HarleyNana

Kat, sorry to hear so much has happened and hope DD gets better real soon. As for the ins, I know Anthem here in VA has a cheaper plan, but it doesn't include name brand drugs, only generic. It saves a lot of money up front with premiums, but sucks if you need brand name meds. It's quite scary thinking about all the lay offs and how it has and will continue to affect small corporations, like our little ma and pa business. Just in our area alone, I've seen so many businesses fold, companies that have been around for decades. With so many people out of work, how is the country to rebuild and rejuvinate? Hugs

FYI, I think this site has much more info than either of the Sentara groups. They're rather vague and not nearly as many experienced bandsters. I wish you the best.

Carla, I can't believe it's been 10 months already. It sounds like you're not only doing great, you're looking great. I love the fact your hubby is a cryer, that just shows how proud he is of you! Keep up the good work, who cares what the scales say, it's more of how you feel and how you look. Like I said before, my goal was not related to the scale, but what size I would wear.... Take Care.

Beth, I remember you from wayyyy back, glad to hear you're finally getting closer. JimmieLou, Dr. T is great, he will make you feel very comfortable and relaxed and yes he does care. You both will do fine. I wish you both the very best. Pat

Janice, I sometimes cut a tiny bite from my hubby's steak, but I'm too impatient to do all that chewing and the thought of a piece of steak getting stuck, well I'm not pushing my luck. It sounds like you and your band are doing very well, I admire you for being able to eat anything, I think my issue is more of a mental block than an actual band block. I think I more-so try to avoid eating things that could be a potential bad habit for me, like Cheetos are. I forgot to mention I eat out most of the time or I do takeout, actually, hubby was fussing last night, because our fridge is empty, he said he was going shopping today, oh my! He keeps reminding me he doesn't have a rubber band around his stomach, haha. It is amazing how our "friends" hate to see us on a diet, LOL. You did the right thing standing your ground. HAGD

Gina, as you know I have been banded over 4 years and I have to admit, your post(s) blew me away, I've never heard of a pouch test, the thingy at the top of the stomach that says you're full? Yikes, where have I been for four years. As for the signal our tummy is full, well, personally, I think all of us have that issue, or we wouldn't be banders, just my opinion. I always ate because I like the taste of food and it always seems the last bite is the best, which then required another bite, the band does help me avoid that now. Bottom line is you realized you had a problem and you addressed it before you regained ALL of your weight. You should really be proud of yourself, that's a lot of weight to lose in a year, you did awesome, which means, you can do it again... you go girl! When was your last fill? What size is your band and how much is in it? I have the 4cc and it's got 2cc. and a smidgen. I'm scheduled for a fill on Thursday, but I think I'm going to pass for another month, although, I would like to be sure my band is still where Dr. T put it, haha. I haven't been to see him in almost 2 years, so I guess I'm due...ya think. Janice, just tell your hostess in advance you're on a diet and you're avoiding bread and Pasta or what ever your food difficulties are. For instance, I don't eat bread or steak, or pasta, except for angel hair pasta. I do find myself in a food rut, same old stuff, chili, soup, salads, more salads, and more salads, my weakness is too many cocktails. My hubby and I travel quite a bit and we tend to enjoy life a little extreme, so if you hear of diet Vodka, please let me know, :laugh:. Also, I made it known I had the lapband, it helps me be more attentive to my band, because there is always someone out there who wants you to be as heavy and unhappy as they are. So if it makes sense, it helps me to focus....at least when it comes to food, LOL. Janice I liked your book post, I think it's special when people take the time and share their feelings..you never know when just one remark could be an inspiration for someone else! Carla, the band was slow for me too, it took me 4 years to do what Gina did in a year, and still not 100 lbs, but we're all different, plus, I don't exercise, I'm not bragging, and I know I really need to, if not for weight, for my general health, after all I'm old and need the exercise. I always laugh and tell ppl I didn't spend $16,750.00 to exercise :ohmy:. I did by the Wii fit in August or Sept and think of opening the box quite often. Sweetz, I'm in Yorktown, Carla's in Gloucester, Signgirl's in Wmsbg, Gina Chesapeake..so we're sort of from all over, welcome aboard. Hugs

Diane, you returned my call, I'm headed for my phone, I didn't notice any missed calls. Betty, where are you? Are you ok? I'm in a irritated mood, I've been trying to download my new Norton Antivirus and it's told me three times my subscription has expired, then I go back to my email, get my info, confirmation, etc, then it stops in the same place, ERRRR! Shit, I just got a pop up that says I'm protected now, but have 0 days left on my subscription, now I'm really pissed.

