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I don't work...so I probably can't help there...but I used to have three pairs of black pants and two pairs of other colored pants and 10 different various styled shirts to pair with them...that was work clothing. Casual clothing...I have one-two pairs of jeans and at least 5 long sleeved tees...and three sweaters. I have to have enough long sleeved shirts because I am so tall and can't dry them. I do dry my pants though...my torso and arms are harder to fit than my legs. Shoes are the same pair of shoes almost every day. I'm so boring and unimaginative...and poor...don't forget poor! Rain

Good for you and congratulations....I hope the process is easy peasy and fun as all get out! As for prenatals...I take one still (stopped nursing my twins in Sept) because they are great Vitamins and covered by insurance... anyway...after my last fill I had to cut them in half for a while..but now I can swallow them whole. The problem is getting stuck...drink with a ton of Water and cut them if you have to...don't mash...they may lose some potency. Kudos to you for taking them...prenatals are vital to the health of an unborn baby and good for mom as well. Rain

The biggest reason is that I am the mom of three little girls under 4..I needed the least invasive procedure that would allow for maximum movement in the shortest time. Also, I had no interest in having my intestines cut and moved...oh, and I really liked the idea of adjustments...we are not all the same person and this seems to make this wls fit for your body and weight loss style. Best of luck in your decision. Rain

I am going to f-ing swear less! and... I'm going to take care of me as much as I can! Rain

Yes it would annoy me...but I think perhaps you're more angered than usual because you want to chew... that's the way I was. go...come up with a stock answer to let them know you don't want their opinion any more...something along the lines of..."I can hear what you are saying."...is not commital, and boring after a while. You'll feel better after the mushie stage when you can chew...promise! Rain

Hello ladies, I have two winter coats that I'd like to give to whomever needs one. Both are peacoat style...one is navy/ 26/28 80%wool 20%cotton. It is in excellent used condition. The only issue is that I wore it to a bonfire tonight and it smells of smoke...so it needs to be drycleaned...and although I'd like to help a fellow bandster out, I can't pay for drycleaning for a coat I'm going to give away. The second coat is 100% polyesther...I always thought it was wool and was surprised by the poly. It is also a pea coat style...22W... It is warm and in excellent used condition. I'd like to just give these to whomever needs them...I just need reimbursement for shipping. Paypal preferred. Oh, and my home is smokefree. Also, I can send you photos of each coat if you are interested. Hope to help keep someone warm this winter! Rain

Hello Chopstickgirl.. Here they are...really, both of them (after looking at them) need a good drycleaning. But really, I'm sure you would do that anyway! The navy coat is a true navy...not sure why the color is funky in this picture... also, it has all four buttons, I only buttoned the top two...then realized it looked like it was missing some...they are all there!! I hope you can use them...they are warm! Last night was about 32 degrees, and I only had the blue one with a long sleeved tee under it and I was not cold....my nose on the other hand... Rain

What a great early morning surprise. I hopped on the scale and lost two pounds...so I never even got to see the scale see halfway. Can I just tell you all how much I love this band? I know I am preaching to the choir....but it is just the best thing that has ever happened to me. LOVE IT!!! Rain

I'm in NJ and we had a very wet icy snow last night...not that much (maybe 2 inches), but very heavy... Dh went outside to shovel and was complaining that it really hurt his port....Does this happen to anyone else??? Thanks! Happy snow to everyone! Rain

Thanks everyone!!! And congrats to you Purplegirl!!! I am so excited to be on my way...Can't wait to see the 100s..... Rain

Thanks all, I must admit, I love the snow. I'm thrilled that it is this time of year and that it looks like it is going to be a snowy winter. I cannot WAIT to take my 3.5 year old sledding...she's so excited and will be getting a new sled from Santa this year! Good Times! Rain

Not really...but I did eat more...just didn't stuff myself sick. I did, however, eat like a total stinking pig two days before surgery...drank like a fish also...It was my 31st. birthday. The following day I had to be on Clear liquids...let me tell you....a wicked hangover with nothing to soak it up...NOT MUCH FUN!!! What you are going through is normal...I would (and did) make a pact with yourself that you will NOT gain any weight... Good luck. Rain

