hlyndes

Excellent suggestions! I know there is an Old Navy near me...I think I just need to go shopping and be prepared to actually try stuff on! I love the "Jeans Rules"

Maybe it's just me, but I am having a hard time getting used to the differnt fits of the clothes available in ladies sizes. I am recently into a 14/16 and was given a bag of freebies from a younger, hipper friend. (I'm 30, she's 23.) The bag was filled with all kids of goodies! Well, most of the pants were low rise. These are strange to me! My undies keep showing in the back (I am wearing a longer shirt, but what kind of panties are you supposed to wear with these things??? I have hipsters from Lane Bryant.) Also, although the pants fit well, they tend to slide down, so I need to wear a belt with them... Is anyone familiar with these things called low rise pants and can you please give some fashion/fit/wear advise to those of us that need it (maybe just me) that are newly entering the world or ladies clothing again! Please help if you can!

Yes, but where does one buy these shirts? The tanks that I see are not like this! Or are they just a juniors thing? I am so un-observant! Am I too old for this? Jeez! I am going to have to let one of my fashion consious friends go with me to a (UGH) store...duh!

I am have such a short torso. I remember when I was younger and skinny (through middle and high school) hating all of my pants coming up to my boobs. I would love to have a mid-rise, just something right barely below my belly, but definately covering my butt. If I have to wear belts with every pair of pants for the rest of my teaching career to make sure my butt stays properly covered I will (haha)...at least that is what I am doing while I am wearing hand-me-downs and figuring this whole clothing thing out! I have also noticed recently a lot of girls wearing a longer undershirt/tank and layering. I have almost always done this, but usually, you cannot see my undershirt. Their style seems to incorporate the longer tank - that seems a clever way to keep the crack covered as well! Has anyone else seen this? :clap2:

I always just mix it with a little miracle whip light and relish and eat it with a fork or crackers. I have either canned tuna or chicken 3 out of 5 days days a week for lunh...it is the quickest and easiest to pack on the way out the door. My classroom always smells like tuna!

I'd love to try to join y'all for a get-together in NW Houston. I live off 290 past Fairfield *New outlet center coming soon - hehe* and teach at Fry/529. You are in my neighborhood! It is time for another fill here, too! I have only had 1...but had high hopes for it. I swear it feels no different. I feel like there is nothing at all in there, but I know Leslie put in 4.5 omni. Does omni ever leak or disappear? I know it is just more likely I have not hit the right fill yet, since I have only been filled once. It is just so hard to take time off...my (SPED) students so not react so well to a substitute teacher! I kept hoping that it would tighten more after the first fill...but that was September 11th. So I guess that is unlikely. Oh well, I have got to get back in there.

Hey guys! I got my first fill. Leslie did it easily. We talked a lot about how this first month has been since surgery. They were pleased with my progress - and I explained that I have felt starving although I have stuck to the diet and recommended caloric intake. I had lost 20 pounds over the course of the month; and she was especially happy that it was over the whole month, and not just the week(s) immediately after the surgery. Today we put in 4.5cc of the omni-stuff and scheduled a check-up for late October (when I happen to have another day off for another doctor appointment in the Medical center...2 birds with 1 stone, ya know)! We did the flouroscopy - and that was supercool (although the drink was nasty). Then I drank some water..no troubles at all. I was really impressed with Leslie's willingness to visit and answer questions - and I had a lot of them! I wanted to make sure that I wasn't so hungry this coming month like I was last month and really took advantage of this tool. She really kind of quizzed me on my eating habits to make sure I was 'following the rules' - but did it in a very professional, respectful way. When she finished, I realized that was part of her process of figuring out perhaps where/how to start with filling the band. Based on our conversation, she decided to start with omni instead of saline (I didn't even ask for that; although I had thought about it), and what some would consider an 'aggressive' fill. That's all ok with me! I passed the swallow test and had no problems with lunch or dinner. I just hope I have no mysterious long-term tightening in a couple of weeks! Darn, I wrote a novel....sorry, guys! :nervous

Thank you, pammycakes! How is your first fill working out for you? Can you feel/tell a difference? How much did they put it? Who did it? (I didn't think I was nervous...but now, watching all of these questions pour out of me, I guess I am a bit anxious!) Mushies it is, then.

Well, sub plans are written...work is laid out...and tomorrow morning is my first fill! I am so ready...and hungry! I have felt like I could eat a hors for weeks. I feel so lucky so have had my surgery, but I wish my timing were better. This has been a rough beginning of the school year. If anyone is still up...what are Dr. Spivak's rules for eating the day of a fill? This is my first and I need to know what to pack for lunch. Thanks!

Yes, I did. I had documentation from 2 different doctors. One from several years ago when I tried Meridia and then over the last 2 years when I had been trying Phentermine. I had the current doctor write a recommendation for me as well as review my records all the way back from my days of taking the Meridia. That, I believe, was very helpful.

I don't remember going into the OR at all. I was in the holding area and the anesthesiologist visited with me while we waited for my doctor to come through. After he came in and we spoke (a good conversation, positive about the surgery. I was his first for the morning). Then the anesthesiologist gave me the meds that 'relax' you...well...apparantly they were exactly what I needed/wanted at the time. The next thing I remember was waking up very groggy in my recovery room with it all over. The surgery went well - I am glad I went to sleep early. I slept horribly at home the night before ~ I was full of nervous evergy and needed to rest!