Hahaha, yes, that some would probably not include me, I'm so lazy. Trish, I'm on the fence with the fill, I'm scheduled for a fill Thursday, do I really think it's going to happen...not! I'll probably cancel it tomorrow. Not that I don't need it, I like to think this is my sweet spot and I don't want to mess it up :thumbup:. Sherry, I'm not getting them either, I figured everyone was in a posting slump. Trish, that's awesome you had a little getaway, you deserve it. Diane, whats up you didn't call me back? Kat, who the hell does that jerk think he is? Rick was more diplomatic than me or my hubby would have been, I can assure you the redneck in us would have been in full force. I noticed my notification type had been changed to "No email notification", I didn't change it. I wonder if we have to select it with each new thread, ya think, lol. Patty, glad to see you back, look forward to a year's update. Michaele, I'm sure it was a tough time with house issues and hubby being gone, you're entitled to a little down time. Hugs gal pals.

Trish, yes these are 42 grms, and they do taste thick, LOL. Yes, the weather is awesome, without a doubt, just got back from walking about 1/2 mile to a little pizza shop, the walk backed helped with the full tummy...(large) side salad and chili that I ate with a fork! We wore sweatshirts, but had to take them off because it was so balmy. Going home on Thursday, but I was ready Sunday, until I heard it was raining. I was a slug today, so lazy, didn't leave the hotel until 2:00, tomorrow I'm going to be out and about early! You girls have to remember I'm old, your day will come :thumbup:.

Hey gals! Well, hubby won, we're still in Ft Lauderdale, it's supposed to be 82 here today, but it looks like we're in for some rain tomorrow. I looked at the forecast for our area on Sunday and decided I'd give in and stay for a few more days, WTH you only live once, LOL. I had the most awesome hunk of fish last night, Grouper, I had the rest of it for Breakfast this AM. As one of my incentives to move the scales, I had vowed NOT to eat anymore ranch dressing or white sauces, oops, had to have tartar sauce or it would never have gone down. I figured I needed the Protein. Speaking of protein, GNC has a special on their liquid 42gr protein, buy one get one half off, along with the gold card is a great deal. I've missed my protein this past 10 days, and I can tell I've gotten out of the habit again. It's a little pricey, but it's easy to use and I don't even have to mix it with fruit anymore, I just take little sips until it's gone. Later gals

Hello gal pals! We spent the entire day looking at property again today, which was only one day so far this trip, it's 73 right now, but the wind is whipping so it feels chilly to me. A far cry from the temps Diane was speaking of, oh no, I hope it's not like that when we get back on Monday. Hubby has begged me to change our flights and return Thurs or Friday, but I'm done, I'm ready for home, heck all this talk about exercising, getting back on the right track, using Wii Fit, AND a fill coming up in a couple of weeks, has given me inspiration to get my arse in gear as well. Diane, even my bra hurts, LOL. I was shopping for a bathing suit yesterday and this lady was with me that's a bit heavier than me said, oh you should be able to find a suit, you're so tiny! I laughed out loud, I told her tiny was one thing I had never been called, especially after a week of cocktails and great food. Betty we ate at this place today called Houston's, it was on the intercoastal waterway, OMG, it was so good, and the view of all the yachts going back...WOW. Not sure it was worth the 2 hour wait and the $45.00 bar tab, but hubby said the $13.00 cheeseburger was awesome, it was so big he had to eat it with a knife and fork. I wish we were going to the Dolphins game on Sunday, but it was just fun being in the stadium on New Years Night for the Orange Bowl, it was beautiful and ultra modern. Talk about pricey cocktails, OMG, if I remember correctly, it was 10.00 each or $16.00 for a double. Later gang

Good Morning Gals from sunny Florida! Hahaha, my lifestyle, when you're my age you'll be doing the same thing! To be honest traveling is not my cup of tea, this is hubby's dream. Although, once I'm here, I do enjoy the weather and usually want to stay a little longer. Sherry, hang in there girl. Glad my doctor only did the 2 weeks of liquids and 2 weeks of mushies. Also, on liquids, I could have anything that would go through a straw, took a while to find a straw the pureed gravy would go through, . Diane, you've got some nerve, asking where everyone else has been and you've been mia all month! We need to make a date soon. You owe me a trip to my neck of the woods when I get back, lets make a day of it. For all you busy, missing pals, Happy New Year. Betty, my desk will be even worse when I get back, because they will all be bills to pay :party:. Oh yeah Sherry, remember I got the Wii Fit several months ago, well, it's still in the box, unopened! Sitting right next to the printer I bought last year during the end of the year sale, still unopened. Oh yes, when we got to our room, the fridge had two cases of Bud Light for hubby and a bottle of wine for me, plus a plate of cheeses. What a welcome! The hotel GM was in VA a few weeks ago and hubby took him and his brother out fishing, how cool is that! Just hope he remembers that at check out time, haha. Kat, sounds like that girl is a real pia, I hope she gets her life straight, believe me I know what it's like dealing with psycho girls. I'm stuck in the room this morning, they're moving us from the ocean front suite, which faces north, to another suite that faces south, I love the morning, all day sun, but it's a pain in the butt having to move, after I've already used a half a can of disinfectant to sanitize this room. Happy New Year and hugs to all.

