I was never very happy with it...the guy who did it wasn't very artistic! But, I never went back to have it changed. Besides, it can fit under a nickel (ok, maybe a quarter now!), so it's not very noticeable!

NVGirl, phuber40 and PghMomof3, Good luck to all of you! Prayers are being said! I LOVE the daisy logo! (I might even find a little spot to put a tattoo like that on my flat belly in a year or so!!! HA! I wish!) Anyway, I like all the ideas...I think my fav so far is Mayflowers. (kind of reminds me of the pilgrims, though...but...they DID embark on an exciting journey!!) For all of you on the "other" side, thanks for your updates. It sure makes me less nervous about the whole thing. Everyone have a great week...only 4 days to go! Can't believe it's here!

OK...spoke too soon! I KNOW I saw it on the preview...I'll try again!

I DID IT!!! Finally got my ticker to work!

OK.... so, yesterday you vowed to start your diet TODAY. How are you doing? Did you make it through your first day? SElaine, Thanks for asking...I did pretty good (only 1 real slip). I drank a Slim Fast low carb ptn drink for Breakfast, and had BAD cramps and diarrhea w/in 2-3 hours. Anyone else?? I just drank lots of Water, and some flavored water (Propel). Then, at the baby shower, I had about 1 oz of grilled chicken breat. I DID eat a little cake (UGH!). I am so weak! For supper, I would have had another shake, but I just didn't want to go through the cramps, etc again, so I had some grilled veggies (about 1 cup). And, I drank LOTS of water and tea. I have been off Diet Coke for nearly a week now (have had 2 or 3 in a week...down from 6-8 a day) and find myself craving it less and less. Today I will try a different ptn drink and see if I do better. I will also have broth and SF Jello. Wish me luck! And CrabCake...I have tried copying the URL to my signature box and it comes up in my signature as the link. Do I need to eliminate any of the ()'s or anything?? (or those boxy ones). Thanks for your input! <!-- / message -->

crabcake, thanks for the info...eases my mind a little! I just realized that the link to my ticker is showing up on my signature. Can anyone help me?? I can't figure it out!

Wenjea, You inspire me...way to go for not cheating! And you're right...the mental battle is the worst! I'm not hungry, I just feel like I need to chew and swallow!! Go figure! Thanks for the reply...I don't feel so all alone, and I promise I'll start tomorrow! For any of you ticker pros out there...I cannot get mine to work! Whenever I put the URL in the box at the bottom of my signature (I'm putting it where you can add a picture to your signature), I get "invalid URL" as a response (or something like that...invalid something). Please help if you can, and explain it very well...I can usually figure these things out, but I just cannot get this to work!!! UGH! thanks in advance!

Hello May Bandsters! I am counting down the days till the 11th, but am STRUGGLING with the pre-op diet (what pre-op diet??). I get so motivated when I see everyone doing their liquid diets, but I just can't bring myself to stick to it! I am being banded by Dr. Spivak, and he said to stick to a low-carb diet (can't do that either!)...he really just doesn't want me to gain weight. But I am eating stuff like mad!! HELP!! It's the TOM for me, so hopefully that is why I am craving so many things. SO, I have officially vowed to start a liquid diet TOMORROW, and stick with it until next Friday. I have only 7 days, and I KNOW I can do it after getting inspired by everyone else here. If anyone has any encouraging words, please throw them my way. My hubby is out of town this weekend for a volleyball tournament, so I have the boys (6 & 8) by myself. We will spend all morning at the ball field, then have a baby shower to go to (complete with fajitas, cake, etc)so I am not really sure how I will do this. Maybe I'll take a cooler with some protein drinks...I got some of the SlimFast low carb ones. Are there other ones that taste better? Or are more filling?? I heard that the Better Than Boullion is really good, so I will try that also. Oh, I hope I can do this. I guess it goes to show that I really do need this band. I am so controlled by food...I have heard that after having the band for awhile, you don't really even think about eating. That thought is liberating to me. I cannot imagine what it will be like to not care about eating. (but it won't even compare to what it will feel like to be thinner!!!!!!!) Aren't you all EXCITED?? I am! (if I could just get through this pre-op stuff!!!) HA! I pray for strength and healing for all those who were recently banded. Your comments are encouraging and comforting to those of us who are following close behind. And to those of us who will be banded soon...I pray most importantly for peace of mind. It is so easy to feel fearful at this point. But I KNOW we will do GREAT!!! Pretty soon we will ALL be on the "other side", and we'll be there for encouragement and support. Blessings to all!!!

