I'llsucceed

Thank You Lord for blessing Estela's son with a strong & healthy heart! May he grow to be a happy healthy man. Amen.

DO DO Doodoo dod dodo do do dodo-ahhhhhh Do the hustle....Do the hustle(lower regeister) do doo ddooo --aaahhhhhhh Cause shes a Brick.... Haus!! Shes mighty mighty just let'n all hang out! Thats my theme song! & my poker name:0) Hijack-sorry

Where is the poll? I do not see it- is it because I have to vote first? If so thats a bummer because I can't really be honest until I get banded. Anyone have any suggestions? Can everyone else see the poll at the top with all the results?

MORE PICTURES FROM OTHER BANDSTER PLEASE:0) PLus if you can hardly see them try if you can to mark them like Nana did-its very helpful:0)

Thats GREAT!!!!!!!!! Hope you are taking it easy & that your healing time is a breeze!!!

Unfortunatley this is THE BEST ADVISE. I am having that has one of my problems has well- Even though I have YEARS of previous Doc followed diets. I was without insurance this past year & they said I must have Documents from 2004. Go Figure-all the other 15 years don't count as much:0)I sure hope you can find someone else who saw you & documented something. If Not I hope you get an appt right away & that times Flies By for you!--Best of Luck!

Best Lesson I ever heard & have never mastered: "If it grows out of the ground or falls off a tree, than its OK to but into your body." Ya Gotta Love Mother Nature!

I was thinking this very thing. It could be the smallest or the largest detail that sets us over the top. We may not even ever know why. Its so important just to sit & meditate over what has maybe changed recently in our lives or maybe our surroundings. Either way it sounds like you are all ready back on track- I so look froward to your day of meeting your goal- We all look forward to celebrating with you. BTW -JOB WELL DONE!!! 80 PDS!!!!!!!!!!

You are correct Donali- It would actually have to do with HIGHER rates of erosion, according to the seminar I just attended. If the stitches around the band are too tight they then tend to push or hold the band too tight against the stomach wall & therefore can create an erosion(pressure) into the wall. This technique has been improved over time(in the US) with less stitches & less tension to prevent erosion. But in the begining was a contributor to erosion(in some cases.) It is very important to note that it has to do specifically with the surgeons techinque & finesse NOT the inamed band itself(with regard to stitching). Some bandster may have erosion but not have any severe side effects for along time-making it hard to detect. It was explained to me like this: Have you ever seen where they take a wire & slice through a block of ice really fast? There is no gap created by the wire but it has gone all the way through the ice block. This is what happens sometimes w/stitches that are too tight. The body tends to just close up around the sliced area to protect itself & therefore the band can sometimes end up entirely inside the stomach over time if not checked periodically. I plan on having a full check-up once every 2 yrs to check for erosion- maybe even once a year might be better. If this is continue to happen with the same physician time & time again it is because they have yet to perfect their stitch techinique for prevention of slippage. It is also important to note that even the best surgeon who has mastered the technique can over tighten once in awhile or add one too many stitches(they vary w/patients) & have an erosion problem.

Beautiful Job Lisa!!! I can't wait to vote;0)

This I think is the best idea- I agree with Alex that it may make it only a information site & not a friendly get to know you area. But Vines suggestion may solve both problems by keeping it still personal. I had asked a long time ago for a thread I started to be sticked under introductions called "Are You New?" Thinking it might help newbies- but like Lisa says certain threads fall behind after time & are valuable & tough to search. Good Advice everyone!

That Is Very Cool- I loved it

So AM I PENNI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats on the award Scotty- I sent you an email awhile back about the award & the calander-Let me know what ya think! Cheers!

Happy Happy Birthday & Many Many More! Spoil Yourself No Matter What Today!!!

Paula- I think they are coasters, for the bar area by the pool table. Right Trish? Too cute... I love your sun!!! I have done ceramics before as well but both the girls that did them with me moved:0( So its been along time -Its fun & your talented!

YOu need to see a Dermatologist. It maybe that it is a sun spot & can be lightened with some bleaching cream which is only by subscription. Example-Tri-Luma very expensive if you don't have coverage. The other reason to see a professional is that there are many types of Moles & they can spread & darken & or thicken with time. I don't mean to alarm you - I am sure yours is nothing but just to make sure you need a professional. Age spots are also VERY common for anyone over 30 yrs. They are harmless & sometimes won't fade But can easily be covered w/make-up. Let us know- There are cheaper bleaching creams on the market but all of them take months to take effect. So don't get discouraged. It will be gone in no time:0)

THis is wonderful news!! Hip HIp Horray!!! Hip HIp Horray!!!

So SORRY Girl- But Truely there is a silver lining!!! Yes there is!!! You now have identified(all be it the hard way) a huge RED FLAG! This Flag will forever be waving infront of you from here on out-SAVING you from falling victim again to this type of thing. Please do yourself the favor of easing your mind & email the gal back if possible telling her what you said earlier in another post that you didn't know & would never do that. I think you'll feel better. Just my personal opinion. As to the guy- well like Penni said he is a man & 1.5 in 2 marriages fail. None of us should be surprised. I am just sorry that it happened to you. You are beautiful both inside & out & your man-your true man is waiting for just around the corner.((Huggs))

Happy Anniversary-Happy Anniversary- Happy Anniversary--HHaaaaappppppyyy Annnivvversary!!! If you sing it its more fun! You Go Girl! I hope to be just like you!!!

Hi Bright- It makes sence that when we eat ALOT of food that we haven't been eating regularly it stays in our intestins longer to break down & process. It may take several days for this "food" to be expelled & therefore you weight gain will be high until its all gone. That added with too much Salt- is the culprit. But once you get back on track you will see progress. I think alot of newbies & Those yet to be banded(myself) choose the band kinda for that reason. You know that we CAN eat the SAME stuff as before- we truely are not willing to give it up for a LIFETIME> At least I think its one of the componets for the band choice. With RNY- most wouldn't be able to do sweets & other things(dumping syndrome). But even they gain weight back. I saw my GYN 2 days ago & she had had the RNY-lost 90 pd in 1 yr & gained 40 pds back. How sad? She thinks her tummy stretched. I may switch Docs & tonight go to a new seminar w/this new Doc who does both types of surgery. I hope to be even more convinced of the band but RNY does have pluses as well. But as to gaining & plateus they are with BOTH surgeries & Both have pitfalls & most importantly BOTH will not work unless we follow them to a tee!!! Which means when we have fun- we will need a little mending period. I guess I wrote this for you as much for myself-because I am very scared of failure. You think I would be so used to it by now-lol Keep your chin up Bright- & yes maybe go get a "tiny" bit more of a fill. Than do your thing- I know we will be hearing weight loss stories from you in no time!

Best of luck & Return safely & heal fast!!!

HAPPY 1 YEAR to Michelle & Penni- You have both been great inspirations!

After hours spent reading & learning. Learning & reading, I sometimes start to freak myself out a bit with all the possiblities that can & do go wrong with the band. I would love if it were possible to have a thread that tells of the easy days. The no problem days. The life is so much better with the band days. The can't believe how easy it is to drink & eat days (healthy that is). The happy times even at parties & restaurants days. No worry days. ect ........

Ewe Ewe Ewwwwie!-- Lol Lol Lol

LOve the thread ladies- this is truely good to see how things are healing. Jenna yours look like they will be perfect in just a few weeks - I can't believe how fast they are healing!! Nana- Well DAM Girl - Yours scars are the very last thing anyone would be looking at;0) You look Smashing! Is the port # 4 on you-I am just wondering if thats the one. I can see its the same spot has Jennas but can barely tell? Is it #4?