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Hi Misty! You'd do fine with whatever brand you get. I've got scads of these things from all different makers and they all seem to be the same quality and length (I'm short too) so depending on what muscles I'm targeting sometimes I have to shorten it up by holding onto the tube instead of the handles. The different colors mean different levels of resistance and I think any person with even moderate or less strength could start out with a medium resistance band and get good results. Just pay attention to your form and don't over extend joints. Get one that has the little dohinky so you can anchor it in a door to get a more varied workout, and make sure the door is closed FIRMLY before you start your moves or it can whip out and darn near kill you! LOL Good luck!

If you don't reapply it weekly, it starts to fade or wear off a little and doesn't look as good. Especially if you scrub in the shower, but no, it doesn't "come off" per say when you get wet.

This could be a conversation between my husband and myself. He thinks I should just eat like I've had surgery already, and skip the surgery. Money saved in his opinion! We banter about my upcoming surgery almost daily now that it's coming up in less than a month...I've decided to just not talk about it anymore with him, or around him..I'm headed to Mexico and my daughter has chosen to accompany me because he refuses too. I even contemplated going alone for a while. Take some time and research and learn as much as you can...it will help solidify your resolution, if this is truly what you desire. For myself, I'm tired of going on a diet, losing weight, then in few short months gaining it all back. I need something new, something I haven't tried before, something that will support me in my healthy efforts and hopefully be the answer to a better me. This is a last ditch effort for me...I'm gearing up for my last good fight to finally be the person I know I can be. If you decide you want this...no one and no thing will stand in your way. Good luck!!

I like the Bariatric Advantage lemon chews and am using them now. When I got my sampler box from them there was a SUPER YUMMY calcium chew in there called "creamy bites"..It was chocolate, and tasted just like a truffle!! I looked those up and they were kinda pricey so I stuck with the cheaper ones by BA. Here's a link if you'd like to check them out... http://www.creamybites.com/

I used to use self tanners quite a bit. Def use some rubber gloves and I always used a loofah to exfoliate before hand. I use a dab of lotion prior to the tanner on my knees and elbows, ankles/heels as dryer skin areas tend to absorb more tanner (learned that the hard way). I start at my feet and work my way up, applying as evenly as possible. Take your time..and the tanners that are tinted help a lot, so you can see where you've applied. No clothes until it's all dry! One thing that I found out, and it could be just my body chemistry, but I noticed an odd odor to my skin while wearing it, even days later after multiple showers so I just eventually decided I disliked that more than being pale. My last favorite was by neutragena, a tinted foam, it went on very lightly and smoothly with natural looking color. Have fun!

I love bread, especially artisan bread..smelling it, looking at it, touching it and of course eating it! Just yesterday I was lingering in the bakery at Kroger mentally saying goodbye to all the lovely loaves...hopefully not forever though, a sammich isn't much of a sammich without some good hearty bread! In all honesty though, I think it would be for the best if I developed an aversion like you...it would DEF be a good thing. I'm just not ready to accept that yet! LOL

Thanks girls!! Love all the info!

This question is a little off topic maybe.....does the Marriott have hair dryers in the rooms?? I'd rather not take up the space in my carry on if it's not needed. Thanks!

this could be my story!! I started my pre-op this past Monday, a full five weeks early. Mon-Fri did great with my protein shakes and under 300 cal lean cuisine meal, lost 8 lbs!! Friday nite....a different story. Weekends are always hard, just want to relax and hang out with my husband, and of course eat yummy, comforting stuff (which means pizza or fast food). HORRIBLE CRAVINGS since Friday nite pizza, and I ate a measly 2 squares. Just a few minutes ago I was scrounging in the kitchen for something sweet (thank goodness I have already done away with all that!) and had to settle for SF jello. Oh those evil carbs, I'm always hunting for more, the veritable junkie. Back on the wagon again tomorrow...only required to lose another five pounds or so. We can do it!!

I guess I can't call my husband "supportive"...but more grudgingly accepting?? I'm still hearing the "when you get all skinny and sexy you'll leave me" comments and it's been 5 months since I first told him (getting sleeved in a month). He's gone from forbidding me to have it done, to forbidding me to going to Mexico to have it done (self pay) to now just grumbling about how I should be spending the money on a car instead of surgery to lose weight because I "am fine the way I am". (SIGH) He can really rain on my parade some days. I wish he was more into it....but it is what it is, and I'm going ahead with it on my own. I'd still love for him to be holding my hand along the way..even if his words are not so comforting.