Hi...my name is Kathy, and I live in the League City area (south of Houston). I have 2 precious boys, 6 & 8, and a wonderful husband of 12+ years. I have struggled with my weight all my life, yet have been blessed with good health. But, I am so very tired of being tired...I love to exercise, but just can't find the motivation to do so (once I get to the gym I'm fine...it's just getting there!!!) I am also tired of trying to find clothes that (1) fit, (2) look halfway flattering, and (3) look as if they were made in THIS decade! Anymore, I am satisfied with something that just fits. I am ready to get on the floor with my kids, and not be so stinking hot in the summer, and not be worried about the seatbelt when I fly on an airplane, and buy clothes at The Gap, and do so much more!!! I am soooooo ready!!! I am scheduled to be banded by Dr. Spivek on May 11th. I am nervous, excited, scared, thrilled...you name it, I've felt it!! I have been doing as much research as I can, but I have a couple questions... First of all, I have read a lot about pre-op diets, and it seems many are on a liquid diet for several weeks prior to surgery. Dr. Spivek only suggests a low-carb diet in order to shrink the liver. Does anyone have an opinion about that?? (like, are you glad you did the liquid diet??) I keep wondering if I would be more used to a liquid/soft diet following surgery if I were doing it prior to surgery (not to mention the added benefit of LOSING some of this weight even before the band!). Other questions: How soon did you go in for your 1st fill?? Did you feel restriction even without a fill (just because of the band)?? How soon did you exercise?? How soon before you were able to eat more "regular" foods?? Sorry this is so long...I wish I were sitting in a room with a bunch of you so I could pick your brains!!!!! I know Dr. Spivek has a support group that meets on Tuesdays...I guess I should just go to that and ask all my questions there!!:girl_hug: But I can't sit there in my pj's holding my cat Max while I find answers!! (like I am doing now!!) I am so thankful for this forum...I have read so many posts, and it has done nothing but get me more and more excited to jump on the band wagon!! Please wish me luck, and I wish all the best for all of you...you have NO idea how your words have helped me. I feel prepared, and ready to start this awesome new phase in my life! If anyone else out there is ready to be banded, let me know. We can muddle through this together (with the help of all those bandsters who boldly went before us, of course!!). God Bless!! Kathy

58. To quit having to stretch my shirt over my knees while squatting, just so it hangs a little looser (and then have trouble getting back up!)

Hi all! I was invited to this thread by Melissa...(thank you, Melissa!). I am scheduled to be banded May 11th. I am SOOOOOO excited. Do any of you lie awake at night and imagine what it will be like to be thin?? I have trouble falling asleep! I have even started looking at regular sized clothes in anticipation! I am a 42 y/o mom of 2 wonderful boys (ages 6 & 8), and have been married to a great hubby for 12 years. We are always busy at the ball fields, or at the gym (my hubby is a volleyball coach). We have a very active and busy family...thus we eat out a lot...and I know that is one reason that I have always struggled to lose weight. This is something that I have wanted to do for ME for a long time now, and just recently got the nerve to go ahead with it. I had my 1st meeting with Dr. Spivak 2 weeks ago, and am scheduled in 10 more days! It is going by so fast...I am trying to research and find out everything I can about this life-changing event! It is so nice to have this forum to learn and share with others! I didn't get the time to read all the previous posts, so I hope this isn't repeating questions, but...are most of you on a pre-op diet?? I am being banded by Dr. Spivak in Houston (anyone else??), and he really just wanted me to not gain any weight. I have TRIED to watch what I am eating, but have experienced the "last supper" syndrome, and am eating some things I shouldn't. It's really kind of silly...just because I have the band doesn't mean I am banned from eating certain foods for life. I will probably have some of those foods again, but just not for a long while! Besides, I am so excited to realize I'll be eating good, healthy, wholesome foods! Whenever I DO eat that way, I feel SOOOO much better (more energy, sleep better, etc). Good luck, and God's Blessings on everyone who is about to undergo their banding! I KNOW you will be in good hands!

