Infaith

Kat-I started this thread and I don't mind the hijack at all, but now I have a question for you...what do you ride? I have a 2006 Suzuki C50 I bought in September. I already have almost 1200 miles on it.

Thanks Steph, Inside of the lower lip.....OW! My sister has a beautiful one of flowers on her left ear along the cartlidge. I had my cartlidge pierced at the time, but she worked for 911 and couldn't have it with the headsets. She said all these big tough looking guys were coming over and asking her (while it was being done)...doesn't that hurt? LOL!

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/darceyo_2006/HAF-00074_color.jpg This is the basis for the tat I want. Instead of the solid grey in the middle of the dove, there would be blue and lavendar feathering and a green olive branch in the dove's mouth.

Leather chaps or leather pants! Next year...yup, yup...

Oh my goodness Jack....what next??

I love your posts Mandy and Mindy! Yeah, I figure it'll get the same reaction as my motorcycle. I rode my bike to a church I used to attend. The pastor there rides. He just stared at me and the bike and pointing between me and the motorcycle, he said, "I never would have put this together". I've had others say something very similar like "I never would have guessed". I tell them I've always loved motorcycles (I even dated a Christian biker a few years ago) but before other things in my life took priority. I can't wait to go to Sturgis next summer! I've only shared this idea of getting the tattoo with my sister and her husband, my older son (who has a tat of a celtic cross on his chest) and you. At work I have to dress and undress frequently for a cleanroom environment so that will be interesting in itself when people see it. Actually there are many women there who have tattoos. It's just funny when it comes to somebody they look at as very conservative...not knowing we sometimes have a wild side!

Thanks Steph! When I get my tattoo, I'll post a picture, okay?

Jack! Was hoping you'd see my post. Yeah, I took a bit of a break from here. I didn't even get a fill in my band for over 3 months because of personal stuff in my life. I'm in a good place now. I work dayshifts now and that is helping a bunch. I still owe you and Teresaa lunch! I work Sun, Mon,Tues and every other Wednesday. Let me know when you're coming through here and we'll plan something, okay? I'm having my aftercare and fills in Bend and I always think of you when I see the sign for Sweet Home. Take care. Talk to you soon.

Thanks again. I'm sure I'll get my tattoo, but I just had a suspicious looking mole removed on my upper shoulder so I have to wait for the biopsy (which I'm sure it's fine, but we always check) and then wait for it to heal....probably a couple of weeks. I found the tattoo I want and have already talked to a tattoo artist about modifications to it. Mandy-I smile at your last comment about therapy. That seems to be what I have worked on all year. My mom died unexpectedly in March and I've shocked almost everyone around me by getting my sister to take the riding class with me, get our endorsements and then spend part of Mom's estate on new motorcycles for us. We even have stickers that say, "For some there's therapy. For others there's motorcycles". Haven't told many people that I'm considering the tattoo. I'm sure that will shock them even more. Everybody has always seen me as mild, calm, responsible mom to everybody. This is the first time I don't have anybody to take care of but me. Always had husband, kids or mom to take care of and now I don't. My sister has been a wonderful influence teaching me to take care of me for the first time in my life. To enjoy each and every day and all the little things....using beautiful china teacups with saucers to drink tea from instead of mugs, abandoning the "should dos" around the house to go for a motorcycle ride with my sister and her husband on a beautiful afternoon, planning a 1300 mile trip for next summer with them, redoing my living room in a beautiful lavendar. These things make me feel very extravagant, but also tell me that I'm worth it!

Some of you know me. Some of you don't, but would like to say hi to all.

Thank you Morsaille, Brandy, blj5362, and Mandy! I really appreciate your input. Good luck on your continued weight loss journey.

Mindy, what kind of tattoo do you have?

Thanks Mindy for responding. I would love to get the tattoo now. The tattoo artist thinks it will be okay, but wants me to find out more...that's why I'm asking here.

A HUGE Congratulations to you Nana!!

Okay Jack...I know I've been away from LBT for awhile...but WHAT HAVE YOU been up to? Harems? Would be stalkers? Have you been a busy boy since I've been away?

Jan & Trizzy-the last I heard from Teresa about Dr. Eubanks was that he lost his insurance to care for "international patients" who go to Mexico. That post from hagerteresa was done in 2004. Not sure if Eubanks got that insurance thing corrected or not. Teresa???