Welcome to the forum!! I'm not getting sleeved until next month but can appreciate how excited you are as I'm already packed to go! Wishing you an easy and complication free surgery, and fast recovery

Amytug, mine took about 3 weeks to come in the mail...now that I think about it, I'm not sure if my birth certificate has come back yet..hmmmmm (scratches head absentmindedly) I got mine at the post office too, picture and everything

Don't fret too much..start those clear liquids. I started my pre-op on Monday (early)and have lost 8 lbs on 2 shakes and 1 under 300 cal. meal a day. I really think you can lose 5 by Monday!

I'll be there in 4 weeks...doubt I'll be checking out the pool area either LOL

You were told it was because he could give you an infection?? As a 25 yr. veterinarian assistant I call BS...unless you let him lick your incisions!! I would think the greatest danger would be him jumping on your abdomen. If he stays at your feet..I don't see any harm in allowing him to stay there

I'm so looking forward to posting my success pics here..4 weeks from today is my day! Oh, 5'1 and 217.6 this morning, started my preop early

Not sleeved yet, but heard some people must take a PPI for several months after surgery, sometimes longer. Maybe call your doc? Don't let it go on for too long, you'll be setting yourself up for ulcers

I'm still pre-op as well and my first dream went like this... I am in my hospital room and I've already had surgery. My cousin, who has always been a beanpole was there and she had also had the surgery. Since we were awake, we decided we should start walking to help with the gas. We made our way downstairs and found ourselves in the hospital cafeteria. We thought we felt well enough so we both got a cup of Water to start sipping. Next thing I know my cousin is looking at me with her mouth gaping open in horror. I say, "what?". She shouts, "Why are you drinking BEER?!" I looked down at my hands on the table and in one hand was my cup of water, but in the other I held a half-drank bottle of Michelob Ultra. I was angry at her for calling me out on this and snarled back, "Well it IS a clear liquid!" We sat in silence and finished our drinks, then decided we had been gone from our rooms long enough and better get back. Next thing I know I'm lying in my hospital bed with my stomach hugely swollen up and hurting and the Doctor standing over me shaking his head. He said, "This is not normal, we will have to re-operate immediately." I felt so ashamed of myself that I actually woke up! Next up, only a few weeks ago, I dreamed this.... I was at the airport waiting on my flight. It was dark and uncomfortable, and very crowded. Everyone was impatient. When I went to check my bag it had fallen open some how and I noticed that everything in my bag was wrong!! I had my husband's leather jacket, my son's tattered blanket...but nothing that I needed for my trip! I was holding up the line, so stuffed it all back in as best I could and decided I would have to just make do without it. Next up was the ticket counter. I handed over my ticket and the lady asked for my picture ID. It was then that I realized I had forgotten my wallet at home so no ID, no debit cards, no passport...I was screwed!! I was stressing out over what to do, how was i going to fix this?? Why did I forget something so important?? The ticket counter lady suggested a later flight, but that would mean driving 3 hours round trip to get my wallet and for some reason that meant I would be making everyone else LATE as well. I was devastated. Needless to say, since having these dreams I haven't had a beer since new years eve, and my bag is already packed WITH my passport card and ID a month early! LOL

Round trip for two from Columbus, Ohio to San Diego thru Southwestern was $659.20. Booked it a month in advance though...

You need either a passport or passport card to come back across the border (if driving) from Mexico. I guess they don't check going in. If flying in to Mexico, you must have the passport book.

(huge, remorseful sigh) I have Anthem too but WL surgery is an exclusion on my plan Congrats on your quick approval, and upcoming surgery...best of luck to you

I did this too...for several months, got to lose an extra 7 pounds now that I've started my pre-op

I'm a member of a VSG facebook group and a lot of people on there say white potatoes in general give them problems. I'm a HUGE french fry fan as well, I half hope that after my surgery I won't like them or won't be able to tolerate them

You're on your way! Good progress

Well boo!