GrizGirl

This is why I love LBT.. It's always nice to know there are others out there battling the same things. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and remedies. Sal

I'm in too!! Look forward to seeing VQ again, and meeting others! Sal

In the words of another wise LBT'er -"I could've written this post" Me too--The girls, itch and scratch, and darn it I've noticed they are taking on the shape of a large long banana--not a dancing banana either. The batwings have firmed up along with other parts of my body. Looks like the boobs are just gonna get longer and leaner. I always thought I would be happy if any part of me got longer and leaner--just didn't think it would be the boobs.

I purposely didn't look at this thread...Old people, animals it all gets to me. I nearly had water coming out of my nose.

Great--let me know. You can ring me at work also..425.818.1760 Sal

I stopped by to see my nutritionist yesterday. I knew she had a copy of last years labs in my file. We looked at them together. She asked that I log my food for the next couple of weeks, but she also said the results did look a little strange. For example, my tricglycerides are down to 104 from 131 last year. I have always been a fan of oatmeal (the long-cooking or steel cut variety, no instant) and whole grain breads and crackers. I do drink and used low/non fat dairy (except for a splash of half/half in the morning joe). Don't eat a lot of red meat, in fact, last time I had red meat I think was around the first part of October. Long story short, I requested that they re-adminster the blood test. From the look on the receptionists face when I explained I wanted to re-do some labs, you would have thought I had asked her to perform ingrown toenail surgery on me right there on her counter..Look honey mistakes sometimes get made!! My luck, the test results will probably be the same, but I really don't want to start taking any medication if it's not completely necessary.

I am a little (to say the least) surprised and confused by some lab results I recieved in yesterdays mail. I had my annual physical in mid October. I went in last week to have my blood drawn for some routine testing-blood sugar, electrolytes, cholesterol & the like. These lab tests were set up for me at the time of my initial appoinment--I forgot until I got a phone call that said I hadn't taken care of my labs. Got the results back yesterday and was floored. My blood sugar is fine, however my cholesterol has gone through the roof. Combined number is 221!!! I had my physical last year and if I remember correctly, I was at about 180. The Doctor made a note that I need to set up an appoinment to get started on cholesterol lowering medication. My blood pressure has been normal (off meds for that) I am down 40+ pounds from the same time last year, I get to the gym 3 times a week. My diet hasn't changed except for portions, If anything I feel like I've been eating healthier in at least the last 6-8 months. I don't get it. Do you think I should request another blood test? I really don't want to start on any medication without being 100% sure about the necesseity of it. Damm if it isn't always something

I'm in! Tuesday would be great. Let me know what time works best for you. I am completely flexible. It's about a 2 minute stumble across a couple of cross walks to that Starbucks from the jobsite. I'll look forward to it. Sal

Boobies for me. I'd like them lifted or reduced. They seem to be taking on the shape of fat bananas now.

Yes--I would love to finally meet you in person. I am still working in Bellevue..Construction site right across the street (to the east) of Bellevue Square. You name the date and place sister and I will be there! Yippee!

I seem to be one of the lucky (?) one who get extremely tight right around the beginning of my period. My period started Thursday of last week. I had a horrible PB last Thursday--figures at work . Took it easy on Friday with liquids--Seem to be better by Saturday.

Going back in time to a foggier place: I may have to amend this list, but here goes 1st concert ever-- The Cars 1980 The Kinks Duran Duran--(Yep I was one of those) The Clash X (Numerous) Last time in 2003 at the EMP in Seattle Elvis Costello B-52's The Pretenders Red Hot Chili Peppers Los Lobos The Ramones (At the UW Hub Ballroom--Shortest Concert Ever--One of the Ramones, jumped off the stage and started beating up a frat boy--concert over!) The Grateful Dead--Three Seattle Shows in I think 1993 or 1994 Dead in Oregon--same year?? Pearl Jam Nirvana--Think it was at the Central Tavern in Seattle way back when Robert Cray--The Rainbow Tavern another great Seattle hot spot for music. U2 early, early 80's REM--multiple--second row at the Gorge--that was sweet! Eric Clapton Wow--I am reliving my youth..where did I park my scooter? After Reading Mousecrazy's list--

June Bandster checking in for duty. Hanging in there.. 1-2 Pounds per week gone...gone I tell you.

OK--Here's a picture of me taken today at work. I'm trying to get it to work as my avatar. I'll keep trying. HOLY CATS PLEASE GOD MAKE IT SMALLER

Mandy-- Thank you Thank you Thank you I finally have an avatar!!!