WOW, Betsy!! You look AWESOME!! Keep it up! You have inspired me!

Stacie, Where does your daughter do gymnastics? My boys go to Acrosports. I didn't know LA Fitness was opening up in Bay Colony!! I thought 24 Fitness was...maybe they are both coming??? We belong to 24 Hour Fitness, so I can't wait till it is there...we live at 646 and 45 (Victory Lakes). Let's keep in touch. (are we supposed to talk back and forth somewhere else? I don't mind anyone reading all this, just didn't know if we use the forum for this...I'm new to message boards, so don't know all the etiquette stuff) Thanks! and hey!! You are doing GREAT!!

Hi Stacie! Nice to talk with you! How are you feeling now? You are off to a great start! I am having my surgery at Park Place (Park Plaza? Park Something!) I am nervous, but more excited. I think I am most nervous about knowing exactly what to do! On that note, I have some questions... Did you have any special pre-op diet? If so, how long did you follow it? I am supposed to be on low-carb, but it is so hard for me. I would rather count my WW points and go that route (but I'm not sure if it has the same effect). What kind of foods are you eating now? Is it hard to find things to eat while at work or when eating out? (we tend to eat out a lot...we have 2 boys playing baseball, and it seems we are at the ball park more days than not...then, of course, we go out with teammates!) When is your 1st fill? I think with Dr. Spivek I have to wait 4 weeks. Did you go back to work soon after your surgery? I am scheduled on a Friday, and plan to go back on Tuesday. Did you take much time off? And are you doing any walking or anything? I really do like to work out (believe it or not!), and hope that I will be especially motivated once the weight starts coming off. Have you tried anything? Gosh, this is getting long...sorry! Thanks so much for your reply, and yes, lets keep in touch!

I had that happen to me once also. The lady at the salon asked if I had been using any special products. I had been using Retin A, and since have found out that you shouldn't wax if you use it. Here is some info from Wikipedia: Users of Retin-A, Renova, Differin or Isotretinoin are advised not to have waxing performed; these medications tend to weaken the skin and tearing of the skin may occur when the wax is removed. I read of some others also, but maybe you should look at the products you have been using...there may be a contraindication to waxing. On that note...I have now started having threading done instead. Threading originated from the Middle East...a cotton thread is used to twist around the hair, pulling it out. It smarts a little, but I am glad not to have the redness and sometimes slight scabbing that I experienced with waxing. Besides, the lady who does it for me charges me $8 for my eyebrows AND upper lip!!! Amazing! Good luck...hope this helps! Kathy PS...only 16 more days to my banding!!! I can't wait!

Hi all! As I count down the days to my banding (17 to go...), I am pitifully trying to figure out how to use the Ticker thingy. Anyone willing to walk me through it?? I went on the website, got it created, etc, but can't get it on my signature. Is that where I want to put it?? I tried cutting and pasting the URL directly into the signature box (no luck), and I tried pasting it in the box below for the signature picture (again, no luck). When I try to update my signature, I get a message that says I can only have 6 lines in my signature. I can usually figure these things out, but I am just lost here!!! HELP if you can! Thanks! Kathy

Thanks, faithmd! I'll go looking for it!

Still doesn't work!! I tried eliminating all unused lines...??? When I look at others' signatures, they have many more than 6 lines...ie when they list all their fill dates, weight goals, etc. Any ideas?? thanks

Amanda, Good luck with your consult. Hopefullly we can keep each other updated, since we will be banded about the same time. Kathy And BigAsLife, Thanks for the info...sounds like you are doing GREAT!! Wow...23 pounds! You are doing awesome! Kathy

Terry, Thank you so much!! I envisioned sitting down at the table and popping open a can of SlimFast for the 1st several weeks!! You seem to be eating perfectly normal foods!! (and I love them all!!) You have eased my mind a lot... Have a GREAT day!! Kathy