the best me

Anxoiusly awaiting your update. So glad your PCP sent you directly to the ENT doc. Good call, PCP!!!!

Oh good, Dianne! Welcome to Bandland!!!! Yippeee! You did it! Recover well. Walk and sip and walk and sip. (((hugs)))

Perfect! It's a great way to get all that good muscle underneath the layers of chub nice and toned. That way as the fat falls off, the beautiful underneath is exposed. I loved Curves when I went. They don't have childcare, however, so I changed gyms when my year ended. I really would like to go back. Other than the childcare, for me I felt as though I wasn't getting enough cardio. If I had walked on my days off it would have helped. So, if you really will walk, too, then I say go for it!!! Curves is cool.

OH, what a little socialite you are! Congrats! You will have a ball. Let us know all the fun things you girls get in to, okay?!!!

I'm so glad you called. The temp rising is not a good sign!! Yep, first thang in the morning for you. Please let us know!!! OMGosh, how awful. Yuck. Ewww....but I'm really glad you gave us all the gory details though. Can't wait to hear what happens next!!!! This is, indeed, a PB gone really bad. ((((hugs)))))

THERE you are! Don't go away so long, okay? See what happens when you go without your support system?! Stick out your hand, lemme slap it, there. YES! Just the smallest amount can make the biggest difference. My first fill was 2cc in a 4cc band. By the weekend I knew the gig was up and went back for an unfill. Doc took out a mere .4cc, leaving me at 1.6cc and all is good. I have restriction, have since lost about 12 pounds (slowly) and I do't think I'l get another fill for a good bit of time. We'll see. One thing to keep in mind is that post-fill, the stoma/band area is often swollen, especially if your fill was a bit tight and you then unfill. After the swelling goes down you can be left with less restriction than you want. I tried to keep this in mind and stick with liquids over the weekend after my fill but each time I attempted any food at all I PB'd or at least got stuck, so the vicious cycle continued until that small amount came out. Now it's all good. Go back and get a small fill. Maybe try a half cc and see? What size is your band...don't you have the Vanguard? And look! You have lost 40 pounds so don't sweat it! Back up and punt. You can do this.

Yay! I remember you! Your Calvin was the one who had you unwrap pictures that spelled "will you marry me?" right? Very sweet. Thanks for checking in and happy wedding planning to you!

My Mom called the other day and told me she ordered it for herself. While on the phone they offered a second book for $15 so she got it for my sister and I to share. I can't wait to read it. I'll be sure to post any questions I have here, thanks for hanging out till I can get into it. I tend not to be overly-dramatic or easily swayed toward conspiracy theories (which I'm guessing this book gets a few nods in that direction) BUT I'm open minded and practical enough to give it a shot. I'm ready to read up!!!

I had fun, too! It's so nice getting together with all of you. Someone post the pic!!! I'll post it on the picture thread like we did the last one just to show our cute selves off! Tomorrrow morning Dianne!!! Extra prayers for you!!!!!!! and a banana :banana

I would personally consider chewing and spitting a different category altogether from eating and purging. Purging is absolutely under no circumstances something that should be done with or without a band. I suppose if a chewing and spitting behavior crossed a line to become some type of disorder...wow, where's that line? I dunno. I have chewed and spit meat more than a few times, mostly just to avoid a PB. With a history of bulemia, I would certainly NOT go there. But heck, chewing and spitting is not odd in this crowd, for whatever reason, I'm betting. Nope Kare, you are not alone. Humiliating? Maybe. Rare? Doubt it.

1.6cc in a 4cc band and restricted well for 2 weeks at a time starting the day of Aunt Flo's visit and following. The other 2 weeks, well, I gotta work it. But good though. I have had one fill of 2cc and had to unfill down to 1.6cc. Okay for now!

Watch out now. I saw 194 this morning! And NOT 194.8 or 6 or 4 but 194.0!!!! Could it be? Thanks for this challenge. It really helps my motivation!!! Everyone is updated page 5 post #61.

hehe, me, too. However, I sit and eat and routinely spit out anything well-chewed that I don't want to risk getting stuck, ie: bacon, sausage patties, onion, hamburger, whatever ends up as an unchewable wad in my mouth. Then I spit it out. Yuck! But I don't eat it for the hell of it just because it's yummy and I'm not done. I'm more likely to take a sip of Water and make a bit more room for what I want and don't really need. I'm liking your idea a little better Chew, don't swallow? How sick is that? But, yeah, I can see it. Do like DeLarla does and pour salt all over whatever is half-eaten and ruin it. Or, just chew it and spit it out...it's really not a half-bad idea. Whatever it takes!