Good Morning Girlies! Thank goodness it's over! Tree is down, all decorations are back in the attic, house is clean and today is my day. Getting nails done and packing so I won't be rushed tomorrow. We leave Monday for a week in Fort Lauderdale, sunshine here I come. We had so hoped to have an answer back from our "short sale" offer on a new condo by now, but two months later and still no answer. Our contract expires on the 31st, so I guess we'll be looking again. We had hoped to be signing closing papers this trip, but guess not :thumbup:. Sherry, I've been thinking of you, what a great time to have your surgery, truly, I had mine on the 6th of Dec four years ago, but I stayed away from most foods. What I did find satisfying was the frozen yogurt from Costco, haha. We had the family over for the yearly Christmas Eve at Nana's then made the rounds on Christmas day. My younger son didn't get his son until 1, so he figured Santa could take it easy, only to find out those boxes full of stuff weren't assembled as he thought. So, we started out the day by assembling a kitchen, trike, and workshop. HE (the 3yr old grandson), loves his kitchen. I got him a little chef hat, it's the cutest thing, of course all the males in the family hope he's not confused with his sexuality, LOL. Eileenie, so good to see you're smiling face..((( )))). Betty, slow down with the cooking! Oh yeah, we had the best honey cooked ham, I felt so guilty when I placed the order over the phone for the 70 dollar ham and turkey breast. I thought, how slack is this, then when I went to pick it up, OMG, there was a line all the way out the door and down the sidewalk. It was good ham, what tiny bites I ate, but $70.00 good, not sure, then again, I just look at it as another round of golf, LOL. Hugs to all!

Crispy, glad you got here before I did. Sherry's DH called me too, he was pretty pumped about Sherry's new band...yeah, go Sherry! She came out of surgery with a NEW BAND, I'm so excited for her. He said the band had shifted a lot, so they yanked it out and she got a new band AND is doing GREAT! Hugs girl, we're all praying for ya! It's late, I'm outta here...good night all.

So Diane, just what were you eating? Just curious if you were trying to eat any bread? I agree with Sherry, you really should have the band looked at, and soon! Please call me, we need to discuss this! My band has to be the most finicky band, I scheduled a fill last week, because I could eat anything, this week it's working, what gives? I'm on a mission to lose 10 lbs, I even walked a mile on my dreadmill yesterday, but then my foot hurt all day, I think my arch fell :blushing:. Got up early so I can catch up on my wrapping this morning, hubby's at the beach house playing golf, so it's a good time to getter done. Hugs

Ok, here's my chili recipe.... Crock Pot 4 cans of steak n Beans chili 2 large cans of diced tomatoes, peeled, 2 packs of McCormick chili mix a little Water for the chili mix and to get your thickness/consistency to your liking sea salt to taste and any other seasonins you prefer Add a little love and you're good to go

Good Morning All, I'm being lazy as usual, waiting for my girlfriend to call and see if we're doing the Sunday morning BloodyMary bar at the local grill, LOL. I really should stay home and wrap, wrap, wrap, but a few BloodyMarys would probably make wrapping much more fun ;o). I was thinking about fixing some chili, but I'm out of cans of chili, hahahaha! Later pals (I wasn't joking about the chili)

Ooops, I forgot to vote, I got a lift and a second reduction, still too large, still considering having them redone. I just hate being put to sleep! (Kitty, thanks for the compliment)

Kat, remember I'm old, I'm not expected to remember everything just right, LOL, so I went back and edited my post, haha. Lexus.....looks like you're going to be moody for a while, but I will send hugs! Later gals

Lois, those two hot guys were my wonderful sons, the old bald headed geezer is my hubby. It was a surprise 40th anniversary party for me. It was a wonderful night, funny thing is, had I not lost the weight, I probably wouldn't have left the house. I love my band :wink2:

I just hope and pray I have another four years with my best friend....my band, which has changed my life forever! :thumbup: The first picture was four years ago, the second was taken a few weeks ago.

Just in case some of you missed one of Sherry's earlier posts, she said thought coloring would make her feel better, so I sent her a coloring book and some crayons, LOL. Sherry, what is the Lindora company? Are you still working? Darcy, you still making candles? Kat, thanks for the list, I guess we gained a few and lost a few. Anyone heard from Cindy lately?

WTG Michaele, your rock! I made an appt for a fill today, all of my jeans are tight, I hate it! My appt is Jan 15 :eek:, I'll gain 30 lbs by then. I gotta get a grip! Cooked Rock fish tonight, Sherry you'd be proud of me , had a house full of people, I fixed a rubbed spicy version on the grill and then baked some in a combo dip. Alright friends, I'm outta here for the night....hugs!

In my opinion.....NOT A CHANCE! If yours do, you're very lucky. Mine hung so low they used to interfere with me tying my shoe laces. I used to get bruises on my knees when I ran, nope it wasn't a pretty site.