I went to Dr. Kelly for fills when she was still in Portland when I had my first band. She is a real sweetheart. You'll love her. She is a naturopathic physician and RN. She does not do the flouro. She's great about hitting your port first time...no problem. And she gives you a hug when you leave. She is extremely warm and caring. My only warning (and this has NOTHING to do with Dr. Kelly) is that you should get your band checked out under x-ray or flouro from time to time by somebody who knows something about the band. I was banded the first time the same day as Jack (hey buddy) 12/21/04. Unfortunately I caught a horrible stomach virus after having it 7 months. The virus made me throw up everything...even Water. Dr. Kelly took all my fill out and then had me have x-rays taken. The x-ray doc here in Eugene said my band was fine. It wasn't. It was slipped very badly from my vomiting. Ended up calling Dr. Ortiz (my surgeon) during his vacation and flying down to Mexico for emergency surgery and I lost my band. I have been banded again (4/11/06), but have not had a fill yet. My mom died unexpectedly 2 weeks before I got my band. With my emotions and stress I didn't feel it was wise to get a fill as soon as I could. I have set it up to see Dr. Koning in Bend next week. I met him at a seminar before I got my 2nd band and asked him if he would do my after care. He was pleased I was going to Dr. Ortiz and said he would be happy to. Right now I've only lost 17 pounds since getting my band, but having no fill and with all the stress I've been under I'm giving myself permission to relax about it. Now I'm looking forward to getting my fill and seeing what Dr. Koning has to say. I wish the best of luck to all of you!!

Okay girls...my sister and I are taking the class to get our endorsements this fall and will be receiving some money that we intend on buying motorcycles. Would like to hear your opinions on what you like/dislike about particular bikes. I have short legs so I've been looking at the more retro low-slung bikes like Honda Shadow, Harley Heritage Softail, Kawasaki Vulcun...those types. We used to ride dirt bikes as kids and dad always had street bikes plus my brother-in-law is into bikes so we do have some background knowledge and help. Just want to know what you have experienced and enjoyed. Thanks!

I'm on myspace too! Of course our pages are always under construction (kind of like our bodies). Add me! http://www.myspace.com/infaith Yes, there is a WLS group...both lapbands and gastric bypass. I'm pretty sure Nana is on there?

Dawn, I am so sorry for your loss. I can relate. My mom (she was only 68) died March 27th of this year and I was scheduled to be rebanded April 12th (ended up being April 11th). I did go ahead with it. My sister asked me if I still wanted to...I told her yes, Mom would want me to take care of myself and do what I need to do to live. So girl, I understand completely. You are emotional and thousands of things going thru your head. Go with your heart. For me, it was what I had to do to save my life. Take care and God be with you.

Hey Crystal! Sorry I didn't catch this post earlier..not that I could have actually made it up that way right now. Working too much OT to go anywhere. Hope things went well. Take care.

JenWillWin-So what day did you get banded? Sounds like you're doing well. Regarding the bandages...always ask your doc! They just put sterile-strips on me so they will wash away in the next few days. To others regarding post op: Remember each person is different. Like for me, I'm on only clear liquids (broth, s/f jello, juice...which I water down because I get diaherra) for a week, then I'm onto full liquids with protein shakes and cream soups. It all depends on the doctor. Because they fill up your insides with air as to do the surgery laproscopically...my tummy feels like I've got an extra package strapped to my front...like it doesn't quite belong to me..lol. I burb and fart a lot getting rid of the gas. I take Gas-X, warm showers, use a heating pad and walk, walk, walk. We need to move to get rid of it. Good luck to all..those who have been banded and those soon-to-be-banded.

HEY!! I'm back! Yes, I was scheduled for rebanding on 4/12/06, but when I got there on 4/11/06 and started pre-ops (including an endoscopy), they asked if I would mind having it done a day earlier. I did end up having a hiatal hernia that they fixed. Dr. Martinez said everyone that they have rebanded had this and it was an easy fix. Also because I have been banded before there was some scar tissue around my stomach so they placed my band above the scar tissue. I was told his should help with slippage. Dr. Ortiz told my sister that I might lose weight a little faster too because of it sitting as high as it can. To me, it means I will need to be even more careful with overeating or PBing. Anyway, I feel fine. Just tired, working on getting the gas out and keeping myself hydrated. Hope all is well with everybody else and their journeys.

Ok...where is my comrade JenWillwin? Are we ready for this? I fly out early Tuesday morning (5:20) to make pre-ops. How about you?

Paula, I think leaving a pretty responsible 10 y/o for 30 minutes is fine. Even better if you have a cell phone and they know how to reach you or for you to reach them if you are running late. Just my thoughts.