flower, MollyMolly posted this on another thread about hair loss...sorry for the Search highlights but I copied and pasted. Hope it helps!!! quote: Here is a post from a Yahoo group, I hope it helps. Basically, the surgery itself is probably the cause, and yes, it takes a few months past the surgery before you actually see the hair fall out because of how your hair cycle works. You're saying 6 months instead of two to four, but every person's body is different. ------------------------------------ Telogen Effluvium ? What Is It? ? Symptoms ? Diagnosis ? Expected Duration ? Prevention ? Treatment ? When To Call A Professional ? Prognosis ? Additional Info What Is It? At any given time, about 85% to 90% of the hairs on the average person's head are actively growing (the anagen phase) and the others are resting (the telogen phase). Typically, a hair is in the anagen phase for two to four years, then enters the telogen phase, rests for about two to four months, and then falls out and is replaced by a new, growing hair. The average person naturally loses about 100 hairs a day. In a person with telogen effluvium, some body change or shock pushes more hairs into the telogen phase. Typically in this condition, about 30% of the hairs stop growing and go into the resting phase before falling out. So if you have telogen effluvium, you may lose an average of 300 hairs a day instead of 100. Telogen effluvium can be triggered by a number of different events, including: * Surgery * Major physical trauma * Major psychological stress * High fever or severe infection * Extreme weight loss * Extreme change in diet * Abrupt hormonal changes, including those associated with childbirth and menopause * Iron deficiency * Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism * A new medication Because hairs that enter the telogen phase rest in place for two to four months before falling out, you may not notice any hair loss until two to four months after the event that caused the problem. Telogen effluvium rarely lasts longer than six months, although some cases last longer. Although losing a great number of hairs within a short time can be frightening, the condition is usually temporary. Each hair that is pushed prematurely into the telogen phase is replaced by a new, growing hair, so there is no danger of complete baldness. Because hair on the scalp grows slowly, your hair may feel or look thinner than usual for a time, but fullness will return as the new hairs grow in. Symptoms If you have telogen effluvium, you'll notice more hair than usual accumulating on your pillowcase, on the shower or bathroom floor and in your hairbrush. Your scalp hair may feel or look less dense than usual. Often, though, the hair loss is subtle, and other people may not notice anything different about your hair. Diagnosis Most cases of telogen effluvium can be diagnosed based on medical history and an examination of the scalp and hair. If the hair loss has been occurring for several months, there may be visible thinning Patches, but often the hair loss is not dramatic enough for a doctor to notice. If you have large bald patches, you probably don't have telogen effluvium. If the doctor gently tugs on some hairs on your scalp and four or more hairs come out, you probably have telogen effluvium. Also, the hairs will look like hairs in the telogen phase - they will have a white bulb at the end that was in the scalp, and will not have a gel-like covering around that end of the hair. You may be asked to gather all hairs that fall out of your head over a 24-hour period, and count them to see if the hair loss is truly excessive. Losing fewer than 100 hairs in a day is considered normal. You also may be asked to gather and count lost hairs every one or two weeks to see when the shedding starts to decline. In some rare cases, if there is reason to doubt the diagnosis, a biopsy of the scalp may be done. In this procedure, a small piece of the scalp that includes several hair follicles is removed and examined under a microscope. Your doctor also may do blood tests to check for conditions such as thyroid abnormalities that may be contributing to hair loss. Expected Duration Typically, hair loss begins two to four months after the event that triggered the problem, and lasts approximately six months. New hairs begin growing immediately after the hair falls out, but significant growth may not be noticed for several months. Prevention Nothing can be done to prevent most of the types of physical shock that can start telogen effluvium. Some cases may be caused by a poor diet, and these might be prevented by eating a balanced diet that provides enough Protein, iron and other nutrients. Treatment No treatment for active telogen effluvium has been proven effective. Some causes of the disorder can be corrected. For example, if you have a poor diet, consult a dietitian to help you balance it. If the hair loss began after you started a new medication, talk to your doctor to see if the medication should be discontinued. Many times, however, the cause is a specific event in the past, and you can expect that the hair will grow back. In cases where hair growth has not returned to a satisfactory level, your doctor may prescribe minoxidil (Rogaine), a lotion applied to the scalp that stimulates hair growth in some people. When To Call A Professional See your doctor if you experience excessive hair loss or obvious thinning patches on your scalp. Prognosis The outlook for telogen effluvium is very good. Most cases run their course within six to nine months, and the hair usually grows back. In some cases, the disorder may last longer. In other cases, not all hairs grow back. Additional Info American Academy of Dermatology http://www.aad.org/ Last updated July 14, 2005 <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Hi Greg! I miss you here! Check in more often!!! ((((HUGS))))

Here's what I do but I don't think it counts. I don't do it every time, only if the stuck goes on and on. If I get stuck and it won't pass and I'm aggravated, I know I'll end up PBing it at some point anyway, I take a pretty good sized gulp of Water or Crystal Light (tastes better when it comes back up) and stand at the sink. I don't really make myself PB, but if it's inevitable, I egg it on. You are right, a PB is not as gross as a vomit. It's just the food and some slime, not the acid yuck that comes up when your really vomit. I supposed I have done this 4-5 times maybe. It certainly isn't a habit or one that I'm concerned will become one. Does that fit your profile?