Thank you Miss M. Sal

Geez--I think I had a reverse PB last night... Reverse you say..How in the Heck..... I was sitting on the couch with my daughter last night after I had eaten dinner. Dinner seemed to go down OK. I've been battling a cold for the last week or so, so I seem to be a little tighter than normal. Anyway, Sophie (all 35 pounds of her) got a little rambunctious and flopped on my stomach/lap. Didin't hurt, but holy smokes...there it was.. watering eyes, burning in the chest and mass burping. It took about 10 minutes and the feeling went away. Do you think it's possible to have a reverse PB??

I am needle squeamish.. I thought I had this fear conquered at last when I successfully gave blood at a employer sponsored blood drive. Second blood drive comes around--I am an old hat at this, I've done it once before!! The tech proceeds to prick my finger...I get the tin can hearing, sweaty, yawning feeling. I pass out. The kicker was when I came too, my stomach felt strangely relieved and there was a faint whiff of stink in the air. I asked tech for confirmation of what I already knew: I JUST FARTED DIDN'T I? yes I don't give blood anymore--(not really)

Size 8..That's a hoot!! Not this gal sister!! You and I seem to have pretty similar stats. My start weight was 281. How tall are you? I am right around 5'-10". I think my sis has started W.Watchers. She gets plenty of daily exercise due to her job. I know I scared the hell out of her when I had my first and hopefully last pb/slime/vomit episode with her. I think that was when this band business finally made sense to her. She has a tendency to eat really fast (she's a UPS drivers, so she takes meals on the run) and when I am with her and we are eating, I tend to get caught up in her pace of eating. After the pb incident she now really makes an effort to slow her eating down.

Hi all- I just noticed the date I joined LBT was October 2004. I can't believe it's been a year. When I first came here I had tons of questions that were always answered with kindness, knowledge and humour. I had the pleasure of speaking at a new patient seminar last week.. I'm not much of a public speaker, but I had a great time. None of the questions threw me for much of a loop. I do need to give credit where credit is due though...On more than one occassion I caught myself thinking.....What would Michele (LaMadam) or Alexandra, Or Crystal say..(---the list it way too long to add them all here). Just want to say Thanks to everybody here at LBT for a great year. I can't wait to see what the next one holds!

Hi-Just saw this post and have to chime in. I too am an identical twin. We are only a minute apart. Over the years we have grown into each others' best friend. She too was a little skeptical about the surgery...She also thought I hadn't exhausted all of my possibilities. All I had to do though was remind her of the 75 pounds she lost with Nutri-System 12 years ago and the 40 or so pounds I lost with Phen-Fen. She has been nothing but supportive of me..I know she is very proud of the progress I've made. I too am closing the gap with her. I still have about 25 pounds on her (Well gee...I am a little bit taller after all) I know when I get closer to her weight, she will probably start to diet. We have always had a bit of a competitive nature between us.

I should've posted this earlier...but here goes. I am headed to Southern Cal for a short vacation with my twin sis, best friend, daughter and daughters baby sitter (leaving the hubby at home). The company I work for has a condo in LaQuinta CA that we'll be staying at next week. We're flying into Ontario, CA tomorrow morning and plan to spend Saturday and Sunday at Disneyland before heading over to the desert. Anyhow, does anybody have a clue if such a thing as discount tickets for Disneyland exist? Their website offers a few dollar discount for park hopper tickets. Wondering if any you wise thrifty bandsters have any ideas.

CONGRATS!!! That first week does have some unpleasantness--but it really does get better all the time. I found that a couple of weeks prior to my first fill I could eat anything. I managed to lose weight up until my first fill, but it truly was through will power. As my fill date for my fill approached, my will power took a nose dive. Will power bottomed out, and I got a fill...... I've continued to lose at a pretty steady rate of 2 pounds a week. Keep up the good work! The best is yet to come!

Hi All: This is my time of year to get sick. I think I am the "Typhoid Mary" of the cold and flu season. When they say the cold and flu season doesn't start in September, I laugh.....It all starts with me...Sorry everyone. Anyhow, I woke up with the crap last Saturday (9-17-05) morning. I generally am a little more restricted in the morning so I didn't think much of the tightness in my chest I felt after eating some scrambled eggs--not a PB, I just felt tight. As my cold has progressed over the last few days, I still have tightness whenever I eat; regardless of what I eat. Has anybody else had a bout of increased restriction when they've had a cold/flu? I do seem to have increased restriction around "that time of the month" It is now "that time of the month" (today) so I'm not sure if it is just a coincidence.

Congrats!! Way to go and keep up the good work... Love to see this stuff, what an inspiration. S.