1. I can tie my shoes without losing my breath! 2. My eyes don't shut when I smile! 3. My big hips have less bruises! 4. I can feel my bones! 5. I can see my feet! 6. I can wear an underwire bra! 7. I can run! 8. I can feel my muscles! 9. I can see my cheek bones! 10. I can walk much further without getting tired! 11. I can cross my legs! 12. I look younger ( I got carded twice in one week!) 13. I can shave my legs in the shower! 14. I Have Dimples In My Cheeks.....they Are Coming Thru! I Can See Them! Now, As For The Dimples In My Butt!!! I Hope I Will One Day Never See Them!!! 15. I can get out of the bathtub without 911 on speed dial! 16. I can bend over and..... GET BACK UP! 17. I can shop......anywhere! 18. I have so much energy especially after I exercise! 19. I can bend down without getting out of breath! 20. I'm more flexible during sex! 21. My big bow hips have went down more than 20 inches! 22. Men are turning their heads constantly! 23. My face is so much thinner and prettier! 24. I have collar bones! 25. The fat from my back is disappearing! 26. I feel so good! 27. I'm starting to like what I see more and more! 28. I have a Fricking Rib cage and can feel it! 29. I fit comfortably in an airline seat! 30. I can ride all of the rollercoasters I want! Whee! 31. I can curl up in a chair with my knees up like a little kid. 32. I can give myself a nice pedicure. 33. I don't have to wear a wide shoe anymore. 34. Boots fit over my calf and knee high socks don't cut into my leg anymore 35. I like myself 36. I don't feel like the fat person in the room 37. Clothes are actually cute (who'd have thought???) 38. Sitting daintily turned in a chair instead of being wedged in and practically stuck.

I agree with Wasa...a couple of months...I'll still feel my port if I wear high wasted pants or sit in a weird position! Rain

I have tried fitday and my daily plate...but I prefer this one.. USDA - CNPP - MyPyramid Tracker Rain

I lost 60 lbs between my banding and my first fill. My inusrance makes you wait 90 days for your first fill...so I was banded in July and had my first fill 10/11... Initially it was relatively easy, but by the beginning of Sept, I was struggling. I just followed a diet and figured I could do that until I got restriction. So, I ate three times a day (4oz protein...2oz vegg...2ozcarb (not ery often))...cut out almost all white carbs...and drank Water or Protein Shakes between meals if I was hungry. My first fill has done nothing for me and my second fill is scheduled for January 11th. Looking forward to a little more restriction. My goal is 100lbs by Feb 10th...7 months since banding... Take care. Rain

I'm weighed with clothing...I choose to remove my shoes... There were no before pictures asked of us. Thank God! Rain

I've never been a smoker, but both my parents passed away from lung cancer...so I hope I don't offend when I say that I am so proud of you for taking this HUGE difficult step towards a healthy future. I'm happy for you and will say a quick prayer that the road is as easy and short as possible. What a terrific post to read...I am thrilled for you!!! Rain

rainer....................265....................258.............255..............3 YAHOO!!! I'm past halfway to my first goal..a healthy BMI and a weight of 180!!! Rain

Hey StainedGal, We all do that at some point. Don't beat yourself up about it!!! Should we lengthen this challenge until NY day? Name...................... Starting....Loss....Current.....Goal......To Go LilMissBand-Aid..............276.8......0........ ..276.8......269..........7.8 LosingJusme..................264.........1........ ..263........252..........11 Rainer..........................270.........12..... ......258........258...........0 RidinMyHDDream.............258........0........... .258.......250.............8 marcar35......................263........5........ ....258.........250...........8 Staindgal (Bridget)........317.6........0........ ...317.6........299..........18.6 Well, ten days or so from Christmas and I finally accomplished my T-day goal...it's about time! Rain

What do you love about your band surgeon and their practice? I love that they are truly knowledged in banding procedures...also, I love that they know who I am from visit to visit. It is obvious by the things they say that I am me...not just another fat woman. What do you hate? I strongly dislike that I have to wait a month after a fill (with fluero) to meet with the dr. and then set an appt (usually a month away) for another fill. I'd prefer to be able to do these things on my timeline...I am not a child, I know what my body needs and don't like waiting two months for something I know I need. Also, waiting over an hour for my appt. is unacceptable... What do we do well? The support for the banded patients is excellent. The office staff is generally top notch and personable. What could we do better? just the above mentioned thing re: getting fills. What more could we do to help you succeed? When I call to tell you that I am having a problem or would like to discuss how to jump start my weight loss...don't tell me that I've already gone beyond the statistics of the band. I don't care that I'm doing better than I should be doing (statistically...)...I wan to know how to change things for me! How could we improve your customer experience with our practices? nothing to add ehre. rain

Congrats to you and your wife on the birth of Liam!!! Rain

I'll join in... Surfing the net...reading...crochet...and being a mama..

I just watched it. I was so happy for those women I had tears streaming down my face. Such joy in their faces. They totally sent the correct person home...although I canno stand that boy Christian and thought the other guy should have won. Christian is too much like my old students...annoying and without impulse control. Bleh! Do you think Heidi is pregnant again? Both outfits were ballooning int he middle. If only I could have looked like her while pregnant...instead I was like omar the tent makers dress dummy...not pretty! Rain

Oh...all clothing is not for tall people...average height...maybe....but not tall people. Trust me!!! I will never like to shop because I am a giant...and while some clothing can be altered for petites (I know not all of them)...no amount of tailoring can lengthen clothing...well...except for putting lace at the bottom of the sleeves...you know, cause that looks good! I do, however, like to shop for other people...my sister is an 8...and average height...she's sooo much fun to shop with. I live vicariously through her! Where are the tall sections at Macy's???? Rain