I am a teacher but I do not have UHC. What problems are you having? I dealt with Cigna and encountered lots of hold-ups, but eventually got it covered. Maybe I can help!

Well, today is Saturday and I was banded on Wednesday. I am feeling pretty tender around the center of my chest (I think that is where the port is). That is where the largest cluster of steri-strips are and I see some bruising forming. The other steri-strips are starting to come off...How long are they supposed to stay on? There is also one near my belly-button. I forgot one would be so low. Yesterday I was finally able to get some relief from the gas feelings. (Thank goodness!) I also switched Thursday night from the prescription pain reliever to the liquid Tylenol - which I am still using now as needed. The prescription stuff was giving me a weird headache echo-feeling. I dunno. I am up and around and walking a lot more. Tenderly trying to find comfortable sleeping positions at night. I am still not very hungry at all. I am keeping hydrated. It is very hard to sip and not chug water. I used to be a chugger...got thirsty before --- 20 ounce bottle gone in like 2 chugs. I guess that is like big time 'no no' now - hehehe. Last night I graduated to mushies! I had ~ 6 ounces of Split Pea Soup. It was good. I can't wait to finish it for lunch today!

Thank you all! I am back from my banding. It all went smoothly yesterday. I am trying to keep up with the liquids now and eating some s/f jello! Good luck to all of ya!

I also have a belly button incision. I just had surgery yesterday and am supposed to remove the bandages later today. I will look then for signs of bruising.

Well, tomorrow is my day! I spent most of today on the phone fighting insurance with last minute troubles (ugh - we thought it was all handled last week) but, THANKFULLY, at the last minute, it all came together again. I am chillin' with my son playing ToonTown (he's lovin' it - so am I) and trying to stay distracted now!

Howdy and how are you feeling? Did you have the surgery today? I am scheduled for tomorrow. I am down in Houston area but travel to Plano all the time to visit family. What a beautiful city! I hope all goes well! Good luck and keep us posted!

JosieB - Thank you for the reply! I am not having trouble with my gallbladder --- I am just remembering random things (and perhaps making some up with an overactive imagination/memory!) Pain Meds - I have the list from the FAQs section...that is what has me thinking about the liquid form of the meds. But I also recall reading that some people are able to swallow some pills just fine following the initial surgery since there is no real restriction yet. That is why I was wondering if I should even bother trying to get the meds in liquid form (like them calling them in ahead of time since I have read many pharmacy's don't keep them in stock). I am very concerned about the $2500 thing. Surely that is a mistake. Anyone out there that has done this the insurance route that has any ideas?

This Wednesday is the big day for me. I am getting more scatterbrained by the minute - although I am very excited. I am having such random thoughts and concerns - some valid...many not! For example, last Thursday I spoke with the office and got the final OK from the insurance (YEAH!) and the date (8/15) and was told a packet would be mailed with instructions and what-not. Well, The packet arrived...but it doesn't even have the time of the procedure or directions/times to check into the hospital or anything! DUH! Frustrating! It also says something about $2,500 due - that is freaking me out! Is that possible? That must be an error! I was approved by insurance (Cigna)...Does anyone have any advice or a similar experience? OK...more random thoughts here: Gallbladder removed at the same time? Seems like I remember something like that from the seminar I attended (but that was wayyy back in March and I have tried to sleep a few times since then). I need to call them tomorrow but I need to get my thoughts in order and try to clarify my thoughts and questions so I am not a rambling/bumbling fool! (I guess I have saved that for you guys!) The whole liguid pain meds thing...I don't have a script for that...I wonder if they will call it in to my Walgreen's if I give them the number tomorrow or did y'all just get it in regular form after the surgery? I have a whole shopping list/errands I need to do to get ready...Oh my goodness ~ So sorry!

We have the same surgery date! Hang in there and don't step back again - Congrats on the 4 pound loss! That is fantastic! What city are you in?

I will also be banded on Wednesday, August 15th by Dr. Spivak. I cannot wait to begin losing weight! :clap2:

Congrats on the new car and good luck selling the Rav!

Thank you everyone! I cannot believe it! I still am waiting for the last minute verifications and approvals since I was actually approved for the bypass but changed to the band...Brenda said that shouldn't be problem at all. I actally picked my own date...they were laughing at me! I explained I had this window I wanted to fit it in - between a trip to DisneyWorld with my son and the beginning of the school year - she plugged it right in on the calendar and told me to have a blast a Disney! I just wish I was already 100 pounds lighter to enjoy it easier...oh well...it will still be wonderful! I am so excited about everything! Sorry for rambling...

Good luck with your decision! I hope all goes well.

Howdy! Quick question for Dr. Spivak's patients...I just scheduled my sugery for the 14th ut I forgot to ask him something...how does he close his incisions? Does he use sutures? Steri-strips? Staples? the glue? How were you closed up? I am not all that nervous. I am very comfortable with him. I have heard such great feedback. I just forgot to ask at my appointment today. Thanks!