I like the quirky sensitive types. Johnny Depp (Benny and Joon, Gilbert Grape), Christian Slater in the Bed of Roses movie? and ummm....Bill Pullman (While you were Sleeping), oh yeah, much as I hate it, I'm really attracted to Hugh Grant. Yep, I could get in to that...hmmm, where'd my hubby go?, now that my mind has gone down this little road funny thing is, hubby is nothing like any of the above listed wish-men. Wonder why that is???

What a sweet card! You go girl! Have a happy happy day!

Alexandra, is there a homeschooling curriculum available to get her Kindergarten year in before she starts 1st grade next fall? Just a thought? She can do Kgarten from home as quickly as she/you want, it's "on the books" so to speak because you have done an approved curriculum from home. There are some headaches involved but if it would get her ready for 1st grade and fulfill the requirements to have her ready for it, well????

Saw a new cute Joke, thought I'd post it on the Joke thread and I can't find it. Anyone have any ideas where it went???? Here's a new one. I am not responsible for the Jokes of others. If you post one that is Adult in nature, please title appropriately. Here's mine: Warning...gross but funny!!! A sexy woman went up to the bar in a quiet rural pub. She gestured alluringly to the bartender who approached her immediately. She seductively signalled that he should bring his face closer to hers. As he did she gently caressed his full beard. "Are you the manager?" she asked, softly stoking his face with both hands. "Actually no ..." he replied. "Can you get him for me ... I need to speak to him," she said running her hands beyond his beard and into his hair. "I'm afraid I can't ..." breathed the bartender "Is there anything I can do ...?" "Yes I need for you to give him a message," she continued, running her forefinger across the bartender's lips and slyly popping a couple of her fingers into his mouth and allowing him to suck them gently. "What should I tell him," the bartender managed to mumble. "Tell him," she whispered alluringly, "there's no toilet paper - hand soap - or paper towels in the ladies room."

I agree that the social/emotional aspects of her development are just as important as the physical. My daughter is in the 1st grade and JUST turned 6, so she is very young in her class, but keeps up academically. It's her self-control, attention-span, and lack of maturity as compared to her peers that has been an issue both in K and 1st. Once she got going, though, she adjusted and kept up fine so I'm expecting the same for 1st grade as it progresses. She is also very small. Not short, but tiny (Thank GOD! for Daddy's gene pool!) Hubby and I have both watched the Kindergarteners, just to see if we should have held her back. She is not like them. She is more confident, more out-going, more self-assured then the bitty ones and she just fits the 1st grade. So we are leaving her there. As for me, the worst times I had were the 5th grade when we moved and I started a new school in a new state. I was scrawny, limp, nervous, afraid, not confident, and easily upset. Needless to say, I got picked on. And I had such a big heart and felt terribly misunderstood/underrated/mistreated. I really didn't understand why the kids picked on me. As an adult, I see they did it because they could. The best thing my parents ever did for me was yank me out of that school and put me in Private School. I made cheerleading the next year and have wonderful memories of Jr High and High School. I did above average academically, not great, but better than average, and loved school, loved learning, loved reading, etc. Is Catie in Kindergarten right now? How's she doing there? My daughter was in Pre-school and they did a Kindergarten Readiness Assessment. I like Vera's idea of having her tested. A good school psychologist might be helpful, but asking teachers an opinion would probably give you the best feedback. And LBT, of course Another thought. She is being raised by YOU (and hubby) so she will surely turn out just great! Besides, no matter what you do, you will somehow manage to screw up your kids. If you didn't, what else would they do with their time during their 20's? Isn't that when you figure out where your parents screwed up and get over blaming them for everything? Let us know what you decide to do!!!

I haven't been irregular at all since banding but the last two months I have had terrible PMS. Hubby says he can see it in my eyes. It's an exhausted look, as if I had the flu. I feel like I look, generally terrible and frumpy and yucky. I chalked it up to the hormones stored in fat theory, which sounds like solid science, to me, anyway. I had my tubes tied after c-sect #2 so no hormones needed. But, do you have the patch there in Oz? You put on a new patch once a week. It apparently works well and if you don't need it for the birth control, well, might be worth a try. So you DO have a pill you are now taking? Anyhow, good luck. Let us know if it makes you feel better.

Is it a 16 or a 16W? That seems to make a difference. The W sizes are cut a tad fuller. Good job though! Wow!

I know what you mean about not feeling normal. I certainly did not feel normal for a few weeks, at least. There is alot to learn about being banded, and some of it, to tell the truth, you just have to live. I resaerched for months and was surprised by nothing post-op. However, there is just nothing like living it. For me, the hardest part of the recovery was adjusting to livng on so few calories. I was exhausted! I also have 2 young children, so...add that in. I certainly wasn't hungry, but really wanted to guzzle something to drink but could barely sip. I didn't like that. But a few weeks in, I had my son and went to lunch with a friend and somewhere in there, getting out of the car, I think, I felt normal. Yep, that's what it was, just a little bit normal and back to my old self and routine. It felt really nice. Slowly, I had longer periods of time where I was normal and it has only gotten better. Don't know about Dr Horgan, but I have seen his name on the boards here. Maybe do a Search? Good luck!!!!

You should post that on the Joke thread. Very cute!!!